Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sitting at the steering wheel, staring out at the passing fields, John Dory let his mind wander as Rhonda, his house bus Armadillo, carried him and all his possessions to who knows where. Last week, he had decided to return home to where he left his brothers and Grandma. After the argument that broke out between him and his brothers occurred, he was the first to leave. He heard Spruce and Clay mention that they were leaving too, but didn’t take them seriously. He expected that they would stay with Floyd, Branch and Grandma, but when he returned home, no one was there to greet him. His old house that he once shared with his family was overgrown with moss and leaves, and appeared to have been unlived in for many years. Despite the place's condition, John Dory refused to accept that they were gone and ran around the house and the yard, calling for his family. But, as he came to accept, no one was there.

He remembered searching the house, desperate to find any of his family's possessions, but didn’t find much. All that seemed to be left and worth keeping were Clay's funderdrawers that he wore during their last concert, Spruce’s ripped purple vest that he tore off the day he said he quit, Branch’s pair of glasses he wore during performances, and a cracked picture of John Dory with his brothers, the words BroZone written above.

Forcing his mind back to the present, John Dory looked over to see said picture, leaning against the wall. Standing up, he walked over and picked it up, running his hands over the image. Sighing, he returned to his seat, the picture still in his hands. He took a minute to study each of his brother's joyous faces.

The picture was taken right after he and his brothers got the opportunity to perform onstage in front of a real audience for the first time. Before, they just recorded their songs and performed for their grandma and small groups of trolls. But being a star had always been John Dory’s dream, and in his haste to fulfill it, he became so obsessed that he lost his brothers. Honestly, he didn’t blame them. How could he? He remembered that night they broke up vividly, and years being on his own has given him plenty of time to reflect on his past and realize that it really was his fault.

How he wished his brothers were with him. When he first set off, he was excited at the idea of adventure and danger, but soon, he found that being alone was, well, lonely. But, being the stubborn troll he was, he refused to return home, and continued to live in isolation. However, a month ago, John Dory finally pushed his feelings aside and decided it was time to return home. But he was too late.

Glancing at the picture in his hands, he couldn’t help but wonder what had become of his brothers. Did Spruce and Clay really leave? If so, where did they go? Did they leave together or did they also go their separate ways? What became of Floyd and Branch and Grandma?

Tears filled John Dory’s eyes as his questions consumed him. The thought that had been haunting him since returning home resurfaced, of how, if the place was abandoned, that must mean that his two youngest brothers and Grandma were dead. There was no other option. He could only hope that Clay was alive, but he had no way to find him. He did have a pretty good guess that Spruce was alive though. Standing back up, John Dory walked over to his desk by his bed, gently placed the picture down, and picked up a postcard showing a sunset that said ‘Wish You Were Here.’ There was no return address, no name, but he had a feeling it was from Spruce. He was the only troll John Dory knew who talked like that. Besides, believing that at least one of his brothers was still alive was better than nothing.

Laying down on his bed, his thoughts drifted to when they were still together. Spruce was the closest in age with John Dory as he was the second oldest. He could remember the joy he felt and finally getting his first brother, that he begged to be the one to name him. Without much thought, he decided to name him ‘Spruce.’ He couldn’t remember why this was the name he chose, but with one look at his first brother, it just seemed to be a perfect match.

Next came Clay. Once again, John Dory was thrilled to have another sibling, and as soon as Clay hatched, he fell in love once again. The three of them spent four years together before Floyd came. During that time, Clay was always teasing his older brothers and playing pranks on them, Spruce enjoyed exercising and flirting with girls, while John Dory enjoyed singing and dancing with them. Spruce and Clay seemed to get along the best, but overall they enjoyed each other’s company and did everything together.

When Floyd came, the brothers decided to start their own little band. Taking charge of the idea, John Dory came up with the name BroZone, began writing songs for them to sing, and came up with stage names for his brothers: Spruce being Heartthrob, Clay the Fun Boy, Floyd the Sensitive One, and himself as The Leader. For the next few years, they had fun singing songs together and performing for Grandma and friends. Anxious to get out and become a star though, John Dory began to devote his time to improve his songwriting skills and brought up the idea of recording their songs in order to get the attention of someone who would be willing to showcase their talent. But time and time again, they were rejected, and John Dory began to take more control over his brothers.

When Floyd was thirteen, Branch was born. Immediately, John Dory knew that Branch must have musical talent, as all his other brothers do. So, a couple months later when Branch did indeed prove to have gained his family's musical talent, he was given the stage name of The Baby, also known as Bitty B. John Dory loved giving Branch singing lessons when it was just the two of them, and from what he could remember, Branch had an incredible voice, even at such a young age. The first recording that included Branch immediately gained the attention of someone who was willing to showcase the brothers. For the first year of his life, performing was all Branch knew; that, and how his brothers loved to fight.

John Dory looked down in shame. Branch was only a year old when he left him. If he was even still alive, would he remember him? It has been years after all. Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he decided that it wouldn’t do to get lost in his thoughts. Setting the postcard by the picture of his brothers, he stood and decided that they would stop for the night. Returning to the steering wheel, John Dory pressed the brakes, slowing Rhonda down.

He ended up parking Rhonda in the shadows of a spruce tree as he left to search for food to store. He’d only gone a few paces when a bright light suddenly engulfed him, transporting him to a strange room and leaving Rhonda behind.

Chapter Text

“One seaweed float coming up!” Writing down his customer's order, Bruce turned and headed toward the counter which his wife, Brandy, was currently running. “Hey babe, we’ll need one more seaweed float made.”

“Alright, just let me finish cleaning up this mess your sons made then I’ll get right to it,” Brandy said, washing the counters off with a cloth.

Looking around at his restaurant located on Vacay Island, Bruce was filled with pride at all he had accomplished over the years. He settled down, got married, became a father, and started a business which he called Bruce & Sons, which also happened to be the most popular place to visit for anyone on vacation. He knows from personal experience how much of a sanctuary this small island had become for him, and his purpose of starting his own business here was to provide others with a sense of enjoyment and security.

When he first left his brothers, it took him a while to find this place, but once he did, he decided to stay. While he does regret leaving his brothers, he also knows that it was probably for the best. He missed his younger brothers a lot, especially Clay, but couldn’t find himself to feel the same way about his older brother, John Dory. He loved him and still does love him, but he couldn’t easily forget how John Dory was the one who broke up their family because of his controlling nature and obsession with creating the Perfect Family Harmony.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts of John Dory, his mind wandered instead to his younger brothers and how much he missed them. He deeply regretted walking out on Floyd and Branch that night, as well as Grandma, but he also knew that he needed a break. He remembered watching John Dory leave out the window, then him and Clay turning and walking out the door, each going their separate ways. At first, he didn’t want to be around any of his brothers, but not long later he wished he at least went with Clay. While he and Clay did argue occasionally, they were more often than not joking around and having a good time together. He definitely missed Clay’s jokes and fun personality, who always seemed to be able to make him laugh.

Then there was Floyd. Floyd was the brother who would never make fun of you and would just accept you for being yourself. He was also the calmest out of the brothers, and always refused to participate in the oldest three’s recurring arguments. Instead, he made it his job to break up most of their fights.

And of course, there was Baby Branch. Just thinking of his baby brother caused heavy grief to settle over Bruce’s heart. It wasn’t fair to Branch to watch his brothers leave how they did. Bruce didn’t even say goodbye to either of his youngest brothers. He just…walked out. He didn’t get to spend as much time with Branch as he got to with his other brothers, but he remembered Branch would always go up to Bruce and ask him to teach him how to bust a new dance move he’d seen Bruce do. But what Bruce remembered most about Branch was his love of singing. While Branch didn’t have an obsession like John Dory to become famous, Bruce knew that every time they would sing together as BroZone, Branch’s face would light up with joy. He knew that Branch held a strong passion for music, and hoped that his youngest brother pursued this talent of his. Who knows, maybe Branch is a famous singer somewhere right now? But, he would never know, would he. He wondered what had become of his younger siblings and if they too were holding up okay as he was. He even allowed himself to think about what may have happened to John Dory, and if he was doing okay.

“Sweetie, the seaweed float is finished,” Brandy called to him from the counter.

Jerking out of his thoughts, Bruce looked up to see his wife holding the seaweed float and went over to get it from her.

“Thanks Brandy,” Bruce told her, taking the cup and walking over to the customer who ordered it, handing the float to him.

“Hey Bruce, want to come here for a sec?” Brandy called out to him.

Walking over to his wife, he took a seat across from her, and noticed that she was looking at him worriedly.

“What’s up?” he asked her.

“Are you okay?” she asked, leaning in close to him. “I saw you sitting over there by yourself and you seemed lost in thought.”

“Oh. Yeah, I’m alright,” Bruce lied, causing Brandy to narrow her eyes suspiciously.

“You were thinking of your brothers again, weren’t you?”

“What? How did you know?” Bruce asked, taken aback.

“Sweetie, I know you and I know how much you miss your family, even if you refuse to admit it to yourself. Besides, you always have the same look whenever you think about them, so it’s pretty easy to tell.”

“Huh? What look?”

Brandy rolled her eyes at her husband's words. “Well, you look sad and regretful, let’s just say that.”

Bruce sighed, looking down. He knew his wife was right, and wondered just how often he thought about his family for her to know this part of him so well.

“Why don’t you take a break?” Brandy offered, causing Bruce to look up at her confused. “Oh don’t give me that look. I can run the restaurant for the rest of the afternoon, while you go out and surf to get your mind off things.”

Bruce smiled at his wife. Oh, he was so grateful to have her. “Thanks honey. I’ll be back to help soon.”

“Take as much time as you need,” Brandy called after Bruce as he got down and walked outside.

The weather today was perfect, Bruce thought. Not a cloud in sight and the sun shone warmly down below, causing the sand to glitter and the sea to shine. Grabbing his surfboard that was resting outside, he quickly ran to the water, paddling further and further out to sea. Sitting on his surfboard, waiting for a wave, he thought back to the moment when he first learned how to surf. It was the most amazing feeling a troll could feel, gliding on top of the waves, singing a song with the melody carrying across the water, feeling the breeze in your hair. In fact, it was while surfing that inspired Bruce to change his name to, well, Bruce, hoping that in doing so he’d be less recognizable from his boy band days. Being on the water was where Bruce got his inspiration and relaxation. It was also what encouraged him to leave his boy band days behind in the first place. He realized that John Dory was being so controlling that he turned him into someone he didn’t want to be. While Bruce loved to sing, he only really enjoyed it for his own enjoyment. Being a star or famous wasn’t something he really wanted to become. He just wanted to relax and have his own life, which is not an option for someone who is famous. So, Bruce changed his name and decided to only sing while on the waves, away from watching crowds where he could sing his heart and soul out.

Looking around for a wave, Bruce was startled to see a bright light coming toward him. Quickly, he began to paddle back to shore, but before he came even close to reaching the sand, the light engulfed him, leaving his surfboard floating alone on the water.

Chapter Text

“Hey, Viva! What’d you think about this new fire exit idea of mine?” Clay asked Viva, approaching her with blueprints he made.

“Clay!” Viva exclaimed, hugging him as he approached. “You know I trust your judgment on these things. Also, are fire exits really necessary?” Viva asked, putting one hand on her hip in amusement.

“Well, yeah. I mean, you never know what could happen,” Clay responded, looking around to emphasize his point, causing Viva to laugh.

“If you think we need fire exits, then I’ll take your word for it.”

“Cool! I’ll get started on that right now!” Clay exclaimed, turning to leave.

“Or…” Viva said, causing Clay to halt. “You could do that later and come do something fun! Oh! How about we make candy necklaces that we never finish because we eat all the candy!?” Viva asked, jumping in excitement.

“Hmmm…alright. Let me just put these blueprints in my room first,” Clay said, walking toward the small admin building he turned into his bedroom. Opening the door, he squeezed himself inside and leaned the rolls of blueprints up against the wall next to his bed. In all honesty, Clay hated his room. The only reason why he decided to make this his room was to push his brothers, well really just John Dory, out of his life. He believed that in choosing to live in something so small and dull he would be taken more seriously by the PuttPutt trolls, something he didn’t experience with his brothers, who he only felt like a joke to.

When he was a part of BroZone, he was the prankster of the band, being the one who loved to have fun the most. However, despite his reputation, he actually wanted to be taken seriously and grew tired of being viewed as ‘the fun one.’ He even joined a sad book club before BroZone split. Even while living with his brothers he tried to show the serious side of him more and always made sure to voice his opinion of John Dory's leadership, especially when it came to backing Spruce up in their occasional arguments.

Once leaving the band, he was finally given the chance to be the troll he wanted to be. Not long after leaving, he came across what appeared to be an abandoned golf course. Entering it, he found Viva and the PuttPutt trolls, who welcomed him with open arms and accepted him for who he was. Since then, he’s been spending his days helping Viva run the Hole N' Fun, taking on the role of being a responsible leader of the other PuttPutt trolls alongside Viva.

Looking in the mirror hanging above his bed, Clay’s eyes are instantly drawn to his lime-green hair, his natural hair color. As part of BroZone, John Dory would have Clay dye his hair yellow to better match his ‘Fun Boy’ side/personality. Leaving his brothers not only allowed Clay to become more serious, but it also allowed him to grow his hair out the way he wanted as well as have it be its natural color. The reason as to why Clay kept the mirror above his bed was to remind himself daily of his choice, and how leaving gave him freedom to express himself.

Turning away from his reflection, Clay’s eyes fell on a picture resting on the window sill of himself and Viva . Smiling to himself, he picked it up and looked into her eyes. He and Viva were very close friends, with him also being her right-hand man. He would always be grateful for her allowing him to be true to himself, and was glad to know just how much Viva trusted him. He was the only troll who Viva trusted enough to tell her past trauma to; which revolved around her and the PuttPutt trolls escape from the Troll Tree in Bergen Town.

Placing the picture back down, Clay headed back outside and made his way to Viva’s room, walking up the rainbow path leading to her pink door and knocked. He heard a muffled “Come in” from Viva, so he entered the room. Unlike Clay’s choice of room, Viva chose to live in the big pink plastic ice cream cone that was laid upside down toward the edges of the golf course. Inside, Viva took pride in decorating her living space with various types of candy, art supplies, and multiple colorful pieces of furniture. Usually, walking in her brightly colored and lively room would bring a smile to Clay’s face, but upon entering, the sight of Viva kneeling facing the wall, holding something in her hands, caused Clay to pause.

“Viva? You okay?” Clay asked, approaching Viva from behind and placing a hand on her shoulder in comfort.

“Hm? Oh, yeah…yeah I’m fine,” Viva unconvincingly responded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

Frowning, Clay knelt in front of Viva and placed his hand gently on her face, bringing her eyes up to meet his. “Viv, I know something’s bothering you. You can tell me.”

Sighing, Viva handed Clay the item she had been holding; her scrapbook. Noticing the confused look on Clay’s face, she opened it up to the page she had been looking at which showed a picture of little Viva, her father, and her baby sister Poppy, all smiling brightly up at them. “I made this book shortly after the PuttPutt trolls and I escaped from the Troll Tree. I didn’t want to forget them,” Viva sadly told Clay, watching his expression as he studied the page.

Clay ran his fingers over the pasted cut-outs of velvet and colored paper that came together to create the image Viva replicated. A memory then popped in Clay’s mind, of him and his brothers joining happily together in a group hug for a picture that had been taken and framed, but which was now probably lost and forgotten about back in his old home.

“I’m so sorry, Viva,” Clay told Viva softly. “I know how you feel. I miss my family too.”

“At least you know they’re still alive though. I-I don’t even know if they made it out of that tree…” Viva trailed off, refusing to finish that sentence.

“I don’t know if my brothers are still alive,” Clay told Viva, who looked up at him surprised. Clay barely talked about his family to anyone, and when he did, it was only simple phrases of him acknowledging their existence. “We split apart a long time ago. As far as I know, anything could’ve happened to them. I mean, it’s been years since I’ve talked to any of them,” Clay finished, looking down in shame.

This time, it was Viva who put a hand on Clay’s shoulder in comfort. “How many brothers do you have?” She asked him, trying to help him think about the positive memories he had of them, which seemed to work as a small smile appeared on Clay’s face.

“Four, two older brothers and two younger. I’m in the middle. The oldest, his name’s John Dory. He’s…well…let’s just say he’s pretty controlling, but there are times I remember him being this fun older brother. Then there’s Spruce, who has to be my favorite brother. He was the one I always went to to hang out with, talk with, and just goof around with. He always got me, and easily related to me when it came to John Dory’s controlling personality. After me there was Floyd, who was always pretty quiet but very understanding. He was probably also the calmest one out of all of us really. The youngest was Branch, who I would sometimes recruit to help me pull a prank on the others. He…was only one when I left…” Clay trailed off, the smile fading from his face as guilt swept over him.

“They sound amazing,” Viva softly told Clay, her hand still resting on his shoulder.

“Yeah, they really were,” Clay said, meeting her gaze and smiling sadly. Viva returned the smile and hugged Clay tightly, feeling him relax in her embrace and as he hugged her back.

All of a sudden, a bright light appeared in the room, slowly advancing on the two trolls. Pulling away from each other, Clay grabbed Viva’s hand and helped her up, placing himself in front of her as he slowly backed away from the light. Before either of them could run or say anything, the light engulfed them, making them disappear from the room and leaving Viva’s scrapbook behind.

Chapter Text

(Flashback)

Floyd: “We’ve gone from boys to men, and now there’s only one direction for us to go: the backstreets.”

Branch: “But not you, Floyd? You’re not leaving too?”

Floyd: “Not forever. I’ll be back. I promise. But right now, I-I have to follow my heart. It’s telling me that it’s time to start a solo career” … “I’ll see you soon, Baby Branch.”

(End of Flashback)

I’ll see you soon. Those were the last words he ever spoke to his younger brother. He promised him that he would return, but yet, here Floyd was, in Mount Rageous, pursuing his solo career. He deeply regretted leaving Branch. He should have stayed with him, he knew that now. In the moment though, when all his older brothers left, he thought he was doing the right thing, following not only his heart but also his elder brother's example.

For the past few years, Floyd had been traveling and soul-searching, trying to figure out what his role in life was and debating on whether or not he should return home. However, one day in Mount Rageous, he came across a small group of trolls that reminded him vaguely of him and his brothers. He overheard them talking about how they wanted to become a band together, and Floyd immediately feared that they would end up with the same fate he and his brothers shared on their own journey to become famous. So, Floyd had approached them and offered to coach them personally. They hesitated at first, but once Floyd proved his own talent and knowledge on the matter, they readily agreed. And so began Floyd’s solo career in being a personal musical coach. He had no interest in becoming famous himself, but if he could help others successfully follow their musical dreams then he knew he was finally on the right path and following his heart.

If this career had taught him anything, it would be that family is everything. Each of the multiple bands he taught became a family, whether they shared the same blood or not, and Floyd joyfully watched their successes from the sidelines. He was glad that he was able to contribute to the world of music by helping trolls and creatures develop their passion and watching them succeed. However, it was also really hard on Floyd. Over the years, he’s learned a lot about how important communication is and listening to all the members involved in the band and how to best solve conflict between members. If only he’d known all this when he was younger. Then maybe, just maybe, he would be the one up there singing alongside his brothers.

Floyd loved to sing and write music, but most of the songs he wrote were about his brothers. In fact, he wrote a song about and for each of his brothers: John Dory, Spruce, Clay, and Branch. These songs were very special to him, and he refused to show them to anyone, even though others have tried to tempt him to sing the songs aloud to them. To Floyd, these songs were all he had left of his brothers, and while writing them, he made them focus on his brother’s thoughts and lives, not on their personalities. If he ever were to sing them to anyone, he would want to show how much he loved his brothers through his words and how they were all special in their own way. Too often were people so judgmental and quick to notice the negative parts of someone that Floyd was determined to represent his brothers in good light.

He wrote John Dory’s song first, and had it represent the hardships and responsibilities that came with being the oldest. In his eldest brother’s song, he also talked about how protective he was toward his younger brothers, his determined heart, his dreams, and his love for the band he created with his brothers. Next Floyd wrote Spruce’s song, which conveyed his love for freedom, relaxation, and family. Clay’s song focused on being true to one’s self and how it’s important to discover and be who you really are. Clay’s song also mentioned the challenges in living with two different personalities, one being the expectation and the other being the true personality. Floyd knew that Clay believed his brothers never took him seriously, and he also knew that Clay joined a sad book club before BroZone broke up in his hopes to find trolls who took him seriously. He could only hope that Clay had finally found what he was looking for.

He saved Branch’s song for last and took the most time on it. While he only knew Branch for a year before he left, Branch had always been Floyd’s little buddy and best friend. From the moment Branch was born, he attached himself to Floyd immediately, and the two grew very close over the next year. It pained Floyd so much to leave Branch with Grandma, but he felt as if that was the right thing to do. Now, he could see how he may have been wrong. For Branch’s song, he expressed his younger brother's love for music and singing. Floyd knew that Branch cherished music and also knew that Branch had the voice of an angel. Grandma would say that too. His younger brother always expressed his emotions through song, and when he was singing, the whole room seemed to light up and sing with him. Floyd remembered teaching Branch how to write, hoping that in doing so, Branch could create some songs of his own one day.

He wondered what had become of his brothers. Did John Dory find what he was looking for on his various adventures? Did Spruce settle down somewhere nice and had he possibly found someone to love? Did Clay find trolls who took him seriously and was he living somewhere where he could be himself? Did Branch pursue his talent and love for singing and was he possibly a star without Floyd knowing? These unanswered questions swept over Floyd, one by one, and he wished he knew the fates of his brothers. Right after he thought this, a bright light appeared in the room, its warm glow surrounding him and transporting him to a strange place, where four other trolls stood, staring around in confusion.

Chapter Text

One moment John Dory was walking away from Rhonda, and the next, he was standing in a strange room. Taking in his surroundings, he noticed that a large black screen sat in front of him and across from the screen sat five identical looking red chairs. He felt his heart beginning to race, panic quickly setting in. Where was he?

Seconds later, a light appeared to his left, and as it faded a startled troll with long purple hair appeared. Looking at the troll next to him, recognition and astonishment filled John Dory. “Spruce?!”

Hearing his old name, Bruce whipped his head around to see a familiar looking troll. “John Dory? Is…is that you?”

Before John could respond, a light filled the room once again and was soon replaced by a troll with crazy lime-green hair and a pink female troll with wild yellow hair.

“What the…” Clay stammered, looking around the room he was in, his gaze quickly landing on his two older brothers.

“Oh my gosh…w-where are we?” Viva gasped, breathing hard and fast as she looked widely around.

“Viv, you need to calm down,” Clay said, putting his hand on her shoulder with his gaze not leaving his brother's faces, who were both staring at him in shock.

Before another word could be said, the room filled with light once more as Floyd appeared in the room.

“Floyd?” At Floyd’s appearance, John Dory felt relief wash over him. Running toward Floyd he flung himself at his brother, hugging him tightly. “Floyd! You’re alive!”

“John Dory?” Floyd questioned in surprise as his oldest brother hugged him tightly. Looking over John Dory’s shoulder, Floyd spotted his other brothers Spruce and Clay, along with a fourth troll he did not recognize. “Clay? Spruce? What’re…what’re we doing here?” Floyd asked as John Dory pulled away.

“Well…that’s what we want to know,” Clay responded, still shocked to see his brothers, while Viva continued to breathe heavily beside him.

“Who’re you?” Bruce asked, pointing at Viva.

“I’m Viva,” Viva responded, eyeing the brothers curiously. “And, who are you guys?”

“I’m John Dory, and these are my younger brothers Spruce, Clay, and Floyd,” John Dory answered.

“These are your brothers,” Viva repeated, looking at Clay.

“Actually, no one’s called me Spruce for years, I go by Bruce now,” Bruce told John.

“Wait, what?” John Dory said, staring at Bruce.

“Oh, I like it! Someone got fancy,” Clay told Bruce, the shock of seeing his brothers ebbing away as joy replaced it.

“Yeah, I wanted to put my boy band days behind me,” Bruce explained, smiling at Clay.

“I can’t believe we’re all here,” John Dory said, still shocked at seeing his brothers again after twenty years.

“Wait a minute, where’s Branch?” Floyd asked.

At the mention of their baby brother, all the brothers looked around the room, even though they already knew he wasn’t present.

“Floyd, was Branch with you when the light appeared?” John Dory questioned, turning to look at Floyd.

“No, I haven’t seen Branch since…since we all left…” Floyd finished sadly, hanging his head down in guilt.

“Wait, you mean that you left too?” Bruce asked Floyd, who nodded his head in shame.

“When?” Clay asked.

“Right after you three did. I said goodbye to him and I told him that it was time for me to start a solo career,” Floyd explained, ashamed.

“So, we all walked out on him that night?” Bruce clarified, hating the truth in those words. “Has anyone been in contact with him?”

“No one’s been in contact with anyone since that night,” Clay said, folding his arms.

“Guys…I-I don’t think Branch is…alive…” John Dory said quietly.

At his words, all heads turned to him.

“What do you mean?” Floyd asked, scared to hear what John had to say.

“Last week, I decided to return home…” John started, causing his brother’s eyes to widen in surprise. “I had no idea you guys all left. I mean, I thought maybe you two had,” John said, gesturing toward Bruce and Clay, “but I didn’t think you would leave too,” John said, looking at Floyd. “Anyway, when I got home, it was abandoned. There was moss and leaves everywhere, and it looked as if it’s been unlived in for years.”

As John Dory finished speaking, all the brothers went silent as they processed his words.

“Maybe-maybe they moved?” Clay asked, refusing to believe the worst.

“I don’t think so. All the furniture was still there, I found clothes hanging outside on the drying rack that looked as if they'd been there for a long time, and some of Branch’s old toys were lying all over the place,” John Dory sadly said.

“You don’t think a-a Bergen got them, do you?” Clay asked, causing Viva to gasp in horror.

“A Bergen?” John, Bruce and Floyd questioned at the same time.

“You don’t know what a Bergen is?” Viva gasped. The three trolls shook their heads no.

“Viva, we didn’t grow up in the Troll Tree, you know that. Also, remember how you had to explain to me what they were when we first met?” Clay gently reminded her.

“What’s a Bergen?” Floyd asked.

“Bergen’s are terrifying creatures, who don’t know what happiness is. The only way for them to feel happy is when they…they…” Viva broke off, unable to finish her sentence.

“Eat a troll,” Clay finished for her, his brothers gasping in horror.

“You think that’s what happened to…Branch and Grandma?” Bruce whispered. Clay could only shrug miserably in response.

“Oh, your brother is alive all right,” a new voice said in the room.

Looking around, the brothers and Viva turned to see a small cloud walking toward them, wearing socks but no shoes.

“And…you are?” John Dory asked the newcomer.

“Hey everyone, how’s it going? Name’s Cloud Guy,” he said, introducing himself.

“Hold on, rewind. You said Branch is still alive?” Floyd asked Cloud Guy, hopefully.

“Yeah, we’re best buds,” Cloud Guy casually told them, the brothers looking at each other in relief.

“Wait, but if he’s alive, why isn’t he here?” Clay asked Cloud Guy.

“Well, right before you were all brought here, you all felt remorse for your past mistakes at the same time. In other words, your thoughts and feelings were in perfect harmony, shall we say. You all felt regret for leaving, you missed one another, you wondered what became of each other, etc. etc.” Cloud Guy explained. “So now, you get your wish! You were brought here not only to reunite and catch up with each other, but you will get to see what has become of your youngest brother. You’re here to watch your brother's past as well as your future. And when I say your future, I mean your future because if it wasn’t for me bringing you all here, then you’d be reuniting with each other in a very different circumstance, which you’ll soon see.”

As Cloud Guy finished talking, the brothers all looked at each with mixed emotions of nervous excitement and confusion.

“Wait, so we’re going to…watch…our baby brother’s life?” Bruce summed up, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

“Exciting, right? Although, he’s certainly not a baby anymore,” Cloud Guy said.

“But…how?” John Dory asked.

“Well it has been twenty years so-”

“No no, that’s-that’s not what I meant,” John Dory interrupted Cloud Guy. “I meant how are we supposed to watch our brother’s past, as you put it.”

In answer to John’s question, Cloud Guy simply pointed at the large black screen attached to one of the walls.

“And you don’t have to worry about friends or family wondering where you’ve gone, since time is frozen on the outside. Once you leave here, time will resume and it will be as if you never left,” Cloud Guy explained.

“Oh, well that’s good,” Bruce sighed in relief, causing Floyd to look at his older brother questioningly.

“You still haven’t answered my question though. Why isn’t Branch here?” Clay repeated to Cloud Guy.

“Well I did answer it. As I said, you were all brought here because your thoughts were in sync. You all missed each other and felt remorse for the past at the same time. Branch isn’t here because he was not thinking this. He wasn’t missing you guys, wasn’t even thinking of you, etc. etc.” Cloud Guy said. At his words, the brothers all looked at each other sadly.

“Wait, then why am I here?” Viva asked him.

“Because you were missing your family. Your thoughts were harmonized with theirs. How many times do I have to repeat myself,” Cloud Guy said, muttering the last part to himself but was still heard by everyone in the room. “And before you ask, yes, you’ll see your sister’s past and future too, and no, she’s not going to come because she doesn’t even know you exist,” Cloud Guy told Viva, who looked shocked and hurt to discover her father never told her sister about her. “Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to just put it out there like that. I tend to do that,” Cloud Guy said after seeing Viva’s expression, shrugging.

“You said you know Branch. Does he…miss us?” Floyd hesitantly asked Cloud Guy.

“That’s for you to find out and not for me to answer,” he responded, bringing a disappointing frown on the brother’s faces.

“You said we’re going to watch Branch’s past and future as well as Viva’s sister’s? How long are we going to be here exactly?” John Dory demanded, putting his hands on his hips.

At his brother's words, Clay turned angrily on John Dory. “Why? Are you not interested in finding out what happened to Branch?”

“What? I never said that?!”

“Well it sounds like you don’t want to be here and you have more important things to be doing,” Clay accused his oldest brother.

“What! What else do you think I would want to be doing?” John Dory asked, arguing back with his brother.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Bruce sarcastically said, joining in the argument. “You seemed pretty eager to walk out of his life then, why not just do it now and leave?”

“Huh?” John Dory asked, offended by his brother's words. “You guys walked out on him too!”

“Guys, please. Do you have to argue?” Floyd said, trying to reason with his brothers, who just ignored his words.

“If you don’t want to be here then just let the Cloud Guy know. I’m sure he’d be more than willing to bring you back,” Bruce snapped at John.

“You know what Spruce…” began John Dory.

“It’s Bruce!” Clay yelled over John, interrupting him.

“Thank you, Clay!” Bruce said, exasperated.

“Well, as entertaining as this is…” Cloud Guy said, stepping between the fighting brothers, causing them to stop their bickering, “I’m afraid even if he did want to leave, he wouldn’t be able to. You see, I’m not the one who brought you here. You guys brought yourselves here, unknowingly of course.” At the troll's confused looks, Cloud Guy rolled his eyes. “As I said, your thoughts were in perfect harmony! There’s power in that, and not just from singing it either. Anyway, to answer your question John, you won’t be watching Branch’s story and then Poppy’s, who’s Viva’s sister by the way. Years after you guys left, Branch found the Pop Trolls who escaped from the troll tree and have been living with them ever since.”

“You mean they escaped!” Viva happily exclaimed.

“Yes, which you’ll soon see. Now, any more questions before we begin?” Cloud Guy asked the trolls, who looked at each other then shook their heads, Bruce, Clay, and John still throwing glares at each other. “Great, you guys may now take your seats and then we’ll begin.” With those words, Cloud Guy disappeared from the room.

Sighing, the trolls made their way to the seats. Viva sat down first on one of the end chairs, Clay sitting next to her. Throwing one last glare at each other, Bruce took his seat next to Clay while John Dory took the other end seat, leaving Floyd sitting between his two older brothers.

As soon as everyone had taken their seats, the screen turned on and the movie began.

Chapter Text

(Poppy’s scrapbooking book appears as she begins to tell the story)

Poppy: (Narrating) “Once upon a time...in a happy forest, in the happiest tree...lived the happiest creatures the world has ever known. The Trolls. They loved nothing more than to sing, and dance, and hug. Dance, and hug, and sing, and dance, and sing, and hug, and dance, and hug, and dance, and sing, and hug, and dance, and hug...But then one day, the Trolls were discovered by...a Bergen! The Bergens didn't know how to sing...or dance...or even hug. They were the most miserable creatures in all the land. And once they saw how happy the Trolls were...they wanted some of that happiness for themselves.” (Bergen eats a troll. Random Troll: “Oh, my gosh!”) “Eating a Troll made them feel so happy...they started a tradition. Once a year, every year...the Bergens would gather around the Troll Tree to taste happiness...on a holiday they called...Trollstice.”

“Those…are Bergens!” John Dory shouted, anger rising in him. 

“Okay, that’s just wrong man,” Bruce said, disgusted that any creature would do such a thing. 

Clay looked over at Viva, who was watching the screen with wide scared eyes as she relives her past. Placing his hand on top of hers for comfort, she looks over at him and smiles, grateful she has him in her life. 

(Scene changes to inside the bergen castle, where prince Gristle is seen riding a bike on his way to wake up his dad)

Prince Gristle: (Enters his father’s room and jumps on him, attempting to wake him up) “Good morning, Daddy! Daddy, wake up! Daddy, wake up! Wake up! Wake up, Daddy!” (whispers) “ Wake up, Daddy . Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy,” (rips out some chest hair) “wake up!”

“Oooh, that’s gotta hurt…” John Dory said, wincing as he watched the baby Bergen rip out his dad’s chest hair. 

“Haha, remember when Branch would wake us up like that?” Bruce said, chuckling at the memory. 

“Minus the ripping out chest hair part though…” Floyd added, smiling. 

“Thank goodness,” John Dory sighed. 

“Yeah, let’s try not to compare our baby brother to Bergens though,” Clay said, though a smile played at the corners of his mouth as he thought of his baby brother. He couldn’t wait till he showed up on screen! 

King of Bergens: “Gahh! Gristle! What time is it?”

Prince Gristle: “It's Trollstice!”

King of Bergens: “Trollstice! Our one day to be happy!”

Prince Gristle: “Yeah!”

(Bergens march toward the tree, chanting)

Bergens: “Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!”

(Chefs prepares the grills)

“Okay, that’s really really wrong…” John Dory said, cringing at the idea of trolls being eaten. 

Chef: “Please give it up for your Keeper of the Trolls...your Minister of Happiness...your Royal Chef...Me.”

(Lights the grills, causing a pillar of fire to rise in the air)

Bergens: “Ooh! Yeahhh!”

“I hate her…” Viva growled under her breath, Clay being the only one who heard what she said. 

Chef: “This is a very special Trollstice...as there is one amongst us who has never tasted a Troll.”

Prince Gristle: “Ooh, me! She is talking about me!”

Chef: “Prince Gristle...the time has come.”

King of Bergens: “It's okay, son. I remember being nervous my first time.”

Prince Gristle: “Okay.”

“He looks happy to me…” John Dory grumbled, arms crossed over his chest. 

King of Bergens: “That's my boy!”

Chef: “It is my sacred duty to initiate you in the ways of true happiness.” 

Bruce scoffed at these words. “Yeah right, like there’s no other way for them to be happy. Right?” Bruce asked Viva, looking over at her hopefully. 

Viva just shook her head sadly, giving the brothers the answer they were hoping not to receive. 

(Opens the gate to the tree and leads the prince inside) “I have chosen an extra-special Troll, just for you.” (Grabs ‘Poppy’ from the tree) “The happiest, the most positive, sweetest Troll of all. And because every prince deserves a princess...I give you the one they call…Princess Poppy.”

“Wait, isn’t that your sister?” Floyd asked, alarmed. 

“Yeah, but-but I think this is the day when we escaped…” Viva trailed off, afraid for her baby sister. 

Prince Gristle: (Grabs ‘Poppy’ out of Chef’s hands) “Please make me happy, Princess Poppy.” (Pops the troll in his mouth)

“No!” Viva, Floyd, Bruce and Clay shouted. Even though deep down Viva knew that wasn’t her sister, she still hated the thought of her being eaten. 

“Aw, come on man! That’s just wrong!” John Dory shouted, once again. 

Chef: “What are you feeling?”

Prince Gristle: (Makes a disgusted face and spits the troll out) “That one's rotten!”

Chef: (Picks up the troll and realizes it’s fake) “It's fake?!”

Bergens: “Fake?”

King of Bergens: “Fake?!” (Kicks the tree causing all the fake trolls to fall to the ground) 

All the trolls sigh in relief. 

Prince Gristle: “They're gone?” 

King of Bergens: (Turns furiously to the Chef) “Where are they?”

Chef: “Don't worry, sire. We'll find them.” (Snaps her fingers and her assistant chefs press their ears to the ground, followed by Prince Gristle)

Prince Gristle: “I think I hear something!”

(Screen pans to underneath the ground, showing retreating trolls through tunnels they dug)

King Peppy: “Go! Go!”

(Baby Poppy is seen getting passed up the line to her father)

Troll: “We got Poppy!”

Troll: “Pass her to me!” 

Troll: “Here comes Poppy!” 

Troll: “Here she is!” (Hands Poppy to King Peppy)

King Peppy: “Ah! There's my princess.”

Poppy: “Da-da. Hahaha.”

“Awww,” Floyd and Bruce cooed at the sight of the baby troll. 

Viva smiled at seeing her father and baby sister. It’s been years since she’s seen them, and she only hoped that they made it out okay. 

Troll: “King Peppy, some of the others can't keep up.”

King Peppy: (King Peppy hands the torch he was holding to the troll who informed him, then puts Poppy safely in his hair) “No Troll left behind!” (Begins running back up the tunnels, dropping his clothes to cover puddles and picking up rocks in the way of struggling trolls)

“Wait, a minute. Viva, is that your dad?” Floyd asked Viva. 

“Yeah,” Viva smiled up at her father. She loved how brave he was and how he refused to leave a single troll behind. Thinking that last thought made her smile falter. If only the tunnels hadn’t collapsed…

“So…does that mean you’re a princess?!” Floyd asked, pulling Viva out of her thoughts. 

“Oh, um, yeah,” Viva said, trying to not make a big deal about it.

“Clay, did you know!?” asked John Dory. 

“Yeah, Viva has already told me about this day,” he answered. 

Troll: “Thank you, King Peppy!” 

Troll: “Thank you, King Peppy!”

Troll: “Thank you!”

Troll: “Thank you, King Peppy.”

King Peppy: “No Troll left behind!” (Begins running back toward the exit, carrying trolls on his back who are unable to run)

(Shovels and pickaxes begin penetrating the earth by the bergens in order to stop the trolls from escaping) 

Prince Gristle: “Daddy, where are they?”

King of Bergens: (Turns furiously to Chef) “Don't just stand there! Make my son happy!”

Chef: “He will be happy!” (Grabs a pickaxe and rams it in the earth)

(King Peppy gets caught by a pickaxe, and as he sees the ground breaking ahead, he throws the ball of trolls he has saved ahead of him, rolling them out of harm's way and to safety. The ball of trolls safely make it outside the tunnels)

“Oh no, Dad!” 

Troll with broken leg: “I don't think King Peppy made it.” 

“No…” Viva softly said, tears forming in her eyes. She’d always feared that her father and sister never made it out, but now that she was seeing it…

King Peppy: “When I say no Troll left behind...I mean, no Troll left behind!” (King Peppy emerges from the tunnel, welcomed by to the trolls cheers of triumph and joy)

“Dad! Yes, he made it!” Viva exclaimed, the tears that had built up now falling down her face in joy. She turned around and embraced Clay, happiness and relief filling her. Looking over Clay’s shoulder, she saw Bruce, John and Floyd also cheering. 

Troll: “King Peppy, where's Princess Poppy?”

King Peppy: “Don't worry. She's safe.” (Reveals Poppy from her hiding place in his hair and takes her out)

Poppy: “No Troll left behind!”

Trolls: “Aww!”

Floyd and Bruce cooed as well, causing Viva, John and Clay to laugh. 

King Peppy: “But we'll be a lot safer the further we get from Bergen Town. Go, go! Hurry!” (Leads the trolls along the forest ground as they seek refuge) 

“Viva, why weren’t you shown?” Clay asked. 

“I don’t know…I’m actually glad it didn’t show me, though. I’d prefer not to see that moment again,” Viva sadly said. 

(Screen pans back to Bergen town)

King of Bergens: “That's right! Take her away! Get her out of my sight! She is hereby banished from Bergen Town forever!” (Bergens carry Chef away from the King and toward the gates)

Chef: “We can all be happy again. I'll find the Trolls!” (Bergens toss her out and slam the gate) “And shove them down your ungrateful throats.”

“Why do I get the feeling she's going to search for the trolls?” John Dory asked, worried. 

“Probably because she will,” Viva spat, bitterly. “Ugh, why did they have to throw her out?!”

(Screen shows Prince Gristle looking sadly out of his window as the Chef gets thrown out, then turns and walks toward his dad. Bridget is seen cleaning the rug)

Prince Gristle: “But, Daddy...I never got to eat a Troll. What's gonna make me happy now?”

(Bridget looks up at his words and falls in love with the prince)

King of Bergens: “Come here, son.” (Picks up his son and sets him on his lap) “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You will never, ever, ever, ever be happy.”

Prince Gristle: “Never?”

King of Bergens: “Ever.”

(Gristle beings crying and Bridget walks off sadly) 

“That’s…that’s actually really sad,” Floyd said, causing Viva to glare at him.

“You think the trolls should have stayed?” She accused him, angrily. 

“What-no no, that’s not what I meant. I’m saying that no creature should ever feel that…miserable,” Floyd calmly told her. 

Viva sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” Viva apologized to Floyd, who nodded his thanks. 

(Screen pans back to the trolls in a small area in the forest where they mark their territory as their new home)

King Peppy: “Here! Right here! This is where we will rebuild our civilization. It has everything we need. Fresh air, clean water...and sweet acoustics!” 

“Wow, that’s a really nice spot to live,” Bruce commented, causing Viva to smile in pride for her father. 

(Poppy takes out her cow bell and starts playing it, all the other trolls dancing along and celebrating. Time seems to fast forward as the audience watches the trolls building their village)

Chapter Text

(Pop troll village is seen in Poppy’s scrapbook, which she finishes telling the story and closes the book)

Poppy: “Twenty years ago today, King Peppy made us safe, and now every Troll is free to be happy and live in perfect… Harmony …”

Young Troll: “ Harmony ”

Young Troll: “ Harmony ”

(Screen reveals that Poppy has been telling the history of the Pop Trolls to the next generation) 

“Wow, Poppy looks a lot like you, Viva,” Clay said, causing Viva to smile in joy. 

Young Troll: “And that's why we hug every hour.”

Poppy: “Yep.”

Young Troll: “I wish it was every half hour.”

Poppy: “So do I. But that wouldn't leave much time for singing and dancing, now would it?” (Puts the book safely away)

Young Troll: “Princess Poppy, do the Bergens still want to eat us?”

Poppy: “You bet!” (All the young trolls gasp in fear) 

“Smooth, haha” John Dory said, roaring in laughter. 

Poppy: “But just because it's the only way they'll ever be happy.”

Young Troll: (Young troll licks his arm) “Oh, no. I do taste delicious!”

Young Troll: “Isn't there anything else to make them happy?”

Young Troll: “Ooh. What about having birthday parties?”

Young Troll: “Or slumber parties?”

Young Troll: “Or staring at your parents while they sleep.” (All the other young trolls look at each other uncomfortably) 

“That’s weird, kid,” Bruce said, him and Clay chuckling in amusement. 

Young Troll: “But I don't want to be food.”

Poppy: “Don't worry. No Troll ever will be. And that's why we're celebrating with the biggest party ever. Everybody's gonna be there!”

Young Troll: “Everybody?” (Young troll appears out of Poppy’s hair, wearing her cow bell as a hat)

Poppy: “Everybody.” (Takes her cow bell and starts playing it. The flower in which Poppy and the young trolls were opens up and they start dancing while Poppy sings) Everybody, move your hair and feel united! Ohh! Everybody, shake your hair and feel united. Oh! Yeah! Everybody's coming to the celebration, I'ma hook you up with the invitation, let your hair swing and party with me, no bad vibes, just love, you'll see! ” 

“I can already tell she’s also got your energy Viva, haha” Clay told Viva, both of them laughing. 

“She’s got a nice voice too,” John Dory noted, nodding his head in approval. 

DJ Suki & Poppy: “ Do the D-A-N-C-E, one-two-three-four fight! Stick to the B-E-A-T, get ready to ignite! ”

Poppy: “ You are such a P-Y-T, catching all the lights. Just easy as A-B-C, that's how you make it right! ”

Cooper: “ It ain't hard out here, when you're doing it right! Put a smile on blast, that's the Troll life! ” 

Poppy: “ And I'm here to help you through it! Come on, Smidge, I know you can do it!” (Encourages Smidge to lift a heavy weight with her hair)

Smidge: “Your confidence gives me strength!” (The weight lifts in the air, Poppy sitting on one of the ends. As it reaches the top of the trees, Poppy throws invitations below to her fellow trolls, who excitedly pick up the invites)

Biggie: “Okay, Mr. Dinkles.” (Sets Mr. Dinkles up to take a picture) “Say leaves!” (Mr. Dinkles squeaks as one of the props for the pictures falls over. Biggie takes the picture and hangs it up)

Biggie: “Mmm. Something's missing.” 

“Glitter!” Viva said, snapping her fingers. 

(Poppy mentions for Guy Diamond, who sprays glitter over the picture of Mr. Dinkles)

Biggie, Poppy, DJ Suki, Cooper & Smidge: “That's it!”

“Oh yeah,” Viva said, pleased to see that she and her sister thought alike. 

Biggie, Poppy, DJ Suki, Guy Diamond, Cooper, & Satin/Chenille: “ Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop the beat. I can't stop, can't stop, can't stop the beat. I won't stop, won't stop, won't stop the beat. ”

“Didn’t Cloud Guy say that Branch and Poppy know each other?” Bruce asked. 

“Yeah, how come?” John Dory asked his younger brother.

“Well, where is he? We’ve just seen most of the trolls and Poppy’s friends, but I haven’t seen Branch at all yet,” Bruce said, looking at all the trolls on the screen, trying to find his brother. 

“Well, it has been twenty years since we last saw him. We may have already seen him but not have recognized it was him,” Floyd said, now looking for his brother on screen too. 

Poppy: “ Go! Everybody, shake your hair and feel united. Ohh! Sunshine day, everybody's singing, sunshine day! Everybody, move your hair and feel united. Ohh! Yeah, ohh! ”

Everyone: “Yeah!”

All the trolls in the audience applauded. 

“Your sister seems awesome, Viva!” John Dory exclaimed. 

“Yeah, she is awesome,” Viva agreed, smiling at her sister on screen, glad to see how happy she and the other trolls were. 

(All the trolls catch their breaths as a slow, steady clap turns their attention to a gray troll, leading against the bottom of a mushroom, holding a pile of sticks in his arms)

“Is that…a gray troll?” Bruce asked. 

“Woah! You’re right, that is! I’ve never seen one before…I thought gray trolls were only a myth…” John Dory said, staring at the gray troll with wide eyes. 

“Huh? What does it mean to be a gray troll?” Viva asked, confused. 

“You know how trolls usually have vibrant colors?” Floyd asked Viva, who nodded her head. “That’s because they’re happy. When a troll is depressed or completely broken down on the inside, they lose their color,” Floyd sadly explained. 

“So…they live a life of sadness and hopelessness?” Viva said, looking sadly at the gray troll. Floyd nodded his head in answer to her question. “That’s awful.”

“Yeah, it is. I wonder what happened to him?” Floyd wondered aloud. 

Branch: (Speaking sarcastically and kinda rude) “Unbelievable, guys. Really, really great. Good job. I could hear you from a mile away!” 

Vive widened her eyes at the troll's tone of voice. She’s never heard a troll sound so angry and sarcastic before. 

Poppy: “Good. I was worried we weren't projecting enough.”

Branch: “Poppy, if I can hear you, (whispers) so can the Bergens .”

“Wait a minute…Floyd, didn’t you use to have a vest like that?” John Dory asked, pointing at the green vest the gray troll was wearing. 

“Yeah, I did use to have one…” Floyd said, looking at the vest then to the gray troll, recognition crossing his face. “Wait, is that…” 

Guy Diamond: “Oh, boy.”

Cooper: “Here we go again.”

Biggie: “Oh, Branch…”

“BRANCH!” All the brothers shouted. 

“No. No way is that Branch!” John Dory said, pointing at the screen with a shaking finger. 

Floyd and Bruce looked at each other with wide eyes and gaping mouths. 

“Maybe it’s a different Branch?” Viva suggested. 

“No, that’s Branch. That vest he’s wearing, I gave it to him the day we left,” Floyd said, feeling more ashamed of himself than ever for leaving. 

“But-but how!? He was probably the happiest one out of all of us when we were together!” Clay said, trying to process what he was seeing and hearing. 

“Maybe that’s why. Maybe…it’s because we left him…” Bruce said, looking at each of his brothers in turn, all of them letting his words sink in and feeling guilt wash over them. 

“We did this to him…” John Dory said, and everyone knew it wasn’t a question, but the truth. 

Satin: “You always ruin everything.”

Chenille: “Warning us about the Bergens.”

Branch: “No, I don't.”

(Screen shows past encounters of Branch ruining events to warn the trolls about the Bergens)

Branch: (At a birthday party; tips over the cake) “The Bergens are coming! Ahhh!” (At a wedding; tips over the cake) “The Bergens are coming! Ahhh!” (At a funeral; tips over the coffin) “The Bergens are coming! Ahhh!” 

The brothers looked at each other, questioningly. 

“Why is he so scared of the Bergen’s? He’s never encountered one before. And as Cloud Guy said, Branch moved in with the trolls after they escaped from Bergen Town and we didn’t even know about them until, well, watching this,” John Dory said, gesturing to the screen. 

“For all we know, he could have encountered a Bergen,” Floyd told his oldest brother, concern showing on all their faces. What exactly did their youngest brother go through these past twenty years? 

(Screen goes back to the present) 

Poppy: “Come on! We haven't seen a Bergen in 20 years. They're not gonna find us.”

Branch: “No, they're not going to find me, because I'll be in my highly camouflaged, heavily fortified, Bergen-proof survival bunker.”

“Highly camouflaged, heavily fortified, Bergen-proof survival bunker…” John Dory repeated slowly. “Huh. He’s taking this seriously.” 

Poppy: “You mean you're not coming to the party tonight?” 

Satin & Chenille: “But it's going to be the biggest…”

DJ Suki: “The loudest…”

Cooper: “The craziest party ever!”

(Group of trolls cheer for excitement, all except Branch)

“Sounds fun!” Viva exclaimed, wishing she were there. 

Branch: “Big? Loud? Crazy? You're just gonna lead the Bergens right to us!”

“I actually have to agree with Branch on this one, Viva,” Clay said. “It sounds risky.” 

Cooper: “Are you sure you wanna invite this party pooper to poop on your party?”

The brothers narrowed their eyes at Cooper’s words. Despite the fact that their brother had turned gray, they hoped that he wouldn’t be judged and still invited to join the other trolls in their events. 

Poppy: “Yes. I think everyone deserves to be happy.”

Branch: “I don't do happy.”

At these words, the brothers flinched, blaming themselves for the troll their brother had become. 

Poppy: “Branch, I know you have happiness inside you. You just need our help to find it! (Pulls out a special invitation she personally made for him which starts singing: Celebrate freedom from the Bergens ! Branch looks unimpressed while glitter sprays out of the invitation onto his face)

“I don’t think he’s going to like that…” Bruce said. 

Poppy: “What do you say, Branch?”

(Branch takes the invitation, throws it to the ground, and steps on it, causing the group of trolls to gasp) 

Viva and the brothers gasp as they watch Branch stomp on Poppy’s invitation. 

“What’d he do that for!? Poppy was inviting him!” Viva said, upset that Branch would do that. 

“That’s a good question Viva,” John Dory said quietly. Branch was never violent back home, but now, Branch seemed like a whole new troll. Unrecognizable to the brothers. 

“It’s like we don’t even know him…” Clay sadly said, echoing John’s thoughts. 

Smidge: “Oh my gosh.”

Branch: “I wouldn't be caught dead at your party, but you will be. Caught and dead.” (Wipes the glitter off his face and draws his finger across his throat to emphasis the dead part)

“Dang…he just tells them straight up what he’s thinking doesn’t he,” John Dory said. 

Bruce, Clay and Floyd exchanged sad and guilty looks. 

Creek: “Whoa, whoa. Easy, Branch, easy.” (Creek appears by the group, being carried by a beetle) “Thank you for providing safe passage, brother. Namaste.” (After thanking the beetle for the safe travel, he turns to Branch who backs away from him, disgusted) “Okay, first of all, mate, thanks for sharing your unique perspective on things. Again.”

“Something tells me Branch really does not like that guy,” Bruce observed, noting Branch’s face as he glared at Creek. 

(Biggie and Cooper snicker in amusement) 

“Does no one take Branch seriously?” Clay asked, exasperated by the way the trolls were treating Branch. He knew from personal experience what it was like to not be taken seriously. Though, now that he thought about it, Branch also wasn’t really acting in a way that made other trolls want to befriend him…

Creek: “But, just for now, why don't you try on some positivity, eh? A little positivity might go with that vest.” (Branch looks disgusted by Creek and moves away from him)

Branch: “Okay, fine. I'm positive you all are going to get eaten.” 

The brothers look at each other, unsure whether they were to find that humorous or downright concerning. 

(Hug time bracelets go off)

Poppy: “Hug time!”

Creek: “It is hug time.” 

All (except for Branch): “Hug time!” (The group of trolls get in for a group hug, pulling Branch in with them which he strongly dislikes and tries to escape. He ends up being next to Creek and Guy Diamond, both of which are hugging him)

Biggie: “Oh, that feels good.”

Creek: “Our hearts are synchronizing!” 

Guy Diamond: “I can squeeze you forever.” 

“Oh man, he’s really not enjoying that,” John Dory commented. 

“He used to love hugs though! He’d give them to us all the time!” Bruce said, missing his youngest brother and wishing he were with them right now. Though, preferably the happy Branch he knew and remembered, not the stranger he was watching on screen. 

“I miss hug time,” Viva said, sighing as she watches the trolls hug. 

(Branch finally manages to escape. Once he does, he picks up his collection of sticks and begins to walk away. Poppy notices him leaving and approaches him)

“I wonder what the sticks are for?” Floyd wondered aloud. 

Branch: (To Poppy) “Someday, when the Bergens find us and the survival of every Troll is in your hands, I sure hope the answer is singing, dancing, and hugging because that's all you know how to do!” 

“Ouch, that was pretty harsh, Branch,” John Dory said, while Viva narrowed her eyes at Branch. 

Biggie: “That is not true! Poppy can also scrapbook.” 

Branch: “I can't believe you're gonna be queen one day.” (Turns around and walks off. At this point, all the other trolls have ended the hug) 

“Guys, your brother is really rude!” Viva said, crossing her arms and looking unhappily at Branch on screen. 

“Okay, Viva, I promise he was not like this as a kid,” John Dory said, trying to defend his brother. 

“That doesn’t change the fact that the way he’s treating my sister isn’t okay!” Viva shot back at John, silencing him. 

“You know, when Cloud Guy said we were going to watch Branch’s past, I was not expecting this,” Bruce said sadly. 

“I know. I still can’t believe he lost his colors,” Clay said, agreeing with his older brother. 

Creek: “Tune out his negative vibrations, Poppy. They're toxic. Some folks (throws a sour look toward the leaving figure of Branch) just don't want to be happy.”

Poppy: “I guess.”

Creek: “You guessed right. Boop.” (Creek boops Poppy on the nose, which she smiles at)

“Hold up, do they like each other!” Viva asked, sitting up straight and narrowing her eyes at Creek, her protective side for her sister once again kicking in. 

Chapter Text

(Scene reveals trolls drumming, DJ Suki being the DJ, and all the Pop Trolls gathered for the party)

DJ Suki: “Yeah!”

(The Disco Trolls link together and swing above, lighting the dance floor with colorful lights as all the Trolls party. Cooper is seen jamming out to the music and Biggie is crowd surfing)

Biggie: “Whoo! I love you so much!”

“That looks fantastamazing!! Ahhh, I so wish I was there!” Viva exclaimed, sitting on the edge of her seat in excitement as she watched the party her sister was throwing. 

(Creek, Satin & Chenille are riding on a caterpillar, with Creek throwing exploding balls of glitter into the crowd using the twins hair as a catapult) 

Creek: “Yeah! Whoo! Glitter!” 

(One of the balls hits Smidge in the face, knocking her over. The trolls around her pause their dancing in their concern, but she quickly gets back up and begins to party again, along with the other trolls)

Smidge: “YOLO!”

“Okay, respect,” Clay said. 

“These trolls sure know how to party, I’ll give them that,” John Dory said, enjoying the scene. 

(Poppy is leading the trolls and hyping them up from the stage, Cooper coming up behind her to join her. Screen zooms out to show Branch watching from the shadows of the trees holding another pile of sticks, looking disappointed and shaking his head, before he scoffs and turns around, leaving)

Seeing their brother standing alone caused the brothers to look at one another sadly, as they were once again reminded of how much their once sweet and carefree brother had changed. 

Poppy: “More glitter! Turn it up!” (Smidge opens up flower canons, releasing a huge pillar of glitter and light, which goes above the trees while releasing a blow of power that travels across the span of the forest)

“Dang, that sure turned it up alright…” Bruce muttered, worried that they may have just attracted unwanted attention. 

(Chef is seen crouched over a map by her trailer, which shows her desperation and determination to find the trolls. The faint sound of fireworks gets her attention, altering her to the presence of trolls nearby. Quickly, she sets up her telescope and scans the crown of the trees)

“Oh no!” Viva gasped, hands over her mouth as worry came over her. 

Poppy’s voice: “I can't hear you!” 

(Chef watches as a firework explodes, taking the form of Princess Poppy)

Chef: “Trolls.” 

“NO! No no no…” Viva shook her head, refusing to believe that the trolls may be found and captured again. 

“Oh no, Branch is there!” John Dory gasped in realization. 

“He didn’t go to the party though, he may be okay,” Floyd said, trying to comfort his older brother as well as assure himself that his brother is safe.

“Yeah, remember his heavily fortified, Bergen-proof survival bunker he mentioned? He’s probably in there,” Clay added. 

Bruce only stared at the screen in horror, worried about what would happen next. 

(Scene changes back to the trolls, with Poppy addressing everyone with her father and Cooper by her side)

Poppy: “Okay, everyone. I just want to take a moment...and get a little real.”

Biggie: “Poppy! She's my friend! I know her!” 

Creek, Guy Diamond, DJ Suki, Satin & Chenille: “Shhh”

“From what I’ve seen, Poppy is pretty much friends with everyone,” John Dory chuckled. 

Poppy: “I'd like to take a second to celebrate our king...my father...who, 20 years ago this night...saved all of us from those dreaded…”

(The ground shakes, interrupting Poppy’s speech, and causing all the trolls to look around in fear and see an approaching Bergen)

King Peppy: “Bergens.”

Chef: “Gotcha.”

“NO!” Viva shouted. 

At her shout of despair, Clay grabbed her hand and squeezed it in support, though he too held a look of fear and horror as he watched the Bergen enter the troll's home. 

(Out of shock and fear, Cooper poops out three cupcakes, causing the Chef to stare at him in confusion while Poppy quickly picks them up and holds them out in offering)

“Uh, what? Didn’t know trolls could do that…” Bruce said, confused. 

Poppy: “Uh...cupcake?”

“Did she just…offer a Bergen cupcakes?” Clay asked, completely flabbergasted. 

(Smiling, Chef opens up her fanny pack)

Poppy: “Run! Run! Run!”

The audience gasped in fear as they watched the trolls run around their once safe haven, searching for a place to hide to avoid being captured by the Bergen. 

Troll: “Poppy, help!”

(Chef bends down and picks up Guy Diamond, placing him in her fanny pack)

Biggie: “Mr. Dinkles? Has anybody seen Mr. Dinkles?” 

“Behind you!” John, Bruce and Clay all yelled, even though they knew shouting was pointless as the events had already happened, and not like they could hear them anyway. 

(In his worry for Mr. Dinkles, who happens to be on his back, he gets the Chef’s attention, making him her next victim, closely followed by Fuzzbert)) 

Poppy: “Biggie! Blend in! Blend in! Blend in!” 

(At her words, all the remaining trolls quickly made their way to blend in to their surroundings to hide from the Chef)

Troll: “Run!”

(Poppy notices Chef pursuing Smidge)

Poppy: “Run, Smidge!”

Smidge: “Oh, my gosh!” (Chef then places Smidge in her fanny pack, who is quickly followed by Satin and Chenille)

“The Bergen's grabbing all her friends…” Floyd sadly noticed. 

Young Troll: “Poppy, help!”

(Taking her eyes off her struggling friends and the Chef, Poppy notices the young trolls she was with not that long ago standing out in the open, alongside Cooper)

“She better not touch those kids!” Bruce shouted, talking about the Bergen. 

Poppy: “Hurry! Go! Go! Go!” (Grabbing one of the young trolls hands, she leads them all, as well as Cooper who follows, into a pile of grass, their hair turning green to blend in)

Seeing that the kids were safe, Bruce breathed a sigh of relief. 

Cooper: “Phew... Whoa!” (As Cooper was unable to blend in as the Pop Trolls were able to, he was easy to notice by the Chef, who quickly picked him up and placed him in her fanny pack) 

Poppy: “Cooper!” 

Creek: “Everyone, minimize your auras!” (At his outburst, Chef’s attention was next drawn to him)

“Yelling was probably not the best thing to do in that situation,” Clay said, worried for the Bergen’s next victim. 

Poppy: “Creek!” 

Creek: “No! Poppy!” (As Creek gets picked up by Chef, Poppy quickly runs to him and shoots out her hair for him to grab onto, in an attempt to free him from the Bergens grasp)

Poppy: “Hold on.”

Creek: “Poppy! No!” (With the Bergen’s firm grasp, she was able to pull Creek away from Poppy)

Poppy: “Creek!”

“It looks like they really care about each other…” Viva said, barely in a whisper. 

“I wonder if they were dating,” John Dory whispered to Floyd. 

“Not the time bro,” Floyd whispered back. 

Chef: “Hmm.” (Looking around, Chef tried to see any more trolls in sight for her to grab, but a sudden tap on her foot made her look down and see King Peppy’s feeble attempts to harm her)

King Peppy: “Bad Bergen! Bad, bad Bergen. Ah…bad, bad Bergen!”

(Hearing her father’s voice, Poppy looked over and was alarmed to see Chef reaching for her father)

“No, Dad! Get out of there!” 

Poppy: “Dad!” (Grabbing her father, she quickly moved him out of harm's way and led him underneath the stage that was moments earlier used during her speech on freedom. Watching the Bergen approaching, she quickly hid her father and herself behind her curtain of hair, which had turned forest green to blend in with the surrounding mossy rocks next to them. Terrified, Poppy could do nothing but hope that the Bergen didn’t see them as she peered understand the flower stage, unknowingly making brief eye contact with Poppy, before standing back up)

“That was too close…” Viva said, shaking in fear. 

Chef: “Thanks for throwing the biggest...the loudest…”

Cooper: “The craziest party ever!” 

“Really dude?” John Dory said, putting his hand up to his eyes in exasperation. 

(Pushing Cooper back inside and zipping up the fanny pack, Chef turned around and began heading toward Bergen town, knocking down a Troll house in her way. Poppy waited a few seconds before withdrawing her hair, turning it once again pink. Leaving her hiding place, she looked around at her destroyed village and watched as the Trolls emerged from their hiding places, who cautiously approached the King and princess)

“That was…awful,” Bruce quietly said, not knowing any other way to put it. 

“Viva, you okay?” Clay asked, still holding on to her hand. 

“No, I’m not okay. They were safe, they-they had escaped! But now…they have to leave, before it comes back!” Viva ranted, thoughts and worry coursing through her as she tried to process what just happened. 

Floyd and John Dory exchanged sad looks while Bruce watched Clay give Viva a hug in comfort. 

Troll: “Is it coming back?” 

Troll: “What are we gonna do now?” 

King Peppy: “We have to find a new home. Everyone, hurry. We have to leave before the Bergens come back.” 

“That’s a good idea,” Clay said, him and Viva agreeing with the King’s decision. 

“Are they going to get Branch?” Bruce asked, worried they might forget about his brother. 

“What about the trolls that were just taken though?” Floyd asked. “Shouldn’t someone go after them?”

“No, you don’t understand. If you enter Bergen town, even if it is for a rescue mission, you don’t come back out,” Viva told the brothers, who exchanged nervous looks. 

Poppy: “We have to rescue them.” 

At her sister’s words, Viva looked up in shock. She couldn’t possibly think there was still hope for the trolls that were just taken! 

King Peppy: “No, Poppy, we have to run. Now, let's go, everyone. Come on!” 

“Listen to dad,” Viva urged her sister, knowing her words would have no effect, but saying them anyway gave her a false sense of hope that her sister would listen. 

Poppy: “What about ‘No Troll left behind?’”

King Peppy: “I'm sorry, Poppy. That was a long time ago. And I'm not the king I once was.” 

Poppy: “...Then I'll go. I'll go and save them.” 

“No! It’s too dangerous!” Viva exclaimed, shocked that her sister would even consider doing such a thing. 

King Peppy: “No, Poppy. It's too dangerous.”

Poppy: “I have to at least try.”

At those words, Floyd looked at Poppy in amazement, surprised to hear her so willing to face their worst enemy and greatest fear, all for the sake of her friends. 

King Peppy: “No. You can't go to Bergen Town by yourself. It's impossible.” 

“Listen to dad…” Viva said again, praying her sister wouldn’t leave. 

(Poppy turns away from her father, looking devastated) 

Chapter Text

(Screen shows Branch down in his bunker, alone, and is seen to be listening to the invitation Poppy had made him that day)

Invitation: ‘ Celebrate freedom from the Bergens. Celebrate freedom from the Bergens .’

“Wait, he fixed it?” Bruce asked, confused by his brother’s changing behavior. 

“Where’s he living?” John Dory asked, noticing the dirt walls, roots, and rocks that seemed to make up Branch’s home. 

“And where’s Grandma?” Clay asked. 

As Clay mentioned Grandma, Bruce’s head shot up. “You don’t think she’s…” 

“I guess we’ll find out,” Floyd said, not wanting his brother to finish his sentence, worried that his unspoken thought might very well be the case. 

(Sadly, Branch glances toward a shelf in his wall that is filled with all the past invitations Poppy has made for him and invited him to attend, and all of which he has rejected going to) 

“Woah, look how many parties he’s been invited to…” John Dory gasped, looking at Branch’s stash of invitations. 

“All of which he turned down and didn’t attend,” Floyd sadly added to John’s words. 

“Maybe he does care, he just doesn’t want to show that side of him,” Clay said, trying to figure his brother out. 

“Why wouldn’t he want to show that he cared though?” Viva asked, perplexed at the idea that any troll wouldn’t want to show their good and happy side. 

“Does he think it’d make him feel weak and vulnerable?” Bruce guessed. 

“I think he’s afraid to open up and get close to anyone,” Floyd reasoned. 

“Why?” John Dory asked. 

“Because he doesn’t trust anyone anymore and doesn’t believe that they would stay. As long as he’s alone, he doesn’t have to worry about anyone leaving him again,” Floyd regretfully explained. 

At his words, all the brothers flinched as if they'd been physically struck as they were once again reminded of their past actions and how greatly their one decision had forever impacted their baby brother. 

(A loud knocking on his door startles Branch, as he never gets any company. In his haste to hide the invitation that he repaired, he accidentally knocks half of the invitations out of the shelf and onto the floor, where they open up and began repeating their messages)

Invitations: ‘Branch, you're invited!’

Branch: “No! No! No!” (Quickly scooping them all up, he shoved them back inside the shelf, closing the curtains over them)

“Those invitations are a lot like yours, you know,” Clay told Viva, who smiled at finding another similarity between her and her sister. 

Poppy: (Continues to pound repeatedly on the rock door outside) “Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch, are you in there?”

“Hold up, that’s where he lives?!” John Dory exclaimed. 

Branch: (Opens up a slot on his ‘GO AWAY’ sign) “I'm not going to your party.” 

“He seems welcoming…” Viva said, noticing his ‘GO AWAY’ sign. 

Poppy: “The party's over. We just got attacked by a Bergen.” 

Branch: “I knew it.” (Opening up the trap door that was hidden underneath his ‘GO AWAY’ sign, he pulled Poppy inside and immediately began setting up the traps he had prepared, including various types of locks, small bear traps, and hundreds of mouse traps. When finished, he and Poppy were safely surrounded)

“What the…” Bruce and Floyd simultaneously said, eyes widening at their brother’s defense system. 

“He really takes this whole ‘Bergen business’ thing seriously,” John Dory said. 

“As he should! And I’m glad he brought Poppy down there so she’s safe too,” Viva said, grateful for Branch protecting her sister. 

“At least he’s prepared. He really knows his stuff and how to survive, that’s for sure. I mean, he’s living underground!” Clay added. 

Poppy: “Branch!” 

Branch: “Shh.” 

Poppy: “I have to tell you something.” 

Branch: “Shh.”

Poppy: “I was just gonna…”

Branch: (Upset) “Shh! Shh!”

“Why isn’t he letting her talk,” Viva grumbled, annoyed once again at Branch’s behavior. 

(Annoyed, Poppy raises her hand)

Branch: “What? What could be so important that it's worth leading the Bergen right to us?”

Poppy: “The Bergen's gone!”

Branch: “You don't know that. It could still be out there. Watching . Waiting . Listening .” 

“Okay, I’m really starting to think Branch encountered a Bergen at some point,” John Dory said, scared at the thought of his baby brother encountering a Bergen. 

Poppy: “No. It left! It took Cooper, and Smidge, and Fuzzbert, and Satin, and Chenille, and Biggie, and Guy Diamond, and Creek!” 

Branch: (Rolls his eyes at the mention of Creek) “Mmm.” 

“He doesn’t even care?!” Viva shouted. 

“I’m sure he does-” Clay began before being interrupted by Viva. 

“Did you see his eye roll?! A troll who cared would not have responded in that way!” 

“I think that eye roll was just meant for Creek,” Floyd said. 

“Still!” Viva exclaimed, folding her arms. 

Poppy: “Which is why I have to ask you. Will you go to Bergen Town with me and save everyone?” 

“WHAT!” the brothers shouted in surprise. 

“No, why isn’t she listening to dad!” Viva groaned, putting her face in her hands. 

“She kinda did listen though. I mean, your dad did tell her not to go alone,” Floyd told Viva. 

“I can’t believe she went to Branch for help though!” Clay said. 

“What do you mean? If I was in that situation, I’d probably go to Branch too. Not just cause he’s my brother but because he knows the most about Bergens,” John Dory said, causing all his younger brothers to glare at him. “What?” 

“We don’t want Branch going to Bergen Town, John! He could get eaten!” Clay snapped at his older brother. 

Branch: “What? No.”

Poppy: “Branch, you can't say no. They're your friends.”

Branch: “Uh-uh-uh. They're your friends. I'm staying right here in my bunker where it's safe.” 

“Please do Branch,” Floyd said, not wanting his brother to go on a dangerous mission. 

“And please keep Poppy there where it’s safe,” Viva said, adding her concerns for her younger sibling along with Floyd’s concern for his younger brother. 

“Does he have any friends?” Bruce questioned aloud. 

Poppy: “Oh, that's great. You're the one guy who knows more about Bergens than anyone but when we finally need you, you just want to hide here forever?” 

Branch: “Forever? Pfft. No.” (Pulls down on a lever which brings the platform he and Poppy were standing on down a tunnel he made and reveals the Bunker he had built, as well as all the provisions he’s been storing for years)

Poppy: “Oh!” 

Branch: “Yeah, I really only have enough supplies down here to last me 10 years, 11 if I’m willing to store and drink my own sweat. Which I am. You all said I was crazy, huh? Well, who's crazy now?” (They reach the bottom of the bunker, revealing a map behind him with various markings) “Me. Crazy prepared.” (Walks off) 

For a moment the room was silent as the brothers and Viva stared in Branch’s bunker in shock. 

“That’s his bunker!” John Dory shouted. 

“He built that…” Bruce said, amazed. 

“Did he say he could survive down there for 10 years!” Clay exclaimed. 

“How long has he been working on that?” Floyd wondered aloud. 

Poppy: “I'm sorry. I should have listened to you. You told me not to throw the party, and I threw it anyway. And it's my fault they were taken. And now I don't know what to do.”

Branch: (Puts some sticks away on a shelf) “Why don't you try scrapbooking them to freedom?” 

“Oh dang, that was a solid burn Branch,” John Dory said, trying to stifle his laughter as Viva glared at him. 

“Oh, so that’s what the sticks were for,” Clay said, remembering Branch collecting sticks in earlier scenes. 

Poppy: “Solid burn, Branch. Well, thanks anyway.” (Turns around and heads toward the platform to bring her back up again)

Branch: “Hey, anytime, Poppy. See you in 10 years.” 

“Hold up, he’s actually planning on not leaving for the next 10 years!” Bruce said, not liking the idea of his brother being more alone than he already was. 

(Poppy steps onto the platform, stares at him, and pulls on the lever. As she is rising, Branch watches her as sorrow and loneliness slowly overcomes him) 

Seeing their youngest brother looking so unhappy and alone hurt the brothers in a way no words can describe. And what made it worse is that they knew they were part of the reason, if not the whole reason, as to why Branch is the way he is now. No longer is he the energetic, loving, happy troll they basically raised who would always sing his heart out. Now, he was scarcely a shell of the boy they once knew and loved, and it hurt them to see him like this. 

(Branch begins to head further into his bunker before he stops as he hears the platform lowering and turns to see that Poppy returned) 

Poppy: “Oh, hey, Branch? Just wondering if I could borrow something.” 

Branch: “What?”

Poppy: “Your bunker.” 

Branch: “What?!”

Poppy: “Okay, everybody. Come on in!” 

(The platform lowers the rest of the way as all the Pop Trolls come barreling in and begin making themselves at home)

Troll: “Hi, Branch!”

“Oh man…he’s really really not going to like that…” John Dory said. 

“What’d she do that for!?” Clay said, slightly annoyed. Despite the fact that he hated the idea of his brother living alone, he also thought it was inconsiderate of Poppy to bring the whole troll village there without permission. 

“Probably to protect the other trolls…” Viva suggested, rolling her eyes at Clay. 

Branch: “No! No! No! Whoa, wait! Poppy, what are you doing?” 

Poppy: “You said you have enough provisions to last 10 years, right?”

Branch: “Yes, to last me 10 years. Me! It'll last them two weeks!” 

Poppy: “Then I guess I better hurry.” (Turns to leave)

Branch: “Wait, wait, wait!” (Grabs Poppy’s arm to stop her from leaving) You won't last a day out there.” 

Poppy: “And you won't last a day in here.” 

“Ohh, that’s what she’s doing!” Floyd said, realizing Poppy’s unspoken idea. 

“What, invading our brother’s privacy and basically allowing the trolls to move in without any permission from the troll who spent years building it and storing provisions to last him a century?” Clay mumbled, folding his arms. 

“Well…anyway, she’s doing this so she can convince Branch to go with her,” Floyd reasoned. 

“No! She can't still be thinking of going,” Viva said, exasperated. 

“At this point, I think you should just accept the fact that Poppy’s going to go,” Clay gently told Viva, trying to help her accept her sister’s decision. 

“I don’t want Branch to go though!” Bruce said, worried for his brother.

“Bruce, from what we’ve seen, I think Branch can handle himself. Besides, Poppy’s going to go anyway. It might be best for Branch to go so she has some protection,” Floyd said, causing Viva to smile at him in gratitude while his older brothers exchanged worried looks nonetheless. 

(Branch looks to his right and sees a troll chugging his water supply, the trolls around him cheering him on and chanting “Chug, chug, chug!” He then looks to his left and sees young trolls laughing and jumping in his bear traps, setting them off and jumping out of the way in time to prevent themselves getting hurt)

“No consideration,” Clay mumbled again. 

Poppy: “Solid burn, returned.” (Poppy then turns away and walks off)

“Oh dang,” John Dory said, once again trying to stifle his laughter as it was his brothers glaring at him this time. 

(Glass shatters in the background)

Troll: “Sorry, Branch!” 

King Peppy: “Uh, Poppy, wait. Please be careful.” 

Poppy: “Don't worry, Dad. I can do this.” (Embraces her father in a hug)

King Peppy: “I love you, Poppy.”

Poppy: “I love you too, Dad.” 

“Aww,” Viva sighed, happy to see her father and sister so close. She was also glad to know that her father would at least be safe when Poppy left. 

(As Poppy walks away, a young troll pokes their head out of King Peppy’s hair)

Young Troll: “They grow up so fast.”

Poppy: (Gets on the platform) “Bye, everybody! See you soon!” 

All Trolls (Except for Branch): “Good luck, Princess Poppy!” 

(Branch appears and stares at Poppy, not believing what was happening)

“Poor Branch” Floyd said, sympathizing with his brother. 

Poppy: (Softly) “And three, two, one .” (Hug time bracelets go off and Poppy presses the lever, causing the platform to rise)

King Peppy: “Hug time!”

Branch: “No.”

(The trolls close in around Branch, ready to embrace him)

“Oh, Poppy plays dirty! Now Branch for sure will go after her and join in the rescue mission,” Bruce said, hating the idea of his brother going on a journey, even if it was the right thing to do. 

All Trolls (Except for Branch): “Hug time! Hug time! Hug time!” 

Branch: “No! No!” 

(Poppy goes out of sight, leaving Branch trapped with all the trolls) 

Chapter Text

(Poppy begins narrating her most recent scrapbook, showing her following the Bergen’s footprints, finding the Bergen, then getting eaten by the Bergen)

Poppy: (Narrating) “With her friends safely hidden, Princess Poppy set off to rescue her other friends, confident she'd make it to Bergen Town on her own…Convinced she'd make it to Bergen Town. Oh, um…” (Closes her book to see the footprints of the Bergen imprinted in the ground) “Totally sure she'd make it to Bergen Town. Mmm…” 

“Well on that cheerful note…” John Dory sarcastically said. 

Viva winced at the idea of her sister getting eaten by a Bergen and wished she didn’t see the imagery that her sister had scrapbooked of her getting caught and eaten. 

(Nervously, Poppy begins to follow the trail)

“You have a really brave sister Viva,” Floyd told Viva, smiling at her. 

Viva returned a grateful smile at Floyd but couldn’t help thinking that if she were still living with her family, would she have been willing to go with her sister on this crazy and impossible journey or would she have been too scared, as usual, and refused to leave her home? 

Poppy: “ I really hope I can do it. 'Cause they're all depending on me. I know that I must leave the only home I've ever known, and brave the dangers of the forest, saving them before they're eaten. I mean, how hard can that be? ”

“Pretty hard I’m going to guess,” John Dory said, earning him another glare from everyone in the room.  

(The flower petal she was standing on breaks and she begins to fall toward the ground, screaming. Quickly, she hooks her hair on the forest floor, forming it into a staircase leading up to her dangling form, which she then goes down)

Viva sighed in relief that her sister managed to break her fall and walk off unharmed. 

Poppy: “ Looking up at a sunny sky, so shiny and blue and there's a butterfly. Well, isn't that a super fantastic sign? ” 

(Butterfly gets eaten, and one-by-one Poppy watches numerous creatures eating the other)

“Okay…” Bruce said, worried that Poppy might not even make it to Bergen Town alive but refused to voice his concerns to avoid a death glare from Viva. 

Poppy: (Nervously) “ It's gonna be a fantastic day .” (Runs away from the remaining creature) 

Poppy: “ Such marvelousness it's gonna bring. Got a pocket full of songs that I'm gonna sing, and I'm ready to take on anything. Hooray! ”

(Poppy begins swinging on a snake, who then chases Poppy)

“Ugh, she doesn’t even know what she’s doing…” Viva groaned as she watched the screen with wide eyes, afraid to see her sister get hurt or eaten by a forest creature. 

Poppy: “ Some super fun surprise around each corner. Just riding on a rainbow, I'm gonna be okay. Hey! I'm not giving up today. There's nothing getting in my way! ” (Jumps away from the snake) “ And if you knock, knock me over, I will get back up again. Oh! If something goes a little wrong, well you can go ahead and bring it on. 'Cause if you knock, knock me over, I will get back up again. Whoa, oh, oh, oh, Oh, get back up again. Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Ahh! ” (Slides into a thorn thicket) “I'm marching along I've got confidence. I'm cooler than a pack of peppermints. And I haven't been this excited since, I can't remember when! I'm off on this remarkable adventure, just riding on a rainbow! But what if it's all a big mistake? What if it's more than I can take? No, I can't think that way, 'cause I know that I'm really, really, really gonna be okay! Hey! I'm not giving up today! There's nothing getting in my way! And if you knock, knock me over, I will get back up again. Oh, if something goes a little wrong, well you can go ahead and bring it on .” (Swallows a poisonous berry and swells up) “' Cause if you knock, knock me over, I will get back up again. Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Oh, get back up again. Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Oh .” (Falls through numerous spider webs, getting wrapped up in the sticky webs) “ I'm okay! Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Oh. And if you knock, knock me over, you knock, knock me over, I will get back up again… ” (Goes unconscious)

“Okay, what just happened?” Bruce slowly said.

“Viva, your sister is awesome!” John Dory exclaimed, pumping his fists in the air. 

“Yeah, she is awesome. But I hope she’s okay. It looked like she went through a lot…” Viva said, trailing off as she got lost in thought. She was still trying to process that her sister, who’d never left Troll Village, left her home so willingly just to save her friends. Despite her worry for her sister though, she couldn’t help but take pride in knowing that she did indeed have a brave sister. One thing was for sure, when they left this place, Viva was going to gather the PuttPutt trolls and they were going to reunite with their tribe. Well…that is hoping that everything turns out okay during this journey…Honestly, Viva really hoped Branch would turn up soon to protect her sister. Despite the fact she didn’t really like Branch because of the way he treats Poppy, he seems to know how to survive in the real world, which is the kind of help Poppy needs most right now. 

Chapter Text

(Four spiders approach Poppy, about to eat her) 

“Oh no!” Viva gasped, worried for her sister. 

(Branch then pulls Poppy toward him with his hair)

At Branch’s herotic arrival, everyone cheers. 

“Yeah! I knew he’d turn up!” John Dory exclaimed. 

“Yeah, but now he has to face the spiders,” Floyd pointed out, causing the brothers to worry. 

(Angered, the spiders run toward Branch, who jumps in front of Poppy to protect her. Reaching behind him, he grabs his frying pan he packed and throws it at one of the spiders, hitting it in the head and causing them to pause for a second before coming at him even more angrily. Determined, Branch glares at the spiders as he throws his pack down and begins whipping them back with his hair, driving them off and into the mouth of a waiting creature)

Branch: “Get back!”

“Woah,” Clay and Bruce breathed, looking at each other in astonishment of what their brother had just done. 

“Did Branch, our baby brother, seriously just fight off four fully grown spiders?” John Dory asked, amazed. He didn’t even think he would have thought to use his hair as a whip if he was in that situation. Heck, he didn’t think that he would have succeeded in doing what Branch had just done if he were in that situation. 

“John Dory, I think what Branch just did further proves he is no longer a baby,” Floyd said, staring at his younger brother on-screen with wide eyes. 

After watching Branch save her sister, Viva’s feelings for him instantly changed. He may be a grouch, but he showed up to help Poppy, and that’s all that mattered to Viva. 

(As the creature closes its mouth, trapping the spiders inside, it looks down at Branch before resting and sinking lower in the ground to enjoy his meal. Branch’s victory is shortly lived as he remembers Poppy)

Branch: “Oh, no! Poppy?” (Branch runs over to Poppy and presses his ear to the bundle of webs around her over her chest to listen for a heartbeat) “Hang on!” (Branch grabs a thorn and two beatles nearby, using the thorn to use through the webs and rubbing the beatles together to power up an electric force to start Poppy’s heart again) 

Poppy: (Sits up fast) “ Get back up again .” 

“Oh thank goodness,” Viva sighed, letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. 

“How’d he know what to do?” Clay wondered aloud. 

Poppy: “Branch, my man! You are right on time.” (Stands up)

Branch: “Oh, right. Like you knew I was coming.” (Puts the beatles down and puts his pack back on)

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure if he was going to show up,” Bruce admitted. 

“I knew he would. Especially once Poppy basically handed his bunker over to the whole village,” Clay said, still feeling slightly mad toward Poppy about that incident. 

Poppy: “Yes! I figured after the third hug time, getting eaten by a Bergen wouldn't seem so bad.” 

At Poppy’s words, Viva and the brothers exchange nervous looks. They didn’t even want to think about their younger siblings being anywhere near a Bergen’s mouth. 

Branch: “And I figured there was no way you could do this by yourself. Guess we were both right.” 

Poppy: “Hmm. All right. Let's do this!” (Starts walking toward Bergen town, Branch following behind) “Sooner we get to Bergen Town, sooner we can rescue everybody and make it home safely.” 

“Is-is that her plan? Did she seriously leave without a plan?!” Clay asked, exasperated. 

Branch: “Wait, wait, wait. What's your plan?”

Poppy: “I just told you. To rescue everyone and make it home safely.” 

“Okay, that is not a plan,” Clay said. 

Branch: “Okay. That's not a plan. That's a wish list.” 

John Dory, Bruce and Floyd couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement at how similar Clay’s thoughts were with Branch’s. 

Poppy: “Oh! I suppose you have a plan.” 

Branch: (Clears throat) “First...we get to the edge of Bergen Town without being spotted. Then, we get inside by sneaking through the old escape tunnels, which will then lead us to the Troll Tree, right before we get caught, and suffer a miserable death, at the hands of a horrible, bloodthirsty Bergen!” 

“Okay, his plan was really good at first. I just wished he’d changed the ending…” Bruce said, his brothers and Viva nodding in agreement. 

Branch: “Hold on a second, are you scrapbooking my plan?” 

Poppy: “Uh-huh. Yeah. Almost…done!” (Holds up her finished piece, which says ‘We did it!’ and shoots out glitter onto Branch’s face once again)

“Seriously!” Clay shouted, bemused toward Poppy’s behavior. In his opinion, she was a little too naive about this journey and the dangers they may face. 

“Haha, I like her,” John Dory chuckled. 

Branch: “There will be no more…” (blows glitter out of his nose) “scrapbooking.”

(Scene changes to show Branch and Poppy crossing a log with Poppy singing) 

Branch: “Do you have to sing?”

Poppy: “I always sing when I'm in a good mood.”

Branch: “Do you have to be in a good mood?”

Poppy: “Why wouldn't I be? By this time tomorrow, I'll be with all my friends! Oh, I wonder what they're doing right now.” 

“She wonders what they’re doing…-she does know they were taken by a Bergen, right?” Clay asked, still confused with how well Poppy seemed to be taking this mission. 

Branch: “Probably being digested.” 

Poppy: “They're alive, Branch. I know it!” 

Branch: “You don't know anything, Poppy. And I can't wait to see the look on your face when you realize the world isn't all cupcakes and rainbows. 'Cause it isn't. Bad things happen...and there's nothing you can do about it.” (Turns away and walks off sadly)

At Branch’s words the brothers flinched, knowing what Branch said was directed toward them. 

“Did us leaving…really impact him this much?” John Dory questioned, already knowing and hating the answer. 

In answer to John Dory’s question, all the brothers nodded in shame. 

“Ugh,” Bruce groaned, putting his face in his hands. “What were we thinking? We never should have left him!”

“That’s just it. We weren’t thinking,” Floyd said.

“And it was all because we couldn’t hit the Perfect Family Harmony,” Clay muttered, throwing a glare at John Dory. 

“Hey! You can’t blame me for this! It’s all our fault Branch is the way he is now!” John Dory said, trying to defend himself. 

“Oh, and that’s supposed to make us feel better?” Bruce said to his older brother, starting to get upset. 

“Guys, not now!” Viva shouted, stopping their argument before it could escalate. 

Poppy: (Runs to catch up with Branch) “Hey, I know it's not all cupcakes and rainbows. But I'd rather go through life thinking that it mostly is instead of being like you. You don't sing, you don't dance. So gray all the time! What happened to you?” 

Despite the brothers already knowing that Branch didn’t sing or dance, it still pained them to hear it spoken aloud by another troll, making the truth even more real. 

“Remember when Branch was younger how he would always burst into song and dance?” Clay said, smiling at the memory. 

“Yeah. He’d go on for hours sometimes. It’d actually get quite annoying at times,” Bruce said, smiling as well. 

“Guys…you don’t think Branch has been like this since-since we left do you?” Floyd asked, the thought dropping on him like a brick thrown off a tall building. 

“You mean, you think Branch has been gray for the past twenty years?!” Bruce gasped, catching on. 

As Floyd nodded to Bruce’s words, the brothers all hung their heads in shame, hating the thought of their youngest brother being so unhappy and miserable for the past twenty years, all because of them and their selfish decision. 

Branch: “Shh.” 

Poppy: “A Bergen?” 

Branch: (Whispers) “ Maybe .” (Branch walks off again, leaving Poppy behind to look around nervously before realizing there wasn’t any danger)

Poppy: “There's no Bergen, is there? You just said that so I'd stop talking.” 

Branch: (Whispers) “ Maybe .” 

“Hold up. Does Poppy even know about us? I mean, she doesn’t know about Viva as Cloud Guy said, but do you think she knows that Branch has us for brothers?” John Dory questioned. 

The brothers took a second to process and think about his words, Clay being the first to answer. 

“No, I don’t think so,” he answered sadly. “You heard Poppy. She asked him what happened to make him so gray and he immediately quieted her. He lives alone, isn’t close to anyone, and refuses to talk about the past whenever it’s brought up. For all we know, Branch hasn’t spoken of us once.”

Looking sadly up at Branch, Floyd felt tears sting his eyes. He never should have left…

(Scene changes to show Branch and Poppy camping out by a fire in their sleeping bags)

Poppy: (Takes out her picture of Creek and opens it up to reveal all her friends that were taken) “So special. Good night, Cooper. Good night, Smidge. Good night, Fuzzbert. Good night, Satin. Good night, Chenille. Good night, Biggie. Good night, DJ. Good night, Guy Diamond. Good night, Creek. Boop.” 

“And she just…carries that around with her…always?” John Dory asked. 

Bruce looked at Poppy’s picture and smiled, thinking it sweet of her to care about her friends so much. He had a picture similar to hers back home, showing him, his wife, and all his kids. He wished he had it here with him now. 

“She does like Creek!” Viva exclaimed, excited to know that her sister had a crush on someone. Looking over at Clay, Viva felt herself blush then quickly caught herself and turned back to face the screen. What was that about? Clay was a friend, that was it. 

Branch: (Rudley) “And good night, Poppy.” 

(Poppy’s hug time bracelet goes off and she sits up and looks expectantly at Branch) 

“Yeah, there’s no way. Sorry Poppy seed,” John Dory said. 

“Poppy seed?” Viva asked, looking over at John. 

“Yeah, nice nickname, right? I tend to be good at that sort of thing,” he said, leaning back in his chair. 

His brothers on the other hand all rolled their eyes as they remembered their stage names John had given them during BroZone. 

Branch: “Don't even think about it.” 

Poppy: (Rolls her eyes and looks up at the stars above) “ Stars shining bright above you …”

Branch: (Sits up angrily) “Really? Seriously? More singing?” 

Poppy: “Yes, seriously! Singing helps me relax. Maybe you ought to try it.” 

Branch: “I don't sing, and I don't relax. This is the way I am, and I like it. I also like a little silence!” (Lays back down, his back facing Poppy) 

“He likes being like that?” Bruce said, not believing Branch. 

“No, I don’t think he means it,” Floyd quietly said, wishing Branch hadn’t grown up this way but knowing he was partly to blame for the reason that Branch did indeed grow up without happiness or joy in his life. 

Poppy: (Looks at him sadly for a minute then begins playing her ukulele, causing him to roll over and look at her) “ Hello Darkness, my old friend…I've come to talk with you again. ”

Spider: “ Hello. ”

Poppy: “ Because a vision softly creeping. ” (Branch carelessly flicks the spider off his shoulder) “ Left its seeds while I was sleeping. And the vision…that was planted in my brain…still remains. Within the sound...of silence. ” 

“What was she trying to do there?” Bruce asked, his brothers just shrugging in response. 

“She’s obviously trying to help Branch not be so uptight and to relax,” Viva said matter-of-factly. 

Branch: (Throughout the song, Branch stares at Poppy and the forest creatures that joined her in utter bewilderment and confusion. When song ends, he stands up and holds out his hands for the ukulele) “May I?” 

“There’s no way that’s all it took for him to sing!” Clay said. 

“My sister is very convincing,” Viva said, smiling at her sister in pride. 

(Smiling, Poppy hands the small instrument over to Branch, expecting him to sing. Instead, he tosses it into the fire then lays back down, once again turning his back to Poppy, leaving her standing there staring at the flames and hearing the strings break)

“Well that was rude,” Viva grumbled, crossing her arms and glaring at Branch, while the brothers just stared at the screen in shock at what their brother just did. 

Chapter Text

(Branch and Poppy are seen approaching numerous tunnels that have been dug in the earth throughout the years)

Poppy: “So one of these tunnels leads to the Troll Tree.”

Branch: “That's right.” 

“But there’s so many. It could take them forever to reach the troll tree!” Bruce said. 

“And by then they’ll be too late,” John Dory added as an afterthought. 

“Seriously dude?” Clay said to his oldest brother. 

Poppy: “There's so many of them. I wonder which one.” 

Branch: (Approaches the mouth of one of the tunnels, examining it) “I don't know.” 

(A mysterious voice interrupts Branch’s assessment of the tunnels)

Mysterious Voice: “Choose a hole wisely! For one will lead to Bergen Town...and the others…to certain death!”

“Who’s that?!” 

Branch: “Who said that?” 

Mysterious Voice: “It was...me.” (Cloud guy appears and begins walking toward them) “Hey, guys, how's it going? Welcome to the root tunnels.” (Branch and Poppy look at him in confusion) “Uh, I just wanted to warn you. One of these tunnels leads to the Troll Tree...and the others to (Talks in a deep voice again) certain death, death, death, death…” 

“Hey, it’s Cloud Guy!” John Dory exclaimed. 

“I was wondering how he met Branch,” Floyd said. 

“Haha, you guys see Branch’s face right. Oh man that’s too good!” Clay said, loving his baby brother’s reaction to Cloud Guy, which wasn’t all that different from his when he first met the cloud. 

Poppy: (Glances questioningly at Branch, who is just staring at Cloud Guy in confusion while narrowing his eyes) “Do you think you can tell us which is the right one?” 

Cloud Guy: “You bet!” 

Poppy: “Great!” 

Branch: “No, that's okay. We're fine, thanks!” (Pushes Poppy away from Cloud Guy) 

Poppy: “Branch. He's trying to help us.” 

Branch: “I don't like the looks of him.” (Looks over at Cloud Guy suspiciously) “I mean, who wears socks with no shoes?” (At his words, Cloud Guy raises his hand)

“He doesn’t trust others easily, does he,” John Dory commented. 

“Well I wonder why…” Clay sarcastically said, folding his arms.

“Dude, you don’t have to keep reminding us!” John Dory snapped at Clay.

“Well why not? We probably should be feeling guilty! And we definitely deserve the reminders!” Clay said, glaring at John. 

“Guys, stop the arguing!” Floyd pleaded. 

Poppy: “He seems to know what he's talking about.” 

Branch: “Okay, fine.” (Turns to address Could Guy) “Which way do we go?” 

Cloud Guy: “First, you have to give me a high five. Then I'll tell you.” 

“Oh I love high-fives!” Viva exclaimed. She really liked Cloud Guy and thought he was a lot of fun. Totally her vibe. 

Branch: “What?” 

Poppy: “Oh, I love high fives. I'll do it.” 

Cloud Guy: “Oh, I know you'll do it. But will he? All right, dumpy diapers, up high!” 

“My guess is no, he won’t,” John Dory said. 

“Dumpy diapers?” Bruce whispered to himself, not liking his brother being called that. 

Branch: (Folds his arms) “Nope, I don't do high fives.” 

“He loved high fives as a kid though,” Clay said. 

“Yeah, as a kid. A lot has changed,” Floyd pointed out. 

Cloud Guy: “Slap it, boss.”

Branch: “Not gonna happen.”

Cloud Guy: “Party on the top floor.” 

Branch: “Nope.” 

Cloud Guy: “Little slappy. Make daddy happy.”

“That’s weird,” Floyd said. 

Branch: “That's weird.”

Cloud Guy: “Come on, just one little high five.” 

Branch: (Mockingly imitates Cloud Guy’s voice) “Oh, no, thanks, I'm good.” 

Cloud Guy: “Here, just do this…(high fives his own hand) But with your hand.” 

Branch: “Thank you for that demonstration. Really cleared up exactly what I will not be doing.” 

“It’s only a high five!” Viva said, exasperated with Branch’s stubbornness. 

“I’m struggling to see how they’re ‘best buds,’ as Cloud Guy said they were when we first met him. He just seems to be annoying Branch more than anything else,” Bruce commented. 

Poppy: “Branch, it's a high five. The others lead to certain death. Get perspective!” 

“That is true,” John Dory said, the brothers agreeing with Poppy. 

Branch: (Looks at Cloud Guy, then sighs in annoyance) “One high five and then you'll tell us which tunnel to take, right?” 

Cloud Guy: “So easy.” 

Branch: “Ugh, okay, fine!” (Goes in for the high five but Cloud Guy moves his hand away)

Cloud Guy: “Ooh. Too slow.”

Branch: “Too slow?” 

(Cloud guy bursts out laughing) 

“Oh man…Branch is really not going to like that,” Clay said. 

Poppy: (Snorts in amusement) “Classic.” 

(Branch narrows his eyes and glares at Cloud Guy)

Cloud Guy: “No, no. All right. I'm gonna let you slide with a fist bump.” (Holds out his fist, which Branch tries to fist bump but Cloud Guy moves his hand away again) “Whoo. Shark attack! Nom-nom-nom-nom. Jellyfish! Hand sandwich. Turkey. Snowman. Dolphin. Helicopter. Last Supper. Monkey in a zoo.” 

Branch: “What?” 

Cloud Guy: “Gear shift.” (Imitates gears shifting, while Branch glares at him in anger and annoyance. Cloud guy and Poppy burst out laughing, but once Branch gives Poppy a look she quickly stops) 

At Cloud Guy’s antics, Viva burst out laughing. 

“Yeah, not really finding how that’s funny,” Bruce said, folding his arms and looking questioningly at Viva. “Personally, I don’t like other’s teasing my brothers or messing with their emotions, which is what Cloud Guy is clearly finding joy in doing to Branch.” 

Cloud Guy: “Okay, okay, okay. Now I'm thinking we hug.” 

(Cloud guy holds his arms out, but Branch picks up a nearby stick and breaks it in two while glaring at Cloud Guy, causing him to thunder and rain in sadness. Branch then begins to chase after Cloud Guy who screams, trying to hit him with the broken sticks, while Poppy runs after Branch trying to stop him) 

Branch: “That's right. You better run, Cloud!”

Poppy: “No! Wait!”

“When we reunite with Branch when this is all over, remind me never to get on his bad side,” John Dory told his brothers. 

“Yeah, I think that ship has already sailed bro,” Clay responded. 

“I hope he doesn’t react in this way when we do reunite,” Bruce added. 

“Well, we’ll see while we’re here. Remember, Cloud Guy said we’re also going to watch the future, which includes our reunion,” Floyd reminded his brothers. 

(Cloud Guy runs into a tunnel, Branch and Poppy following, one trying to attack with the other trying to stop any attack)

“Did Branch or Poppy realize they just entered a tunnel?” Clay asked. 

“That better not be a tunnel that leads to certain death!” Bruce said, glaring at Cloud Guy on-screen. 

Branch: “I'm gonna tear your little cloud arms, off your cloud body, and high five your face with them!” 

At Branch’s words, the brothers all look at each other, astonished to hear their brother so violent. 

Poppy: “He's just a cloud!” 

Branch: “Get back here!”

Poppy: “Branch! He can help us!” 

Branch: “Come back!”

Poppy: “Run, Cloud Guy!” 

Branch: “I'm gonna kill you!”

“I’m starting to feel worried for Cloud Guy, not gonna lie,” John Dory said, his eyes widening as he watches his youngest brother making death threats. 

Cloud Guy: (Exits the tunnel, Branch and Poppy right behind him) “Ta-da! We're here!” (Branch and Poppy stop chasing, surprise on their faces)

“Huh. I guess he did help them,” Bruce said, thankful that it wasn’t a tunnel leading to ‘certain death.’ Well, then again, they did just enter Bergen Town, where death was very much a possibility as it was. 

Cloud Guy: “Phew...You guys are a lot of fun.” (Takes one of the sticks out of Branch’s hands and throws it to the ground) “You know, I gotta go. Got some cloud stuff to take care of. Catch you on the way back? Unless…(Deep voice) you die.” (Leaves by going through the tunnel once again)

“He had to say that!” Floyd shouted, startling his brothers as Floyd basically never shouted. “We’re worried enough as it is that our brother’s on this crazy death mission, so we don’t have to be reminded of how likely it is for him to die in every scene!” 

(Branch and Poppy look at each other and realize that they’re standing on a dead tree, in the center of Bergen Town) 

Poppy: “The Troll Tree.” 

Branch: “Bergen Town.” 

All the trolls looked at each other in fear. This was it. Branch and Poppy had made it. Now the only question was will they make it back out alive? 

(Branch and Poppy walk to the edge of the tree and observe the Bergens down below) 

Bergens: “ I ain't happy or feeling glad, I got sunshine in a bag, I'm useless, but not for long, the future is coming on. I ain't happy, or feeling glad I got sunshine in a bag, I'm useless, but not for long, the future is coming on, is coming on, is coming on, coming on, is coming on, is coming on, is coming on… ” 

“Wow, they’re as miserable as Branch,” Viva noted, causing the brothers to send exasperated looks, and a few glares, her way at the reminder of their brother’s life. 

Poppy: “Wow! They're as miserable as you.” 

“Does everyone have to compare Branch to the Bergens!” Clay shouted, slapping his hand to his face in annoyance. 

(Branch looks surprised at these words and glances sadly at Poppy)

Poppy: “Which means they haven't eaten a Troll yet! Now, come on. Let's go save our friends.” (Heads toward the castle)

Branch: “Your friends.” 

Poppy: “Our friends. Don't fight it.” 

“You know, it’s really admirable of your brother to be helping Poppy, even though the trolls they’re saving aren’t even his friends,” Viva told the brothers, who smiled in pride for their baby brother. Branch hadn’t received a lot of positive comments yet, so it meant a lot to them to finally hear one. 

“Thanks Viva,” Clay told her, smiling. 

(Scene changes to inside the castle, where King Gristle is seen laying on his throne looking depressed and Bridget cleans the rug) 

King Gristle: “Oh, Barnabus. You're my only friend in this whole miserable world. Dad was right. I'll never ever, never ever, never be happy. Never.” 

“That’s just sad, man,” Bruce said, feeling sorry for the Bergens. 

Chef: “Never say never.” (Appears from behind a pot and calmly approaches the king, passing the guards on the way and stepping on Bridget’s vacuum, breaking it) “Chad. Todd.” 

At the appearance of Chef, Viva clenched her fists in anger and the brothers all narrowed their eyes and sent glares her way. 

King Gristle: “Chef, where did you come from? My father banished you 20 years ago! Have you been standing behind that plant this whole time?” 

“How thick can you get?” John Dory muttered, him and Bruce exchanging confused glances at the Bergen Kings ‘logic.’

Chef: “If only, sire. No. I've been out in the wilderness...thinking of nothing but how I let you down. If only there was some way I could make you feel better.” 

King Gristle: “Well, fat chance! The only way I'll ever be happy is by eating a Troll...and that ain't gonna happen, thanks to you.” 

Chef: “Ah, but it just might. Thanks to me.” (Chef unzips her fanny pack, revealing the captured trolls who emerge singing, causing all the Bergens in the room to gasp in astonishment and wonder)

“Okay, despite the perilous situation they’re in, these trolls know how to flex the drip,” Clay said, popping the ‘p’ in the word drip. 

King Gristle: “You found the Trolls.” (As he reaches to grab one, Chef slaps his hand away, causing the trolls to stop singing from fear) “Whoa. So this means I might actually get to be happy!”

“Dude, he’s literally happy right now at the sight of the trolls!” John Dory said, disgusted by the Bergen’s beliefs and habits of eating trolls to make them ‘happy.’ 

Chef: “That's right.” (King Gristle laughs in excitement while the trolls shake in fear, though their expressions are soon hidden as Chef zips the fanny pack up again) “Of course, everyone else in Bergen Town will still be miserable...but that's not your concern.” 

King Gristle: “I am their king, so maybe it kinda is.” 

Chef: “What exactly are you proposing? Bringing back Trollstice? For everyone?” 

King Gristle: “Hmm...Yes! That's exactly what I'm proposing.”

“No!” Viva shouted. 

Chef: “Great idea, sire. Absolutely brilliant. Aren't you smart?” 

King Gristle: “I guess I am.” 

Chef: “And I, your loyal Chef, will be right behind you. Holding a knife.” 

“Huh?” Floyd said, startled. 

“Ooh, drama!” John Dory said, rubbing his hands, causing his brothers to glare at him. “What?” 

King Gristle: “What's that?” 

Chef: “Holding a knife, a spoon, a ladle. I'm your chef, after all!” 

King Gristle: “Yeah, you sure are!” 

(Chef smilies in victory and enters the castle kitchens)

Chef: “I'm back!” 

“This isn’t good,” Viva quietly said. 

Chef: (Turns to Bridget who’s in the kitchen) “You, scullery maid, what's your name?” 

Bridget: “Uh, Bridget.”

Chef: “Congratulations, Idget. You work for me now. So you take those dishes downstairs and you start scrubbing.” 

“Well that wasn’t very nice,” Bruce commented. 

“Of course she wasn’t nice! She’s a Bergen who finds great delight in serving trolls!” Viva snapped, directing her words at the screen. 

Bridget: “Yes, Chef. Thank you, Chef.” (Takes said dishes and leaves the room)

(Chef walks over to the old cage that used to hold trolls and threw all the captured trolls inside, locking the door)

Biggie: “Shh. Don't cry, Mr. Dinkles. Shh! Guys, Mr. Dinkles is really freaking out!” (Mr. Dinkles squeaks) 

Creek: “Whoa, whoa! Everyone, we must all remain calm. Comb…” (Takes out a comb and slowly combs his hair)

Chef: “That's right. A calm Troll is a tasty Troll.” (At her words, the trolls all huddle together, terrified of their fate) “And you are a key ingredient in my recipe for success.” (Shows the trolls some of the recipes in her Troll Cookbook, causing them all to gasp in horror) 

“I think I’m going to throw up,” Viva said, putting her hands over her mouth. 

“Aw gross!” John Dory said, looking away from the gruesome images in the cookbook. 

“There’s so many levels of wrong in that, not to mention how she showed it to them!” Bruce said angrily. 

Chef: “You see...he who controls the Trolls controls the Kingdom. And I…I am that ‘he!’”

Cooper: “You're a dude?” 

(Bothered, Chef cuts up a lemon and squeezes the juice in Cooper’s eyes)

Cooper: “Ahh!” 

“Ouch,” the brothers gasped, wincing at the idea of getting lemon juice squeezed in their eyes, while Viva fumed in anger. 

Biggie: “Ooh.” (Biggie quickly covers Mr. Dinkles eyes with his finger)

Chef: “By this time tomorrow, I'll be queen...and all of Bergen Town will get exactly what they deserve. True happiness!” (Laughs wickedly as the trolls move closer together, cowering in fear)

“Okay, she’s terrifying,” Clay said in fear, everyone else nodding in agreement. 

Chapter Text

(Scene changes to the castle halls, where the guards pass each other)

Todd: “Chad.”

Chad: “Todd.”

(Poppy reveals herself and Branch from their hiding place on top of a torch, as Poppy’s hair was previously concealing them as it took on the shape and color of a flame. Together, they hook their hair to an overhanging chandelier and swing to the other side of the hall)

“Dude, our siblings are awesome!” John Dory exclaimed, Viva smiling widely at her sister’s bravery. 

“I can’t believe they managed to break into the Bergen’s castle,” Bruce said, proud of his brother. 

“Now let’s just hope the rescue part of the mission is also a success,” Floyd added. 

Poppy: “So where do you think our friends are?” 

Branch: “If I had to guess, I'd say in a Bergen's stomach.” 

“Can’t he try to be positive? Just once?!” Viva said, wishing Branch wasn’t so negative. 

Poppy: “Could you try to be positive? Just once. You might like it.”

Branch: (Sarcastically) “Okay. I'm sure they're not only alive, but about to be delivered to us on a silver platter.” (He spreads his arms to emphasis the sarcasm of his words)

“Thank you,” Viva sighed, while the brothers just gave her looks of disbelief. 

Poppy: “Thank you. That wasn't so hard, was it?” (At her words, Branch gives her a look of utter disbelief) 

(Poppy’s hug time bracelet goes off, chiming) 

Poppy: “Branch!”

Branch: “Hug time? Seriously?” 

Poppy: “Shh. Listen.” 

(Further down the hall, Poppy and Branch hear the chimes of the captured trolls’ hug time bracelets go off, letting them know exactly where they were)

“Oh, smart,” Clay said. 

King Gristle: (King Gristle enters the dining room with Chef and Bridget behind him, Bridget pushing the cart along holding the cage the trolls were being held in) “This is gonna be the best Trollstice ever! Such a great idea I had.” 

Chef: “Yes. Tomorrow is Trollstice, everyone. And it must be perfect!”

“Tomorrow!?” Viva exclaimed in worry.

“Viva, remember this already happened,” Clay reminded her. 

“Yeah, that doesn’t really make us feel any better,” Bruce said, hoping Branch didn’t get caught. 

Other Chefs: “Yes, Chef!”

(Branch and Poppy appear on the chandelier, overlooking the dining room)

Chef: “Feels great to be ordering everyone around again.”

Poppy: “Branch, look!” (Points to their friends) 

Branch: “They're alive?” 

Poppy: “And on a silver platter, too. We were both right.” 

“I guess that is true, despite Branch being sarcastic when he said that,” Floyd remarked. 

Chef: “And to mark the occasion, Your Highness, look.” (Takes out his old Trollstice bib from a box) “I found your old Troll bib.”

King Gristle: “Oh, wow! I bet you still fit.” (Takes the bib and struggles to get it on) “Like a glove!” (The bib snaps and breaks)

As the bib broke John Dory burst out laughing, earning him an eye roll from a few of his brothers. 

Bridget: “Ahh…”

(Cooper laughs loudly, causing the other trolls in the cage to quickly shush him)

King Gristle: “Oh, you think that's funny? We'll see who's laughing when I bite your yummy head off. When I bite all y'alls yummy heads off.” 

At the Bergen King’s words the trolls all grimaced at the image while Viva looked ready to be sick.

King Gristle: (Glares at the cowering trolls before realizing there weren’t enough for all the Bergen’s) “Wait a minute. Chef, this isn't enough yummy heads to feed all of Bergen Town. How are we supposed to have Trollstice if there's not enough Trolls?” 

Chef: (Nervously) “Oh, there's plenty more where that came from, sire.” 

(Poppy and Branch gasp and look at each other)

“No!” Viva exclaimed, worried for the other trolls. 

“So Branch does care about the other trolls,” Floyd said, noticing Branch’s worried look he gave Poppy at Chef’s words. 

King Gristle: “Are you sure? Because I promised everyone a Troll.” 

Chef: “No, no, no, sire! Everything will be fine. If I were truly worried...would I be willing to do this?” (Opens the cage and grabs Creek)

The trolls gasped as they watched Chef grab Creek. 

Poppy: “Creek!” 

(At Poppy's shout, Branch quickly pulls her down and out of sight so Chef wouldn’t see them as her cry almost gave them away)

“Oh no, she’s going to give them away!” Clay shouted, worried for his brother. 

King Gristle: “Oh, my first Troll!” 

Chef: “Go on, eat, King Gristle.” (Hands Creek over to the king) “Enjoy a taste of true happiness.” 

(Branch, Poppy, and captured trolls look on in horror as King Gristle brings Creek to his mouth)

“I don’t want Branch to see that…” Bruce sadly said, not wanting his youngest brother to watch something so horrific. 

King Gristle: “Shouldn't we wait for Trollstice?” 

“Phew,” the brothers and Viva sighed in relief. By waiting it gave Branch and Poppy more time to save the trolls before Trollstice. 

Trolls: “Phew.” 

Chef: “Sire, every day is Trollstice when you have Trolls.” (Puts Creek in a taco and hands it to the King)

“She put him in a taco!” Clay and Viva shouted in anger.

“Well, I think she just ruined taco’s for me,” Bruce said. 

Floyd and John Dory could only stare at the screen in horror at the Bergen’s actions. 

King Gristle: “Yeah, I guess.” (Brings Creek up to his mouth then once again stops) “But my dad said the first time should be special.”

(Branch, Poppy and captured trolls sigh in relief)

“Phew,” the brothers and Viva sighed in relief, along with the other trolls on screen. 

Chef: “Well, you're the king now.” (Puts hot sauce over Creek)

“Now I really think I’m going to be sick,” Viva said, watching in disgust as Chef put sauce on Creek. 

King Gristle: “Yeah, I am the king.” (Brings the taco up to his mouth before lowering it again) “But I think I should share this moment with all the kingdom.” 

Chef: “Eat it!” (With that, Chef shoves the taco in the King’s mouth, causing all the trolls to gasp)

“NO!” 

Smidge: “Oh, my gosh!”

Poppy: “No!” 

Chef: “Yes!” (Snaps her fingers, ordering the other Bergen’s in the room to celebrate)

At seeing the Bergen’s celebrate the trolls could only look at each other is disgust and horror at what they just watched. 

Chef: “Idget, lock these Trolls in your room and guard them with your life.” (Throws a wooden spoon at Bridget, hitting her in the head)

Bridget: “Yes, Chef.” 

“I’d rather the trolls be with Bridget than Chef anyday. Maybe now Branch and Poppy have a chance to rescue them,” Bruce said, the events that just occurred still in his mind. 

(Chef and King Gristle leave the room)

Poppy: “Branch, we have to save him!”

“From what?” John Dory asked, confused as to how Poppy could possibly believe Creek to still be alive. 

Branch: “Save him from what? His stomach?”

Poppy: “We didn't see him chew. We didn't see him swallow!”

“Wait, that’s true!” Viva said, agreeing with her sister. 

“Viva, we just watched Creek get eaten. He’s gone,” Clay told her softly. 

Branch: “Face it, Poppy. Sometimes people go into other people's mouths...and they don't come out. If we go after Creek now, we're going to get eaten. I'm sorry...but it's too late for him.” 

“Please listen to him Poppy,” Floyd said, not wanting to think of his brother getting eaten. 

(As Poppy watches her friends still in the cage being pushed away, she is filled with determination to save them)

Branch: (Poppy jumps down the chandelier and slides down the ladder that was being used by the Bergens) “Huh. Poppy!” 

(Jumping from the ladder onto the table, Poppy lands on a spoon and surfs it to the end of the table, where she swings herself onto the back of Bridget’s dress, holding onto the straps. Once Poppy was secure, Branch follows suit and jumps down from the chandelier, leaping across the Bergen’s hats and swinging himself beside Poppy, holding onto Bridget’s dress straps as well)

“Yeah, go Poppy!” Viva shouted. 

“Our brother is crazy awesome!” John Dory exclaimed, the brothers staring at the screen with wide eyes as they watched Branch literally jump on Bergen’s heads to cross the room. 

(Bridget runs down the circular stairs to her room in the basement, with Branch and Poppy jumping off at their first chance and running to hide underneath her small dresser. Bridget then places the cage holding the trolls onto a desk)

Chef: “Scullery maid!” (Chef’s voice echoed through the chute leading up to the kitchens above, where Chef dropped a pile of dishes onto Bridget for her to clean) “Wash these pots and pans for Trollstice. The king's inviting everyone. Except you.” 

(As a spoon came down and hit her on the head, Bridget burst out in tears and threw herself on her bed, Branch and Poppy watching sadly from their hiding place)

At seeing Bridget cry, the trolls couldn’t help but look at one another sadly, feeling sorry for her. 

“No one should be treated like that, even if they are a maid,” Floyd said. 

Bridget: (Pulling back pink curtains draped over a shelf, Bridget reveals her collection of magazines, all having the picture of the King on them, and picks one up) “ I've been alone with you inside my mind. And in my dreams I've kissed your lips, a thousand times. I sometimes see you pass outside my door. Hello. Is it me you're looking for? I can see it in your eyes, I can see it in your smile. You're all I've ever wanted. And my arms are open wide. 'Cause you know just what to say. ” (King Gristle in the background: “You're all the idiots! I have to do everything myself. I have to get out of bed, I'm supposed to put my own clothes on, tie my own shoes.”) “ And you know just what to do. And I want to tell you so much, I love you. ” (Bridget continues to sob into her pillow before falling asleep)

“What just happened?” Clay said, confused by the Bergen’s behavior. 

“She’s in love with the king? I-I didn’t know Bergen’s felt love,” Viva said, also confused. 

Poppy: “Oh, she's in love with the king.”

Branch: “What are you talking about? Bergens don't have feelings.”

Poppy: “Well, maybe you don't know everything about the Bergens. Now let's go.”

(Together, Branch and Poppy run across the room and hoist themselves up to where the cage is being held. Checking that Bridget is still asleep, Branch hurriedly takes off the cover to the cage)

“Please be careful,” Floyd quietly said. 

Poppy: “Guys!”

Captured Trolls: “Poppy! Celebrate good times, come on! ” (Branch throws his hands up in frustration at their loudness) 

“Seriously! They’re being so loud! They’re going to get Branch and Poppy caught!” John Dory said, stressed enough as it was before the trolls on-screen had to loudly sing. 

“They didn’t even recognize the fact that Branch is there to help save them along with Poppy!” Bruce said, frustrated by the trolls' ignoring his brother’s presence as well as annoyed by how loud they were. 

Poppy: “ It's a celebration- ”

Branch: “Shhh!”

Captured Trolls: “ There's a party going on right here! ”

Branch: “No! There is not a party going on right here.” (Reaches in Poppy’s hair and takes out a pair of scissors, which he uses to break open the lock to the cage and free the trolls) “The sooner we get you guys out of here…”

“At least he knows how dire the situation is,” Clay muttered, exasperated with how loud and careless the other trolls were being. 

Poppy: “The sooner we can save Creek!”

“Wait, what!? She can’t think he’s still alive!” John Dory exclaimed. 

Branch: “What?!”

(At his outburst, Bridget sits up suddenly, causing the trolls to gasp and freeze in their escape)

“NO!” the brothers and Viva shouted. 

Bridget: (Sleepily) “Hello? Is it me you're looking for?” (Falls back onto her bed and goes back to sleep)

Trolls: “Phew…”

“That was close…” Floyd whispered, him and the other trolls sighing in relief that their siblings didn’t get caught. 

Branch: “I know you're looking for the cupcakes and rainbows here… but let's face it, Creek's been eaten.” (Branch opens the door to the cage, allowing the trolls to exit)

Biggie: “They put him in a taco!”

Cooper: “It was horrible.” 

“It really was,” Bruce said, his brothers and Viva nodding in agreement. 

Guy Diamond: “Sorry, Poppy. Creek's gone.” 

Branch: “Poppy, how could you possibly think Creek's still alive?” 

Poppy: “I don't think he's alive. I hope he's alive, and that's enough.” 

Branch: “How do you always look on the bright side? There is no bright side here. None!”

Poppy: “There's always a bright side.” 

(A light behind Branch turns on)

Bridget: “Hey! Where do you think you're going?” (Bridget approaches the escaped trolls, holding a lantern in one hand)

“Get out of there!” John Dory shouted. 

“Oh crap…” Bruce whispered in fear for his brother. 

Floyd and Clay exchanged nervous and worried glances while Viva just stared ahead in horror. 

Trolls: “Ahhhh!” (Trolls run away from Bridget, all but Guy Diamond who runs toward her and sprays glitter in her face before running away)

Bridget: “Ah! Glitter! No! Get back in your cage!” (Chases after the trolls, trying desperately to catch one) “Chef's gonna be so mad!” (Biggie, Fuzzbert and Smidge run past her) “No!” 

(Branch picks up a fork nearby and brandishes it at Bridget, willing to fight to protect the trolls. Bridget yells and picks up a frying pan, ready to hit Branch with it)

“What the-what!” Clay shouted, shocked by his brother’s braveness. 

“No, get out of there Branch!” Floyd yelled. 

“What’s he doing?!” Bruce said, worried that Branch would get hurt. 

Poppy: “Bridget, stop!” (At Poppy’s yell, Bridget turns around) “You're in love with King Gristle.”

Bridget: (Startled) “Um, I don't know what you're talking about.” 

(Poppy pushes the pink curtains aside hanging above Bridget’s bed, revealing numerous cutouts of the King plastered all over the bulletin board)

Bridget: “Uh, excuse me!” (Runs over and shuts the curtains) “That's not mine.” 

“Seriously?” Viva said, exasperated, while the brothers all let out a sigh of relief that Bridget’s attention was turned away from Branch. 

(Poppy moves a part of the curtain aside, showing a specific picture of Bridget’s cutout face next to the King’s)

Bridget: (Sadly) “What does it matter? It's not like he even knows I'm alive.”

“Is that Bergen…having a conversation…with a troll?” Floyd asked, really confused now. 

Poppy: “Bridget, I can help you! What if there was a way we could both get what we want?”

“Huh? No! Why? You can’t trust Bergen’s!” Viva exclaimed. 

Bridget: “You love Gristle, too? You'd better back off, girlfriend!” (Hisses a warning at Poppy)

“Uhh…” 

Poppy: “No. Bridget, no. That Troll King Gristle put in his mouth, that's Creek.” (Takes out her picture of Creek and shows it to Bridget) “And I would do anything to save him. The only problem is…we can't get anywhere near the king without him eating us.” 

“Creeks gone!” John Dory shouted. “Poppy’s only going to put Branch and the other trolls in danger!” 

At his words Viva glared at him. “At least my sister is doing what’s right!” 

“You can’t seriously tell me that you want Poppy to make a deal with a Bergen!” John Dory said, silencing Viva. 

Bridget: “Oh…”

Poppy: “But...you can. You can walk right up to him and tell him how you feel.”

Bridget: “As if. I can't just walk right up to the king. His Royal Awesomeness would never talk to a scullery maid like me.” 

Poppy: “What if he didn't know you were a scullery maid? What if he thought you were this total babe?” 

(At this point, all the other trolls joined Poppy and approached Bridget on her bed, seeing as she was no longer a threat)

Bridget: “What kind of total babe would be dressed like a scullery maid? I smell like gravy.” 

Satin: “What if we made you a new outfit?”

Chenille: “I'm thinking…”

Satin & Chenille: “Jumpsuit!” 

“Wait, so they all agree with Poppy and are willing to help this Bergen who was seconds ago trying to capture them?” Clay said, confused by the Bergen’s and trolls changing behavior. 

“Something tells me that Branch will not be happy about this though,” Bruce added. 

“But he’ll probably go through with it anyway because it’s clear he’s not going to leave them behind,” Floyd said, worried for his brother while also being proud of his actions. 

Bridget: “What's the point of a jumping suit if I still have this hair?” 

Poppy: “Oh, we can fix that.” (DJ Suki, Fuzzbert, and Cooper nod in agreement) 

Bridget: “What's the point of a new outfit and new hair...if I don't even know what a total babe would ever say?” 

Poppy: “We can help with that too!”

Bridget: “Really?”

Poppy: “What do you say, Bridget? You get us Creek, and we'll get you a date with the king.” 

(Bridget looks down at the trolls around her, all of whom are nodding energetically, then glances at her bulletin board) 

Bridget: “Let's do it?” 

“What?” Viva asked, completely confused. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine that a Bergen wouldn’t eat a troll in sight, let alone talk and make a deal with one. 

Poppy: “A 5, 6, 7, 8…”

All Trolls (Except Branch): “ When you look in the mirror, let it disappear, all your insecurities… ”

Bridget: “Wait! Why isn't this one singing?” (Points to Branch)

At her words the brothers flinched at the reminder of why their brother wasn’t singing. 

Cooper: “Come on, Branch. Sing with us!”

Biggie: “Yeah, Branch, sing with us!” 

Satin & Chenille: “Sing with us!” 

Guy Diamond: “Sing with us!”

Branch: “Oh, no. That's okay.” 

Bridget: “You don't think this will work?”

Branch: “Oh, no, no. It's not that. I just don't sing.”

Poppy: “Branch!”

Bridget: “No. He's right. This idea is stupid. King Gristle will never love me.” (Buries her face in her pillow and begins crying again)

“He never said that though!” John Dory said, defending his brother. 

Biggie: “Come on. Hey, hey. What's all this?” 

Chenille: “Oh, Bridget.” 

DJ Satin: “That's right, Bridget. Just let it all out.”

Biggie: “Bridget, let it go. Just have a good cry. Go, girl!” 

(Bridget throws her head back and wails loudly) 

Biggie: “Okay, now bring it back in. Reel it in.” 

“I’m still trying to process the fact that the trolls are willingly helping a Bergen, and vice versa. Now we see them comforting one?” Viva said, shocked by their strange friendly interactions. 

(Branch rolls his eyes and begins climbing up the window to get away from everyone)

Poppy: “Branch, what are you doing? You have to sing!” (Poppy follows Branch up the window)

Branch: “I told you, I don't sing.” 

Poppy: “Well, you have to!” 

Branch: “I'm sorry. I can't.”

Poppy: “No, you can. You just won't.”

Branch: “Fine. I just won't.” 

At Branch’s words and refusal to sing the brothers couldn’t help but exchange sad, guilty and ashamed looks. 

Poppy: “You have to!”

Branch: “No!”

Poppy: “Yes!”

Branch: “No!” 

“Why is she still pushing him to sing? Just let him be!” Clay said, angry that Poppy was clearly making Branch uncomfortable and upset. 

Poppy: “Why not? Why won't you sing?” 

Branch: “Because singing killed my grandma, okay?! Now, leave me alone.” (Branch walks off while Poppy is shocked)

At Branch’s words the brothers were shocked into silence. 

“Singing…killed grandma?” Clay slowly asked. 

“How did…singing kill your Grandma? What song was she singing?” Viva asked the brothers, to which they had no answer to. 

“But…I thought it was because of us,” John Dory said. 

“We definitely still have something to do with it, but it’s clear something happened after we left,” Floyd sadly said. 

Cooper: “My uncle broke his neck tap dancing once.” 

Poppy: “How did singing kill your grandma? What song was she singing?” 

Branch: “I was the one singing.” 

At his words the brothers looked at each other in shock. 

(Flashback to when Branch was 5 - aka. 4 years after his brothers abandoned him, as they left when he was only 1)

Young Branch: “ And I need you now tonight, and I need you more than ever… ”

Branch: “That day, I was so lost in song…I didn't hear my grandma trying to warn me.”

Young Branch: “ And if you only hold me tight, we’ll be holding on forever. ” (Bergen approaches in the distance)

Grandma: “Branch! Watch out!” (Drops the laundry she was doing and runs toward Branch)

Young Branch: “ And we'll only be making it right… ” (Chef appears behind Branch)

Grandma: “Watch out, Branch!”

Young Branch: “‘ Cause we’ll never be wrong… ” (Grandma shoves Branch out of the way as the Bergern’s hand closes around her instead)

Young Branch: “Ahh!” (Branch falls down to the forest floor, and looks up to see the Bergen leaving with his Grandma) “Grandma!” (He sits on the forest floor and turns gray as his sorrows and loneliness consume him)

For a moment no one spoke, the only sound being the quiet sobs of Viva. 

“She got taken right in front of his eyes…at such a young age…” Clay whispered, his heart thumping with dread as he watched what just happened. 

“That could only have been a couple of years after we left,” Bruce said, looking at his brothers with worry as to what that meant. 

“He had no one to take care of him. We left, then Grandma got taken. That’s why he turned gray. He was alone, had no one…” Floyd quietly said. 

“And he’s been gray ever since,” Bruce regretfully added. 

“I can’t believe that happened. I mean, Branch could’ve been the one who got taken instead! If only we’d stayed…we’d have been there and protected them. Then none of that would have happened,” John Dory said. 

“He shouldn’t have lived through that,” Bruce said, agreeing with his older brother. 

“You know…since we’ve started watching this I’d gotten used to Branch being gray that I’d forgotten how vibrant his colors once were. Not to mention how happy he was and his love for singing,” Clay said. 

“He had a really nice voice too,” John Dory added. 

“We should’ve been there for him and watched him grow up,” Floyd said, looking down at the floor with tears in his eyes. He and his brothers had never seen Branch as a kid. They’d only been present in his life when he was a baby and, thanks to these movies, they knew what he looked like now, and that shouldn’t have been the case…

(Flashback ends)

DJ Suki, Guy Diamond, Smidge, Biggie, Satin, Chenille, & Cooper: “ Once upon a time there was light in his life, but now there's only love in the dark. Nothing he can say… ”

Bridget: “ A total eclipse of the heart. ”

Branch: “I haven't sung a note since.”

At this the brothers all bowed their heads in shame and sorrow. 

Poppy: “I'm so sorry, Branch. I had no idea. I just assumed you had a terrible voice.”

Branch: “No, no, it was like an angel's. At least, that's what Grandma used to say.” 

“She would say that…” John Dory whispered, remembering his brother's singing voice. 

“I’m so sorry guys,” Viva told the brothers in comfort. 

(Branch looks sadly at Poppy, who gives him a sad smile and runs over to hug him)

Branch: “Whoa, whoa. What are you doing? It's not hug time.” 

Poppy: “I just thought you could use one.”

(All the trolls gather around Branch and hug him, closely followed by Bridget who hugs the small group, until Branch pushes them away after moment)

In seeing their brother getting comforted, a small smile came onto the brother’s faces. They were glad that Branch didn’t push them away, at least immediately, and that he had someone like Poppy to be there for him, just as he was there for her. Their brother deserved that and so much more. 

Branch: “Okay, okay, I'll help. But I'm still not singing.” 

Chapter Text

Poppy: “Okay, people. Hair we go!”

(The trolls gather on Bridget’s head)

Trolls (Except for Branch): “ You… ”

Poppy: “ You gotta let it… ” 

Trolls (Except for Branch): “ Show… ” (All the trolls grow their hair and turn it rainbow, which falls gracefully over Bridget’s head) 

“Rainbow! Yes!” Viva exclaimed, excited about the troll's hair choice. “It looks so good!” 

Trolls (Except for Branch): “ I'm comin’... I'm…comin,” ( Cooper: “ All right”) “out. I'm comin'...I'm…comin'...out. I’m coming’... ” (Bridget gets all dressed up and walks outside)

“Oh, she’s so fashion!” Viva said, loving Bridget’s new look. 

“She really stands out, that’s for sure” Floyd noticed, as everything around her was dull in comparison. 

Bridget: “ Yo! I'm coming out like the sun after rain. Ready to shine, no time to be playin'. Feelin' good, gonna get get what I what I want. Gonna show every-everybody, how I how I flaunt. Look at me now, my confidence is soaring. Dudes be impressed with the points I'm scoring like… ”

Bergens: “ That ain 't boring. ”

Bridget: “ And it just don't quit. Watch the king drop his jaw when I'm shaking my hips I'm saying… ”

“Wow. She looks so happy…” Clay said, surprised. 

“Well duh! I mean, she’s about to go on a date with her true love!” Viva squealed, excited to see what happened. She no longer had doubts about Bridget. If she was going to eat the trolls or cage them, she had numerous opportunities to do so already. But if Poppy trusted her, then so did Viva. 

The brothers on the other hand still weren’t entirely convinced. They just hoped Branch stayed safe. 

Girl Trolls: “ She's coming out ”

Biggie: “ She's comin’ ”

Girl Trolls: “ It's time to take a stand… ”

Bridget: “ And show the world that I'm…comin'...out… ”

Poppy: “ She's…comin’...out. ” (Poppy and Bridget high five)

“Wait, so are they friends now? Viva, did your sister just become friends with a Bergen?” John Dory asked, completely confused. 

“Looks like it,” Viva responded, equally confused and surprised. 

(Bridget realizes she’s standing on a growling Barnabus, so she throws him a sandwich she took from a passing Bergen)

King Gristle: “No, no, no! It's all wrong!” 

(Bridget turns to look in a shop window and sees the King)

King Gristle: “I'm the king who's bringing back Trollstice. I need a bib to match.” 

Bibbly: “Yes, sire.”

King Gristle: “I look like a child in this one.” 

“He really does,” John Dory whispered, heard by everyone and causing them to snort in amusement. 

Bibbly: “Oh, sire.”

King Gristle: “I need something elegant, sophisticated. You know, a man's bib.”

“A man’s bib?” Bruce said, rolling his eyes. 

“It’s just Bergen culture to wear bibs on…certain events,” Viva explained, not wanting to say Trollstice. 

Bridget: “Oh, he's so beautiful.” 

Poppy: “And so are you.” 

Bridget: “Oh, he'll know that I'm just a scullery maid.”

Poppy: “No, no, no!” 

Bridget: “I gotta get out of here…”

Poppy: “I'll be right here for you, Bridget. We all will.” 

“It’s amazing that the trolls are doing this for her,” Floyd said, surprised by their act of kindness toward one of the creatures who want to eat them. Well, now that he thought about it, maybe Bridget didn’t want to eat them anymore. 

Bridget: “You'll tell me what to say, right?”

Poppy: “Of course, I will.” 

Bridget: (Mimicking Poppy) “Of course I will.”

At Bridget mimicking Poppy word for word, John Dory snorted in amusement, earning him amused eye rolls from his brothers. 

Poppy: “Just wait until we get inside.” 

(Back inside the shop)

Bibbly: “Ooh, Sire! I believe I have the perfect bib!” (Runs to the back of the shop and breaks open a glass box holding another box inside, which he brings over to the King to open)

King Gristle: “It better be! Trollstice is tomorrow night. I mean, I look good. But I have to look great.” 

Bibbly: “Right.” (Opens the box in front of the King, revealing the bib inside)

King Gristle: “It's got a wing-dingle on it!” 

Bibbly: “Oh, Your Majesty! Look at you! Such a big, big boy.”

“I really cannot take them seriously right now,” John Dory said, bursting out in laughter. 

King Gristle: “I love it!” (Todd, Chad and Bibbly applaud) 

Bridget: “I think you look fat.” 

At this John Dory couldn’t help but roll out of his chair in laughter. “Oh man, this is too good!” 

King Gristle: (Furiously) “What?”

Poppy: “P-H, phat. Then strike that pose.”

Bridget: “P-H Phat!” (Strikes a pose)

King Gristle: (Falls in love) “Hot lunch! Total honesty from a total babe.” (Bridget laughs nervously) “And who might you be?”

Bridget: “Uh…” 

Poppy: “Your name is, um…” (Looks at the other trolls for help)

Biggie: “Lady!”

Guy Diamond: “Glitter?”

Smidge: “Sparkles!”

Branch: “Seriously?”

Bridget: “My name is Lady Glittersparkles, seriously.” 

At this point everyone in the room was laughing. No matter how hard they tried they just couldn't take the Bergen’s romance seriously, especially as they didn’t even think such a thing was possible for these creatures. 

King Gristle: “Well, my lady Glittersparkles, would you care to join me for an evening at Captain Starfunkle's Roller Rink and Arcade?”

Bridget: “Would I! Would I?”

“Yes!” Viva exclaimed. 

Poppy: “Yes! You'd be delighted.”

Bridget: “Yes! You’d be delighted.”

“Real smooth,” Clay managed to say through his laughter. 

“I think you’re needed, Bruce,” John Dory chuckled, referring to Bruce’s natural talent when it came to romance. Rather than receiving a glare, John Dory received an amused smile from Bruce, taking Floyd and Clay by surprise as they expected Bruce to begin another argument as he grew tired of being the Heartthrob. 

King Gristle: “Oh, indeed, I would.”

Branch: “When are you gonna ask him about Creek?”

“It’s too soon for that. They have to warm him up first,” Viva said. 

Poppy: “Well, we have to warm him up first. Don't you know anything about romance?”

Branch: (Sarcastically) “Of course! I'm passionate about it.”

“Really?” John Dory questioned. 

Poppy: “Really?”

Branch: “Don't you know anything about sarcasm?”

“Oh,” John Dory said, as his brothers chuckled at him. “What? Trolls aren’t sarcastic,” he tried defending him. 

“Yeah, well this is Branch we’re talking about. He’s not really like the other trolls, and I’m not just referring to his grayness,” Floyd said, referring to Branch’s brave nature and genuine heart. 

Cooper: “I think I had a sarcasm once.”

King Gristle: “And I'll take one of everything, Bibbly. Things are gonna get messy.” (Escorts Bridget outside and closes the door)

(Scene changes to show Bridget and King Gristle inside Captain Starfunkle’s Roller Rink and Arcade, sitting together at a table) 

Bergen: (Throws a pizza down in front of King Gristle and Bridget) “Enjoy your pizza. Here's your tokens.” (Tosses the tokens on the pizza/table and walks off)

“That place seems…fun…” Viva said, trying to be positive despite the place's dull appearance. 

Bridget: “Ooh, so fancy. Good thing I brought my appetite.” 

(Bridget and King Gristle reach for the same slice of pizza at the same time, touching hands. Startled, they stare at each other until Bridget slaps his hand away and shoves the pizza slice in her mouth)

“Not the best thing to do…” Bruce said, worried that King Gristle would respond badly to Bridget’s actions. 

King Gristle: “You are fantastic!”

“Bergen love is weird,” Bruce said. That was definitely not the reaction he was expecting. 

Poppy: “Bridget! Compliment him back!”

Bridget: “I like your back.”

At this Bruce slapped his face with his hands in exasperation. This was going to go downhill fast…

Poppy: “No! I meant say something nice about him.”

Bridget: “But I do like his back.”

King Gristle: “Huh?”

Bridget: “Um...uhhh…”

Branch: “Poppy, help her.”

Poppy: “Your eyes...they're...ugh... Ooh, your ears…?”

“Viva, we need to teach your sister how to give love advice,” Bruce told the female troll, who nodded her head in agreement. 

Bridget: “Your eyes...ears…”

Biggie: “Nose!”

Satin & Chenille: “Skin!” 

Cooper: “Neck!”

Bridget: “Skin, neck, ears, nose, face, back of your head.”

“Oh no…” the trolls slowly said, not liking where this was going. If Bridget’s date didn’t go well, then that could greatly affect Poppy, Branch and the other trolls' chance of escape. 

King Gristle: “Are you okay?”

Guy Diamond: “Your teeth !”

Bridget: (Mimikes how Guy Diamond said ‘Teeth’) “ Teeth .”

King Gristle: “What's going on? Are you making fun of me?” (Gets up from the table angrily) 

Bridget: “Your eyes! They're like…two pools, so deep...I fear if I dive in…”

“Is she saying this on her own?” Clay asked, surprised at Bridget’s change of words. 

Branch: “I might never come up for air.”

“Woah,” the brothers softly said, looking at each other in surprise. Branch was the last troll they thought would take over the conversation and help Bridget. Heck, at this point, they didn’t even know Branch had those words or sincerity in him, which was kinda sad to say. 

Bridget: “I might never come up for air.”

(Poppy looks at Branch, astonished)

Branch: “And your smile...The sun itself turns jealous...and refuses to come out from behind the clouds…”

Bridget: “Knowing it cannot shine half as bright.”

“Wow, that was beautiful,” Viva whispered, captivated by Branch’s words. 

King Gristle: “I kinda do have a nice smile, don't I?” (Sits back down)

Branch: “Yes, you do.” (Looks at Poppy as he says this, makes brief eye-contact with her, then quickly looks away)

“Wait, does he like Poppy!” John Dory exclaimed, taken even more by surprise at his brother’s behavior. 

“Those words he was telling Bridget, that was him also talking about Poppy,” Floyd said in realization, Viva and his brothers gaping at him as they reflected on Branch’s words and realized Floyd was right. 

“They’d be really cute together. I hope things work out between them,” Clay said, Viva looking over at him and wondering if maybe they’d also be cute together (her and Clay). She then quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts. 

“And maybe being with Poppy will make Branch happy again!” Bruce said, causing his brothers to smile at the thought of Branch being once again happy. 

“Forget Creek! I’m now team Branch!” Viva exclaimed. “Well…as long as he’s not a grouch to her,” she added. 

Bridget: “I can't believe I'm about to say this…”

Biggie: “Guys, she's going rogue!” 

Bridget: “But being here with you today makes me realize that true happiness is possible.” 

“Whoa…” Viva breathed. If she weren’t seeing it, she never would have believed that a Bergen had found happiness on their own. And it was all thanks to her sister! Well, and Branch. 

Poppy: “Whoa.”

King Gristle: “It is! True happiness is a lot closer than you think. It's right here.” (Holds out the neck of his cape with a gem holding it together, showing it to Bridget)

“Seriously dude!” Bruce said, exasperated by the King. 

Bridget: “Mmm. That's pretty, I guess.”

King Gristle: “What do you think now?” (Opens it to show Creek inside)

“What!” 

“He’s alive!” 

“Poppy was right?” 

“Rescue mission back on!” 

“It was always on…” 

Branch: “Creek?”

Poppy: “I knew he was alive!”

Biggie: “Mr. Dinkles, he's alive!” 

Mr. Dinkles: “Oh, snap!”

“He talks…” John Dory said, confused. 

(All the trolls gasp and stare at Mr. Dinkles)

Biggie: “You just talked!”

(Mr. Dinkles squeaks)

“What a fake!” Viva said, laughing in amusement toward the pet worm. 

King Gristle: “I've been savoring this little guy.” (Holds Creek out to show Bridget)

Creek: “Help! Mercy!” (Gets shoved back inside the gem)

“That’s just wrong,” Bruce said, frustrated at the Bergen King, Viva and the brothers sending glares up at the King. 

King Gristle: “Tell me, my lady, will I be seeing you at the Trollstice feast?”

Bridget: “Well, duh. I'll be working.”

“It!” Viva said, worried Bridget just gave herself away as a scullery maid. 

Poppy: “It!”

Bridget: “It! Working it. You know…(gets down from the table and starts dancing) workin' it.” 

King Gristle: “Yeah! You're not kidding, you will. Because you're gonna be there as my plus one.”

“Aww,” Viva sighed, happy for Bridget. 

Bridget: “Really?” 

King Gristle: “Assuming you'll say yes?”

Bridget: “Yes!” 

King Gristle: “Yes!”

Trolls: “Yes!”

“Yes!” Viva and the brothers shouted. 

King Gristle: “Meantime, maybe we should find some other way to...work up an appetite.”

Bridget: “Oh, yeah? What did you have in mind?”

(Bridget and King Gristle are seen roller skating on the rink, dancing to the song They Don’t Know in the background)

Background Music: ‘ I walked over, got this sunlight, ain't got time to listen to any shade. Yeah. The wind on my pony, top-down, alright, ain't got time to let them darken my day. That's right. So light the fireworks, sing like no one's heard, dance, it's us against the world…They don't know, they don't know, they don't know, they don't know about us. They don't know, they don't know, they don't know about what we do, that it's true, thinking of all this but I'm good if I've got you. They don't know, they don't know, they don't know, they don't know about us ….’

King Gristle: “Whoo! Ha-ha!”

Bridget: “Whoo!” (King Gristle spins Bridget, causing the trolls to lose their balance and fly off, everyone holding on to another trying to stay together) 

“No!” Viva and the brothers gasped, afraid they would get caught. 

(Bridget then spins the King to distract him in order for the trolls to regain position on her head. By the time he turns around to face Bridget her rainbow hair is back)

“Phew,” they all sighed in relief. 

(King Gristle and Bridget continue dancing, eventually coming to a stop and leaning in for a kiss, until they are interrupted by an approaching Bergen)

“Aw, that was so cute! They seem so happy together!” Viva said, still amazed by the Bergen’s behavior. 

“Wait! Maybe if King Gristle realizes that he’s feeling happiness, even though he’s never had a troll, do you think that maybe…” Bruce said, his brothers and Viva catching on to his train of thought. 

“Let’s hope so,” Floyd said, staring back at the screen. 

Chef: “Your Majesty.” (Chef slowly approaches the King and Bridget in her own roller skates, causing the couple to pull away from the potential kiss) “You seem to be having…fun.” 

“Oh, come on, man! She had to ruin their moment?!” John Dory exclaimed, frustrated at the Chef. 

“She has to ruin everything,” Viva said bitterly. 

King Gristle: “Oh, I am! Meet the lovely Lady Glittersparkles.” (Gestures to Bridget) 

Chef: “Hmm.” (Studies Bridget) “You remind me of someone.” 

“Uh oh…” they all gasped, looking at each other in worry. 

(Trolls begin to shake in fear, all except for Branch who stands his ground)

“Notice how Branch is the only one who doesn’t seem afraid of her,” Clay pointed out. 

“I’m sure he’s at least nervous, but he’s being strong and protective for the other trolls,” Floyd said, proud of his brother. 

“You guys should be really proud to have him as a brother. He’s really brave,” Viva told them, to which they all smiled in gratitude toward her, grateful for another complement of their brother. They were indeed very proud. 

King Gristle: “She's, uh, gonna be my plus one.”

Chef: “Oh, I see. For a moment there I was concerned you were…changing the plan.”

(Bridget laughs nervously as Cooper laughs out loud, causing the other trolls to quiet him)

Chef: “Well, this won't be a problem at all, Your Highness. I'll just get my worthless scullery maid to get another place setting ready for the lovely...Lady Glittersparkles.” (Leans in close to Bridget while holding the last syllable in her name)

“She’s not worthless!” Viva said, feeling protective of Bridget all of a sudden, which took her by surprise. 

King Gristle: “Put her place setting next to mine. I want her right by my side...Hey! Lady Glittersparkles?” (Turns to see Bridget had gone, so he quickly goes outside to follow her) “Lady Glittersparkles!” (Watches Bridget skate out of sight) 

“Oh poor Bridget,” Viva said, angry at Chef for interrupting her date. 

King Gristle: “I'll see you at Trollstice, yeah?” (Looks at the stairs and gasps in excitement as he notices Bridget had accidentally left one of her skates behind. Bending down, he picks it up and spins one of the wheels) “I miss you already.” (Kisses the spinning wheel) “Ow!”

“That was stupid of him,” John Dory said, the brothers all laughing at the King. 

Chapter Text

(Bridget skates into her room, twirling and landing with a sigh on her bed, the trolls laying above her head)

Cooper: “I think the King really likes us!”

“I think so too! That was quite the impression they made,” Viva said, happy for Bridget. 

Biggie: “I know, right?”

Bridget: “That was the greatest day of my life!” (Turns over to face the trolls) “Thanks, Poppy. Thanks to all of you!” (Glances at Branch) “Even you, I guess.” (A frown replaces Branch’s smile as she says this)

“Seriously? Did she have to say that!” John Dory said, slightly angry now. 

“If it weren’t for Branch stepping in, she could have gotten in trouble with the King as he thought she was making fun of him!” Clay said, also upset toward Bridget. 

“Yeah, it’s really thanks to Branch that date turned out to be a success,” Bruce added, crossing his arms. 

Bridget: “I just never thought something like that could happen to me.” (Rolls back over on her back) 

“Honestly, neither did I,” Viva said. 

Bridget: “And it just did! I'm so excited I could just scream.” (Silently screams then covers her mouth with her hands)

Poppy: “Oh, I could scream too! Creek is alive!” 

All trolls (Except Branch): “Yay!”

“Whoo!” Viva and the brothers cheered. 

(Meanwhile Branch is shouting/screaming/off-key cheering; interrupting the other trolls’ celebration and having them all look at him in confusion)

“Uh, is he okay?” Clay asked, him and his brothers looking at Branch in confusion. 

“What’s wrong with him?” Viva asked, also confused. 

Poppy: “Branch, what's wrong?”

Branch: “Nothing. I thought we were celebrating.”

“That was him being happy?” Viva asked, raising her eyebrows in even more confusion. 

Cooper: “That's your happy shout?”

Branch: (Once again the smile leaves his face to be replaced with a frown) “It's been a while.”

At Branch’s words the brothers once again flinched at the reminder of how their past actions caused their youngest brother so much pain and hardship over the past twenty years. 

“We’re sorry Branch…” Floyd softly said, his brothers nodding sadly in agreement. 

Poppy: “Well, you're gonna have plenty of practice, because we're gonna save Creek and life will be all cupcakes and rainbows again!” 

Branch: “Up top!” (Holds his hand up to Poppy for a high five, which she goes for but he moves his hand before any contact) “Too slow.” (Poppy smiles at him, which he returns) 

At this small interaction between Branch and Poppy, the brothers couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. It seemed like Branch was finally opening up and beginning to be happy again, which is all the brothers wanted for him. Well, that and to be a family once again, which they were sure to take care of as soon as they left this place. 

Poppy: “Okay, everybody...let's go save Creek!” 

(Trolls run to the door, but before they can leave Bridget closes it and blocks their escape)

Bridget: “No! No! You can't leave. Lady Glittersparkles is gonna be the king's plus one at dinner.”

“She can’t rely on them forever to be Lady Glittersparkles! She better not be backing out of their deal,” Viva said, narrowing her eyes at Bridget. 

Branch: “The dinner where they're serving Troll? Yeah, I think we're gonna have to skip that one.” 

“Good point,” John Dory said, him and his brothers agreeing strongly with Branch. No way did they want Branch anywhere near the Bergen’s during Trollstice, even if he were concealed by Bridget. 

Bridget: “No! No, you have to help me be Lady Glittersparkles. I need you.” 

“No, you don’t. Just be yourself,” Floyd told Bridget on-screen, even though she couldn’t hear him and the event had already happened. 

Poppy: “You don't wanna pretend to be someone you're not forever!”

Bridget: “Then how about just for tomorrow?”

Poppy: “Bridget, you don't need us anymore. You and the king can make each other happy!” 

Bridget: (Angirly) “That's impossible! Only eating a Troll can make you happy. Everyone knows that! I wish I'd never gone on this stupid date!” (Runs over to her bulletin board and tears two long strips down it, crumbling the torn magazines in her fists as she cries into them)

“Oh, Bridget,” Viva and Floyd said sadly, hating to see Bridget so sad. 

Poppy: “Bridget…” 

Bridget: “Just go! Get out of my room. Leave me alone.” (Resumes crying)

Poppy: “Please, listen!”

Chef: “Bridget!” (Voice echoing down from the chute above)

Branch: “We've gotta go.” 

Poppy: “Bridget…” 

Chef: “What's going on down there? Bridget, scrub that dish!” (Throws a plate down which hits Bridget on the head) “The king's bringing a plus one.” 

“She’s so mean!” Bruce said, fuming in anger toward the way Chef was treating Bridget. 

“No one should be treated like that,” Floyd sadly added. 

“Poor Bridget,” Viva whispered. 

Bridget: “Yes, Chef.” (Begins crying again)

(Poppy stares sorrowfully at Bridget, and regretfully turns and follows Branch and the others out the door) 

(Scene change to King Gristles room, where he sets his cape down and places the roller skate on top of it, before looking himself in his mirror) 

King Gristle: “We can do this, Barnabus. I just have to lose 30 pounds in the next eight hours.” (Turns on his walkman, gets on his treadmill, and begins to slowly run in place on it, singing along to the music)

“Okay, liking his enthusiasm,” John Dory said. “Though he’s going awfully slow on that treadmill…”

“Probably because he’s never used it,” Clay said, rolling his eyes at his oldest brother. 

(Meanwhile, the trolls enter his room to find the cape lying by itself on the ground)

“Oh please be careful…” Bruce said, worried for Branch and the other trolls. If the King turned around and saw them…he shuddered at the thought of what would happen. 

Poppy: “There it is!” 

King Gristle: “ Oh...I feel good I feel good I feel good… ” 

(The trolls make their way to the cape, crawling inside a blanket for extra cover)

Poppy: “Creek, we'll have you out of there in a second.” (Branch attempts to open up the gem)

Biggie: “Hurry!”

Branch: “It's stuck!”

(Growls sound behind them and they turn to see Barnabus ready to pounce)

“Oh no, Branch!” Floyd exclaimed in fear. 

“Run!” Viva and Clay shouted. 

Poppy: “Run!” (Poppy and Branch detach the gem from the cape, running away with the rest of the trolls, supporting the weight of the gem between the two of them)

King Gristle: “ I feel love… ” (Oblivious to the King, as the trolls dodge Barnabus, he does not hear his TV break, the chandelier fall from the ceiling, nor one of his room items bursting into flame)

“Okay…even though this is a very intense and scary scene, you gotta admit that that was kinda funny,” John Dory said, his brothers agreeing with him though still worried about Branch. 

Cooper: “Hey, guys! Over here!” (Cooper along with Biggie, Mr. Dinkles, DJ Suki, and Satin & Chenille, all of whom are in the roller skate, calls to Fuzzbert, Guy Diamond, Branch and Poppy to make their way over to escape)

“Hurray! Get in and go!” Clay shouted, getting really worried. 

Biggie: “Everyone, get in!”

Branch: “Let's go.”

Poppy: “Branch, give him to me.” (Mentions for the gem so Branch can get himself up)

Chenille: “Go!” 

DJ Suki: “Just go!”

(Barnabus leaps and accidentally crashes into the skate, causing it to fly out the door, helping the trolls in their escape)

“Well that was lucky for them,” Floyd shakily said, glad Barnabus didn’t get any of them. 

Branch: “Everybody hold on!”

(The skate lands in the hall, Barnabus chasing behind, as the trolls steer it in their escape)

Biggie: “Hold it steady, guys.”

Poppy: “Satin, Chenille, sharp right!” 

Chenille: “Let's do it!” (Flings Satin up to a lantern, which she grabs hold of and turns the skate, then jumps back in and rejoins the trolls)

Poppy: “Guy Diamond, glitter him!”

Guy Diamond: “Eat glitter!” (Shoots glitter at Barnabus’s face, causing him to run into the walls and allowing the trolls to lose him) “Ha-ha.”

During the trolls' escape, the brothers and Viva could only watch silently with bated breaths as they hoped a passing Bergen or Barnabus wouldn’t get any of the trolls. 

DJ Suki: “Look!” (Straight ahead, a wet floor caution sign stood in their path)

Poppy: “Hold on!” (Branch and Poppy’s eyes narrow in determination, as they sail onto the sign. Hitting a bump, they lose their grip on the gem, causing it to fly out of their grasp and accidentally be swallowed by Barnabus)

“Oh no!” Viva said, her and the brothers gasping in horror. 

Poppy: “Creek!” 

(Gagging, Barnabus crashing into the window ledge, knocking the gem out of him and causing it to fly in the air once again)

Poppy: (Jumps from the roller skate and catches hold of the gem) “Branch!” (Poppy throws her hair at him, with him doing the same, their hair entwining together in the moonlight as he pulls her to safety)

As Poppy made it back to safety, Viva sighed in relief. “Remind me to thank Branch for that when I meet him,” she told Clay, who was happily smiling at Branch along with his brothers, glad that Branch was the troll Poppy called on and trusted enough to aid her. 

Biggie: “We got you!”

(Ahead, a window was fast approaching, causing the trolls to scream as they crashed into the window, then hit a lamp, went through the floor, ran into a chandelier, broke a statue of King Gristle, fell through a stage, and finally landed on the kitchen floor)

“Ouch,” Viva and the brothers said, wincing as if they were the ones who just crashed into everything. They hoped their siblings were all right… 

Poppy: “Gotcha!” (Before the gem hit the floor, Branch and Poppy caught it) 

“Nice catch,” John Dory commented, glad to see his brother and Poppy uninjured from their fall. 

(Excitedly, the trolls gathered around the gem, looking at one another expectedly. Placing it gently down on the ground, Poppy opened it to find it empty)

“What? No!” Bruce gasped.

“They’re too late…” Floyd said. 

“I can’t believe they just went through all of that for nothing!” Clay said.

Branch: “Huh?” 

Poppy: “No! He can't be gone.”

Branch: “I'm sorry, Poppy. We're too late.”

Chef: “Actually your timing is perfect.” (Captures all the gathered trolls in the cage they had escaped from earlier that day)

“NO!” they all shouted, Viva beginning to hyperventilate. 

“No no no, she has Poppy…” she breathed heavily, panicking. 

“And Branch,” Bruce said, looking in horror at his brothers. 

Not knowing what to say, they could only turn their attention back to the screen, terrified of what might happen next. They couldn’t believe that Branch had been caught, not after escaping the Bergen’s time and time again. 

Chef: (Places the caged trolls on a table in the kitchen) “Sorry, but I can't have you leaving before tomorrow's dinner. A dinner to which you are all invited. And when I say all...I mean every Troll in Troll Village.” (Turns to walk away) 

“I really don’t like seeing Branch in a cage…” Bruce said, worried for his brother. 

Poppy: “You'll never find them. Not where they're hiding.” 

Chef: (Stops walking) “Oh, you're right. I couldn't find them.” (Turns to face the trolls) But I could with someone they know. Someone they trust. Someone...like this guy.” (Unzips her fanny pack and pulls out Creek, whom she places in front of the cage. Everyone is immediately happy to see him alive, all but Branch, who notices instantly the betrayal)

“Yes! He’s alive!” Viva said, not making the connection from Chef’s words to Creek. Clay on the other hand did. 

Poppy: “Creek! You're alive!” 

DJ Suki: “He's so cool.”

Biggie: “Yes!” 

“He’s selling them out!” Clay shouted, him and his brothers sending looks that could kill toward Creek. It was his fault after all that their brother was now in a cage ready and waiting to be served to Bergens! 

Branch: (Glares at Creek) “He's selling us out!” (Starts to strangle Creek with his hair)

“Go Branch!” The brothers cheered, glad to see their brother wasn’t as oblivious as the other trolls and that he was giving Creek a piece of what he deserved. 

Poppy: “Branch! Wait! I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation.” (Pulls a furious Branch away, allowing Creek to gasp for air) “At least give him a chance.”

Creek: “Thank you, Poppy. I'm selling you out.”

“No!” Viva shouted, upset at Creek. 

(At his words, Poppy begins strangling Creek with her hair, causing all the trolls to pull her away except for Branch, who stands to the side smiling)

“Go Poppy!” Viva and the brothers cheered. 

Poppy: “You better explain yourself, Creek!” 

Creek: “As I was about to accept my fate, I had, what I can only describe as...a spiritual awakening…”

(Flashback)

(Gristel begins to swallow the taco, with Creek in it, until Creek grabs onto Gristle's uvula, causing him to choke and spit Creek out)

Creek: “I don't wanna die! Don't eat me. Eat someone else. Anyone else. Everyone else. But not me!”

“WHAT A COWARD!” John Dory loudly shouted, everyone in the room continuing to glare at Creek. 

Chef: “But the king wants to be happy now.”

Creek: “Wait! Wait! There must be some other way. I'll do anything.”

“He was willing to sacrifice our brother, Poppy, and all the other trolls just to save his own skin!” Bruce growled, hating the purple troll. 

Chef: “Hmm…”

(Flashback ends)

Poppy: “No! Creek, please don't do this.”

Creek: “Believe me...I wish there was some other me-not-getting-eaten way.”

Chef: “But there isn't.”

Creek: “And now I have to live with this for the rest of my life.”

“Which was entirely your choice!” Clay shouted. 

Creek: “At least you get to die with a clear conscience. So, in a way...you could say...I'm doing this for you.” (Takes Poppy’s cowbell and boops her nose, causing the other trolls to gasp) “Boop!”

“HOW DARE HE DO THAT TO MY SISTER!” Viva shouted. Oh how she wished Creek were with them in that room. She’d really give him a piece of her mind. No one did that to her sister! 

(Scene changes to Branch’s bunker where the trolls are all hiding, and a faint sound of a cowbell is heard)

King Peppy: “Shh, listen. It's Poppy's cowbell!”

“Oh no, Dad!” Viva gasped, worried for her dad and the other trolls. 

(Excited, the trolls rush outside to greet the princess and those she rescued)

King Peppy: “My baby did it! Poppy did it! Haha!” (Looking up, instead of seeing Poppy, King Peppy sees Creek holding the cowbell) “Creek?”

(Shrugging, Creek let himself get picked up by the Bergens and got placed on the Chef’s shoulder, drawing the trolls attention to the hiding Bergens, all of whom unzipped their fanny packs)

King Peppy: “Uh-oh…”

“Dad! NO!” Viva cried, as she watched her father and the trolls get captured. “No…they were safe…”

“I’m so sorry Viva,” Clay told her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. As Viva began to cry she turned and embraced Clay, who hugged her back, and began to cry into his shoulder. 

John Dory, Bruce and Floyd could only stare ahead in horror and shock. They couldn’t believe a troll would betray their whole tribe, just to save themselves. 

“I can’t believe this is happening…” Bruce said, putting his hand over his eyes. “They have all the trolls now and Branch, thanks to that traitor.” 

“Are we…expected to sit here and watch everyone get eaten?!” John Dory angrily exclaimed, standing up. “Cloud Guy! Where are you?!” 

At John Dory’s shout Cloud Guy appeared. 

“What’s up?” he casually asked, scratching his face. 

“Do you seriously expect us to sit here and watch our brother and Viva’s family and friends get eaten?! Because if so, forget it and bring us back now!” John Dory demanded, advancing toward Cloud Guy. 

“Woah woah, calm down,” Cloud Guy said, not at all worried about the angry troll approaching him. 

“How can we be calm when our brother is about to die!” Bruce shouted at the cloud, his voice breaking as he said the word ‘die.’ 

“Just…could you please let us know our brother and the other trolls will be safe?” Floyd asked, trying to stay calm though his heart was pounding. 

At his words Cloud Guy sighed. “I’m sorry, but I’m really not supposed to say anything.” At the brothers and Viva’s glares, he quickly continued “But…I can assure you that there’s nothing to worry about!” 

Bruce scoffed at these words. “Nothing-Nothing to worry about?! The Bergen’s have our brother!” he shouted. 

“Sorry, that’s all I can say,” and with that Cloud Guy disappeared, leaving the brothers and Viva to continue watching and not easing any of their concerns or worries. 

Chapter Text

(Bergens march toward the palace, chanting ‘Trollstice’ as they find seats in the dining hall for the feast)

Bergens: “Trollstice! Trollstice! Trollstice!” 

Seeing the Bergens enthusiasm for Trollstice caused the brothers and Viva to be put on edge, but no one had the heart to comment. They were nervous and disgusted enough as it was. 

(King Gristle waits outside the castle doors, holding Bridget's roller skate and looking over the crowd trying to spot her)

(Scene change - down in the kitchens)

Chef: “Now let's prepare the main course. The Trolls!” (All the Bergen chefs open their fanny packs and empty all the trolls into the provided pot. When all the trolls are in, Chef laughs wickedly and shuts the lid and locks them in, plunging the trolls into darkness)

“I don’t think I can watch this…” Floyd whispered, scrunching his eyes shut. He hated, absolutely hated, the fact that his brother was about to be served as a meal, and was disgusted by how the Bergens were treating the trolls as food. They were living creatures, with a body and spirit, not something to be eaten and handled as food! Next to him he could hear John breathing heavily and knew that Bruce was shaking in anger while Clay tried to comfort a panicking Viva even though he was on the verge of panicking as well. 

King Peppy: “Poppy? Poppy! Oh, thank goodness you're all right.” (Runs over to Poppy and hugs her, but she doesn’t return the hug or the joy in seeing him)

Poppy: (Pulls away from the hug) “I'm doing great. I got everybody I love thrown in a pot, thanks for asking.”

(Branch sadly looks at Poppy, realizing that she wasn’t being positive)

“Was she just…sarcastic?” Clay asked, the trolls surprised by Poppy’s behavior. Trolls were never sarcastic…well, unless they were gray… 

Biggie: “Poppy? Are you being...sarcastic?”

Poppy: “Yes!”

(All the trolls gasp)

Smidge: “Oh my gosh!”

Poppy: “I'm sorry. I don't know why I thought I could save you. All I wanted to do was keep everyone safe, like you did, Dad. But I couldn't.” (Begins crying)

“No, don’t say that…” Viva whispered in sorrow at her sister’s words. 

“She shouldn’t blame herself. If it wasn’t for Creek, the other trolls would never have been found or captured,” Clay sadly said, doing his best to comfort Viva even though he felt just as sad and hopeless as she did. 

King Peppy: “Poppy.”

Poppy: “I let everyone down.” (Kneels on the ground, hanging her head in shame)

Branch: “But, Poppy…”

Poppy: “You were right, Branch. The world isn't all cupcakes and rainbows.” (At these words, Poppy’s color began to fade, her hair and body slowly turning gray)

“Oh no, Poppy…” Viva said, tears forming in her eyes. Throughout the whole movie Poppy had been nothing but positive and full of hope, but now she seemed almost unrecognizable. 

“No, no no no she can’t give up hope now…” Floyd said, his heart breaking at the sight. 

John, Bruce and Clay didn’t know what to say. They had grown to really like Poppy and appreciated her for accepting Branch and giving him a chance to be happy. Seeing her lose hope and her color as well, it was as if they were watching a really close friend who had just given up on everything. 

Biggie: “Poppy…”

(At Poppy’s defeat, Branch watched as every troll hung their head down in sorrow and began to turn gray. Soon, there was no color in the pot, just darkness and gray trolls)

“No…” Viva whispered, tears spilling down her face as she closed her eyes and bowed her head in sorrow. 

“Viva?” Clay gasped, putting his hand on her shoulder. He’d never seen her so defeated before.

“It’s all my fault this happened. When I’d escaped, I should have gone looking for them. I should have brought them to safety. I wasn’t there for Poppy or the other trolls to protect them…” with those words the brothers gasped as Viva slowly began to turn gray. 

“No, no Viva, not you too. Don’t say that,” Clay said, hating to see her so devastated. Looking up at the screen where his brother now blended in with the other gray trolls he too couldn’t help but feel remorse and guilt wash over him. Closing his eyes and bowing his head in shame, his hand still on Viva’s shoulder, his color too began to fade. 

“Clay…” Bruce whispered, hating to see his brother so sad. One by one, Bruce, John Dory, and Floyd also bowed their heads in sorrow, tears leaking down their faces, and soon the room was occupied only by gray trolls. 

(Scene changes to Bridget cleaning the dishes, seeing her reflection, and sadly glancing at her jumpsuit and single roller skate laid on her bed)

(Scene changes to King Gristle, sitting sadly at the head of the table, the single roller skate beside him, watching the door for hope that she might arrive)

(Scene changes to the trolls back in the pot, and Branch can’t stop staring sadly at Poppy)

Branch: “ You with the sad eyes .”

(At his voice, many trolls looked up in confusion as to who was singing)

Taken by surprise, the trolls slowly looked up at the screen, wondering who had sung. 

Branch: “ Don't be discouraged. ” 

Realizing it was Branch who was singing, the brothers looked at one another in confusion and surprise, their eyes still reflecting the sorrow they all felt. 

Branch: (Slowly approaches Poppy and kneels down next to her) “ Oh, I realize, it's hard to take courage, in a world full of people. You can lose sight of it all, the darkness inside you can make you feel so small. ” 

At Branch’s words the brothers all looked down in reflection. It was true, this feeling of hopelessness and despair they now felt made them feel so alone and small. It was hard to think of anything else that mattered as they were consumed in their grief. 

(Poppy’s hug time bracelet goes off, causing Branch to extend his arms open to Poppy for a hug. Poppy looks at Branch, then sadly turns away while covering her bracelets light with her hand. Lowering his hands, Branch gazes sadly at Poppy as the other hug time bracelets go off one by one, no troll moving to hug anyone)

(Bridget sadly listens to the chiming of the hug time bracelets from outside the pot)

Chef: “What are you doing? The king is waiting. Get those Trolls out there!”

Bridget: (Startled, she moved her head away from the pot) “Sorry, Chef.” (Begins pushing the pot toward the dining hall)

Chef: “Oh, you are sorry.”

(Back in the pot)

Branch: “ Show me a smile then… ” (Takes Poppy by the hands and brings her to her feet) “ Don't be unhappy, can't remember when… ” (Poppy takes her hands away and takes a few steps away from Branch) “ I last saw you laughing…This world makes you crazy… ” (Branch goofily slides toward Poppy, making her smile) 

Seeing Branch singing and trying to make Poppy smile brought a small smile to the brother’s. Slowly, they began to feel comforted by Branch’s words, and hearing him sing so beautifully and sincerely planted a seed of hope in the brothers' hearts. 

Branch: “ And when you've taken all you can bear, just, call me up, 'cause I will always be there. ” (Poppy’s color comes back) “ And I see your true colors shining through. ” 

“Poppy!” Viva said, now smiling and crying in joy. 

“Viva…” Clay whispered. 

Looking over at Clay, Viva noticed that he wasn’t meeting her eyes but instead looking down. Following his gaze, she noticed that her vibrant pink color, the same shade as Poppy’s, had begun to return to her. Laughing in joy, she looked up and met Clay’s gaze, exchanging a look of wonder and joy. 

Branch: “ I see your true colors, and that's why I love you. ” 

At Branch’s words, Viva and the brothers gasped and directed their gazes at the screen. Branch…loved Poppy? At this thought a small smile formed on the brothers faces. Their brother deserved to be happy and to have love in his life. 

Poppy: (At his words, joy fills Poppy and she smiles warmly at him) “ So don't be afraid… ”

Branch & Poppy: (Poppy holds her hand out to Branch, which he takes. At the contact, Branch begins to get his colors back) “ To let them show. Your true colors…true colors are beautiful. ” 

“Branch! Yes!” The brothers cheered in joy. Looking at each other, they noticed that their colors were returning as well. Laughing in happiness, the brothers embraced one another, Viva laughing in joy to the side, watching the brothers celebrate. 

“He did it! He got his colors back!” John Dory cheered, hugging Bruce, who just kept laughing and smiling. 

(With their true colors back, Branch and Poppy begin dancing, the trolls they pass regaining their true color as well)

Branch: “ I see your true colors shining through… ” (Poppy: “ True colors… ”) Branch: “ I see your true colors… ”

Branch & Poppy: “ That's why I love you. ” 

“All the trolls are getting their colors back!” Floyd exclaimed, still smiling in joy as he watched his younger brother dance with Poppy, their colors lighting everyone up. 

“And Branch finally came to realize his feelings for Poppy!” Bruce added, thumping John Dory on the back in excitement. 

“Oh, I’m so happy right now!” Viva squealed, holding onto Clay’s arms as they had just embraced. 

“I know right!” Clay said, smiling warmly at her. 

Looking into his eyes, Viva felt her heart leap in more than just excitement. Without realizing what she was doing, she leaned over and kissed Clay on the cheek. Pulling back, she saw Clay blush and put a hand on his cheek where she had kissed him in shock. Smiling nervously, she waited for him to say something, but was taken by surprise when he instead pulled her close and kissed her on the lips, his brothers whooping and wolf whistling behind them. 

Branch & Poppy: “ So don't be afraid, to let them show .” 

Branch: “ Your true colors… ”

Poppy: “ True colors- ”

Branch & Poppy: “ Are beautiful. ”

Branch: “ Like a rainbow. ”

Poppy: “ Oh, oh, oh...like a rainbow. ”

(Cooper begins playing his harmonica, as all the trolls gather together, everyone having their colors back. Branch and Poppy hug, with all the other trolls hugging someone as well)

As the trolls on screen hugged, so did the brothers and Viva, all of them forming a small group hug. When the hug ended, John Dory was the first to speak. 

“Oh man! I can’t believe it! Branch is back! Our Branch!” he exclaimed, unable to stand still in excitement. 

“I know! Not to mention he brought all their colors back too!” Floyd added in joy.

“And ours! I’m glad Branch is no longer gray. That was the worst feeling ever,” Bruce said, shuddering. “I can’t even imagine living like that for twenty years.” 

“Let’s not talk about that now though. Did you guys hear his voice!” Clay said, holding Viva’s hand. 

“It was so fantastamazing!” Viva said, smiling widely. “He really does have the voice of an angel.” 

“His voice is really incredible,” John Dory said, agreeing strongly with Viva. 

“And his colors are as vibrant as I remember them to be!” Floyd said in joy. 

Poppy: “Thank you!”

Branch: “No. Thank you.”

Poppy: “For what?”

Branch: “For showing me how to be…happy.” 

“Yes!” Viva and the brothers cheered, still overjoyed to finally see Branch with his colors. 

Poppy: “Really? You're finally happy? Now?”

“Come to think of it, it is kind of a weird time for Branch to get his colors back,” John Dory said, reminding everyone of the troll's current situation. 

“Oh right, I forgot about that…” Clay said, feeling slightly guilty that he did indeed forget the dangerous situation his brother was still in. 

Branch: “I think so. Happiness is inside of all of us, right? Sometimes, you just need someone to help you find it.” (Poppy smiles at him) 

“Aww, they really are perfect for each other,” Viva said, looking over at Clay who smiled his goofy smile at her she adored. 

Young Troll: “What's gonna happen now, Princess Poppy?”

Poppy: “I don't know. But I know we're not giving up.” (Turns around to look at Branch, smiling at him who smiles back)

(The pot shakes and a loud noise echos in the pot, as the trolls hear the lid being unlocked)

“Oh no!” Viva and the brothers gasped, their previous fear and nervousness returning. 

Guy Diamond: “No.”

Biggie: “This is it, Mr. Dinkles. This is it.”

(The trolls all gather close together and watch terrified as the lid opens. But instead of seeing Chef or King Gristle, Bridget is seen looking sadly and worriedly down on them)

“It’s Bridget?!” John Dory exclaimed, both in shock and relief. 

“Do you think she’ll help them?” Bruce asked hopefully. 

“Let us hope so…” Floyd said, watching the screen with bated breath. 

Bridget: “Poppy!”

Poppy: “Bridget?”

Bergens in Background: “Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!”

(Bridget reaches her hand inside, allowing Poppy to climb on)

Poppy: “What are you doing?”

Bridget: “I can't let them eat you.”

Poppy: “But…”

Bridget: “Come on!” (Tips the pot to its side, allowing the trolls to escape) “You gotta go! Hurry! Go, go, go! Get out of here!” (Sets Poppy down on the ground, as the other trolls begin to make their way toward the Troll Tree to escape) 

“Yes!” Viva and the brothers shouted in relief and joy. Their siblings and the other trolls were saved. 

“I never thought I’d see a Bergen freeing trolls, especially on Trollstice” Viva said in wonder. She was really beginning to like Bridget. 

Poppy: “No! Bridget, if you go in there without us, you know what they'll do.”

“Oh no, she’s right,” Floyd gasped, worried for the Bergen. 

Bridget: “I know.” (Stands between the door frame of the dinning hall, about to go in) 

Poppy: “But, Bridget…” 

Bridget: “It's okay.” (Kneels down beside Poppy) “It's okay, Poppy. You showed me what it feels like to be happy. I never would have known if it wasn't for you. And I love you for that.”

“Woah” Viva and the brothers gasped, looking at each other in amazement. 

Poppy: “I love you too, Bridget.”

Chef: “Bridget!”

Bridget: (Stands up and runs back to the door and begins to shut it) “Go on, now. You have to hurry!”

Poppy: “Come with us.”

Bridget: “And make it easier for them to find you? No way! You have to go. Now!”

Poppy: “Bridget!” (Stops Bridget from closing the door)

Bridget: (Gently pushes Poppy away with her finger, which Poppy hugs) “Bye, Poppy.” (Closes the door) 

“I can’t believe Bridget sacrificed everything, just for Poppy,” Viva said in shock, grateful to the Bergen while also worried about what would happen to her. 

(Inside the dining room, where Bridget pushes the, now empty, pot toward the King)

Bergens: (Chanting) “Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!”

King Gristle: “Wait! Chef, shouldn't we wait for Lady Glittersparkles?” (At his words Bridget looks at him worriedly) 

“He really does care about her,” Bruce said in wonder, referring to the King’s feelings toward ‘Lady Glittersparkles’ (aka Bridget). 

Chef: “Oh, you are absolutely right.” (Address the Bergen’s) “Now, everyone, there will be no Trolls until the king's plus one has arrived.”

Bergens: “Boo!” (Bridget looks down sadly)

“Poor Bridget…” Clay softly said, also worried for her. 

Bergen: “We've waited long enough!”

Chef: “Unless…”

King Gristle: “Unless, what?”

Chef: “Well, unless she doesn't come at all. But that's crazy talk. Who wouldn't wanna be with you?”

King Gristle: “Yeah. Maybe we should start.”

Bergens: “Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!”

Trolls: (As they escape through the tunnels) “Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!”

Cooper: “Yeah!”

Biggie: “Whoo-hoo!”

“Yes, get out of there!” John Dory said, cheering the trolls on along with his brothers and Viva. 

(Troll Tree, entrance to the tunnels)

Poppy: (Her and Branch are seen directing the trolls into the tunnels) “Go! Come on. Hurry! Come on. Everybody, let's go. No Troll left behind!”

“Of course Branch would stay behind with her to make sure the other trolls made it out safely,” Floyd said, proud of his brother. 

“You know, now I have to get used to seeing Branch with his colors again,” John Dory said in amusement, causing his brothers to chuckle at his words. 

Branch: “Watch your step.” (Sees Poppy walking away from the tunnel and staring at the castle) “Poppy?”

Poppy: “Bridget just ruined her life to save ours. It's not right! She deserves to be happy as much as we do. They all do!”

“Uh, what?” John Dory asked. 

“I sense another ‘Poppy plan’” Bruce said. 

“Oh no, they’re going back aren’t they?” Floyd said in realization. 

“What? Why? They just escaped!” Viva exclaimed, not wanting Poppy to go back. 

“You’re right, they did. But from what we’ve seen of your sister, she won’t leave an opportunity to help someone, even if it is the enemy,” Floyd told her.

“Let’s just hope they don’t get caught…” Clay said, hoping his brother would stay safe while also knowing he would get in harm’s way if it meant protecting Poppy, which worried him while at the same time causing him to feel proud of his youngest brother. 

Chapter Text

(Back in the castle)

Chef: “All right, everybody. Who's ready to eat Trolls?” (Bergens cheer) “King Gristle…there is only one thing that will ever make you happy…and only one Bergen who can provide it.” (Unlocks the lid and takes it off the pot) “Bon appetit!” (Looks down and gasps) “They're gone!”

“Ha!” John Dory said in triumph. 

Bergens: “Gone?!”

King Gristle: “They're gone?”

Chef: “Idget…” (Slams the lid back on and advances on Bridget) “what did you do? You ate them! You greedy, greedy pig.”

“No! How could she possibly believe Bridget ate all the trolls?” Viva said, worried for Bridget.

“The trolls were her ticket to becoming Queen, so now that they’re gone, obviously she’ll resort to blaming just so she doesn’t get thrown out again,” Floyd said. 

“Wait, she wanted to be Queen?” Bruce asked, causing Floyd to sigh.

“Didn’t you guys hear what she said in the kitchens after regaining her title as Chef? She said that by bringing back the trolls she’d be able to control the kingdom. She’s only looking for power and to be in control of the other Bergens, she doesn’t actually care about their happiness, only her own,” Floyd explained. 

Bridget: “No! I...uh…” (Backs away in fear)

Bergens: “She ruined Trollstice!”

Chef: “Guards, lock her up!” (The guards in the room threateningly point their spears at Bridget) 

“Oh no, Bridget!” Viva gasped. 

“Isn’t that supposed to be the King’s decision? I mean, even if she does want to be Queen she certainly doesn’t have that title or power now,” John Dory said angrily, crossing his arms.

“It looks like she does have that power though…” Clay said, also worried for Bridget. 

Bergens: “Let's get her!”

(A window smashes as Poppy, Branch, Guy Diamond, DJ Suki, Satin & Chenille, Cooper, Smidge, Biggie, Mr. Dinkles, and Fuzzbert break in, riding on Bridget’s roller skate. Using Barnabus as a ramp, the trolls fly in the air and jump onto Bridget’s head, the skate going on her foot, and all the trolls, including Branch, grow their hair and turn it rainbow, revealing Bridget to be Lady Glittersparkles in front of the King)

“Our siblings are awesome!” John Dory exclaimed, once again, his brothers just staring at the screen with wide eyes. 

“Okay, that was definitely not the entrance I thought they were going to make,” Clay said, amazed by his brother’s bravery and daring nature once again. 

“And now King Gristle knows who Bridget is. Let’s just hope he takes it well….” Viva added, hoping the King wasn’t disappointed in learning Bridget was a scullery maid and that he didn’t get mad at her for befriending trolls. 

King Gristle: (Gasps and goes under the table to stand in front of Bridet) “Lady Glittersparkles?”

Chef: “What?”

(The trolls resume their natural appearance, making the ‘wig’ go away, and crawl on Bridget’s hands)

King Gristle: “But how? Why? Why did you do this?”

(Bridget sets the trolls down on the table)

“Please be careful…” Floyd whispered, worried for his brother being so close to Bergens. 

Poppy: “Because she didn't think you would want someone like her.”

Bridget: “I mean, hello? Is it me you're looking for? I don't think so.”

Chef: (Furiously) “Guards, finish her!”

Bridget: “Oh!”

King Gristle: “No!”

“I’m glad he’s not wanting her locked up,” Floyd said softly. 

“Why are the guards listening to Chef over the King!” John Dory asked angrily. 

Poppy: “Wait! King Gristle, when you were with Bridget, you were feeling something, weren't you?”

King Gristle: “Yeah, I was. I just thought it was too much pizza.”

Bridget: “Me, too.”

Poppy: “That feeling? That was happiness.” 

Bergens: (Confused) “What?”

Bibbly: “But you have to eat a Troll to be happy. Everyone knows that! Don't you?”

Poppy: “But King Gristle's never eaten a Troll in his life, right?”

King Gristle: “No, I haven't. Yet, here I am…” (Puts Bridget's other roller skate on her foot and takes her by the hands) “My belly empty...and my heart full.” 

(Bergen’s listen to his words, surprised, and believe him, causing Chef to get angry) 

“Aww…” Viva said, glad that King Gristle accepted that he was indeed happy without eating a troll because of Bridget and happy that the other Bergens seemed to be listening. 

Chef: “Don't listen to her! There's only one way to be happy.” (Pushes King Gristle and Bridget aside and advances on the Trolls) “My way!” 

Bridget: “No!” 

Chef: “With me in charge…” (Bangs on the table and grabs Branch)

Branch: “Ahh!”

“NO! Branch!!” the brothers shouted, standing up in shock and fear even though they knew there was nothing they could do. 

Chef: “I'll serve you Troll every day of the year!” (Puts Branch in front of King Gristle and opens the King's mouth) “With me as queen...all of life will be a never-ending feast of happiness!” (Branch tries to run away but Chef blocks his escape with a knife, forcing him to back up in fear and land on the King’s tongue) “Come on, eat! Eat!”

“No! No no no, not Branch please not Branch…” Bruce said, his heart thumping in fear. 

“He has to get out of there!” Clay said, panicking. There was no way he was going to lose his baby brother after just learning he was alive after all this time! 

“He can’t! Not with Chef right there!” Floyd practically shouted with his nerves so high. 

Poppy: “No!” (Runs and pushes Branch off the retracting tongue)

“Oh thank goodness,” John Dory breathed, holding a hand over his racing heart. 

“That was too close,” Bruce said, still feeling himself shaking in fear. 

“Viva, remind us to thank Poppy when we meet her. I don’t know what we would do if she hadn’t saved our brother,” Clay told Viva, trying to calm himself down. 

Poppy: “Happiness isn't something you put inside. It's already there. Sometimes you just need someone to help you find it.”

Bergen: “Can I really be happy?”

Bergen: “I want to be happy!”

Bergen: “And me!”

Bergen: “Sign me up!”

Todd: “And what about me?”

Bibbly: “Do you really think I can be happy?”

“They’re listening to her,” Viva said, shocked. She never thought, not even in her wildest dreams, that Bergen’s could be reasoned with. 

Poppy: “Of course! It's inside you! It's inside of all of us!” (Gestures briefly to Branch) “And I don't think it. I feel it! I got this feeling…inside my bones. It goes electric wavy when I turn it on! ”

Branch: “ And if you want it, inside your soul… ”

At Branch singing the brothers felt themselves finally calm down, smiling as they watched Branch being happy with his true colors. 

Branch & Poppy: “ Just open up your heart let music take control! ” (The other trolls join in the dance) “ I've got that sunshine in my pocket, got that good soul in my feet. I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops! ”

“They’re so cute together!” Viva squealed, enjoying the scene and Branch and Poppy’s interactions with each other. 

Trolls: “ Ooh! ”

Branch & Poppy: “ I can't take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally. The room on lock the way we rock it, so don't stop! ”

“Our Branch is back!” John Dory exclaimed, his brothers laughing and smiling at those words they knew to be true. 

Branch, Poppy, DJ Suki, Fuzzbert, Biggie, Guy Diamond, Satin, Chenille, and Smidge: (Said trolls dance in front of Bergens who are watching with interest and enjoyment) “ Under the lights, when everything goes. Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close. ”

“I can’t believe they’re that close to the Bergens,” Viva said, still trying to process the idea that the Bergens had changed. 

“They really want to hear what they have to say. They want to be happy!” Floyd said in joy. 

Cooper: “ Can't stop, won't stop. ”

Branch, Poppy, DJ Suki, Fuzzbert, Biggie, Guy Diamond, Satin, Chenille, and Smidge: “ When we move well, you already know. ”

Cooper: “Let's go, let's work!”

Branch, Poppy, DJ Suki, Fuzzbert, Biggie, Guy Diamond, Satin, Chenille, and Smidge: “ So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine… ”

(All the Trolls jump from the chandeliers, joining in the dancing and celebrating) 

“Woah, that's a lot of trolls,” Bruce said. 

“They all came,” Clay said, amazed. 

Branch: “Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance.” (Bergens start dancing) “Feel the good-good creeping up on you so just dance, dance, dance, come on. All those things I shouldn't do, but you dance, dance, dance. And ain't nobody leaving soon so keep dancing. I can't stop the feeling! So just dance, dance, dance. I can't stop the feeling! So just dance, dance, dance. I can't stop the feeling! So just dance, dance, dance. I can't stop the feeling! So keep dancing, come on.”

(Bergens throw their bibs up in the air and cheer) 

“Wow…Poppy’s plan worked. They’re…happy!” Viva said, staring wide eyed at the unrecognizable Bergens. 

(Chef approaches Poppy and Branch with a knife, ready to stab) 

“NO!” Viva and the brothers gasped, afraid to see their younger siblings get killed. 

(Bridget seeing this quickly throws a wooden spoon at Chef who then has lemon quince squeezed into her eyes by trolls)

Chef: “Ow! My eyes!” (Stumbles backwards)

“Phew…” the trolls breathed, sighing in relief. 

“Man, that Bergen really doesn’t know when to quit does she,” John Dory said, hating her for nearly killing his brother on multiple occasions. 

Stain: “Let's do it!” (Her and Chenille trip Chef with their hair, causing her to fall into the empty troll pot which begins to roll backward. Cooper lights a match and throws it into the pot, igniting it, just as the pot bursts through the doors, carrying Chef and Creek, who is still being held in Chef’s fanny pack, outside and down the stairs)

Chef & Creek: “Ahh!” (They fly out of Bergen Town’s gates)

“Yes!” Viva and the brothers cheered, glad to see her finally gone; Creek as well. 

“Ha ha!” John Dory laughed, hugging Bruce in joy who smiled at his older brother. 

Branch: (All the Bergens and trolls dance through Bergen town, lighting it up with their new-found happiness) “ I can't stop the, I can't stop the, I can't stop the feeling! Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance. I can't stop the feeling! Feel the good creeping up on you so just dance, dance, dance. I can't stop the feeling! All those things I shouldn't do but you dance, dance, dance. I can't stop the feeling! And ain't nobody leaving soon so keep dancing. I can't stop the feeling! ”

“Wow, I can’t believe that our siblings made peace with the Bergens!” Bruce said in shock and amazement. 

“Branch has certainly come a long way,” Floyd said, smiling widely. 

“He certainly has…” John Dory said, nodding his head in agreement and smiling up at Branch in pride. 

“I can’t wait to reunite with him!” Clay said in excitement. “And you’ll get to reunite with Poppy!” he told Viva. 

“Ahh!” Viva squealed in excitement, jumping into Clay’s arms and embracing him. 

(Bergens and Trolls surround the Troll Tree, which blooms and turns a healthy green once more)

“The troll tree, it’s back!” Viva gasped, as she watched her old home regrow. 

Trolls: “ Got this feeling in my body! ”

Branch: “ I can't stop the feeling! ”

Trolls: “ Got this feeling in my body! ”

Branch: “ I can't stop the feeling! ”

Trolls: “ Wanna see you move your body! ”

Branch: “ I can't stop the feeling! Got this feeling in my body, come on! ”

King Peppy: (King Peppy approaches Poppy and places a crown on her head, smiling at her) “Our new Queen!” (Raises one of her hands in the air to the crowd, who cheers)

“Woo-hoo!” Viva and the brothers cheered, jumping up in excitement. 

“Oh, she’ll be the best Queen!” Viva said, proud of her sister. 

Bridget: “Go, Queen Poppy!” 

Satin & Chenille: “Way to go, Poppy!”

DJ Suki: “You did it!”

Young Troll: “Alright, Queen Poppy!”

Biggie: “She's my friend! I know her!”

(Branch approaches Poppy and takes her hands in his. All of a sudden, the mushroom the two are standing on shudders as Smidge rises them high up in the air, giving them some privacy)

Branch: “I know it's not officially…hug time yet, but…” (Holds his arms open)

“Oh he’s too cute,” Viva said, chuckling. 

Poppy: “Now that I am queen, I decree that hug time…is all the time.” (Opens her arms as well and embraces Branch)

“Yeah Branch and Poppy!” John Dory cheered, happy for his youngest brother. 

(Cloud Guy joins the hug, startling Branch and Poppy who pull away and turn to see Cloud Guy, who looks at them then raises both his hands for a high five)

Cloud Guy: “Up high!” 

(Branch and Poppy look at each other, smile, then each high fives his hands with such force that he’s thrown backwards)

“Oh, that was nice to see,” Bruce said, unable to stop smiling. 

Cloud Guy: “Yeah! Yeah!”

(Movie ends with Poppy’s scrapbook being closed, Branch and Poppy are seen singing the closing song)

Branch: (Conducts trumpet flowers and begins to dance) “ Do you remember? The 21st night of September? Love was changing the minds of pretenders. While chasing the clouds away… ”

“Dang, his voice is too good!” Bruce said, still impressed by his brother’s unmeasured talent. 

“And it’s so fun seeing him sing and dance like he used to,” Clay said, so happy for his brother. 

Poppy: “ Our hearts were ringing. In the key that our souls were singing. As we danced in the night remember, how the stars stole the night away… ” 

(Branch and Poppy continue dancing together and the screen turns black)

Chapter Text

“Is it over?” Bruce asked as the screen turned off and the lights in the room went on. 

“The first part is. I’m pretty sure there’s more though,” Clay responded. 

“Yeah, there is. I think this is just a break,” Floyd said. 

“Alright good, because there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you guys about,” John Dory said, sitting on the floor, his brothers and Viva following suit until they formed a circle. “I know that we’re here to see Branch’s life, which is great and definitely something we need to see, but before we continue, I want to ask you guys about your lives. I mean, what have you guys been doing these past twenty years? Where have you guys been?” 

There was a moment’s silence as Bruce, Clay and Floyd thought of John’s questions. 

“Well…I guess I’ll go first,” Clay said. “When I left, I went to go and find trolls who would take me seriously. Back home, I was only ever treated as ‘The Fun Boy,’ and that bothered me because I was more than just the fun one. I had other feelings, interests, and things I wanted to do. That night our band broke up, I had it. That concert was the last straw for me so I left right after you did,” he said, looking at John Dory. “I know that was wrong now, but at the moment all I could think about was myself and the anger I’d built up over the years. I spent a few months alone, trying to find trolls who would take me seriously, but I was too recognized from BroZone. So I ended up traveling further away and out of town. I ended up getting lost along this unused road, but I’m glad I did because that’s where I found the abandoned golf course where the PuttPutt trolls and Viva lived. When I first entered, I was immediately welcomed and found a place among them. Turns out, only a week before I found them they had escaped the Troll Tree, so they were still moving in and getting over the shock of what they had experienced. Viva was already taking charge and appointed their leader, as she got them out of there and also happened to be the King’s daughter, but I could tell she needed help. So, I became second-in-command and together we transformed the abandoned golf course into a troll utopia and formed a little sanctuary of survivors. I added fire exits, Viva added her heart and soul. And I’ve lived there since,” Clay finished, looking up to see Bruce and Floyd staring at him with wide eyes and John looking at him sadly. 

“Wow, that’s pretty incredible Clay, that you were able to do all that for those trolls,” Floyd said. 

“Yeah, he was amazing at his job,” Viva said, smiling at Clay. 

John Dory looked as if he wanted to say something, but stopped himself as Bruce started speaking. 

“Dang, my life compared to that seems pretty easy now,” Bruce chuckled. 

“Where’ve you been?” Clay asked Bruce. 

“Vacay Island. It’s this sweet little place that’s great for vacations, hence the name. Anyway, that night I left, I didn’t really have a destination in mind, just as long as it was a place where I wouldn’t be recognized as the Heartthrob. I wanted to put my boy band days behind me, so I traveled for some time, met some cool folks, saw some neat places, but nothing seemed to fit for me. One day I came across this advertisement on Vacay Island and I just knew then and there that that was the place for me. When I arrived, oh man, it’s awesome there. The sights, the breeze, the smell of the ocean…it was perfect. Didn’t take long to move in, everyone was welcoming and there to relax and have fun. About three months later I met this woman named Brandy. After getting to know her we eventually started dating and the next thing we knew, we were married, had kids, and started up a restaurant.” 

As Bruce finished Clay, John, and Floyd were all looking at him with their mouths open in shock. 

“You’re married?!” John Dory exclaimed. 

“I’m an uncle?!” Clay said excitedly. 

“We missed the wedding!” Floyd said, not upset but a little sad he wasn’t there for his brother on his best day. 

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I really wanted you all there, but I had no idea where you all were. I thought about going out and looking for you all, but I realized that I didn’t even know if you guys were even still alive. I also just couldn’t leave Brandy like that, not after we had just got engaged.” 

“Hey, it’s okay man. It’s a little disappointing we weren’t there, but that’s on us. We should have kept in touch,” Clay told Bruce. “Anyway though, we’re uncles?!”

“Yeah! Becoming a dad was like a seismic shift in my brain. Probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me! I have thirteen kids, twelve sons and one daughter.” 

“What!” Clay gasped.

“Thirteen kids!” John Dory said, shocked. 

“Yeah,” Bruce said, smiling at his brother's reactions. 

“Dang, I’m happy for you bro,” Floyd said, causing Bruce’s smile to widen. 

“Thanks, that means the world to me. And I can’t wait for you guys to meet them!” Bruce said, excitement building up inside him. 

“I’d get the title of best uncle!” John Dory proclaimed, causing his brothers to roll their eyes in amusement.

“Yeah, you’re going to need to fight for that title,” Clay teased. 

“Oh, so Mr. Clay can be fun,” John Dory teased back. 

“Only when I want to, and this calls for Fun Boy Clay!” At his words the brothers all laughed. 

“What about you Floyd? What has your life been like?” Bruce asked his younger brother. 

“Oh, well, in all honesty I’m not entirely sure why I left in the first place. I mean, I do but I wasn’t even mad. I knew what I was doing, I knew that I was leaving Branch brotherless but I left anyway. You all expected me to stay, but I left almost the moment you guys did. I thought that was what would be best. BroZone at the time was my career and you guys were my life. But then the next second it was all gone so I thought the only way forward to go was the backstreets and starting a solo career. I didn’t leave without saying goodbye to Branch though. I gave him my vest and promised that I would be back. But I never did. When I first left, I decided to start small for my solo career. At first I planned on becoming a singer, but I realized it didn’t seem right without you guys there too. So instead I became a personal coach and began helping other trolls and creatures pursue their musical dreams and talents. I slowly began building a reputation and ended up moving to Mount Rageous to continue my solo career there. By that time it’d already been years since I saw any of you guys, and I wasn’t sure where you all were. I decided it was best to stay where I was. I regret that decision though. I missed you guys and I could have gone out to look for you. But I didn’t, just like I didn’t keep my promise to Branch. I ended up writing songs about you guys to help me remember you, not like I could forget though. I refused to sing or show them to anyone, as those songs were all I had left of you guys,” Floyd said, looking sadly up at his brothers.

“Oh man, we’re so sorry Floyd. I-I didn’t know us leaving hurt you like that,” Clay softly said. 

“I think us leaving hurt everyone,” Bruce said, looking at each of his brothers in turn, all of them having guilt in their eyes. 

“Especially Branch,” John Dory whispered. “We didn’t even have the decency to say goodbye like Floyd, we just left him there without a second thought or an apology or-or anything! And I’m so sorry guys. I know I pressured you all into the roles I assigned you for the band, which I know I never should have done. I should have listened to your advice, Floyd, and just let everyone be who they were,” John Dory said, not wanting to meet his brother’s eyes. 

“You mean you actually heard?” Floyd said, teasing his brother. 

“Heh, yeah I did. I was just…so consumed with hitting the ‘Perfect Family Harmony’ that I lost sight of what really mattered. And for that, I’m really sorry,” John apologized. 

“It’s alright John, we forgive you,” Bruce said, Clay and Floyd nodding in agreement. “We were all at fault that night and made mistakes, but that’s in the past and as much as I wish we could change it, we can’t. All we can do now is move forward and be thankful that we’re here together now.” 

“Wow, usually I’m the one who says stuff like that,” Floyd said, smiling as his brothers laughed. 

“You’re right Bruce. And even though we didn’t see each other grow up to be the trolls we are now, I’m excited to hang out with you guys and get to know you more now,” Clay said, giving Floyd a side-hug. 

“Yeah!” John Dory said, smiling in relief that his brothers weren’t too mad at him. Guess not being prideful really does help in the forgiveness process. 

“John, you haven’t told us about your life yet,” Bruce pointed out. 

“Oh, yeah…” John Dory said, less enthusiastically. “Well, compared to you guys…let’s just say I was living a solo life. Once I left home, I started exploring. I hiked the Neverglade Trail, as I said I would, and came across Rhonda. She’s my armadillo bus. Since then I’ve really just been traveling around with her, never staying in one place too long, and Rhonda became my home. Literally. There’s honestly not much else to tell…” John Dory said, trailing off. 

“I’m sorry John. You shouldn’t have had to live alone,” Floyd said. 

“Nah, I wasn’t alone. I had Rhonda!” John said, causing his brothers to exchange looks. “Besides, whenever I came across a town I would always go and meet some cool people.” 

“You know, I honestly never thought this day would come. Where we would just sit together and talk about our lives. Well really, I didn’t think I’d ever see any of you guys again to start with,” Clay said, enjoying this moment with his brothers. 

“Yeah, it’s definitely nice to just be sitting together and catching up,” Bruce agreed. 

The brothers continued talking for another half hour, Viva now joining in the conversation as they discussed more about their lives, their adventures, their regrets, and anything else they could think of, until they finally decided it was time to continue learning about their youngest brother. 

“Well, now that Branch has his colors back, watching his life now shouldn’t be as depressing as it was during that last movie,” Bruce said, sitting down in a chair, this time sitting next to John Dory as well as Clay, Viva still sitting on Clay’s other side with the two of them holding hands. 

“Yeah, I’m excited to learn more about him and his adventures,” Clay agreed excitedly. 

Just then the lights in the room dimmed and the screen turned back on. 

Chapter Text

(Poppy’s scrapbook appears and the Narrator begins to tell the story)

Narrator: “Once upon a time in a village far away, lived a group called The Trolls, that celebrated almost everyday.” (Troll: ‘Hey, that's a rhyme!’) “The Trolls had holidays up the wazoo. From Bubble Day, to New Hairs Eve. Just to name a few.” (Trolls cheer) “Enjoying holiday after holiday they partied without stopping. They celebrated everything with their leader, Queen Poppy.” (Trolls: ‘Poppy, Poppy, Poppy…’) 

“Oh I miss our holidays!” Viva said, remembering some of her favorites. 

“You guys celebrate something everyday?” Floyd asked, puzzled. 

“Yeah, pretty much!” Viva said. 

Narrator: “But across the way, in old Bergen Town, lived a group called The Bergens whose spirits were down. They had but one holiday that brought happiness. A tradition of eating Trolls on a day called ‘Trollstice.’ Then Poppy taught them that joy was inside all along. So they got rid of Trollstice and their only holiday was gone.”

“So they actually got rid of it! All the Bergen’s changed?!” Viva said, shocked while also relieved. 

“I guess so. Now it looks like Bergens and Trolls live in harmony,” Bruce said, also glad that the Bergens finally stopped their awful holiday. 

Narrator: “And so on Trollstice Eve in Bergen Town, the Bergens, well, now they're just kinda sitting around.” 

Rooster: [caws] “Boring! Boring!”

(Inside the castle in Bergen Town, Bridget reads a book on her throne while King Gristle plays a keyboard while laying upside down on his throne) 

“That does look really boring,” Clay said, giving the Bergens a puzzled look. 

“Mmm, while I’m glad they don’t do Trollstice anymore, it’s still sad that they don’t have a holiday or anything to celebrate or look forward to,” Viva said, feeling sorry for the Bergens. 

Chad: (Enters the castle) “Got another card from Troll Village.”

Bridget: “Oh, yay.” 

King Gristle: (Looking at Chad) “Thanks, Todd.”

Chad: “I'm Chad, he's Todd.”

Todd: “Hi.”

King Gristle: “Yup, got it, Chod and Tadd.”

At King Gristle’s words toward his guards the brothers all chuckled in amusement. 

Bridget: “Ooh, look, Grissy, it's another card from Poppy!” (Shows the card to Gristle) 

King Gristle: “Happy Catch Your Friend Day?”

“Oh that’s a fun one!” Viva exclaimed. 

Bridget: “Ooh!”

King Gristle: “What if you drop her? I mean, we-we're not insured for that kinda thing.”

“He’s got a point,” Clay said, agreeing with the King. 

Bridget: “I would never ever drop Poppy. Never.” (Runs over the fireplace and places Poppy’s newest card by all her past cards)

King Gristle: “Whateves, babe! The Trolls have so many holidays. Too many holidays if you ask me.” (Walks over to stand by Bridget and looks at their collection of cards Poppy has sent them, decorating their whole fireplace)

“Woah, that’s a lot of holidays,” Bruce said, staring wide eyed at Bridget’s collection of Troll Holiday cards. 

“That must only be a few of them, because we have a lot more than that!” Viva said, looking at all the cards to find some of her favorite holidays while the brothers all stared at her. 

Bridget: “Well, I think it's kinda nice having so much to celebrate.”

King Gristle: “Hey, Bridgy, we do cool stuff too. I mean, what about all those awesome cards we send back to them, huh?”

(Screen pans to Troll Village where Poppy is looking at the newest card Bridget and King Gristle sent her, which is a gray picture of them with the words ‘Wednesday’ on it)

“Huh. I’m failing to see what’s so ‘awesome’ or exciting about that…” Viva said, looking puzzled at the card they sent Poppy. 

Poppy: “Huh! Well, that's…consistent.” (Hangs it up with the rest of Bridget and Gristle’s cards, all of which are gray and have a day of the week written on it) 

“Oh, that’s kinda sad. They really don’t have anything fun going on in their lives anymore do they?” Floyd said, looking at the cards of Bridget and King Gristle that Poppy had hung up. 

Poppy: “Branch, Bridget, um, sent another card.” (Looks over to see Branch grunting and straining his face while looking in the mirror) 

“Uh, what’s he doing?” John Dory asked, confused as to what Branch was doing. 

Poppy: “Wh... what are you doing? Are you about to barf? I'll go get a trash can!”

Branch: “What? No. I'm practicing my smile. Y-you know I'm new to this whole ‘Being happy’ thing.”

At Branch’s words the brothers all winced. 

“Never knew a troll who had to practice their smile…” Viva quietly said, the brothers still frowning. 

“Yeah, well Branch did only get his colors back and it has been years, basically two centuries, since he last smiled,” Floyd sadly pointed out, him and his brothers looking down in shame. 

Poppy: “Oh, well here, let me help. Smiles are my jam!” (Puts her hands on Branch’s face and tries to help him smile) “Okay, here we... No. Hm... No. Close. Weird. What the…” (Takes her hands away from Branch) “Your face is being very frustrating.” 

“Sorry Poppy, smiles can’t really be forced,” John Dory said, chuckling softly at Branch’s faces Poppy was making him do. 

Branch: (Looks at Bridget and Gristle’s cards) “What is the deal with these cards?” (Starts reading them out loud) “Monday. Friday. Sunday mid-morning?” (Takes the Sunday mid-morning card down and looks at it more closely) 

“Those are really sad…” Bruce commented. 

Poppy: “It's like ever since Trollstice was canceled the Bergens…” (Takes the card from Branch and looks at it sadly) “don't have anything to look forward to. I feel really bad for them.” (Stares at the picture then gasps loudly in excitement) 

“I sense another Poppy plan coming on…” Clay said, looking knowingly at Viva as she reacted the same way as Poppy whenever she came up with a plan. 

Branch: “Ah, uh, no. No, no, no. I know what that look means. You're about to hatch an elaborate plan which involves a lot of hugging, singing, dancing and [gulps] glitter.” 

“Still doesn’t like glitter I see,” Floyd noticed, enjoying Branch and Poppy interacting with each other. 

“Do we know if they’re dating yet?” Bruce asked, Viva and his brothers shrugging. 

“Don’t know. We’ll probably find out soon though,” Viva said, hoping they were. 

Poppy: “You know it.”

Branch: “Okay. Promise me you'll sleep on it before you rush into something like you always do.” (Walks toward Poppy’s door to leave)

Poppy: “Okay. I won't do anything.”

“That was totally a lie,” John Dory said, laughing. 

(Screen shows it being night then dawn, then pans down to Branch who’s riding down his bunker) 

Branch: “ Just call me angel of the mornin' angel. [yawns] Just touch my cheek before you leave me baby ! I'm goin' down into the bunker angel… ” (As Branch continues down into his bunker, Poppy is seen waiting for him at the bottom) “ And I'll be sippin' on coffee in the mornin' baby… ”

“I’m glad to see he just goes into song again, like he did as a kid,” Bruce said, smiling as he watched Branch sing. 

“His voice is literally so good! Even after just waking up!” Viva said, loving Branch’s voice. 

“Crazy morning hair he’s got too,” John Dory said, chuckling at his youngest brother. 

“Oh right, like you never woke up looking like that,” Clay teased his older brother, looking at him knowingly. 

“Is it just me or is Poppy randomly being there kinda creepy?” Floyd asked, bringing the brother’s attention to Poppy hiding in the shadows behind Branch. 

“I’m guessing she didn’t sleep on it…” Clay said, knowing the answer. 

Poppy: “Good morning, Branch!”

Branch: “Aaah!” (Spills his coffee over himself from being startled) 

“Oh, I hate it when that happens,” John Dory said, his brothers looking at him in confusion. 

“What-” 

“I’m not going to say anything,” John Dory said, interrupting Bruce and crossing his arms. 

Branch: “Poppy, you didn't sleep on it.” (Bends down and picks up his cup then slowly starts walking toward his kitchen, Poppy following behind him)

“He looks way too tired to be dealing with this right now,” Clay chuckled. 

Poppy: “Not a wink.”

Branch: “And you probably got a crazy plan.”

Poppy: “And yes, I do. I decided the Bergens need a new holiday and nobody knows holidays better than us, we'll just give 'em one of ours!”

“Ooh, I love that idea!” Viva said, loving Poppy’s plan. 

“Just how long exactly was Poppy standing there waiting for Branch?” Bruce asked. 

“My guess is…since before dawn,” Clay said. If Poppy and Viva were anything alike, which clearly they are a lot alike, then it wouldn’t be surprising. 

Branch: “And why are we doing this?” (Tries to wipe off the spilled coffee on his bathrobes) 

Poppy: “Bridget is my best friend. They deserve to have a day of dancing and singing and costumes and presents and glitter!” (Takes Branch’s coffee cup from him then pours herself some coffee and drinks it) “So much flipping glitter!” (Shoves the cup back in Branch’s hands) 

“Is she sure about this? This sounds like it may be too much for the Bergen’s,” Floyd said.

Branch: “Poppy, are you sure this is a good idea?”

Poppy: “Absolutely. This is what I do. I take care of my friends. And this is how we're gonna do it.” (Takes her scrapbook out of her hair to show Branch her plan) “First, break into Branch’s bunker…” (Scrapbook Branch: ‘Ahhh’) “and get him on board.”

Branch: “What?”

At this the brothers burst out laughing. 

“Gotta love Branch,” John Dory said through his laughter. 

Poppy: (Scrapbook Branch: ‘I'm on board.’) “We set off for Bergen Town and we arrive with as much dramatic flair as possible! We see Gristle and Bridget…” (Scrapbook Bridget: ‘Poppy!’) “And do some hugging. We pitch them our holidays. Their minds are blown! And that's how we're gonna give Bridget and the Bergens a new holiday!” (Scrapbook: ‘Holiday!’ and shoots glitter on an unimpressed Branch’s face) 

“Okayy…” Floyd said, still unsure about the plan. 

“Oh, I so wish I could be joining them! I love holidays!” Viva said. 

“Yup, Branch still doesn’t like glitter,” Clay said, agreeing with Floyd. 

Fuzzbert, Smidge, Biggie, Cooper, Guy Diamond, Satin & Chenille: (Jumps out at Branch) “Holiday!” 

Branch: “Aah!” (Spills coffee all over him once again from being startled and sighs) “I'll go put on some pants.”

“Man, this is really not Branch’s morning. All he wants is coffee and some peace and quiet,” Bruce said, chuckling in amusement at his youngest brother. 

“You might need to shower too buddy,” John Dory said, chuckling along with Bruce. 

“When did they get there?!” Clay asked, exasperated to see that Branch’s home was still being ‘invaded’ by other trolls without his permission. 

“It’s good to see that he’s willing to join Poppy and the other trolls now in their adventures,” Floyd noticed. 

Narrator: “Certain her holiday mission would be a success, Poppy chartered a ride on the Caterbus Express.” (Fuzzbert, Smidge, Biggie, Cooper, Guy Diamond, Satin & Chenille and Branch are all waiting for their ride, with Branch practicing his smile) 

“Yeah, still needs some work bro,” Bruce said, referring to Branch’s attempt at a smile. 

Caterbus Express: “BUS!” (Opens his mouth for the trolls to enter and Poppy is seen already inside)

Poppy: “All aboard! Guys, hurry up! Come on, let's go.”

(Trolls board the bus and take their seats, Branch sitting next to Poppy)

“Aw, it’s cute seeing them sitting together,” Viva said. Oh, she hoped they were dating! 

Cloud Guy: (Driver of the bus) “Welcome to the Caterbus Express! S... S... S…” 

Branch: “Oh, no.” (Folds his arms) 

Cloud Guy: “Hey, guys! Captain O'Slappy.” (Branch glares at Cloud Guy) 

“I guess they’re still not ‘best buds,’” Bruce said, smiling in amusement. 

Cloud Guy: “Queen Poppy!”

Poppy: “Cloud Guy!” 

Cloud Guy: “Please put away all electronics…” (Fuzzbert puts his headphones away) “Safely store your carry-ons…” (Cooper stores Smidge in a compartment above) “and hold on to your Dinkles.” (Biggie holds Mr. Dinkles who squeaks) “Thank you for choosing the caterbus, the safest way to travel. Unless we go into a wormhole.” 

“Did he just say wormhole?” Clay asked, startled. 

Branch: “I'm sorry, d-did you just say wormhole?” 

Cloud Guy: “Now, sit back, relax, and feel the love!” 

(The Caterbus takes off) 

Poppy: “ People all over the world… ” (Pulls a reluctant Branch up from his seat to join the song) “ join hands! Start a love train, love train! ” 

Poppy & Branch: “ People all over the world…join hands. Start a love train, a love train! ”

“Maybe they are dating,” Bruce said, hopeful. 

“It’s so nice seeing him sing and being happy,” Floyd said, happy for his brother. 

Poppy: “ The next stop…that we make…will be soon. ” 

Branch: “ Tell all the folks in Bergen Town we're bringin' it all to youuu. ”

“Dang, he can hit those high notes!” John Dory said, still impressed by Branch’s singing voice. 

Biggie: “ Now please don't miss the train at the station! ” 

Satin & Chenille: “ ‘Cause if you miss it I'll feel sorry… ”

Guy Diamond, Satin & Chenille: (Guy Diamond hangs from the ceiling of the bus to create a disco look inside the bus) “ Sorry for you! ”

Biggie: “ Well… ”

Poppy, Satin & Chenille: “ People all over the world… ”

Branch: “ Sisters and brothers! ”

At Branch singing that line the smiles on the brother’s turned to sad frowns. 

“We should be there singing with him and joining him on these adventures,” Clay pointed out, his brothers nodding in agreement. 

Cooper: “ Join hands, come on! ”

Cloud Guy: (All other singing starts) “ Start a love train , ride this train. Come on, ride it, ride it…” 

“Uh, who’s driving the bus?” Clay asked. 

Branch: “Uh, who's driving the bus?”

(The steering wheel goes out of control and all the Trolls, and Cloud Guy, scream. The Caterbus falls off a cliff and approaches a Wormhole)

Cloud Guy: “Wormhole!”

“Oh no!” John Dory gasped, worried as he wasn’t quite sure how dangerous wormholes actually were. 

(Caterbus gets swallowed and all the Trolls scream while Cloud Guy laughs evilly. Trolls begin hallucinating) 

Cooper: “You guys, I don't feel so good…”

Biggie: “What's wrong, Cooper?” 

Guy Diamond: “I'm feeling weird.” 

(Caterbus shoots out of the Troll Tree and everyone goes back to normal) 

“Well…that was…weird…” Bruce said, not sure how else to put it. 

Poppy, Guy Diamond, Biggie, Satin & Chenille: “ People all over the world… ” (Branch is still startled so he doesn’t sing right away) 

Branch, Poppy, Guy Diamond, Biggie, Satin & Chenille: “ Join hands…start a love train, a love train …”

“I love Branch’s reaction haha,” John Dory laughed. 

Branch & Poppy: “ Start a love train… ” (Caterbus lands in front of the doors to the Bergen castle) 

Chapter Text

Narrator: “After landing in Bergen Town, Poppy continued on her quest. For her BFF Bridget, she wanted nothing but the best.” 

Poppy: (Gives instructions to the trolls before entering the castle) “Guy Diamond, you're on glitter!”

Guy Diamond: “Glitter at the ready !”

Poppy: “Cooper, pyrotechnics!”

Cooper: “Fire!” (Holds a box of fireworks and explosives) 

Poppy: “Satin, Chenille, festive outfits!”

Satin & Chenille: “On it.”

Branch: (Wearing half of his costume) “Uh, Poppy…About these costumes…” 

Poppy: “Branch, we've been over this. It's not a holiday without costumes. So put on your big boy pants and let's go in there!” (Branch frowns at her words) 

“I don’t think Branch liked that,” Floyd said, noticing Branch’s frown at Poppy’s words. 

Poppy: “In three, two, one.” (Bursts the doors to the castle open) “Stop everything!” 

“That’s one way to make an entrance,” John Dory chuckled. 

King Gristle: (Sitting upside down on his chair again with his keyboard) “Huh?”

Bridget: (Throws her book up in the air and runs to greet Poppy) “Poppy!”

Poppy: “Bridget!” 

Bridget: (Picks Poppy up) “Pop star.”

Poppy: “Diva.”

Bridget: “Lollypop.”

Poppy: “Roller girl.”

Bridget: “Water bomb.”

Poppy: “Morning jogger.”

Bridget: “Helicopter.”

Poppy: “Prim and…”

Bridget & Poppy: “Proper!” (Both courtesy to each other) 

“Uhhh…” the brothers said, confused by Poppy’s and Bridget’s greeting. 

“Oh fun!” Viva said. 

“Do all girls greet each other like that?” John Dory asked his brothers in a whisper, to which they could only answer with a shrug. 

King Gristle: (Calmly and in a bored tone to Branch) “Wassup?”

Branch: (Responds calmly and in a bored tone) “Wassup?”

“Okay, at least Branch is normal and sane in his greetings,” John Dory said, Viva giving him an eye roll. 

Poppy: “Your hair looks amazing!”

“It really does look so good!” Viva said, agreeing with Poppy. 

Bridget: (Whispers) “It's a weave.”

Poppy: “I won't say a word.” 

Bridget: “It's so good to see you, Poppy! Um, what are you doing here?” (Puts Poppy down) 

Poppy: “Funny you should ask. Hit it, Smidge!”

(Smidge turns off a switch and when it goes back on, Bridget and King Gristle are sitting on their thrones watching a presentation/stage that the trolls set up)

Presentation/Stage: ‘Holiday!’ (Bridget applauds as the decorations light up while King Gristle looks bored)

“Fun!” Viva said, clapping in excitement along with Bridget. 

“King Gristle doesn’t seem too excited…” Floyd pointed out. 

Poppy: (Enters the stage through a door and steps into the spotlight) “Lady and gentleman, we are here to solve your problems.” 

Bridget: “We have problems?”

“Maybe not the best thing to say,” Bruce commented. 

Poppy: “But don't worry. We have the solution. You guys need a new holiday!”

Bridget: “Why do we need a holiday?”

“What kind of a question is that?! Of course you need a holiday!” Viva said. 

Poppy: “How else are you gonna get presents and wear awesome costumes and play ‘How many marshmallows can you fit in your mouth?’” 

Cooper: (Mouth full of marshmallows) “One hundred and seventy-two. Beat that!” (Marshmallow pops out of his nose)

“Impressive,” John Dory said. 

“Eh, I’ve beat it. Two-hundred baby!” Viva exclaimed, throwing her fists in the air. 

King Gristle: “M-my goodness! Excuse me, h-have you not been getting our cards back?”

Branch: “Uh, yeah. I-I especially love the Wednesday one. You know, it really made me appreciate the middle of the week.” (Tries to smile) 

“Branch is so sweet,” Viva said, bringing a smile to the brothers faces. 

King Gristle: “Ooh! Middle of the week. Told you, babe.” 

Poppy: “Look, we care about you guys and we wanna make sure you have something to celebrate. And here's the great news, the Trolls have like a gazillion holidays, so you can have one of ours!” 

Bridget: “That's cool! I guess.” 

Poppy: “Yeah, it is.” 

(The Trolls’ show begins)

Poppy: (Starts singing slowly and calmly) “ You're lookin' for a holiday…and there's a million things to celebrate. Your life is bland right now but that's okay. Prepare your minds to get blown away! ” (Song picks up rapid speed) “ Holla! ”

Biggie: “ Day! ”

Poppy: “ Holla! ”

Branch: “ Day! ”

“Okay, I have to agree with Branch. The costumes are questionable,” Bruce said. 

“What? I think they’re so fashion,” Viva said. 

Poppy & Branch: “ Holiday! ”

Branch: (Raps) “ Poppy break it down! ”

Poppy: (Raps) “ The first holiday we're presenting to you, a sparkly shiny day called glitter polooza! ” (Throws glitter in the air. Bridget looks excited while King Gristle looks scared and worried) “ Homie Guy Diamond take the mic… ”

“King Gristle does not seem to be enjoying this,” Floyd repeated, worried about this going wrong. 

Poppy & Branch: (Raps) “ And give the Bergens something they're gonna like! ”

Guy Diamond: “ When you wake up in the morning, whether it's sunny or whether it's stormy! You open the door for a big surprise. A blast of glitter shoots in your eyes… ”

Trolls: “Glitter palooza! Glitter palooza! Glitter palooza!” 

“Ooh I love that holiday!” Viva exclaimed, causing the brothers to look at her questioningly. 

(A jet of glitter shoots from the stage and right into King Gristle’s eyes) 

King Gristle: “Ah! Oh, yeah. Oh, that got in there. Ooh! Aah! It's in my eyes!” (Bends over in pain)

“Ouch, that looks like it hurts…” Bruce said, him and his brothers grimacing at the sight. 

Bridget: “Maybe the holiday is not really cool for us.” (King Gristle continues to grunt in pain and squeeze his eyes shut)

Poppy: (Looks excited while Branch looks concerned and nervous) “That's okay. We got tons of holidays!” (Raps) “ Biggie, tell 'em about Tickle Day! ”

“I think Branch is beginning to regret joining in,” Clay said. 

“Yeah, this might have been a bad idea,” Floyd added. 

“Oh you guys, Branch’s dancing is too adorable when he’s nervous…” Viva said, loving Branch’s nervous dance. 

Biggie: “ We celebrate with giggles! Get tickled, get tickled, get tickled by spiders! ” (Spiders go down from the ceiling) 

“Spiders!” the brothers gasped, not liking that idea. 

“Oh I hate spiders,” Bruce said, shuddering in disgust. 

“What?! But this is such a fun holiday!” Viva exclaimed, the brothers giving her more confused looks. 

King Gristle: “Ah!” 

Biggie: “Tickle Day!” 

(Stage shoots a jet of spiders on King Gristle who screams)

“Oh yeah, this is starting to go downhill…” Floyd said. 

Branch: (Raps nervously) “ Clearly not your idea of fun… ”

Poppy: (Raps) “ Yo Satin, Chenille, show them another one! ”

“She’s not even listening to Branch! At least he recognizes that Troll Holidays are clearly not for Bergens,” Clay said, a little bothered that Poppy was talking over Branch just to continue with the show. 

Satin & Chenille: “ Everyone will scream hurray in their electric pom parade! We got lasers that sparkle and glow, so everyone enjoys the show! ” 

“Oh, their outfits are so cute!” Viva squealed at the twins' costumes. 

Chenille: “ And there'll be flowers shooting bubbles in the air… ” 

Satin: “ You'll be blinded by the lights but you just won't care!”

Satin & Chenille: “ Flip a little switch, get a bubble pom pom, 'cause a party ain't a party without lasers and pom! ”

“I love that Holiday,” Viva sighed. 

(Stage shoots a jet of foamy bubbles all over King Gristle, then lasers shoot into his eyes, causing him to scream in pain) 

King Gristle: “Ah! They sting!” 

“Ooh,” the brothers said, wincing again as they watched King Gristle get momentarily blinded by a laser. 

Bridget: “These don't seem like Bergen things.” 

“They really don’t…” Floyd said, still slightly nervous of how this might turn out. They had just made peace with the Bergen’s after all, and he wasn’t sure what it would take to break the peace that had just formed. 

Branch: (Nervously raps) “ Okay not the holiday for you… ”

Poppy: (Raps) “ It's all good we're only half way through! ”

King Gristle: “You gotta be kidding me!” 

“She’s still not listening to Branch!” Clay said, still annoyed at Poppy. 

“Clay, she’s only trying to help the Bergen’s,” Viva gently told him. 

“I know, which is amazing of her to do, but clearly it’s not going as well as she thought it would be. Branch notices that though and is trying to intervene before it gets worse but she’s not listening to him or the Bergen’s,” Clay explained. He knew all too well what it felt like not to be heard or taken seriously, and he didn’t want Branch to be feeling that way. 

Cooper: (Raps) “ All your family and friends will gather around to enjoy the majestic sound! A chorus you will hear from miles away, for 24 hours it's Balloon Squeal Day! ” 

(Trolls, except for Branch, release air from blown balloons, causing them to squeal loudly. Branch watches Bridget and Gristle nervously as balloons are squealing directly in their ears) 

“Ah! That’s annoying!” John Dory said, plugging his ears at the sound. 

“You guys do that for twenty-four hours?!” Floyd asked Viva loudly over the sound. 

“Yeah! Great, right?” Viva said, unaffected by the sound, unlike the brothers. 

Branch: “Hey, everybody, why don't we just take a cool five?” 

“Thank you, Branch,” Floyd sighed in relief. 

Branch: (Attempts to smile but it doesn’t work, causing Poppy to look away) “Not working?”

“Nope, still needs work…” John Dory said, smiling at his youngest brother. 

Poppy: “Nope. Still-still super weird.” (Branch frowns) 

(Trolls take a break when Chad and Todd vacuum the glitter off Bridget and King Gristle) 

“Oh phew, she actually listened to him,” Clay sighed, glad that Poppy listened to Branch and allowed for a break. 

King Gristle: “These Troll holidays all suck!”

Bridget: (Whispers) “I'm trying to stop her, but she just won't listen.”

King Gristle: “You have to do some…” (Todd accidentally vacuums King Gristle’s ear) “Ow! Ow! Ow! Todd, ow!” 

“Ooh,” the brothers and Viva said, wincing as they watched King Gristle’s ear getting vacuumed. 

Branch: “Uh, Poppy, this whole thing has been great…”

Poppy: “Thank you.”

Branch: “And you're great for doing it.”

Poppy: “Thank you again.”

Branch: “But it's a disaster.”

“Well that was rude,” Viva said, crossing her arms. 

“It seems like the only way for Poppy to listen to him though. He just has to go right out there and say it,” Floyd said. 

“Besides, he is right. It really isn’t going well,” Bruce added, causing Viva to huff in annoyance. 

Poppy: “Thank... Wait, what?”

Branch: “You know that wise old saying, ‘Go big or go home?’ [whispers] Maybe we should go…”

Poppy: “Bigger!”

“Uh oh,” Floyd said, worried about where this was going. 

“That’s not what Branch meant,” Clay said, slapping his face with his hand in exasperation as Poppy was still not listening. 

Branch: “Okay, that's not what I meant.”

(Upbeat music plays from the stage, causing Bridget and King Gristle to look at it in fear)

“Oh no…” the brothers said, worried. 

Poppy: (Raps fast) “ It's time to double down in the speed round, got a holiday you're gonna like better stick around! ”

Guy Diamond: “ Well my favorite's a Big Hug Ball Day! ”

“Oh I like that one!” Viva said, enjoying the show while the brothers were nervous. 

Trolls: “ That's a big ball of hugs! ”

Poppy: (Raps fast) “ Or Shock A Friend Day, rub your feet on the rug and touch everyone you love! ”

(Fuzzbert shocks King Gristle)

“Ugh…” Floyd said in exasperation, rubbing his eyes with his hands. This really was turning into a disaster. 

Branch: (Raps) “ A very special day we call an equinox, it's a great opportunity to celebrate socks! ”

“You guys celebrate socks?” John Dory asked Viva, confused about the strange holiday. 

“Well yeah!” Viva said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

Trolls: “ Socks socks socks sssssocks! Come on! ” (Socks rain down on Bridget and King Gristle)

Poppy: (Raps fast) “ Tear Away Pants Day feel the breeze on your hips! ”

Biggie: (Raps) “ Hear the sound of a Velcro going rip rip rip! ”

“Why!” the brothers shouted in disgust, covering their eyes. 

King Gristle: “Why!” (Covers his eyes with his hands)

Branch: (Raps) “ Good Luck Troll Day, put a gem on your stomach! ” (Uses Satin and Chenille’s hair as a slingshot to shoot a gem into King Gristle’s belly button) 

Poppy: (Raps) “ And you spit a little charm let a friend belly rub it! ”

Guy Diamond & Biggie: (Rub the gem on King Gristle’s belly button) “ Rub it rub it rub it rub it rub it rub it rub it… ”

“Okayy…?” the brothers all said, confused by the strange holiday. 

Branch: “ Everyone will be so jelly when they see you on the telly with their shiny big jewels sticking right out your belly! ”

Poppy: (Bridget tries to interrupt Poppy) “ On Express Yourself Day give your opinion a shout! Keep It To Yourself Day where you shut your mouth! ” (Trolls duck tape King Gristle’s mouth)

Branch: (Rapidly raps) “ There's a rockin' holiday filled up with lots of drama, get you jumping' all around lemme call it Mosh-sha-sha-na! ”

Cooper: “ Shoot a flare in the air like you just don't care! ” (Fireworks go off in the castle) 

Poppy: (Rapidly raps) “ 'Cause it's Fireworks Day in the village square! ” (King Gristle is seen breathing heavily as he begins to panic) 

“This is getting a little intense…” Floyd said, backing further into his seat. 

Branch: (Rapidly raps) “ There's Bleeping Sound Day where you only speak in bleeps! You could say anything like… ” (Cooper, Smidge, and Guy Diamond swear)

Poppy: (Rapidly Raps) “ If you want a tattoo but you're having doubts, there's Random Tattoo Day which is not thought out! ” (King Gristle gets a tattoo on his lower back that says ‘Hug Life’) “ Smacksgiving Day is a day we embrace, especially when someone gets slapped in the face! ” (King Gristle gets slapped by a mechanical hand, knocking a tooth out) “ A big holiday that's a bundle of fun… ”

Satin & Chenille: (Raps) “ Is Fuzzy Wuzzy Day so go put one on! ” (Puts a super tight Christmas sweater on King Gristle, which chokes him. Bridget also gets a Christmas sweater but her’s isn’t so tight)

“Yeah, a little too intense…” Clay agreed with Floyd, backing further into his seat as well, staring at the screen nervously. 

Poppy: (Rapidly Raps) “ It's so wuzzy and it's fuzzy and it's cute and ugly fugly! ”

Trolls: (Raps) “ And we know you're gonna love it when you're feeling super snuggly! ”

(Bridget screams, causing the Trolls to stop their show) 

As the intense music came to a stop the brothers all let out a sigh of relief. 

“Oh finally…” Bruce said, glad it was over. 

Bridget: (Covers her mouth in surprise while King Gristle is trying to loosen his sweater in the background) “I used my outside voice.”

“Poor King Gristle,” Floyd said, feeling sorry for the Bergen King. 

Poppy: “You don't like any of our holidays?”

Bridget: “Poppy, all of this glitter and fun…and pyrotechnics…”

Poppy: “Don't forget the fuzzy sweaters!”

King Gristle: (Gasping) “How could we?”

Bridget: “I guess what I'm saying is… [clears throat] Maybe it's best if you, um, go and stand somewhere like where…we're not.” 

“She’s not going to take that well…” Clay said nervously with a sideways glance at Viva, knowing that Brigdet was trying to get Poppy to leave but unsure if Viva knew that yet. 

Poppy: “Oh, uh, you mean like, uh, back here?” (Backs up a pace) 

Bridget: “Ahh…mmm…”

Poppy: “How about here?” (Backs up another pace)

Bridget: (Shakes her head) “Mmm-hmm…”

Poppy: “You mean, like over here?” (Backs up another pace)

Bridget: “Maybe farther…” 

“Wait, is she mad at Poppy?” Viva gasped, finally understanding. “She wants Poppy to leave!” 

Poppy: “Wait, are you mad at me?”

Bridget: “No, I'm not mad. I'm just feeling a feeling that's the opposite of happy.”

Guy Diamond: (Whispers to Branch) “What is happening?”

Branch: “I don't know. It's like the nicest fight ever.” 

At this the brothers flinched, knowing Branch was referring to them and how bad their fights always were and how they never ended well. 

Poppy: “Bridget, I think I know what you're trying to say.”

Bridget: (Sighs in relief) “Okay, good. 'Cause I really didn't wanna have to say it.” 

Poppy: “You want me…”

Bridget: “Mm-hm.”

Poppy: “To step back…” 

Bridget: “Uh-huh.” 

Poppy: “So we have room…” 

Bridget: “Yes!”

Poppy: “To show you more holidays!”

“What? No!” Clay said, exasperated with Poppy and her unwillingness to listen. While Poppy did match Viva’s energy, at least Viva knew how to listen and always made sure to hear Clay’s opinion in her decisions and thoughts. 

Bridget: “What? No!”

Poppy: “Like Fuzzy Leg Warmer Day or Chug A Jug Of Milk Day…”

Bridget: “Poppy, enough! You're not listening to me!” 

Poppy: (Sadly) “What do you want me to do?”

Bridget: “I think you, uh, you should…leave.” (Scrunches her eyes up while saying the last part, afraid of Poppy’s reaction)  

Poppy: (Sadly) “Oh. Okay.” (Goes inside the paper tree onstage, wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, then runs out of the castle crying) 

“Oh…Poppy…” Viva said, hating to see her sister so sad. 

Narrator: “The holiday presentation had ended as quickly as it started. Feeling bad for what she had done, Poppy left broken-hearted.” 

At those words the brothers and Viva all exchanged sad and nervous looks. They hated seeing Poppy so broken-hearted. 

Chapter Text

(Poppy’s friends go looking for Poppy outside in the dark. Mr. Dinkles is used as a light) 

Biggie: “Poppy! Poppy!”

“Oh no, she’s missing!” Viva gasped, worried for her sister and hating the thought of her being alone out in the dark. 

“Don’t worry Viv, she’s probably not missing. I’m guessing she just wanted some alone time,” Clay told her, placing a hand on her shoulder in comfort. 

Chenille: “Poppy!”

Satin: “Poppy, where are you?”

Biggie: “Oh, can you see her, Mr. Dinkles?”

Chenille: “Where is she?”

Branch: (Up ahead, Branch sees a curtain of pink hair) “Hey, guys, give me a minute.” (Approaches the pink hair) “Poppy, I know you're hiding in your hair.”

(Instead of finding Poppy however, a forest creature jumps out and yells a warning to Branch, who jumps back frightened) 

“Ah!” the brothers and Viva yelled in shock, startled. 

Branch: “Ah, what the what?”

Cooper: “Not Poppy!”

Branch: (Apologizes to the creature) “Sorry. Wrong hair.” 

(Creature growls at him then goes back to sleep under their hair) 

“I also thought that was Poppy,” John Dory admitted, still slightly startled. 

Branch: (Approaches a second curtain of pink hair, cautiously this time) “Uh... Poppy? Is that you?” 

“I love how Branch is the one who went to comfort her,” Bruce commented. 

Poppy: (Draws her hair in, revealing herself to Branch and the others) “I totally blew it with Bridget. I-I mean we've never had a fight before and…I'm worried I just lost my best friend forever. Forever.” 

At those words the brothers all exchanged sad and guilty looks. It was, afterall, because of a fight why the brothers broke up the band and separated from each other in the first place, not speaking or keeping in touch with each other for the past twenty years. 

Branch: (Sits down next to Poppy) “No, that's not possible.”

Bruce looked down sadly. Of course Branch would know that wasn’t the case with Poppy and Bridget. It seemed as if that was the first ‘big’ fight Poppy had ever had, and as Branch has seen and lived through worse fights than that, well, he would know that Poppy’s and Bridget’s friendship was still intact. 

Poppy: “I don't know, Branch.”

Branch: “Well, I do, because I'm your friend. And you know what?” (Stands up and starts beatboxing) “ Friends! How many of us have them? ”

“Hey, he’s beatboxing! He used to do that all the time as a kid!” John Dory said, excited to see Branch hadn’t changed in that aspect. 

“Yeah, he did, haha. He’s gotten pretty good,” Bruce agreed, chuckling. 

“What’s he doing though? If he’s trying to cheer her up I don’t think that’s the right way to do it,” Floyd added. 

“Yeah, it just looks like he’s bothering Poppy more than comforting her,” Clay said, agreeing with his younger brother. 

“Maybe cheering others up is also new to him?” Viva guessed. 

Poppy: (Gets annoyed at Branch’s beatboxing) “Branch? Branch, please stop.”

Branch: (Finishes with his beatboxing) “ Friends! ”

Poppy: “Thank you.” (Walks away from him, while a mischievous smile goes on Branch’s face)

Branch: “ Thank you for being a friend! You know this one. Travel down a road and back again… ” 

“What is he doing?” John Dory asked. 

“He’s really bad at this comforting thing,” Bruce noted. 

Poppy: “Branch, what's your problem?” 

Branch: “ You just might have a problem, but I'll understand. ” (Poppy stares at him exasperated) “ We all need somebody to lean on! Lean on me! When you're not strong! And I'll be your friend… ” 

“Hey! He used to do this to us as a kid! Remember? He loved singing so much that he would sing song after song, which would get on our nerves so much, but instead of stopping he’d start singing songs with lyrics that matched what we would be saying to him,” John Dory said, laughing in remembrance. 

“Oh! I know what he’s doing! He’s not trying to cheer her up. He’s doing to her what she did to Bridget,” Floyd said in realization. 

“You’re right! Probably because this is the only way for her to understand what she was doing, since she tends to listen to others best through song,” Clay added. 

“And I guess they’re not dating if he’s referring to her as a friend,” Bruce added sadly. He wished they were dating already! 

“Oh yeah, I guess you’re right about that,” Viva said, a little disappointed as she was also hoping they were dating. 

(Screen shows Chad and Todd cleaning up after the Trolls in the castle, with Gristle ranting and Bridget looking sadly around at the mess. King Gristle also has an ice pack over one of his eyes and bandages wrapped over his head) 

“Woah, that’s a mess,” Bruce gasped, and he knew what a mess looked like. Having thirteen kids would do that to you…

King Gristle: “You know what? No more Trolls in the castle area! The Trolls just want us to be like them with their happy energy and glitter and foam and...lasers.” (Picks up his keyboard from the floor and places it on its stand) 

Bridget: (Looks at the trolls ruined decorations and stage, and a small amount of glitter shoots out from the words ‘Holiday’ as Bridget accidentally backs into it. Crouching down, she runs her fingers over the word) “ Holiday . [sighs] Grissy, maybe we shouldn't have been so hard on Poppy and the Trolls.” 

“She really wasn’t all that hard on them though,” John Dory commented, earning a glare from Viva. 

(King Gristle sneezes, causing glitter to pop out of his ears)

Bridget: “I mean, they were just trying to do something nice for us.”

King Gristle: “I guess. I just can't believe they took a bus all this way and created an elaborate holiday theme, song, and dance, just to find a holiday for us. That is poor time management if you ask me.” 

“No, that wasn’t poor time management! She just really cares about her friends!” Viva said, defending her sister. 

Bridget: “Yeah, they did do all of that. Just to try and help us.”

King Gristle: “I mean, why does she even care so much about what we do? There's glitter on the ceiling…” 

Bridget: (Walks over to her collection of cards Poppy sent them, all of which were taped around the fireplace, and looks at all the cards) “You're right. She does care. A lot. Maybe we do have a reason to celebrate a holiday after all. [gasps] Grissy, that's it!”

King Gristle: “What? W... wh... what did I say? Was it king-ish? Did I sound like a king?”

“Seriously?!” John Dory asked, exasperated with the King. 

Bridger: “Yes, it was super king-ish. Now get your keyboard ready. We have work to do!” (Runs off excitedly) 

“I wonder what she’s planning?” Floyd wondered aloud. 

King Gristle: “You see what I did right there, Chad? That is how a king gets things…Oh!” (Falls onto his keyboard)

Chad: “Very impressive, sir.” (Todd nods in agreement) 

At this John Dory burst out laughing, earning him amused eye rolls from his brothers. 

(Screen goes back to Branch, who’s still singing songs to Poppy)

Branch: “ Oh you're the best friend, that I've ever had! I've been with you such a long time… ”

“He’s still going!” Clay asked in surprise. 

“She still hasn’t figured it out!” Bruce said at the same time. 

Poppy: (Screams) “Branch! Stop! I keep telling you to stop and you just keep singing! It's like you're not even listening to…” (Sits up in understanding) “Oh, my holy realization! That was just what I did to Bridget, wasn't it?” 

“There it is!” Floyd said, glad Poppy finally understood her mistake. 

Branch: “Phew! There it is. I was runnin' out of songs.” 

“Yeah I bet,” John Dory chuckled in amusement. 

Poppy: “Oh, man! I got so excited trying to take care of Bridget and I… [sighs] I wasn't even listening to her.” 

(Bubbles and soft humming gains Poppy’s and Branch’s attention, and they look to see where they’re coming from and notice it’s coming from Bergen Town. Together, Branch and Poppy walk in Bergen Town and see that the Bergen’s have decorated their town their own way. Walking down the streets, they pass Bergens who are gently singing and see Todd and Chad with a leaf blower which they’re pouring bubble mix into and using it to release a soft blow of bubbles over the town) 

“Woah,” the brothers and Viva gasped softly, the sight of the Bergen’s celebrating their own holiday their own way taking them by surprise. 

“Those decorations and the atmosphere…it’s incredible,” Floyd said, at a loss for words. 

King Gristle: (Seen trimming the Troll Tree from above) “Hey, everybody! The tree looks like Troll hair!”

“That’s actually really neat,” Bruce commented. 

Bridget: “Grissy, it's so beautiful!” 

Poppy: “Bridget!” (Runs up to Bridget) 

Bridget: “Poppy!”

Poppy: “This is amazing!”

Bridget: “I am so glad to see you.”

Poppy: “I'm sorry, Bridget. I was not being a good friend. I got so caught up in telling you what to celebrate that I didn't even think about why.”  

Bridget: “Oh, it's okay, Poppy. You actually helped us. We realized that the holidays aren't about all that stuff.” 

Poppy: “Right? Oh! It's not about the glitter or the presents or the decorations...Although, man, do I love decorations! But no. You're right. It's not about that. I'm learning as I go.” 

Bridget: “Me too. I think that the holidays are about celebrating the awesome things in life. And the super awesome thing in our lives...is our friendship with you guys. The Trolls.” 

Poppy: “And a friendship like ours is definitely something worth celebrating.” (Poppy and Bridget hug)

“Aw. I’m so glad they made up,” Viva said, glad that their friendship wasn’t ruined. 

“I knew they’d be okay,” John Dory said, folding his arms with a smile on his face. 

“It’s so sweet how much their friendship means to each other,” Floyd said, happy for Poppy and Bridget. 

Poppy: (Looks up and sees Branch smiling warmly at the two of them) “Branch... you're smiling!” 

Branch: “I... I am? I... I am! Wow! That's what this feels like.”

Seeing their brother smiling immediately brought a smile to the brother’s, as Branch being happy meant the world to them. 

“He has a really nice smile,” Viva told the brothers.

“Yeah, he does,” Floyd happily said, looking up at Branch. 

Bridget: “You have a very nice smile.”

Branch: “Thanks. Now I can't stop. Yeah, this is kinda starting to hurt.” 

At those words the brothers all chuckled in amusement. 

Poppy: “This is really nice, Bridget.”

King Gristle: “Happy Troll-A-Bration, everybody!” 

“Oh, I love it!” Viva exclaimed in joy and excitement. 

Poppy: “I love it.”

Bridget: “And since we're celebrating the Trolls, I thought we could Troll it up a little bit. Hit it, Grissy!” 

(King Gristle ice skates down the roads, playing an upbeat melody on his keyboard) 

“Dang, he’s good,” John Dory said, commenting on King Gristle’s talent with his keyboard. 

Branch: (Jumps on King Gristle’s keyboard) “ Holiday, come on. ”

Chad & Todd: “ Holiday! ”

Branch: “ Celebrate! ”

Chad & Todd: “ Celebrate! ”

Poppy: “ If we took a holiday… ”

Bridget: “ Took some time to celebrate! ”

Poppy: “ Just one day out of life… ”

Bridget: (Begins to ice skate with King Gristle, Poppy on her shoulder) “Everybody now!”

Everyone: “ It would be, it would be so nice! ” (All the Bergen’s start to ice skate) 

“This is a nice holiday,” Bruce said, giving Clay and John Dory a side-hug as the trolls enjoyed the scene. 

Poppy & Bridget: “ Everybody spread the word. We're gonna have a celebration! ”

Everyone: “ All across the world! In every nation! ”

Branch: “ It's time for the good times! Forget about the bad times! ”

“Dang, he can really hit those high notes!” Clay said, amazed and impressed by his brother's talent of singing. Watching and hearing Branch sing could only bring joy to the brothers. 

King Gristle: “Oh yeah!”

Branch: “ One day to come together to release the pressure! ”

Everyone: “ We need a holiday! ”

Narrator: “And so Poppy and Bridget took some time to celebrate and appreciate each other on a brand new holiday.” (Guy Diamond vocalizes in the Troll Tree, then the hug time bracelets go off and all the Trolls hug) “They would take one day out of life and it would be, it would be… so nice!”

Everyone: “ It would be so nice! ”

(Screen shows the scrapbook and the ‘Narrator’ who was telling the story, who turned out to be Mr. Dinkles blowing a pipe)

Mr. Dinkles: “So happy holidays to all! And to all, a goodnight.”

“Wait, what??” John Dory asked, confused. 

Biggie: “Oh, there you are, Mr. Dinkles.” (Mr. Dinkles drops the pipe and squeaks innocently) “Hang on, what are you wearin'?” (Picks Mr. Dinkles up) “Is that a pipe? Who gave Mr. Dinkles a pipe?” (Picks up Mr. Dinkles and walks off and the screen goes black) 

“Oh man, that was fun!” John Dory said while laughing at the ending scene with Mr. Dinkles and Biggie. 

“You know, as we’re getting to know Branch more and more, I’m realizing just how similar he is to us. He’s sensitive to those around him and is aware of others feelings, a leader when he needs to be, outgoing and fun, knows how to take things seriously, and pretty smooth when it comes to interacting with Poppy,” Bruce said, comparing Branch’s personality with all the brothers and noticing the similarities. 

“Yeah, he’s definitely our little bro,” Floyd happily agreed. 

Chapter Text

(Poppy’s scrapbooking book appears and shows the story of Branch and Poppy saving the trolls from the Bergens, as Could Guy narrates)

Cloud Guy: (Narrating) “Once upon a time, there were two Trolls. One was named Poppy.” (Poppy appears in the book saying “Hey. How's it going?”) “The other was named Branch.” (Branch appears in the book and says “What's up?”) “Together, they saved the world.” (Other trolls appear and say “Hooray!”) “Poppy became queen, Branch found his true colors, and the two of them became best friends.” 

“Still not dating I see…” Bruce noticed, wishing they were. 

Cloud Guy: (Imitates fireworks popping as the screen zooms out to show Cloud Guy reading the book) “Boom! And that was that. Pretty cute, right? Not to me. I'm the type of cloud that goes for…” (Screen zooms out more to show Cloud Guy laying on top of a dog's head) “this sorta thang.” 

“Awww, he’s adorable,” Viva squealed, looking at the dog with puppy eyes. 

Cloud Guy: “Anyhoo…” (Screen zooms back in to Cloud Guy, who continues to read the book) “what Poppy and Branch didn't know is that their world was a lot bigger than they knew. Like, a lot, lot, lot, lot bigger!” 

(Scrapbook shows Troll Kingdom, then zooms in to the Techno Trolls kingdom. Techno trolls are seen swimming and throwing a party in the ocean, the song ‘One More Time’ playing in the background through speakers as the trolls party) 

“Woah, are those trolls?” Viva gasped, as she’s never seen other types of trolls before. 

“I think so…” Clay said, watching the Techno Trolls with curiosity. 

“But they’re so…different,” Viva said. 

King Trollex: “ One more time! What's up, my Techno Trolls?!” 

“Techno Trolls?” Clay and Viva asked at the same time, looking at each other questioningly. 

“Oh, I think I’ve heard of them,” John Dory said, his hand on his chin as he contemplated the Techno Trolls, their environment, and strange/different kind of music. 

“I didn’t know there were trolls who lived underwater,” Floyd said, finding this new culture of trolls fascinating. 

(Trolls cheer and are seen partying and dancing with their families and blowing heart bubbles) 

“Okay, one thing is for sure. These trolls sure know how to party! Even if their music is slightly weird,” Viva exclaimed, enjoying the scene and the unfamiliar music. 

King Trollex: “ One more time! One more time! We're gonna celebrate, oh, yeah, all right, don't stop the dancin .’ Tonight is about family, love, and music!”

“Oh I like that,” Bruce said, nodding his head and smiling at King Trollex’s words. 

(Trolls cheer)

King Trollex: “Come on! Let me see you jump! One, two, three, four!” 

(Trolls do the ‘wave’ and dance to the beat) 

“This is so cool,” Floyd said, observing their dances with interest. 

King Trollex: “And get ready for the drop! Are you ready, little buddy?” (Looks down to his Beat Drop Button) 

Beat Drop Button: “Let's do this, King Trollex!” 

King Trollex: “Wait for it!” (Raises his finger in suspense as the beat slowly builds up) 

Beat Drop Button: “Come on.”

King Trollex: “Wait for it.”

Beat Drop Button: “Yes.”

King Trollex: “Wait for it…Wait for it! Wait for it…”

“Oh come on, just do it already!” Viva said, anticipating the ‘drop’ King Trollex mentioned. 

Beat Drop Button: “Come on, man, hit me!

Bliss Marina: “Just do it already!”

(Beat builds loudly) 

King Trollex: “ One more time! ” (Presses Beat Drop Button, causing him to sigh in satisfaction as the beat drops)

“Woah!” Viva and the brothers gasped, loving the scene and learning about this new culture of trolls. 

Bliss Marina: “Oh…yeah!”

(Song ‘One More Time’ continues to play in the background) 

King Trollex: “ One more time, we're gonna celebrate. Oh, yeah, all right, don't stop the dancin'... ” (Looks up to see something approaching through the water)

“What’s that?” Floyd asked, the arrival of the strange vessel making him nervous. 

King Trolex: (Turns the music off, causing the crowd of Trolls to groan) “Don't worry, everybody, we'll get back to the party in a minute. Let me just take care of this real quick.” (Swims over to the approaching rock vessel, which opens up revealing Rock Trolls inside) 

Queen Barb: “Hey, man! There he is! King Trollex of the Techno Trolls, right?” 

“Who’s she?” Bruce asked, confused. 

“Another type of troll?” Viva wondered, getting more confused by the second. 

“What’s she doing there?” Floyd questioned, still nervous. 

King Trollex: “That's right. Who's asking?”

Queen Barb: “Queen Barb. Of the Hard Rock Trolls.” 

“Hard Rock Trolls?” Viva and Clay questioned. 

“Have you heard of them too?” Bruce asked John, who was staring at Queen Barb curiously. 

“Hmm? Oh yeah, yeah I’ve heard of them. From what I know they’re not the nicest trolls there are…” John replied, trailing off as the scene continued. 

(King Trollex shrugs and looks over questioningly at his Beat Drop Button)

Queen Barb: “And I'm here to take your string, bro.” (Plays a loud chord on her guitar) 

“What does she mean by string?” Viva asked, really confused now. 

“No idea, but something tells me this is anything but a friendly visit…” Floyd said, the brothers and Viva watching the scene nervously. 

King Trollex: (Worried) “No way.” 

Beat Drop Button: “Ooh, don't do it, man.”

King Trollex: “If we lose our string, we lose our music.”

“What’s he talking about?” Viva asked. She had too many questions… 

“I don’t know, but it seems important,” Clay said, equally confused. 

Queen Barb: (Mockingly) “You mean your bleeps and bloops? Beep, beep, beep, beep-beep, boooo. Yeah. That's not music.” 

“That’s not nice!” Viva said, not liking this Queen Barb while the brothers narrowed their eyes at the Rock Queen. 

Queen Barb: “Do you want to hear some real music? Rockers!” 

(Techno Trolls gasp in fright as more Rock Trolls vessels appear, all of which opens up revealing Rock Trolls armed with electric guitar and drums, ready to fight) 

“Wait a minute…they’re there to fight!” Floyd gasped in realization. 

“All over a string though?” John Dory asked in confusion. 

“From what we’ve heard, this string is pretty important, maybe even powerful,” Clay pointed out. 

(Rock Trolls begin playing, emitting strong musical blasts from their instruments that begin to destroy the Techno Trolls home) 

Queen Barb: “ Yeah!...Oh...Here I am! Rock you like a hurricane! ”

“Oh no!” the trolls gasped. 

“What’s she doing?!” Clay shouted angrily. 

“They didn’t do anything wrong!” Floyd shouted at the same time. 

“She fights dirty. I mean, these Rock Trolls are attacking them when they're not armed or able to defend themselves,” John Dory growled. 

“That’s so wrong,” Bruce said, glaring at the Rock Trolls in anger. 

King Trollex: “Okay, okay, enough. Stop. You're harshing the vibe we worked very hard to build to.”

Queen Barb: “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!” (Rock Trolls continue playing to destroy the rest of the Techno Trolls home) “Who's ready to rock?”

As the scene ended the trolls were all shocked into silence for a few minutes as they tried to process what they just saw. 

“That was awful,” Viva quietly said. 

“World tour? One nation under Rock? You don’t think that means she’s planning on attacking…all the trolls do you?” Floyd asked nervously, already knowing the answer. 

“I think that’s exactly what she means…” Bruce whispered, worried. 

“She just began a war…” Viva said shocked. She couldn’t believe a troll would be so willing to destroy another’s home and steal from them, all for a silly little string. 

“Oh no! That includes Branch and Poppy and their troll village!” Clay gasped in realization. 

“Crap, you’re right! She better not harm Branch,” John Dory growled, the brothers and Viva nervous about what might happen to their younger siblings. 

Chapter Text

(Pop Troll Village, where Poppy is seen getting ready for the day) 

Poppy: “ Woke up in the morning light today is the day that I do everything right. Now that I'm queen, I've got a kingdom to run! 'Cause Trolls, they wanna have fun. Yeah, Trolls just wanna have fun! ” (Runs outside to see the Pop Trolls singing and dancing) 

Seeing Poppy and the other trolls safe and happy caused Viva and the brothers to relax for the moment. Them being safe was what mattered most to them. 

Pop Trolls: “ They just wanna, they just wanna. They just wanna… ” 

Poppy: “ Trolls just wanna have fun. ”

(Screen pans to show Branch laying down on his bed in his bunker) 

Branch: “ Lived underground to get away from the world, till I had my life changed by a beautiful girl. ” (Picks up a picture of him and Poppy) 

Seeing their brother singing brought an immediate smile to the brothers, glad to see him again. 

“We really need to thank Poppy for changing his life when we meet her after this,” Bruce told his brothers who nodded in agreement. 

“He’s still living underground in his bunker though…” John pointed out, hoping that by now Branch would have moved up to live with the other trolls. 

“Well that is his home John,” Floyd reminded him. 

“Guys, why is Branch’s hair black? It looks like his color has dulled again, but he’s not completely gray…” Clay said, looking closely at Branch, worried. 

“Oh you’re right,” Bruce said, noticing this as well.

“But why? I thought he got his colors back?” John Dory asked. 

“He must still be feeling somewhat sad,” Clay softly said. 

“Do you think it’s still because of us?” Bruce asked hesitantly, Floyd sighing sadly.  

“I think so. While he does have Poppy now and is friends with the other trolls, what happened to him can’t really be brushed off just from singing one song. He’s still hurting on the inside from us leaving him and Grandma dying. He’s still struggling with the past…” Floyd sadly exclaimed, the brothers looking down sadly and feeling guilty/ashamed. 

Branch: “ Just need the guts to tell her that she's the one, but you know, Trolls, they wanna have fun… ” (Gets on a platform that raises him to join the other Pop Trolls above ground) “ Oh, Trolls just wanna have… ” (Joins Poppy and the two begin to dance and sing together) 

“Aww, he’s in love with Poppy,” Viva said, excited. While the brothers were still feeling ashamed of themselves and feeling sorry for all Branch had to go through, Viva’s and Branch’s words brought a small smile to their faces. 

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… ” 

“They’re so cute together!” Viva squealed, loving the way Branch and Poppy were dancing and singing together. 

“They really are. And I’m glad Branch is happy with her,” Bruce said, smiling at Branch and Poppy’s interactions with each other. While Branch’s colors may have dulled again, at least he was still singing, dancing, and having fun. 

“Actually, maybe his hair isn’t completely black. In the light you can see a slight hint of dark blue,” Clay said, glad to see it wasn’t all black. 

(Branch & Poppy jump down from the tree they were in, Poppy using her hair to helicopter down while Branch parachutes his way down)

“Smooth haha,” John said, liking how much their methods of ‘traveling’ with their hair reflected their different personalities. 

Branch: “All right, Queen Poppy. I've prepared an agenda for the day.” (Points to his ‘To Do’ list hanging up for Poppy to see; which reads ‘Food Prep, Repair Bunker, Build Stuff, Laundry, & Shower) 

“Very responsible,” Clay said, nodding in approval. 

“Yeah, though I doubt Poppy’s going to actually follow it,” Floyd said, chuckling in amusement. 

Poppy: “Oh. Well, I hope it says singing, dancing and hugging. Ow-ow!” (As she talks Branch looks at Poppy lovingly) 

“Ahh, look at the way Branch is looking at her!” Viva squealed. 

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

Poppy: “Yeah! Good times!”

(Scene changes to Trolls roller skating, the song ‘Good Times’ playing in the background)) 

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! ”

“Oh fun!” Viva said. She loved roller skating… 

(Scene changes once again to Pop Village. Guy Diamond is heard screaming by Branch, Poppy, Biggie, and Copper)

Guy Diamond: “Poppy, come quick! It's an emergency!”

Poppy: “Guy Diamond, what's wrong?”

Guy Diamond: “I'm having a…baby!” 

At his words the brothers and Viva screamed for joy. 

(Branch, Poppy, Biggie and Cooper scream for joy) 

Satin & Chenille: “We're on jumpsuit duty!”

Cooper: “I get to be a role model.”

Smidge: “I don't want to be a big sister!”

(Guy Diamond’s egg hatches, showing a baby Disco Troll) 

“Awwww!” the trolls cooed. 

Cooper, Biggie, Guy Diamond, Satin, Chenille, Branch & Poppy: “Awww!”

Guy Diamond: “What should I name him?”

Poppy: “Hmm…How about... Tiny Diamond?”

Tiny Diamond: (Raps) “ Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tiny Diamond is my name, come straight from my daddy's mane. My whole body's made of glitter and I'll throw it in your face! I love when I make music and the groove is in my bones. Just like my Aunt Queen Poppy someday I'll sit on the throne! ”