Everyone had was still sitting in Branch's bunker. It had been hours since they've been sitting in there.

"Okay okay I know it's been a few hours but I'm already panicking." Chenille took quick breathes.

"Girl, calm down." Satin shook her head at her sister.

"I'm sure Branch is doing alright out there.." Biggie assured.

"But what about Poppy? It's been hours! What if the bergens did something really bad?!" Guy Diamond exclaimed.

Every troll inside Branch's bunker gasped, including Peppy himself.

"People, people, calm down. I'm sure they're both fineee. It's only been a few hours!

"But.. y-you don't know that Creek! Something bad could've happened even in a few hours-"

"Everyone quiet!" King Peppy raised his voice.

Silence.

"Once again, I agree with Sir Creek. Besides, we are trolls! We are always supposed to be positive! Even in hard times, look at the bright side of things!"

Everyone nodded at one another and murmured.

"So please do not worry my citizens, have hope that things will be alright, because I assure you that they will be!"

Trolls started smiling, and all the well nodding more. King Peppy's words were truly their motivations, party somehow their needs as well.

As soon as everyone went back to what they were doing, Creek had slowly walked to the king.

"Ohh King Peppy." He put a hand on his shoulder, his voice light.

The King turned around, a bit startled.

"Oh, Sir Creek, how can I help you?" He chuckled.

"Oh no no no, I was just saying that I hope Branch does find our Princess soon. I mean, it is obvious he will, right?"

Peppy looked at him a bit confused.

"What are you trying to say?"

Creek noticed his expression. "Oh dear, I'm sorry if I'm confusing you. I'm really only saying that I hope Poppy will be back soon!"

"Ah, okay. And she will, I know it. My baby is strong, and I'm sure Branch is as well." Peppy chuckled once more.

"Yep, I sure do agree." Creek forced a smile.

Not.

Peppy smiled and pat his shoulder and walked over to some of the trolls, observing.

Creek put his hands behind his back, smirking lightly to himself.

Poppy, prepare to have your wish to having a special one come true. Big time.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Branch had made his way down the troll tree slowly.

He slowly walked from behind the tree and made sure the coast was clear.

For his luck it seemed like no bergen was paying attention to what they were doing, and just walked casually through town.

The grey troll took this as a chance to quickly make a run for it, hiding places from time to time.

He didn't realize he had finally gotten to the castle until he looked up and saw the front doors.

How am I gonna get in...

Pushing him out of his thoughts, suddenly, a bergen burst through the doors of the castle, pushing them wide open.

Branch smiled and quickly slid himself inside, the doors closing behind him.

He took a moment to look around while walking slowly.

His ear twitched a bit when he heard voices murmuring in the back, and quickly ran into the hall.

Where are you Poppy...

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Poppy once again fell off in a doze, but her hunger and thirst was making it harder for her to even sleep at all. She hadn't eaten in hours.

"Ugh.." She groaned lightly, forcing herself to sit up.

"I have no energy at all..." The pink troll grumbled to herself as she hugged her knees to her chest.

Suddenly, once again, Chef opened the door.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Branch had searched all the rooms but he had no luck.

His heart was literally thumping out of his chest and he even began to pant a little.

He didn't want to lose hope, he knew she still had to be here.

After all, he couldn't lose her..

Branch gasped lightly to himself when Chef walked past him, breathing a sigh of relief afterwards when she didn't notice him.

She opened up a door, Branch slowly following behind her.

A kitchen? Well I've checked all the rooms except this one so it's worth a shot...

Like he did with the front doors of the castle, the grey troll quickly slid himself in the kitchen, hiding behind something until Chef would finally leave.

Little did he know, the Princess he'd been hopelessly searching for was inside.

Noticing Chef was just glancing at her with a smirk, Poppy just sighed.

"Oh what? I'm guessing he wants to eat me now..?" Poppy mumbled quietly. Ever since all of this she hasn't been herself.

Branch swore he could hear her voice and began recognizing it.

It had to be her.

"Oh don't worry. I'm only grabbing something. But after I have a final talk with the king then he'll eat you." Chef chuckled.

Poppy didn't respond and just leaned her head against the bars of the cage lightly.

"I'll be back, in a few minutes. So say your last words while you can Princess." Chef chuckled once more and exited the room, closing the door.

Branch finally made a move and ran to the counter and slowly climbed up.

Once he got on top of it, he felt his heart break to pieces.

Poppy laid on her side, her back being faced, and she was hugging herself tightly.

The grey troll wanted to say something but didn't know how to say it. He felt like he might say it wrong.

"I never thought this would be it..." The poor Princess hugged herself tighter, closing her eyes.

Branch slowly walked foward to the cage.

"Poppy..?"

The Princess swore she could hear a soft, male voice.

She sat herself up and turned around slowly to see the concerned face of Branch.

"Branch..?" She murmured in disbelief.

"Yeah, it's me.." He slowly walked closer.

Poppy began to tear up.

"Oh Branch!" She crawled up and grabbed onto the bars of the cage.

"It's okay.. I'm gonna get you out, okay..?" He was reaching for something in his hair.

"Please hurry.." She said in a shaky voice.

He grabbed a pair of scissors and used them to unlock the cage as fast as he could.

"Poppy, I-"

But before he could say a word, he felt the pink troll lunge onto him and wrap her arms around him tightly, never letting go.

"I-I thought I'd never see you again..." She whimpered and buried her face in his neck and snuggled into it, hugging him tighter.

Branch just stood there, full of shock.

Once again he felt himself heat up inside, even blushing a bit.

Immediately, even out of character for himself, he gently hugged her back, and he never, hugged anyone.

"I'm here now.. it's okay.." He said in a soft and soothing voice and gently ran his fingers through her hair.

Poppy sniffled as one tear slowly escaped her eye, her lip quivering lightly.

Branch noticed this and swore he could feel his heart tear completely.

Is she..

Branch gently caressed her cheeks and wiped away the tears that flowed slowly down her eyes.

Poppy managed to give out a weak smile, looking up at him.

They stood in their same position for a few second when they heard the door knob fidget again.

"Shoot.." Branch immediately took action and grabbed Poppy's hand and ran to hide behind something, her obviously following.

Once again Chef walked in the room, but with another bergen who had two pigtails and somewhat dirty clothing.

"Okay Idget I want you to grab a plate and wash it thoroughly. I'm making a special recipe for the King when he eats the Princess of all the trolls."

Her name was actually Bridget, but she always mispronounced.

"Y-Yes Chef.." She quickly grabbed a plate and started washing it.

Chef smirked and turned her head.

"Now for you Princess-"

She turned to the cage and saw it empty.

"What?!" She yelled and began to look around. "Where did she go?!"

Chef whirled her head to Bridget.

"Idget! Search this whole kitchen for while I get the guards to look for her! And hurry up!" She yelled in her raspy voice and ran out the door.

Bridget sighed and began looking around for them.

"What do we do.." Poppy whispered as quietly as she could.

Branch looked down for a second and thought.

"Run." He lifted her off her feet and picked her up bridal style, Poppy squealing a bit in surprise, and quickly climbed off the table and ran out the door, Chef somehow leaving it open.

"Look around you morons!" Chef yelled at the guards who searched for the Princess as well.

"Hey hey hey!" Gristle ran up to Chef.

"Oh, uh, sire!" Chef said nervously.

"What's going on here? What did you do?" He put his hands on his hips.

"Sir I assure you nothing is wro-"

"Anyway find the Princess yet?" A Guard yelled from afar.

"Wait a minute! She escaped?! How?! She was locked in a cage! Chef did you lock it correctly?!" Gristle poked her in the chest.

"S-Sir I-I.. I assure you she's around here somewhere!" Chef said once again.

"She better be or that's your job!" Gristle groaned and walked away.

Chef just grumbled to herself. "Little brat..." Then she continued searching with the guards.

Meanwhile, Branch was still carrying Poppy, while trying to leave the castle.

Poppy had her arms wrapped around his neck and leaned her head against his chest.

They were currently hidden behind a wall.

The grey troll took a small peek from behind it.

"I think it's clear..." He whispered, slowly walking away from the wall, holding the Princess carefully in his arms.

The back doors were right in front of them, and all they had to do was-

"I found her! With.. a grey troll?"

"Branch! Run!" Poppy exclaimed to him

Branch did not hesitate and quickly ran to the back doors.

"Hey!" A guard yelled and ran after them.

Chef heard and saw them, following quickly afterwards.

Branch pushed with all his might onto the back doors on his side, eventually getting them open.

"Stop!" The guard got closer.

"Ahhhh no!" As soon as the grey troll ran outside, the door closed shut and hit the guard in the face, knocking him down.

Chef finally caught up.

"Ugh, you moron! You're worthless!" She opened the door and ran out.

Branch ran as far as he could and hid behind a tree, panting.

Chef growled in frustration.

"I won't rest until I find that Princess." She growled quietly.

Two guards ran outside to her side.

"Find her while I grab more guards. And don't even think about coming back here, until she is in the palm of your filthy hands, got it?!"

The guards usually only took orders from the King, but at this moment Chef just seemed so powerful. They both nodded in response.

"Good! Now get going!" She marched back in the castle, and the guards made their way.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Branch carefully sat Poppy down next to him, while they still hid behind the tree.

"Alright, they're gone-"

"Branch?"

"What?"

"We're lost."

Branch looked around, realizing she was right.

"Oh."

A/N: Welp XD