Surprise, I wrote a bonus chapter. I know, it's short. Enjoy.

“You won't last a day out there."

“And you won't last a day in here," Poppy fired back with a smirk on her pretty face. Branch looked around and noticed all of the other Trolls trashing his bunker. “Solid burn returned."

Branch's eyes widened as Poppy went to kiss Flower goodbye. He underestimated this woman.

“Okay, hun, I'd like a complimentary continental breakfast," Willow said, writing in a notepad. “And make sure my coffee is blacker than my hair. Or, at least, half of it."

To make sure he remembered, she ripped off the note, licked the back of it, and stuck it on the tip of his large nose.

“You'll be good while Mommy's gone, won't you, Flower?" Poppy said with a silly voice. Flower giggled in response. “I'd take you with me, but I don't wanna see you get hurt by the big, bad Bergens. I love you so much!"

“Wuboo," Flower babbled as her mother kissed her nose and headed for the elevator.

“Um, uh, Poppy wait," King Peppy stammered, stopping Poppy. Branch noticed them and assumed he was going to stop her from going. Instead, the old king said, “Please be careful."

Wow, didn't see that coming, Branch thought. He expected King Peppy to be more reluctant to let his daughter risk her life just to save nine Trolls.

“Don't worry, Dad," Poppy assured him. “I can do this."

“I love you, Poppy," he said quietly as she hugged him.

“I love you too, Dad," she replied.

Branch was beginning to feel terrible. He should've agreed to go with her. Perhaps he still could. If not for her father, than for Flower. She needed her mother, and if anyone could protect her on a dangerous journey, it was him. Branch had to go.

“Bye, everybody!" Poppy said loudly, getting everyone's attention. “See you soon!"

“Good luck, Princess Poppy!" the other Trolls cheered as Branch made his way through the crowd.

Poppy looked at her Hug Time bracelet and whispered to herself, “And three, two, one."

“Hug Time!" King Peppy shouted as everyone's bracelets went off. Heading up the elevator and out of the bunker, Poppy watched as poor Branch was swarmed by hug-thirsty Trolls.

“No... No!"

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After a couple more Hug Times, Branch had finished searching his bunker for the things he needed to bring along on Poppy's mission. Right before he could leave, he had to say goodbye to his daughter.

“Flower? Where's Flower?" Branch called out. He found her crying in her crib, hiding her face with her hands. “Shh, shh, it's okay. It's okay."

After a few bounces, Flower calmed down.

“I hate to leave you," he whispered, “but someone has to help Mommy. I want you to be a good girl to Grandpa, okay? You can do that for me, right?"

Branch found himself being surrounded by a bunch of women, staring at both him and Flower. He just backed away from them slowly, worried about what move they might make.

“Ah, yes, the ladies love seeing a man with a baby," King Peppy said, taking his granddaughter. “I remember when a friend of mine took in an orphan who was Flower's age. They just couldn't resist him, especially when he said he'd rather focus on taking care of the baby."

“Well, I'm not using Flower for attention," Branch replied. “I'm just... Well, I just..."

“Don't worry, I trust you," King Peppy assured him. “You remind me of a student my wife used to have. A very shy, but sweet little boy with a lovely voice. He was Poppy's first hug. I wish I knew what happened to him, he would've been wonderful friends with her."

“Yeah, he probably would have," Branch admitted. He often wondered what his life would've been like if he had never turned grey, but was convinced he was better off this way. “Well, I better get going."

“Wait! It's Branch, isn't it?" King Peppy asked. The grey Troll nodded. “Keep my daughter safe, will you?"

“Cross my hair in hope to go bald," Branch swore, grabbing his backpack. With that settled, he went off to go help Poppy.

🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸

Flower didn't know what was going on. One moment, she was in Daddy's bunker with Grandpa. The next, she was trapped in a giant fanny pack with dozens of other Trolls. All she saw before being scooped up by a giant hand was Creek banging a cowbell. Now, she had no idea where they were being taken.

“Now, let's prepare the main course: the Trolls!" a voice roared as everyone was dumped in a giant cooking pot right before it was sealed shut. Flower landed flat on her back and cried out in pain.

Branch felt his heart ache as he heard his little girl crying. He rushed to her and picked her up with his muscular arms.

“Flower, are you okay?!" he asked worriedly, rubbing her back to ease the pain. “That must've hurt, didn't it?"

“Dada..." Flower sobbed, much to everyone's surprise. The secret was out now, so there was no sense in hiding anymore.

“That's right," Branch said in a hushed tone as her cries grew quieter. “Daddy's got you. Daddy's here now."

Flower felt better, but they noticed Poppy wasn't. All she wanted was to protect everyone, like her father did before her, and she failed. Feeling heartbroken and lost, she fell on her knees.

“But Poppy..."

“You were right, Branch," she said glumly. “The world isn't all cupcakes and rainbows."

Branch immediately regretted ever saying those words to her. Right before he could take it back, however, he felt his heart shatter into a million pieces as Poppy's pink, happy colors were drained away as they were replaced by a dull, miserable grey, just like him. He was forced to watch as the same thing happened to the rest of the Trolls.

Including Flower.

At that moment, Branch suddenly remembered the day she was born. He never wanted this to happen to his daughter. He never wanted this to happen to anyone.

“Branch," a voice whispered. Branch looked around to see if anyone was talking to him. The voice sounded familiar, but it was hard to tell who it was. “Branch..."

It was soft, gentle, beautiful. He saw a pink and golden glow right in front of him. At that moment, he realized who it was.

“Queen Melody?"

“You were always my favorite student," she said softly as her figure became more clear. “Then again, you were my only student. And I couldn't be more proud of you."

“How? Can't you see what I've done?" Branch pointed out. “My singing killed my grandma, I quit your class, I deflowered your daughter."

“Branch, you have nothing to be ashamed of," Queen Melody assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I don't believe you nor Poppy have ever been happier than the moments you have shared together. This little girl here is living proof of that."

Branch looked down at Flower, who was beginning to fall asleep, and thought about what her grandmother was saying. Branch's life had changed for the better since Flower became part of it. And Poppy was the one who made it possible. He didn't know why he promised to marry her, but now he was considering keeping it.

“You have a beautiful voice," Queen Melody said, beginning to fade. “Sing for her, my son. She needs you."

Once the queen's spirit faded away, Branch glanced at Poppy for a moment. He remembered the song her music box played, and it seemed like the perfect song to sing at a time like this. So, he gently tucked Flower in his hair, and beginning singing.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

When Flower woke up, she heard cheerful music and hundreds of voices singing together. She also noticed the black hair she was snuggled up in was now purple. Curious about what was happening, Flower took a small peak and noticed all of the Trolls were singing and dancing with the creatures that kidnapped them. She didn't know why, but she felt so happy, she clapped her hands to the beat and her colors returned to her body.

“Our new queen!" King Peppy announced. Flower noticed a crown made of leaves on her mother's head and crawled out of her father's hair, falling into his arms. Branch smiled at his daughter and handed her to Poppy.

“Mama," she babbled, holding onto Poppy as she took Branch's hands. Suddenly, they felt the mushroom they stood on being lifted high into the air, giving them quite the view of Bergen Town.

“I know it's not officially Hug Time yet, but..." Branch said bashfully, spreading his arms out.

“Now that I'm queen, I decree that Hug Time is all the time," she announced, and the three Trolls gathered together for a group hug.

Poppy couldn't ask for a better friend than Branch. Branch knew Poppy was the key to him living a happy life. And Flower was happy to see her parents closer than ever.

In case you're wondering, I'll tell you what happened to Willow. Her mother dies, she finds out about her curse and that she has powers, Poppy breaks her heart, and she leaves the Trolls to protect them.

But don't worry, she'll get her happy ending. In the meantime, check out these OC posters I made.

Peace. ✌️