Feet dragging in the dust, breezes blowing between the branches of trees above his head... Provisions under the arm, old scars tracing his skin... Nothing compare to the one that cross through his cold heart.

The sun let its last bursts of golden light shine on the forest of Trollstopia. The crackling dead leaves under the feet of one of our main characters was pratically silent, masking by the din cause by the party in the village of the trolls.

Yet he, this black-haired like the feather of a majestic crow, troll, the one who hated partying and having fun, he was going there... But why? That was to the result of things to answer us; Branch was the kind of silent and keeping his thoughts and emotions to himself...

Branch; a simple and annoying name to his taste. This name, he hated it. The others, for their part, related it to that gray, sarcastic, and unhappy troll that he was; dressed in a vest made of different type of green leaves and rough, brown, patched shorts that he had made himself... In both cases, the name was therefore horrible. But the way it was prononced was the most annoying to hear; this horrible way people said it in a tone that was either so cold, or so joyful, so happy and filled with happiness despite the way he treated them... This thing in which he was not allowed to participate, happiness.

However, one troll in particular told him the opposite...

And precisely, not far from there, at the middle of the party, dancing in the crazy crowd, this troll smiled widely, the glitters on her adorable round cheeks reflected the magic of the emerging stars of the beautiful night sky.

This troll was called Poppy, soon Queen of the Pop Trolls; pink from head to toe, wearing that evening a pretty green and blue dress decorated with sparkling crystals, instead of her usual little blue dress. The crown she wore on her head was far from unnoticed; it also covered with precious stones... But it would never be as beautiful as the one who wore it.

Branch was therefore heading with a grumpy step towards the princess, but the rock troll leader was faster than he was;

- Oh, hello Ba- Poppy began, but was forced to keep quiet;

- Popsqueak ! Barb exclaimed in a loud and assured voice, I counted the guests of the party and...

- WOAH, WOAH! A minute, Porcupine, another voice, this time a male voice, sounding rather saddened, cut them off, It was I who counted them while you ate those exploding cupcakes !!

To his words, King Trollex crossed his rainbow arms on his transparent chest where his heart could be seen beating, looking at Queen Barb with an angry look, she sighed;

- Okay, let's say I morally supported this stupid fish... She whispered, BUT that's not the point ! There is someone missing the call...

Poppy sighed; of course he wasn't there, he never came to parties! No matter how many efforts and glitters she could put into an invitation, nothing seemed to be able to crack this shell that he had built with the years.

Her expression decised and discouraged was practically impossible to hide... Her friends could quickly guess what was going on in that stubborn head;

- Let me guess... Trollzart, the classic trolls' leader, began as he calmly fly towards them.

-... You invited Branch again... Delta Dawn continued, her country troll hooves made a clapping noise as she join in the group that was forming.

-... And he didn't came ? Prince D finished, Queen Essence and King Quincy of Funk were behind their son.

- Nooooooo.... Yes– Poppy finally confessed.

Why try to hide her disappointment again? She was sad, she was dissapointed that Branch hadn't show up.

Hiding in the shadows, Branch felt his pointy ears drop down; he hated knowing that it was by his fault, because of his mistakes, that she was suffering; but why did she keep trying despite all the times he had rejected her? She should have understood over time that he was a desperate case, that there was no chance that he would ever be able to smile again, as everyone else had understood... And anyways, it was her problem, why did he care?! He straightened his head and with a deniating step, turned around and returned home.

But, what he didn't know as he walked away to his very isolated fear bunker was that the pink troll had something in mind; a plan that this time, was sure not to fail...

- It's just I really wish he came this time... The pink troll continued.

- Poppy, we have already advised you to stop trying.. This troll is just not like other pop trolls, Trollzart shrugged his shoulders, he was standing on the head of his talking fish friend.

- Nor like any troll in fact ! This one fish guy laughed, He is even more serious than a country troll! No offense, Delta... Trollex murmured.

She shrugged her shoulders, not in the least insulted.

In any case, Poppy had... let's say.. observed Branch for the last few months, and she did had a brilliant idea to force him to reveal to everyone what was hiding behind these frowning features; if only he had come and fall into the trap... She sighed, and went away to get more punch.

And precisely, this last mentionned one had just stopped a few seconds in front of a table filled with chocolate cupcakes ... One of the delicious desserts had a card that showed his name.

- Fuck... ! Branch whispered/shouted, blushing and being embarrased by the fact that someone had make this sweet pastry for him.

Discreetly, he caught the cupcake, ready to just throw it into the forest for a creature to devour it... But smelling the sweet scent of chocolate, he hesitated.

- Urgh, damn it ! okay... He growled, then swallowed the cupcake with one bite.

He had just, without knowing it, from this one action, got into the biggest and dangerous of all adventures...