Chapter Text
"So, JD, do you have the map of the whole area?" Branch asked, shuffling through the shelves and boxes inside Rhonda, looking for supplies.
Poppy squinted in confusion as Branch tried to explain the different sounds and tones of the techno trolls' music. "Wait, so you're telling me the Techno Trolls go 'beep boop BOP'?" she said, mimicking the sounds.
"No, no—it's more like 'beep beep Bop.' There's this subtle difference that changes everything!" Branch tried to correct her, tapping his finger to emphasize.
"That’s... weird," Poppy replied, her brows furrowing as she tried to process it.
Branch rubbed the back of his neck with a small, sheepish smile. "I mean, yeah, the other trolls aren’t exactly like us, Poppy. But it’s not a bad thing. During our trips to meet the techno and country trolls, it’s been… fun. Different weird, even got us into jail just because they didn’t - seen pop troll in a long long time, but fun journey yeah."
"I know you’ve said that a few times now," Poppy responded face looking serious, still hopeful. "But I still think if we can just talk, we can all be friends. You know, just talk it out."
"Where are we going again?" Cooper asked, looking up from his latest drawing. It was a cheerful scene with a grassy background, a sun with a smiling face, and a blue troll standing beneath it—though it was hard to tell which troll, as the figure's hair wasn’t fully colored in yet.But from the purple crayon it easy to know who, a few red and orang scatter around him.
"We’re trying to figure out if Symphonyville could actually be up in the clouds," Poppy mused, staring thoughtfully at the map.
"We’d need a hot air balloon," Branch replied, chuckling. "Rhonda’s not exactly a flying type."
Poppy snapped her fingers. "Oh, darn! I should’ve packed the hot air balloon back home! I didn’t realize the terrain would be so different. I mean, I thought most trolls lived on the ground. Except for the Techno Trolls and Classical, of course."
"I think the Country Trolls had one, though," Branch said, thinking back. "When we were there, Holly Darlin’ showed off one of their inventions for traveling long distances without tiring. They kept it guarded pretty closely, though. Didn’t want to risk losing it."
"Oh my troll! You have to bring me there next time," Poppy said with a grin, bouncing in her seat. John Dory gave her a look from across the room, a silent reminder to stay put. Poppy just flashed him a mischievous smile, as if to say she'd do her best not to break anything.
Poppy had probably snuck away despite her father’s protests. The king didn’t always trust her to keep herself safe, but with the bros, she got better chance. It what start the new era between Trolls and Bergens. She have yet to meet her sisters aka Bergen BFF. She havent finish her scrapbook yet wanting to best one to start a blooming friendship between those two.
As they drove toward Country Troll territory, following the road by the ocean, the air grew still. There was a rumble at the distance darker cloud from it normal puffy cutton cloud. Their eye land a golden gate stood before them, half-suspended in the sky. Ashes floated down from a darkened cloud, casting shadows in the golden light. Bits of broken stone fell like rain from the sky falling onto the ground and see causing their vehicle to halt, and the cloud itself seemed almost torn apart, as though it had been shattered from within. The scale of the destruction was unmistakable, enough to be seen from the ground.
They quickly stepped out, hearing distant whines and growls. Rhonda whined too, sensing something terrible in the air. Above them, Symphonyville lay in ruin, its broken remnants looming ominously in the cloudscape.They all exited from Rhonda looking gasp at the grueling sight of once city on the sky.
"This… this is Symphonyville," John said, voice low with horror. He looked around at his friends, their faces mirroring the same fear and disbelief. "If the Rock Trolls can cause this kind of devastation up here… just imagine what they could do to our homes down below."
"Oh sugar and cupcakes," Cooper Branch muttered in sync..
"Barb doesn’t want us united," Branch realized, his expression hardening. "She wants to destroy us!"
"We need to go back," Branch said urgently. "We have to lead everyone to the bunker before it’s too late."
"And we need to keep our strings safe," John added, the weight of the situation clear in his tone.
“We Can’t!” the boys looks at her.
Poppy squirmed, glancing away with a conflicted expression. Slowly, she reached into her hair, carefully pulling out something—a glowing pink object that blended almost seamlessly into her hair’s pink hues.
"Poppy!" Branch gasped, looking shocked, Cooper look with terror but trying to rationalise this situation this is one of his best friend she probably have a good reason, while John, though unsurprised, tried to mask his feelings. He’d seen this scene play out before, at least according to Branch’s original retelling.
Poppy looked at them with determination. "Our journey hasn’t changed, Branch. We still need to stop Barb from wiping out all music. We have to get to the Country Trolls. We need as many allies as we can get."
Branch’s eyes narrowed, his voice firm. "Poppy, you’re not listening. We need to keep everyone safe. What if Barb finds the others? We need to get them to shelter while we still can."
"But if we reach the Country Trolls, we can talk to them! Maybe even the Funk Trolls—Cooper could help us bring them together," Poppy insisted, her voice filled with conviction. She genuinely believed in her vision of unity, and John admired her unwavering optimism that what makes Poppy, well Poppy herself. A Crazy soon to be princess with a big heart.
John watched closely. They were all following the path he anticipated, but there was something about the way they were going about it—their choices, their timing—that made him worry about where the journey might lead. The destination seemed certain, but everything in between… that was the part he couldn’t predict not when he interfere around them.
"Poppy, you’re not listening to me," Branch pressed, frustration edging his tone. Poppy matched his stare with a stubborn look of her own, unwilling to back down. Despite her dislike of fighting, she knew they needed to have a serious conversation if they were going to get through this together in somewhat the same page. John sighed, giving Branch a knowing look and nodding. Branch returned the nod, though his eyes lingered on Poppy with a trace of irritation.
John turned to Cooper, who was staring in horror up at the ominous clouds above them. "Coops, you okay, bro?"
Cooper didn’t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the scroll on the ground. Surface drawn of Troll with unique feature on their own. He seem to stare on the troll same appearance, like him…. "We just… we just got back together. From the bergen," he mumbled as his eye drop with his earrs. "We just met all the other Troll tribes, and now… now it feels like we’re going to lose it all."
John gently placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning in to offer comfort. "Hey, did you spend too much time with Branch, or what? Where’s my optimistic little brother?"
Cooper stayed silent, his shoulders slumped. John softened, rubbing his forehead as he took in his brother’s distress. He finally smiled, a confident, reassuring grin. "Sugar and cupcakes, I know we’re gonna get through this," he said, his voice calm and certain.
Cooper looked up, searching John’s face for a reason to believe. "How can you be so sure?"
John grinned wider, gently poking Cooper in the side, making him laugh a little. "It’s what big brothers are good for. AS long as we’re together we got this. C’mon, we can do this."
With the tension broken, Cooper managed a smile, shaking his head at his brother’s antics. John then said, "Let’s get back before those two lovebirds start tearing each other apart."
"Eww," Cooper laughed, shooting a mischievous glance at Branch.
"C’mon, we’re halfway there! Let’s head to the Country Trolls," John urged, his voice steady but persuasive.
Branch looked at John, his face torn. "But, JD… they could’ve already targeted our village. That’s my home— my friends, and they can’t handle what’s coming their way not after ‘them’." Branch hissed at the last part at the implication.
John’s face grew serious. "Exactly. That’s why we need to make sure we’re all ready and the other strings stay out of Barb’s reach. If we’re together, we can protect them. I’m sure everyone’s gonna be okay in the end."
Branch hesitated, clearly still wrestling with the idea. "I’m just scared, JD. What if… what if my friends are still out there, and they’re…?" His voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
John offered a soft, encouraging smile. "I know, Branch. I’m sorry."
Branch exhaled, then gave a slight, reluctant smile. "Ugh, fine. Let’s go. Don’t get all mushy on me now, JD."
They headed back to Rhonda, who was still trembling slightly from the ominous sight in the sky. Cooper climbed in beside her, gently patting her to calm her down. Branch set up his clueboard inside, reviewing everything they knew about the strings so far. Poppy hovered close behind, glancing over his shoulder. Her dad would probably lose his mind if he knew, but she felt it was worth the risk.
As they moved onward toward the Country Troll territory, John’s expression grew thoughtful. A faint, unspoken guilt lingered in his eyes. He knew they had to face Barb, even though it meant navigating a dangerous path. Besides, he had a personal reason for this journey—he hoped that, somewhere in this expansive world and his family got over the big event coming to them, he might finally uncover a clue about Caly and Floyd’s whereabouts.
The land changed as they crossed into the Country Trolls’ territory. The road was quieter, with only the occasional creak of wooden wheels and murmurs from villagers as they passed. Poppy’s enthusiasm dimmed as she looked around.
"So… this is where the Country Trolls live?" She frowned, sounding disappointed. "I thought it’d be more… lively."
Branch’s eyes scanned the surroundings carefully. "Looks like Barb’s destruction hasn’t reached them here yet. If we want to get an idea of her movements, we should find the sheriff."
"And how do we do that?" Poppy asked, her eyebrows raised.
“Hey, Poppyseed, Bitty,” John called, smirking as he gestured to Rhonda, the large caterpillar-like creature nearby. “I’m going to park Rhonda and take Cooper with me. Just… try not to save the world without me, alright?”
Enter back Rhonda ready to find a parking spot in good distance. Branch ran up to Rhonda’s face, giving her a quick hug before stepping back as she rose onto her many legs, settling comfortably in a hidden spot.
They’d already caused quite a stir when they first arrived in the village with Rhonda, and he figured it was best to keep her out of sight this time. This place didn’t exactly welcome unexpected visitors—and a giant caterpillar wouldn’t make things any easier.
Branch, Poppyoved deeper into town. A peculiar hush lingered over the place, broken only by the occasional sound of distant hoofbeats. The sun was high, casting a faint glimmer over the worn-down fences and carts lining the road. It felt tense—like the calm before a storm. Branch led the way, pulling Poppy along as familiar Country Trolls gave him half-nods and casual waves, which he returned with a nod of his own. Poppy’s wide-eyed excitement turned to puzzlement as she glanced around at the quieter, subdued streets. Everything here was so plain, almost dull, compared to her own home, with everyone focused on their own work, barely glancing up as they passed.
Poppy took in the sight, her eyes narrowing. "So, where to next?"
Branch looked ahead, determination settling on his face. "We’ve got a lot of ground to cover. If Barb’s aiming to divide and destroy us, we’re going to make sure she doesn’t stand a chance."
While Branch searched for the sheriff’s building, a voice caught his attention—a rough, familiar tune that made his ears perk up:
This kind of life
Has made our hearts as hard as leather,
And all these tears are from
The dust in our eyes…
Branch’s face lit up. Tugging Poppy along, he led her around the side of a building, where they spotted a small crowd gathered around Delta Dawn, who stood on a makeshift stage, her red hair vibrant as ever as she performed for the elders sit on their wooden seat all eye longingly immersive into the somber melody.
"I think we should wait, Poppy—" Branch started, but Poppy slipped out of his grasp, running toward the stage.
"Hi! I’m Poppy," she called out, bounding up to Delta Dawn, eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Your song’s kind of… sad. Music is supposed to make you happy, isn’t it? You folks look like you could use some cheering up! Anyway, I’m Poppy, Princess of Pop, and I’m here to warn you about—"
Delta Dawn raised an eyebrow, momentarily thrown off by Poppy’s interruption. "Uh… thank you, Princess but i don’t think…," she replied slowly, choosing her words carefully.
"S-sorry about her; she’s a bit… eccentric," Branch apologized, shooting Poppy a glare that she ignored with a huff.
"Branch, is that you?" Delta Dawn lowered her instrument and stepped down from her stage. "Strange not to see your brothers trailing after you like puppies," she chuckled. "Sorry, everyone, give me a moment."
The crowd murmured around. Branch giving a shy facial before turning serious , trying to get back on track. "Sorry for interrupting, Delta, but we really need to warn you about—"
Before he could finish, a stern-looking troll in a sheriff’s uniform appeared, placing a firm hand on Poppy’s shoulder and snapping a pair of cuffs around her wrists. Pulling her out from the performance area toward a certain room. With Branch walk beside him nonchalant about this arrest, he should have seen this comming his fault trusting a bit too mcuh on Poppy part handling this new world.
Poppy blinked in surprise, trying to tug her arm free. "Hey, I’m not the bad guy here! I’m just trying to warn you!"
The sheriff, a gruff red-haired troll with half-lidded green eyes shaded under his wide-brimmed hat, gave them both a scrutinizing look. Branch could practically feel the sheriff’s eye roll. He remembered being on the receiving end of this guy’s law-and-order attitude the last time he’d visited the Country Trolls.
"About Princess Barb’s invasion? We’ve already heard plenty from you Pops," he said dryly, his gaze unimpressed.
"We need to work together!" Poppy protested, trying to reason with him. "If we join forces, we might stand a chance to protect our string—"
The sheriff cut her off with a sharp look and shoved them both, a little more forcefully in Poppy’s case who stumbling step a bit before she can stable herself againt the push force, into a familiar holding cage. Branch gave an apologetic shrug, stepping in willingly while Poppy shot him a wide-eyed look.
"Now, I want you two to sit here and think about respecting your elders," Sheriff Ray said gruffly, leaning against the wall by the bar. Branch’s stomach twisted with guilt—interrupting someone’s performance was about as disrespectful he knew. A part of a boyband he knew that well… but it hard to follow throught when the stake is high. A tryant princess trying to stell something vital from them all, their musical strings He can’t let that get into the wrong hand either, not when he have his family and friend. Plus he knew Poppy meant well, but the situation was more complicated than she realized.
“Wha—” Poppy stammered, dismayed.
The sheriff cast a final stern glance at them, his red hair catching the breeze as he added, "I’ll just fetch yer brother. Think about what you’ve just done. Trouble Kids," and with heavy footsteps, he turned and walked away.
Poppy slumped down beside Branch, crossing her arms and pouting. "I think… I underestimated how different our lifes are."
Branch let out a long sigh, sitting behind her with a look of exasperation. "You think?" He muttered under his breath. His mind raced with a hundred other things he should’ve brought on this trip—maybe even his machete.