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Chapter Text

The story begins years ago before the trolls escaped the Bergens and before Poppy and Branch taught the Bergens that they could be happy without eating Pop trolls. Before all that, there was a boy band called Brozone. They were incredibly popular among the trolls; sold-out concerts, albums being collected, and trolls would line up just to get their autographs. Trolls couldn't get enough of Brozone! Everyone could memorize the lyrics to every Brozone song and even their dance moves. Every troll fell in love with the band's catchy tunes, tight harmonies, and smooth moves.

Brozone wasn't just a boy band; they were real brothers, a real family. The eldest and the leader of the band, (John Square, sorry couldn't resist.) John Dory wrote all the songs he and his brothers sang in the band. But despite the bandwork, he was always there for his little brothers and took care of them. He was kind of like their dad in a way. He was always there to protect them and care for them. But when he started to manage the band full-time; his caring nature was pushed down and John became obsessed with making the band perfect. He gave all of his brothers' boy band labels and strict instructions on how to stay perfect.

John's first little brother, Spruce was labeled as the Heart Throb of the band. He would always go on dates with many trolls and would leave a trail of broken hearts. Spruce didn't mind all the lady fans or the fan mail he would get, but sometimes, some fans would get a little too much. During Spruce's latest date, he had only walked his date back to her pod but she got a little too obsessive. The troll tried to drag Spruce into her pod; begging for him to marry her. Somehow John Dory knew his brother was in trouble and saved him. But after that, John made Spruce work out more just to keep his abs in shape.

John's second little brother, Clay was labeled as the Fun Boy of the band. When Clay was born, the little trolling was giggling and smiling at his two older brothers. John always called Clay their little light because Clay always knew how to make his brothers happy with his jokes and fun dances. As the years went by, Clay became the Fun Boy of the band but it came with a cost. John talked Clay into dying his lime green hair to a fun yellow. Clay was even forced to wear wrist sweats and Funderdrawers for every concert. Clay was in charge of the band chorography but John would always have something to say.

But when it came to his two youngest brothers, John would drop everything and never force them into something. His third brother, Floyd was labeled as the Sensitive One and that label came earlier than the others. Floyd had also been a sensitive troll even since he was born. He would cry if a creature was too cute or if anyone was hurt. Trolls found it a little weird seeing as how no troll cries that much. But his brothers just saw it was the way Floyd expressed himself. Clay was the brother that Floyd always went to if something was wrong. But John had a special place in Floyd's heart.

And now John's youngest and cutest little brother, Branch AKA Bitty B was labeled as the Baby of the band, not just his family. When Branch was born, the first troll he saw was John Dory and he thought that his older brother was his parent. Floyd was so excited to be a big brother and he fell in love with Baby Branch at first sight. Branch adored his big brothers and looked up to them. Branch would imitate Clay's dance moves when he would work on new choreography, watch Spruce doing his workout, snuggle with Floyd just to take a nap, and he would always be in John's arms listening to his big brother humming a new song.

Now that Branch was a year old, it was time for him to join the band. It was Branch's first live show when things took a wild turn. The fans were promised by John Dory that Brozone would hit the Perfect Family Harmony. Backstage, Branch was looking out at the curtain, feeling nervous for tonight. John Dory went over the song list they were going to do for the show. He then checked on Spruce and Clay to see if they were ready. Floyd had just finished touching up his hair when he saw how stressed John Dory was. "Bro," he told John Dory, "you look stressed. Breathe."

"Of course, I'm stressed!" John Dory said, exasperated. "It's the first show of the tour. We have to hit the Perfect Family Harmony. We promised the fans!"

Floyd patted the air with both hands. "Calm down," he whispered. "You're making Baby Branch nervous."

John Dory looked over at Baby Branch who was super anxious. His expression softened seeing his baby. "Right. It's his first show." John said.

"I'll talk to him," Floyd stated. He went over to his youngest brother and bent down. "Hey, Baby Branch. How you feelin'?"

Baby Branch clutched his stomach. "I feel like I'm gonna barf and pass out."

"And pee your pants all at once?" Floyd finished.

"How did you know?" Branch asked.

"You got the preshow jitters," Floyd said, patting him reassuringly. "It's totally normal. Everyone gets them. Know what I do when I get them?"

"Barf, pass out, and pee your pants?" Baby Branch guessed.

Floyd chuckled. "I remember that I'm with my brothers and that when we come together, there's nothing we can't do."

The stage manager announced that the show was starting in ten seconds. "If we can't hit the Perfect Family Harmony, we aren't perfect," John Dory insisted. "And if we aren't perfect, we're NOTHING! Being nothing is not an option. So just follow my lead." He stuck his hand out, palm down. "Let's do this!"

Each of his brothers piled their hands on top of his. Together, John Dory, Spruce, Clay, Floyd, and Baby Branch shouted, "IT'S BRO TIME!"

A smooth-voiced announcer spoke through the arena's loudspeakers. "Ladies and gentlemen! Here they are!" Thousands of fans cheered, clapped, and stomped their feet.

"The Heartthrob!" the announcer said, introducing Spruce.

Spruce walked onstage blowing kisses. Pop Trolls fans squealed with delight. Spruce was so dreamy!

"The Fun Boy!" said the announcer.

Then Clay popped out through the curtains doing his dance moves. The audience laughed and applauded. They thought he was hilarious no matter what he did.

"The Sensitive One!" Floyd entered slowly with both hands pressed against his heart.

The Trolls closest to the stage sighed, wishing they could take care of him and protect him from all the harsh things in the world.

"The Leader!" said the announcer. John Dory strode onstage, full of confidence and determination.

The audience cheered, ready to follow him wherever he wanted to take them.

"And making his first live appearance, the Baby!" Glitter burst over the stage, revealing Branch suspended on a wire.

"Awwww!" the whole audience said, charmed by the adorable sight.

BroZone rolled right into their first song.

Brozone:

Da-da, da-da-da

Da-da-da, da-da-da

Da-da, da-da-da (BroZone)

Da-da-da, da-da-da

Well, there she goes

Spuce:

On the floor, let's do it

No more talkin' (No more talkin'), huh-uh

Spruce flashed his abs at the audience as he sang. Some fans practically fainted at how hot he looked.

Brozone:

Did anybody notice?

Floyd:

The energy just shifted when we dropped that

Ooh, let it drop in (Let it drop in), ooh

Trolls were gushing over Floyd as he sweetly sang, wishing they could protect him. Clay then started doing his dance moves to wow the crowd.

Clay:

I don't flex, but I might

Groove about to take flight?

John Dory joined in with some of his own dance moves.

JD:

'Cause the night is young and the music's on

And we got love on sight

When it was Baby Branch's turn to sing, every fan was just gushing, squealing, and awwing over the adorable little trolling.

Branch:

The sky was the limit

Now, the stars where we're livin'

It's the vibe when we're in it

It'll blow your mind

Brozone:

It's so perfect, pеrfect, perfect

A hundrеd percent

Put us together, you know what you'll get

They were in perfect sync, moving and singing as if they were one person. Everyone in the audience sensed that something very special was happening on the stage that night. They felt lucky to be there to witness it. The Perfect Family Harmony! "It's working!" John Dory hissed. "Come on, guys! Follow my lead!"

But when they realized how close they were to perfection, the brothers got excited and tried way too hard, pushing their singing till it was out of tune.

Yeah, it's so perfect, perfect, perfect

Harmony's so gold

And you'll never, ever wanna let it go

Ooh

Their harmonies were off. They messed up the rhythms. And then their moves went out of whack. They bumped into each other, they tripped, they got tangled up in a vine and swung into the air, banging into each other and finally bringing the whole set down. CRASH! Stunned, the audience went silent.

Branch was the only one that didn't get tangled up, he turned staring at the crowd, looking so embarrassed. After the stage crew helped the brothers who were tangled up; things took an ugly turn. They canceled the rest of the show and stormed into their pod. Spruce and John Dory started fighting and even Clay joined in. Branch hated it when his brothers fought, it always made him scared. Then Spruce told John Dory that he was quitting the band. Clay threw his Funderdrawers at John Dory and said that he quit the band as well. Then something inside John Dory finally snapped.

He grabbed his backpack and climbing gear and said that he was going to hike the Neverglade Trail alone. And just like that, he left through the window. Spruce and Clay stormed out of the pod in anger. Floyd tried to get them to come back but it was too late. Branch was nearly in tears as he watched his three older brothers just leave him. Floyd quickly hugged Branch to calm him down. "It's my fault. I ruined everything." Branch said, sadly.

Floyd gently lifted Branch's face so they could see each other. "Branch, none of this is your fault," Floyd said and smiled sweetly.

"Flo-Flo? Are you gonna leave too?" Branch asked, making those adorable puppy dog eyes.

"It won't be forever Branch. I'll be back soon. But right now, I need to listen to my heart. It's telling me it's time to start a solo career." Floyd answered, "But you're gonna be in charge of taking care of Grandma while I'm away."

Floyd then took off his green leaf vest and wrapped it around Branch. "There. So when you miss me, you can wear this. It'll be like I'm right here with you." Floyd spoke.

Branch then pulled out a drawing he'd made and handed it to Floyd. "And when you come back, we'll make our hideout."

"Floyd smiled, "Definitely." He opened the folded drawing that Branch made of the hideout which had rooms for each of their brothers, a kitchen, a lounge, and a water slide. "Is that a ten-story waterslide?"

Branch nodded excitedly, "Yeah, that's how we'll shower."

Floyd then tucked the drawing in the vest's inner pocket. He gave Branch one last tight hug and a brotherly kiss on the forehead. He grabbed his guitar and then turned to Branch. "I love you Baby Branch. I'll see you soon. Promised." And then he walked out the door.

Chapter Text

Four years later, Floyd was still on his solo journey; he would camp out in the woods, forage for food, and continue walking just to find a place to call home. During his journey, he discovered that there were other trolls in the world, not just pop trolls. He ended up in Symphonyville where the Classical Trolls lived. He thought the place was beautiful and their music was simple and sweet. But when he walked through the village; a few classical trolls gave him dirty looks or they would whisper things about him. Floyd tried to make some conversation but the classical trolls stuck up their noses and ignored him.

Floyd was confused with how the classical trolls were acting towards him. He thought he said something that offended them. He approached two classical trolls and waved hi. One of the trolls tried to go over to Floyd but the other troll shook his head and told the troll not to talk to Floyd. Floyd inches toward the two trolls trying to talk to them. The older troll just turned away from Floyd but the younger one and walked towards Floyd. "My apologies for my big brother. Us classical trolls pride on cleanliness and well..." The troll gestures to Floyd's appearance.

Floyd looked down at his dirty body and clothes, and even his mess, wild hair. "Oh. Sorry. It's been hard to find a decent shower in the wild." Floyd apologized.

The classical troll invited Floyd inside his home so he could freshen up. Floyd was grateful for the troll's kindness but when he looked at the older troll, he just got a glare. The troll introduced himself as Forte Crescendo and that was his big brother, Dante Crescendo. Soon Floyd was cleaned up and he looked so much better than he did in the last four years. He made sure to remove the items from his hair before cleaning it. His guitar, notebook, and a photo that had himself with all his brothers. When Floyd finished cleaning himself up, he went to grab his stuff but he noticed that the notebook and photo were missing. He started to panic and frantically looked for them.

When he was about to ask the Crescendo brothers if they'd seen his photo and notebook but then he saw the both of them, reading his notebook. Forte and Dante turned to Floyd, "Did you write these songs?" Dante asked.

"Um. Yeah, I did. I used to be in a band but it didn't work out. I wanted to start a solo career but no one wanted to listen to my type of songs. They all think their too emotional and not happy like normal pop songs should." Floyd answered.

"Well, these songs are pure genius!" Dante commented, "The melody, the lyrics, it's just pure emotion!"

"You think so?" Floyd asked.

"Of course. We do apologize for taking your journal. We got a little curious and then we saw the photo." Forte said then he held up the photo. "Were they your band members?"

"They were. And they are my brothers." Floyd answered.

Floyd explained to Forte and Dante what happened during the live show from four years ago and how it ended up in a disaster. He then told them that his older brothers left him and his baby brother. He even told them how their tribe was food for the Bergens and how they created a holiday called Trollstice where they'd harvest trolls from the tree and eat them. Dante looked like he wanted to faint after hearing everything. Forte asked if he knew what happened to his brothers. Floyd told them that he returned to the troll tree for Branch but when he returned, the tree was dead and he assumed the worst.

Without another thought, Dante patted Floyd's shoulder to help him calm down. "Sorry, it's just nice to finally have someone to talk to about this," Floyd stated.

Forte handed Floyd back his notebook and photo. Floyd then eyed the cello in the coroner and asked if he could play something. Dante allowed Floyd to try it out. And when Floyd started to play the cello, it was beautiful. Dante and Forte watched as Floyd played a little melody on the cello like he had played for years. When he finished both brothers were clapping. Floyd blushed a little but Dante insisted that he was wonderful. Forte and Dante gifted Floyd a guitar case just for him so he didn't damage his guitar. Floyd thanked the brothers and it was nice to have a friend for the first time.

Dante and Forte told Floyd that he was always welcome to come back for a visit. Floyd waved them goodbye and left to continue his journey.

Chapter Text

After a few days of walking, Floyd reached a new troll territory. He was now in Lonesome Flats, the home of the country trolls. When Floyd went into town; he expected to see the country trolls but there wasn't a troll in sight. He walked around to try and find the country trolls. He ended up in front of a house and decided to knock on the door. When the door opened, a troll with big blue hair, orange skin, horse legs, and a tail answered. "Hey there stranger. What brings you to Lonesome Flats?" the troll asked in a southern accent.

"I'm just passing through. My name is Floyd," he answered.

"Holly Darling. Nice to meetcha." Holly said.

"Um... Where is everyone? The place looks empty." Floyd said.

Holly giggled and told him he needed to wait until the clock struck twelve. She pointed to the clock tower that suddenly rang twelve. Then the sound of a banjo played, Floyd turned to see the leader of the country trolls, Delta Dawn walk out of a building singing a country song.

Delta:

Right outside of this one church town

There's a gold dirt road to a whole lot of nothin'

Got a deed to the land, but it ain't my ground

This is God's country

We pray for rain, and thank Him when it's fallen

'Cause it brings the grain and a little bit of money

We put it back in the plate

I guess that's why they call it God's country

Floyd then saw a few more country trolls walking out and slowly started to dance.

I saw the light in a sunrise

Sittin' back in a 40 on the muddy riverside

Gettin' baptized in holy water and 'shine with the dogs runnin'

Saved by the sound of the been found

Dixie whistled in the wind, that'll get you heaven-bound

The Devil went down to Georgia but he didn't stick around

This is God's country

Floyd looked back at Holly for an answer on what was happening. Holly explained that every day at noon, the country trolls would come out and sing.

We turn the dirt and work until the week's done

We take a break and break bread on Sunday

Then do it all again

'Cause we're proud to be from God's country (Yeah)

I saw the light in a sunrise

Sittin' back in a 40 on the muddy riverside

Gettin' baptized in holy water and 'shine with the dogs runnin'

Saved by the sound of the been found

Dixie whistled in the wind, that'll get you heaven-bound

The Devil went down to Georgia but he didn't stick around

This is God's country

After the song was done, Holly invited Floyd inside her home for something to eat. Floyd was grateful for the home-cooked meal and Holly even knew that Floyd was a pop troll. But she didn't mind that he was a pop troll. She served Floyd a country troll specialty which he liked and that made Holly. Floyd was enjoying Holly's company; she was sweet and understanding. Floyd opened up to her about why he was here in the first. "Well hot dang! Sounds like your brothers need a dose of reality." Holly stated.

"I think I'm just as bad. I left my baby brother too even though I promised him I would come back." Floyd said, feeling guilty.

Holly hugged him "You're not bad. You planned on keeping your promise while your brothers just left without even saying goodbye. You're allowed to be angry at your older brothers."

"Still. I miss them." Floyd spoke.

"You know what will help?" Holly asked.

"What?"

"Sing out your pain." Holly suggested, "Sometimes when us country trolls have too much on our minds, we let it out through song."

Floyd was willing to give it a try. He took his guitar out of his case and even his notebook. He flipped through the pages until he landed on one song that he wrote before he left Branch. He started strumming his guitar and then started to sing. Memories of when he would comfort Branch after a nightmare floated in his mind.

Floyd:

I remember tears streaming down your face when I said, "I'll never let you go"

When all those shadows almost killed your light

I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone"

But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be alright

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe and sound

Holly stayed quiet, listening to Floyd's song.

Don't you dare look out your window

Darling, everything's on fire

The war outside our door keeps raging on

Hold on to this lullaby

Even when (the) music's gone

Gone

Floyd continued his song as a few tears slowly streamed down his face.

Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be alright

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe and sound

Ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Oh (Oh)

Oh (Oh)

Ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Oh

Oh

Just close your eyes

You'll be alright

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe and sound

When Floyd finished, he turned to see Holly who was trying so hard not to cry. She then wiped away her tears and clapped for Floyd. "That was... beautiful. You wrote that?" Holly asked.

"Yeah. I did. It was one of the lullabies I used to sing for Branch. I never shared it with anyone." Floyd answered.

Holly invited him to stay the night before he left for who knows where. Floyd agreed to stay and thanked Holly for her kindness and hospitality.

Chapter Text

Floyd left Lonesome Flats the next day but he promised Holly that he would keep in touch like he would with Dante and Forte. He spent the next few weeks in the wilderness. He would find an area where there wouldn't be any predators and camp out. But after a while, he missed being around other trolls but he mostly missed his brothers. One night, after gathering some berries for dinner, he started taking out his guitar and playing. He played a sweet soft melody to let out his sadness and pain. But he suddenly stopped when he heard another guitar playing. Without thinking, he followed the sound to see what was going on.

The guitar playing got louder the closer he followed the sound. Floyd pushed a few leafy plants out of the way and saw a different troll who was around Floyd's age, playing the guitar loudly. Floyd watches the troll play like he's never seen a troll play a guitar that way before. Floyd was fascinated by how the troll was playing, wild, fast, and loud. Suddenly, Floyd stepped on a twig and the troll turned in his direction. "Who's there?! Show yourself!" the troll shouted.

Floyd came out and the troll slowly lighted up. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your playing." Floyd apologized, "I'm Floyd."

"Names Barb. The Princess of Rock." Barb introduced herself to Floyd. "And you're a Pop troll? I thought Pop trolls lived somewhere else."

"I'm just looking for myself. And a solo career. I'm not exactly a normal pop troll." Floyd answered.

Barb got closer to Floyd, scanning him head to toe. She then grabbed Floyd by the arm and dragged him towards her flier bug bike. She told him to get on and go with her to Volcano Rock City which was her home. Floyd wasn't sure about the flier bug ride but he figured that anywhere was better than staying out in the forest. So he hopped on the back of the flier bug and then they took off fast. The two trolls arrived in the home of the Hard Rock trolls. Everyone was rocking out, making a mess, and having fun. Barb took Floyd to her father, King Thrash who seemed surprised to see a pop troll here in Volcano Rock City.

King Thrash asked Floyd why he was here. Floyd told King Thrash and Barb about the bergens who eat trolls, how he left the troll tree along with his baby brother, and how he was lonely with no family. "So let me get this straight, these bergens think they'll only be happy if they're eating a troll. That's just sick!" Barb shouted in disgust.

"It's true. I lost my parents to bergens. And when I went back for my baby brother, everything was gone and the tree was dead. I have no one." Floyd spoke.

King Thrash put his hand on Floyd's shoulder, "Floyd, was it? You are more than welcome to stay here with us Rock Trolls." He said.

"Really? Thank you, King Thrash."

"But we're giving you a new look." Barb stated, "If you're gonna be a rocker troll then you gotta look the part."

She then eyed Floyd's guitar case and asked if he knew how to play. He took it out and started playing a few chords. "Impressed?" He asked.

"Not bad, Floy Boy. You might just fit in just fine." Barb stated

Chapter Text

Twenty years. That’s how long Floyd has been with the Hard Rock trolls, twenty years. He had been living with Barb and King Thrash as a part of their family and tribe. Barb helped Floyd bring out his inner rocker. Floyd had highlights in his pink hair now and a side bang that covered one of his eyes. He now wore black ripped shorts, and a large belt buckle, and Barb even gave him a leather jacket to wear and a spiked choker. Barb even showed Floyd how to apply makeup to his rocker look. He started writing some rock songs and performing with Barb at concerts. Barb became queen of his tribe after her father started to become too weak to continue running the tribe.

Besides Barb, Floyd made a few new rocker friends and even a lover. He became friends with Riff, Barb’s drummer, Val Thundershock, a wild guitarist who loved doing anything extreme, and Demo, the manager of all the best hard rock trolls including Floyd. He made friends with Hickory, a yodeling troll who is also a bounty hunter. Hickory also happened to be Floyd’s boyfriend. Floyd still sent out letters to Holly, Dante, and Forte. Sometimes, with Hickory’s help, he would sneak away from the hard rock trolls just to visit them. Floyd was happy in his new home but he still missed his brothers, including Branch.

During one of Barb’s concerts, Floyd was getting ready in the dressing room. He was putting on his eyeliner and then shook his bangs back over his eye. He then put in his stud earring but as he did, he saw the old photo of his brothers that he kept. His heart ached seeing the photo, he still had all the happy memories that he shared with his brothers. Barb came into his dressing room, asking if he was ready for the show. She saw Floyd looking at the old photo and then she was by his side. “You good, Floy Boy?” She asked.

“Oh, Barb.” Floyd said then snapped out of his daze, “I was…”

“Thinking about your brothers again?” Barb finished.

“Yeah. But mostly Branch. He would be in his twenties by now. I still feel guilty that I never came back for him.”

“Look, I’m not good at comforting people. But I think your brother would have understood why you didn’t come back.” Barb stated.

“Thanks, Barb,” Floyd said.

“Anything for my brother and adviser. Now, let’s get our rock on!” Barb said, running out of the dressing room.

Floyd smiled at Barb’s excitement. He then grabbed his guitar for the show, the same guitar he always had. He went backstage to do a final check on the band and equipment in case anyone missed anything. Once Floyd finished his final check, he was behind the stage curtains looking out at the audience. The crowd was cheering and screaming for their queen and her band to perform. Apparently, Barb had a big announcement to make after the performance. To him, this was his home, his family, but he never forgot his real home. Demo came over to Floyd to tell him that it was almost show time. Floyd got into position and he was ready.

Loud hard rock music began to play as Barb confidently walked onto the stage, mic in her hand. Spotlights shined onto her band members as they were playing the song. Floyd stepped onto the stage playing his guitar then Barb began to sing.

Barb:

There's something wrong with the world today

I don't know what it is

Something's wrong with our eyes

We're seeing things in a different way

And God knows it ain't his

It sure ain't no surprise, yeah

Floyd stepped to his mic stand to join in.

Floyd:

He says We've gotta hold on to what we've got

It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not

We've got each other and that's a lot for love

We'll give it a shot

Both Floyd and Barb started to harmonize together.

Both:

Whoa, we're halfway there

Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear

Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Barb was jamming it out on her guitar with her big solo. The band rocked out with their Queen. The crowd is screaming and jumping into the lava pits to show how intense their music is. Floyd was enjoying the moment, rocking out with his adopted sister. Barb gestured to Floyd to sing his part.

Floyd:

Movin' fast, doin' 95

Hit top speed but I'm still movin' much too slow

I feel so good, I'm so alive

Hear my song playin' on the radio

It goes

Get up

Everybody's gonna move their feet

Get down

Everybody's gonna leave their seat

You gotta lose your life in Volcano Rock City

Barb:

You better stand tall when they're calling you out

Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down

Both:

Whoa, we're halfway there

Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear

Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Whoa, we're halfway there

Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear

Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Whoa, we're halfway there

Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear

Whoa oh

The show ended with both Barb and Floyd rocking out on their guitars. When they were done, the crowd went wild. Barb then took the mic from the stand and told her subjects that she had an announcement. The crowd went silent, waiting to hear what their Queen had to say. “I’m here to announce that we’ll be going on a world tour around the other troll kingdoms!” Barb announced, “At the end of the tour, we’ll bring the remaining tribes to our city to unite everyone under one music. Our music!”

Everyone cheered and clapped for their queen's plan but Floyd was a little concerned. As soon as both he and Barb were off the stage, Floyd confronted her. “A world tour? Barb, what are you planning? You can’t force other trolls to like rock music.” Floyd said.

“Floyd. Remember when Dad told us the story about how all the trolls lived in harmony all those years ago?” Barb asked.

“Of course, I remember. They lived in isolation because Pop, my tribe, tried to destroy all music. Kind of hard to forget.” Floyd stated.

“But think about it. We can unite the trolls under our music. All I need is each string from each tribe and then I can play the Ultimate Power Cord and unite us under rock.” Barb explained.

“Except we don’t know if the Pop Trolls are still alive! And it’s not like the other tribes are gonna just agree to this plan.” Floyd stated.

“Ok. I wasn’t going to say anything. But I sent some scouts to look for the Pop Trolls. I knew you still missed your home so I figured if you and your brothers escaped then your tribe must have left. And well, they found the Pop tribe.”

Floyd was shocked, “You… You found them?”

“They have their own village now. And I bet they still have their string. And your brother could still be alive.” Barb explained.

Floyd gasped and then tears streamed down his cheeks; his baby brother, Branch was alive. He wanted to go to the village immediately and apologize to Branch for breaking their promise. He wanted to hug his baby brother tight, never letting him go. Barb told Floyd that she sent her pet bat Debbie with invitations for every tribe. The rest of her crew and her father had their vehicles all set and ready to roll out. Barb asked Floyd if he wanted to join her for the world tour. He wanted to say no but then he thought about Branch and how this could be his chance to make things right.

He agreed to the world tour but he wanted Barb to save Pop Village for last. This would give him a chance to warn his Classical and Country troll friends about what Barb was planning.

Chapter Text

Down in the ocean, loud music was being played. Out on the reef where a huge party was happening courtesy of the Techno Trolls. The Techno Trolls are aquatic trolls that can survive on both land and water. Their home is Techno Reef; they love having raves and partying well into the night. The ruler of the Techno Troll, King Trollex was DJing the party as everyone else was dancing and having a good time. 

King Trollex:

One more time

One more time, one more time

“What’s up, my Techno Trolls!?” King Trollex shouted.

One more time

One more time, we're gonna celebrate

Oh yeah, all right, don't stop the dancin'

Every Techno troll was dancing with their friends and family, enjoying themselves. “Tonight is about family, love, and music! Come on! Let me see you jump! 1,2,3,4!” King Trollex announced.

The Techno trolls jumped to the beat in perfect unison. "Hey, get ready for the drop!" King Trollex announces then asks the Beat Drop Button, "You ready, little buddy?"

"Let's do this, King Trollex!" the Beat Drop Button shouted.

"Wait for it!" King Trollex said.

"Come on!" the Beat Drop Button urged.

"Wait for it!" King Trollex amped up the suspense.

"Yes?" the Beat Drop Button asked.

"Wait for it! Wait for it! Wait for it!" King Trollex teased.

"Come on, man! Hit me!" the Beat Drop Button begged.

"Just do it already!" Bliss pleaded.

King Trollex circled back to his spot and then hit the button, sending a sound wave of energy into the crowd.

One more time

Music's got me feelin' so free

We're gonna celebrate

Celebrate and dance so free

The party was in full swing until King Trollex saw something heading their way. He stopped the music, making his subjects groan in disappointment. “Don’t worry, everybody! We’ll get back to the party in a minute! Let me just take care of this real quick!” King Trollex assured the other trolls.

He and his Beat Drop Button went towards the giant creature. It unzipped its mouth to reveal Barb standing there with a smirk on her face. She introduced herself to Trollex and then she demanded that he hand over the Techno string King Trollex refused to hand over the string, if he did then the techno trolls would lose their music. Barb mocked the Techno Trolls music calling the music nothing but bleeps and bloops. She then summoned her rockers from all the other vehicles as King Trollex looked defensive around them. The rockers started to play their music, charging up their sonic waves. 

Barb then cracked up the volume, sending a sonic wave onto the techno trolls, rendering them disoriented from the attack. Barb’s playing got intense to the point where her playing was able to shatter the reef into two pieces. "Okay, okay! Enough! Stop! You're harshing the vibe we've worked very hard to build!" King Trollex said, hugging the Beat Drop Button.

"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!" Barb said.

She then blew them away and took the Techno string. The rockers rounded up all the techno trolls and held them captive in their vehicles. Floyd was a little horrified at how Barb acted towards the techno trolls. He was lucky that she didn’t see him send out a warning letter to both the classical trolls and the country trolls before Barb caught on.

Chapter Text

In Pop Village, the new Queen of the Pop Trolls, Poppy was preparing for another day in her village. She was showered, shaved, and brushed her teeth with a multicolored lollipop.

Poppy:

Woke up in the morning light 

Today is the day that I do everything right. 

Two little creatures helped Poppy with her dress as she was dancing around her pod.

Now that I'm queen, 

I've got a kingdom to run! 

'Cause Trolls, they wanna have fun. 

Her crown was placed on her head then she excitedly danced her way outside.

Yeah, Trolls just wanna have fun!

All of Pop Village was singing and dancing to another perfect day.

Pop Trolls: 

They just wanna, they just wanna. They just wanna…  

Poppy: 

Trolls just wanna have fun.  

Down underground, Branch was waking up in his bunker to a fresh new day. Since the trolls were free from the bergans, Branch’s colors came back but they weren’t completely bright. His colors had dulled down but he wasn’t fully gray. But he was ok with not being like every other troll. The trauma scarred him completely but he was slowly getting used to being happy again, all thanks to Poppy.

Branch:

Lived underground to get away from the world, 

till I had my life changed by a beautiful girl.

Branch removed a leaf that said nothing important to reveal a picture of him and Poppy together. Since that day, he had a huge crush on Poppy but he could never tell her how he felt about her.

Just need the guts to tell her that she's the one, 

but you know, Trolls, they wanna have fun…

He gets to the elevator in his bunker which takes him above ground. He gets out of his bunker and joins Poppy and the other trolls.

Oh, Trolls just wanna have…  

Branch & Poppy: 

That's all they really want. 

Some fun 

when the workin' day is done! 

Oh, Trolls, they wanna have fun. 

Oh, Trolls just wanna have…  

Branch & Poppy jump down from the tree they were in, Poppy using her hair to helicopter down while Branch parachutes his way down. “All right, Queen Poppy. I've prepared an agenda for the day.” Branch stated, pointing to the schedule he made.

“Oh. Well, I hope it says singing, dancing and hugging. Ow-ow!” Poppy said, excitedly.

“Uh, isn't that what we do every day?” Branch asked.

“Yeah. Good times.” Poppy handed Branch some roller skates and they joined the Snack Pack for a fun roller skating time.

Trolls: 

Good times! 

Branch: 

We have a good time, yeah.

Trolls:

These are the good times!

We have a good time, yeah!

Leave your cares behind!

These are the good times, yeah!

Having the best time, oh, yeah.

Leave your cares behind!

They all suddenly heard Guy Diamond’s screams. They ran towards him to learn that he was having a baby. His friends were so excited to hear that. The twins worked on a jumpsuit for Guy Diamond’s baby and just in time. The egg popped out of his hair and it hatched, revealing a tiny little glitter troll. “What should I name him?” Guy Diamond asked.

“Hmm… How about, Tiny Diamond?” Poppy suggested.

And just like that, the now-named TIny Diamond started to sing.

Tiny Diamond:

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Tiny Diamond is my name (Diamond)

Come straight from my daddy's mane (Mane)

My whole body's made of glitter (Glitter)

And I'll throw it in your face (Face)

I love when I make music

And the groove is in my bones (My bones)

Just like my aunt, Queen Poppy

Someday, I'll sit on the throne (King Tiny)

Poppy and the others continued their big song and dance.

Poppy:

Groove is in the heart

Groove is in the heart, yeah, yeah

Yeah

Trolls:

They just wanna, they just wanna (These are the good times)

They just wanna, they just wanna (These are the good times)

They just wanna, they just wanna (These are the good times)

They just wanna, they just wanna

Trolls just wanna have

Poppy/Branch:

Fun

After the fun was over, Poppy went back to her queen duties. Branch followed behind, he was gonna confess his feelings to Poppy today. “Hey, uh, Poppy… There's somethin' I was hopin' to ask you. I-I mean, I guess it's something I want to tell you, more so.” Branch said, nervously.

“Uh-huh,” Poppy said.

“Uh, but listen. You could feel free to respond to it, uh, with an answer, i-if you wanted.” 

“Sure. What's up?” Poppy said, facing Branch.

He just stuttered with his words, looking into Poppy’s eyes. But instead of confessing his feelings. He just told Poppy that she was crushing it being queen. “Aw, Branch, thank you. Being a good queen is the most important thing in the world to me. Other than being your friend!” she stated.

The word friend echoed in Branch’s mind. He was stuck in the friend zone with Poppy. The next thing either one of them knew, they heard someone screaming for help. Poppy knew that scream, it was Biggie.

Chapter Text

Biggie was being chased by Debbie, Barb’s pet bat creature. The bat chased Biggie around the village, freaking out other trolls too. Poppy jumped to the rescue by using her hair to grab the bat and hold onto it. But she freaked out seeing the bat squirming around in her hair. Branch tackled the bat out of Poppy’s hair and started to calm down the bat. Once the bat was calm, trolls gathered around to get a closer look at it. Poppy wasn’t focused on the creature, she was more focused on what the creature dropped. She picked up the piece of paper and saw that it was an invitation.

“Oh, don't worry, everyone. It looks like it's just an invitation.” Poppy addressed the trolls.

The trolls relaxed hearing that it was just an invitation. Poppy started to read the invitation out loud for everyone including her dad to hear. “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…”

Poppy was confused by what the invitation meant by bringing your string and Queen of Rock. Before she could question the invitation, Peppy snatched the invitation from Poppy and started freaking out. He tried chewing the paper up into tiny pieces until Branch calmed him down. Poppy asked her father what was going on. He claimed that he was only trying to protect Poppy from what he was about to explain. Poppy assured her father that she was now the queen and she could handle whatever her father had to say. Peppy then told Poppy and the other pop trolls that they were not alone om this world, for there are other kinds of trolls.

Poppy took what Peppy was saying the wrong way, thinking that these other trolls weren’t so different from them. But Peppy told Poppy that the trolls he was talking about are far more different then them. “They're different in ways you can't even imagine. 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. That's our music. That's what makes us Pop Trolls.” Peppy explained, “But these other Trolls, they sing differently. They dance differently. Why, some of them can't even begin to grasp the concept of Hammer Time!”

Every troll started to freak out and panic upon hearing that. Peppy had to step in and get everyone to calm down. Peppy decided to break down the news in a smaller group to cause less of a panic. Peppy took Poppy, Branch, and the Snack Pack to a waterfall, and then he pulled out a scrapbook with the whole story. In the beginning, there was silence until one of the elder trolls made a sound. The sound so inspired the ancestors , they took six strings. And those six strings had the power to control all music. They could play anything, techno, funk, classical, country, hard rock, and pop. And every kind of music in between. It was one big party!

But over time, Trolls became intolerant of each other's music. They fought over what kind of music should be played and it became a disaster. Finally, the elders came up with one solution, each ruler would take a string and go their separate ways with their tribe. And the trolls have lived in isolation ever since. Peppy then pulled out his map which had the locations of the other tribes. “Now Barb's announcement makes sense. She wants to reunite the strings so the Troll World can be one big party again!” Poppy exclaimed.

“Wait, that's all you heard? One big party?” Branch asked Poppy.

“Yeah! It's when all the Trolls lived in harmony. And what's more important than living in harmony?” Poppy asked.

“Well, I heard fighting. The strings together lead to fighting.” Branch stated.

“Exactly, Branch. That's why we need to keep our string safe.” Peppy stated.

Peppy then had the waterfall separate to reveal the Pop String. With just a touch of his finger, the string played a beautiful sound rings out and lightly showers the surrounding Trolls with pink glitter. It was beautiful and powerful in the wrong hands. Peppy stated that he had a plan for when anything like this would happen. Which was just to run and hide from the other tribes. “You're assuming the worst about someone you haven't even met!” Poppy shouted at her father.

“You're not listening to me.”

“You're not listening to me!”

“I'm your father!”

“And I'm the queen!”

“Uh, father trumps queen. Now, there's no time to debate this. Let's go. Come along, Branch.”

Peppy left with Branch who gave Poppy a face that said ‘I’m sorry.’ Poppy was upset that her father expected her to just run and hide like they’ve always done. But she had a plan.

Chapter Text

Late at night, Poppy had baskets filled with sweets all packed up and placed on Sheila B, the hot air balloon. She even gave Debbie a makeover, covered the bat in glitter, and topped her hair off with a pink bow. Poppy gave Debbie a handmade invitation for her to deliver to Queen Barb, looking forward to helping her plan the so-called party. Poppy didn’t notice Branch standing behind her until he spoke up. Poppy was startled and tried to hide the bat, but the bat just flew away. “Sneaking out to meet Barb? Headed into enemy territory?” Branch questioned Poppy.

“She's not the enemy. She's a queen, the same as me.” Poppy stated.

Poppy continued to pack the treats she was bringing with her while Branch was trying to reason with her. But she refused to listen to Branch and went along to continue her plan. “Well, but we don't know anything about the other Trolls.” Branch stated.

“Well, we know they're Trolls. Branch, look around Troll Village. Everybody's different, even us.” Poppy spoke.

Her words kind of stung Branch’s heart; of course, he knew that he and Poppy were different, but he didn’t care about that because he liked her. Branch told Poppy that her idea was gonna blow up in her face, but she didn’t care. She cut the balloon line that tied it to the ground and started to take off. She smirked down at Branch as the balloon kept going. Branch folded his arms and pouted but then he groaned, knowing he was gonna regret his choice. He used his hair to swing onto a tree branch and then backflipped from the tree branch and landed into the balloon basket, next to Poppy.

“And I guess…I'm coming with you.” Branch said.

Poppy sighed in relief, “Oh, thank you! I really didn't want to go by myself.”

And just like that, Branch and Poppy were leaving Pop Village to find the other tribes. Cooper overheard everything and saw that one of the trolls looked like him. He decided to go out and find the trolls that look just like him. 

Meanwhile with the Hard Rock Trolls, Barb was rocking out her victory with grabbing the Techno string. The vehicles came bursting out of the water with all the rock trolls rocking out.

Barb:

All aboard

Hahahahahahahahaha

Ay-ay-ay

Barb was rocking out on her guitar while all the vehicles were driving to their next location.

Crazy, that's how it goes

Millions of people living as foes

Barb played her guitar while jumping from each vehicle, checking on her people while rocking out.

Music has kept us apart

It's time for the hard rock revolution to start

Fireworks were launched in the sky with Rock Troll symbols.

No spats, no tiffs, no fighting

When everyone's the same

Barb jumped back onto her critters tongue as the critters started to open their wings and fly.

We're going off the rails on a crazy train

Barb entered the main room of the vehicle, ““Yeah! I got the Techno string!” She said, holding out the Techno string, causing the Rock Trolls in the room to cheer, “Who knew world domination could be so much fun?”

She either high fived or fist bumped each of her subjects. Barb then approached a case, holding the powerful guitar that she’ll use on all the other Trolls, and attaches the Techno string to it, turning it into another Rock music string, then closes the case. Barb looked around for Floyd to talk to him, but she didn’t see him. Barb then asked Riff if he had seen Floyd around. Riff pointed to the other room where Floyd was. Barb went inside the room to talk to Floyd. She saw him staring at his guitar then pounced on him. Floyd was snapped out of his daze when he felt Barb’s arms around him.

“Guess what, Floy Boy? We’ve only got four more strings to go.” Barb bragged.

“Barb, I know this tour means a lot to you but forcing everyone under Rock Music? It just doesn’t feel right.” Floyd stated.

But Barb dragged Floyd down to where all the other trolls were gathered along with King Thrash who came out from the bathroom. Barb excitedly told her dad that she got the Techno string, but her father didn’t remember the plan. Barb and Floyd both knew that the king had some memory lose issues. So Barb explained her plan again which excited all the rock trolls, and the King even made the rock and roll gesture. Floyd knew that they were almost close to the Classical Trolls territory. Then he decided to ask Barb if he could go ahead of them to Lonesome Flats. “Why?” Barb asked.

“I just think that maybe if it would help if I scouted ahead.” Floyd quickly lied.

“I’ll think about it.” Barb stated.

Chapter Text

Floyd waited til Barb and her crew were distracted long enough not to notice him. He snuck out of the main critter, took a critter bike, and went to warn Dante and Forte of Barb’s attack on their home. When he arrived in the village, most of the Classical Trolls were flying out of their homes with their interments, ready to play beside the leader of their tribe, Trollzart. Floyd didn’t see Dante or Forte among the group, he figured that the brothers must be running late. He knew that Barb was on her way with the rest of the hard rockers. So he drove to their home, hoping to warn them before it was too late.

He made sure to hide the critter bike so Barb didn’t know that he snuck away. He walked inside and thankfully, Dante and Forte were still inside. “Floyd? What are you doing here?” Dante asked.

“Dante, please tell me you and your brother got my letter,” Floyd begged.

“We did. So Barb’s…?”

“She’s coming here to steal your string. You didn’t see what she did with the Techno Trolls. She took their string and took everyone, prisoner. She’ll do the same thing here.” Floyd explained.

Dante and Forte decided to warn the rest of the Classical Trolls about Barb’s arrival. Floyd told them to hide, he didn’t want them to get caught in the middle of Barb’s world tour. Unfortunately, they didn’t listen to Floyd and flew out towards the Classical Trolls who were playing along with Trollzart. Floyd stayed hidden; not wanting Barb to see him. Before Dante and Forte could say anything, Barb and her hard rockers showed up. “‘Sup, Trollzart, dude? I’m here for your string.” Barb announced.

“We will not go quietly,” Trollzart stated.

The Classicals played Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in a C minor to show Barb that they weren’t afraid. But Barb pretended to fall asleep then she called out their music being boring with no words. She then amped up her guitar and played the same symphony but louder along with the rest of her people. The guitar blasts knocked all of the Classical Trolls out of the air and destroyed their home and music. Barb snatched Trollzart’s conductor's wand and then snapped it in half to reveal the golden Classical music string. She ordered her people to round up all of the Classical Trolls. 

Floyd took this chance to sneak back into the rock critter vehicle along with his critter bike. Once Barb had all of the Classical Trolls hostage, they left the now-destroyed Symphonyville. Floyd looked out at the moving cages where all the Classical Trolls were in; he was sorry for them and what Barb was planning. He then watched as Barb placed the Classical String into the guitar, turning it into another red rock string. While everyone was celebrating their victory, Floyd just slipped back into a separate room, away from everyone. He was trying so hard to get Barb to listen to him but she wasn’t hearing him.

Floyd pulled out an old photo from when he was still in the troll tree. Before he left, before the failed concert, the photo was of him, Branch when he was just a baby, and all of their older brothers, smiling and being a family. Tears formed in Floyd’s eyes but he wiped them away. He noticed the smears of eyeliner on his hand, he realized that he needed to redo his makeup. He reached into his hair and pulled out a small pink bag with blue flowers scattered all over it. The bag was old, worn out, and faded but it was special to Floyd. This was the first makeup bag Floyd owned, it was given to him by John Dory.

Floyd always carried the makeup bag around with him; he did have another one that Barb gave him on his birthday and he used it but the pink one was so important to him. He remembered when John gave him that bag. Floyd was around five; he always liked seeing his Grandma putting on her makeup. So he would take some of her makeup and put it on himself; except he kept on breaking or messing up the makeup. John was the first of his older brothers to learn that Floyd was into makeup. He didn’t judge Floyd for liking makeup; he was happy for Floyd. However, he did tell Floyd that he couldn’t keep stealing their Grandma’s makeup.

John surprised Floyd one morning with that pink makeup bag. Floyd took the bag and opened it to see a beginner's makeup kit inside it. Everything in the kit included the basic brushes, basic foundation, primer, eyeliner, mascara, an eyeshadow palette, blush, and even lipstick. John even made sure to put makeup wipes in the bag. Floyd was so happy that day and spent almost all day testing out his makeup kit. John made sure to get Floyd anything new for his makeup bag every other weekend. Spruce and Clay learned that Floyd was into makeup and they supported him as well.

Floyd snapped out of his flashback and then stashed the photo back in his hair. He reached into his makeup bag and pulled out the makeup wipes. He began to wipe away the smug makeup on his face. Once he was done, he pulled out the eyeliner and a small handheld mirror. He brushed back his bangs and then started applying the eyeliner. When he was done, he set his bang back in place. Floyd still had doubts about Barb’s plan but she and her father took Floyd in when he had no one. He still questioned, if he was still a Pop Troll or was he a Rock Troll.

Floyd:

I used to float, now I just fall down

I used to know, but I'm not sure now

What I was made for

What was I made for?

Floyd imagined seeing his Baby Branch being tossed in the air by John Dory, having fun. He saw Spruce and Clay doing their secret handshake. Floyd then saw his younger self running towards his brothers, full of joy and happiness to be with his brothers.

Takin' a drive, I was an ideal

Looked so alive, turns out I'm not real

Floyd reached out to the images of his brothers but they vanished in thin air.

Just somethin' you paid for

What was I made for?

Floyd clutched his heart.

'Cause I, I

I don't know how to feel

But I wanna try

I don't know how to feel

But someday, I might

Someday, I might

Think I forgot how to be happy

Somethin' I'm not, but somethin' I can be

Somethin' I wait for

Somethin' I'm made for

Somethin' I'm made for

Before he had another moment to himself, he heard Barb shouting. He ran to see what was going on and found her pet bat, Debbie covered in glitter. “What the…? What happened to Debbie?” Floyd asked.

Barb held up a letter that was scrapbooked in the shape of an ice cream cone. “Pop trolls. Their leader, Queen Poppy sent this and made Debbie look like a glitter bomb!” Barb shouted.

Both of them heard a fizzing sound coming from the letter. Barb held it up to her face, watched in confusion, and then the letter shot glitter in Barb’s face. Some of the glitter landed on Floyd as well. The invite started to play Poppy’s voice singing which caused Barb to growl. Riff pulled Floyd away and even King Thrash backed away knowing Barb was gonna go full rage. She furiously wiped the glitter from her face and started breaking things in her rage path. “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!” she screamed.

Barb then takes a chainsaw and saws a couch in half, revealing a Rock Troll who was reading inside the couch, then Barb sits against half of the couch, gasping for breath. “You know, you can't get it out… Uh, I'm tired now. Hating things takes a lot of energy.” Barb stated.

“You know I’m a Pop Troll, right Barb?” Floyd asked, wiping away the glitter from his face. “Who uses that much glitter?”

“Yeah, but you’re cooler. This Queen Poppy thinks we can be best friends.” Barb answered as she picked up the invitation, “Ugh! I need that Pop string! And I know who's gonna help me. The most feared bounty hunters in all of Trolldom.”

Three out of the four bounty hunter groups arrived in the rock critter. There was Chaz, the smooth jazz troll, the Reggaeton Trolls, and the K-pop gang. Barb told them that she would give them their own territory that wasn’t Hard Rock territory if one of them brought her Queen Poppy and the pop string. The bounty hunters agreed to Barb’s terms and left to get Poppy. The only bounty hunters that didn’t show up were the Yodelers. “I heard a rumor, uh, that they yodeled so hard, an avalanche fell on 'em,” Riff stated.

“Riff, that’s not true.” Floyd said, “I’ve been in contact with Hickory through letters. He’s in Lonesome Flats.”

Barb knew that the Yodelers would be able to find Queen Poppy but she figured that someone else should be out there. Barb then turned to Floyd, “Queen Poppy might be heading to the other tribes to warn them. So we need someone on the inside. Someone she’s never met in her village.” Barb suggested.

“I don’t know about this Barb,” Floyd spoke.

“Come on, Floy Boy. You’re perfect. You know more about the Pop Trolls than any of us.” 

“Barb, if I agree to do this, I want you to promise me that you’ll spare Branch from your plans. I don’t want him getting caught in the middle of all this.”

“I’m a queen of my word. I’ll spare your baby brother.” Barb stated.

Floyd then agreed to get close to Queen Poppy. He took a motor critter and headed out to Lonesome Flats.

Chapter Text

Poppy and Branch flew over the kingdom and weren’t alone; Biggie and Mr. Dinkles snuck aboard the balloon after munching on some cotton candy. However, when Poppy, Branch, and Biggie arrive in Symphonyville, or what was left, Poppy realizes that Barb wants to destroy them. Branch told them they should return to the village and protect their people and string from Barb. But Poppy had brought the string with her, thinking it was a good idea. Branch told Poppy that they had to go home but Poppy insisted that they needed to warn the other tribes about Barb. Poppy even made a pinky promise to Biggie that she’ll protect him.

Their next stop was Lonesome Flats to warn the country trolls. Poppy, Branch, and Biggie began to make their way to Lonesome Flats. It took them a bit to get to Lonesome Flats since their balloon got blown away by the pinky promise and they had to walk the rest of the way. But it was worth it; they made it to Lonesome Flats before the hard rock trolls did. Branch looked at the empty town and figured no one was home. He tried to walk away but Poppy kept walking towards the town. “There is no ‘I quit’ in team!” she shouted back at Branch.

On their way into town, the clock struck twelve which meant that the country trolls would be coming out singing. Delta Dawn walked out of a building singing and playing her banjo.

Delta:

We don't hope for makin' things better

All we want is to keep it together

As Delta was singing, some of the country trolls came into view. A country family watched their egg in the mother’s hair hatches. The father took the trolling off the mother’s hair and had him start working with his siblings milking the cattle.

Every day is a rainy day, no changin' the weather

This kind of life has made our hearts as hard as leather

Two kid trolls chased a tumbleweed, laughing, but then the tumbleweed turned around and started chasing the kids, who ran away screaming.

And all these tears are from the dust in our eyes

Delta saw one of the male country trolls crying.

And all these years just keep on passin' us by

And all this misery makes it hard to deny

Poppy, Branch, and Biggie watch the country trolls sing from behind a barrel.

We all know that we're just born to die

That's the way it goes when you're just born to die

Poppy was so confused with how the country trolls sang and how sad the song was. Branch knew that the song was sad but he understood it and he liked it. Poppy figured that the country trolls didn’t know that music is supposed to make trolls happy. Soon every country troll was in the town square, dancing.

And all these tears are from the dust in our eyes

And all these years just keep on passin' us by

And all this misery makes it hard to deny

One of the country trolls ended up dancing to their coffin.

That's the way it goes when you're just born to die

Poppy had Biggie and Branch huddle up to go over her plan. Delta and her friend, Growly Pete looked at them completely confused. Delta had to stop Pete from marching over to the pop trolls. “Now, take it easy, Growly Pete. I feel bad for them. It looks like they got beat up by a rainbow. Expect for the little fella in the leaf vest.” Delta stated, pointing at Branch.

Poppy decided that the country trolls needed some “cheering” up so she was gonna have them sing a mad medley with some of the most popular songs in pop troll history. Branch was a little skeptical about the whole idea but as usual, Poppy didn’t listen. Then Poppy, Biggie, and Branch started singing the mad medley; well Poppy and Biggie were full-on singing but Branch just nervously went along with it. Most of the country trolls were horrified and some were speechless. Even Delta looked so annoyed by how Poppy was just assuming that her people needed to know what music was supposed to be.

However, Delta’s eyes fell on a very nervous Branch; she could tell that he wasn’t into the idea of the mad medley. When Poppy, Biggie, and Branch finished, almost every country trolls shut themselves up in their homes. Delta had Growly Pete take Biggie and Poppy to their jail cell but Delta told Growly Pete to spare Branch. Poppy and Biggie were shoved into the jail cell then the door was slammed shut. “Now, I want you two to sit in here and think about what you've just done. That was a crime against music,” she said to them.

“Wait, no. We're here to warn you about Barb, the Queen of Rock.” Poppy explained.

“Ugh, sweetie, I already know and have heard about this Queen Barb and her fancy World Tour. Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta go wash what you call music out of my ears.” Delta said then turned around and walked away.

Poppy looked offended then she peeked out the jail bars to see Branch being led away by Delta. Delta told Growly Pete to keep an eye on Poppy and her friend. She took Branch into her home and she even offered him a drink. Branch looked at her confused, “I don’t understand. You didn’t lock me up with my friends?” Branch asked.

“I could tell that you didn’t like what your friend had you do. You might have been singing along but your body language was telling me otherwise. Beside sugar, you are too adorable to be mad out.” Delta answered.

Branch’s cheeks flushed a little hearing Delta call him adorable. Delta’s niece, Clamper poked out of her big hair and looked at Branch. “Why is this one so darker than the other ones?” she asked.

Branch looked away, feeling a little ashamed. He was still getting used to being happy but with his colors still a little grey, it made him feel a little insecure. Delta scolded her niece who retreated into the hair. Delta apologized to Branch about her niece and told him that there was nothing wrong with his colors. Branch just kept his eyes glued to the floor, thinking that he would be judged on his colors just like he was in Pop Village. Delta’s motherly instances kicked in seeing Branch look like he was about to cry. “You mind if I hug you darling? You look like you need one.” Delta asked.

Branch didn’t say a word but he did nod his head yes. Deltaslowyly wrapped her arms around Branch and hugged him. Normally Branch would squirm if he was forced into a hug but when Delta hugged him, it was different. It wasn’t as bone-crushing or forceful as the ones he gets from Poppy and her friends. It was more of a gentle hug that someone would receive from a parent. Plus he liked how Delta asked for permission to hug him instead of going ahead and doing it like Poppy does. Delta released Branch from the hug and told him that she thought his colors were beautiful just as they are.

Branch was surprised that someone thought he was fine just as he is. “You don’t have to pity me because I’m grey,” Branch muttered

Delta was shocked hearing that, “Young man, I am not pitying you because you’re grey. Hon, some of us country trolls have dull colors and that doesn’t mean that they are less important. Why would you think that?”

“I’ve been grey for over twenty years. No one in Pop Village wanted me because to them, being grey is a curse. They think that always being happy is more important than being grey and ugly. A lot of them would always tell me to be happy, sing and dance more, or hug during Hug Time. But I don’t like singing and dancing all the time, I like quiet and being left alone. So I started to take care of myself after no other troll family wanted me.” Branch explained.

Delta looked heartbroken hearing Branch saying that. She heard that a troll can lose their colors from a traumatic experience; from everything Branch shared with her, she could tell that something must have happened to him. Delta wanted to go all the way to Pop Village and teach them a thing or two about bullying this sweet little troll. It did explain why her motherly instances were bubbling when she first saw Branch. Delta could tell that Branch wasn’t really healthy-looking. She saw how skinny Branch looked during that mad medley; he looked like he hadn’t eaten in days.

Delta noticed the bags under his eyes as well, knowing that the young troll didn’t sleep well. “Um, how did you know about Queen Barb?” Branch asked.

“Oh, a friend sent a letter, warning us about Barb. He’s a real sweetheart. He comes by Lonesome Flats for a visit. He’s quite a favorite around here, always helping out and sharing some of his songs. He’s a pop troll like ya’ll. Maybe you know him?” Delta stated.

“I’m not sure. Most of us weren’t aware that there were other kinds of trolls until recently.” Branch answered.

“Huh? I guess Floyd is the only Pop Troll that knows about us.” Delta muttered.

Branch’s ears perked up hearing the name of his older brother, Floyd. “Did you say, Floyd?” Branch asked.

“So you do know him,” Delta said.

“I do actually. He’s someone I thought I would have never seen again.”

Chapter Text

Floyd arrived in Lonesome Flats before Barb and the rest of the Hard Rock trolls. He ensured his critter bike was secured, and then walked into the town. A lot of the country trolls gave him a wave or a hello. Some of the little country trolls came running toward him all excited to see him again. The trollings were being shooed away by Holly who was so excited to see Floyd. She pulled him into a tight bone-crushing hug and then released him so he could breathe. “It’s great to see you, Holly.” Floyd said, “Did you…?”

“Get your letter about Barb coming to steal our string for her world tour? Yep. Mayor Delta Dawn already had us on high alert. We ain’t giving up our music without a fight.” Holly stated.

Floyd was grateful that the country trolls were going to defend their home and music. Holly then told Floyd that he wasn’t the only pop troll that came into town. Floyd was confused until Holly told him about three other colorful pop trolls showing up in town and singing a mad pop medley that was a little offensive to the townsfolk. Floyd looked a little surprised to hear that some pop trolls were in Lonesome Flats. Holly then told him that the mayor only locked up two out of the three pop trolls in the jail. Floyd asked about the third troll, but Holly just told him to head over to the mayor’s home to check it out for himself.

Floyd walked to Delta’s home and walked inside. He was half expecting to see Queen Poppy with Delta, talking about what to do about Barb. But upon entering the house, he heard a male voice talking with Delta. Floyd followed the voice to Delta’s living room; but when he entered the room, his heart nearly stopped. He saw the troll that Delta was talking to; a dull-colored troll but Floyd’s eyes fell onto the leaf vest, the same vest he gave Branch when he was a baby. Tears formed in his eyes, and he clutched his chest tight. “Branch?” he spoke softly.

Both Delta and Branch turned to where Floyd was standing. While Delta was happy and surprised to see Floyd, Branch looked shocked. Delta noticed the two brothers and decided to give them some time to talk and stepped out of the room. Floyd slowly walked toward Branch who was trying to fight back some tears. Floyd then put a hand on Branch’s face to get a look at his now grown-up baby brother. Floyd couldn’t believe how much his brother had grown. Branch wanted to scream at Floyd for abandoning him and breaking their promise. But he didn’t; instead, he jumped into Floyd’s arms and hugged his big brother.

Floyd was surprised at first but then he wrapped his arms around Branch. Branch started to cry; every tear he held back broke through. Floyd rubbed Branch’s hair and softly whispered so many apologies and comforting words to calm Branch down. Branch let Floyd go and quickly wiped away his tears. “You really grew into that vest. You’re so grown up.” Floyd said, smiling.

“So did you.” Branch said, “I didn’t think I would see you again. I thought you forgot about me.”

Floyd held Branch’s hands tight, “Branch, I could never forget about you. I did keep my promise and went back to the tree to see you. But when I did, I couldn’t find you or Grandma. The tree was empty and decayed. I thought you were dead; I blamed myself for not coming back sooner. I spent the last twenty years living somewhere else away from the Bergens.” Floyd explained.

That was when the realization hit Branch; Floyd came back just after the Great Escape from the Troll Tree. “You… You did come back?” Branch asked.

“Yeah, B. I did.” Floyd answered.

The little kid inside Branch was jumping up and down but on the outside, Branch was worried about how to tell Floyd that their grandma wasn’t around anymore. Branch then looked down at his dull-colored hands and then he turned away from Floyd. He was so ashamed of his colors, and he was afraid that Floyd would hate him. But Floyd looked at Branch with concerned eyes and then gently cupped Branch’s face in his hands. He did notice that his baby brother’s colors were darker than they were when he was a baby. “Branch? Angel, what’s wrong?” Floyd asked.

Branch looked at Floyd, but he stayed silent. Floyd could tell that something was off with Branch but instead of pressuring Branch into telling him, he gently kissed Branch on the forehead and told him that he didn’t have to tell him right now. Branch let the little kid in him take over then he jumped onto Floyd, crying and hugging him tight. Floyd then heard those four little words from Branch, “Don’t let me, Flo-Flo.” Branch whimpered.

Floyd felt his heart break hearing those words. He rubbed Branch’s back and started humming a lullaby from when Branch was a baby to calm him down. The lullaby worked and Branch started to calm down and then he went limp in Floyd’s arms. “I’m not going anywhere, Angel,” Floyd promised.

Chapter Text

The moment between Floyd and Branch was cut short when they heard a loud crash coming from outside. The two of them ran outside along with Delta to see what was happening. A few country trolls gathered to see what was going on. And sure enough, someone was breaking out Poppy and Biggie from the jailhouse. But Floyd knew who that troll was. “Hickory!?” Floyd shouted.

Hickory turned to face a shocked Floyd, but he also saw Delta’s angry face and didn’t want to stick around to be her next victim. Poppy saw Branch who was clutching Floyd’s hand tight. She wrapped her hair around him and then threw him onto the makeshift shed and Hickory made a break for it. Delta and her posse charged after them; Floyd quickly hopped on his creature bike and chased them. Delta even sicced her niece on the pop trolls to catch them. They ran through the cactus forest. The four of them managed to lose Clamper by making her fall into a mine shaft but the country trolls were on their tails.

Floyd drove his bike towards Branch, determined to get his baby brother back. But the bike hit a rock, bucking Floyd off and he went flying onto the makeshift sled. The country trolls were gaining on them; Delta had Growly Pete use his mustache as a lasso. Growly Pete’s mustache grabbed Branch by the ankle and started pulling him off the sled. Branch couldn’t help but giggle as he felt the mustache tickle his ankle. Floyd grabbed Branch’s arm to save him. He knew Delta’s heart was in the right place, but this was getting crazy. Suddenly, Clamper popped out of the ground and chased them.

But Poppy saw that they were heading for a cliff. “We’re not going to make it!” Poppy shouted.

Branch saw Clamper jumping towards him, but he used his hair to grab Clamper then used her to chop Growly Pete’s mustache off him. But the plan backfired when the sled went flying over the cliff with the five of them hanging in midair over the river below. “Well. I hope Pop trolls can swim.” Hickory said before they all fell into the river.

Moments later, Floyd, Biggie, Poppy, and Branch were on the shore sputtering and coughing. Floyd helped Branch up from the ground then he started fussing over his little brother making sure he wasn’t hurt. “Floyd, I’m fine. Really. I’m ok.” Branch assured.

Floyd was grateful that his brother was alright. But then he glared at Poppy who didn’t notice him. Hickory came running still soaking wet and he was relieved that Poppy and her friends were ok. He shook himself dry but when he saw Floyd, he nearly wanted to bolt for it. Floyd looked at Hickory who was stuttering with his words, “Floyd, darling…”

“Hickory, what in the name of Muses were you thinking?!” Floyd screamed, making Branch flinch. He had never seen Floyd lose his temper.

“It seemed like a good idea,” Hickory said, trying to reason with Floyd.

Floyd marched over to Hickory; Branch thought Floyd was gonna hurt Hickory, but he did something so unexpected. Floyd pulled Hickory close and then kissed him. Hickory was surprised by the kiss, but he melted into it. Branch was at a loss for words while Poppy thought that they were super cute. Floyd pulled away from Hickory “Never do anything like that again.” Floyd stated.

“No promises, darling. But I might do it for another kiss.” Hickory stated making Floyd blush like a schoolgirl.

Poppy decided to thank Hickory by giving him gumdrops, but Branch was more in questioning Hickory and how he knew his brother. But when Poppy finally noticed Floyd, she looked surprised to see another pop troll. “Hi. I’m Queen Poppy! How do you know Branch? Are you friends?” Poppy asked.

“Oh. Branch is my little brother.” Floyd said, calmly.

That set Poppy off like a firework; she pounced onto Branch yelling at him how he never told her about Floyd. Floyd rushed to Branch’s rescue and pulled Poppy off of him. He then hugged Branch and rubbed his back a little to calm him down. Floyd could tell that Branch didn’t like being touched so roughly or without permission. When Branch calmed down, he looked at Hickory. “Why are you helping us? How do you know my brother? What’s in it for you?” Branch asked.

“Branch!” Poppy said then turned to Hickory. “I’m sorry about my,” She looked at Branch for a second, “Associate.” She then looked back at Hickory.

“With all due respect, Queen Poppy. My little brother can ask my boyfriend questions if he wants to.” Floyd said to Poppy.

“He’s your boyfriend?” Branch asked Floyd.

Floyd gave Branch a little smile and then kissed him on the forehead. “Yes, my little angel. Hickory is the love of my life. I may be Pop and he may be Country, but I love him no matter what. He makes me happy. But you are important to me too.” Floyd said to Branch.

Poppy suddenly remembered where she had seen Floyd before. “I know you. You’re that guy from Brozone! I love Brozone! They’re my favorite band!” Poppy exclaimed.

“Now I get why you left the boy band days behind, my rose,” Hickory whispered to Floyd.

“Okay, okay. Don’t tell me. Um, you’re not the Heart Throb.”

“Uh, that’s your option.”

“The Fun One? No, you’re too uptight.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re not the Leader either. You don’t look that old.”

“Okay, a lot of assumptions you made about someone you just met thirty seconds ago.”

“Wait, I got it! You’re Floyd, the Sensitive One!”

Branch couldn’t help but let out soft giggles that only Floyd heard. “You like seeing me suffer, Bitty B?” Floyd said, teasing Branch.

Poppy had to cover her mouth and then let out a loud muffled squeal. Branch, Biggie, Hickory, and Floyd flinched when Poppy covered her mouth to muffle her scream. Branch looked terrified, looking around to make sure no one heard them. Floyd quickly hugged the youngest and rubbed his back to calm Branch down. "It's okay, Baby B. Calm down."

Poppy fanned her face, "Oh my God! Oh my God! Branch's brothers are in BroZone, John Dory called him Bitty B, how did I not notice before?! Branch is Bitty B! Oh, sweet cupcakes!” Poppy rambled.

Poppy finally calmed down then she pulled out the map and told everyone that they needed to head to the Funk Trolls before Barb did. Hickory knew that the quickest way was traveling by river. Within minutes, Hickory had built a giant raft big enough for all of them to ride on and he even built a cappuccino machine. Poppy and Biggie ran towards the raft while Branch stood there with his mouth open. Branch still didn’t trust Hickory, but he still walked onto the raft with his arms crossed and pouting. Floyd chuckled at Branch’s reaction; he knew that Hickory was doing all that to impress his little brother.

They all began to travel on the raft down the river. Floyd was happy to have his little brother back, but he didn’t seem to like Poppy. He let Hickory steer the raft that way he could catch up with Branch. He didn’t just notice Branch’s grey colors; he saw how small and skinny his baby brother was along with the huge bags under his eyes. He wanted to ask Branch about what happened in the past twenty years and ask him if their grandmother was still around. But Branch didn’t seem to be in an answering mood. Floyd decided to wait until after they were done dealing with Barb to ask Branch about the last twenty years.

While Poppy, Biggie, and Mr. Dinkles were enjoying themselves, Branch sat down looking down at his reflection in the river. Floyd walked over to Branch and sat down next to him. “Hey. Are you ok? Not going to join your friends?” Floyd asked.

“I just want to focus on the threat. Poppy isn’t taking this mission seriously. Not to mention she isn’t listening to me.” Branch complained.

“Branch, sweetheart. I know that Barb is our big priority. But right now, you can relax. I’m here now. I’ll protect you.” Floyd assured Branch.

Branch smiled a little hearing Floyd say that.

Chapter Text

Soon it was nightfall down by the river, Hickory set up a campfire on the raft. Hickory even made some grub for everyone to eat. Branch seemed skeptical about Hickory and not just because he learned that Floyd was dating him. He tried to voice his suspicions to Poppy but she refused to listen. She instead twisted Branch’s words making it seem like Branch thought he didn’t trust Poppy or think she was a good queen. That was a punch in the gut towards Branch. He tried to tell her, he was only looking out for them but she didn’t want to hear it. Branch wanted to say more but he stopped trying.

He saw Floyd over by the campfire and decided to talk to him. He sat down beside Floyd who was minding his own business. That is until all four heard a smooth, relaxing tune from the water. Floyd knew just who that was; Chaz the Smooth Jazz Troll. His music started to put Biggie, Branch, and Poppy under his hypnotic spell. Floyd struggled to fight against the spell for a moment until he lost against the music. The music gave them all crazy hallucinations but it was enough for Chaz to tie them all up. The hallucinations finally stopped but it was too late, they were tied up.

Floyd glared at Chaz and his dirty trick. Chaz was willing to take the Pop String from Poppy and rid the world of what he calls, “cheesy pointless” pop music. Floyd looked over at his brother who was obviously confused about who Chaz was. Just then, Hickory appeared out of nowhere full of anger to save the day. Both he and Chaz stared at each other like this was a county showdown. “And who are you supposed to be, cowboy pants?” Chaz asked.

 “My name's Hickory, and I don't much care for smooth jazz,” Hickory stated.

Chaz then played his instrument, trying to get Hickory under his control. But he was unaffected by the music and used his back legs to kick Chaz off the boat and back into the river. Hickory then pops two gumdrops out of his ears, “Gumdrops. Soundproof and delicious.” he said before popping the gumdrops into his mouth.

He helped untie Floyd first then Floyd kissed him. Both Floyd and Hickory untied the others just as Chaz vowed that smooth jazz would never die and then disappear. Poppy asked who that was and Hickory told her that Chaz was one of the many bounty hunters after them and the Pop string. Biggie was freaking out about the encounter with Chaz with how smooth and awful it was. Hickory patted Biggie’s shoulder in comfort and told him that this was enough to put him off smooth jazz altogether. Biggie immediately decided that they needed to go back home and protect their loved ones. 

“Biggie, it’s ok,” Poppy stated.

“Stop saying that and listen to me,” Biggie said, cutting off Poppy. “You only hear what you want to hear, and it puts us all in danger. How are you supposed to save the world if you can't even keep us safe? You made a pinky promise to me, Queen Poppy. And you broke it.”

Biggie suddenly revved Mr. Dinkles up like a little motor boat then puts him into the water all while Biggie stands on him and then rides away back to Pop Village. Poppy was heartbroken that she had hurt her friend. Hickory offered to keep watch for the night so Floyd, Branch, and Poppy could get some rest. While Poppy went to the other side of the boat, Floyd wrapped Branch in a tight hug and checked him over in case Chaz harmed him. Branch swatted Floyd’s hands away and told him that he was fine. “I’m just making sure Branch,” Floyd stated.

He then sat down near the fire along with Branch; now that the two were alone they could catch up for a bit. Branch leaned on Floyd’s shoulder, listening to him speak. He remembered how Floyd’s soothing voice used to lull him to sleep. Floyd noticed Branch looking tired “Why don’t you get some rest Branch?” Floyd suggested.

Branch snapped out of his sleepy state “No, I’m good.” Branch argued.

“B. You have crows feet and bags under your eyes. It’s clear that you haven’t gotten any sleep.” Floyd calmly stated.

“I’m fine. I’m not tired.” Branch stated.

Floyd pulled Branch onto his lap which wasn’t hurt since Floyd could tell that Branch was extremely light. Floyd started to hum an old lullaby from Branch’s childhood. Branch’s eyes started to drop, “That’s cheating.” Branch whined.

“Yeah you need sleep, angel,” Floyd said.

Floyd then started rocking Branch in his arms and started singing the lullaby.

Floyd:

Sleep, little one, close your eyes

Your body's cooling with the night

Let your worries slip away

Tomorrow is a brand-new day

Shimmering noon and satin sky

Soft wind breathes its lullaby

Your dreams are here to set you free

The dawn will bring you back to me

The dawn will bring you back to me

The rocking motion caused Branch to relax and go limp in Floyd’s arms. He finally fell asleep on Floyd’s lap. Little memories started flowing back to Floyd, remembering how he used to sing to Branch when he had a nightmare or couldn’t sleep. Clay used to tease Floyd about him being Branch’s mom which ended up with Branch calling Floyd, Mama for about a month. But Floyd didn’t mind, it made Branch happy. Now that he got his baby brother back, he planned on caring for him to make up for lost time.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Branch felt more well-rested than ever in the last twenty years. But he looked up from where he slept and saw that he had fallen asleep on Floyd’s lap. He scrambled off his older brother feeling embarrassed. Floyd was still asleep but Hickory gently woke him up with a kiss on the cheek. Branch saw Poppy was by the steering wheel handling the boat while Hickory was strumming his ukulele. Branch sat by the edge of the boat. Emotions were high after Biggie left the group to head back to Pop Village. Hickory continued playing on his ukulele while Branch debated telling Poppy how he felt about her.

He groaned then laid back thinking that it was hopeless. Hickory stood over Branch “Somethin' tells me your heart ain't in this mission, Branch.” he said then held out his hand for Branch.

“What do you mean? I'm here, aren't I?” Branch stated as he took Hickory’s hand and sat up.

“Yeah, you're on a mission, all right, but your heart is with Miss Poppy,” Hickory said.

Floyd walked over to Branch and sat down beside him. “Hey, hold your horses!” Branch then glanced at Hickory since he is part horse, “I'm sorry, is that offensive?” Branch asked.

“Sweetheart. Not as offensive as you think, I can't see what's right in front of my eyes.” Floyd said, wrapping his arm around Branch. “Did you tell her yet?”

“I tried. But it just blows up in my face.” Branch stated to Floyd.

Floyd looked at Poppy then back at Branch. He could tell that Branch had a huge crush on Poppy but Floyd didn’t think that Poppy was good enough for his little brother. From just meeting Poppy, Floyd could tell that she wasn’t a good listener or a good friend. He heard Hickory tell Branch that only one of them was doing the listening in this relationship and it was him. Floyd asked Hickory if he could give Branch and him some space to talk. Hickory agreed and left to check on Poppy. With him gone, Floyd scooted closer to Branch but he felt a little ashamed from last night.

“Branch. You ok?” Floyd asked.

“Yeah. Just a little embarrassed about last night.” Branch confessed.

“Branch, be honest with me. What happened in the last twenty years? You have dark circles and faded colors, and you look like you could be blown away.” Floyd asked.

Branch looked away from Floyd but he held Branch’s hand and begged him to tell him what was going on. Branch had tears in his eyes as he spilled everything that had happened in the last twenty years. Floyd’s heart broke hearing that Branch spent the last twenty years all alone.  Floyd hugged Branch so tight that he didn’t want to let go. “I should have come back sooner,” Floyd muttered.

“Floyd…”

“No Branch. It’s true. If I had known about Grandma then I would have dropped everything sooner and come back to take care of you. You’re my baby brother, you always come first.”

“Maybe dial back on the baby brother? I’m not a baby anymore.”

“To me, you are. I care about you so much, Branch. And, Hickory is right, you are the only one who listens to Poppy and it doesn’t seem like she listens to your opinion.”

“It’s just Poppy being Poppy. She’s always like this.”

“Branch, I know you like her. But I don’t think Poppy feels the same about you. I fell in love with Hickory because we have that spark. We listen and respect each other. And I know that one day, you’ll find someone who loves you for you.”

Branch returned the hug and understood what his brother was saying.

Chapter Text

Suddenly something hovered over their raft; a giant UFO that looked like it had stepped out of another dimmission. Floyd, Branch, Poppy, and Hickory were surprised to see the UFO. The machine then activated a bubble-like beam that covered the raft. Just then three bubbles came down from the UFO. Hickory swatted at the bubble with his ukulele but missed and accidentally hit Branch in the face. “Sorry!” Hickory said.

Branch got even by accident;y kicking Hickory when he was aiming for the bubble. One bubble trapped Hickory while another swooped in and snatched Floyd and Branch. Poppy was mesmerized by the bubble that floated in front of her, and then she ended up inside it. The bubbles brought the four of them up into the airship. The aircraft disappears behind the clouds, and the three bubbles carrying the four Trolls travel up a chute where they see the Funk Trolls; this ship is their home. The bubbles carry the four trolls to a room, where Poppy’s bubble sets her down gently on her seat while Hickory, Floyd, and Branch fell and landed harshly on their seats.

Poppy then saw a funk troll that looked identical to her friend Cooper but without the green cap. “Cooper?! What are you doing here?!” she exclaimed.

“Actually, I'm over here,” Cooper stated as he stood behind Poppy.

Poppy looked at Cooper then back at the copycat with surprise. “Bacon-wrapped hot dogs!” Hickory exclaimed.

“Okay. Maybe all the jazz hasn't left my brain yet.” Branch muttered then he hit his head to remove the rest of the jazz notes.

Cooper confessed that the copycat was Prince D, his twin brother. Cooper then told Poopy that he was originally from Vibe City and the Funk Royals were his family. When Cooper and his twin were just eggs, Cooper’s egg was snatched from the nest by a bird. The bird dropped the egg into Pop Village and Cooper was raised as a Pop Troll. His birth parents haven’t stopped looking for Cooper ever since. Then when Cooper went out to look for other trolls that looked just like him, he ended up in a desert area. He was on the verge of passing out when the aircraft rescued him. He finally found his family.

Two adult Funk Trolls walked in just then who were dressed like royalty. “Oh, Poppy, I want you to meet the King and Queen of Funk,” Cooper said.

“King Quincy and Queen Essence.” Prince D stated.

“My mom and dad,” Cooper exclaimed.

Poppy was happy for Copper finding his birth family. She figured that Copper was just a Funk Troll but he told Poppy that he wasn’t just a funk troll, he was a pop troll too. Prince D added that he was a Hip Hop troll. Poppy took out the map to double-check if there were any hip-hop trolls. Prince D took a look at the map and told Poppy that the map she had was out of date. “Oh, he's right, look at that. It still has Disco.” Branch commented looking at the map.

“Disco Trolls went extinct years ago,” Hickory whispered to Floyd.

“Well, Your Majesties, we need your help to save all music from Queen Barb. 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!” Poppy explained.

Queen Essence and King Quincy gave each other looks then they looked at Poppy. “Poppy, I mean no disrespect, but king to queen, anything but that.” King Quincy stated.

Poppy asked why but then the Funk royal family took Branch, Poppy, Floyd, and Hickory to a bright diamond room filled with different historical records. And right in the center, a bass with the purple funk string was on display. Prince D started to talk about how the strings were found by their ancestors and how life was one big party. Poppy claimed that she had already heard the story but Prince D said something that shook her world. “That is until the Pop Trolls tried to steal our strings.” Prince D explained.

The expression on Branch and Poppy’s faces changed to horrified. Branch looked at Floyd who didn’t seem surprised at the news. “Steal your strings? That-That's not what it said in our scrapbooks.” Poppy claimed.

“Poppy, the scrapbooks don’t tell everything.” Floyd said, “They are telling the truth.”

“Let me tell you how it really went down.” Prince D said.

They played a record that began to tell the true story of the tribes.

Prince D (Raps):

Oh, oh

(Oh-oh-oh) Oh, (Oh-oh-oh) oh (Hey, yeah)

(Oh-oh-oh) Oh, (Oh-oh-oh) oh (Let's go)

Yeah, yeah, uh

We started off a team

Party 'til we fall asleep

Even on the street, when we disagreed

We did it on beat (Did it on beat)

Expected unique (Right), anything less, it was weak

The music of the strings made life complete (Facts)

'Til that one day they changed everything

The Pop Trolls started snatchin' up all of the strings (Oh no)

Put the melodies on top of poppy lil' beats

They cut us out of the scene

And then forgot what it really means (Not even publish us)

Shoulda seen between all of the scheming

It seems like the Trolls they stole from were meaningless

Walkin' around like they were the geniuses

But it's only samples, autotune and remixes (No, lawd)

I'm a vegan, I don't have no beef with them (No, lawd)

Gotta protect my kingdom

But the dream is to sing again (Yes, yes)

Being friends, seamless blend

Harmony ain't hard when the keys within you win

Soon a lot of funk trolls started to sing and dance along with the royal family.

Funk Trolls:

First, it was all love (At first, it was all love)

Hands up, super star love (Stars up)

That you can have it, you can have it all, love (And you can get it how you want)

But then you took it, took it all, love (They took it all)

All, love

Turn it up louder (Turn the music up louder)

Sing along, get the crowd up (Get the crowd up, come on)

But then you took it all, love (Took it all, love)

Then forgot all about us (Oh), but it's all love

I feel you

Sounds good in my ear when I hear it like that

I feel you

I say I look good to the mirror and it says it right back

I feel you

A little love wouldn't kill you

You really did me wrong, it was real cruel (It was real cruel)

Had a lot of love and I still do 'cause I feel you

Prince D continued with the story.

Prince D (Raps):

They saw the warning signs, couldn't ignore it (Look)

Had to figure out how to save the way of life they had made

So they made a play

The Pop Trolls were comin' for it all (Ah, ah)

All for one and one for all (Ah)

So the only way we saw, how we saw it

It was one thing left to be done (What?)

Each leader grabbed a single string and said, "Run!"

“And the Trolls never lived in harmony again.” King Quincy finished.

“So the Trolls live in isolation because of what…Pop did?” Poppy asked still confused.

“Pop tried to destroy our music.” Queen Essence stated.

But Poppy refused to listen to Queen Essence. She claimed that history would repeat itself if they all didn’t realize that they were all the same. Floyd rolled his eyes at Poppy, he wasn’t one for disliking anyone but Poppy was getting on his nerves. “But we're not all the same.” King Quincy spoke up. 

 “It's why all our strings are different. Because they reflect our different music.” Queen Essence stated.

“Denyin' our differences is denyin' the truth of who we are.” King Quincy said.

For once, the words hit Poppy hard and it seemed like she was listening. Branch looked at Floyd for answers about how he already knew the truth. But before Floyd could tell Branch the truth, a loud alarm rang throughout the aircraft. The hard rock trolls were here; Barb had succeeded in getting the country string and now she was coming for the funk string.

Chapter Text

Every Funk troll prepared for battle against the Hard Rock Trolls. Everything from fancy tech to their instruments all tuned and ready to fight. Cooper wanted to get Poppy and the others to safety. So he played certain notes on a keyboard which brought down two bubbles, one picked up Hickory while the other picked up Branch, Floyd, and Poppy. Poppy begged Cooper to let her help, but he had already joined his family. Suddenly, the power in the ship was cut; nothing worked. “Hard Rock cut the power.” Queen Essence stated.

“They're fighting dirty.” Prince D complained.

The bubbles that held Floyd, Hickory, Branch, and Poppy were out of the ship before the power went out. The three bubbles knocked into each other which caused Hickory to get separated from the others. He called out to Floyd that he’d find them. Just then, Branch, Poppy, and Floyd saw Barb and her Hard Rock Trolls charge onto Vibe City. Poppy panicked and tried to push her bubble towards Vibe City, wanting to help. Branch told her that they needed to go home but Poppy refused to listen. “I'm not like you. I can't just give up.” Poppy claimed.

“Give up? I want to protect our friends and family.” Branch argued.

“I can't go home until I've proven myself as a good queen,” Poppy exclaimed.

Floyd looked like he wanted to explode. This whole time, Poppy was thinking about herself and not everyone else. Even Branch was realizing it too; he had been backing up Poppy this whole time even when King Peppy, Biggie, Floyd, and Queen Essence were right. Branch looked at Floyd who wanted to say something. Floyd didn’t say anything but glared at Poppy with daggers in his eyes. Poppy noticed the death stares she was getting from Floyd. “OK, what is your problem, Floyd?! You’ve been glaring at me non-stop!” Poppy exclaimed.

“Because you’re acting like a spoiled brat!” Floyd shouted.

Branch was taken aback; he had never seen Floyd this angry before. “You want to be a good queen? A good queen listens. You refused to listen to the people around you. You know what I heard back there, differences do matter. And I should know, I grew up with three older brothers! JD didn’t listen to either of us or look what became of us!” Floyd continued.

The bubbles floated down to the ground, and then they popped, freeing Branch, Poppy, and Floyd. “It’s like you and me. We're too different to get along. Just like all the other Trolls.” Branch said to Poppy, “Floyd’s right. You never listen to me or my opinion.”

Poppy turned to Floyd who walked over to Branch. “You would trust your brother who left you over your best friend,” Poppy said, feeling angry.

“You haven’t acted like a friend this whole trip!” Branch shouted.

“We are really different.” 

“So different.”

“Completely out of harmony.” 

“Completely.”

“I don't even know why we're friends.”

Those words hurt Branch enough to shatter his heart. “Neither do I,” he said, he then turned around to walk away from Poppy and Floyd. He only got a few steps when he turned to face Poppy, “So…why do I care about you more than anybody else in the world? Weird, right?” He then walked away.

Poppy looked shocked and hurt seeing Branch walk away. She turned to Floyd, “What did Branch tell you?” she asked.

“He told me everything from the last twenty years. How he had no one after our grandma was eaten, how you all treated him like he was nothing because he’s grey, how you and your friends would call him the Village Grump and try to force him to be happy. Well, guess what Poppy? You can’t force people to do what you want! Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re just like Barb.” Floyd exclaimed.

He then decided to go look for Branch and leave Poppy all by herself. With Branch, he was slowly walking feeling depressed and hurt by Poppy’s actions.

Branch:

I know your favorite song

I hear it every day

Whoever made your smile

Made it to get in my way

Branch made his way to the edge of the riverbed and kneeled. He stared at the water until he started to see a reflection of Poppy smiling and laughing and looking back at him.

And every time you laugh

You make that little sound

It's just the hardest thing

To love you, but not know how

I hate that you're perfect, perfect for me

Branch then imagined that he was dancing with Poppy.

Branch/Poppy:

What good are words

When they always just get in our way?

And it hurts the most just to know

That you don't feel the same, the same (Yeah)

Branch and Poppy’s hug time bracelets dinged but neither one of them had no one to hug. Branch just covered his bracelet to make it stop.

And I hate that you're perfect, you're perfect for me (Oh yeah, hey)

I hate that you're perfect, you're perfect for me

Branch suddenly heard some rustling in the bushes behind him. He quickly got into a defensive mode and scanned for the danger. When he saw what the cause of the rustling was, his brother Floyd came to check on him. “Hey B. You ok?” Floyd asked.

“Floyd, did you know about the true history? You didn’t seem so shocked.” Branch stated.

Floyd couldn’t lie to his brother anymore; he looked up at Branch and confessed that he had been living with the Hard Rock Trolls for the past twenty years and that he was Barb’s Royal Advisor and adopted brother. He knew about the other tribes' history with the pop trolls from the old King of the Hard Rock trolls. He knew about Barb’s plan for the strings and that she asked him to get close to Poppy just to get the Pop String. He only agreed to it to protect Branch and the friends he made from the other tribes. But he told Branch that he didn’t agree with what Barb was planning.

Branch looked hurt and confused, “You? You were going to betray us for Barb?” Branch asked, in a soft tone.

“No. No, I would never. Please believe me, Branch. I need to protect you. That’s what brothers do.” Floyd begged.

“You haven’t been my brother in so long. Can you blame me for being paranoid about this?!” Branch shouted. “Was any of what you said true?! That you wouldn’t leave me again?!”

“Branch, sweetheart….”

“No! I don’t want to hear it! You hurt me far too much Floyd!”

“Just let me explain…”

“Just leave me alone!” 

And just like that, Branch ran off to get away from Floyd. Floyd looked like he wanted to cry; he hurt his baby brother again. Branch ran and ran until he reached another part of the river. He began to cry, kneeling by the riverbed and letting out every tear that was stored up. While he was crying, the sound of girls giggling made his ear twitch. He quickly wiped away the tears and then got into a defensive stand. The giggling came from every direction until he turned his back to the bushes behind him. Suddenly, something grabbed Branch by the ankles and dragged him into the bushes.

He found himself tied up in a black and pink checkered ribbon. Then five female trolls appeared out of the blue. “Hey crybaby. Your name Poppy?” The leader, Wani asked.

“What? Who are you?” Branch asked.

“We are the K-Pop gang.” Baby Bun answered.

“And you're going to take us to Queen Poppy,” Wani ordered.

Before Branch could even say a word, the Reggaeton Trolls showed up. “Not so fast, Tracy. We're takin' him.” Wani claimed.

“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.” ‘Tresillo argued.

“And we can’t live in a world without K-Pop,” Wani argued back.

This broke into a dance off between the K-Pop gang and the Reggaeton Trolls. The K-Pop gang went first dancing and singing to Russian Roulette. They even untied Branch and forced him to dance with them. He tried to get away but with one glare from Wani, he caved and started dancing with them. The music was fast passing but Branch was able to get in sync with the K-Pop gang. The Reggaeton Trolls were up next; they pulled Branch into their dance. Branch eased into the reggaeton music and just clicked with them. Only after the dance, Branch found himself tied up by the Reggaeton Trolls.

The K-Pop and Reggaeton Trolls respected each other and wanted to both take Branch to Barb for the land. Just then, Floyd showed up to try and talk to Branch only to find his brother tied up and the K-Pop and Reggaeton trolls. He quickly untied Branch from the ribbon. Branch told the K-Pop and Reggaeton Trolls that all music should be saved, and they were willing to listen to Branch. They were going to Volcano Rock City to stop Barb at her concert. Floyd pulled Branch to the side to talk to him. “Branch, please talk to me.” Floyd begged.

“Why? So, you can lie to me again?” Branch asked, sarcastically.

“Branch! You don’t understand! I thought you were gone! What was I supposed to do? Stay in the Troll Tree for the bergans to find and eat me?!” Floyd argued.

“You could have tried to find me instead of hiding away with the Hard Rock Trolls. And now you’re working with Barb to destroy us!” Branch argued back.

“I don’t want Barb to destroy us! But she isn’t listening to me. What makes you think she’ll listen to you?”

“You don’t know that!”

“I do!”

Floyd turned away from Branch feeling guilty.

Floyd:

You didn't know that when I tried this all before

My dreams were too hard to defend

Floyd then looked at Branch who dropped the anger expression. Floyd took Branch’s hands into his own.

And in the end, I won't lose it all again

Floyd envisioned the bergans when they were still into eating trolls. He envisioned a begans hand reaching out for Branch.

Now you're the only thing worth fighting for

Floyd pulled Branch “away” from the bergan then he looked at Branch with tears in his eyes.

More than anything, more than anything

I'll shelter and adore you more than anything

Floyd pulled Branch for a hug then Branch pulled away from Floyd. “Floyd, I don’t need you to protect me from this. I’m not a baby anymore.” Branch stated.

“I just don’t want to lose you. I… I just can’t.” Floyd confessed.

“Floyd…”

Branch’s memories from when he was a baby started to surface.

When I was young, I didn't really know you at all

I always felt so small

But I hеard your stories and I was enthralled

Branch remembered one night when Clay and John were arguing over the show chorography, he had slipped away to Floyd’s room. He saw Floyd playing one of his songs on his guitar. Floyd saw Branch watching him play then he picked up Branch and sat him on the bed as he played the song for Branch.

Thе tales about your lofty dreams, I listened breathlessly

Imagining it could be me

Branch remembered that he would always snuggle with Floyd after he played one of his songs.

So in the end, it's the view I had of you

That showed me dreams can be worth fighting for

Branch snapped out of his trip down memory lane and then he looked at Floyd.

More than anything, more than anything

I need to save my tribe more than anything

Floyd almost wanted to cry seeing how far his little brother had come. At that moment, he didn’t see Branch as just his baby brother, but as a smart and strong man. 

Floyd:

I've been dyin' to find out who you are

Branch:

I've been waiting, wanting the same thing

Floyd:

Looks like the apple doesn't fall far

Branch:

Took you a while

Floyd:

I missed that smile

Both:

All that I'm hopin', now that my eyes are open

Is that we can start again, not be pulled apart again

'Cause in the end, you are part of who I am

Floyd:

I'll support your dream, whatever lies in store

Branch:

And who could ask for more?\

Both:

More than anything, more than anything

(More than anything, more than anything)

I'm grateful you're my brother more than anything

More than anything

Branch and Floyd shared a long embrace all while the K-Pop and Reggaeton trolls were trying so hard not to cry at this sweet brotherly moment.

Chapter Text

Disappointed with her argument with Branch, Poppy was left alone with her thoughts and the Pop String. She heard footsteps approaching as she kneeled by the riverside holding the string. Poppy gasps then quickly tucks the string away in her hair. To her surprise, it was Hickory. She was so happy to see Hickory but he was confused when he saw that Poppy was alone. He asked about where Branch and Floyd were. Poppy told him that Branch returned to Pop Village and Floyd went with him. Hickory was a little upset to hear that Floyd left. 

“I was so desperate to be a good queen that I stopped listening to anyone but myself. Including my best friend.” she said then she pulled out the Pop String from her hair, “And it's all because of this stupid string.”

Hickory’s expression turned to worry when his eyes laid on the string.  He told Poppy to take the string and run. The back legs of Hickory begin moving him backward and jerks Hickory around. He shouted at Poppy to run as he struggled with his ‘back legs.’ Then two fists make their way through the back of Hickory’s pants, causing Poppy to gasp in shock and then scream as Hickory seems to split into two. The second troll turned around, showing that Hickory was never a Country Troll but was two separate trolls. “Nein! What are you doing, Hickory?!” The second troll shouted.

Hickory held back the troll who was named Dickory from charging at Poppy. “What's going on? Hickory?” Poppy asked, looking scared.

Hickory looked up at her with an apologetic look. But Dickory got impatient, he ripped off Hickory’s Country outfit to reveal his yodeling outfit underneath then began to yodel in victory. Hickory looks guilty, then removes his country hat to show his wild hair and yodel hat underneath, then vocalizes, singing a high-pitched note. “Wait. You're the Yodelers?” Poppy questioned.

 “Yeah. Ya darn skippy, playa-play.” Dickory said with pride while Hickory looked down in shame and guilt.

“And you were gonna give our string to Barb?” 

“Ding, ding. Give this person a strudel for the correct answer.”

Poppy then looked at Dickory, “And you've been in back the whole time?”

Dickory removed his country outfit as well to show his yodeling outfit and hat, then frowned at her words. “Next subject, please.”

Poppy looked at Hickory for answers; he spoke in his actual German accent that he did it to save their yodeling. But he loved being a country troll and he only agreed to the bounty if Floyd was spared from Barb’s plan. Suddenly, Dickory runs over to Poppy and tries to grab the Pop string from her, but Poppy doesn’t let go. Hickory runs between the two and tries to wrestle the string out of Dickory’s grasp. They continued to wrestle over the string when Poppy was suddenly grabbed by two Hard Rock trolls, causing her to release the string and letting Dickory have it who smiled in triumph.

Poppy looked up to see Queen Barb who took the string from Dickory. “The final notes of Pop. It will never invade anyone's brain again.” Barb said.

“I'm not gonna let you do this!” Poppy shouted.

At Poppy’s shout, Barb turns slowly around to analyze Poppy and scoffs, “This is who I've been worried about? This little pipsqueak?”

“I'll never stop fighting until I make things right. And I'm not a pipsqueak!”

“Uh, yeah, you are, 'cause I'm, like, a whole centimeter taller than you.”

Poppy tries to escape the hold of the two Rock Trolls who still have her by the arms and kicks out to hit Barb who backs off. Barb smirked then held out the burnt invite that Poppy sent and smugly said that she was the one who wanted to be friends. Poppy continued to fight against the two hard rock trolls which almost impressed Barb. “Oh, okay. All right. You're feisty. I respect that. Strong woman to strong woman, am I right? But you know who else was feisty?... Pop Village.”

Poppy gasped; Barb had already attacked her home. Barb then turned to Hickory, “Where’s Floyd? He was with you.” Barb questioned Hickory.

“We got separated.” Hickory confessed.

“What does Floyd have anything to do with this?” Poppy asked.

Barb got closer to Poppy, “He’s one of us.”

Chapter Text

Now that Barb had all six strings, she could play the Ultimate Power Chord. She and her crew returned to Volcanic City with Poppy as their prisoner. Inside the Volcano is a large stadium where all the Trolls in Troll Kingdom are. Rock Trolls are cheering and celebrating while the five other Troll tribes are watching on in fear. Above the stage is a small room where two Rock Trolls lead Poppy into with Barb following behind. “So, Popcorn, is being my best friend everything you could have ever dreamed of?” Barb asked.

The two Rock Trolls holding Poppy throw her into a cage, which Barb locks, laughing. The two Rock Trolls leave to get Barb’s guitar, so only Barb and Poppy are in the room. “I am not your best friend,” Poppy stated.

“You don't have to be embarrassed. I get it. Being queen can be kind of lonely.” Barb said, her expression changed to sadness when she looked out at the crowd chanting her name. “There's all this pressure to be a great queen. And instead of real friends, you're just surrounded by people who just tell you what you want to hear.”

She then turned to Poppy, “You know, other than your terrible taste in music and clothing and general lifestyle, you and me are the same, Popsqueak.” 

Poppy scoffs, “No, we're not.”

“We're both queens who just want to unite the world,” Barb stated.

“You don't want to unite the world. You want to destroy it!” Poppy argued.

But her argument didn’t even make Barb change her mind. Two Rock Trolls open Barb’s guitar case, revealing her guitar which holds all the Troll music strings in Hard Rock red, all except for the Pop String. Barb took out the Pop Troll music string and attached it to the guitar, turning it into a Rock Troll music string and making the guitar complete and ready to play. Barb then picks up the guitar and runs her hand over the strings, causing it to glow red. The floor Barb is standing on lowers onto the stage, leaving Poppy to fear what Barb is going to do with all of the strings. The stage was a giant skull where Poppy was caged in one of the teeth.

The Rock Trolls cheer and grunt in unison to the rhythm of the song. One of the Hard Rock Trolls jumped into the pool of lava. Barb’s outfit was different too when she was on the stage. She wore a white leather rock suit with red flames on the arms to mimic a cape. Barb took a mic and began to sing.

Barb:

So, this ain't the end, I saw you again, today

I had to turn my heart away

Thrash shoots columns of lava out of the ground by pressing buttons on his chair; Riff plays the drums; and Biggie, Guy Diamond, Tiny Diamond, Legsly, Satin, Chenille, and Simidge who were in disguise stand on stage and pretend to play the instruments they were given by the Hard Rock Trolls.

Smiled like the sun, kisses for everyone

And tales, it never fails

You're lying so low into the weeds

I bet you gonna ambush me

You'd have me down, down, down on my knees

Now wouldn't you,

She stopped singing when she looked over expectedly at the small group of Pop Trolls onstage, believing them to be her encore. When they don’t sing, she narrows her eyes at them suspiciously. Biggie quickly sprung into action by screaming, “Barracuda!” and then smashing his guitar to the ground, causing Barb to laugh and the Rock Trolls to cheer. Cooper, Prince D, and King Peppy were being led toward the front of the stage by two Rock trolls. Hickory was looking around for any sign of Floyd but no luck. Rock Trolls scream and cheer as Barb holds the guitar containing the former music strings from the other tribes.

Barb then had spotlights shined on each of the tribes' leaders who were standing on pillars. At the mention of the leaders, the Rock Trolls boo, and as Pop was called, Poppy’s cage turns around to face the crowd. At the sight of Poppy, King Peppy gasps and looks up at his daughter in fear. Barb pulled out her guitar pick ready to play. “Who wants to see what the ultimate power chord can do?”

Barb aimed her guitar at Poppy so she could use the Ultimate Power Chord on her. Barb plays a few notes on the guitar but before she could play the ultimate power chord, a book was thrown at her face. Throwing the book down in anger, Barb looks around for who threw it and sees Sheila B flying over the Volcano with Branch, Floyd, the K-Pop Gang, and the Reggaeton Trolls inside. “Ha! I guess a giant comprehensive manual does come in handy.” Branch said, proudly.

“Well, isn't that puke. Poppy's little boyfriend came to crash the concert. Too late, Branch.” Barb stated, aiming the guitar at Poppy again.

Without thinking, Branch leaped out of the hot air balloon just as Barb played the ultimate power chord. But before it hits Poppy, Branch jumps in front of the blast and takes the full blow, protecting Poppy. “No!” Floyd screamed.

When the chord ends Branch gets encased in a large black rock which falls heavily on the stage. Cooper, Prince D, King Peppy, Floyd, and Poppy stare in horror at where the rock fell. All the trolls watch in silence to see what happens. As the rock begins to crack open, Barb cautiously approaches it with a smile on her face. When the rock splits in two, Branch has transformed into a Rock Zombie. Rock Trolls cheer to see the guitar work. Floyd was horrified at what Barb had done. She broke her promise to him. “Oh, sick! It totally works!” Barb said, proudly.

A Hard Rock Troll attaches Barb to some wire that’s connected to a vessel, which carries her over the audience as she plays the guitar. She strikes the ultimate power chord again, this time aiming at the Queen and King of Funk. Cooper and Prince D gasp as their parents are turned into rock zombies. One by one, Barb turns the rest of the leaders into rock zombies until only Poppy is left. Poppy picks the lock open to her cage and opens the door, which squeaks and alerts Barb of her escape. Barb turned to Branch, “Hey, boy toy, it's mullet time.”

Branch faces Poppy and growls then uses his hair to hold Poppy in place for Barb, who plays the ultimate power chord. But instead of the power chord hitting Poppy, it hit Floyd. He had jumped in the way to stop Barb from turning Poppy from being turned into a Rock Zombie. Now he was turned into a full Rock Zombie. Barb then threw the guitar into Floyd’s hands and told him to finish the others off. He approaches Cooper, Prince D, and King Peppy while playing the guitar. As he got in front of them and pointed the end of the guitar at them, He winked and then turned the guitar on Barb, who backed up in confusion. 

She saw Floyd’s eyes and noticed they were not red as they should be, but their normal color. “What are you doing? You're supposed to be a rock zombie!” Barb shouted in confusion.

Floyd then pulled out two gumdrops from his ears. He used the same trick that Hickory used against Chaz. “Gumdrops. Soundproof and delicious.” He stated then popped the gumdrops in his mouth.

“Give me that, Floy-Boy!” Barb ordered.

“No! I'm not gonna let you do this to anyone else!” Floyd argued. “A world where everyone looks the same and sounds the same? That's not harmony. Barb, you didn’t care that I was a Pop Troll when I lived here. And I’ve had your back for so long that you're like a sister to me.”

“So?”

“So, a good queen listens. To her friends and her family.”

Poppy suddenly took the guitar from Floyd. Floyd tried to stop her, but he was too late. She smashed the guitar to the ground, breaking the strings which causes all the trolls to lose their color as their music gets sucked out of them. The leaders are back to normal, and Branch stands up behind Poppy, grunting as the rest of the zombie effects leave him. Looking down, he looks at his arms and realizes he’s turned gray once again. Floyd saw his little brother looking like he was having a panic attack and ran towards him to comfort him. As Floyd comforted his little brother, he glared at Poppy as a sign of telling her that she messed up big time.

Barb kneels beside the guitar and gently picks the strings up in her hands and watches as they disappear. She was breathing heavily then she faced Poppy, “What have you done? You've destroyed music!” Barb shouted, “Give it up, everybody. Thanks to the Queen of Pop, we've all lost our music. History repeats itself. Pop has ruined everything.”

Chapter Text

Every troll was disappointed that their music was gone. But within the silence, Cooper’s heartbeat begins to thump and glow pink, representing his music, causing the trolls nearby to look at him in confusion. Cooper picks up the microphone Barb dropped and holds it to his chest so everyone can hear it, the sound of his heartbeat filling the stadium. Queen Essence and King Quincy watch in amazement at their sons as Prince D walks over to Cooper and begins to beatbox in rhythm to his brother’s heartbeat. “Those are my sons. Making music.” Queen Essence commented.

The beat spread to Delta Dawn whose heart glowed country orange. She is moved by the rhythm that she clapped and stomps to the beat. Soon, all the Country Trolls follow her lead and copy her, their hearts glowed orange in the darkness. The sounds of stomping and clapping can be heard throughout the stadium as the glows of orange were soon accompanied by purple, pink, blue, green, and yellow. The sight made the Funk King and Queen smile with pride as the other trolls on stage stared with awe. 

“Queen Barb can't take away something that is inside us. Because that's where music really comes from.” Queen Essence announced.

“It started with the strings, but now it comes from us.” King Quncy added

That made the large group of trolls on stage widen their eyes as they began to feel the spirit of their genre again. 

The Techno Trolls in the audience began to vocalize beeps and boops as more hearts began to glow on the stage. Floyd’s heart glowed but it was half Hard Rock red and Pop pink. The pop pink glowed in the Snack Pack, Branch, and Poppy’s hearts. “Yeah, it comes from our experiences,” King Trollex announced.

“Our lives,” Delta happily added.

“Our culture,” Queen Essence stated with a smile.

“Beautiful. Ha!” Trollzart smiled, admiring the sight.

Poppy looked into the crowd of the tribes with the beating hearts of their genres. She also began to notice more and more red hearts coming from the crowd of Rock Trolls. “Listen to that. Barb can't take that away.”

She looked at the Funk Royals who gave her a knowing glance and smile, their purple hearts beating proudly. The Techno Trolls quieted down as Poppy began to sing, with rays of sunlight beginning to break through the clouds.

Poppy:

Let me hear you sing

All the trolls looked at the stage in awe as more sun began to peek through.

Sing it together

Louder than ever

Forget everything

Branch joined in with Floyd. The two brothers sing together just like old times.

Poppy/Branch/Floyd:

Just sing

Like it’s what we’ve been missing

And they’re gonna listen, listen

Forget everything, just sing

On that last syllable, the pink glow from the hearts began to envelop them as their colors returned. Barb looked questioningly at her dad, who was calmly playing his keyboard with Debbie sitting next to him. “It's all right, Barbara. Just let everyone be what they want to be. Including you.” The Former King said as he and Debbie regained their colors playing on the keyboard.

Barb stared at him in confusion then she looked at Floyd who started to sing while Queen Essence, King Quincy, Prince D, and Cooper went behind him and began swaying to the beat.

Floyd:

You think you’ve gotta hide it

Don’t keep it on the shelf

Let your waist start movin’

Watch the way I do it, do it

See me do it like nobody else

The Funk Trolls stepped onto their stage playing their funky tunes and with their colors returning. Branch and Prince D stood next to each other as Queen Essence began to take over the singing.

Queen Essence:

If we sing it all together

She looked over to the circle Branch and her son made as the circle sang.

Prince D/Branch:

If we sing it all as one

The Funk Queen looked back to the audience.

Queen Essence:

It’s louder than yourself

The singing alternated back to the small circle.

Prince D/Branch:

All together, everyone

As the singing alternated back to the queen, Prince D walked up to her and the pair sang together.

Queen Essence (Prince D):

Everybody’s lookin’ (See you lookin’ now)

Watch the way we do it, do it (Hold up, watchin’ how I do it)

Queen Essence walked next to Poppy and Mayor Delta who got her colors back as the three sang together in unison.

Queen Essence/Poppy/Delta Dawn:

‘Cause we do it like nobody else

The trolls on stage (most of whom already had their color restored), made room for King Trollex and his green button companion who had his colors back.

King Trollex: 

Let me hear you sing!

Trolls onstage: 

Don't you stop it, don't you fight it.

King Trollex: 

Let me hear you sing!

Trolls onstage:

If you got it, can't deny it.

King Trollex: 

Let me hear you…

All:

It’s waiting for you

Already you know

That you do it like nobody else.

As all the leaders, except for Barb, sing together they send out a rainbow of color, engulfing the audience of trolls and giving them their colors back. Some of the trolls began to mix with crowds of other tribes and dance with them. Barb was the only one who hadn’t gotten her colors back.

Just sing!

Sing it together

Louder than ever, ever

Forget everything, just sing

Like it’s what we’ve been missing

And they’re gonna listen, listen

Forget everything

Tiny looked at his father as he jumped into his hand. “Come on, Daddy! Just sing!” he encouraged.

Guy Diamond obliged as he sang in his autotune, Let me hear you~ as he did a wave motion with his arms.

Delta walked to the area of the stage the Country Trolls overlooked as she began to play on her banjo and Clampers on her jaw harp.

Delta Dawn:

Hey, I’ve been right here

Where you’re standin’

Branch:

I’ve been standin’ on the ground

Delta Dawn:

And the walls are cavin’ in

Floyd/Branch:

All the walls were fallin’

Delta Dawn:

When my lips start movin’

With the soul I put into it

And you never heard it done like this

She sang in unison with Hickory and Dickory, Let me hear you sing, with the addition of some yodels. 

The K-Pop Gang took over centerstage as they sang and danced in unison.

K-Pop Gang:

Rideum tabwa meomchujima

Noraeburreojweo

The Reggaeton Trolls were right behind them and immediately took over.

Reggaeton Trolls:

Si lo tienes, no lo niegues

Te quiero oír cantar

The tribe kings and queens sang together as they walked to the front of the stage.

All:

It’s waiting for you

Already you know

That you do it like nobody else

Just sing

Sing it together

Louder than ever, ever

Forget everything, just sing

Like it’s what we’ve been missing

And they’re gonna listen, listen

Forget everything

Let me hear you sing

Tiny Diamond was on Debbie flying above the audience, rapping,

Tiny Diamond:

I said a-one, two, three and four

Let’s go, everybody, get on the floor (Let me hear you)

Queen Essence:

Let me hear you sing, yeah

All:

Let me hear you sing

Prince D:

I want you to sing for me so

I want you to reach with your elbow

Tiny Diamond:

Can’t hear you way in the back! (Alright, alright, alright)

All:

Let me hear you sing!

Barb’s heart finally glowed rock red. Floyd saw it and handed her a guitar. She looked at Floyd and he gave her a nod as a way of saying he forgave her.

It's waiting for you

Already you know

That you do it like nobody else

Barb and Floyd looked at each other and grinned as they both shredded on their guitars, with Barb gaining her colors back. Barb now gained a longer mohawk that was dyed rainbow at the ends.

Barb:

Just sing

All:

Sing it together

Louder than ever, ever

Forget everything, just sing

As all the trolls joined in on the singing, the audience started a wave from the top down, which resulted in Poppy floating in midair and being surrounded by a bright light. When the light leaves, she’s wearing a new outfit 

Like it’s what we’ve been missing

And they’re gonna listen, listen (and rock)

Forget everything

Just sing

The lava running through the arena turned shades of rainbow as said rainbow erupted into the sky and consumed the surrounding land.

Sing it together

Louder than ever, ever

Forget everything, just sing

Like it’s what we’ve been missing

And they’re gonna listen, listen

Forget everything

Poppy:

Just sing

The entire stadium of trolls erupted into cheers as everyone on stage looked back at them with big smiles on their faces. Barb looked at Floyd then she apologised for not listening to him and breaking her promise. Floyd already told her that he forgave her. Branch came over next to Floyd who was happy to have his brother back. “Hey B. I wanted to say sorry for the whole, ‘turning you into a rock zombie’ deal.” Barb said.

“Oh thanks. Um, how close are you and my brother?” Branch asked.

“Actually, dad adopted Floyd. So we’re siblings. And that makes you…”

“Your brother too.” Branch said, deadpan, “Wait, please tell me that you’re younger than me.”

“Sorry, baby brother. You’re still the baby of the family.” Floyd said.

“Oh come on!” Branch complained.

Floyd and Barb couldn’t help but chuckle at Branch’s pouty face. Floyd saw Hickory coming to the stage so he rushed over to him. Poppy and Barb made their peace with each other. Poppy then apologized to Branch for not listening to him. Branch was able to forgive Poppy but now he realized that Poppy only saw him as a friend. He told Poppy that he was grateful to have her as a friend. 

Floyd and Hickory were chatting until Floyd got tackled into a hug by Holly Darling. “Hi, Holly,” Floyd said, trying to breathe

Holly quickly released Floyd from her hug as Branch walked over towards them. She then saw Branch and she squealed with delight. She pulled Branch in for one of her tight hugs, “Floyd, help!” Branch begged.

“Holly, let my brother breathe,” Floyd said.

Holly released Branch but not before pinching his cheeks. “Sorry. I can’t help it. He’s just the cutest little pop troll I’ve ever met.” Holly stated, “Floyd when you told me about Branch, you forgot to mention that he’s just so adorable.”

Branch blushed a very bright red being called adorable. “Uh, hi,” Branch said.

“Oh right. Where are my manners? I’m Holly Darling. I’m a friend of Floyd's. He talks about you all the time. But he never said you were more adorable than your pictures.” Holly stated.

This was only the beginning.

Chapter Text

By nature, trolls are determined to make friends wherever they go. Maybe too determined.

So when I learned that there were all sorts of new trolls out there, it was like there were… friends everywhere!

“Ah, wait. I’ve gotten ahead of myself. Let me back it up.”

Recently, my people discovered that we weren’t the only trolls. We’re just the Pop Trolls—one of many separate tribes scattered throughout the world.

There’s the Country Western Tribe, the Classical, Funk, Techno, and Hard Rock.

Actually, we weren’t always separate.

“You know what, let me back it up even more.”

14 billion years ago, when the cosmos was still new…

“Uh, Poppy?” Smidge interrupted Poppy before she got even more carried away with reading her scrapbook.

“I think you’ve gone too far back?” the small yellow troll raised an eyebrow as the rest of the Snack Pack nodded in agreement.

After the whole Rockopogolipse from a few weeks ago, all the tribes returned to their homes and rebuilt them. Branch and Floyd kept in touch via letters since he still wanted to ensure things with Barb were okay. “What I’m trying to say is that it’s been weeks since we’ve found out about the other tribes, you guys,” Poppy emphasized as she rolled her eyes, “But we’re no better friends with them now than.”

The Snack Pack mumbled to themselves in agreement.

“I mean, I don’t wanna get hysterical here, but it’s starting to feel like they’re our… acquaintances,” Poppy narrowed her eyes.

The rest of her friend group let out gasps of horror.

“Mr. Dinkles, I don’t ever want you using that word,” Biggie sternly told the worm.

“Poppy, we all want to be better friends with the tribes but… they live so far away. What can we do?” DJ Suki’s arms fell limp as she asked her question.

The Pop Queen turned to face the group, and a grin slowly appeared on her face. She told them they would convince the other tribes to move to the village to live with them. Hundreds of trolls from each tribe live together in harmony, forming a new troll city that celebrates the diversity of their cultures. Poppy called it, Trollstopia; everyone loved the idea even Guy Diamond who figured that it would be good for his son, Tiny to experience new cultures. Poppy loved their support but she felt something was off, a voice of dissent.

“Where’s Branch?” Poppy asked.

They all went to Branch’s Bunker where he was and Poppy shared her idea. He spoke in a sarcastic tone about how great the idea of Trollstopia was. “Sorry guys, but let’s be realistic here. You’re asking large groups of Trolls to move away from their homes to live with a bunch of strangers. I just don’t know how many trolls would sign up for that.” Branch stated.

But like always, Poppy had a solution. She pulled out six cards for each tribe to receive so they could send over an ambassador from their tribe to visit. Once Poppy and the others show them how amazing life is in their village, she’ll pitch her Trollstopia idea to them. “It’s like when you go to a cupcake shop, and they give you a sample. And it tastes so good, you wanna move into that shop and eat cupcakes every day,” Poppy held up a cupcake as an example before popping it into her mouth.

“I see; showing the ambassadors a super fun time is giving them a cupcake so they’ll wanna move into Trollstopia and bring all their friends with them!” Smidge put her hands on her hips in satisfaction.

“Metaphor!” Cooper let out a gasp of excitement before the rest of the group jumped in that same amount of excitement.

“Tell the whole village we have guests coming! It’s time to get ready!” Poppy exclaimed as she handed off the envelopes to mail critters.

Soon everyone was preparing for the arrival of the six ambassadors. Guy Diamond was polishing a disco ball and hung it up, admiring his work before giving his own body some polish. Biggie and Mr. Dinkles tried to blow up balloons. The worm accidentally sucked the air back into his body, causing it to inflate like a balloon and began to float away. As Biggie chased after him, Guy Diamond and Smidge were helping set up a few tables with candles, plates, and silverware. After Cooper placed down a few platters of red cupcakes, he helped the rest of the group roll out a giant red carpet through some parts of the village.

Later, Poppy and Branch gathered the Pop Trolls near the mushroom stage as the pair and the rest of the Snack Pack stood on it. “This is it, Trolls! If we show them a good time, there’s no way they’ll say no to Trollstopia!” Poppy announced to the crowd, who all erupted into cheers.

“Welcome positions!” the Pop Queen ordered,

The crowd practically splits in half to allow for the arriving ambassadors to come through. Poppy then heard the sounds of galloping which meant the Country Western Ambassador was here. And that troll was none other than Holly Darlin. She leaped onto the mushroom and stood in front of Poppy. “Welcome! I’m Poppy, and according to your RSVP, I’m guessing you’re-”

“Holly Darlin’ from the Country Western Tribe,” Holly said with excitement. “Queen Poppy, it is such a pleasure! I’ve never met a real-life queen before on account of my Tribe being less of a monarchy and more of an oligarchy, but…  to each his own.”

The second she turned to Branch, she gave him a quick hug and then took a selfie with Poppy. Suddenly, the ground began to shake as the sounds of a beat building up can be heard getting louder. “You guys feel that bass? I’d say the Techno ambassador’s about to drop a beat!” Poppy hyped up the crowd.

Then a small geyser of water bursts through the ground. The outer walls of the small whirlpool exploded, revealing the purple Techno Troll ambassador alongside a spectacular light show. Synth lands on the stage with the help of jellyfish. The techno troll introduced himself as Snyth and this guy had crazy amounts of energy.

The sounds of classical instruments echoed through the village. “What an elegant, heavenly sound. It can only be the delegate from the Classical Tribe!” Poppy announced.

Some music notes land a flower on the stage. It opens and reveals Dante Crescendo, the ambassador of the Classical Trolls. As a thank you, he conducted a short anthem for Poppy and then joined the other ambassadors. Poppy didn’t see the ambassador from the funk tribe but then they all heard the sounds of funk music playing. A spaceship floats above the crowd; the funk tribe knows how to make an entrance. Lownote Jones, the ambassador of the Funk Trolls came out of the spaceship. The trolls had a smooth voice that could swoon any troll.

“So, that just leaves the ambassador from the home of our good friend, Queen Barb; the Hard Rock tribe!” Poppy announced then she looked at her list.

But to her shock, there wasn’t just one ambassador from the Hard Rock Tribe, there were two. Branch saw Poppy look a little confused. “What is it?” Branch asked.

“Apparently, we have two ambassadors from the Hard Rock tribe. And Branch, I think you might know him.” Poppy stated.

The Pop Queen was interrupted as flames shot down to the ground like lightning, leaving the first Hard Rock ambassador in place of the flames as she strummed a chord on her guitar.

“Valllll THUNDERSHOCK!” the Rock Troll introduced herself as she slid on the ground and caused some small fireworks to go off behind her, spelling out her name. Throwing the guitar behind her, it exploded into a bunch of smoke.

Then the second ambassador made an appearance after Val and the second ambassador was none other than Floyd. Branch was surprised to see his older brother here in the village. Val started to mess around with Poppy until she set her eyes on Branch. “So you’re the famous Branch that Floy Boy here has been telling me about. Gotta, say I see some rocker troll in ya.” Val said before punching Branch’s arm, playfully.

“Go easy on him, Val,” Floyd stated.

“Floyd, I thought you were staying at Volcanic Rock City,” Branch asked.

“I was. But when Barb got the invite from Poppy about sending an ambassador here. She kind of talked me into going with Val. And I wanted to see my little brother again.” Floyd explained.

Poppy composed herself now that all of the ambassadors were here. Now it was time to show them all how great their village is and pitch them the Trollstopia idea. Poppy took the other ambassadors on a welcome tour while Branch gave Floyd a personal tour of the village. Floyd was happy to be back with the pop tribe and everything was different but it was a good thing. Branch saved the best part of the tour for last, his bunker. He took Floyd outside the village to where his bunker was. “B, where’s the hideout?” Floyd asked. 

“Just step right onto the mat.” Branch instructed.

Floyd stepped onto the mat with Branch looking a little confused. Branch then pulled the lever which activated the elevator. The elevator took the two of them down underground where Floyd finally saw how big the place was. “You made all this? Wow. I’m impressed, Branch. It looks even better than in your drawing.” Floyd commented.

Branch was grateful that his older liked the bunker he built over the past twenty years. Branch did have a guest room which was now Floyd’s room whenever he wanted to come visit. Branch was happy to have his brother living with him. He even pitched Poppy’s Trollstopia idea to him before the other ambassadors. Floyd seemed to like the idea plus it would give him the chance to share with him what he learned from the Hard Rock Trolls. 

Floyd walked around the bunker, trying to memorize where each room was. He spotted Branch’s room and decided to check it out. He walked inside and looked around; it was a simple room but he saw something that touched his heart. On the shelf above Branch’s bed was his old stuffed animal, Crocko. Floyd remembered how Branch would always have that toy with him as a baby. Branch found Floyd looking around his room. “I can’t believe you still kept Crocko,” Floyd said.

“Oh. Yeah. I did,” Branch said, “I could never forget about him.”

Meanwhile, Poppy told the other ambassadors about Trollstopia and they liked it. It did take Val some conventing but she was in. Now Trollstopia was about to become a reality.

Chapter Text

With all the tribes now living together, Poppy figured that making everyone roommates with the pop trolls would help with the housing shortage. But that turned into a disaster; well they all liked being friends but they couldn’t room with each other. So each of the ambassadors made an area for each tribe to live in. Floyd decided to stay with Branch in his bunker; though he did sometimes stay with the Hard Rock trolls in Rock Hollow. Floyd even got Branch to try spending at least one night in Rock Hollow with him just for fun.

Branch was back at the bunker while Floyd was practicing a few new songs he wrote at Rock Hollow. The place was rock music themed, with lots of speakers, Rock Trolls playing and smashing their guitars, and doing their hobbies. Val was sitting on her couch, throwing red cupcakes on the wall, creating a skull figure. Just then, Poppy, Biggie, and Guy Diamond entered Rock Hollow to talk to Val. “I was curious, are you really throwing a kick-off party tomorrow night?" Poppy asked.

Val ate a cupcake and replied, "Yeah."

"Well, I just came here to let you know..." Poppy paused for a while, before saying her opinion, "I think that's a great idea!"

"Okay," Val arched a brow.

"Nothing's more in the spirit of TrollsTopia than another Tribe taking initiative to bring us together, right?" Poppy took out her invitations from her hair, "I was gonna throw a kick-off party, but I'll happily toss my invitations away." She threw them into a trash can behind her, and fire burst out, burning all of the invitations. "So I'm dying to know what kind of party you're throwing. Can you give us just a little hint about your plans? The Queen of Pop asked.

"Nah. I can't tell you my plans 'cause Rocker Trolls don't plan parties," Val smirked.

Biggie and Guy gasped. Poppy was shocked as well, "You... you don't party plan?"

"Nah, we just go with the flow." the Rock ambassador slouched on her couch.

Floyd overheard Poppy and Val’s conversation, he did learn quickly back in Volcanic Rock City that rocker trolls don’t plan out parties or concerts as pop trolls do. He knew that Poppy was gonna go overboard trying to help plan the kick-off party. Once Poppy and her friends left, Floyd went over to talk to Val. But Val just told him that she had this all under control.

The next night at Misty Meadows, Floyd was looking around for Branch but his little brother got dragged into Poppy’s scheme. Well, Poppy did plan the kick-off party and Val revealed that she was just tricking Poppy into doing all the work for her. “You knew didn’t you?” Branch asked his older brother.
“That’s Val for ya.” Floyd stated.

Chapter Text

It's another day in Trollstopia. Poppy has set all of the tribe's personal hug time watches to the right time. Now, every tribe can participate in Hug Time with the Pop Trolls. During the recent hug time, every tribe was doing it; except for the Classical Trolls who were uncomfortable. Poppy didn’t understand why the Classical Trolls didn’t join in the hugging. She and her friends walked over to Dante and his friends. “Uh… Hey, Dante. Why aren’t you hugging? Is everything OK?” Poppy asked.

“Perfectly fine. Classical Trolls simply… don’t hug.” Dante answered.

That made all of Poppy’s friends gasp in horror. Poppy pulled Dante somewhere a little more private so they could talk. Dante told Poppy that Classical Trolls bow to show affection and love instead of hugs; even for big emotional moments. Dante did feel like he and the other Classical Trolls were missing out on a Trollstopia custom. So he asked Poppy to hug him. But when she did, Dante thought it was uninspiring, which upset Poppy. She tried again a few times but every time, Dante thought the hugs weren’t all that great. “OK, don’t worry. We’re gonna go up to Classical Crest and I’m not leaving until you understand the magic of hugs.” Poppy stated.

Poppy went up the Classical Crest, which was beautiful and elegant, just like the Classical Trolls' love in their old home. Poppy tried to teach them how to hug, but it was always a disaster. One of the Classical Trolls named Minuet even claimed that she could master any craft but she didn’t get the hugging right. After failing the surprise hug party, Dante decided to go talk to Floyd about the situation before he went back to Poppy. 

He found Floyd out in Branch’s garden near the bunker; he and Branch were having some bonding time. Seeing the brothers have fun and hang out reminded Dante of the times he spent with his younger brother, Forte. Dante approached the two brothers in the garden. Floyd looked at Dante and was surprised to see him. “Dante, hey. Are you ok? You look a little down.” Floyd said.

“Sorry to bother you, Floyd. But I am in a bit of a bind.” Dante stated.

“Let me guess, Poppy found out that the Classical Trolls don’t hug.” Floyd guessed.

Branch was a little surprised to hear that the Classical Trolls aren’t huggers. “Really? Huh? Then how do Classical Trolls show affection?” 

“We find dignified bows officiant,” Dante stated then demonstrated.

Dante then went on about how Poppy was trying to teach the Classical Trolls how to hug but it wasn’t going well. He stated that he and the other Classical Trolls were hopeless in figuring out the hugging. But Floyd reminded him that the Classical Trolls are fine just the way they are. Branch even told Dante that he wasn’t even into the Hug Time every hour. It helped Dante feel better. “I never knew a Pop Troll wasn’t into Hug Time,” Dante said.

“Well, spending twenty years alone without hugging anyone will do that. Besides, the others are overreacting.” Branch stated.

Thanks to Floyd’s advice, Dante managed to tell Poppy that he and the other Classical Trolls were happy just bowing for affection. Poppy included the Classical Trolls bowing into Trollstopia with a Bow Time Bracelet.

Chapter Text

Floyd was in the bunker, strumming his guitar and trying to finish writing a new song. He was in the middle of a breakthrough when the door to his bedroom opened, revealing Branch who was panting and covered head to toe in pink glitter. Floyd had to bite the urge to laugh but failed. “What happened Branch? Did you go swimming in glitter?” Floyd jokingly asked.

“Not funny, Floyd!” Branch complained, “Things have gotten out of hand!”

“Just tell me what happened, B,” Floyd stated.

Branch sighed, “It all started 4 days ago. I was going for my daily 4 a.m. swim at Hiding Place Hot Springs. But when I got there, I found the Techno Trolls having a rave!”

Floyd looked at Branch with a weird look, “A swim? At 4 in the morning? Why?”

“It’s the most refreshing hour of the day, Floyd!” Branch argued, “And without my morning swim, my entire day gets thrown off in a million horrifying ways.”

Floyd smiled and laughed at how Branch was being a little overdramatic. However, when Branch mentioned wandering into the flavor berry patch, he ended up in a quick glitter pit. Floyd then suggested he could just talk to the Techno Trolls about the Hot Springs. Branch didn’t really want to talk to the Techno Trolls since he’s not much of a talker. Floyd offered to go with him to Techno Lagoon and maybe help him make friends with the Techno Trolls. Branch groaned, not wanting to go but Floyd talked him into going.

An hour later, Floyd and Branch went to the lagoon where the Techno Trolls lived. They pulled helmets from their hair and put them on. Floyd pulled the pin in the center of the elevator, making the flower elevator close up with him and Branch inside. The elevator descended to the bottom of the lagoon. The elevator landed, and they saw the Techno Trolls having a party and dancing. Floyd looked over at the center of the dance floor where Synth was. “That’s Synth. Make friends with him and I’m sure he’ll help you with the hot springs.” Floyd explained.

Branch went up to Synth and tried to talk to him, but Synth and the other Techno Trolls only listened to the beat of the music. In reality, Synth was happy that Branch came to visit the lagoon; the Techno Ambassador had developed a crush on Branch after the first day. Synth even gave Branch a rave name to make him feel included, Dubstep. Branch wanted to be angry, but he couldn’t be mad at Synth. Branch finally asked Synth about the hot springs for his 4 a.m. morning swim. Though Synth explained that he and the other Techno Trolls use that spot for their wake-up rave to help them refresh.

Floyd pulled Branch to the side to talk to him. “B, try being their friend,” Floyd suggested.

“And how am I supposed to do that?” Branch asked.
“Easy. Hang out with Synth for the day and do things the Techno Trolls like to do for fun. Bond with them. That way Synth would help with the hot springs issue.” Floyd suggested.

Branch took a deep breath then he walked back over to Synth. He asked Synth if he could hang out with him for the day. Synth practically lit up like a glow stick hearing Branch ask to hang out with him. “Well, Dubstep, I know we’re the Techno Trolls, but today we’ll say…”

“Tech-Yes!” Synth and the Techno Trolls shouted in unison.

Synth and Branch went up to the surface, ready to spend the day together. Synth showed Branch his favorite activities to do when making friends. He showed Branch whirlpool surfing, trediation, and sea urchin acupuncture. But it didn’t go so well; Branch couldn’t surf or float without getting sucked into the whirlpool and he freaked out during the sea urchin acupuncture. Synth felt so bad that Branch wasn’t having a good time, and he felt like it was his fault. 

Floyd witnessed what happened throughout the day. He decided to talk to both Branch and Synth to give them a little push. He found Synth sitting on the beach, sighing to himself feeling drained of happiness. Floyd sat down next to Synth and explained to him that Branch just needed some time to adjust. Synth really wanted to make this work. Floyd managed to get Branch to try it again and this time, Branch was willing to try the activities Synth liked. Branch even got to party at the rave under the lagoon.

Synth showed Branch some tricks when whirlpool surfing and even showed him how to tune out the world and relax for trediation. During the sea urchin acupuncture, Branch was so nervous, but Synth held his hand and kept him calm the whole time. It took a few tries, but Branch had gotten the hang of whirlpool surfing and tradition. Synth was so grateful for Branch hanging out with him and becoming friends that he was willing to give up the hot springs just for Branch. Branch was surprised that Synth did this for him.

However, the next morning, Branch was feeling refreshed, but all the Techno Trolls were tired and had no energy. Floyd was in the market when he saw Branch looking guilty over the Techno Trolls including Laguna Tidepool, a new friend he had made during the rave. “Branch? Bro? You, ok?” Floyd asked.

“No. Because Synth let me have the hot springs, the Techno Trolls missed their morning rave and now their day is being thrown off in…”

“In a million horrifying ways, yes.” Laguna finished, “I should really inform Synth about this. You know the whereabouts of the Flavor Berry Patch?”

Branch and Floyd looked shocked hearing those words, “Flavor Berry Patch?!” Branch asked in horror.

“Yes. Synth went there to… pick berries.” Laguna finished.

“But that’s where the Quick Glitter is!” Branch shouted.

Without thinking, he and Floyd rushed to the flavor berry patch to find Synth. However, when they got there, they saw him trapped in a Quick Glitter pit. He had nearly sunk in the Quick Glitter down to his chest. Branch tried to use his hair to save Synth, but he couldn’t reach him. Branch used his hair as a stick and jumped into the Quick Glitter. Floyd started to freak out; he tried to grab him and Synth, but he couldn’t reach them. “Branch, what are you doing?!” Synth shouted.

“I’m helping my friend.” Branch answered, “You can float out of this if you treaditate. Just turn down the volume on the world and turn up the volume of you, like you taught me! Can you hear you?”

“Bro! That's a pretty high stakes move right now!" Synth couldn't relax; he was too panicked the glitter had now reached his head, he stared at Branch with wide panicked eyes, he was terrified.

Branch grabbed Synth’s face and made him look at him. It calmed Synth down enough for him and Branch to both relax. He and Synth sink completely into the Quick Glitter for a moment and then rise back out with Treaditation. Then they get out of the Quick Glitter. Floyd practically pounced on Branch, trapping him in a tight brotherly hug. “Don’t ever scare me like that, again!” Floyd shouted with worry. “What were you thinking?!”

“I was helping a new friend,” Branch answered.

Synth was grateful that Branch saved him and that he called him a friend. “In fact, Synth, I want the Techno Trolls to have the Hotsprings. You guys need it more than I do.” Branch answered.

Synth gasped, “Dubstep, this is so sick of you. Would you join us for our morning rave? Floyd can come too!”

“A rave? At 4 in the morning?” Branch questioned.

“No crazier than your 4 A. M. swim?” Floyd asked with a smirk.

Branch and Floyd ended up going to the rave the next morning and had a blast. Floyd danced by himself, but he saw Branch and Synth dancing together, smiling, laughing, and having fun. He could tell that those two had it bad for each other.

Chapter Text

The morning after the rave, Synth woke up feeling… different. He had never thought of Branch this way before, but ever since the night of the rave, something about him had changed. It wasn’t just that Branch had saved him from the Quick Glitter or how they spent the day together. Synth had developed feelings for him, though he wasn’t sure how to deal with it. Floyd, who had been playing his guitar near Rock Hollow was the first to notice that something was different. He stretched, rubbed his eyes, and spotted Synth sitting on the beach, lost in thought.

“Hey, Synth!” Floyd called, walking over. “What’s up? You look like someone just hit you with a glitter bomb.”

Synth looked up, a little startled. “I—I’m fine, Floyd. Just thinking.”

“Uh-huh,” Floyd raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk forming on his face. “I know that look. You’ve got a thing for my bro, don’t you?”

Synth froze, his face going red. “What? No! I mean, I… well, maybe? I don’t know.”

Floyd laughed, clearly enjoying the reaction. “Relax, man. I won’t tell anyone. But if you like him, you should definitely do something about it. He’s been warming up to you, I can see it.”

Synth sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m not sure how to approach this, Floyd. I want to get to know him better, but… I don’t want to mess it up.”

“Well, then just do what you do best—be yourself,” Floyd suggested with a wink. “But if you want to really understand Branch, I’d say you need to spend the day with him. Do what he likes to do. Get to know the real Branch.”

Synth’s eyes lit up. “You think that’ll help?”

“Absolutely,” Floyd said. “Branch is pretty straight-laced, but he’s got a soft spot for people who take the time to understand him.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll do it,” Synth said, feeling both nervous and excited at the same time. “Thanks, Floyd.”

“No problem. Just remember, don’t rush it. Let it happen naturally.”

Later that morning, Synth found Branch by the edge of the lagoon, sitting on a rock, his eyes focused on the shimmering waters. Synth approached with a nervous smile. “Hey, Dubstep,” Synth said, trying to sound casual, though his heart was racing. “I was thinking, um, maybe we could hang out today. Do you have time?”

Branch raised an eyebrow, giving Synth a sideways glance. “Hang out? What, like… what’s the plan?”

“Well,” Synth said, looking a little sheepish, “I was hoping maybe we could do your kind of things today. I want to understand more about what you like. You know, like, what makes you tick, what gets you excited.”

Branch’s eyes softened a bit. “You’re serious?”

“Yeah,” Synth nodded eagerly. “I feel like we’ve been doing a lot of my things, and now I want to do what you enjoy.”

Branch smiled, looking surprised. “Well, alright then. If you’re up for it, I guess I could show you how I do things.”

“Let’s do it!” Synth said, his enthusiasm contagious.

The two of them set off through the Techno Lagoon, Synth trailing behind as Branch led the way. Their first stop was the calmest part of the lagoon, where the water was still and peaceful. “This is where I like to come and just think,” Branch explained. “It’s quiet, no loud beats, no distractions. Just the sound of the water. Helps clear my mind.”

Synth looked around, the stillness of the place a stark contrast to his usual high-energy surroundings. “It’s… actually pretty nice here,” he admitted, sitting down beside Branch. “I didn’t know you liked places like this.”

“I need a balance,” Branch said with a shrug. “If I didn’t have this spot, I think I’d go crazy with all the noise and chaos.”

Synth nodded, understanding a little more about his friend’s need for peace. “I get that,” he said quietly before a thought occurred to him. “Hey, what else do you like to do? I want to learn more about you.”

Branch looked at Synth, considering the question for a moment. “Well, I do like to run. Fast. Like, really fast. It helps clear my head even more.”

Synth’s eyes lit up. “Running? You mean like a race?”

“Sort of,” Branch said with a grin. “But no offense, I don’t think you’d be able to keep up with me.”

Synth’s face lit up in determination. “Challenge accepted! Let’s see who’s faster then.”

Branch chuckled, shaking his head, but he was game. “Alright, if you say so.”

They lined up by a patch of rocky shoreline, and before Branch could even take a breath, Synth was already off, sprinting at full speed. Branch blinked in surprise before he started running too, his long legs catching up quickly. It wasn’t long before they were racing neck and neck, each trying to outpace the other. After a few minutes, they both slowed to a stop, panting from the exertion. “Okay,” Synth said, hands on his knees, “you’re definitely faster than I expected. I’m gonna need to train harder.”

Branch gave him a teasing look. “You’ll need more than training, Synth. But you did pretty good.”

Synth grinned. “I knew I’d catch up eventually.”

Branch’s smile softened, and he gave Synth a playful shove. “Alright, you proved yourself. What else do you do?”

“Uh, well,” Synth scratched his head, “I’m more of a party planner, I guess. I don’t know if that’s something you’d be into.”

“Try me,” Branch said, raising an eyebrow.

Synth grinned mischievously. “Alright, how about a mini rave? I’ll teach you how to do some moves.”

“Here?” Branch looked around. “In the middle of nowhere?”

“Why not?” Synth said. “Let’s make our own little party.”

Synth started showing Branch some simple dance moves, starting slow and then picking up the pace. Branch was hesitant at first but soon found himself getting into it. He followed Synth’s movements, his feet tapping in time with the beats Synth hummed out loud. “You know, you’re not as bad as I thought you’d be at this,” Synth said, smiling as Branch seemed to loosen up. “I think you have some rhythm after all.”

“I’ve got some moves in me,” Branch replied, a little out of breath but smiling. “Not bad for a guy who’s never been to a rave before.”

As the day went on, they continued to share their interests. Branch showed Synth how to clear his mind with a little “alone time,” and Synth introduced Branch to some of the more upbeat activities. But through it all, Synth couldn’t shake the feeling that he was learning something much more valuable than just how Branch danced or ran. He was learning who Branch really was. By the end of the day, they were both sitting side by side by the water, watching the sunset together. “I’m glad we did this,” Synth said quietly. “I think I understand you a lot better now.”

Branch smiled at him, his eyes a little softer than usual. “I’m glad too, Synth.”

Synth hesitated for a moment before speaking again, the words coming out almost too easily. “I think you’re really… something special, Branch. I mean, you’re so different from anyone I’ve met. I like being around you.”

Branch looked at him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, slowly, he smiled. “I like being around you too, Synth. You’re… not as bad as I thought you’d be either.”

The air between them felt different now heavier, but in a way that felt good. They didn’t need to say anything more, the unspoken understanding hanging between them as the sun dipped below the horizon. Branch went back to the bunker where Floyd was. He saw Branch with a daydreaming look on his face. “Hey, B. You and Synth seem to have had a good day,” Floyd called, flashing a teasing grin at his brother. “Did you show him how to survive without a rave for a day?”

Branch rolled his eyes but smiled. “We had a good time. Turns out he’s not as bad as I thought.”

Floyd raised an eyebrow, still smirking. “Yeah, I could tell. You two seem like you’ve got a bit of a vibe going on.”

Branch shot him a glare but didn’t deny it. “We’re just friends, Floyd.”

“Sure,” Floyd said, giving him a knowing look. “I’m not saying it’s anything more, but you two definitely seemed to click today.”

Branch grunted but didn’t argue further. He grabbed a log and threw it onto the fire, sitting down next to his brother. The warmth of the fire flickered between them, and for a long moment, neither of them said anything. Floyd strummed a few notes on his guitar, the sound floating through the air. “So, how’s it feel, B?” Floyd asked after a pause, glancing over at his brother. “Making new friends?”

Branch gave a small, genuine smile. “Yeah, it’s been… good. A little different, but good.”

Floyd grinned, leaning back. “I’m glad. You deserve it.”

Branch didn’t say anything in response. He just stared into the fire for a while, his thoughts swirling. Synth had made a real impression on him today, and while he wasn’t sure what would come of it, he felt… lighter. Maybe it wasn’t just friendship after all. After a long stretch of comfortable silence, Floyd spoke again. “You know, B, I’m proud of you. I think you’ve got this whole ‘being open to people’ thing down.”

Branch glanced at Floyd, his voice quieter than usual. “Thanks, Floyd. I’m just trying to figure things out.”

Floyd didn’t say anything more but gave his brother a brief, reassuring look. As the fire crackled and the stars began to twinkle above them, Branch leaned back and let out a quiet sigh. It was nice to just be here with his brother, no pressure, no expectations. And for the first time in a long while, Branch felt like maybe, just maybe, things were starting to fall into place.

Chapter Text

Val’s rock concert was tonight, and excitement filled the air. A long line of Trolls was already winding around the venue, even though the concert wouldn’t start for another eight hours. In the crowd were Branch, Floyd, Poppy, Smidge, and DJ Suki, eagerly waiting for the show to begin. “Hey, Floyd, you’ve seen Val’s concerts. What are they like?” Branch asked, glancing at the growing line.

“A lot of work but fun at the same time,” Floyd replied, adjusting his hair. “I should know—I’ve helped Demo manage a few of her shows.”

The line buzzed with chatter as Trolls chanted, “Thundershock! Thundershock!” DJ Suki grinned and adjusted her headphones. “I heard Val start her concert by dropping out of the sky! Then, after her legendary guitar smash, the pieces transform into birds and carry you away to a DJ city in the clouds. You’re crowned the greatest DJ of all time!”

Branch raised an eyebrow. “You’re definitely making that up.”

“Am I?” DJ Suki said, giving an exaggeratedly mysterious tone. The group laughed, but Poppy’s expression turned thoughtful.

“Speaking of showing support for Val,” Poppy said, “I’m gonna go wish her good luck. Be right back!”

Leaving the line, Poppy made her way to Rock Hollow, where she found Val lounging on a couch, looking unusually tense. Demo, her band manager, sat nearby, covered in random debris. “Val! I came to say, break a hair!” Poppy cheered but then paused. “Wait, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Val let out a frustrated groan. “Demo had an accident while sharpening his hair spikes. Now he’s out of commission, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to manage this concert without him!”

Demo gestured at the objects stuck to his spikes. “I can’t manage like this, Poppy. The show’s gonna have to be canceled.”

“Canceled?!” Poppy exclaimed. “No way! Trolls are lined up for miles to see you play. I can manage for you tonight. Let me help!”

Val and Demo exchanged skeptical glances. “You?” Demo asked. “Managing Val is no cupcake glitter jam. It’s hard work!”

Poppy grinned. “I can handle it. I promise I won’t let you down.”

Val shrugged. “Fine. Let’s do it. But fair warning—my pre-show routine is… intense.”

Poppy quickly learned that “intense” was an understatement. Val’s pre-show agenda was a chaotic mix of adrenaline-pumping stunts: bungee jumping, arctic slingshotting, and even sticking her head in a predator’s mouth. At Striped Smiley’s Candy Bar, Poppy tried to reign Val in. “Val, we have to focus on wardrobe, hair, makeup, and sound checks!”

But Val waved her off, downing an Extreme Sour Blaster Puckerball. “That stuff is boring! I need to find my edge!”

Despite Poppy’s efforts, Val kept slipping away, causing the Pop Troll to chase her all over TrollsTopia. From sledding through tornadoes to joyriding in the Dune Huggy, Val seemed determined to do anything but prepare for her concert. The final straw came when Val hijacked the Dune Huggy and sent Poppy flying into a bush. Poppy emerged covered in leaves, her patience at its limit. “That’s it! We’re going to the venue now!”

When they finally arrived, Demo was waiting, his spikes freshly repaired. “You made it!” he exclaimed, but his relief turned to concern as Val climbed the stage.

The crowd cheered wildly, chanting, “Thundershock!” as Val raised her guitar for her iconic opening smash. But when she brought it down, the guitar didn’t break. The audience gasped.

“What’s going on?” Poppy asked Demo, panicking.

“She didn’t finish her pre-show list!” Demo said. “Val needs those stunts to get into the zone!”

Realizing her mistake, Poppy sprang into action. She grabbed Val and a Flyer Bug, flying high into the sky to complete the remaining stunts. Together, they stuck their heads in a predator’s jaws, flew through storm clouds, and finally bungee-jumped back onto the stage. As Val landed, adrenaline coursing through her veins, she raised her guitar once more. “Let’s rock!” she yelled, smashing it with all her might. This time, the guitar shattered into a million pieces that transformed into birds.

DJ Suki’s voice echoed above as the birds carried her into the sky. “I knew it!”

The crowd erupted into cheers as Val began her performance. Poppy, landing gracefully with her hair parachute, smiled as Demo clapped her on the back. “Great managing, Queen Poppy,” he said. “You’ve got the chops for this.”

Poppy laughed. “Thanks, Demo, but I think I’ll stick to glitter crafts.”

The concert was a massive success, and as Trolls chanted “Thundershock!” into the night, DJ Suki waved down from the clouds, still being carried by the magical birds.

Chapter Text

Val Thundershock strummed her guitar, the powerful chords reverberating through Rock Hollow. Demo stood off to the side, nodding in approval as Val leaped from the stage with an electrifying dive. Her landing was accompanied by a dramatic crash of her guitar, sending a flurry of bats flying into the cavernous air. “Yeah, yeah!” Val shouted triumphantly.

“Excellent form!” Demo cheered. “I give that stage dive two harms up!”

Their celebration was interrupted by the arrival of a Delivery Bug fluttering toward them, an envelope clutched in its tiny hands. It extended the invitation to Val, who grabbed it with a scowl. “Huh?” Val muttered, her face twisting in annoyance as she opened it. A pop-up version of Poppy sprang to life, exclaiming with unbridled enthusiasm, “You’re invited to girls’ night! Yay!”

Val groaned and tossed the invitation away. “Come on. Not again.”

Demo peered over her shoulder, intrigued. “Wha-wha-what?”

“Poppy’s been inviting me to this touchy, feely girls’ night thing for months,” Val grumbled. “But I already SUP’d with a formal ‘ugh.’” She rolled her eyes. “She’s relentless!”

As if on cue, a swarm of Delivery Bugs descended from the sky, each carrying identical invitations. Val’s eyes widened in panic. “No, no, no…” she muttered, backing away.

She bumped into something—or rather, someone. “You’re invited to girls’ night!” Poppy announced gleefully, shaking her hands in the air. “Yaaaay!”

Val groaned again, smacking a hand against her forehead. “Grr. Learn how to take ‘ugh’ for an answer.”

“Come on, Val,” Poppy urged. “Just give me one girls’ night of super fun gal-pal bonding! Or I’ll have no choice but to unleash the full power of my hospitality.” She held up a piece of paper and a pair of scissors, her voice ringing with mock solemnity. “May love and friendship strike to me!”

With a dramatic flash of lightning, Poppy began cutting out more invitations. Which made Val finally cave in. “Ugh! OK!” Val finally relented.

Poppy froze, her scissors mid-snip. “Wait, what?”

“One night,” Val clarified. “Then all of this stops.”

The discarded pop-up cards around them sprang open, echoing Poppy’s cheer. “Yay!”

Poppy grinned, throwing her hands in the air. “Yaaaay!”

Val groaned again, dragging a hand down her face. “Ugggggh.” Later, she collapsed onto a couch beside Demo, arms crossed tightly. “I know exactly how this girls’ night’s gonna go. They’ll braid hairs, glitter paint nails, and before you know it, we’ll be talking about…” She shuddered. “…our feelings.”

Demo recoiled in horror. “Talk about feelings? Nay, milady. Nay! For you are the great Val Thundershock!”

Val sighed, her bravado faltering. “Yeah, I know, but… ever since I came to TrollsTopia, I feel like I’m losing my edge. Somehow, being here always catches me off guard.”

She recounted a memory of playing squish ball with Smidge, Holly, Rhythm, and Blues. At first, it had been thrilling and competitive, but then… “That’s when I felt my soft side awakening,” Val admitted to Demo, her voice trembling. “First the big, caring eyes. Then the born smile. And the arms held out to hug.” She mimicked the motions, her hands twitching with suppressed emotion. “It’s taken all my strength to stuff it back down! If I let my guard down for even a second, I could end up saying something really personal. And I don’t know how to stop it!”

Demo’s brow furrowed in thought. “Think, huh? Uh, wanna mosh it over in the Thinking Pit?”

“Sure,” Val agreed. Together, they dashed off, letting the Rock Trolls toss them into the Thinking Pit.

That evening at Poppy’s pod, girls’ night was in full swing. Poppy brushed Smidge’s hair while Rhythm and Blues styled Holly’s, employing a wormhole’s winds for extra flair. Everyone was cheerful and energetic—everyone except Val, who stood outside the pod, arms crossed in defiance. “She’s wallflowering,” Poppy noted to Smidge. “Five minutes is enough. Time to bring her in.”

Poppy glanced at Val, her cheeks flushing faintly. There was something about the way Val stood arms crossed and chin raised that made her seem invincible. Yet, there was also a vulnerability in her eyes, just beneath the surface. For the first time, Poppy found herself wondering what it might be like to break through that armor, to see the softer side Val worked so hard to hide. Despite Val’s protests, Holly eventually dragged her inside. The evening progressed as Poppy and the others sang, danced, and even pranked the village. To Val’s surprise, she found herself genuinely laughing and enjoying the chaos.

But when Poppy suggested a heartfelt sharing circle, Val panicked. Her defenses crumbled, her eyes softened, and she barely held back a genuine smile. Desperate, she called for Demo, who staged an absurd rescue attempt involving a broken guitar pick named “Pick Jagger.”

Despite the dramatic exit, Val found herself drawn back to the group. With a sigh, she admitted, “I really like Flavor Berry lip gloss.”

The room erupted in delighted “aw”’s, and Val cringed before grabbing her guitar. “All right, enough of this. Are we going pranking again or what?”

The girls cheered, painting their faces with lipstick and running off into the night. Poppy lingered for a moment, watching Val with a satisfied smile. “Girls’ night,” she murmured to herself before joining her friends for more adventures.

Chapter Text

Branch was nestled comfortably in his bed, enjoying a rare moment of peace. The morning sunlight trickled through the cracks in his shutters, casting warm streaks across the room. All was quiet; until two cold eggs splatted directly onto his eyes. “Wha-?! Who did that?!” Branch shouted, bolting upright and frantically wiping at the gooey mess.

As if on cue, a familiar figure floated into view, humming a cheerful tune. “It was… me,” Cloud Guy announced smugly, grinning as he whipped up breakfast food right on Branch’s bed.

Branch groaned, his moment of peace obliterated. “Cloud Guy, what do you want?!”

Cloud Guy gestured theatrically as if presenting a grand gift. “It’s our annoyversary, bud! A day to honor me harassing you. And what better way to celebrate than breakfast in bed?”

Branch’s glare could have melted glaciers. Before he could protest, Cloud Guy leaned in and kissed him—not with lips, but by morphing into a mass of warm hashbrowns and pressing himself against Branch’s face. Disgusted, Branch shot out of bed, swiping at the greasy remains. “You serve breakfast in bed, not make it in bed!”

Cloud Guy floated up and shrugged. “Heh. You say hashbrowns, I say haishbrowns.”

Branch’s patience snapped. “NO ONE SAYS HAISHRBOWNS!” he roared, just as Cloud Guy retaliated by flinging breakfast food at his face. The bacon landed as eyebrows, the eggs as eyes, and the hashbrowns as a scruffy beard. Branch stood there, livid, breakfast clinging to him like a grotesque mask.

Minutes later, Branch stormed through the bustling Pop Village Market, still wiping crumbs off his face. Of course, Cloud Guy was floating along beside him, humming cheerfully. “Ah, what better way to celebrate our special day than a stroll down Irritation Lane?” Cloud Guy said with a wistful sigh. He pointed dramatically. “Look! That’s where you gave me your first eye roll. And over there, you said those three little words.”

Branch’s expression darkened as he grabbed Cloud Guy by the… well, whatever clouds have for collars. “You. Are. Infuriating!” he growled through gritted teeth.

Cloud Guy sniffled dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. “Aw, you remember! Best anniversary ever!” He wriggled free from Branch’s grasp just as Poppy bounded into view.

“Annoyversary?! What’s that?” she asked, tilting her head curiously. “Never mind! It has ‘versary’ in it, so I’m getting you a gift!” She clapped her hands, her excitement bubbling over. “This is gonna be so fun!” And with that, she skipped off into the market.

Branch turned back to Cloud Guy, his face etched with exasperation. “Listen up, you be-socked puff of vapor and cheap gags, I am not…”

Cloud Guy cut him off, slapping a hand over his mouth. “Hold that rant,” he said, his tone oddly serious. Then, without explanation, he zipped away into the distance.

Branch blinked, stunned. “Huh?”

Meanwhile, not far away, Laguna was brushing off an intriguing object she’d found buried in the dirt. She blew away the last bits of dust, revealing an ancient, gleaming disco ball. Her eyes widened in awe. “An ancient Pop Tribe disco ball!” she gasped, cradling it as if it were a priceless artifact. “So rare and preserved and…” Her voice trailed off as the disco ball shifted in her hands, growing a pair of eyes and a mischievous grin.

“…oozing with charm,” Cloud Guy finished for her.

Laguna recoiled, dropping the “artifact.” “Cloud Guy, not again!” she groaned.

Branch arrived just in time to witness the exchange. “You two know each other?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Laguna crossed her arms. “Unfortunately, yes. I’m all too familiar with this particular example of cloudicus irritatem.”

Cloud Guy chuckled, clearly delighted by her irritation. He extended a hand toward her. “Down low?”

Laguna gasped, eyeing his wiggling fingers suspiciously. “Note to self: Must not engage the cloud. He will simply pull his hand away and say, ‘Too slow.’”

Cloud Guy’s face appeared in her notebook, smirking. “Interesting theory,” he teased.

Growling, Laguna tossed her notebook aside. “But you’re the type of Troll who can’t resist testing a hypothesis, can you?” he added, his tone as sweet as syrup.

“Laguna, don’t!” Branch warned.

Cloud Guy turned on the charm, his eyes growing impossibly wide and sparkly. “Do it,” he whispered, egging her on.

Laguna’s resolve wavered. She whimpered, then let out a scream as she lunged forward to slap his hand. Time seemed to slow as Branch shouted, “NOOOOOO!”

Cloud Guy, of course, yanked his hand back at the last second. Laguna toppled forward, landing unceremoniously on the ground. “Too slow!” Cloud Guy cackled, his laughter echoing through the marketplace.

Branch sighed, dragging a hand down his face. He really wasn’t in the mood to deal with that annoying cloud. Suddenly, Cloud Guy zipped away and Branch went after him. He then found Cloud Guy harassing Floyd and Hickory. The two of them were trying to have a picnic but Cloud Guy made it rain on them, causing Hickory to try fighting Cloud Guy. Floyd on the other hand was completely angry. Branch had never seen Floyd so angry; not even towards their brothers since he was always the peaceful one.

Branch walked up to Floyd who was covered in cake frosting from Cloud Guy throwing cake at him. “Floyd, you ok?” Branch asked.

“I’m fine, Branch. Just annoyed by this puff of vapor and gags.” Floyd stated, wiping frosting off his face.

“So you and Hickory know Cloud Guy?”

“Unfortunately,” Floyd answered, then he looked at Branch with worry. “B, don’t tell me Cloud Guy bugs you too.”

“Sadly yes.” Branch explained, “And he acts so friendly and harmless around Poppy and everyone brushes it off as just Cloud Guy but he annoys me to the point where I wanna…”

“Strangle that cloud into oblivion.” Both Floyd and Branch said in unison.

That caught Cloud Guy's attention then he wrapped his arms around Branch and Floyd. “Nice one, did you two rehearse that?”

Floyd whacked Cloud Guy’s hand away and glared at him, “Stay away from me and my little brother.”

“You’re both on my list? Oh, this is the greatest day ever! It’s like a family reunion of aggravation.” Cloud Guy said with glee, “I really gotta thank Poppy for this whole “TrollsTopia” thing. Having all my favorite Trolls in one place is really gonna cut down my commune.”

That made Floyd and Branch look completely shocked. Cloud Guy had annoyed more than just them and Laguna. As the morning sun painted the sky in soft hues of gold, Branch and Floyd found themselves seated in Branch’s bunker. Floyd’s irritation mirrored Branch’s as he recounted his history with Cloud Guy. “I still can’t believe that sock-wearing puffball has been annoying you too,” Branch muttered, leaning forward.

Floyd crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. “Not just me. Hickory, too. He crashed one of our picnics once. Turned the sandwiches into sock puppets. Hickory had to hold me back from trying to punch a cloud.”

Branch blinked. “Wait. You tried to punch him?”

“And I would’ve landed it if Hickory hadn’t tackled me,” Floyd grumbled. “He’s got this way of getting under my skin. It’s like his life’s purpose.”

Branch sighed deeply. “Welcome to my world.”

The brothers sat in silence for a moment, their mutual frustration palpable. Then, Branch’s face lit up with a grim determination. “If Cloud Guy’s been targeting you, too, maybe we can pool our knowledge and finally get rid of him.”

“That sounds like a plan,” Floyd agreed, his tone sharp. “But how do we take him down?”

Branch leaned back in his chair, tapping his chin. “We need backup. If we all share what we know, we might be able to find his weakness.”

With a quick nod, the two set out to rally a team. Later that day, Branch and Floyd gathered Laguna, Holly, Dante, and Lownote Jones in the bunker. Branch stood at the head of the table, Floyd leaning against the wall with crossed arms, glaring at the door as if expecting Cloud Guy to burst in at any moment. “Hear ye, hear ye,” Branch declared, his voice solemn. “I call the first meeting of the United Council Against Cloud Guy to order. All of us are victims of his antics, yes?”

Laguna nodded. “That is accurate.”

“More than accurate,” Floyd muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Branch clapped his hands. “Good. If we share what we know, together we can beat Cloud Guy.”

Holly sighed, leaning forward. “All right, I guess I’ll share, y’all. I remember the first time Cloud Guy drifted into town…”

Holly recounted the tale of Cloud Guy sabotaging her pageant. The group listened intently as she described his exaggerated hair and how he stole her victory just to mess with her. That got her worked up and Floyd had to calm her down. Branch then turned to Lownote. “Lownote, surely he didn’t get the best of you. You’re the coolest Troll alive.”

Lownote chuckled. “You got that right, baby.” His tone suddenly shifted to a loud, angry shout, breaking his glasses, “EXCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO THAT CLOUD!”

The group jumped as Lownote calmed himself, grabbing a new pair of glasses. “Sorry. It’s just… I’ve suffered from his aggravations too many times.”

Dante groaned, throwing his hands in the air. “Bah! This is futile! No one can best that loathsome cloud. No one!”

Floyd suddenly remembered the one person who was able to turn the tables on Cloud Guy once. Floyd brought the group to Rock Hollow, where they found Val lounging in her cave. “Cloud Guy?” Val said, looking up lazily. “Oh, yeah. He tried to play his little games with me once.”

She recounted how she had once shut him down with her signature icy glare, leaving him frozen and shattered into pieces. “Wait a second,” Floyd interjected, raising an eyebrow. “Are you telling me that’s all it took? A glare?”

Val smirked. “It’s better if I just show you.”

Branch, Floyd, Laguna, Holly, Lownote, and Dante gathered in the forest, waiting for Cloud Guy. Branch laughed, “Oh, man. Val is so hardcore. I can’t wait until we find Cloud Guy..”

Cloud Guy’s voice rang out before they could move. “Find me? I’m right here.”

The group turned to see him floating above them, arms wide open. Before anyone could react, he wrapped them all in his cloudy embrace. “Annoyversary group photo time!”

Cloud Guy dragged them through a series of bizarre photoshoots: underwater, in the snow, a video-game-like realm, and even in a space filled with nothing but Mr. Dinkles. Finally, Val stepped forward, smirking. “Cloud Guy, Cloud Guy, Cloud Guy,” she began. “You ever hear the one about the cloud who wasted everyone’s time with irritating pranks?”

Cloud Guy blinked. “Huh?”

Val’s smirk grew as she pulled out an arsenal of embarrassing evidence, exposing everything from his failed business ventures to his inferiority complex with his older brother, Cloud Man. Cloud Guy’s confident demeanor crumbled. “This isn’t as fun as it usually is…” he muttered before raining and fleeing into the wilderness.

The group erupted into cheers, thrilled with their apparent victory. They celebrated their success with ice cream, dancing, and joyous laughter. Their celebration was short-lived, as Poppy soon arrived, furious. “What did you do to Cloud Guy?” she demanded.

Branch raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about? We finally put him in his place.”

Poppy gestured dramatically to a nearby cliff. There, Cloud Guy sat forlornly, playing a mournful tune on a harmonica. His once-pristine socks were tattered, and he looked utterly defeated.

“He’s… fine,” Branch said, though his tone wavered slightly.

Cloud Guy sighed. “Oh, hey, guys. Was I wallowing too loud? Sorry. I’ll give it a rest.”

The sight of the despondent cloud was enough to soften even the hardest of hearts. Lownote removed his glasses, visibly emotional. “Maybe we went too far.”

Holly nodded. “Yeah, no one deserves to be all alone like this.”

Branch’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me? He’s been tormenting us for years!”

Floyd placed a hand on Branch’s shoulder. “Maybe that’s just his way of connecting, bro. He’s annoying, sure, but it’s… kinda his thing.”

Branch groaned, but he knew they were right. With a resigned sigh, he approached Cloud Guy and began singing, joined by the others. Their heartfelt song lifted Cloud Guy’s spirits, and he returned to his usual self. The group’s relief, however, was short-lived when Cloud Guy revealed he had orchestrated the entire situation with Val’s help, just to hear how much they appreciated him. The Trolls could only groan, resigned to the fact that Cloud Guy would always be, well… Cloud Guy.

Chapter Text

Branch and Floyd were nestled in the comfort of Branch's bunker, sipping tea and casually discussing their plans for the day. The atmosphere was cozy, but a faint hum of rock music thrummed in the background, disrupting the serene vibe. "Floyd, do you hear that?" Branch asked, frowning as he tilted his head toward the source of the noise.

"Hear what?" Floyd replied, pausing before smirking. "Oh, wait... that. Sounds like Val is at it again."

Branch groaned, placing his tea on the table. "It’s so loud! I thought we agreed on quiet mornings."

Floyd shrugged. "Val doesn’t do quiet. Should we go see what’s up?"

Sharing a look of understanding, the brothers decided to investigate. Exiting the bunker, they headed toward Val’s pod, where the blaring music grew louder with every step. By the time they reached the door, the vibrations were strong enough to shake the ground slightly. Branch knocked, but there was no response. Frustrated, he opened the door without waiting. "Val! It’s too loud!" Branch exclaimed, his tone sharp.

Floyd followed, grinning. "You’re gonna wake up the whole Hollow."

Val stopped strumming her guitar and turned to them with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, good, you’re here. I need your help with something."

Branch crossed his arms. "Were you making all that noise just to get us here?"

"Well, yeah. I wasn’t gonna walk all the way to your bunker, was I?" Val retorted with a smirk.

Floyd chuckled. "Classic Val."

"Alright, what do you need?" Branch asked with an exasperated sigh.

Val leaned against the wall, her cool demeanor softened by a flicker of concern. "It’s Demo. He’s been acting weird lately—tired, missing jam sessions, and yesterday, he wore a tie. Without irony."

"A tie? That’s… unusual," Branch said, raising an eyebrow.

"Did you try talking to him?" Floyd asked.

"Nah," Val admitted with a shrug. "Mushy conversations aren’t really my thing. But Floyd? You’re good at that stuff."

"Fine," Floyd said reluctantly. "We’ll talk to him."

"Thanks. And don’t make it weird," Val added before picking up her guitar again.

Later, in Rock Hollow, Demo was sneaking in, trying not to wake the sleeping Rock Trolls. As he tiptoed through the space, his foot landed on a rubber duck, which let out a loud squeak. A nearby Rock Troll stirred but thankfully went back to sleep. Demo let out a sigh of relief and sat on a couch, placing his guitar case beside him. He grabbed a pillow with Poppy’s face on it and sighed again deeper this time.

"Hey, Demo," Branch’s voice cut through the silence, startling him.

Demo jumped. "Ah! What are you doing here?"

"We could ask you the same thing," Floyd said, crossing his arms.

"What’s going on, Demo?" Branch pressed. "You’ve been sneaking around, acting all secretive."

Demo chuckled nervously. "Nothing’s going on."

Branch leaned closer. "Really? Because your voice just cracked, and you’re sweating. Spill it."

Demo hesitated before glancing toward Classical Crest, inadvertently giving himself away. "Classical Crest? This has something to do with the Classical Trolls, doesn’t it?" Branch asked, following his gaze.

Demo sighed. "Fine. You caught me. I’ve been sneaking off to play classical guitar with them."

"Classical guitar? Seriously?" Floyd asked, surprised.

"Yeah, and it’s amazing," Demo said defensively. "But you can’t tell Val. She’d give me the face."

"The face?" Branch asked, confused.

"You don’t want to know," Demo said, shuddering.

"Oh, I want to know," Floyd said, grinning.

Demo sighed and gestured for them to follow him. They rode the elevator to Classical Crest, where Demo performed a delicate piece on his guitar for an audience of Classical Trolls. Branch and Floyd watched in awe. "He’s really good," Floyd whispered.

"Yeah. But why hide this?" Branch wondered.

After the performance, Demo explained his fear of judgment from Val. Branch and Floyd exchanged a look. "Demo, Val isn’t as scary as you think. You should just talk to her," Branch suggested.

"Easier said than done," Demo muttered.

Back at Rock Hollow, Val cornered Branch and Floyd about Demo’s behavior. They tried to cover for him but ultimately failed as Val pieced everything together. Determined, she stormed off to Classical Crest for answers, with Branch and Floyd racing after her. The brotherly duo, reached the elevator just as it arrived at Classical Crest. Unfortunately, Val had already beaten them. "What’s going on? And what’s with that not-rocking guitar?" Val demanded, confronting Demo.

After a tense pause, Demo confessed his love for classical guitar. To everyone’s surprise, Val admitted she thought it was cool and encouraged him to embrace it.

Branch, Floyd, and Val watched Demo perform a fusion of rock and classical music at a concert. Val, Branch, and Floyd cheered him on from the crowd. As the audience erupted in applause, Val subtly did the Classical Trolls’ hand sign, drawing amused grins from Branch and Floyd. "Looks like Classical culture is rubbing off on you," Branch teased.

"Say a word, and I’ll give you the face," Val shot back with a grin.

Chapter Text

The day began like any other in the lagoon, with the Techno Trolls grooving to mellow beats as the sun glinted off the water. But Synth wasn’t feeling his usual rhythm. For the first time, he wasn’t in sync with the world around him. His thoughts kept circling back to Branch; how Branch had opened up a little during their time together, how they’d laughed and shared moments Synth never thought he’d get to experience.

The two spend more time together doing fun things together. Synth was understanding of Branch and why he didn’t like the whole party and loudness. Synth was more understanding and even helped Branch work through his anxiety. The more time Snyth spent with Branch, the more he was falling for him. And now, Synth had decided it was time to come clean; he was going to tell Branch how he felt. But first, Synth needed a little advice.

In Pop Village, Floyd and Poppy were organizing an impromptu sing-along. The colorful chaos of Pop Troll life was in full swing when Synth wandered into the village. He approached Floyd, who was fine-tuning his guitar and nudged him on the shoulder. “Hey, Floyd, got a sec?” Synth asked, shifting nervously.

“Always for you, Synth,” Floyd said with a grin. “What’s up?”

Floyd and Snyth walked away to a spot where it was more private. Synth hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. “I… I’m thinking about telling Branch how I feel.”

Floyd’s grin widened as he leaned back, propping his guitar on his lap. “I knew this day would come. Took you long enough.”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” Synth said, rolling his eyes. “But seriously, I don’t want to mess this up. Branch is… different. He’s not the kind of troll you can just burst into a love song for, you know?”

“True,” Floyd agreed. “Branch likes subtlety. Keep it simple, honest, and low-key. Don’t make it a big production.”

“Got it,” Synth said, nodding.

Unfortunately for Synth, Poppy had overheard the tail end of the conversation. She skipped over, practically buzzing with curiosity. “Synth! Did I hear you say you like someone?” Poppy asked, her voice bright with excitement.

Synth stiffened, his cheeks flushing. “Uh, no, I didn’t say that!” he stammered.

“Oh, come on! You can tell me!” Poppy pleaded, clasping her hands together dramatically.

Synth wanted to but then he remembered that Branch really didn’t like being the center of attention. And if Poppy found out then she would make a huge fuss about it; hosting a huge coming out party, and even use their relationship as an example of Trollstopia. So Synth refused to put Branch in the spotlight like that. He planned to keep it a secret. “Nope! Not happening,” Synth replied, holding his ground. “It’s… it’s personal.”

Poppy pouted but quickly shifted gears, her smile returning. “Alright, fine. But whoever it is, they’re super lucky to have you crushing on them.”

Synth laughed nervously. “Thanks, Poppy. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow over the lagoon. Branch sat on a rock, staring out at the water as the waves gently lapped against the shore. Synth watched him from a distance, his heart racing. Today was the day. The feelings he had for Branch had been growing for weeks, and he couldn’t hide them any longer.

He walked slowly towards Branch, knowing that words might not be enough. Floyd was hiding behind some bushes and gave him a thumbs up. As Synth sat down next to Branch on the rock, he took a deep breath. Branch glanced over, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Hey, Synth. What’s up?”

Instead of answering with words, Synth gave Floyd the signal and then he began to strum his guitar, the melody flowing naturally. He closed his eyes, letting the music take over. He didn’t need to say anything. The song would speak for him.

Synth:

I scream at the top of my lungs,

You keep it all bottled up

We’re different that way (different that way)

But please don’t ever change (don’t ever change)

Synth sang softly, his voice full of emotion. Branch’s smile faltered as he listened, sensing the weight behind the words. He turned slightly to face Synth, but didn’t say anything, letting him continue.

It might feel like it’s only us

Lookin’ for our kinda love and maybe that’s true

But I’m so glad that it’s you

Synth’s voice trembled slightly as he sang the next lines, his heart on the line. He wanted Branch to know; he wanted Branch to feel the truth behind these words.

I wish you knew that you’re fantastic

I’ll be right here, whatever happens

When all said and done

You’ll always be the one that I keep coming back to

Branch’s expression softened, his breath catching in his throat. He knew something important was being said, but the full meaning was just starting to sink in.

In a heartbeat, I’d choose you

Hope you know you’ll never dance alone

So, don’t you worry, don’t need to

In a heartbeat, I’d choose you

Synth glanced at Branch, his eyes filled with sincerity. Branch stared at him, speechless, as the words of the song seemed to echo in his mind. In a heartbeat. Choose me. Could it really be true? Synth then took Branch’s hand and the two of them started to slow dance.

You make me feel like myself

Why would I go anywhere else?

How crazy I am (crazy I am)

Somehow, you understand (you understand), yeah

You’re the sweetest guy I’ve ever met (I’ve ever met)

I’m as lucky as lucky can get, too good to be true

Knowing somebody like you

Branch blushed, listening to every word of the beautiful love song.

I wish you knew that you're fantastic

But I don't have to tell you, this is magic

When all said and done

You'll always be the one that I keep coming back to

In a heartbeat, I'd choose you

Hope you know (I hope you know), you'll never dance alone

So, don't you worry, don't need to

In a heartbeat, I'd choose you

In a heartbeat, in a heartbeat, I'd choose you

(Oh-oh-oh-oh) don't you worry, you can trust me, I won't lose you

The future, we can't control

But all I know is everything that I need

I have with the boy who chose me (when)

When all said and done

You'll always be the one that I keep coming back to

In a heartbeat, I'd choose you

Hope you know (I hope you know), you'll never dance alone

So, don't you worry, don't need to

In a heartbeat, I'd choose you

You (In a heartbeat), you (In a heartbeat)

I'd choose you (In a heartbeat)

In a heartbeat

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (In a heartbeat, in a heartbeat)

I'd choose you (In a heartbeat)

In a heartbeat

Synth let the final notes linger in the air before stopping, the guitar resting gently in his lap. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Branch didn’t know what to say, but the look on his face said everything. Synth finally broke the silence with a quiet, almost shy voice. “Branch, I like you. Like, really like you. More than just as a friend.”

Branch froze, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched for a moment that felt like forever. Synth rushed to fill the gap. “And, like, I get it if you don’t feel the same way. I just thought you should know. You’re… you’re incredible, Branch. You make me want to be better, and—”

“Synth,” Branch interrupted, holding up a hand.

Synth braced himself, his heart sinking. But then Branch surprised him. “I… I don’t know how to feel about this,” Branch admitted, his voice quiet. “I’ve never… done this kind of thing before. I do like you as well. But I have no idea how to be in a relationship. No one liked a troll who was gray.”

Synth took Branch’s hand and gently squeezed it. He then wrapped his arms around Branch and hugged him. Branch hesitated but he hugged Snyth back. “Branch, we can take this slow. It’s new for both of us. By the way, I didn’t say a word to anyone else besides your brother about us. I know you do not like being in the spotlight and I’m not going to let Poppy use our relationship for a public stunt.” Synth spoke with a hint of protectiveness.

Synth’s heart raced as he waited, unsure if Branch would turn away or understand. But Branch’s expression softened further, and he stepped closer. “In a heartbeat,” Branch said quietly, his voice full of something that made Synth’s heart skip, “I’d choose you, too.”

For the first time in a long while, Synth allowed himself to breathe. His smile was small, but it was genuine, his whole body relaxing in a way it hadn’t before. “You would?”

“Yeah,” Branch said, a little more confidently now. “You’ve always been there for me… I think I’m ready to give this a chance.”

Synth smiled, a warmth spreading through him. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

The two of them stood there, in the soft glow of the setting sun, letting the quiet moments between them speak louder than anything else. Floyd watched from a distance, a proud smile on his face. He strummed his guitar softly, humming a tune as he saw his little brother opening up in a way he hadn’t seen in years.

Chapter Text

Minuet was perched in her pod at Classical Crest, violin in hand, preparing for yet another practice session. She took a deep breath and counted herself in. “1, 2, 3, 4, assume first position and…” She began to play, her fingers dancing along the strings with precision and grace.

Hours turned into days as she poured herself into her craft, and when she finally finished, she was exhausted. Placing her violin gently back in its case, she stretched and ventured outside. “Oh, the first sting of sunlight after a brutally long practice session,” she sighed contentedly. “Music to my eyes.”

Suddenly, Dante dashed past her, his feet barely touching the ground. “Move aside! I fear I’m already late for the show!” he exclaimed.

Minuet raised an eyebrow. “What show?”

Dante skidded to a halt, spinning to face her. “W-w-w-what show?! Minuet, I’m referring to the Hard Rock Troll who recently arrived in TrollsTopia! Some say, when it comes to his performances, one must either be there… or be square!” He tossed her a poster before bolting away.

Minuet caught the poster and examined it. “Hm. ‘Blaze Powerchord’?”

Curious, she followed the buzz to the concert venue, where a line of Trolls was already cheering. Poppy spotted her and waved her over. “Whoooooo! Yeeeeaaah! Minuet! Can you believe this show?! The killer riffs! The epic solos! Sorry. I’ll calm down. Daaah! No, I won’t!” she laughed.

Minuet chuckled. “Actually, Poppy, I just arrived. But it sounds like this Blaze is quite the electric guitarist.”

“He doesn’t play electric guitar,” Poppy said, barely containing her excitement.

“Huh?” Minuet asked, confused. Just then, Blaze appeared on stage.

“Who’s ready for an encore?!” Blaze shouted into the microphone. The crowd roared as he began imitating an electric guitar with his mouth.

“He plays mouth guitar! Whooooooo!” Poppy exclaimed as a red Techno Troll screamed and fainted.

Minuet tilted her head. “So, he just makes guitar noises? And Trolls listen to it? Willingly? Hm. It is rather entertaining.”

Val crossed her arms. “Yeah. Everyone says that. At first.”

“Val?” Poppy turned to her.

“Don’t get me wrong. Nobody mouths a guitar like Blaze. The problem is, once he gets going, he never… ever… ever… stops. Like ever.”

The next morning, the consequences of Blaze’s nonstop performances became evident. Tired Trolls lined up for coffee, only for Blaze to jump out of the coffee shop, imitating his guitar once more. Smidge dropped her drink in shock. “Good morning, TrollsTopia!” Blaze shouted, leaping onto a table.

Blaze’s antics continued throughout the day, interrupting everything from quiet library sessions to strolls through the park. Minuet sighed deeply as he popped out of a bush to perform yet again. Later, at Classical Crest, Minuet attempted to perform a violin recital. Blaze, oblivious to the setting, burst onto the stage with his signature mouth guitar, drawing groans from the audience. “Blaze, could you take five minutes till Minuet finishes her recital?” Smidge asked.

“And deprive the world of my sound? Sorry. Hate to turn down a huge fan,” Blaze replied, grinning.

“I never said I was a—” Smidge began, only to be cut off.

“But the Blaze Craze is here to stayz!” Blaze declared, imitating his guitar again. Minuet clenched her fists, her patience worn thin.

“WILL YOU PLEASE STOP?!” she shouted.

Blaze smirked. “Pfft! You’re just jealous of my awesome skillz. And that’s skillz with a Z.” He played another riff.

“Jealous?! Ugh! There is no skill I can’t master!” Minuet retorted.

Blaze’s eyes gleamed as he removed his sunglasses to reveal another pair underneath. “Wait! Are you saying you wanna challenge me to a battle of the mouth guitars? An epic throwdown wherein you beat me, I have to give up mouth guitar forever? ‘Cause that’s what it sounds like you’re saying.”

“What?! That’s not what I’m saying at all,” Minuet protested. But the crowd’s expectant eyes made her pause. “You know what? Yes. That’s precisely what I’m saying.”

The crowd gasped, and Blaze grinned. “Oh, you are on! Saturday night. You vs. me. Mouth-o a mouth-o. Prepare to be Blaze-d!” He leaped offstage with an exaggerated riff.

As Minuet fretted over her decision, Poppy chimed in, “Wow! Minuet, I had no idea you played mouth guitar.”

Minuet sighed. “I don’t. But as I said, there’s no technique I can’t master. I just need an instructor.” Her gaze shifted to Val.

“Nope. Nope. Can’t do it,” Val said firmly. “Mouth guitar isn’t about technique. It’s about passion.”

Before the lessons could begin, Floyd arrived. “Hey, Minuet, Val. I heard about the challenge. You’re going up against Blaze?”

“You know him?” Minuet asked.

“Oh, yeah. I lived with the Hard Rock Trolls for a while. Blaze is… something else. He’s got skills, but more than anything, he’s got heart. If you’re going to beat him, you’ll need to find your own passion and make it real.” Floyd’s words hung in the air, pushing Minuet to dig deeper as Val began teaching her.

With guidance from Val and encouragement from Floyd, Minuet trained tirelessly. By the night of the battle, she was ready to face Blaze, armed not just with technique but with her newfound passion. As the showdown unfolded, Minuet and Blaze traded electrifying riffs that sent shockwaves through the crowd. In the end, Minuet’s heartfelt performance resonated most, earning her the victory. Blaze, humbled, acknowledged her skill. “You’re… in-shredible! You win.”

Minuet smiled. “No one wants you to give up your passion, Blaze. Just maybe save it for the right moments.”

The crowd roared as the two performed an encore together, their sounds harmonizing in a thrilling conclusion to the Blaze Craze in TrollsTopia.

Chapter Text

The Trolls were gathered in a circle, deeply engrossed in a game of Troll, Troll, Bergen. Smidge moved around the group, her voice loud and energetic. "Troll, Troll, Troll, Troll..." Smidge called out, circling her friends.

Holly raised an eyebrow. "Dang. Is it normal in Troll, Troll, Bergen to go 20 minutes without pickin' a Bergen?"

"No," Poppy replied with a grin. "But this is Troll, Troll, Bergen Deluxe."

Smidge suddenly tapped Holly. "Troll, Troll, Bergen!"

Holly sprang up, excited. "Woo-hoo!" She and Smidge dashed around, leaping over obstacles. Smidge eventually tripped and fell but managed to land safely.

"Oh, my Guh! Safe!" Smidge exclaimed.

The Trolls cheered as Holly grinned. "All right, I'm it, y'all!" She began circling the group. "Troll, Troll, Troll, Tro-" Her hand brushed against Poppy's hair, and she froze mid-step. "Oh! My stars! Poppy, your hair!"

Poppy blinked in confusion. "Um, what about my-"

Holly hushed her. "Shh, shh, shh!" She ran her hands through Poppy's hair, marveling at it. "The texture. The body. Ooh! The follicle integrity! Oh, Poppy, when it comes to hair stylin', I consider myself a bit of an amateur professional. Will you let me do your hair?"

Poppy grabbed her calendar. "Let me check. Hm. No, doesn't look like I'm scheduled to turn down the greatest idea I've ever heard! So, yes!"

Holly's eyes sparkled. "Ha-ha! Well, then buckle up, girl!" She spun Poppy around until she landed in a chair. "'Cause we're about to put some woo-hoo in that 'do!"

When Holly was finished, Poppy looked at herself in a mirror. Her hair had been transformed into a massive, towering style. "So, what do ya think?" Holly asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Poppy stared up at the colossal hairstyle. "Wow! I mean, it's so... big!"

"Oh, I know! Bigger than a Country Troll mile!" Holly beamed, handing Poppy a mirror. "Don't you love it?!"

A small bird landed in Poppy's hair. She forced a smile. "Holly, I... love it!"

Later, Poppy nervously approached Branch, her giant hair wobbling precariously. Floyd was already there, chatting with Branch.

"Whoa," Floyd said, eyeing her hair. "Let me guess, Holly styled your hair?"

"How did you know?" Poppy asked.

"Holly did the same thing to me." Floyd stated.

Branch smirked. "You don't love it, do you?"

Poppy sighed, collapsing onto Branch. "Oh... not exactly! What I loved was the bonding time with Holly. But the hair... it's just so big!"

Branch popped out of the hair like a gopher. "Then style it the way you want. Problem solved."

Poppy sat up. "You mean undo Holly's do? No way! That would crush her."

Floyd chuckled. "Or worse, she'd hit you with one of her infamous guilt trips."

"Guilt trip?" Poppy asked, confused.

Floyd nodded. "Holly's a master at it. She once told me, 'I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed.' I still can't look her in the eye."

Determined, Poppy exclaimed, "There won't be any guilt trips today! I'll learn to love this hair."

Floyd raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, good luck with that."

Poppy's giant hair caused chaos wherever she went. She toppled tables, blocked views, and accidentally crushed mushrooms. Eventually, she returned to Branch and Floyd, exhausted. "OK! My hair is just too big!" she wailed.

Branch looked at her. "So, you're gonna get it styled the way you want and just tell Holly it was too big?"

"Absolutely not," Poppy declared.

Floyd shook his head. "Here we go."

Poppy hatched a plan to stage a freak accident involving a hair-eating Crunch Clover. Branch reluctantly helped, throwing banana cupcakes to make Poppy slip. After numerous failed attempts, Poppy's hair finally got caught in the plant's mouth. "We did it!" Poppy cheered, throwing her hands up.

Later, Poppy approached Holly. "And then the plant chomped the whole hairdo right off! So, you see, Holly, that's why my hair is back to normal."

Holly's eyes widened. "Oh, no! Poppy, that... that's just awful. You loved that big hair!"

Poppy hesitated. "It was... very big."

Holly nodded solemnly. "Don't you worry. This ain't your fault. It's the fault of whoever discarded that banana cupcake! And I'm gonna find 'em."

"Wait, what?!" Poppy shouted, chasing after her. 

At Branch's bunker, Floyd and Branch were just hanging out when Poppy came in all frantic. She tried to get them Holly confronted Branch. "What? Poppy, who's coming?" Branch asked, bewildered.

Before Poppy could answer, the elevator doors opened again, and Holly stepped out with a fiery determination, Floyd trailing behind her looking slightly apprehensive.

"Holly, what..." Floyd began.

"I see you've packed yourself a bag, Branch. Fittin', seein' as you're about to go on... a trip," Holly interrupted, her voice sharp.

Floyd and Poppy tried to get Holly to stop but she didn't listen. Holly's focus remained on Branch. "Tell me, Branch. Do you have any idea how long it takes to get really big hair?"

Branch blinked, struggling for words. "Uh... I...I mean..."

"Course you don't. You're too busy havin' yourself a good ol' time, droppin' cupcakes for Trolls to slip on, to even consider the commitment it takes to get really, really big hair."

Her glare intensified, and Branch stumbled back, overwhelmed.

"Holly, I—" Poppy tried again, but Holly cut her off.

"Poppy loved that hair, Branch. Poppy, tell him how much you loved that hair."

"I..." Poppy hesitated, looking between Holly and Branch.

"She loved that hair! And after years of bein' nothin' but a good friend, you repay her by takin' that away?!" Holly exclaimed, her voice rising. Branch tripped over a table and landed on the floor.

"Oh! Ugh! The guilt! So intense!" Branch groaned dramatically.

"Why didn't you love the hair, Branch? Why?!" Holly loomed over him, her expression fierce.

"Aah! I'm sorry that I made you mad!" Branch blurted out.

"Holly, maybe we should just let him..." Floyd interjected, but Holly ignored him.

"Oh, Branch honey."

Branch looked up at her, confused. "Huh?!"

"I'm just disappoint..."

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Poppy shouted, stepping between them.

"No?" Holly asked, raising an eyebrow.

Poppy sighed heavily. "I told Branch to drop that cupcake. So that I would slip on it."

Holly gasped, and Floyd raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Poppy? The architect of your do's undoin'? But... but why?"

"Because... I didn't like the hair," Poppy admitted, looking sheepish.

"You didn't like it?" Holly's voice trembled with disbelief.

"Sorry, Holly. It was just too big, and I didn't want to hurt your feelings. But now I realize that's silly. I mean, we're good friends. And when good friends tell the truth, it doesn't hurt their feelings."

Holly's face softened, though her tone remained firm. "Well, actually, it does hurt my feelings. Real bad."

"Oh," Poppy said, her face falling.

"But, Poppy girl, sometimes feelings get hurt. I'll get over that. It's your hair. You're entitled to style it however you please."

"Huh. Thanks, Holly. And yeah, I can style it however I please!" Poppy exclaimed, her excitement returning. "Maybe I'll get a mohawk!"

"Ooh, yeah. As an amateur professional, I'm gonna have to veto on that one," Holly replied with a laugh. Poppy joined in, and the tension eased.

Meanwhile, Branch lay on the ground, shivering dramatically. "It's so cold... it's so cold..."

Floyd rushed to Branch's side and hugged him tight. He whispered sweet brotherly things to help get him out of Holly's guilt trip. Holly felt guilty for doing her guilt trap on her friends' brother. "Tell you what: I'm gonna find some way to make it up to ya both," Holly said brightly.

Later, Holly styled Branch's hair into an enormous tower. "So, what do you think?"

Branch looked up at the towering hairstyle. "Holly, I love it!" A bird landed on his hair, causing him and Poppy to roll away.

As they disappeared into the distance, Floyd chuckled. "Now that's what I call a hair-raising experience."

Holly then added some highlights to Floyd's hair to make him look cool and fun. "Well, you like it?" Holly asked.

"This is amazing. Thanks Holly."

"So we good now?"

"Yeah." Floyd said, "We're good."

Chapter Text

The stadium was alive with the roar of excited Trolls, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of their favorite band. Poppy bounced up and down, her bright pink hair swinging with each jump. At her side, Branch, looking a little out of place in his rock attire, couldn’t help but feel the excitement too.  As the Rock Caterbus made its way through the crowd, Poppy’s excitement reached a fever pitch. “Trolls! Trolls! I just spotted them approaching. So give it up for the Hard Rock Tribe’s most popular band. It’s…” She paused dramatically, “Bad Hair Day!”

The Rock Caterbus landed with a loud thud, its windows rolling down to reveal the band. The crowd erupted in cheers as the band members hopped out, and Poppy couldn't contain her excitement. “Bad Hair Day!” she yelled, leaping into the air.

Branch, still looking out of place in his rock gear, gave a half-hearted cheer, joining in with the crowd. “Bad Hair Day!”

Poppy turned to him, confusion evident on her face. “Branch, since when are you a fan of Bad Hair Day?”

Branch gave a sheepish grin. “Uh, you could say I had a... ‘Rockawakening’ moment.”

Floyd crossed his arms, a knowing smile on his face. “A ‘Rockawakening,’ huh? Did you get struck by lightning too, Branch?”

Branch nodded, glancing at Floyd. “It was something like that.”

At that moment, Val appeared, rushing up to Poppy with her usual energy. “Poppy! I still can’t believe you got Bad Hair Day to play here in TrollsTopia! You really came through on this, Popsqueak. Pound it!” She extended a fist.

Poppy’s heart skipped a beat. She hesitated for a second before bumping Val’s fist with her own, a small smile creeping across her face. “Sure. Whatevs.”

She let out a little squeal of excitement as she turned to Branch, covering herself with her hair to talk to him in private. “Branch, did you see how far Val and I have come?! We’ve never been close enough to fist bump before! That’s huge! It’s a milestone!” She mimicked a big explosion with her hands, skipping around in glee.

Branch chuckled softly but didn’t say anything, letting Poppy have her moment of excitement. “Anyway,” Val interrupted, her smile never fading. “I wanted you to meet Petra, my best friend from back home. She follows Bad Hair Day to all their shows!” She motioned to Petra, who stepped into view.

Petra gave a friendly wave. “Guilty as charged.”

Poppy, now a little taken aback, blinked in surprise. “Your best friend? Val, how… how did I not know about this? I don’t have a personalized gift basket to welcome you.” She immediately pulled two baskets of cupcakes from her hair. “Good thing I’ve got these emergency baskets. This one, no wait, this one. Uh, here!” She fumbled with the baskets, handing one to Petra. “There you go.”

Petra grinned. “You must be the Troll Val’s told me so much about. The one who got her to go to girls’ night.”

Poppy giggled. “Eh, wasn’t that big a deal. We made friendship bracelets!” She held up Val’s hand to show off their matching bracelets, and Petra raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, Poppy,” Val said, grinning. “You’re full-on double rainbow. Gonna need you to dial it back to a single. Come on, Petra, let’s go check out Rock Hollow before the show starts.”

Poppy didn’t respond, her mind preoccupied with the news about Val’s best friend. She wanted to ask more, but Val was already heading off with Petra.

“Branch,” Poppy said suddenly, her voice quiet, “Did you see that? Val and I—we’re getting close. But now, she has Petra...”

Branch gave a knowing smile, nodding. “You’re thinking you should’ve gone with the other welcome basket, huh?”

Poppy groaned. “Yeah. I guess so.” She looked back at Val, watching her walk off with Petra. “Petra’s starting to get Val to leave TrollsTopia forever! What am I going to do, Branch? I have to stop it!”

Branch sighed, but his tone was gentle. “Sometimes, Poppy, you’ve got to let your friends make their own decisions. It’s about letting them grow, even if it’s tough.”

Poppy nodded slowly, though her worry wasn’t going away. “But I can’t just let her go, Branch. Not after everything we’ve been through.”

Branch put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to let her go just yet, Poppy. But whatever happens, you’ve got to trust her to know what’s right for her.”

Meanwhile, Val and Petra were off on their own adventure. Petra, ever the thrill-seeker, was already getting Val to try something daring. “Come on!” Petra said with a grin. “You’ve got to ride a Rock Moto-Critter! Now that’s a real thrill!”

Val grinned back, exhilarated. “YEAAAAAH!” She jumped onto the Rock Moto-Critter with Petra, their hair flying in the wind as they sped off, leaving Poppy and Branch behind.

Poppy shook her head, a small smile forming despite the confusion and worry that bubbled inside her. As she caught up with them, she called out, “Okay, I’ve got an idea! How about we do something together—something fun?”

Val turned to Poppy, her expression still full of energy. “Poppy, I don’t know what’s got into you, but okay, let’s do this!”

The trio continued their day, eventually heading into a stadium where the excitement of the concert filled the air. Poppy felt a strange sense of nervousness mixed with excitement, knowing she had to tell Val how much she cared before it was too late. But, she decided that could wait until the right moment. By the time they were backstage, Val was caught up in the thrill of being with her band, but Petra had a different take. She shrugged off the idea of being a part of it all, saying, “I’m good. You go on and rock out.”

Poppy, now in her own rock attire, stood outside the stadium, ready to go in. She looked at Branch one last time before slipping inside. “I’m going to go make sure Val stays,” Poppy said, determination in her eyes. “She can’t leave now. Not after everything.”

Branch gave a nod, his voice calm. “Whatever you need to do, Poppy, just know that we’ve got her back.”

Backstage, Poppy finally caught up with Val. “Hey, Val,” she said, her voice soft. “I’m going to miss you if you leave TrollsTopia. But I’ll support whatever choice you make, and I get it if you decide to go back home.”

Val blinked in surprise. “What? I’m not going anywhere. Petra got me to think about it, but I’m staying here. I’m finally at a place where I can be myself.”

Poppy smiled, relieved. “I’m glad. You mean so much to me, Val.”

Val smiled back, a little embarrassed. “I know, Popsqueak. I’m not going anywhere. TrollsTopia’s too great. It’s where I belong.”

Poppy grinned and gave Val a fist bump. “That’s right. TrollsTopia, baby!”

As the concert raged on, Poppy stood backstage, watching Val interact with the band. The flashing lights, the music, and the energy of the crowd all faded into the background. For the first time that day, Poppy’s thoughts weren’t consumed by her usual whirlwind of excitement and spontaneity. Instead, they were focused on one thing: Val. She hadn’t noticed it before, not this strongly, at least, but now it was undeniable. Every time Val laughed, every time their eyes met, Poppy felt something in her chest flutter—something different from the easy, comforting friendship they shared. This wasn’t just about fun moments or fist bumps anymore. It was deeper.

Her heart pounded as she watched Val toss her hair, laughing along with Petra. She felt a warmth in her chest and an ache she couldn’t ignore. That was when it hit her: she liked Val. More than just a friend. More than just someone she had adventures with. She liked her.

Poppy’s cheeks flushed as she realized the weight of her feelings. The thoughts that had been bouncing around in her head began to crystallize: this wasn’t just about saving Val from leaving or keeping her in TrollsTopia. It was about something deeper—about wanting to be with her, to have Val by her side not just as a friend, but as something more.

Poppy bit her lip, feeling both excited and terrified by the realization. But she couldn’t ignore it. She had to tell Val soon. The words swirled in her mind, forming the confession she’d been too scared to admit until now. How would Val react? Would it ruin everything they had?

“Hey, Poppy,” Val’s voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. Poppy turned, startled, but when she saw Val standing there, looking at her with a gentle smile, the nervous energy in her chest only grew.

“I, uh,” Poppy started, trying to steady herself. “I just wanted to say, you mean a lot to me. I’m glad you’re not leaving. I’ve... been thinking a lot about us, and I’m happy we’re here, together.”

Val raised an eyebrow, clearly picking up on the odd tone in Poppy’s voice. “What’s with the serious vibe, Popsqueak? You know you can tell me anything, right?”

Poppy smiled weakly, feeling a mix of warmth and anxiety wash over her. She looked down at the floor for a moment, collecting her thoughts. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but the fear of messing it all up, of ruining the friendship they had, made her hesitate. “I just... I’ve realized something today,” Poppy said slowly, still trying to find the courage to say it aloud. “And I think I need to tell you soon, Val. But... not now. I want to say it at the right time.”

Val’s expression softened, a knowing look in her eyes. She stepped closer, her voice quieter now, as if sensing the weight of the moment. “Poppy, I know we’re both a little... unpredictable, but I’m here for whatever you need to say. Just take your time. We’re in this together, okay?”

Poppy nodded, her heart still racing, but she felt comforted by Val’s words. The reassurance helped settle the storm inside her. She was going to tell Val. She had to. But not yet. Not in the middle of the concert, not amidst all the noise and chaos. She needed to find the right moment. For now, though, Poppy smiled softly at Val. “Thanks, Val. I’m glad you’re here. And, uh... I’ll tell you soon. Promise.”

Val grinned, the light from the stage reflecting in her eyes. “I’ll be waiting, Popsqueak. Whenever you’re ready.”

As the final notes of Bad Hair Day’s performance echoed through the stadium, Poppy felt a sense of peace settles over her. She didn’t need to rush it. She knew that the time would come. But for now, she had her friend by her side, and that was enough.

Chapter Text

It’s the holiday season in Trollstopia; everyone was so excited for the big party later tonight. And no one was more excited than Poppy and Branch. Branch mostly because it was the first holiday he was having with Floyd since he came back. The sun shone brightly over the Troll Kingdom as Poppy buzzed around Branch’s bunker, bubbling with excitement. Branch got himself ready for the winter cold inside his bunker. Branch leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a skeptical look. "‘Tis the season," Branch muttered.

Poppy suddenly popped into his line of sight, riding the hot air balloon" And, got ya!" she exclaimed, grabbing Branch and pulling him into the basket.

Soon the two of them were in the air, flying over the other troll kingdoms. "Hey! Love the bow tie!" Poppy chimed in, pointing to the neatly tied ribbon around Branch’s neck.

Branch tugged at it self-consciously. "Well, you know, it is the holiday season," he replied. Then he reached behind him and pulled out a small bouquet of bright red flowers. "Which is why I brought you these."

Poppy gasped. "Mitten-Settas! My favorite!"

Branch’s face lit up for a moment before she added, "It’s too bad I’m allergic."

Branch’s smile immediately vanished. "Yeah. Too bad." He tossed the flowers out of sight. "And we’re done with that. Yuck."

He glanced at the baskets Poppy had packed, overflowing with brightly wrapped items. "Poppy, I know we’re going on a picnic, but do we really need this much food?"

Poppy giggled. "It’s not food, silly. They’re invitations!"

"Invitations?" Branch repeated, tilting his head.

"That we’re going to deliver," Poppy continued, ignoring his confusion, "for the first annual Trolls Kingdom Secret Holiday Gift-Swap!"

Branch blinked. "First annual what? What happened to the whole ‘balloon ride over Trolls Kingdom hang-out’ kinda thing?"

"We’re still doing that!" Poppy said brightly, loading the invitations into the balloon’s basket. "We’re just multitasking."

"Multitasking," Branch repeated dryly. "Right."

Poppy clapped her hands and jumped into the balloon’s basket. "All right, here’s the deal! I put a name inside each invitation."

"Uh-huh," Branch said, crossing his arms.

"Whoever gets your name is your secret person!" Poppy explained. "Then, in three days, we all meet back in Pop Village and let the gift-giving commence!"

Branch stared at her, unimpressed. "You on board with this, Branchifer?"

"No."

Poppy beamed. "That’s what I like to hear! Now, help me dump these overboard."

Branch sighed but climbed into the basket anyway. Together, they soared over the Trolls Kingdom, dropping the invitations into each village. As the invitations fluttered down, Trolls everywhere gasped with delight, eagerly picking them up and reading their instructions.

Poppy:

Like a fool I went and stayed too long

Branch:

Now I'm wondering if your love's still strong

Their first stop was over the Classical Trolls' kingdom

Both:

Ooh baby

Here I am, signed, sealed delivered I'm yours

Branch:

Then that time I went and said good-bye

Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry

They flew over the Techno Trolls kingdom. Branch tied the basket of invites to an anchor but the rope got tangled on his foot and he got pulled into the water.

Ooh baby

Here I am, signed, sealed delivered I'm yours

King Trollex:

Ooh baby

Here I am, signed, sealed delivered I'm yours

After getting Branch free, they traveled to the Country Music Trolls and delivered the invites.

Delta Dawn:

Ooh baby

Here I am, signed, sealed delivered I'm yours

Barb had Floyd come for a little visit and the two of them plus Val and King Thrash were doing a photo together.

Queen Barb:

I've done a lot of foolish things

That I really didn't mean

They tried to do a photo with the King doing a very inappropriate sign but they got covered in invitations. Floyd popped his head out and chuckled.

Branch:

Ooh baby

Didn't I, Didn't I

All:

Oh baby

They delivered the last batch of invitations to the spaceship where the Funk Trolls live.

Prince D:

Yeah, got to, got to give it to me

Ohh Right yeah

Both:

Here I am baby

They then returned to Trollstopia and dropped the invitations all around so that trolls could catch them. Pretty soon Poppy landed the balloon and then gave one invite to Branch while she had one for herself. Poppy pulled out the name from the invite and saw that she got Val. Branch then did his next and he looked like he was gonna faint, he got Synth. Even though they were taking things slow with their relationship, he was a little scared not knowing what to get Synth as a holiday present. Branch and Poppy went their separate ways to prepare for their secret gifter. Branch is more nervous about what to give Synth.

Throughout the village, many trolls were getting ready for the gift exchange. Poppy helped others with their gifts. As the gift master, she knew which present would fit which trolls. She ended up making a giant gift just for Val. She really wanted it to go well so she could confess her feelings to Val. She had just finished decorating the wrapped gift when she spotted Barb and Floyd coming over. “Wow, Poppy. That is one massive gift.” Barb commented.

“I’ll say. When Branch said you are the best at giving gifts, he wasn’t kidding.” Floyd stated.

“Who’s the lucky troll?” Barb asked.

"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!" Poppy replied. "It's A Secret Gift Swap. This Vault Is Locked!"

"Okay, I Respect That," Barb Said With A Shrug, But Poppy Couldn't Hold It In.

“It’s Val Thundershock! I got Val!” Poppy squealed.

Barb was shocked that Poppy had gotten Val as her secret gift. She even helped Barb come up with an idea for her gift giver who happened to be Mr. Dinkles. Floyd had gotten Branch and he was so excited to finally spend the holidays with his baby brother. He just needed to know what to get Branch. “So you got Val? Your crush? That’s a lot of pressure.” Barb stated.

Poppy stammered nervously, “Crush? What? Me? There’s no pressure! Come on. It's me we're talking about. The Gift Master, the Gift-inator. I've got it covered.”

Floyd smirked, “Poppy… I saw your flustered face during the Bad Hair Day concert. You got it bad for Val.”

Meanwhile, in Branch’s bunker, he was going on a holiday gift rant trying to desperately come up with a gift idea for Synth. He didn’t want to go too small because that’ll make Synth angry. And he didn’t want to go too big and freak Synth out. So Branch went all out to come up with a gift with a vision board that took up a lot of space. He came up with the perfect gift; a mixtape. The only thing he had to do was come up with the right songs and mix it up with both Techno and Pop music.

It took him a bit to get the right songs but it was worth it. Floyd finally figured out what to get Branch but he wanted it to be a surprise for tonight at the party. When the party was in full swing; everyone exchanged gifts with their secret gifter. Val had gotten Holly for her secret gifter and her gift was a cactus. Holly had gotten Poppy and she actually went all out for her gift; a scrapbook signed by everyone in Trollstopia. The night was still young when all that was left was Synth, Branch, Floyd, and Poppy. Poppy wanted to save her gift for last so which meant that the boys were next.

Branch was nervous to share his gift with Synth; especially with so many trolls around. Synth could tell that Branch was getting a little uncomfortable; even Floyd could sense it. So Floyd decided to go first and handed Branch his gift. Synth was surprised at this because he also pulled out a present with Branch’s name on it. “Wait, you both got me as a gifter?” Branch asked, just as confused.

Poppy noticed it as well then it hit her; while she was making the invitations, she got distracted for about a minute after writing Branch’s name already. She accidentally wrote Branch’s name again in another invitation. “Sorry guys. That one’s on me.” Poppy said.

But that was okay; neither Synth nor Floyd were angry. Floyd waited for Branch to open his present. Branch opened it and he was shocked to see what was inside, a secret photo album with all of their brothers. Branch wiped the tears from his eyes and whispered, “Thank you.”

Synth then handed his present which happened to be a small bracelet made from coral pieces. Branch thought it was really sweet. Branch then handed the mixtape to Synth and the Techno Trolls hugged him tight. “I love you,” Synth whispered in Branch’s ear.

Finally, it was Poppy’s turn to give Val her gift, a never-break guitar. Val was so happy; Poppy then opened the big box which unfolded into a cutout of a heart with crossbones and skulls to make it a mix of Pop and Hard Rock. Val was a little confused but then she saw Poppy standing under what was written in the heart which was, “I like you, Val Thundershock.” Val felt her heart tingle a bit. “Val, I was so worried about how I was gonna do this. I wanted it to be special because… you matter to me so much. I could not have fallen for a cool, adventurous, wild troll. like you.” Popp spoke, heartful.

“Poppy…” Val spoke, speechless.

Poppy was worried that Val was gonna reject her in front of everyone. Everyone listened in for what Val was gonna say. But instead, Val swept Poppy off her feet and kissed her. Everyone cheered and hollered for the girls. Val pulled away, “I like you too Popstar.” Val stated.

The night ended with a big song which made Poppy think that instead of swapping gifts, next year everyone should swap songs. But the biggest surprise of them all was Hickory. After everything had calmed down, Hickory gently took Floyd’s hand and led him to the center of trolls who were all watching, even Branch. Hickory then got down on one knee and then pulled out a ring. Floyd was practically speechless as gasps were heard. “My rose, I have loved you since the day we met. And with Barb and surprisingly Branch’s blessin’. Floyd, will you…” Hickory was cut off when Floyd tackled him into a hug.

Floyd had tears of happiness in his eyes with his eyeliner and mascara running, ”Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”

The entire village cheered and clapped for them. Even though Branch was happy for Floyd, he still reminded Hickory that if he broke his brother's heart, he’d break him; even Barb and Delta Dawn agreed to join in the threat.

Chapter Text

Shortly after the holiday party, Poppy decided to go visit Bridget and Gristle in Bergentown; she even convinced Branch to come along. The crisp morning sun filtered through the forest, casting dappled shadows over Branch’s bunker. Outside, Poppy hummed a cheerful tune, her excitement bubbling as she prepared for their journey to Bergentown. Beside her, Branch adjusted his satchel nervously, a shadow of doubt flickering in his usually composed demeanor. “Ready to go?” Poppy chirped, her ever-present optimism lighting up the air around them.

Branch hesitated, glancing back at his bunker. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” he muttered. Though he trusted Poppy and her judgment, the thought of returning to Bergentown brought back memories he wasn’t eager to relive. Floyd, who stood a few feet away, crossed his arms tightly over his chest. His disapproval was written all over his face. “You two are seriously going there? To Bergentown? Have you forgotten what those creatures used to do to trolls?”

Poppy gave Floyd a reassuring smile. “It’s different now. King Gristle and Bridget have changed things. Bergens and trolls are friends.”

“Friends?” Floyd snapped, his tone sharp. “Do you really think that erases years of hunting us down like snacks?” He turned to Branch, his expression darkening. “Do you remember what they did to our family? Do you really want to risk your neck for this?”

Branch stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “I haven’t forgotten, Floyd. But things are different now. If we can rebuild bridges, isn’t that worth trying?”

Floyd shook his head, frustration evident. “You’re naive if you think it’s that simple. But fine, do whatever you want. Just don’t expect me to come running when it all goes wrong.” With that, Floyd stormed off, leaving Branch and Poppy exchanging uncertain glances.

The journey to Bergentown was uneventful, but Branch couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Poppy, as always, was a ray of sunshine, chattering about how excited she was to see King Gristle and Bridget again. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Branch found himself smiling despite his nerves. When they arrived, Bergentown was bustling with activity. The once drab and gloomy city had been transformed into a more colorful and lively place, thanks in part to Poppy’s influence. King Gristle and Bridget greeted them warmly, their genuine smiles putting Branch at ease.

But back in the forest, Floyd paced anxiously. As much as he wanted to stay angry, the thought of Branch walking into danger gnawed at him. Memories of their family’s struggles with the Bergens surfaced, fueling his worry. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. “I can’t let him do this alone,” Floyd muttered, grabbing his things and setting off toward Bergentown.

Floyd arrived just in time to see a tense moment unfolding. While King Gristle and Bridget were welcoming and kind, some Bergens still harbored old habits. One particularly brash Bergen approached Branch, towering over him with a sneer. “Well, well, a troll. Haven’t seen one of you around here in a while,” the Bergen growled, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Branch remained calm, but Poppy stepped forward protectively. “Hey! We’re here as guests. There’s no need for this kind of attitude.”

The Bergen ignored her, leaning closer to Branch. “You look just like the trolls we used to catch. Wonder if you still taste the same.”

Before Branch could respond, Floyd burst onto the scene. “Get away from him!” he shouted, shoving the Bergen back with surprising strength.

Floyd’s eyes blazed with a mix of anger and fear as he positioned himself between Branch and the Bergen.“Floyd?” Branch exclaimed, startled by his brother’s sudden appearance.

“You’re not laying a finger on him,” Floyd snarled, glaring at the Bergen. “Not while I’m here.”

The commotion drew the attention of King Gristle and Bridget, who quickly intervened. “Enough!” King Gristle bellowed, his authoritative voice silencing the Bergen. “This is not how we treat our friends.”

The offending Bergen grumbled but backed away, shooting Floyd and Branch one last glare before disappearing into the crowd. Bridget approached Floyd, her kind eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you for stepping in. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

Floyd relaxed slightly but kept a protective arm in front of Branch. “I still don’t trust any of you,” he admitted, his voice cold. “But I couldn’t let him get hurt.”

Branch placed a hand on Floyd’s shoulder, his expression softening. “Thanks, Floyd. I didn’t expect you to come.”

Floyd shrugged, trying to play it off. “Someone has to keep an eye on you.”

Poppy smiled warmly, her faith in the Bergens reaffirmed by King Gristle and Bridget’s actions. As they continued their visit, Floyd remained vigilant, but even he couldn’t deny that the Bergens were making an effort to change. Later, as they prepared to leave, Branch turned to Floyd. “Maybe things aren’t perfect yet, but they’re trying. That’s more than we could have hoped for before.”

Floyd sighed, his resolve softening. “I guess. But don’t expect me to stop worrying about you.”

Branch smirked. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As they headed back to the forest, Poppy hummed a cheerful tune, her spirits lifted by their progress. Branch and Floyd walked side by side, their bond strengthened by the day’s events. Despite their differences, they were family—and that was all that mattered.

Chapter Text

Floyd had slowly gotten over the shock that the bergens weren’t going to eat him or his little brother. Floyd finally stopped worrying over Branch and focused on his own happiness; the wedding plans for him and Hickory. The Tribal Council Chamber was buzzing with excitement. Poppy stood proudly on a stage, flanked by the tribe ambassadors, a teasing grin on her face as she addressed the crowd. "Tribal Council," Poppy began, her tone dramatic, "before the debut of our big project tomorrow, I wanted you to see our progress, which I would describe as..." She paused for effect, watching the ambassadors gasp in anticipation. "...adequate."

The curtains behind her flew open with a flourish, revealing a gleaming train. "I give you..." Poppy said, gesturing grandly, "the TrollsTopian MeTroll System!"

The ambassadors erupted into cheers as the train gleamed in the spotlight. Branch popped his head out of a window, waving with a smirk, while Rhythm and Blues worked diligently to attach the final wheels. Holly let out an admiring whistle. "Dang, Poppy, you downplayin’ rascal! You gotta warn a Troll before you unveil somethin’ this overwhelmingly cool!"

Poppy feigned modesty. "Really? What’s so cool about it? The fact that it runs through all the TrollsTopian neighborhoods promoting cross-cultural celebration on an unprecedented level?"

Another cheer burst from the ambassadors. "Oh!" Poppy added with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "Did I mention it’s also a… roller coaster?"

Gasps filled the room as everyone spotted the spiraling tracks and daring loop-de-loops. Val and Dante literally fell over in awe. Val groaned, waving a hand at Poppy. "Oh, please, Poppy! Ugh! We need a break! It’s just... too cool!"

Dante nodded, panting for dramatic effect. "In fact, I’m concerned the festivities we’ve arranged for tomorrow’s debut won’t live up to the coolness of this magnitude!" He promptly fainted.

Poppy giggled, unfazed. "Already thought of that, Dante. That’s why, when the six of us take the MeTroll on its inaugural trip around TrollsTopia, we’ll carry a special surprise cargo." She pulled out a picture of a dazzling multi-layered confection. "A Perfection Cake."

The crowd oohed and aahed, the image of the cake practically glowing with magic. Val clasped her hands together reverently. "The cake of all cakes!"

Dante’s voice trembled with awe. "They say any Troll who tastes one instantly weeps from sheer joy!"

Holly clutched her chest, overwhelmed. "Poppy, you better not be tellin’ cake tales out of cake school! My cake-lovin’ heart can’t take it!"

Poppy chuckled. "No, it’s true! I secretly asked Sky Toronto’s team to start prepping weeks ago. After all, the conditions for baking it have to be absolutely pristine."

Holly whooped. "Hot dang! We’re gettin’ a Perfection Cake, y’all!"

The ambassadors cheered, their excitement tangible, until Rhythm and Blues stepped forward, looking concerned. "Uh… hate to break it to ya," Blues began hesitantly, "but there’s a problem."

Rhythm nodded. "Perfection Cakes only last an hour once they’re exposed to natural air."

Poppy blinked. "Sure, so?"

Branch stepped up, wiping his hands on his overalls. "As the designers of this choo choo—and yes, I’m calling it a choo choo because that’s what my grandma called it—we can guarantee it won’t make it around TrollsTopia in an hour."

Poppy crossed her arms, undeterred. "Guys, we need this cake to give the MeTroll the debut it deserves. Isn’t there anything we can do?"

Rhythm shrugged. "We were planning to work through the night to finish the loop-de-loop track."

Blues chimed in, showing a flashback of an earlier test where two Trolls on a cart hilariously fell off the unfinished loop. "Right now, it’s more of a ‘loop-duh.’ But we could skip that and use the time to make the train go faster."

Branch frowned. "An engine upgrade? We’d have to pull out the transmission and brake system. Poppy, it’s not worth it just for some cake."

Poppy pulled out the picture of the Perfection Cake again, and Branch groaned. "Let’s upgrade this choo choo."

The next day, the group worked tirelessly, Branch, Rhythm, and Blues covered in grease and sweat as they finished the upgrades. "Phew!" Branch sighed, leaning against the train. "And choo choo upgraded."

Synth put a hand on Branch’s shoulder as a sign of gratitude. They still not wanting to reveal their relationship to everyone just yet. But Synth did small things for Branch to help show his love for him. Blues gave Poppy a thumbs-up, and her grin widened. "Let’s get this show on the tracks!"

The grand unveiling had set the TrollsTopian Council abuzz with excitement. Poppy stood atop the gleaming new train with her signature exuberance. "Bring in the cake!" she declared.

The workers rolled forward a train car carrying the pièce de résistance: the Perfection Cake. Gasps rippled through the crowd. One light blue Pop Troll's mask shattered in astonishment before he fainted on the spot. Poppy, undeterred, hopped aboard the train. "OK, one hour to get around TrollsTopia, blasting confetti cannons all the way to the amphitheater, where Trolls from every tribe will gather to celebrate this incredible achievement!"

Branch, now the train's self-appointed conductor, was in his element. “All aboard!” he called, turning the wheel and pulling switches with a flourish.

The train surged forward at high speed, and as it weaved through the neighborhoods of TrollsTopia, with Poppy, Synth, Holly, Blues, and Rhythm on board with Branch. As they sang, confetti burst from cannons, and Trolls waved in delight. Everything seemed to be going perfectly—until Holly hopped aboard. “Hey, y’all mind if we slow down a hair as we go through Country Corral? I wanna shout a little ‘woo-hoo’ from the choo choo!”

Branch checked his pocket watch. “We made amazing time,” he said confidently. “I’ll just ease the brakes and…” He froze. The brakes didn’t respond. He tried again. Nothing. Sweat beaded on his brow as he yanked the lever. The brake handle snapped off in his hands.

“Gah!” he yelped.

“What?!” Poppy shrieked as the train hurtled past Country Corral, confetti spraying everywhere.

“Dubstep, what’s happening?” Synth asked.

“Not a huge deal,” Branch stammered, “but it seems we were so focused on the engine upgrade that I, uh, forgot to reinstall the brakes.”

“What do we do?!” Poppy demanded.

Branch tried to think quickly. “We’ll use the emergency brake.”

“Don’t touch that!” Rhythm and Blues chorused from a nearby car.

Branch, Poppy, Synth, and Holly turned, puzzled.

Rhythm sighed. “If you pull the emergency brake, it’ll jolt the train and…”

Blues launched into an elaborate reenactment involving doodles and exaggerated gestures, complete with a high-pitched imitation of Branch. “I’m Branch! I’ll pull the emergency brake! Wheeeee—splat!” She mimicked a dramatic cake disaster.

Poppy buried her face in her hands. “There’s got to be another way to stop this train!”

Holly jumped to her feet, confident. “Leave it to me! It’s hairichute time!”

She grabbed the handrail, her hair forming a makeshift parachute. With a loud “Yeeeee-haaaaw!” she leapt into the air… only to be carried off screaming. Poppy groaned. Rhythm and Blues suggested using their Bubble Beam to float the cake to safety, but their attempts only trapped themselves and random objects in bubbles. Branch faced Poppy, determined. “I hate to say it, but the emergency brake is our only option.”

“No!” Poppy protested. “There has to be another way!”

She dashed to the top of the train. Branch followed, pleading with her to reconsider. “Uh, guys?!” Synth shouted, pointing at the train station.

The station was fast approaching. Trolls gathered in eager anticipation, cheering for the cake. Poppy thought fast.

“On a wing-it-a-hair, Branch!” she declared.

Using her hair, she grabbed a rock and a mushroom, creating an improvised anchor to slow the train. It worked—briefly. The train came to a halt at the station, and the crowd erupted in cheers. “Who… wants… cake?” Poppy panted, triumphant.

The Trolls swarmed the cake, but Branch noticed something amiss. “Uh, Poppy?” He pointed at the tracks ahead. The train began to roll backward, picking up speed.

“The loop-duh!” they both screamed as the unfinished track loomed in the distance.

Poppy sighed, defeated. “We have to pull the emergency brake.”

Branch nodded. “Let’s do it together.”

But as they prepared to stop the train, an idea sparked in Poppy’s mind. “Wait! We can still celebrate!” She grabbed a slice of cake and shoved it into a nearby pipe. “Let’s have a blast!”

The pipe launched cake slices into the waiting Trolls’ mouths, their delighted cries echoing as fireworks burst in the sky.

With the celebration underway, Poppy, Synth, and Branch pulled the emergency brake just in time. The train halted before the loop-duh, and the Trolls cheered. Poppy grinned. “Well, that didn’t go as planned.”

Branch chuckled. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

With the fireworks lighting the sky in a dazzling finale. TrollsTopia had never been more united.

Chapter Text

Things in TrollsTopia were going great, but what really had everyone buzzing was Floyd and Hickory’s wedding planning. The two lovebirds were deep into preparations, their excitement lighting up the community like a string of festive fireflies. It is the perfect blend for all of their cultures. Floyd had made Barb his maid of honor for the wedding and Branch was his best man. Poppy, ever the optimist, was thrilled to help with every detail, ensuring their wedding would be as magical as they dreamed. Branch was slowly starting to get used to Hickory joining the family, for Floyd’s sake.

However, Poppy had another big project in mind: forming her Glitterball team. And with a spark of excitement in her eyes, she gathered the Trolls to announce her next pick. Standing atop a brightly decorated stage, Poppy clapped her hands together. "OK, for my Glitterball team, my third first pick will be… Dante!"

As the crowd erupted in cheers, Dante stepped forward, his signature cool demeanor intact, but a small chuckle escaping as he joined Poppy's side. Val smirked and crossed her arms. "And my fourth first pick will be… the mysterious figure in the shadows."

A hush fell over the crowd as the Trolls parted, revealing a familiar figure bathed in the soft glow of the stage lights. With a flourish, Chaz the Smooth Jazz Troll stepped forward, saxophone in hand. He played a sultry note, sending a shiver down Branch’s spine. Poppy gasped. "Chaz? The Smooth Jazz Troll?"

Chaz grinned, adjusting his sunglasses. "The one and only. Jazzed to see you all again."

Branch groaned and leaned over to Floyd. "Not him again…"

Val arched a brow. "Uh... A Smooth Jazz Troll? Can someone tell me what’s going on?"

Biggie enthusiastically raised his hand. "Ooh, I call recap-sies!" The Trolls groaned collectively, but Biggie continued. "Chaz the Smooth Jazz Troll is the bounty hunter who hypnotized Poppy, Branch, Floyd, and me with his magical saxophone, only to be fended off by our buddy Hickory—who, by the way, turned out to be two bounty-hunting Yodel Trolls in disguise. And then we all made up and partied in Volcano Rock City. All clear now?"

Val blinked. "Crystal."

Poppy, ever the optimist, smiled warmly. "So great to see you again, Chaz! What brings you to TrollsTopia?"

Chaz sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Oh, nothing really… just a bit of utter loneliness."

All the Trolls let out a collective “aww.” Well, minus Floyd, Branch, and Hickory who still had their suspicions. Chaz continued with flair. "Allow me to jazz-splain. You see, I am the only Smooth Jazz Troll there is, with no place to call my own."

Branch muttered, "Yeah, wonder why."

Poppy, ignoring Branch, placed a hand on Chaz’s shoulder. "Well, that’s exactly the kind of place TrollsTopia is! Welcome, Chaz!"

Just as the Trolls moved to cheer, Val stepped in front of them, arms outstretched. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Look, guys, as a Hard Rock Troll, I naturally question things, OK? Rules, conventions, and especially saxophone-wielding strangers with an eerie amount of chest hair."

Chaz, with a smirk, combed his chest hair proudly. "Ooh, yeah."

Branch rubbed his temples. "This is gonna be a long day."

Despite Val's skepticism, Poppy insisted that TrollsTopia was a place of acceptance and second chances. Eventually, Val reluctantly backed down—though not without keeping a suspicious eye on Chaz. Branch looked over at Vala and told her that she had every right to suspect Chaz in case things went south. As the days passed, Chaz settled into life in TrollsTopia, but things took a strange turn when Biggie stumbled upon a hidden plan—Chaz’s secret scheme to turn TrollsTopia into JazzTopia! 

Racing to warn Poppy, Biggie found himself cornered by Chaz and his hypnotic jazz. One by one, Trolls fell under his spell, growing mustaches and grooving to his smooth tunes. Branch, sensing something was off, rallied Floyd and Hickory. "I knew he was trouble. We have to stop him before the whole village is wearing mustaches and chest hair and playing elevator music!"

It all came down to an unexpected hero—Keith. Hidden inside a gift for Chaz, Keith leaped out at the last moment, grabbing the saxophone and tossing it into the fireplace, breaking Chaz’s spell. Poppy, rubbing her temples as the village snapped out of their jazz trance, sighed. "Sorry, Val. I should have been more cautious."

Val shrugged with a smile. "Nah, Poppy. I like that you see the best in everyone. Someone’s gotta do it."

Branch, wiping off remnants of smooth jazz residue, crossed his arms. "And someone’s gotta be suspicious. Guess that's me."

Floyd and Hickory relieved that their wedding plans could go on without a jazz interruption, exchanged a look and laughed. As Chaz slunk away, he declared, "You may have bested me this time, but Smooth Jazz can’t be stopped!"

Keith rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, take your chest hair and beat it."

With the village back to normal, Poppy hugged Val. "TrollsTopia’s all about balance, and I think we make a great team."

Val smirked. "Rock on, Poppy. Rock on."

Smidge, finally emerging from the deep shag carpet, gasped for air. "Oh my guh! What did I miss?!"

The Trolls burst into laughter, ready to move on to their next adventure—this time, hopefully without any hypnotic saxophones.

Chapter Text

The air in Trollstopia was alive with excitement, the vibrancy of the town reflecting the joy of the impending wedding. Floyd and Hickory's wedding was just around the corner, and the village had gone into full prep mode. From shimmering banners to elaborate floral arrangements, every corner seemed to be buzzing with activity. Music filled the air as townsfolk rehearsed songs, tasting various wedding cakes, and fine-tuning every detail for the big day. The topic of the wedding's entertainment was hotly debated, and in the midst of it all, Barb had made her own arrangements.

She'd decided to stay in Trollstopia until the wedding, and as always, Branch had been a good friend, offering her a place to stay. A few weeks ago, he'd built a room in his bunker—a haven for anyone who needed a quiet retreat. It was a soundproof, spacious space, complete with a mini-stage for impromptu jam sessions. The practicality of the room had impressed Barb, but when she saw it, her lips curled into a teasing grin. "Branch, you're getting soft," she teased, but her voice betrayed a hint of genuine appreciation for the thoughtful gesture.

The preparations for the wedding continued into the evening as Floyd and Hickory sat under the grand willow tree, its drooping branches providing a comfortable shade from the afternoon sun. The atmosphere around them was a flurry of activity. The wedding plans had already been drawn up, yet there was still one big decision to make—the music. Hickory sat with his hand on his chin, tapping it thoughtfully, while Floyd leaned against the tree, his eyes scanning the area.

"So... live band or DJ?" Hickory asked, his voice thoughtful yet unsure.

Floyd scratched the back of his head, his brow furrowing. "I dunno... a DJ would be cool, but a live band could really bring the energy."

Poppy, who had been bouncing around with her usual infectious enthusiasm, overheard and chimed in instantly. "Why not hire Kismet?" She grinned, excitement practically radiating off her. "They're the hottest boy band in Trollstopia right now! Everyone loves them!"

Floyd blinked in confusion. "Kismet? Never heard of them."

Barb's jaw dropped dramatically, eyes wide in disbelief. "What?! You've never heard of Kismet? They're everywhere! They're like if Rock, Pop, and Funk had a ridiculously catchy love child."

Synth, lounging nearby, nodded in agreement. "Their music slaps, bro. Trust me."

Floyd raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "I don't know what's more shocking, that there's a second boyband that Poppy is obsessed with or the fact that Barb here is a fan of a pop boyband."

"Hey. Popsqueak here got me into them. I have to admit that they are good." Barb stated.

Floyd chuckled at Barb's statement then his gaze shifted to Branch, who had been unnervingly quiet throughout the conversation. His friend was sitting slightly off to the side, his usual sharp focus replaced by a strange tension. Floyd studied him for a moment, noticing the slight twitch of his fingers. "Branch," Floyd said, his tone casual but probing. "You know anything about this band?"

Branch let out a sigh, his shoulders stiffening. "Uh... yeah. They're good."

"That's it?" Barb raised an eyebrow. "You don't have an opinion?"

Branch's face remained blank, but there was an edge to his voice. "Nope. Just... good band. Talented. You should totally book them."

Floyd may not have been in Branch's life the last twenty years but he did know when his little brother was acting out. And something didn't add up. This wasn't the first time Floyd had seen Branch acting weird. He caught him sneaking out late from the bunker, Branch was tired and distracted, and even Synth was worried when he saw Branch talking to another male troll in the market today and they were getting too close. Floyd exchanged a glance with Barb and Synth. The three of them silently agreed to investigate further.

Later that night, their curiosity led them down a different path; one that would reveal a side of Branch they never expected. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the landscape. A cool breeze rustled the leaves as Branch, unaware of the shadows trailing behind him, crept out of his bunker. Floyd, Barb, and Synth had quietly followed, their footsteps light against the soft earth. "Where is he even going?" Barb whispered, her voice barely audible as she crouched behind a cluster of bushes.

"No clue, but he was acting super weird earlier," Floyd muttered in response, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Synth held up a hand, signaling for them to be quiet. They had reached a small clearing, a hidden meadow bathed in soft moonlight. The air felt charged, and the hum of distant music reached their ears; a smooth, hypnotic harmony that felt almost surreal in the night. It was unlike anything they had heard before. Floyd and the others edged closer, peeking through the thick foliage. What they saw made their eyes widen in shock. "Oh, my cupcakes," Floyd whispered

Branch stood on a makeshift stage, completely different from the cautious, reserved friend they all knew. Gone was the usual hesitation, replaced by a confident, magnetic presence. He moved fluidly, his every motion in sync with the rhythm, his voice rich and commanding. The moonlight glinted off his sleek midnight-blue outfit, and a mask covered his face, adding to the mystery of the performance. Floyd, Barb, and Synth were watching in shock seeing Branch singing and dancing along with four other trolls. Floyd had never seen Branch this passionate about dancing since their days in Brozone.

Surrounding him were four other Trolls, each equally captivating in their own right. Hype, a shimmering Glitter Troll, stood to one side, his electric-blue skin reflecting the soft lights as he swayed with the music. Trickee, with his signature goggles perched atop his forehead, drummed on his thighs with perfect precision, his movements rapid and sharp. Ablaze, with his fiery red hair blowing in the breeze, strummed his guitar with passionate intensity. Boom, ever the showman, grinned widely, his rainbow-colored hair swaying to the beat, his body rocking in time with the music.

The music swelled, and Branch's voice rang out, the familiar lyrics to one of Kismet's song filling the meadow:

"I know that I can't take no more,

It ain't no lie,

I wanna see you out that door,

Baby, bye, bye, bye (Bye, bye)"

The other band members harmonized seamlessly as they dove into the chorus, and Floyd, Barb, and Synth's jaws dropped as they heard the lyrics ring through the night:

"Don't wanna be a fool for you,

Just another player in your game for two,

You may hate me, but it ain't no lie,

Baby, bye, bye, bye (Bye, bye),

Don't really wanna make it tough,

I just wanna tell you that I had enough (Ooh, ooh),

Might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie,

Baby, bye, bye, bye"

The three of them swayed and danced, their bodies caught in the irresistible rhythm. Floyd stood frozen, his eyes wide, watching in awe as Branch, the man who had always been the steady and unshakable rock of their group, moved like he was born for this stage. His performance was electric—each step, each note he sang, commanded attention, and it was clear that this was a side of Branch they had never seen before. As the song reached its peak, the band erupted into the final chorus, and Branch spun on the stage, his movements effortlessly flowing in perfect synchronization with his bandmates.

"Baby, bye, bye, bye..."

When the final chorus ended, the band held their last note, letting it fade into the crisp night air. The meadow, once serene and untouched, now felt alive with their lingering energy. As the music faded, the band laughed amongst themselves, exchanging fist bumps and easy-going chatter. Branch tugged his mask off, wiping sweat from his brow. "Alright, guys, that was solid," he said, his voice still slightly breathless from the performance. "We're definitely set for the next gig."

"Psh, like we weren't already," Trickee said with a smirk, "We're Kismet, baby. We're always solid."

Boom chuckled, his rainbow-colored hair shimmering under the moonlight. "Can't argue with that. You killed it out there, Branch."

Hype nodded in agreement. "Yeah, lil' bro, you were on fire tonight."

Floyd, Barb, and Synth exchanged glances from behind the trees where they were hiding. Their cover was blown—there was no way they could stay quiet after what they'd just witnessed.

Barb, never one for subtlety, shoved past the bushes and stomped into the clearing. "Alright, that's it!" she declared. "Branch, what the actual shred is going on here?!"

Branch's entire body tensed, his ears perking up in alarm. His turquoise eyes darted toward the source of the voice, widening when he saw Floyd, Barb, and Synth stepping into the moonlit meadow. His stomach dropped; Branch froze like a deer caught in headlights, the color draining from his face as the other band members looked between them, slowly coming to the realization that they weren't alone. Branch sighed, his shoulders sagging. There was no getting out of it now. "Branch," Floyd said, his voice level but filled with curiosity, "you wanna tell me what's going on?"

Branch swallowed hard, running a hand through his already messy hair. He glanced at his bandmates, but they gave him no escape—only expectant stares, waiting for him to come clean. There was no point in dodging it now. With a resigned sigh, he plopped onto a nearby rock, rubbing his temples. "Alright. Fine. You caught me." He looked up at Floyd. "I'm the lead singer of Kismet."

Floyd blinked. "You?!"

Branch nodded, his voice quieter now. "It started a long time ago. Back when we were kids, I met these guys—Hype, Trickee, Ablaze, and Boom. They were my first real friends. We made music together all the time, but after... well..." His voice faltered. "After I lost my grandma, I stopped performing. I stopped everything."

Floyd finally realized why the four of them were so familiar; they used to come over to their pod all the time back at the tree when they were kids. They always treated Branch like their own little brother. Hype sat down next to Branch, resting an arm on his shoulder. "We tried to get him to come back to it," he said. "Took a long time, but eventually... he found his voice again."

Boom grinned. "And once he did? There was no stopping him."

Branch scoffed. "Not helping."

Trickee smirked. "Nah, but we are telling the truth, little bro."

Barb looked confused, "Wait... 'little bro'? Please don't tell me that branch has another set of older brothers I don't know about."

Floyd chuckled, "No. I know these guys. They used to come over all the time to our pod back at the tree."

Floyd's expression softened as he looked between them. Branch took a deep breath. "Yeah... They kinda adopted me back when I was just a kid. After I lost grandma, they were the only ones who looked out for me." His voice held something raw now—something unspoken that Floyd suddenly understood.

Boom playfully ruffled Branch's hair. "And now look at him—our little dude is a rock star."

Branch scowled, swatting Boom's hand away. "C'mon, man, not in front of them."

Barb cackled. "Oh, this is gold."

Synth grinned. "Dude, this is actually awesome. You got a whole boy band and big brothers to back you up."

Branch sighed, shaking his head, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah... I guess I do."

Synth then looked over at Boom and realized that he was the troll that Branch was talking to in the market. "Wait, so you and Branch aren't..."

"No, no. Little B and I were just catching up. Besides, I'm his older brother so I wanted to know about the famous Techno troll he was seeing and I can tell that B here is in good hands." Boom explained.

Floyd's gaze shifted between Branch and the others, his expression softening slightly. He'd known about their friendship, but hearing it put like that... it struck him harder than he expected. The realization that Branch had found such a tight-knit, supportive family outside of him tugged at his heart. But that wasn't enough to get Floyd to back down. "You could've told me, Branch," he said, his voice now a little gentler, but still holding that edge of concern. "I'm your brother. You don't need to hide this from me."

Branch lowered his head, shame creeping into his voice. "I wasn't sure how you'd react. I've always been the quiet, brooding one. I thought if I told you... you'd think I was just playing some game or that I wasn't serious about the family we built together. About everything we've been through."

Floyd shook his head. "Branch, you don't get it. You're my little brother. No matter what you're doing—whether you're up here singing your heart out or back in the bunker keeping us all safe—it doesn't change anything. You don't have to be 'the quiet one' all the time. Hell, we all need a little more fun in our lives." He stepped closer, his voice softening. "You're not disappointing me, kid. But hiding something this big? That's a different story."

Branch blinked, surprised by the weight of Floyd's words. It wasn't what he expected, but it was exactly what he needed to hear. "I didn't want to mess things up," Branch whispered, almost to himself. "I didn't want to lose you, Floyd. You've always been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it. I didn't know how to balance both sides of myself—this guy up here and the one who just wants to be part of something bigger."

Floyd's face softened as he stepped forward and pulled his younger brother into a hug. "You're not losing me, Branch," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "I'm proud of you. I always will be. I just want you to know you don't have to hide anymore. I'm here. All of us are."

Branch's heart lifted, the weight he'd carried for so long finally beginning to ease. Ablaze, Trickee, Boom and Hype came forward, grinning. "See? Told you he wouldn't be mad," Trickee teased, giving Floyd a light punch on the arm. "You know your brother better than anyone, Floyd."

Barb grinned too, crossing her arms. "Guess we're all part of this band now, huh?"

Boom raised his hand dramatically. "Group hug, anyone?"

Laughter filled the air as Floyd let go of Branch, ruffling his hair. "Alright, alright. Let's get this band together for real. But you, Branch? You're on performance duty for the wedding. No backing out now."

Branch chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Guess I don't have a choice now, huh?"

Floyd smiled, his eyes soft. "Nope. Besides, I want my little brother to be the one singing at my wedding."

Chapter Text

TrollsTopia had never seen a wedding quite like this before. From the moment dawn broke, the village had been alive with excitement. Colorful decorations adorned every tree and bridge, woven garlands of flowers dangled from archways, and shimmering lanterns floated gently in the breeze. The heart of the village had been transformed into something truly magical—a breathtaking clearing where Floyd and Hickory would soon exchange their vows beneath an archway of glowing gemstones. Every troll had come together to make the day as special as possible. 

Poppy had overseen the floral arrangements with meticulous care, ensuring every petal was perfect. Satin and Chenille had poured their hearts into the custom outfits, each stitch sewn with love and precision. Even Barb, with her usual rock-and-roll flair, had contributed by organizing the music for the ceremony, promising a mix of classic romance and high-energy celebration. And in the middle of it all, running around with the frantic energy of someone who had taken on far too much responsibility, was Branch.

As Floyd’s best man, it was his duty to make sure the wedding went off without a hitch. That meant checking the seating arrangements—twice—making sure the musicians were properly tuned, and personally overseeing the cake to ensure it hadn’t been made with the wrong flavor or, worse, the wrong number of layers. But above all, he was in charge of the rings. Two tiny wedding bands, shimmering in the soft glow of the evening light, lay nestled inside a velvet-lined box, safely tucked away in the pocket of his vest. He had kept them close at all times, guarding them as though the fate of the entire kingdom depended on their safety.

“Okay,” Branch muttered to himself, pacing outside the dressing tent. “Rings? Check. Vows? Check. Groom—” He paused, glancing toward the tent where Floyd was getting ready. “Hopefully not seeing his fiancé before the ceremony.”

It was the one thing they had to avoid at all costs. According to Holly Darling, if Floyd and Hickory saw each other before the wedding, it would bring about the worst kind of bad luck. While Branch didn’t necessarily believe in such superstitions, he also wasn’t willing to risk it. Not when he had already put so much effort into making sure everything went perfectly. Just as he turned to check on the final seating arrangements, a sudden crash from inside the tent made him freeze. “Floyd?” he called cautiously, stepping inside.

His stomach dropped at the sight before him. Floyd stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by a mess of toppled decorations, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “I, uh… tripped over a chair,” Floyd admitted.

Branch exhaled in relief. “Okay, no big deal, just—wait.”

His eyes snapped to the tent’s entrance, where the fabric was still fluttering from someone having just stepped inside. A familiar voice gasped. “Floyd?!”

Time seemed to slow. Floyd’s head snapped up, and there, standing just beyond the threshold, holding his wedding jacket in shock, was Hickory. The two locked eyes in stunned silence; Branch’s heart sank. “No, no, no, NO!” Holly Darling came screeching into the tent, flailing her arms wildly. “YOU SAW EACH OTHER?!”

Floyd and Hickory exchanged hesitant glances before looking back at her. “…Accidentally?” Floyd offered weakly.

Holly clasped her hands over her mouth, horrified. “Ohhh, you two are doomed!”

Branch groaned. “Holly, come on—”

“DOOMED, I TELL YOU!” she wailed, spinning in circles as though the world itself was ending. “Seeing each other before the wedding is the worst kind of bad luck! This wedding is cursed now! You’ll never make it to the altar without catastrophe striking!”

Floyd and Hickory exchanged uneasy glances. “…I mean, it was an accident,” Hickory reasoned, scratching the back of his neck. “That doesn’t count, right?”

“IT COUNTS,” Holly declared.

Branch rubbed his temples, exasperated. “Holly, please, let’s be rational—”

Before he could finish, Barb appeared in the tent, arms crossed. “Guys, we got a problem. Everyone’s seated. It’s go time.”

Branch paled. “Already?!”

Branch dragged Hickory and Hooly outside, leaving Barb and Floyd alone. Barb gave Floyd a knowing look. “Did you find ‘em?” Floyd asked.

Barb shook her head, “Sorry, Floy boy. No luck.”

Floyd’s expression faltered. He had asked Barb to keep an eye out for his brothers; John Dory, Spruce, and Clay, but as the wedding preparations reached their final stages, there had been no sign of them. Floyd swallowed, trying to push down the lump in his throat. He had wanted them here. More than anything, he had wanted them here. But there was no time to dwell. The wedding was happening, bad luck or not.

The day started on a chaotic note, and Floyd was already feeling the pressure. Standing in front of the mirror, he adjusted his dress for the wedding. The gown had been tailored just for him, a beautiful creation with delicate layers of lace and intricate beadwork. But as he moved around, something didn’t feel right—tightness at the back and a soft ripping sound. “NO!” Floyd yelped, his face going pale as he inspected the tear that had appeared along the seam. “This cannot be happening right now!”

Branch, the ever-dedicated best man, rushed over at the sound of Floyd’s panic. His eyes widened at the sight of the dress disaster. “Okay, okay. It’s fixable. We just need to—uh, no time to panic.”

Poppy, ever the optimist, rallied the troops. “Satin, Chenille! We need your help, stat!” The two sisters appeared in an instant, ready for action.

“We can patch this up,” Satin said calmly, her voice surprisingly collected. “Floyd, we’re going to need you to stand still. Branch, hold him steady.”

Branch didn’t hesitate, and Floyd held his breath, trying to stay as still as possible while the two worked their magic. Within minutes, the dress was repaired, albeit with a few strategic stitches showing. Floyd let out a sigh of relief. “There we go. Good as new,” Chenille said, stepping back with a smile. “Thanks, guys,” Floyd said, still catching his breath. “I was starting to think the universe really didn’t want me to get married today.”

“It’s not the dress,” Branch said, grinning. “It’s the wedding. You’re cursed for sure.”

Floyd laughed, feeling a little lighter.

After the dress crisis, Floyd felt confident that things would get better. But as the wedding party piled into the cart to make their way to the ceremony, fate had other plans. The wedding party piled into the cart to head to the ceremony, only for it to refuse to budge. “Why isn’t it moving?” Barb muttered, pushing against the wheels.

Poppy inspected the problem. “One of the wheels is misaligned. We need to fix it.”

“I told you, this wedding is cursed!” Holly shouted.

Floyd, who had been trying his best to stay optimistic, exchanged a nervous glance with Branch. “Uh… how do we do that?”

Holly’s eyes lit up. “You need a symbolic cleansing ritual.”

Branch pinched the bridge of his nose. “Oh, for Troll’s sake—”

Holly had dragged them through a ridiculous series of “good luck” countermeasures, including tossing salt over their shoulders, spinning in circles three times, and stomping on a flower while chanting, "No bad luck, no bad vibes, just wedding joy and happy lives!"

Branch sighed. “Step aside.” Rolling up his sleeves, he got to work, realigning the wheel with expert precision. Within moments, the cart was moving again.

“I think we’re good now,” he said. “At least one disaster avoided.”

Just as they arrived, a gust of wind tore through the clearing, sending the flower arrangements flying. “NO, NO, NO!” Floyd gasped as petals scattered everywhere.

Satin, Chenille, and Poppy scrambled to gather what they could. Branch, thinking fast, snatched up vines and started weaving them into new garlands. “Just grab whatever you can and make it work!” he instructed.

Within minutes, the mess was transformed into a new, natural arrangement. It wasn’t what they planned, but it was even more beautiful. Despite the winds, the flowers now adorned the space in a way that felt even more special than before, a true reflection of how they were all coming together, despite the setbacks. “It’s perfect,” Floyd whispered.

The wedding cake was supposed to be the crown jewel of the feast. Satin and Chenille had worked closely with the best bakers in TrollsTopia to create a towering masterpiece—five tiers of fluffy, golden vanilla cake, layered with mixed berry filling and frosted in a swirl of pastel blue and violet, topped with delicate sugar flowers. Tiny edible gemstones had been carefully arranged to resemble a sparkling waterfall cascading down the sides. It was, in every sense, perfect; until it wasn't. Branch had been making his final round of checks when he heard the gasps.

Then the screams; then the crash, by the time he sprinted to the dining area, his worst nightmare had come true. The cake had toppled over. A slow-motion disaster of epic proportions, the once-majestic creation was now a pile of smashed layers, smeared frosting, and crushed sugar flowers. Some trolls stood frozen in horror. Others tried, in vain, to scoop up pieces as if they could somehow salvage it. Floyd’s voice was barely above a whisper. “No…”

Holly gasped. “The curse is real!”

Branch clapped his hands together. “Alright, new plan!”

There was no way to remake something that elaborate in such a short time. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t improvise. Summoning every ounce of determination he had, Branch took charge. With the help of Synth, Biggie, R & B, and even a reluctant Barb, they crafted a new cake in record time. It was not the masterpiece that had been planned, but it was charming in its own way—a three-tiered rustic cake, covered in a generous swirl of whipped frosting, topped with fresh berries and glowing sugar crystals. Instead of sugar flowers, they used real ones, carefully plucked from Poppy’s floral arrangements.

When Floyd saw the finished result, tears welled in his eyes—not from sadness, but from gratitude. “It’s… it’s beautiful.”

By nightfall, the wedding ceremony was underway. The ceremony space had been transformed into a vision of celestial beauty. The arch where Floyd and Hickory would soon stand was adorned with cascading moonflowers, their petals shimmering like silver in the dim light. Delicate strands of enchanted crystals floated in the air, reflecting the glow of the fireflies, creating the illusion of tiny stars suspended all around them. Soft blue roses and wild lilacs lined the path leading to the altar, their scent mingling with the crisp night air. Hickory stood at the altar, waiting for Floyd to walk down the aisle.

Poppy stood at the center, dressed in regal shades of pink and gold, a crown of woven petals in her hair. She held the ceremonial scroll in her hands, smiling warmly as the guests turned toward the path. Barb came down the aisle as the maid of honor, strutting confidently in a crimson gown lined with jagged black accents, her usual punk aesthetic blended with the elegance of the evening. Behind her, Delta Dawn and Val followed as the bridesmaids, their dresses complementing the floral tones of the décor—Delta’s in a warm terracotta hue and Val’s in deep violet.

Branch and Dante made their way down next, both dressed in dark, formal attire that contrasted with the softer, glowing colors of the setting. The sight of Branch in a suit was enough to turn a few heads, though his expression remained reserved as always, his hands tucked into his pockets as he strode forward. Dante, on the other hand, moved with casual grace, giving a charming nod to a few of the guests as he passed. Then, the music for the bridal walk began. The soft, ethereal melody swelled through the night air, played by a delicate ensemble of string instruments and wind chimes that created an almost dreamlike atmosphere. 

All eyes turned toward the entrance, anticipation heavy in the air. And then, Floyd appeared. A collective gasp swept through the crowd. He was breathtaking. “Wow.” Hickory whispered.

Floyd’s wedding gown shimmered under the lanterns, the fabric woven with a silvery iridescence that caught the light with every step he took. The bodice was adorned with intricate floral embroidery, delicate vines, and blossoms trailing down into the flowing skirt, which cascaded around him like a waterfall of moonlight. The sleeves draped gracefully off his shoulders, adding a softness to the regal ensemble. His hair had been styled into elegant curls, woven with tiny white blossoms, and his makeup was flawless—a soft, dewy glow enhancing his features, his eyes lined just enough to make them shine even brighter.

King Thrash was beside him in his wheelchair, his face softened by the honor of walking Floyd down the aisle. His massive hand rested gently on Floyd’s, a rare moment of tenderness from the Rock King. Floyd, for all his confidence, felt his heart pounding in his chest. The reality of the moment settled over him, a rush of emotions swirling in his mind. He hadn’t expected to feel this nervous, but as he looked ahead and met Hickory’s gaze, everything else faded away. Hickory stood frozen at the altar, completely captivated. His breath hitched, his usual composed expression breaking into something softer—something more vulnerable. 

He had always thought Floyd was beautiful, but tonight, under the soft glow of the lanterns, he looked almost otherworldly. As Floyd and Thrash made their way down the aisle, the guests watched in awe. Some whispered excitedly, others dabbed at their eyes, overcome with emotion. Even Barb, who usually prided herself on keeping things cool, subtly wiped at the corner of her eye before masking it with an exaggerated sniff. When they reached the altar, King Thrash turned to Floyd, his gaze surprisingly gentle. “You sure about this, kid?” he asked in a low voice, a rare hint of sentimentality in his tone.

Floyd smiled, squeezing the Rock King’s hand. “Never been more sure of anything.”

Thrash nodded, then turned to Hickory, his expression shifting back into something stern. “You take care of him, you hear me?”

Hickory, still overwhelmed by Floyd’s presence, quickly straightened and nodded. “Always.”

Satisfied, Thrash gave a small grunt before stepping back, allowing Floyd to take his place beside Hickory. They stood there for a moment, hands hesitantly reaching for one another before finally intertwining. Floyd let out a small breath, steadying himself as Poppy cleared her throat, signaling the beginning of the ceremony. “We gather here tonight under the stars, not just as witnesses, but as family,” Poppy began, her voice carrying through the quiet night. “Love is not just a bond between two souls—it is a light that guides us, even through the darkest times. And tonight, we celebrate that light.”

The guests watched in hushed reverence, the soft sounds of the night filling the space between Poppy’s words. Fireflies flickered in the air, and the stars above seemed to shine just a little brighter. Poppy turned toward Floyd first. “Floyd, do you take Hickory to be your husband? To share in his joys, to weather the storms, and to walk beside him for all of your days?”

Floyd’s throat felt tight with emotion, but his voice was steady as he answered. “I do.”

Poppy smiled before turning to Hickory. “And Hickory, do you take Floyd to be your husband? To cherish, to protect, and to love, through every twist and turn of life’s journey?”

Hickory didn’t hesitate. “I do.”

Poppy grinned. “Then, by the love that binds your souls and the stars that shine upon us, I now pronounce you—”

Before she could even finish, Floyd grabbed Hickory by the collar and pulled him into a deep kiss, causing the crowd to erupt into cheers. The moment was electric. Hickory, momentarily startled, melted into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Floyd as if grounding himself in the reality of it all. The cheers grew louder, confetti and flower petals raining down from above as the newlyweds pulled apart, breathless and grinning. “Impatient much?” Hickory teased, his forehead resting against Floyd’s.

Floyd smirked. “What can I say? I’ve been waiting long enough.”

The ceremony was over. The vows had been exchanged, and the celebration was in full swing. The chaos of the day had come to an end, and despite the bad luck that seemed to follow them, Floyd and Hickory were now husband and husband. As the party continued, music and laughter filled the air. Branch slipped into his Kismet mask and performed with his bandmates. They sang a mashup of different love songs for the newlyweds' first dance. Floyd found himself slipping away from the crowd shortly after the dance. He was completely happy that he was married to the man of his dreams but he missed his older brothers; they missed his wedding.

The clearing where they had said their vows was now quiet, the only sounds being the gentle rustling of the trees and the distant hum of voices. Branch noticed Floyd walking away from the gathering, his figure silhouetted against the setting sun. His curiosity piqued, Branch excused himself from the conversation he was having and made his way over to Floyd. “Mind if I join you?” Branch asked, stepping beside him.

Floyd turned, offering a small, weary smile. “I needed a moment. It’s been a day.”

“I think we all needed a moment,” Branch said, his tone light, but there was a warmth in his voice as he gazed at Floyd. “But hey, you made it. You and Hickory... you’re finally married.”

Floyd nodded, but his eyes looked distant as if still processing everything that had happened. “Yeah, I guess we did. It wasn’t what I expected, but... it felt right, you know? Even with everything that went wrong, it felt like it was meant to be.”

Branch studied his friend for a moment before speaking, his voice softening. “You don’t have to pretend everything’s fine, Floyd. I know it’s been a crazy day.”

“It’s not that Branch.” Floyd said his voice breaking, “I thought they would have come. Our brothers.”

Branch sighed, “Oh. Them. It’s been twenty years, Floyd. If Barb couldn’t find them, maybe they don’t want to be found.”

Floyd sighed deeply, looking out at the distant trees. The sky was beginning to turn shades of pink and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was a beautiful evening, but Floyd couldn’t help the pang in his heart. “I thought... maybe when I got older, it’d get easier. To be without them. But it’s not,” Floyd said quietly. “Today was... special. But I couldn’t help but think of them. I wish they could’ve been here. Clay would’ve cracked jokes, Spruce would’ve had everyone dancing, and John Dory would’ve made this big, serious speech that would’ve probably made us all tear up. They should’ve been here. I just... I wanted them here.”

Branch remained silent for a moment, understanding the weight of Floyd’s words. After everything they had been through, the separation from their older brothers had left an aching void in their lives. “I get it,” Branch finally said. “We all do. I mean, there’s a part of me that wishes we could all be together again, too. I miss how things used to be, when we were all just... one big crazy family. But, Floyd... look around.”

Floyd followed Branch’s gaze, taking in the scene. The wedding guests were still celebrating, but now the noise felt different—softer, warmer. Poppy, Val, Barb, Synth, Satin, and Chenille were all dancing, laughing, and talking with the others, their faces bright with happiness. “Everyone’s here for you, for both of you,” Branch continued. “Maybe it’s not the same as having John Dory, Spruce, and Clay with us, but... you’ve got us. You’ve got your new family.”

Floyd’s lips twitched into a smile as he took in the scene. It wasn’t the same, but Branch was right. He wasn’t alone. Not anymore. His heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and bittersweetness. “You’re right, Branch,” Floyd said, his voice filled with quiet appreciation. “I have you. I have Hickory. And I have everyone else here. I guess I’ve got more family than I thought.”

Branch smiled, clapping a hand on Floyd’s shoulder. “You’re never alone. Not as long as I’m around.”

Floyd’s eyes softened as he looked at his baby brother, “And I thought I was the older brother.”

Branch chuckled, “Hey. On your wedding day, I was making sure that your wedding was grand. So after everything you did for me, it was fair for me to return the favor.”

For a long moment, they stood in silence, watching the sky change as the evening deepened. It was a calm and peaceful moment, one that Floyd needed. The chaos of the day had faded, and in its place was something better—a sense of belonging, of family. “I think we’re gonna be okay,” Floyd said softly, breaking the silence.

“I know we are,” Branch replied.

And in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the evening and the laughter of their loved ones, Floyd felt a sense of peace settle over him. Today hadn’t gone according to plan, but in the end, everything had fallen into place just as it was supposed to. It wasn’t perfect, but it was his perfect. And that was all that mattered.

Chapter Text

The morning sun bathed TrollsTopia in a golden glow, casting long, playful shadows over the vibrant town. The streets bustled with excitement as Trolls of all Tribes hurried to put the finishing touches on the grand nine-week anniversary celebration. Confetti fluttered in the air, the scent of sweet marshtato tarts wafted through the breeze, and the sounds of laughter and music created a melody of joy. But inside Poppy’s pod, the atmosphere was far less festive. Branch and Val carefully carried Poppy through the entrance, their movements cautious yet determined.

The normally energetic queen winced slightly, her usually bouncy pink locks now limp with an odd stiffness to them. Floating behind them, Dante Crescendo watched with exaggerated concern, his golden wings fluttering in short, anxious beats. “Easy, everyone. Easy,” Branch murmured, his voice steady as he and Val gently lowered Poppy onto her bed.

Poppy, ever the optimist, immediately tried to sit up, brushing off their worried expressions. “Guys, I really appreciate this, but you have to let me get back to the party. My hair is fine.”

A loud crack split the air as a visible fracture shot through her once luscious locks. Branch, Val, and Dante recoiled in unison. “Ohhh…”

Poppy blinked, then offered a nervous chuckle. “Okay, it’s not 100%, but—” She hopped onto her bed with forced enthusiasm. “—I can fix it with the power of positivity!”

Another crack: Poppy’s confidence faltered. “I can fix it with the power of doctors!”

The bright, flower-filled interior of Dr. Moonbloom’s office was usually a place of healing and reassurance, but today, it felt more ominous than ever. Poppy sat stiffly as the doctor examined her X-rays, the faint glow illuminating the skeletal structure of her hair. Dr. Moonbloom adjusted her spectacles and let out a dramatic sigh. “Hmmm… This is the worst I’ve ever seen.”

Branch and Val gasped, while Dante, ever the dramatic soul, promptly fainted with a shrill gasp, his body falling weightlessly to the floor. Dr. Moonbloom took off her glasses and wiped them with the hem of her lab coat before putting them back on. She leaned in again, then nodded with satisfaction. “Ah, there we go. I see much better now.”

Dante groaned from the floor and floated back up. “Oh…”

The doctor’s expression turned serious. “Queen Poppy, you have a significant hair fracture. How did this happen?”

Branch folded his arms. “She was overexerting herself.”

Val and Dante nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

Poppy huffed. “No, I wasn’t. Here’s what happened, Dr. Moonbloom. As you know, I’ve spent the last eight-and-a-half weeks planning for TrollsTopia’s nine-week anniversary, which is today.”

As she spoke, the memory flickered back into her mind. The sun had shone brilliantly as Poppy had raced around, perfecting every last detail of the event. She had sprinkled sprinkles, streamed streamers, and, most notably, lowered an unbelievably heavy commemoration statue of all six Tribes holding hands in unity. It was supposed to be the crown jewel of the event, a shining beacon of togetherness. But just as she was finishing the task, a sharp pain shot through her scalp. Crack! She screamed, her hair giving out as the statue slipped from her grasp and tumbled to the ground.

Back in the present, Dr. Moonbloom finished wrapping a firm cast around Poppy’s hair. “So, you know, just a run-of-the-mill freak accident,” Poppy concluded sheepishly.

Branch, Val, and Dante were unconvinced. “Anyway,” Poppy continued brightly, “now that you’ve given me this cast, I can get back to prepping for the anniversary, right?”

Dr. Moonbloom raised an eyebrow. “No.” She swiftly sketched an image of Poppy lying in bed. “I’m prescribing one day of total bed rest.”

Poppy gasped. “But… party! Commemoration! Statue!”

Dr. Moonbloom gave her an approving nod. “I’m glad you’re taking this so well. Now, I have a very fun nine-week anniversary to attend. Excuse me.” She dramatically slid on a pair of star-shaped sunglasses and moonwalked out of the pod, whispering a triumphant, “Whoooooooo!”

Poppy slumped. “A whole day in bed?! But, guys, I need to be at that party to obsess over every detail and plan for every eventuality, however unlikely!”

Branch was already firm in his stance. “Sorry, Poppy. Doctor’s orders. We’ll handle the anniversary.”

Dante puffed out his chest. “Yes! Fear not, Poppy. I, Dante Crescendo, legendary composer and noted party animal, shall assemble a team to oversee the festivities. Why, I’ll even cut the commemorative ribbon myself!” He struck a dramatic pose, slipped on his own purple star sunglasses, and strutted out. “Whoooooooo!”

Poppy sighed, resigning herself to her fate. “Well, I guess I could sit this one out.”

Val smirked. “Yeah. Way to know your limits, Popsqueak.”

Branch clapped a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “That’s the spirit.”

Together, Branch and Val slid on their own sunglasses, striking their own over-the-top poses before following Dante. “Whoooooooo!”

For a moment, the pod was silent. Poppy hummed, tapping her fingers against her blanket. The steady tick-tock of the nearby clock filled the room. Seconds passed. Then minutes. Her fingers drummed faster. Her foot tapped; her whole body vibrated with restlessness. Until finally… “NO WAY! I CAN’T DO IT!”

In an instant, she tossed the blanket aside and leaped toward the door—only to find Branch and Val blocking her way, their sunglasses removed, their expressions smug. “Nice try,” Val said, crossing her arms. “But we knew that big heart of yours wouldn’t give up that easily.”

Branch nodded. “So we’re staying right here to guard the door and make sure you actually rest.” He pulled out a stick and drew a firm line on the floor.

Poppy huffed and immediately drew her own line. “Guys, you know I adore you both, but I have to prep that party no matter what!”

Val raised an eyebrow and drew another line. “Oh yeah?”

Poppy, determined, drew yet another. “Yeah!”

Within moments, the three had abandoned all conversation and were locked in an intense game of tic-tac-toe, Poppy lost. “AAAH!”

Branch and Val cheered. “We win!”

Poppy groaned as she stomped back to her bed. Val gave her a smug grin as she tucked her in. “There you go. Nice and comfy.”

Branch smirked. “And if you need us, we’ll be right out here, ready to thwart your every escape attempt.”

Poppy crossed her arms. “And I’ll be in here, thwarting your thwarts with thwarts of my own.”

Branch and Val didn’t even flinch; Poppy pouted. The cozy glow of Poppy’s pod illuminated her determined expression as she peeked through the window, gripping a scrapbooked doll of herself. If she was stuck inside, she might as well make the most of it—or so she told herself. But as the silence stretched on, her mind buzzed with plans, and soon, she found herself sneaking toward the window, unaware of the tiny dolls of Branch and Val watching her every move. Just as she was about to make her escape, a voice rang out. "Be ready for anything," the tiny Branch doll declared.

“Rock on," the Val doll added.

Before Poppy could react, she found herself caught, yelping in shock. "Aaah! But… you were just… How?!" Her wide eyes darted between Branch and Val, who exchanged smug looks before turning their attention to the dolls.

"Ha-ha! Man, we’re good," the Branch doll quipped before toppling over.

"I know," the Val doll agreed with a snicker as her own miniature self tumbled down.

Poppy huffed in frustration, but she wasn’t giving up that easily. As the hours passed, she crafted a massive paper airplane, its crisp folds and sturdy frame standing as a testament to her ingenuity. With a triumphant cry, she leaped onto it, soaring out of the window. But her victory was short-lived. Just as she tasted freedom, a sudden gust of wind blasted from behind. Branch and Val, using their hair like industrial-strength fans, sent her spiraling back inside, her flight path reversing in an instant. She crash-landed with an exasperated groan, her paper airplane crumbling beneath her.

As if on cue, her friends appeared once more, tucking her back into bed. Poppy crossed her arms, her determination unwavering. "Guys, I know you’re just trying to help, but this party is too important! I am not gonna give up!"

Val smirked. "Neither are we! So, bring it on!"

Poppy grinned, eyes gleaming. "Oh, I’ll do better than that! I’ll sing it on!"

With a dramatic flourish, she pulled out a microphone, shaking off her blanket as an impromptu sing-off began.

Poppy:

TrollsTopia rules challenger begins!
Head to head, toe to toe, who’s it gonna be?
Stand down, don’t you know, nothing’s stopping me?

Val:

I’ve got the power!
I wanna do what is right!
I wanna put up a fight!

Branch:

I’ll never cower!
As long as I’m around,
There’s nothing bad going down!

As the song built to a dramatic finish, Branch and Val struck their final poses; only to realize Poppy had vanished. Branch’s jaw dropped. "Wait. Where’d she go?"

Val’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Did she just trick us into getting caught up in a sing-off?"

Both gasped in horror. "NO!"

Rushing to the window, they spotted Poppy speeding off in the Dune Huggy, her triumphant laughter echoing in the distance. Val groaned, shaking her head. "Gah! She outsmarted us with deception! I mean, I’m actually pretty impressed. But still."

Branch clenched his fists. "Don’t worry. We know exactly where she’s going."

The anniversary party was in full swing, the night sky above twinkling as lanterns cast a golden glow over the festivities. Smidge, never one to hold back, reached for a plate of marshtato tarts, her eyes gleaming with delight. "Ooh! Marshtato tarts! I’ll just have one… plateful," she declared before promptly devouring the entire plate.

Unnoticed by the celebrating Trolls, Poppy peeked out from a nearby bush, eyes scanning the party with laser focus. She whispered urgently, "Smidge!"

Smidge nearly choked on her tart, jumping in shock. "Oh, my Guh!"

"How’s the party going? Everything running smoothly?"

Smidge narrowed her eyes. "Wait. Shouldn’t you be in bed resting your hair?"

Poppy waved off the concern. "I’m just here to make sure the party is set. Then it’s back to bed, I promise."

Before Smidge could respond, Poppy’s expression darkened. "Uh-oh."

From across the party, Branch and Val had arrived—with an entire Fuzzling SWAT team. Branch gave a sharp nod. "All right, she’s here. Search every corner. But also have a good time. This is your party, too."

The Fuzzlings cheered, donning star sunglasses before marching into the party, their tiny feet pattering against the ground. Smidge turned to Poppy in alarm. "Poppy, what are you gonna do?"

Poppy’s eyes gleamed with determination. "Only one thing to do: Party planning stealth mode."

With expert precision, she zipped through the crowd, correcting party details as she went. She refilled dip for Gust Tumbleweed, who gasped, "Well, I’ll be dip!" before eagerly dunking his nachos.

She slipped umbrellas into the drinks of three unimpressed Trolls, instantly brightening their moods. She even flicked on a phonograph, sending a wave of music through the gathering and sparking a fresh burst of dancing. Finally, she reappeared beside Smidge. "Okay, I think the party is in good shape. And just in time for the ribbon cutting!"

Dante, ever the showman, stood before the grand statue, scissors in hand. "And now, fellow TrollsTopians, in one of life’s great tirities, the severing of this ribbon shall represent all of us coming together."

Poppy gasped in horror. "Troll-molly! What is that?!"

Smidge blinked. "What?"

"Dante can’t cut the ribbon with those scissors! Those are left-handed tailor grippers, not regulation ribbon-cutting shears!"

Smidge’s mind spiraled into a full-blown disaster scenario. She imagined Dante struggling to cut the ribbon, the crowd erupting into panic, the Vibe Town Spaceship crashing, and ultimately, a catastrophic explosion of glitter reducing everything to dust. Snapping back to reality, Smidge paled. "Whoa!"

Poppy grabbed the incorrect scissors. "I’ve got to swap these!"

Before she could act, Branch’s voice cut through the night. "I got eyes on the target!"

Poppy froze; Branch’s tone was urgent. "The candy’s in the piñata! Repeat, the candy’s in the piñata!"

Val commanded, "All Fuzzling units to the snack table!"

Fuzzlings swarmed toward Poppy. Smidge gasped. "You’ve been made! Run for it!"

"But, Smidge, I can’t run with scissors!"

"You’ve been made! Walk for it!"

Poppy speed-walked toward the statue, heart pounding. Dante raised his tiny scissors, preparing to make the ceremonial cut. Poppy gasped three times. Just as the Fuzzlings closed in, she spotted a branch above. Tossing her hair cast aside, she grabbed hold and swung. The crowd gasped as she soared through the air—until, with a sickening crack, her hair snapped again. "Oh, right. My hair is broken," she muttered before plummeting, landing face-down at Dante’s feet.

Groaning, she weakly held up the correct scissors. "Here. Use these."

Dante inspected them, then, with a graceful snip, cut the ribbon. The crowd cheered—until the statue wobbled dangerously… and crashed to the ground in a spectacular shatter. Poppy sat up, her heart sinking. "No! No, no, no, no! I’m so sorry, everyone…"

But Dante merely smiled. "Au contraire, Poppy. You’ve ruined nothing."

As he gestured skyward, a swarm of flying bugs carried in a backup statue. Poppy gasped. "You mean you… you made a backup statue?"

Branch smirked. "We plan for every eventuality."

Val grinned. "Just like you would’ve."

Poppy beamed. "Aw, you guys!"

Chapter Text

The sun hung low over TrollsTopia, casting a golden glow across the landscape as the entire village bustled with excitement. Valentine’s Day had arrived, and every tribe was embracing the spirit of love in their own unique way. Pop Trolls decked the streets in heart-shaped garlands and twinkling lights. Techno Trolls projected dazzling pink and blue visuals over the dance floor. Country Trolls were setting up a slow-dance hoedown, while Classical Trolls played soft, romantic symphonies. And amid the excitement, Poppy stood at the center of it all, heart racing as she smoothed down her hair. Tonight was her first official date with Val Thundershock.

“Okay, okay, breathe, Poppy,” she told herself, gripping her tiny heart-shaped notebook like a lifeline. “It’s just a date. A totally fun, romantic, chill date. No reason to be nervous. Right?”

“Wrong,” Branch said from beside her, arms crossed. “You’ve been pacing for the past five minutes.”

Poppy stopped in her tracks. “What? No, I haven’t! I’m just… walking in thoughtful circles!”

Branch raised a brow. “You even made a date itinerary, didn’t you?”

Poppy gasped dramatically. “How dare you! I would never—”

Branch tapped his foot. She sighed, flipping open her notebook. “Okay, maybe I did. But only because I want it to be perfect! Val and I are so different, so I planned a date that’s a little bit of both our styles—Pop and Rock, all mashed together into one unforgettable night.”

Branch shrugged. “As long as you’re not trying too hard.”

The sun dipped low in the sky, bathing TrollsTopia in a warm, rosy glow as the Trolls bustled about, preparing for the most romantic night of the year—Valentine’s Day. Garlands of heart-shaped leaves and glittering lights draped over the village, filling the air with a sense of excitement and love. Everywhere, Trolls of every kind—Pop, Rock, Techno, Country, Classical, and Funk—rushed to set up decorations, prepare gifts, and make plans for the evening ahead. But amid the cheerful chaos, two Trolls found themselves standing at the heart of it all, staring at each other with nervous excitement—Poppy and Val Thundershock.

Poppy’s heart fluttered as she adjusted the tiny, pink, heart-shaped clip in her hair, stealing a glance at Val. “Sooo… this is our first official date,” she said, rocking on her heels. “Pretty exciting, huh?”

Val smirked, arms crossed, her usual cool exterior in place despite the slight twitch of her fingers against her jacket. “Yeah. No pressure or anything, right? Just Popsqueaka and Thundershock figuring out how to go on a date that doesn’t explode in a glitter bomb or end in a mosh pit.”

Poppy giggled, taking Val’s hand. “Why not both?”

The plan was simple—sort of. Poppy, the ever-enthusiastic planner, had mapped out a Valentine’s date that merged their worlds: part Pop, part Rock, and all fun. Their first stop? A romantic gondola ride down Harmony Stream, with a twist—Val insisted on turning it into a race. They climbed into their boat, a sleek craft with pink and black designs blending their styles. Poppy clasped her hands together dreamily. “Just imagine! Floating under the stars, a soft melody playing in the background, the gentle swaying of the boat—”

Val cracked her knuckles. “—Or! We paddle like maniacs and see who reaches the bridge first. Loser buys dinner.”

Poppy gasped. “Val! You can’t just turn everything into a competition!”

Val arched a brow. “Uh, have you met me?”

Poppy narrowed her eyes, a grin forming. “Fine. But if I win, I pick dessert.”

The moment the race started, Val paddled with all the power of a rock solo, while Poppy matched her speed with Pop-fueled determination. Water splashed, the boat rocked wildly, and somewhere along the way, they accidentally veered off course—straight into a waterfall. A few minutes later, both of them sat soaked on the riverbank, hair dripping, catching their breath. Poppy wiped water from her face before breaking into laughter. “Okay! Maybe that was a little much for a first date.”

Val, equally drenched, tossed her head back and laughed. “Are you kidding? That was awesome.”

The mishap did nothing to dampen their spirits. If anything, it made the night more memorable. They moved to the next part of their date—dinner at the Mashup Café, a new spot designed for Troll couples who blended styles. While they waited for their food, Poppy pulled out a tiny pink notebook. “I made a list of first-date conversation starters!” she said excitedly.

Val groaned playfully, but the fondness in her eyes was unmistakable. “Of course, you did.”

“Okay! Question one: If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?”

Val tapped her chin, thinking. “Easy. ‘Thunderstruck.’ It’s got power, it’s got soul—total headbanger.”

Poppy beamed. “I love that one too! But if I had to pick… ‘Everlasting Love.’ It’s just so fun and romantic.”

Val chuckled. “Figures. Pop Queen through and through.”

Their food arrived—a mix of sweet and spicy flavors, representing both their tastes. Poppy delighted in the heart-shaped fruit skewers, while Val chomped into a fiery rock pepper taco without hesitation. As they ate, the conversation flowed, shifting from music to embarrassing childhood stories to their most ridiculous dreams. For Poppy, it was everything she had hoped for—fun, exciting, full of laughter. And for Val… well, she had to admit, this whole ‘dating’ thing wasn’t as scary as she thought. But just as they were finishing up, a loud commotion from the square caught their attention.

Meanwhile, across town, Synth paced back and forth outside his pod, clutching a notepad covered in frantic scribbles. “Okay, okay, think, Synth! You need the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for Branch! Something that says, ‘Hey, you’re my boyfriend, and I totally appreciate you.’”

He had spent days brainstorming, but every idea seemed either too extravagant or too simple. A song? Too expected. A handmade scarf? Too sentimental. A friendship bracelet? Too middle school. “Gaaah! Why is this so hard?!” He flopped onto the ground dramatically. “I just want to give Branch the ultimate boyfriend-appreciation gift!”

Just then, Laguna skated by, twirling on the water with effortless ease. “Hey, Synth! What’s with the meltdown?”

Synth shot up. “I need the perfect gift for Branch, but I’m overthinking it! Nothing seems right!”

Laguna tilted her head. “Why not just… get him something from the heart?”

Synth groaned. “That’s the problem! My heart is saying too many things! It’s like—‘Get him something practical!’ ‘No, make it fun!’ ‘No, go big!’” He flailed his arms. “My brain is arguing with itself, and I am losing to me!”

Laguna patted his shoulder. “Dude, take a deep breath. What’s something Branch really loves?”

Synth paused. “Well… he loves preparedness. And schedules. And emergency kits…”

Laguna smirked. “Sounds like you got your answer.”

Synth gasped. “You’re right! A customized emergency preparedness kit! But—ooh! It has to be next level.”

He dashed off, determined, leaving Laguna shaking her head with a chuckle. “That guy’s got energy for days.”

Back at his pod, Synth worked tirelessly, gathering supplies. The kit included all the essentials: a pocket-sized first-aid set, a collapsible water bottle, mini granola bars, and a hand-crank flashlight—everything a safety-conscious Troll could ever need. But Synth wasn’t done yet. “No, no, no, this isn’t just any emergency kit,” he muttered. “It has to scream Branch!”

So, he added personalized touches—a little note that read ‘For every ‘just in case’ moment—your boy’s got you covered!’ along with a tiny speaker preloaded with calming nature sounds for stress relief. By the time he finished, he was exhausted but satisfied. “Oh yeah. Best. Gift. Ever.”

Later that night, Poppy and Val, still riding the high of their date, walked through the festival together. The romantic atmosphere had only grown, with floating lanterns drifting above and soft melodies filling the air. Poppy glanced at Val. “Sooo… how was our first date?”

Val smirked. “Well, I didn’t expect a boat crash, but I had a blast. You’re pretty fun, Pop Queen.”

Poppy grinned. “And you’re surprisingly sweet when you want to be, Rock Queen.”

Val’s smirk softened just a bit. “Yeah, well… don’t tell anyone.”

They shared a laugh before Poppy took Val’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Val.”

Val squeezed back. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Poppy.”

As they shared a soft moment, Synth suddenly rushed onto the scene, waving his gift in the air. “Branch! I found it! The ultimate V-Day gift!”

Branch, standing nearby, blinked. “Uh… what?”

Synth proudly presented the emergency kit. “Tadaaa! The Synth Special Preparedness Pack!”

Branch opened it, examining the contents, and for a moment, his face was unreadable. Then, to Synth’s relief, he nodded approvingly. “This… is actually really useful. Wow. Thanks, Synth.”

Synth pumped his fist. “Yes! Nailed it!”

As the festival continued, laughter and love filled the air. Whether it was romantic love, friendship, or the simple joy of being together, one thing was clear—this Valentine’s Day in TrollsTopia was one to remember.

Chapter Text

The rhythmic hum of the Metroll train filled the air as Poppy sat by the window, absentmindedly humming to herself. The landscape of TrollsTopia blurred past her in streaks of color, but something caught her eye, making her perk up. "Huh?" she muttered, leaning closer to the glass.

There, just outside the train, was Val. Her girlfriend. Poppy's face immediately brightened. She always loved seeing Val, even if Val sometimes pretended not to love seeing her. “Hey, it’s Val!” Poppy chirped, watching as the rocker troll stomped into a mushroom pod in the village. 

Just as she disappeared inside, a burst of movement caught Poppy’s attention—various items flying out of the pod in rapid succession. Something was up. Without a second thought, she rang the bell to stop the train and hopped off, heading straight for the pod. The scene inside was chaotic—Val flustered and frustrated, was tossing things left and right. “No. No. No. I can’t find it anywhere,” Val grumbled, her voice laced with frustration.

Poppy peeked in, tilting her head. “Val? Did you lose something?”

Val jumped, then quickly crossed her arms. “What? No. No, I didn’t.”

Poppy narrowed her eyes, a knowing smile creeping onto her lips. “Really? Then what are you doing at Troll Village Lost and Found and Gift Wrapped?”

As if on cue, Cooper’s head popped out of a nearby present before he giggled and hopped away. Val let out a groan. “Fine. Yes, I’m looking for something… private.”

Poppy gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. “Come on, Val. Friends—uh, girlfriends—ask each other for help.”

Val grumbled under her breath. Poppy leaned in, teasingly poking Val’s arm. “And we are girlfriends, right?”

Val sighed, glaring at Poppy but unable to suppress the slight pink tint to her cheeks. “Ugh.”

Poppy smirked, crossing her arms. “Vaaaaal?”

Another groan.

“Val?”

“UGH!”

“Vaaaaaaal?”

Val threw her hands up. “Yes, we know we are! Ugh! Fine! I lost… my snuggle toy.”

Poppy gasped. “Your snuggle toy?! Val, that is so—”

She cut herself off the moment Val turned to her, shooting a warning glare. Poppy quickly backpedaled. “Sorry. I know sentimentality makes you uncomfortable. One moment.” She dashed outside, letting out an excited squeal, then composed herself and walked back in. “Please, tell me more.”

Val hesitated before sighing and looking away. “I found my snuggle toy a long time ago. Some might say by accident, but in my heart, I know… it was fate.”

As she spoke, the world around them faded, transporting Poppy into Val’s memory.

A little rocker troll, barely old enough to throw a proper headbang, strutted confidently through the woods. “I am mosh prodigy!” Young Val declared with a grin, laughing to herself.

But as she walked, the trees around her thickened, the sky darkened, and an eerie silence settled in. She slowed her steps, glancing around. “Hello?” Her voice echoed. The response was nothing but the distant howl of the moon.

Young Val gulped. She was alone. Scared. But then, a glint of moonlight hit something nestled in the leaves. Young Val gasped, stepping closer. She bent down, reaching for what she thought was a plush toy—only to pick up a pinecone. But to her, it was more than that. It was fate.

Back in the present, Val’s voice softened as she stared out the window. “Not just any pinecone. A beautiful pinecone, with an even more beautiful soul.”

She pulled out a worn picture of Piney, her eyes misty with emotion. Poppy’s own eyes filled with tears. “One moment.” She ran outside, squealed again, then composed herself and returned. “It’s OK, Val. You are my girlfriend, so I will not rest until we find… Coney.”

“Piney.”

“Piney.”

Poppy took Val’s picture. “Step one: we post these all over TrollsTopia.” She quickly scrawled the word “MISSING” on the picture.

Val’s eyes widened in horror. “No, no, no, no, no! No one can know that my sweet little seed pod is mine! It’s embarrassing!”

Poppy blinked. “Why? It’s adorable.”

“That’s exactly why it’s embarrassing!” Val hissed, snatching the picture back. “I’m serious, Popsqueak! It’s up to you and me to find him, no one else. Promise me.”

Poppy sighed, then crossed her heart. “Cross my heart and hope to dye… my hair… beige.”

A horrified scream echoed in the distance at the mere thought. “Alright,” Poppy said, shaking off the moment. “I’m pulling out all the stops.”

She dramatically held out a leash. On the other end, a group of Bloodhound Bugs sniffed eagerly, ready for action. “See, Val? These Bloodhound Bugs are the most elite tracking critters in TrollsTopia. Observe—Piney’s hat.”

The bugs took a deep inhale, their bodies going rigid. Then, in perfect synchronization, they stacked themselves into a tiny pyramid, and one pointed dramatically to the left. “Go!” Poppy declared, releasing them.

The critters darted forward; But before they could get far “PUPPIES!” Demo popped out from behind a mushroom, his eyes sparkling. The Bloodhound Bugs immediately changed course, tackling him and licking his face. “I LOVE YOU!” Demo cried, running in circles while the bugs chased him.

Poppy chuckled nervously, tucking the leash into her hair. “Next idea.”

Their search led them through all sorts of ridiculous places—under Gristle Jr.’s massive toe, inside random lost-and-found boxes, even checking inside a Fun Dungeon. Nothing. Eventually, Val lay dramatically on Poppy’s bed, letting out a defeated sigh. “It’s hopeless. I’ll never find Piney. My heart is a bottomless void of eternal darkness. But, you know, not in a cool way.”

Poppy, sitting beside her, tapped her chin in thought. “Maybe… you can find a new snuggle toy? Just until we get Piney back.”

She grabbed a box from her shelf and dumped it on the bed. Snuggle toys of all shapes and sizes tumbled out. Val sat up, startled. “Whoa.”

Poppy grinned. “These helped me through tough times when I was little. Try one?”

Val hesitated before sifting through them. She picked up a stuffed fish. “Oh! Fishly enjoys long swims by the beach and blowing bubbles with frie—”

“Toss.”

She grabbed another. “Growlie McGee here is—”

“Toss.”

“OK, well—”

“Toss. Toss. Toss.”

Poppy’s grin twitched. “Val, it doesn’t feel like you’re giving this a cha—”

“Toss.”

“VAL.”

Then, Val froze. She had picked up a small, stuffed porcupine.

Poppy blinked. “Lord Prickles?”

Val’s eyes softened. “This is the one.”

She placed a tiny top hat on its head and hugged it tightly.

Poppy beamed. “So, it’s a match?”

Val nodded. “Yeah… yeah, it is.”

She turned to Poppy, her expression unexpectedly sincere. “Look, Poppy… asking for help is really hard for me. But I’m glad you pushed me to do it. Thanks for being such a great girlfriend.”

Poppy’s heart practically exploded. “Aw, Val—”

Before she could finish, Val pulled her into a quick hug, then playfully tossed Lord Prickles into the air with a triumphant, “Wheee!”

And just like that, the search for Piney had turned into something even more unexpected—a moment that made them both realize how much they truly needed each other. A heavy sigh drifted through the quiet of Poppy’s pod, breaking the usual warmth that filled it. Outside, the night was peaceful, but inside, the weight of loss hung in the air. Smidge, ever her cheerful self, hummed a little tune as she made her way toward the pod. She knocked lightly, pushing the door open. “Hey, Poppy! I’m heading to the Fun Dungeon. Do you wanna—”

She stopped; Poppy lay on her bed, curled in on herself, her usually bright demeanor dulled. Smidge’s smile faltered. She had seen Poppy face many things—disasters, villains, even heartache—but this? This was different. “Poppy?” Smidge climbed onto the bed with effort. “What’s wrong?”

Poppy barely stirred before whispering, “Lord Prickles… is gone.”

Smidge gasped. “What?! Did you check under Gristle’s big toe? You know how things just—”

Poppy shook her head, sitting up. “I know exactly where he is, Smidge. I gave him to a friend in need.”

Smidge’s face twisted in disbelief. “But, Poppy, Lord Prickles is—”

Poppy’s lips trembled as she forced a bittersweet smile. “My number one most beloved snuggle toy, now and forever? Yes, I know.” Her voice wavered. “He wasn’t even supposed to be one of the choices, but…”

She trailed off, her gaze distant. A memory flickered—Lord Prickles resting safely on her pillow, only to be swallowed by the mountain of stuffed toys she had gathered for Val. Now, he was gone. Smidge hesitated, then picked up another plush from the bed. “Well, at least you’ve still got Fishly. He’s just as good.” She squeezed the toy, and it let out a small, pathetic squeak.

Poppy turned her head sharply, expression unreadable. “I’ll pretend you didn’t just say that.”

Fishly squeaked again. Smidge winced. “Yeah, okay, my bad. But Poppy, you don’t have to do this. Just ask for him back.”

Poppy shook her head. “No. She needed it. More than I did.” She pulled her knees to her chest. “I’ll… I’ll just have to get by without him.”

Her voice faded into silence. She let out a breath, gathering herself before standing. There was no changing what had been done. She had made a choice. But when she turned back toward her bed, her breath caught in her throat. Lord Prickles was sitting there; her heart leaped. “Lord Prickles?”

Her hands trembled as she reached out, as if afraid he would vanish before she could touch him. But no, he was real—warm, familiar, and hers. She scooped him up, hugging him tight. “Lord Prickles!” A laugh bubbled out of her. “Oh, Val must have found Piney! We’ll never be apart again!”

“Poppy?” The voice behind her was gentle, but there was an edge to it.

Poppy turned, still holding Lord Prickles, and found Val in the doorway. Her arms were crossed, and her brow was raised. “Is there something you’re not telling me?” Val asked. “You’re acting weird.”

Poppy’s smile froze. “What? No! I’m fine! Totally fine!”

Val’s gaze flicked to the plush in Poppy’s hands, and her frown deepened. “Poppy… that’s not Lord Prickles.”

Poppy’s stomach dropped. “What?”

Val reached behind her and, with a knowing look, pulled out the real Lord Prickles. Poppy felt her breath hitch. She looked down slowly; in her arms… was Demo. “Ack!” Demo flailed. “I just came by for a hangout—”

Poppy screamed and tossed him away. Demo tumbled across the floor, landing in a heap before scrambling to his feet. Suddenly, the Bloodhound Bugs appeared, taking off after him. “WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!”

Poppy clutched her head. “Oh no, oh no, oh no—”

Val just stared at her, unimpressed. “Popsqueak. What’s going on?”

“Nothing! Everything’s great!” Poppy laughed nervously, pulling at her hair.

Val let out a deep sigh. She took a step closer, her expression softening. “Poppy. You know I’m not great at this whole… ‘talking about emotions’ thing.” She hesitated before continuing. “But if we’re gonna do this—if we are gonna work—you can’t always be the one who’s there for me. I need to be able to be there for you, too. Otherwise, we don’t have trust. And that’s… kind of important.”

Poppy blinked. She had been so caught up in her own worries that she hadn’t even realized how much she had been pushing Val away. Val sighed again. “Friends—girlfriends—ask for help when they need it, Poppy. That’s how this works. So, are we doing this or not?”

Poppy inhaled sharply. She closed her eyes, letting the words sink in, and when she opened them again, her vision blurred with unshed tears. “Yes,” she whispered. Then, all at once, the dam broke. “I really miss Lord Prickles!”

Val smirked. “Yeah,” she said, holding up the real Lord Prickles. “I figured.”

She took off the tiny top hat before handing him over. Poppy gasped, clutching him to her chest as if she’d never let go. “Thank you, Val.” Then, suddenly, her expression shifted. “Oh! But now you don’t have a snuggle toy!”

Val shrugged. “Eh, it’ll be all right.”

Then, she glanced at the framed picture of Piney on her nightstand, a thought forming. “…Actually, since asking a friend for help turned out so great…” She smirked. “Maybe I should ask all my friends for help.”

At that moment, distant barking echoed outside. Val’s ears perked. “Huh?”

Demo suddenly sprinted toward them, panting. “Oh, wait! That pinecone’s yours?” he wheezed.

Val’s eyes widened. “Yeah?”

Demo reached into his vest, pulling out Piney—with drumsticks sticking out of him. “I’ve been using him as a drumstick holder!”

Val gasped. “PINEY!”

She snatched him up, removing the drumsticks and replacing the top hat on his little pinecone head. She held him up dramatically. Poppy laughed, wiping her eyes, as the two walked off together—snuggle toys in hand.

Chapter Text

The Neverglade was a place few dared to tread—a wild, untamed stretch of land where nature ruled supreme. Towering trees with thick, coiling roots stretched endlessly into the horizon, their massive canopies casting the forest floor in a permanent twilight. The air buzzed with the hum of hidden creatures, the scent of damp earth and moss hanging heavy in the humidity. John Dory hadn’t chosen to live here. But after the fall of their home—after the Bergen attack shattered everything he knew—there was nowhere else to go.

For years, he wandered, searching. Searching for any sign of his brothers, for any whisper of survivors. But the wreckage was absolute. The pod was gone. Their tree, once alive with music, had withered into nothing but a rotting husk. The laughter, the melodies—the heart of their home—had been silenced. No matter how far he traveled, no matter how many Troll villages he passed through, no one had seen them. No one had heard of BroZone or the Pop Trolls who had once filled the branches with song. And so, when the weight of his failure became too heavy to bear, he stopped searching.

He faded into the Neverglade, vanishing into its labyrinth of vines and fog, isolating himself in a place where the echoes of the past couldn’t reach him. But life, as it always did, refused to let him be alone. That was how he found Rhonda. She had been small when they first met—an armadillo with big, curious eyes and a shell barely bigger than a pebble. At first, she trailed after him, scurrying behind his heels as he wandered. He tried to ignore her, brushing her off, telling himself he didn’t need anyone. But Rhonda never left.

Over time, she grew into something stronger. Larger. Loyal. Her shell, once fragile, became a sturdy, gleaming bronze—strong enough to carry John Dory across the Neverglade’s endless terrain. She became his refuge, his last remaining tether to something good in the world. But even as the years passed, the ache of the past never faded. And one day, he made a decision; He had to go back. The journey to the ruins of his old home was long, the path overgrown from years of abandonment. But John Dory pressed on, Rhonda carrying him through the tangled wilderness, her sturdy feet crunching over fallen leaves and gnarled roots.

As he neared the place where their tree once stood, a familiar feeling crept into his chest—hope. What if he was wrong? What if—against all odds—Branch survived? The thought sent his heart racing, and for the first time in years, he let himself believe. But when he finally arrived, hope withered into dust. The tree was gone; not just dead—erased. The place where it once stood was nothing more than a crater of decay, the earth cracked and lifeless, stripped of the vibrant energy that had once made it home. The silence was suffocating. No music. No laughter. No signs of life.

He staggered forward, barely able to breathe, his knees hitting the ground as his fingers scraped through the cold dirt. There was nothing left; nothing. He had searched for so long. And for what? A graveyard? A ghost town where no one had even bothered to leave behind a trace? His fingers clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as grief twisted in his chest. He had failed; his brothers were gone. His family—the one thing that had meant more to him than anything—was nothing more than a memory swallowed by time. A dry, bitter laugh escaped him, the sound hollow.

“What did I expect?” he muttered to himself. “That they’d be sitting here waiting for me? That I’d just show up, and everything would be fine?”

Rhonda let out a low rumble, nudging him gently. He exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face, trying to push back the sting behind his eyes. This was the end; there was no one left to find. And so, with a heart heavier than ever before, John Dory turned away, letting the past sink into the depths of his soul like a stone at the bottom of a river. He never looked back.

The lights of Mount Rageous could be seen from miles away, piercing through the darkened skies like jagged neon veins. It was a city that never slept, its skyline dominated by towering screens flashing endless streams of advertisements, music videos, and self-indulgent promotions. Gravity-defying highways wove through the cityscape like ribbons of light, filled with sleek vehicles that zipped through the air, leaving glowing trails in their wake. There was no true day or night here—just the constant, artificial glow of electricity. And beneath the pulsing neon haze, John Dory’s fate would be sealed.

He hadn’t seen them coming. One moment, he was traveling through a dimly lit pass, Rhonda’s steady movements rocking him into a lull. The next, an explosion of dazzling lights erupted from all sides, blinding him in an overwhelming display of flashing colors and synthetic music; a trap. Before he could react, figures emerged from the chaos—two towering, eerily flawless beings who moved with a practiced grace; Velvet and Veneer.

Their pearly-white skin gleamed under the artificial lights, and their matching green hair shimmered like silk. Velvet stood taller, her wavy ponytail cascading behind her, violet eyeshadow glittering as she smirked. Veneer, slightly shorter, with his gelled quiff and hesitant expression, hovered just behind her. They were dressed in coordinated gold attire, adorned with crystalline accessories that caught the light in dazzling refractions. John Dory tensed, instincts screaming at him to fight, to run—but he had no time. Veneer lunged first, but his movements were clumsy.

John Dory twisted, dodging with practiced ease, planting his feet firmly as he swung a powerful kick toward his attacker. Veneer stumbled, barely catching himself, his eyes wide with alarm. Velvet let out an exasperated sigh. “Ugh, honestly, Veneer. Do I have to do everything myself?”

With a snap of her fingers, she gave the command. Veneer, caught in his sister’s dominating presence, obeyed without hesitation. He moved again, this time with a desperate determination, throwing himself at John Dory with surprising force. John Dory managed to land a few solid blows, but he was outmatched. Veneer wasn’t strong on his own, but with Velvet directing his every move, he became relentless. Then came the final strike. Velvet seized her chance. With a flick of her wrist, a diamond-shaped perfume bottle appeared in her grasp, shimmering ominously. Before John Dory could escape, she opened it, and a swirling vortex of energy erupted forth, dragging him into its grasp.

He fought—kicking, clawing, screaming—but the pull was relentless. Then, everything went dark.

Silence. Cold, suffocating silence. John Dory floated in a vast emptiness, the walls of his prison smooth and unyielding. The diamond-shaped bottle confined him, a cruel and glimmering cell. His body felt weightless, his voice lost in the endless void. And then, the memories came; flashes of the past, of laughter and warmth. Spruce and Clay, always at his side, their voices filling the air with playful banter. Floyd, so full of life, his music infectious, his smile wide and bright. And Branch—small, fragile, but full of determination, always looking up at him with wide, trusting eyes.

John Dory clenched his fists, his heart aching. He had failed them; he had lost them. And now, he was truly alone.

Chapter Text

Bergen Town buzzed with anticipation, its cobblestone streets adorned with vibrant banners and twinkling lights to celebrate King Gristle and Bridget’s upcoming wedding. The joyous atmosphere had spilled over into Trollstopia, where preparations were in full swing. Poppy, honored as Bridget’s Maid of Honor, coordinated tirelessly, ensuring every detail was perfect for the ceremony scheduled for the next day. Almost every troll in the village eagerly prepared to attend the festivities. Branch had even convinced his friends from Kismet to join the celebration; however, Ablaze and Trickee remained hesitant, their memories of Trollstice and the loss of their families casting long shadows over their willingness to return to Bergen Town.

Amidst the flurry of excitement, Floyd remained detached. Branch had attempted to persuade him to join the festivities, but Floyd declined, preferring the solace of his own company over the bustling preparations. “Are you sure, Floyd?” Branch asked.

“Yes. I’ll be fine. Go have fun at the wedding, Branch. I got Hickory and Barb to keep me company.” Floyd answered.

Branch just sighed, “Alright. But if you change your mind, you know where I’ll be.” Branch then left for Bergen Town.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the village, Floyd retreated to his cozy dwelling. The walls echoed with silence, a stark contrast to the lively chatter outside. He settled into his favorite chair, strumming his guitar absentmindedly, the familiar chords providing a comforting rhythm. After Hickory and he got married, Branch surprised the happy couple with a hut in which they could live. Floyd still had a room in Branch’s bunker, but he and Hickory wanted their own place to start a family. Branch would come by for visits, and so would Barb, usually just to mess with Floyd. 

She showed up just to visit Floyd and to make sure that Hickory was treating Floyd right. Only a few minutes later, something crazy happened. A soft knock echoed through the hut. Floyd exchanged a curious glance with Hickory before rising to answer the door. To his surprise, Rhonda, the armadillo bus, stood parked outside, her shell gleaming under the moonlight. Barb looked confused, “What the…? What is that thing?” she asked.

“That there is an armadillo bus,” Hickory answered. “Never seen one out here before.”

Affixed to her side was a small, ornately decorated envelope, shimmering faintly. Floyd picked it up, noting the familiar handwriting on the front: To Floyd.​ He opened the envelope, and inside was a letter from his eldest brother, John Dory. Floyd gasped. His older brother was alive? Barb looked at the letter, seeing the name John Dory at the end. “Is that from…?”

“JD?” Floyd answered, “Yeah.”

“Well, read it, Floy-Boy,” Barb ordered.

The letter read:​ Dear Floyd,​ I’m being held against my will by superstars Velvet and Veneer. Come to Mount Rageous at once and bring our brothers.​ Love, John Dory.​

Floyd's heart pounded as he read the words. The letter was brief, but the urgency was palpable. He hadn't heard from John Dory in years, not since their band, BroZone, had disbanded. The sudden communication stirred a mix of concern, curiosity, and a lingering sense of brotherhood.​ He turned to Hickory, who had been reading over his shoulder.​ "What do you think it means?" Hickory asked.

"I'm not sure," Floyd replied, "But I think it's time I find out."

Determined, Floyd began making preparations to meet John Dory. Barb, ever the loyal friend, insisted on joining them. The trio boarded Rhonda, the armadillo bus, and set off towards Mount Rageous, unaware that this journey would test the strength of their bonds and lead them into unforeseen challenges. Rhonda drove off from Trollstopia towards Mount Rageous with Floyd, Hickory, and Barb inside her. Floyd looked around the place for clues of where John Dory had been in the last twenty years. He saw old Morbillia from their days as Brozone or even before the band.

Hickory was more interested in the controls for Rhonda; he spotted a button that said Hustle. “Hey, what’s this button?” he asked aloud, squinting at one in particular. “‘Hustle’? Huh.”

Before anyone could stop him, he pressed it. With a burst of rainbow energy, Rhonda screeched into overdrive, spiraling into a vortex of spinning colors and pulsing beats. “Whoa!” Barb shouted as she clung to a seat.

The trio was yanked through the Hustle Dimension, a chaotic, glittering realm filled with flashing disco lights, funky background music, and speed beyond comprehension. Barb’s quills were frizzed, Floyd clutched his guitar, and Hickory looked slightly green by the time the dimension finally spat them out, right outside Mount Rageous. Rhonda landed with a bouncing thud. Barb groaned, “My insides are now upside down.”

Hickory leaned back in his seat, dizzy. “Never again,” he moaned.

“Now I know too much hustle is a thing,” Floyd added, rubbing his temples.

That night, a massive concert pulsed from the grand diamond-shaped amphitheater of Velvet & Veneer Live!, the hottest pop act in the world. Glitter cannons fired overhead. Synchronized dancers twirled on levitating platforms. Security trolls stood at every gate. “Okay,” Floyd whispered. “We sneak in backstage, find JD, and get out. Simple.”

“Sneak in?” Barb cracked her knuckles. “I am the distraction.”

Floyd rolled his eyes. “No, causing a scene. Not yet.”

After regaining their composure, the trio approached the sparkling metropolis. Unlike the quaint charm of Trollstopia, Mount Rageous was larger-than-life — a place of extreme fashion, over-the-top glamor, and citizens easily five times the size of a Troll. That worked in their favor. No disguises were needed; no one noticed three tiny Trolls sneaking around the underbelly of the city. Following the beat of loud music echoing through the towering buildings, the trio traced the sound to Velvet and Veneer’s latest concert. Giant posters of the duo’s perfectly symmetrical faces lined the outside of the venue. 

The crowds were distracted, so Floyd, Barb, and Hickory slipped around the side and spotted an open maintenance hatch. “We’re going through the vents?” Barb asked, raising a brow.

“You got a better idea?” Floyd replied, already climbing up.

Barb groaned. “It’s always the vents.”

Inside the narrow metal shaft, the group crawled forward. The music got louder as they neared a grate overlooking a private dressing room, lit with glowing mirrors and drenched in sparkly perfumes. Floyd peered through the grate and froze. Sitting on a glittery vanity table was a diamond-shaped perfume bottle, and inside it was a faint, flickering light. A Troll. A familiar Troll. “John Dory...” Floyd whispered, stunned.

They quietly removed the grate and dropped into the dressing room. Floyd rushed over to the bottle. “John Dory!”

Inside, John Dory stirred, looking groggy and dazed. He blinked several times, eyes adjusting to the sight of his younger brother standing before him. “F-Floyd?” he gasped. “Is that really you?”

“Yeah, it’s me! I found you!” Floyd pressed a hand against the glass.

John Dory’s face lit up with hope before twisting into panic. “You’ve got to get out of here! You don’t understand. Velvet and Veneer — they’re giant, talentless pop-succubi! They trapped me and have been stealing my essence. They’ll be back for another hit any minute!”

“We’ll get you out of here,” Floyd said.

“That’s diamond glass,” John Dory said urgently. “And there’s only one thing powerful enough to shatter diamond.”

Floyd nodded solemnly. “The Perfect Family Harmony.”

Before he could say more, John Dory squinted past Floyd, noticing the other two figures standing nearby. “Wait... Who are they?”

Barb stepped forward with a half-wave. “Hey, I’m Barb. Queen of Rock. Friend of Floyd’s.”

“And I’m Hickory. Country guy. Also, Floyd’s husband,” he added, tipping his hat.

John Dory blinked, visibly overwhelmed. “Wait, married? What did I miss?!”

“It’s a long story,” Floyd said quickly, “but first things first — we’re busting you out of this bottle and getting the band back together.”

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed from the hall outside. The trio stiffened. “They’re coming!” John Dory hissed.

Barb gritted her teeth. “We need to get out of here—now.”

Floyd gently touched the glass of the bottle. “Hang in there, John. I promise—we’re coming back. With the others. We’ll save you.”

As the door began to creak open, Barb, Hickory, and Floyd scrambled back into the air vent, vanishing just as Velvet and Veneer strutted into the dressing room. Back in Rhonda, hearts pounding, Floyd knew what had to be done. To free John Dory and stop Velvet and Veneer, they needed the one thing stronger than diamond. Floyd knew that Branch wasn’t going to be happy about this.

Chapter Text

Back at the Troll Tree, the dawn broke gently over the lush canopy, the golden light filtering through the leaves like a blessing. Branch sat quietly in the small pod that once belonged to his grandmother — a place steeped in memories. Last night’s bachelor party with his friends and Grisley had been lively and fun, but as the noise faded into the past, Branch felt the weight of something deeper pressing on his chest. He’d chosen to spend the night here, in this old pod, for old time’s sake. It was a small sanctuary, a place where echoes of laughter and brotherhood lingered like soft shadows.

By morning, Branch had changed into his wedding outfit, a scaly green coat in iridescent glitter, a silver and white vest, a glittery dark purple bow-tie, and green sparkly pants. In the quiet, Branch let his mind drift back to those precious days, back when John Dory, Spruce, Clay, Floyd, and he were inseparable, a band of brothers who faced the world together. The memories came rushing in, vivid and bittersweet. Branch wanted to hate his brothers for leaving him alone, but he was able to forgive Floyd, so he wanted to try to forgive his other brothers, too.

Branch started playing a record of the last song he and his brothers sang the night they all left. He was lost in his memories, not seeing or hearing Synth and Poppy come inside. Poppy was wearing her maid of honor dress, a sleeveless dress with vertical stripes on the torso in shades of green, pink, and purple with a pink satin low-to-high skirt, and a blue and green knitted headband with multi-colored pom-poms. Also, the top of her hair has purple, green, and pink streaks. Synth was just wearing a nice bow tie made from glowing seaweed since he didn’t want to look too fancy.

“Dupstep?” Synth asked.

Startled, he turned. The record gave a dramatic scratch as he accidentally bumped the player. Poppy tilted her head, gently concerned. “Are you all right? You’re… smiling and crying at the same time. It kinda looks like it’s hurting your face.”

Branch gave a watery laugh, wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his coat. “It does hurt my face,” he admitted. “I guess I’m just… missing my, um…” He paused, swallowing thickly, “...Grandma. I was just listening to some of her old records.”

Synth knew that Branch missed his other brothers, but he didn’t want to press the matter further. Branch put the record away, but even Poppy could tell that something was off with Branch. He played it off that he was fine. But Synth told him that he could talk to him about what he was feeling. Branch smirked and suddenly grabbed Synth’s hand, pulling him toward the door with a grin. “Oh, hey! Look at the time. We’re gonna be late to the royal wedding. Let’s go get married!”

Synth let out a sharp laugh. “Branch!”

“What?” Branch said innocently. “I mean, let’s get Bridget and Gristle married.”

“Yeah… oh,” Synth replied, playfully rolling his eyes. “‘Cause it would be weird if we got married.”

“Yeah. So weird. Duh.”

“Wow. The weirdest,” Synth continued, now in full dramatic mode. “It’s, like, weird that we’re still talking about how weird it was. It’s like, fifteen seconds later.”

“Blech.”

“Blech.”

“Duh.”

They both burst into laughter, the kind that felt like a release, like sunshine after rain. Branch gave Synth’s hand a gentle squeeze, and together they stepped out into the soft morning light. Three fuzzy, bug-like creatures buzzed just outside the pod, their wings fluttering with anticipation. Branch and Synth hopped on, then Poppy followed, and the bugs lifted into the sky, spiraling upward through the treetops. Just as they began to take off toward Bergen Town, a loud voice called from below: “You lovebirds coming or what?!” Val hovered up on her board, smirking with arms crossed and a signature raised brow.

Branch/Poppy/Snyth/Val:

Oh, yeah

Keep it comin', love

Keep it comin', love

Don't stop it, I won't stop it, no

We don't stop it, girl, don't stop

As Branch, Synth, Val, and Poppy fly through Bergen Town, Trolls and Bergens are seen decorating for the wedding.

Keep it comin', love (We are a family)

Keep it comin', love

Don't stop it, I won't stop it, no (All my brothers and my sisters with me)

We don't stop it, girl, don't stop

Branch and Synth started dancing and singing together.

Branch:

Everyone can see we're together

As we walk on by

Synth:

And we fly just like birds of a feather

I won't tell no lies

Poppy and Val joined them, and they danced and partied with the bergens and other trolls while they helped get the wedding set up.

Poppy:

And we fly just like Birds of a feather

Val:

I won’t tell no lie

Branch/Synth:

All of the people (We are family)

About it, they say

Poppy/Val/Branch/Synth:

"Can they be that close?"

Branch:

Just let me state for the record (We are family)

Poppy/Val/Branch/Synth:

We're good to love, and our family too

A large balloon of King Gristle crashes into the castle. Inside, King Gristle is seen lying down on his floor, covered in makeup and party items. Gristle was still hung over from the bachelor party. Cooper, Prince D, and King Peppy were there to help him get ready. Gristle had an empty bucket of popcorn on his head, lollipops all over him, along with drawings from markers.

Prince D:

Push it real good.

“Oh, boy. That was a crazy bachelor party.” Gristle groaned.

Cooper and Prince D helped Gristle up from bed and assisted him in getting ready. Underneath him and in a pizza box was a drunk and hungover Cloud Guy.

Prince D:

Brush it.

Cooper:

Brush it.

Prince D:

Wax it.

Cooper:

Wax it.

Prince D:

Shave it.

Cooper:

Shave it.

Prince D:

Push it real good

King Gristle looks at himself in the mirror after the Trolls cleaned and dressed him up for his wedding. “Yo, looking sick, King G!” Prince D commented.

“You could say that again.” Cloud Guy moaned, then he threw up rainbow glitter.

Meanwhile, Poppy, Holly, and Val were in Brigette’s room, helping her get ready for her big day with Satin and Chenille. Brigette got out of bed all giddy for her wedding day.

Brigette:

I do my hair toss, check my nails.

Poppy:

Baby, how you feelin’?

Bridget:

I do my hair toss, check my nails.

Poppy:

Baby, how you feelin’?

Bridget:

Feelin’ good as hell…llo!

Brigette stared at herself in the mirror.

It’s me he’s looking for!

Poppy:

Yeah, it is!

Bridget:

I can see it in his eyes!

Holly, Satin, and Chenille started to work on Bridgette’s dress. But the dress wasn’t looking right, or her hair was too big. Poppy saw someone walking by with white balloons, and then she got a new idea for the dress. Outside, Guy Diamond was getting Tiny Diamond ready as the flower boy. But Tiny Diamond got annoyed. “Come on, Daddy. I’m not a baby anymore. I’m the cutest little flower man!” he shouted, ripping his flower costume off.

“But, Tiny, you’re only a month old.” Guy Diamond pointed out.

But Tiny just ignored him.

Tiny Diamond:

Everybody treats me like I’m just a little baby.

But I’m walking and I’m talking on the daily!

I’m rolling dice, drinking coffee, gettin’ wild!

Daddy, I’m a man now, not a little child!

Poppy came out of the dressing room. “Come on, guys. It’s time!”

The whole town was dancing and getting to their seats.

Everyone:

We are family (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

I got all my sisters with me (Come on now, Come on now)

We are family (Uh, uh)

Get up, everybody, and sing (Get up, get up, get up, get up)

Everyone takes their seats in the audience to watch the wedding while King Gristle stands in front of everyone, waiting for Bridget.

Everyone:

We are family (Yeah, yeah)

I got all my sisters with me (Feelin' good as hell)

Bridget was seen flying toward Gristle wearing a white balloon dress.

Everyone:

We are family

Get up everybody, and sing

Bridgette:

Sing it to me, sing it to me, sing it to me

Bridgette landed on the carpet leading up to King Gristle. He was starstruck seeing his bride in the balloon dress. Poppy thought Bridgette looked so beautiful while Bridgette teared up as she thanked her for being her maid of honor. “Oh, of course, Bridget. I love you like a sister. Probably. I don’t have a sister, so I wouldn’t know. Which is fine. It’s something I’m coming to terms with. Slowly.” Poppy stated.

“Uh, Poppy? Can we maybe unpack the sister thing after the vows?” Bridgette asked, getting a little uncomfortable.

“Aah! Yeah. No. Of course. You go get him, girl. Before I do!” Poppy joked.

She grabbed a needle and popped Bridget’s balloon dress, which burst open and sprayed the crowd with glitter. When the glitter dies down, Bridget is seen wearing an elegant white jumpsuit underneath, along with her roller skates from her first date with King Gristle. Gristle whispered that Bridgette was like an angel sent from heaven. Bridgette rollerskating up the aisle, Poppy held Val’s hand, looking proud. Even Synth was tearing up as Branch put his head on Synth’s shoulder. Bridget then awkwardly climbs the stairs sideways so she doesn’t slip because of her skates. Once she reaches the top, King Gristle takes her by the hand and twirls her to face him.

“Hey, Bridget, you still have time to run for it.” Gristle’s Aunt Smead shouted as a joke.

Gristle laughed, sarcastically, “Very funny, Aunt Smead. I’m so glad you could make it.”

Miss Maxine started the speech; she also included a mentioning of her time abroad. But suddenly, the ground started rumbling. Everyone looked nervous, thinking that an earthquake was happening. But instead, it was Rhonda who burst out of the ground and tore a giant hole in the carpet and landed in front of Snyth, Branch, Poppy, and Val. “Ooh. That’s coming out of the deposit.” Gristle muttered.

From Rhonda’s side hatch stumbled Barb, Hickory, and Floyd, the latter looking a bit green around the gills. Floyd clutched his stomach, wobbling slightly. Branch dashed forward, eyes wide with alarm. “Floyd! Are you okay?”

Floyd waved him off, panting. “Yeah... just a little tired. Hustle dimension still makes me queasy.”

Branch narrowed his eyes. “Why are you here? And... what is that thing?” He pointed at Rhonda, who responded by licking her paw and smearing it across her shell like she was posing for a spotlight.

Barb stepped forward. “Long story short—we found John Dory.”

Everything stopped. The crowd fell silent. Branch turned white. John Dory. His big brother. The one he hadn’t dared to hope for. But Floyd stepped in, voice trembling. “He’s alive... but he’s trapped. Velvet and Veneer have him. He’s... he’s stuck in a diamond prison. And we need your help to free him.”

Branch staggered backward, nearly stumbling. His breathing grew shallow. “Oh, yeah,” he said slowly. “So we can attempt to sing something we’ve only tried once, failed so miserably at that it broke us up forever, and caused us to never speak again?”

Poppy didn’t hesitate. “We are so in.”

Branch turned to her. “What? Uh—can we get a second?”

“Uh... sure?” said King Gristle, clearly confused.

Branch dragged Poppy aside. “What are you doing?”

Poppy folded her arms. “This is your second chance, Branch. Your second chance with your brothers.”

He rubbed his face, voice tight. “It’s not that easy, okay? You don’t get it. You don’t have siblings.”

Poppy’s voice softened. “That’s my point. Branch... you’re lucky to have a brother to fight for. If I had a sister...”

She paused, eyes wistful. “She’d be my best friend. We’d teach each other things. We’d never fight. Everyone would think we’re twins, and we’d be like, ‘Well, not technically.’ And if she was ever in trouble... I’d be there. No matter what.”

Branch looked down, his walls beginning to crumble. “If there was a brother I might do this for,” he said quietly, “and I’m not saying there is... it’d be Floyd.”

Poppy grinned. “I’m not hearing a no.”

Synth stepped forward. “Then I’m coming too.”

Branch blinked. “What about Techno Lagoon?”

“Lagoona’s got it covered,” Synth replied. “Plus, I finally get to meet your other older brothers—as your boyfriend.”

Val slung an arm around Poppy. “Count me in. I’m not letting Popsqueak go on an adventure without me.”

Hickory clapped his hands. “Saddle up, y’all.”

Poppy beamed. “BroZone 2.0. BroZone reunion. BroZone, here we bro again. BroZone, where’d they bro?”

“I don’t know,” Barb deadpanned. “But I’m driving Rhonda.”

“Oh no you’re not!” Hickory snapped. “You almost made Floyd barf!”

Rhonda nosed up to Branch and Poppy, licking their faces affectionately. “She’s... really something,” Branch muttered, wiping glittery saliva off his cheek.

“I think she likes me?” Poppy said uncertainly.

Floyd shrugged. “Or she’s marking you as prey. It could go either way. John didn’t leave instructions.”

King Gristle cleared his throat. “Uh, guys? If you don’t mind, I really cannot wait another minute to marry this gorgeous specimen.”

He turned to Bridget, kissing her hand with exaggerated reverence. Miss Maxine, recovered from the chaos, cleared her throat. “I now pronounce you husband and wife!”

Cheers erupted from the guests. Bridget rolled into Gristle’s arms with a delighted squeal, tackling him in a fit of joy as the crowd erupted in confetti and applause. Val, Branch, Poppy, and Synth joined Barb, Hickory, and Floyd inside Rhonda and took off to find Spruce and Clay.

Chapter Text

Back at Mount Rageons, John Dory was barely holding on. Velvet and Venner released their hit single “Watch Me Work,” which was a song about working hard to make it big. A bunch of hypocrites they were. But that song made them overnight sensations. They got on a talk show after being stars for over two months and were getting a Lifer Award at the Rage Dome on the weekend. During the interview, Velvet lied about their “little secret” being natural talent and lots of hard work. But that was nothing but a big lie. After the interview was over, Velvet and Venner went back to their recording room to practise for the Rage Dome.

But once they opened their mouths to sing, they sounded terrible. They couldn’t sing a note, sounding like screeching cats. “If we’re gonna make it through the Rage Dome show, we’re gonna need more troll,” Velvet complained.

Velvet stormed out of the recording booth, and then she set her eyes on their assistant, Crimp. Crimp was an orange paper hairball-like creature with purple arms, who was three times the size of the Trolls. She has the top part of her hair tied in a bun with a purple hair scrunchie, green eyes, white framed cat-eye sunglasses with green lenses, buckteeth, and wears pink lipstick. She also has a white and orange pen in her bun. John Dory was also in the recording room on the sound system, trapped in a diamond perfume bottle. Velvet yelled at Crimp for hovering around her and Venner. 

Crimp stuttered that she was just standing; she was more scared of them. They treated Crimp more like a servant than an assistant. Veneer made her stand in a corner. Velvet then set her eyes on John Dory. “Well, time for a spritz.”

“No, please! I barely have any talent left to give. I mean, maybe like a desperate Christmas album or a one-off national anthem performance, but that is it!” John Dory protested.

But Velvet didn’t care; she then grabbed the bottle and started spraying herself with John Dory’s talent. John Dory felt his talent being drained from his body. Then Velvet let out a beautiful angelic note after the spray. She was filled with greed, saying that they were so close to having everything they ever wanted. Just then, she saw Venner’s expression, looking at John Dory. “Veneer, what’s with your vibe and your face? Why do you have resting moody vibe face?” Velvet asked.

“No, I know we’ve deserved to be famous just ’cause we want to. But honestly, that dude looks rough.” Veneer commented.

“He’s fine,” Velvet stated.

“And he’s getting pale. And not in like a stunning, Victorian way.” Veneer said, looking at John Dory.

John Dory saw his feet turning see-through; he knew what was going on, he was dying. But Velvet and Veneer only cared about needing more troll to make it through the Rage Dome. Velvet bragged about her plan to bring the rest of Brozone here; she forged the letter that Floyd got to come save John Dory. “No! You leave my brothers alone.” 

“Ugh. I’m exhausted by this drama.” Velvet groaned, “Hey, do you wanna go buy a yacht?”

“Oh, good idea. Let’s buy matching yachts.” Venner stated.

John Dory sat slumped against the inside of the diamond perfume bottle, his body weak and fading, his feet already turning to crystal. Each breath rattled, shallow and broken. Velvet and Veneer’s laughter still echoed faintly from the hallway, but it was distant now, muffled behind the pounding of his own heart. He reached into the pocket of his tattered vest and pulled out a small, worn photograph. The edges were creased, the colors faded, but the image was clear enough—five brothers, standing shoulder to shoulder, all smiles and shining eyes. Back when everything was simple. Back when BroZone still believed in forever.

His throat tightened as memories began to blur together. Spruce, always cooking too much food for everyone, insists they eat until their bellies hurt. Clay, sitting cross-legged with a book in his lap, was reading aloud with such passion that even bedtime stories felt like epic adventures. Floyd, small and soft-hearted, was clinging to him whenever nightmares came, finding comfort in his big brother’s arms. And little Branch… the baby he once cradled carefully, humming lullabies and promising silently to always be there. Promises he hadn’t kept. John Dory shut his eyes, and in the silence of the bottle, words rose unbidden in his mind, aching and heavy.

John Dory:

First things first

We start the scene in reverse

All of the lines rehearsed

Disappeared from my mind

He saw it—the night it all fell apart. The shouting, the pride, his refusal to listen. One by one, they’d walked away, and he’d let them. Too proud to turn back. Too stubborn to say he was wrong.

John Dory:

When things got loud

One of us running out

I should've turned around

But I had too much pride

His hand trembled as he touched the photo, tracing each brother’s face. No goodbyes. No apologies. Just silence that stretched across the years.

John Dory:

No time for goodbyes

Didn't get to apologize

Pieces of a clock that lies broken

If I could take us back, if I could just do that

And write in every empty space the words "I love you" in replace

Then maybe time would not erase me

If you could only know I'd never let you go

And the words I most regret are the ones I never meant to leave

Unsaid Emily

The photo blurred as his tears fell faster. He pressed it to his chest, wishing his brothers could hear him—wishing the harmony they’d once shared could heal more than just a broken bottle. “Floyd. Spruce. Clay. Branch…” His voice faltered. “I’m so sorry.”

And in the quiet, the last notes of his heart carried the song of his regret, words he should have spoken years ago—words now trapped in crystal, left unsaid.