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“Let’s face it, Trickee got us lost.” A yellow glitter trolling with rainbow colored hair named Boom said while glaring at an orange trolling. “Look I know where I am going…. its just everything looks the same.” The orange trolling with purple and white hair named Trickee said while leading his friends deeper into the forest. “Trickee, we have past this tree before look there is where Hype tripped over the root.” A purple trolling with red hair named Ablaze said while pointing to a bit of teal glitter on the root of a tree. A teal trolling with blue hair named Hype was looking around trying to figure out where they were at. Unknowingly to the four trollings a spider was down a tree and towards them. Boom turned away from Trickee to see the spider coming towards them. “Guys….” He started as the others turned around spotting the spider. “Run.” Ablaze yelled as the four took off running and the spider chasing after them. After a bit of running and tripping the four made it into a clearing but could not go no farther as the only exit the spider was coming through. They were trapped between a rock and the spider as the four trollings closed their eyes waiting for the spider to eat them. However, that never happened as they suddenly heard growling above them on the rock. Opening their eyes, they saw a grey trolling younger than them jump off the rock and onto the spider and began using its claws to claw to spider’s back to get it away from them. The spider manages to get the trolling off its back and took off running back the way it came. The grey trolling let out a few growls before turning and facing the four upon seeing them the trolling took off running into the tree line but not before Ablaze recognized him. “Branch?”

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6 years ago
Ablaze was sitting in his pod with his mom when he heard yelling from the pod next door. After a few minutes there was a knock on their pod. His mom had gone to see who it was as he watched from the kitchen only to see his mom be handed the youngest of their neighbor’s grandsons. “I’m going to try and talk some since into my grandsons can you please watch him until I get back?” Rosiepuff asks before leaving. His mom sighed before bringing the little blue trolling into the kitchen. “Ablaze, Branch is going to stay here for a few hours until his grandma gets back.” His mom said as she sat the Branch down in the floor. ‘Hi, I’m Ablaze we hear all the yelling next door what was that about?” Ablaze asks without really thinking about it. “My name is Branch and I think my brothers are mad at me, they all left but Floyd promised to come back.” Branch said as he held on to the vest tighter. “Well until they come back, I’ll be your brother.” Ablaze said.
4 years ago
All the trolls were running through the escape tunnel away from the troll tree. Ablaze was holding on to his mom’s hand as a little grey trolling was poking out of his mom’s red hair. “We are nearly away from the troll tree Branch.” He told the grey trolling as they could hear other trolls yelling about the tunnel collapsing in places. They were almost to the end of the tunnels when his mom tripped and the little grey trolling fell out of her hair. However, in all the chaos and all the trolls running for the end of the tunnel they could not get to him to pick him up. They just hoped another troll would grab him.
Present
Ablaze after finally coming out of his shock of seeing the troll he considered a little brother alive ran to follow his but realized Branch was long gone by now. “Ablaze did you know that trolling?” Hype asked as he came to stand beside his friend. “Yeah… I will explain on the way back the village, the sun is going to be setting soon and we need to get back before sundown.” Ablaze said as he started to walk towards the exit of the clearing. “The trolling is named Branch he lived with his grandma and was my neighbor. His grandma got eaten two weeks before Trollstice my mom took him in right after that.” Ablaze explained. “But I thought it was a rule that the Bergen’s couldn’t eat or hunt a troll a month before Trollstice, or at least that is what my dad told us.” Boom said as they passed the tree the spider was in earlier. “It is that was why the tunnels were rushed to be finished before that Trollstice.” Trickee said remembering his dad had worked on finishing the tunnels to make the escape happen sooner. “When we were escaping through the tunnel near the exit my mom tripped and Branch went flying out of hair. We tried to go back to grab him but with everyone rushing out of the tunnel we got pushed out of the tunnel and lost sight of him. We looked once everyone was out of the tunnel but no one had him and the tunnel had collapsed so we did not think he made it.” Ablaze said looking down. Four years he had felt guilt that Branch did not make it through the tunnel. Now not only does he know Branch is alive but that he must have been alone for four years, that made the guilt even worse. “He made it out of the tunnel has been alive all this time… Oh hair he was four, and was alone out he…” Ablaze was cut off by Hype. ‘Hey don’t blame yourself you were only seven how could you have known.” He said placing a paw on Ablaze’s shoulder. “Hype is right, you were only a trolling…hair we are still trollings now.” Boom said as in the distance they could hear voices calling out for them. “Listen, we can’t tell the adults about Branch yet.” Ablaze says looking at his friends. “Why not wouldn’t they help him?” Boom asks. “Boom, Branch freaked out seeing us how you think he would we act to seeing other trolls.” Trickee pointed out. “Good point.” Boom said. “Look we can go back and look for him tomorrow, but we can’t tell anyone until he gets use to more trolls.” Ablaze said as the others nod in agreement. They were going to help Branch one way or another.

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“Don’t worry I’ll be your brother now.”
“It's ok Branch, you get to live with me and mom now.”
“I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Branch gasped and jumped up looking around his hollowed-out tree root. It was just a dream, but it was more than that. That purple troll with red hair he had seen him before, but he cannot remember where. For some reason he got a sense of safety off him, but he is not sure why. He didn’t even know those for trolls, and they are all he can think about, yes, they are the first trolls he has seen in years, and they look so different than him. Thay are colorful and don’t seem to have sharp claws like him. He needed to stop thinking about them, he had stuff he needed to do like finish digging out his bunker.
Back at the village the four trolls in question were getting ready to head back to the clearing in hopes of seeing Branch again. “Are you sure he will be there maybe it was a one-time thing?” Hype asks as they start to head back to the woods. After they arrived back in the village their parents had been worried but after they had explained that they were exploring and lost track of time their parents seemed to relax. “Yes, I think he may live around that area or at least close to the clearing.” Ablaze said or at least he was hoping that he lived in the area. Maybe with time he could get him to come back to the village with him. “Look, I’m not saying he doesn’t or does live there but would he even come back around if he saw us, I mean he ran as soon as he saw us yesterday.” Boom said as they started on the path to the clearing. “Boom has a point.” Trickee said. “Well, we won’t know till we see.” Ablaze said as they could see the clearing up ahead. Once there the four of them began looking for any signs of Branch living in the area. They had been looking for a while when Trickee found a large dug out hole behind the rock in the area as they were looking at the hole, they heard a growl coming from the hole before a grey head poked out of the hole and growled at them again. “Hey, sorry we didn’t mean to scare you. We just wanted to see if you were ok after fighting that spider yesterday?” Ablaze said as he watches Branch tilt his head in confusion before he lets out a whine. Ablaze pulls a fruit out of the bag he had brought with him and laid it a distance away from them so Branch could have it without feeling scared of them. They moved back to the other side of the rock and sat down to give Branch space, after a few minutes they watch as Branch got out of the hole and walked over on all fours before sniffing the fruit and then tearing into it with his teeth. Once he had finished eating the fruit, he started to walk around the four sniffing them and letting out different sounds that a troll should not be able to make. After a while he finally laid down near them, it was not much but it was a start.

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It had been storming the last couple days which meant that the four trollings could not go see Branch as their parents didn’t want them out in that weather. They just hoped Branch was ok out there by himself. The first sunny day in four days the four found themselves heading back towards the clearing. “Do you think Branch was ok in those storms, they got pretty bad?” Boom asked. “Well, he was alone before us and we had some bad storms before these, so I’m sure he would be ok.” Trickee pointed out.

However, as they got to the clearing, they realized how bad the storm was there. Trees were fallen over and pulled up by the roots. Branches and tree limbs were scattered everywhere, the clearing had flooded from the nearby river. “Guys, I don’t think Branch would be able to stay here.” Hype said what they were all thinking that Branch probably had to find somewhere else to go meaning they probably will not see him again. “Let’s look around best we can for any sign of him or at least a sign of where he went.” Ablaze said as they got to work looking for any sign of Branch. While looking in one of the least flooded areas of the cleaning Hype found some grey fur, it was not a lot, but it was still a concerning amount. “Branch, buddy where are you?” Hype called out while looking more around the area. “Guys, I found him!” Trickee yelled from his area around one of the fallen trees. The others ran over to Trickee to spot Branch hiding within the branches of the fallen tree. Branch was curled up and looked to be sleeping but upon looking closer they realized he wasn’t and was biting at the fur he could reach on his leg and pulling it out. “I..is he pulling his fur out?” Boom asks watching as tufts of fur was going everywhere. “Yeah, he is but why? Hey Branch, can you come out to us we brought you some more fruit.” Ablaze called out to him as Branch let out a growl towards them. Setting the fruit down again they move over to sit in front of the tree so they could watch him.

It took a long time but finally Branch came out and that is when the others realized something was wrong. Branch was moving too slow, and his leg was bent at an odd angle and wasn’t being used at all. The others shared a look as they realized that Branch’s leg is probably broke or at least sprained. “What are we going to do, he can’t stay here with his leg like that?” Boom asks. “I don’t think he would go with us willingly to the village and if we bring an adult here Branch might run.” Hype pointed out. “Guess that was why he was pulling his fur out because he doesn’t understand that he is injured and it’s causing him stress.” Trickee added in. “Hey Branch, can we look at your leg, we just want to fix it.” Ablaze said as Branch let out a warning growl but did not move to run. Ablaze taking it as a sign moved closer looking at his leg. Yeah, it needed to be wrapped up, but would they be able to do it without Branch attacking or running. “Hype, your aunt is a healer, right? Do you think you can run back to the village and get some supplies so we can wrap his leg up?” Ablaze asks as Hype nods and takes off back to the village. As they were waiting Branch had finished off the fruit and was about to move back to his hiding spot when Hype returned with a bag. “Ok first we need two tree limbs to use to hold his leg in place.” Hype explained as he sat the bag down as Trickee broke off two tree limbs and handed them over. “Ok we got to keep him still while I set his leg.” Hype said as Ablaze moved over to Branch slowly. “Branch we are going to fix your leg, but I need to keep you still.” Ablaze explained as he held Branch so he could not move. Hype worked quickly at fixing up his leg so he would not cause any more stress to Branch. Once finished they let Branch go who was struggling to walk but at least his leg didn’t hurt no more. Maybe these four trolls were not so bad.

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Here are some hcs about this AU from my tumblr.

Branch got separated from the other trolls after they got out of the tunnels.

Because he has only been around of creatures he imitate their sounds instead of talking.

He was around 8 when he met Ablaze, Trickee, Hype, and Boom.

Branch knew Ablaze when he was 4 but can’t remember him.

Once Branch starts to get close to them he starts to bring them things he has hunted to show them.

He also brings a bunch of little creatures he has hunted to them that are still alive.

They have to beg him to release the creatures he has hunted.

He has become a guard dog to them without them realizing it. He keeps close to them until they have to go home.

Ablaze has tried to get him to follow them to the village but Branch will only follow half way before running back towards his bunker. (Yes he still made it)

The guys have learned to speak Branch’s growls and animal sounds.

You know the signs pet owners put on their pet to shame them? Kismet has one for Branch that says “number of days I hadn’t growl threateningly at my friends.” It never gets above 5 days.

Branch has no idea on how to use his hair for stuff or how to take care of it. Boom has to help with that.

Ablaze is his favorite, followed by Boom, then Hype, and finally Trickee.

That’s all I have for HC wise for this AU for now. Hopefully I can have the next few chapters up by the end of the week.

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Chapter 5: Hunting

            It had been a few weeks since Branch had hurt his leg and today was the day that he could finally get the wrap taken off. In those weeks the others had come and visited everyday bring food with them for him to eat. It was in those weeks that Branch realized these four were terrible hunters. They only brought him fruits and veggies, no meat whatsoever, so that could only mean one thing to Branch, they did not know how to properly hunt but that is ok once the wrap was off, he would teach them.

            Hype had unwrapped his leg and looked it over. “Well, it looks like it is healed, and your fur is starting to grow back, so that is also good.” He spoke as Branch took off running into the forest confusing the others before coming back with a bird in his mouth. The four trolls looked at each other before looking at Branch. “Ummm Branch, what you got there?” Boom asks as Branch lays the bird down waiting on them to catch it. The bird jumped up before they could react and flew off causing Branch to growl before huffing.

            So, a live bird was too hard for them to catch so Branch needed to try something different, maybe he should do them one at a time. Next day while they were resting around the rock near Branch’s bunker, Branch brought a baby mellow mouse and dropped in Ablaze’s lap causing the older troll to scream and use his hair to put himself in the nearest tree. “Branch, what was that for?” Ablaze yelled from the tree limb he was on causing Branch to whine. So, a mellow mouse was still a bit much for them maybe he should try a fish next.

            A few days later they were sitting by the river while Branch swam around in the water. Before the four knew it a fish was thrown at them causing them to fall in the river. “Branch.” They groaned. That was a failure too, guess he will just have to go with something dangerous to trigger their hunting instincts.

            The next day the four of them were heading for the clearing while talking about what was going on with Branch. “I don’t understand, did we make him mad when we wrapped up his leg because ever since he has been acting weird with us.” Hype said. “Maybe he is wanting us to leave him alone?” Boom suggested. “No, it can’t be that because he gets happy to see us.” Ablaze said. “Well, he is wanting us to do something with the way he keeps throwing different creatures at us.” Hype said. “Wait that’s it what if he is trying to get us to catch them.” Trickee said. “Wait, so he is trying to teach us how to hunt?” Boom asks. “It makes sense, Branch had to live off of something all this time and I don’t think he has much access to food like we do.” Trickee said. They arrived at the clearing to be met with a sight that had all four of them up in the nearest tree looking down at Branch in concern.

            In Branch’s mouth was a slither snake. “Branch, drop the snake.” Hype begged as they watch the snake hiss and move around in Branch’s mouth. This was not good slither snakes were very poisonous to trolls and Branch had a live one in his mouth. Branch let out a growl refusing to drop the snake. “BRANCH, DROP IT!” Boom yelled causing Branch to growl again. “BRANCH!” Trickee yelled at him. “Branch, drop the snake, it can kill us, and you don’t want that do you.” Ablaze tried to reason as Branch let out another growl before dropping the snake as the snake slithered off into the forest causing the four to sigh with relief. When they look back, they saw Branch running and hiding in the hole he had for his bunker. Once the four thought it was safe the four of them got out of the tree and head for the hole. “Branch can you come out to talk to us?” Boom asks. They heard a whine from Branch. “You’re trying to teach us how to hunt right?” Trickee asked. There was a small growl. “Branch, trolls like us don’t eat meat, we live off of mostly fruit and veggies.” Hype explained. Another growl. “Yeah, we know, we are terrible hunters can you forgive us now.” Ablaze asks as Branch came out of the hole and bumped against them. “Yes, we forgive you too.” They said laughing, unknowing that four sets of parents were starting to worry about what was going on with their sons.

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Boom was heading to the clearing alone today. It had become clear to the others that their parents were starting to realize something was up. So, the four of them decided to throw their parents off by only one of them going to see Branch at a time. Ablaze had went yesterday so today was Boom’s turn. Boom had realized that Branch really did not use his hair to climb or to fight, that is when he realized that Branch had been alone on the age they learn how to care and use their hair. Meaning Branch never learned any of that.

            Boom arrived at the clearing looking around for Branch. “Branch, where you at?” He called before seeing a bush shake and Branch come out carrying a bird. “I’m not hunting with you so drop it.” Boom said not wanting a repeat of a few days ago. Branch growled but dropped the bird. “Thank you, hey Branch do you want to learn a different way to climb for when your hands are full or if you are injured?” Boom asked as Branch tilted his head curiously. Boom showed him by stretching his hair and grabbing on to the nearest tree limb and pulling himself up. “We will try something simple at first.” Boom said.

            It was a complete disaster; every time they would try to stretch Branch’s hair out it would only go a few inches before going back. Once they finally got it where it would stretch out far enough when they would try to get it to grab on to a stick it would cause the hair to break. “I guess we will have to figure out something different Branch, sorry.” Boom said as he scratched behind Branch’s ear.

            Back in the village a group of parents were meeting at a pod to talk about their sons. “So, Flare what did you want to talk about?” A gold female glitter troll with blue hair named Gem asks. “Well, have you noticed how different our sons have been for the last couple of weeks.” Flare a female purple troll with red hair said. “You, know my sister mention that Hype came into the medic pod a few weeks ago and took some medical supplies claiming he found a hurt animal in the forest with a broken leg.” A male blue glitter troll named River said as a green female glitter troll beside him nodded. “River is right, and Hype has been looking over a few of the books we have about feral trolls.” Emerald added. “You know our daughter Ivy said Trickee came home soaking wet the other day, and when asked he told her he had a fish thrown at him.” A yellow female troll with white hair named Luna said.

            Flare sighed as she began pacing around the pod. “Ablaze started asking me some questions that had come out of nowhere. He has been asking me about Branch.” Flare said getting a gasp out of all the trolls. Branch was a hard subject for all of them but especially Flare. They all tried to get back to the tunnel and grabbed the grey trolling, but they could not, and the tunnel collapsed they just knew he did not survive. “Branch?” Aspen an orange troll with purple hair asked while holding his wife. “Why would he be asking about Branch?” A sky-blue troll with rainbow colored hair name Prism asked. “It’s what he is asking that is concerning, he keeps asking me if Branch is alive would I allow him to come back to live with us.” Flare said. “You don’t think they have found Branch, do you?” Luna asks looking down. “No, Branch was only four he couldn’t have survived out there along for four years.” River said there was no way Branch could have survived. “Even if he did survive, he would have to be feral and feral trolls are not allowed in the village.” Aspen said remembering the law about feral trolls. “Look we don’t know what is going and we won’t unless we follow them, so the next time the four of them go into the woods we will follow them and see where they go.” Prism said as the others nodded in agreement.

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The parents did not think they would be going to the woods as soon as they did when two days after their agreement to follow the kids they got the chance. Aspen had collected all of them and explained that he had seen the boys head into the woods again. After that the parents wasted no time getting ready and meeting in the woods. They knew the boys had a head start but luckily Aspen was a tracker and was able to figure out which way they had gone. “This is so far out in the woods how did the boys even get this far out?” Emerald said as they walked deeper into the woods. “Boom, had mentioned that night when we were calling for them that Trickee had got them lost and a spider had chased after them.” Gem mentioned as Aspen motioned for them to stop. They all stopped as they listened, they could hear the boys talking from the nearby river before hearing a growl. The parents started running towards the river thinking the boys were in danger only to freeze at the sight they saw. Boom was in the water washing a grey trolling as Trickee, Hype, and Ablaze were sitting on the riverbank watching the scene. The grey trolling let out another growl. “Look, Branch you can threaten me all you want but you are covered in I don’t even know what that is and you are going to be clean.” Boom said as Branch tried to get up and let out an even more angry and low growl. Trickee fell over laughing at the growl. “I’m pretty sure Branch just called you a bad word.” He said as Boom glared at him. “You three could be helping me instead of laughing.” Boom said as Branch tried to jump out of the water. “Sorry but I’m still tired from helping him dig out more of his bunker the other day.” Ablaze said. “I just take care of his injuries.” Hype added. “I hunted with him yesterday.” Trickee said as he got a look from the other. “It was safer this time.” Trickee added.

As the four boys argued Branch began sniffing the air. He could smell a few different trolls hiding and it made him scared for his friends, he needed to protect them. Without warning he jumped out of the water causing Boom to fall into the water face first. “Hey Branch, what’s wrong?” Ablaze asks getting up and following Branch where he was on all fours growling at some trees. Ablaze looked at the trees to see their parents. “Oh, I see what the problem is, might as well come out Branch told us you all were here.” He said pulling Branch back towards the others as the parents got out and followed him. Branch was still growling at them as Hype came over. “It’s ok Branch, these are our parents they’re not going to hurt you.” He said trying to calm Branch down. “Maybe we should head to the clearing as that is where Branch feels safer.” Trickee suggested as they nod and start walking the parents following behind them. Branch walked between them making sure they were safe.

            Once they reached the clearing the four boys sat down on the ground. “Sit down, we are sure you have questions, and we will try to answer them the best we can.” Boom said gesturing for them to sit down on the ground. Once they were all sitting Flare asked the first question. “Branch is that really you?” She asks looking at the little boy she thought she had lost. “He doesn’t really remember us, Mom.” Ablaze said letting his mom know that Branch probably does not remember her. “How long have you four knowns about Branch?” River asks as Branch began to move closer to the parents. “About a month now, he saved us, and we help him out when he was hurt.” Boom explained. “That is why you went to your aunt needing medical supplies claiming you found a hurt animal. Is that what is wrong with his leg?” Emerald asks turning to her son as she could see the missing fur Branch’s leg. “Yeah, when we had that bad storm a couple weeks ago. It knocked over a bunch of trees and Branch injured his leg; he could not walk on it and when we found him, he was hiding in the branches of that fallen tree pulling out his fur from the stress and fear.” Hype said while pointing at the fallen tree. “How did he even survive out here?” Aspen asked looking around he did not see no shelter and it would be hard to find fruit out here. “Well, he sleeps in that hollowed out tree and he is di….” Trickee started but stopped as Branch sent him a warning growl. “Sorry, Branch doesn’t want me to tell you.” Trickee finished. “You all can understand him.” Luna says as Branch laid down beside Flare resting his head on her lap as Flare started to run her fingers through his knotted hair. “Yeah, once you realize most of his growls are not threats it's easy to pick up on what he is trying to say.” Ablaze said. “Oh, his hair its…” Flare started. “Bad, we know he has no idea on how to properly take care of his maturing troll hair or even how to use it.” Boom said as the parents realized just how much this little has suffered. “Boys, why didn’t you tell us about Branch?” Prism asked what they had all wanted to know since they first saw Branch. “We wanted to really we did but Branch only trusts us.” Hype started. “I’ve tried to get Branch to follow me into the village but as soon as he sees it, he gets scared and runs back here.” Ablaze said with a nod. “Plus, we know about how Princess Poppy got attack by a feral troll a year ago and King Peppy made the law about no feral trolls in the village.” Trickee said. “We couldn’t let anything happen to Branch, so we are trying to help him so he can be welcomed back in the village,” Boom finishes. The parents nodded they understood, their kids had been helping the one trolling they failed to help four years ago but no more they were not going to fail Branch again and it would start with a talk to King Peppy about his law about ferals.

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Branch did not understand his friends had been acting weird the past few days and each one of them had a different scent of unknown trolls on them. Ok so the other scent on Hype was like Trickee’s but it was not his. Also, some of his friends would be late coming to see him and the others would joke about why they were so late. Branch needed to figure this out, what if something was wrong with his friends.

            Branch got to see what was going a day later when he went to collect water for his bunker and saw Hype talking to a light orange female troll with purple and white hair. The female troll laugh as Hype was turning a darker teal color. The female troll hugged Hype before walking off as Hype sat down. Branch once he was sure it was safe came out and let out a growl at Hype. “Oh, hi Branch.” Hype said as he looked over at the trolling. Branch let out another growl looking where the female troll had gone and back at Hype. “Oh, that was Ivy, she is Trickee’s sister. She is nice and cool and loves to draw...” Hype started before stopping and blushing again. Branch bumped him and gestured to his darkening color was this female troll making Hype grey, he could not allow that. “Oh no Branch, she isn’t making me sad this is called blushing, its happens when you’re embarrassed or when you like someone.” Hype tried to explain. Branch still did not really understand but it was clear that Hype liked that female troll and she was kin to Trickee so he needed to protect her too.

            The parents were standing in front of King Peppy and the council for the village. It was the monthly meeting and the parents decided they were going to bring up the rule about ferals and talk to Peppy about how unfair it was. “So, you all wanted to talk about the change of a law?” Peppy asks. “Yes, you see King Peppy it has come to our attention that there is a young trolling living in the forest who is feral. He is just a child; he should not be alone in the woods because he is feal.” Flare said noticing how sad Peppy looked hearing the news about the trolling living out in the woods. “You do not expect us to change the law about ferals for a child?” Willa said looking at the parents. “It's not fair, he is just a child. King Peppy we are sorry that Poppy got attacked by a feral but not all ferals are bad.” Prism said. “King Peppy, if you let one feral in you have to allow all of them back in the village.” Willa said.

            Peppy sighed as he listened, he wanted to help this trolling truly he did, but Willa made a good point, and he could not guarantee that this young feral troll would not attack the other trollings. “As much as I would love to help this trolling, I have to put the village safety first and if I allow this feral trolling in, I have to let other feral trolls in and I cannot allow that for the safety of the village.” Peppy said. “WHAT YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS HE IS A CHILD!!” Aspen yelled outraged at the news. Willa smiled as she leaned back in her chair. “Bye now, tell that little grey troll sorry but rules are rules.” She spoke. River quickly pulled the other parents out of the pod. “Why did you do that River?” Aspen asked. “Because getting angry isn’t going to help get Branch in the village.” Emerald said knowing why her husband did that. “Wait, Willa said tell the grey trolling sorry, none of us told that Branch was grey.” Luna said frowning as Flare glared back at the pod. “Willa, knew Branch was out there this whole time and did nothing.” Flare realized.

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It was common knowledge around pop troll village that Princess Poppy had been attacked by a feral troll, but no troll knew the real story. It was a year ago.

One year ago

Branch was hunting for some sticks so he could mark where he wanted to set up the bunker. While he was gathering up the sticks he heard crying, worried a troll was hurt he took off on all fours towards the crying. When he got closer, he could see a little pink trolling a few years younger than him crying while looking around the woods. Didn’t the trolling know they were being too loud, and an animal could find them or worse a Bergen might hear them. He ran to the pink trolling and let out a bark at them to stop the crying. The trolling stopped crying and stared at the grey trolling in front of her.

“Hi, are you lost too, I’m Poppy.” The pink trolling said as Branch tilted his head before sniffing the air. He could smell the village close by and he could lead Poppy back home. He barked again and pulled on her dress to encourage her to follow him. Poppy started to follow him as she started to sing. Branch chose to ignore her singing as he led her closer to the village. Once they got near the outskirts of the village a blue female troll ran up and started hitting Branch with a tree limb. “GET AWAY FROM THE PRINCESS YOU MONSTER, BEFORE YOU MAKE HER GREY!” The troll’s name Willa yelled as she pulled Poppy away from Branch and started hitting him with rocks she was throwing at him. Willa hated grey trolls they were cursed and would curse all the other trolls. Branch started to run away as King Peppy arrived.

“Willa, what is going on trolls heard you yelling.” King Peppy exclaimed as he took Poppy from his friend. “Yes, thank hair you are here a feral troll was attacking Poppy, so I scared the feral troll off.” Willa explained. “FROM THIS DAY ON NO FERAL TROLLS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE VILLAGE! Peppy exclaimed to his people. He needed to do this to protect his daughter to protect his people.  

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Today was a special yet sad day for a group of trolls. One today was the anniversary of the escape from the troll tree and the day they had lost Branch. It was also Branch’s birthday before the parents would hold a little memorial for Branch. However now they know Branch is alive and they wanted to do something special for him. They did not know if Branch even knew his birthday, but they had got him a few things they hoped he would like.

            The parents and the boys arrived at the clearing to see if Branch was there only to see he was not. “Oh, don’t worry, Branch is probably hunting or fixing his home.” Boom explained to the parents. “You know you boys have never told us where Branch lives exactly.” River said as he laid out the picnic blanket. “That’s because Branch doesn’t want us to tell Dad.” Hype said as he laid out the few gifts they had got for Branch. A few minutes later Branch came through the tree line with two fishes in his mouth. Once Branch saw everyone in the clearing, he started to turn and run but Ablaze stopped him. “Wait Branch, we wanted to talk to you.” He said as he carefully led Branch over to the others. “Branch do you know what today is?” Flare asks as Branch tilts his head confused. “It’s the day we escaped the troll tree and it's your birthday.” Flare explained with a small smile. Branch still looked confused. “Branch today is a day to celebrate you, we thought we had lost you.” Luna explained. Branch looked at everyone and took off running behind the rock. “Just wait he is going into his home.” Trickee told the parents who were about to run after him. 

            Branch came back out a few minutes later without the fish in his mouth. He ran around his friends getting a laugh out of them. Everyone moved to sit on the picnic blanket where different fruits and treats had been sat out. The boys had informed their parents that Branch’s diet mostly consisted of meat, so they were not sure if a cake was a good idea, so they did not have one. As they all ate it was fun every now and then Branch would let out a growl much to the confusion of the parents one of the boys would answer the growl as if Branch had spoken English to them. “You boys sure do know what he wants.” Prism said. “Yeah, it’s easy once you learn the different tones of his growls and his body language.” Boom said as he scratched behind Branch’s ear again. “Ok now it's time for gifts.” Gem said with a smile.

            There were only a few gifts as they did not want Branch to lose his gifts. They all had gone in together and got Branch a blanket, some shorts, a bag to carry supplies in, a lantern, and the boys had gone and got Branch a stuff turtle. “Happy Birthday Branch.”

Chapter Text

Branch wasn’t a stupid little trolling anymore he was nine now but he was starting to realize how different he was from his friends. One they were all bright and colorful while he was grey. Two, their hair could do things his couldn’t and would probably never be able to do. Three, he had claws long, sharp and dangerous and his fur was long and thick compared to theirs. But the difference he noticed is that they could talk and understand each other. They could barely understand him and he wanted to change that but he wanted to surprise them.

He couldn’t ask them for help or it would ruin the surprise. He couldn’t ask the parents for help because they would tell their sons. He only had one option and he hoped she would agree and wouldn’t be afraid of him. Branch walked to the river, where Ivy always sat drawing.

Ivy as Branch had learned was Trickee’s younger sister by like a year and was apparently Hype’s crush. Those two things alone made her part of Branch’s pack and the reason he was trusting her with this.

Ivy was sitting by a tree overlooking the river when she heard rustling from the bushes and saw a grey trolling coming out of them on all fours. She quickly put two and two together and realized this had to be the troll that her brother and parents were talking about. “You’re Branch right?” She asks as Branch tilted his head before letting out a bark. “I’ll take that as a yes. Is there something you need?” She asks, wondering why he would seek her out. He went up to her and touched his lips before touching hers. “You want a kiss? Sorry I’m not your type.” She guessed if that was what he was asking for. He let out a growl and then touched his throat and his lips before doing the same to her. “You want to learn how to speak?” She guessed again, this time receiving a bark as a response. “Ok, let’s get started then.” She says as she rips out a page in her sketchbook and begins writing. 

The guys were starting to get worried, it had been almost a week since they had seen Branch. When they would go to see him he would either avoid them or wouldn’t be in his usual spots. They were starting to think they had messed up somehow and made Branch mad at them. “He’s been avoiding us since his birthday party, maybe we overwhelmed him?” Boom suggested as they sat around in Ablaze’s pod figuring out what had caused Branch to ignore them all of the sudden. “No, he seemed so happy at the party.” Hype said looking down. “Maybe some trolls are messing with him?” Trickee suggested. “No, I think we are the only ones who know about him.” Ablaze said, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe he is sick? The books my parents have on feral trolls say they can get very sick as the seasons change.” Hype said it seemed unlikely as Branch looked fine when they did see him. “I don’t think we are going to figure this out unless we talk to Branch ourselves.” Ablaze said, standing up and getting ready to leave the pod with the others following behind him. They were going to get to the bottom of this one way or another.

They made it to the clearing just to see Branch on top of one of the tree branches, his tail swishing angrily. “Branch, we don’t know what we did but we are sorry.” Ablaze said up to Branch watching him stop swishing his tail. “Ablaze is right, whatever we did we are sorry and if you don’t want us around anymore, we will leave you alone.” Hype called after him hoping that Branch would at least look at them. After a few minutes of not getting a response they decided to get ready to leave. 

Branch was up in the tree with the sketch book Ivy had given him. It was small but instead of drawings it had words in it. He had been using it all week with Ivy’s help to learn his friends' names. Just as he was about to throw the book he heard Ablaze apologizing to him for something before he heard Hype said they would leave him alone if that’s what he wanted. That was the opposite of what he wanted so he looked down to see them walking off nearly to the end of the clearing. Branch quickly scrambled down the tree and ran after them before doing something he had only started to learn. “A….A…Ablaze.” He called out his voice just above a whisper and still rough from disuse. Ablaze had stopped causing the others to bump into him before turning around. “Branch, did you just talk?” He asked as Branch rubbed his throat as it was still getting used to talking and was hurting a little. He pointed at each one of his friends. “Ablaze,” he said, pointing at Ablaze. “Boom…” he added, looking at Boom. “H..y..pe.” He said remembering if he was saying it right. “Tri..ck…ee…” He said sounding out the name like Ivy taught him. The boys were tearing up Branch’s first words and it was their names. Without thinking the boys tackled Branch into a hug this was the happiest day of their lives.

Chapter Text

Ever since they last talked to the king, the parents have been trying to find a way to get Branch in the village with no such luck. King Peppy wasn’t giving in as Willa kept telling him it was too dangerous even going as far as to tell Peppy that the trolling they were wanting to bring here was the one who attacked Poppy. 

“I think the only way we can get Branch in the village is if we teach him how to be a pop troll…” Gem said with a frown not liking the idea.

“No, that's not fair to Branch, he shouldn’t have to change himself because a troll hates him.” Flare said sadly it wasn’t fair.

“What if we sneak him in at night, he can stay with one of us each night. It could help him with getting used to the village.” Prism said. 

“We can ask the boys to ask Branch, the last thing we want to do is make Branch upset.” Flare said knowing they wouldn’t do anything Branch was uncomfortable with.

At the same time the parents were planning their sons were in the clearing with Branch trying to teach him more words. It was going as well as one could imagine. Trickee and Ablaze were wrestling on the ground as the others were watching. 

“Guys, you are supposed to be helping us teach Branch more words, not fighting.” Boom said, trying to control his laughing as Trickee sat on top of Ablaze.

Ablaze pushed Trickee off. “You weigh a ton.” He said as Trickee began fighting with him again. Before stopping as they all heard a sound they never heard before.

Looking around four sets of eyes landed on Branch who was laughing before stopping and looking at them. He thought he had done something wrong.

They all keep looking at Branch before moving closer and studying Branch’s face. “I’m not imagining this right?” Boom asked as he looked at the others.

“Well I’m seeing this too and I don’t think it’s a trick of light. They weren’t like this when we got here were they?” Trickee asks

“No, they most definitely weren't like this when we got here, we would have noticed.” Hype said as Branch started to whine and back up.

“Oh, sorry Branch but we didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable but we have something to show you.” Ablaze said as they quickly led Branch to the river.  Branch looked down in the water after some encouragement from the others and what he saw was a surprise. Instead of the storm gray eyes he was used to seeing, his eyes were a blue color.