" That willow tree?" Branch asked holding up the picture high before the light. His other hand causally held a half eaten blueberry. Faint droplet of the juice ran down his chin.

Floyd, Bruce and Clay fixed their sights on the way the Grey Prince held their last clue. The clue to where their older brother claimed as their final destination. So fragile with great importance that picture was.

" Yes." Floyd nodded. "We're here to find it and meet our brothers."

Branch flipped over the picture. The handwriting. Too specific and familiar. Only one person would dare to rush his own hand then stab a dot with the pen. John Dory. Raising an eyebrow at his own brother and King's imperfect signature skepticalism followed side by side with his train of thought redirected his focus. Questions plagued him.

Why would John send this out? Why hadn't he mentioned this to Branch? Why invite these strangers when he knows they might become doomed and unable to leave if they get infected and stay too long? The whys seemed almost endless until... A vague memory of JD's voice echoed through his mind. A old promise. One Branch nearly forgotten about completely.

"One day we will see our brothers again and when do we won't ever be apart. We will be a family again. You,me, Floyd, Clay and Spruce."

But, it had been long time since that dear promise to scared child was made. His eyes glanced back at the three older men before him. Studying every single detail of their faces. Nothing about them seemed familiar. Well at least not at first. Branch kinda forgetten what his other brothers used to look like in person. If it wasn't for John's insistence of keeping memories captured in photographs their faces would had become pure blur.

Bruce still had that signature expressive face card. Though the name change was causing some seeds of doubt. Floyd still had that familiar speech pattern and soft voice that had been living in Branch's mind rent free since their separation. Clay, being the most unrecognisable, provoked a bizarre itch through his appearance, unconscious mannerisms and tone of voice. He didn't sound like the Clay he remembered nor did he look like him. Out of everyone no sense of familiarity woke and stirred - a pure stranger.

Branch bit down his lower lip while his words remained caught in his throat. No shine flashed in his eyes - dull from doubt and lost hope. Hope that died early despite their elder's best efforts. Could this really be them or was this all a unwanted dream?

Clay opened his palm towards the younger troll. No warmth accompanied the gesture. Only expectation. Expectation that something be returned.

Branch handed the photo back turning around to face his crew. With a nod and specific hand gesture an silent order alerted Trickee into motion. The outside door to the Critter Den revealing the very willow tree featured the photograph. Large, overgrown, majestic and in bloom. Surrounded by flowers, fruits, vegetables and unique vegetation that would only grow in their meadow with clear patches of grass between them. More detailed than any picture could be.

Poppy's feet carried her away out of the den to closer gaze upon landscape. Her mouth hung agap. Awe filled every inch of her being. To her it  resembled the forest surrounding Pop Village but, more whimsical with the bees and butterflies doing their job to persevere the environment - spreading the pollen. The warmth of the sun was pleasing. Not too hot. Not too cool. However it far more quieter. No morning songs.  Not even from the birds.

Floyd was next to follow. While Poppy's eyes fixed on the meadow itself his own locked on the willow. Swaying from the push and pull of the gentle breeze allowed a peek. A peek into something unnatural. Something troll made. Unfortunately the second Floyd squinted the structure became covered up once again.

What was up there? It had to be wooden or at least from this far away it matched the will bark too closely to not be wood. Perhaps it could had been something painted to resemble bark but, Floyd lack any obvious details to point towards. His open palm closed pressing onto his soft skin.

Discarding the distraction - hope filled his nervous heart. Genuine smile that didn't cause his cheeks to ache relaxed his face. Turning around Floyd's pink eyes jumped towards Bruce and Clay, who were hanging back rather hesitant to step out themselves.

Clay stood close to Bruce as if on the fence. Like he didn't want believe everything going on around them but, still longed to be proven wrong. Ablaze playful pointed thumb over his shoulder towards the open gate while letting a wink fly. However his smirk rubbed the wrong way provoking eye roll out of the King of Putt Putt. Nobody was taking the situation seriously or at least that was what Clay was telling himself.

Bruce, being caught between Boom and Clay, realigned his gaze with Floyd's. Viva ran past them chasing after her sister. Why? For wandering off to stop her from disappearing into the flowers. The Queen was fast Floyd only sensed the dust cloud behind him from but, ignored it.

Trickee moved the second gate with the same amount of strength as the first. Hype pressed one button on the outdoor panel triggering the protective sliding wall to fold and shrink before lapsing into the den. The willow tree, now fully revealed and in view, disarmed Clay's coldness while Bruce let go of a breathe he didn't realise he was holding. Both older brothers' chests heaved letting go of the tension they held in their hearts so tightly.

" That's... " Clay paused eyes widening at the tree.

" I think so..." Bruce said.

" It's your willow." Branch wiped his hands with paper towel. " Your willow is our Willow. It's been our Willow for a long time now. "

Not wanting to drag the moment any longer - the Arcane Enforcers closed the critter Den them led their special guests through the secret tunnels. It was quite the maze until they reached vault door. Branch and Hype wasted no time in cracking it open revealing their market place.

Alive with grey and colourful trading tokens for services,food and items. Occasionally items were traded back and forth when no tokens were present. A little boy with bat wings, fangs and two lazy eyes - snapped his head towards the direction of the vault door. A smile graced his face setting his sights on his Prince.

The little boy tugged on his parent's dress. "Mom. Look."

" One minute, Keith." His mother responded as she flipped food on her grill.

Rosewood walked off disappearing deeper into the bunker. " Baby Blue's here,Johnny Boy."

" Prince's old man is gonna kill him then revive him just to kill him again." A Rocker joked then felt a sharp pain from his hip. " Ow-" A spike tip shot out with blood soaked feather forming from it. The feather was getting longer the more it pushed sending the rock troll's body into paralysised shock.

" I GOT YoU! " Punk yelled panicked scooping up his friend before dashing towards the clinic. Mutations occurred so often that most didn't batted an eye when a troll developed them.

Branch held the door waiting for everyone to step in. He rolled his eyes at how their new visitors just stood there like they just got introduced to a freak show. Ablaze, Trickee, Hype and Boom were already on the market floor. Branch nodded in their direction after signing to them with his hands to take " Take five." They didn't need to be told twice.

Unfortunately it seemed Poppy,Viva, Clay, Bruce and Floyd needed a few hints and directions. Branch coughed into his hand then cleared his throat. " Their my people. You seen my team. I would appreciate it if you guys stopped staring so obviously." He scoffed.

Poppy's pink eyes bounced from the grey trolls to animalistic traits to the decorations and LEDs. The market culture was just as breath taking as the people were unique. She closed her agap mouth trying to regain her composure. She didn't mean to stare nor was it out of ill will and intentions.

" Sorry..." Poppy muttered.

Viva lifted her jaw as she watched a seamstress skillfully alter clothing on the spot at her stand. With her three sets of troll like arms. It wasn't the arms Viva was focused on but,the pure speed and skill. The seamstress completed the embroidery in seconds handing off the final product with grace and precision.

" I'm saying Hi. " Viva announced walking ahead. Poppy followed after like a puppy wanting to explore.

Clay folded his arms looking struggling to process the village that was greeting him. What kind of troll village did they just walk in on? Now the enforcers' appearances could not be brushed off as a disguise. They probably just looked like that. What do you say to that without yelling "What the fuck?!"

Floyd looked at Branch scanning his face for any signs of offense. The last thing he wanted to do was be rude to the hand that protected them. An apologetic expression washed over him triggering Branch into resetting back to neutrality.

" Your village is... Something. Something wonderfully unique." Floyd forced out. " It's lovely."

" Yeah. It's unique, alright. " Bruce agreed unsure where to look as he dug his hands into his pockets. The smell of food made his shoulders lower. " Looks like every DND champignon I ever joined combined and set up a market."

"DND?" Branch raised an eyebrow.

" Dungeons and Dragons. " Bruce answered assuming Branch would recognise the title.

" Bunker Market-" Branch pointed towards inside. " And Us. " Branch pointed to himself then to Bruce mainly. However his finger did sway gesturing to everyone. His bratty sarcastic large smile followed the remark.

Bruce held back his laughter at the sass. He didn't know why it was funny to him but, it did trigger the involuntary reaction. Perhaps it was just his nervous system trying to regulate itself or this grey troll's attitude and mannerisms reminded him of something - or someone. His kids definitely had their moments of sass when grumpy. Branch's behavior was a tad bit too similar to those moments.

Clay however glazed Branch before rolling his eyes. He didn't have time to deal with attitude right now. He wanted to find John and their Branch. No. He needed to see them. To talk to them. To embrace them in an overdue hug. Find out what happened to them. He needed to know everything.

Clay stepped over the mini double sided ramps balling his fists into the market zone. Viva's smile faded as she matched her husband's fists tightening , tense shoulders rise and the odd mix of  dragging and soundless stomping his feet. Her own eyes narrowed glancing at Prince Branch before following after Clay.

Once she was close enough she grabbed his wrist stopping Clay in his tracks. " Hey. Are you okay?" Viva asked concerned - lacing their fingers together.

" I'm fine." Clay refused to look at her.

" You sound like you're mad at someone." Viva said.

" I'm not mad." Clay insisted.

" Then look at me. If you keep a straight face you gotta talk. If you don't I'll leave it alone." Viva rubbed the side of his hand with her thumb.

Clay sighed pounding ache tightening on his skull. The tips of his hair came alive bristling and splitting themselves - curling into thin fizz with the colour muting it's shade of green. Twitching an blue eye at the sensation of his nerves being pulled, the taller cursed underneath his breath. Glancing down at his wife he neutralized his expression.

" Clay... Look at me." Viva smiled.

"No. " Clay sucked in lips trying to hold back an unwanted grin. His cheeks puffed up from the air filling them up.

" Cause you know if you do,you'll crack like an egg?" Viva joked.

A muffled laugh caught in the back his throat. Slowly turning his head their eyes never broke away from each other. Viva barely smiled nor did she flex any muscle in her face but, when tilting her head she stuck out her tongue. Clay coughed out an involuntary laugh before awkwardly smiling.

" My face hurts..." Clay commented.

" I know. You look like you're gonna cry, vomit and scream at the same time." Viva cupped his cheek gently. " Wanna talk about it?"

" I..." Clay paused. " Don't know... It's complicated. Everything just hurts."

" Did Branch not heal you?" Viva asked. " Should I get him?"

" No!" Clay shouted. His hand slapped over his mouth. " Sorry... I didn't mean to. My headache is just intense."

Viva scanned every detail of his face running her hand though his hair. The strands bristled and twitched under her touch. Biting down on her lower she mirrored his expression. Tears fogged her eyes but, she swiftly wiped them away dropping her face.

" Is this about your-"

" BRANCH TIMBERLAKE!" King John Dory's booming voice echoed interrupting and disturbing everyone's peace. The rage did not part from the message. Most villagers looked away fighting against themselves internally to not look and stare. Branch froze snapping head towards the direction of the voice eyes widen then narrowed them - going from young child scared of their parent to an annoyed teenager ready to pick a fight.

" You gotta be kidding me." Branch rolled his eyes.