Miss me? No? Okay...

I put up and art contest for this chapter, but nobody entered. I don't think anyone likes my ideas.

BTW, R.T.S. stands for Royal Troll Ship. Like Royal Mail Ship, but for Trolls. Besides, she's not delivering any mail. Enjoy the story!

Willow woke up early in the morning. She poured herself a mug of black coffee, brushed her teeth, and sang a cheerful song... which turned out sounding pathetic.

Good morning, Pop Village!

Can't remember the rest of the words...

She then decided to skip the whole thing.

Once she got dressed, Willow flew around the village to see how everything was going. She then noticed Poppy reading a scrapbook over by the construction site for the new Pop Village University. Curious about why she was alone, Willow landed next to her friend and approached her quietly.

"Hey, Pops," Willow greeted. "Whatcha doin'?"

"Reading one of the scrapbooks Branch gave me," Poppy answered. "Apparantly, we once switched bodies because of a magical gem and had to pretend to be each other."

"Really?" Willow wondered. "You and Branch never told us that."

"I guess we didn't want to cause a panic," Poppy figured. "Something's weird, though."

Willow sniffed her own armpit. "No, that's not it."

"Branch and I are completely different from each other," Poppy explained. "How are we a couple?"

Willow just shrugged. "Opposites attract?"

Poppy shook her head. "I'm not even sure what made me fall for him in the first place."

"Well, you guys did have a kid together," Willow pointed out. "And you both love her. Or, at least, Branch does. Maybe not as much as that remote he has."

"I do love Flower," said Poppy. "But... I'm not sure about him."

"Morning, ladies!" Branch greeted, wearing a hard hat with Flower in his arms.

"Hi, Mommy!" Flower cooed.

"Hey, sweetie!" Poppy said softly. "How are you today?"

"Pwetty good," she answered. "What about you?"

"A lot better now that you're here."

"I see you've read the Switcher-Ruby scrapbook," Branch noticed.

"Yeah, then we started talking about how-"

"About puppies!" Willow lied, interrupting Poppy. "Cute puppies. You guys should get one for Flower on her birthday!"

"Yay!"

Branch raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "Well, I better get to work. You be good to Mommy, okay, sprout?"

"Okay, Daddy," Flower agreed. "I wuv you!"

"I love you, too," he replied, kissing her forehead. He then placed a kiss on Poppy's cheek. "And I love you, of course."

"Um... Yeah."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Guys, I'm a little worried about Poppy and Branch," Willow told the rest of the Snack Pack as they played Cupcakes and Caverns. "She's beginning to doubt she can learn to love him again. I, Willow-vere the Bard, hit the tree with my staff."

Legsly rolled the die. "The fruit falls off, but there's one extra. You have to decide who gets it."

"I don't know what you mean, Willow," Biggie said. "They seem to be getting along great. I suggest we give it to Mr. Dinkles."

Mr. Dinkles meeped.

"Hey! I was the one who found the tree!" DJ Suki pointed out.

"I was the one who got the guards to fall in love with me!" Guy Diamond argued.

"I made a dress for that hideous beast!" Satin yelled.

"I'm not part of this!" Chenille reminded them.

"Guys!" Legsly shouted, rolling the die again. "A bird steals the fruit while you argue."

Smidge smacked her own forehead. "Oh, my gah."

Legsly nodded sadly. "Our heroes continue on their quest. As they travel through the desert on their two-humped beetles, Willow-vere talks about the estranged lovers in her upcoming romance."

Willow sighed. "I was there when Poppy and Branch first got together. You know what she said to him? 'I love that we're different!'

Now, she's thinking their differences are a problem. She can't even remember why she loved him. Although, I'm pretty sure that's just the damaged brain tissue talking."

"Why not set up a really romantic scene for them?" DJ Suki suggested. "They can have dinner, talk about their interests, and maybe they'll fall for each other again."

"Wow, what a great idea, Deej!"

"Thanks, Willow," DJ replied. "Is it new sleep mask great?"

"It's new cooling gel sleep mask great!" she answered, holding up the mask.

"Oh, yeah!" DJ shouted excitedly.

"Hey, keep it down!" Tiny Diamond yelled, poking his head out from his dad's hair. "Some of us are trying to take a nap!"

"Sorry, Tiny," Willow apologized. "I did watch a movie last night that was pretty romantic. Dinner, music, candlelight... and all on a romantic cruise over the ocean blue. I could try that with Poppy and Branch."

"Will," Guy Diamond said, "I want Poppy and Branch to stay together as much as the next fella, but there's only one Troll who can book you a cruise ship line."

"Who's that?"

To further explain, Guy gave Willow a card that showed a picture of a certain Troll with a large grin plastered on her face. Willow's large eyes widened at the sight.

"No! Not her!" she said nervously. "I can't... Anyone but... I'm hyperventilating..."

"Uh, guys?" Legsly interrupted. Willow used her inhaler for a second. "While you were busy talking, a witch stole your bugs and cast a sleeping curse on Suki-beth. You guys have to continue the journey on foot, and she stays asleep for the remainder of the game."

"Aw, man," DJ groaned. "Good thing I got this sleep mask!"

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Welcome to Tug Duluth Adventures! Home of Tug Duluth, Pop Village's only tour guide!"

Willow laughed nervously. She did not like Tug's overenthusiasm one bit. "Hey, Tug. I was wondering... could you maybe, I don't know, help me set up a romantic cruise around Orchestra Harbor in Symphonyville? Just to get Poppy to fall in love with Branch again. I know it's a weird request."

"I don't think it's weird at all!" Tug insisted. "Fun fact: there's nothing more romantic than a candlelit dinner while listening to music over the ocean blue!"

"You saw that movie, too?" Willow asked.

"What movie?"

"Never mind," Willow replied. "Can you do it?"

"With pleasure!" Tug agreed. "It's been my dream to direct an all-inclusive luxury cruise! And with some friends from the other Troll tribes, I'll have it ready in no time!"

"Now, this is a ship!" Willow announced, standing on the bow of the R.T.S. Broppy. "Is she ready to set sail, Tug?"

"Yep, she's ship-shape and bristol fashion!" Tug answered.

Willow raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"

"I don't know, but it sounded neat, didn't it?" Tug replied. "This will be the Ship of Dreams, where anything is possible!"

"Even getting Poppy and Branch back together?"

"Of course!" Tug assured her. "After all, Branch did let me give the village a tour of his bunker, and I never got to return the favor. But how are we going to get them on board?"

"Leave that to me," said Willow, and flew back to Pop Village. She landed in front of Branch's bunker, placed a brochure on his doorstep, knocked on the door, and turned invisible. Branch opened the door and looked around.

"Hello?" he called out. He then noticed the brochure and read part of it.

Ship Of Dreams from Tug Duluth Adventures

For one night only, come aboard as we set sail on our all-inclusive luxury cruise ship around Orchestra Harbor in Symphonyville!

Highlights of the evening include a romantic candlelit dinner, listening to heartwarming music, watching the spectacular sunset, and an unforgettable dance under the stars!

Book your tickets today!

Branch was confused. What was all this about? He looked around and noticed footprints in the grass in front of him. Feeling suspicious, he had his fingers "walk" on the ground and across Willow's foot. He could hear her holding back giggles. With a smirk, he pinched one of her toes, causing her to scream... and accidentally kick him in the face.

"Ow! Will!"

"You started it!" she said defensively. Branch's eyes flickered red light for a second before shaking the bad vibes away.

"What are you up to?" Branch asked, keeping himself together.

"Trying to set you and Poppy up on a date," Willow admitted.

"Why?"

"Because if I don't, she won't fall back in love with you," she explained. "I was hoping a romantic cruise would help."

"Willow," said Branch, "I appreciate your concern, but Poppy and I are fine. Besides, remember what happened the last time you played matchmaker?"

Of course Willow remembered. It was for her cousin, Lily Stardust, and former Party Crasher, Archer Pastry. With Archer's neuroticism around women and Lily's obsessive compulsion, their first two dates were really awkward, and Willow was the one who had to keep them together. But since they ended up getting married, she couldn't say it didn't end well.

"Yes, I am aware," she replied. "But if you and Poppy fall apart, other couples will fall apart, too. And soon, all of Trolldom will crumble, and you know what they say: As goes the Trolls, so goes the world. Do you want that to happen, Branch? DO YOU?!"

"Uh... No?" Branch half-answered as Willow held his face close to hers with a frightening look in her eyes.

"Hey, guys, what are you doing?" Poppy asked, walking up to them with Flower sleeping in a stroller. Willow jabbed Branch's side with her elbow and glared at him.

"Fine, if it'll get you off my case," he muttered. "Poppy, wanna go on a boat ride?"

"That could be fun," she replied. "When do we go?"

"4:00," Willow answered. "Call a sitter!"

❤️☀️🧡🌙💛☀️💚🌙💙☀️💜🌙

(Opening Titles)

Starring...

Queen Poppy

Branch

Guy Diamond
(pushes Branch out of the way)

Romance

It's not in the air

It's not on the breeze

And it's not in the trees

And it's not in your hair

With Your Boat of Romance Crew...

Tug Duluth
Your Cruise Director

King Trollex
Your Beverage Consultant

Queen Barb
Your Ship's Captain

It's on the water

So I'll warn you well in advance

If you're not looking for love, don't set foot

On our Boat of Romance (On our Boat of Romance)

On our Boat of Romance!

"Operation: Save Broppy is a go!" Willow declared. "In fact, think it's time we took things up a notch."

"You sure know a thing about romance, Willow," said Tug as they walked into a dark room.

"I should, I have a girlfriend," Willow pointed out. She turned on the lights to reveal a large room with a chandelier hanging above a lone table with two chairs. "Voila! A romantic candlelit dinner for two! Delta, show the happy couple to their table."

Delta Dawn guided Poppy and Branch to the table and pulled out the chairs for them.

"Here you go, you two lovebirds!"

"Birds?! Where?!" Branch shouted, ducking underneath the table. Willow smacked herself in the forehead.

"Branch, I think it's just an expression," Poppy pointed out.

"Oh, right," Branch realized, sitting up nervously. "I knew that."

"Cue music," Willow announced. "Classical music, very romantic."

Trollzart and his orchestra surrounded the table and played a romantic song.

"Cue rose petals!" Willow shouted, and Dickory dumped a bunch of them on the Trolls at the table. Hickory just scowled at him. "Cue...pid!"

To top it all off, Riff, wearing a pair of cardboard wings and a diaper, was lowered down in between Poppy and Branch on cables while holding a bow and arrow.

"I-I feel exposed," he muttered.

"So, do I know romance or what?" Willow said confidently.

"That statement is true," Tug answered.

"So... are you enjoying yourself?" Branch asked nervously.

"Yeah, the food's pretty good," Poppy replied, although it was hard to enjoy it when Riff's feet were in her face. "Uh, Branch, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, this is probably gonna sound weird," she said, "but when did you start falling for me exactly?"

"Well, I think I had feelings for you for a while, but I just didn't know it right away," Branch admitted. "I mean, sure, you drive me nuts with your stubbornness and how your answer to everything is singing, dancing and hugging, but..."

"Hey, Branch," Riff interrupted, "could you pass me one of those?"

"So, I'm not the right girl for you?" Poppy wondered.

"No, no, no, no! Of course you are!" Branch insisted. "I'm just saying, all you do is try to make me smile in your own Poppy ways..."

"Try?"

"Think we should play more music?" Willow asked Tug.

"Did somebody say music?" Riff said excitedly. "Oh...!"

Before he got a chance to sing, however, Riff's cables snapped and he fell on top of their food.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Meanwhile, somewhere in Symphonyville, a Classical Troll was trying to straighten out a mix-up with a Hard Rock Troll named Amp.

"For the last time, we did not order a giant firework!" he said to her.

"You know, dude, you could've told me that before I lit the fuse!" Amp pointed out as the firework went of and flew over the ocean.

Back on the R.T.S. Broppy, Poppy leaned back against the ship's railing as Branch stood next to her. This evening wasn't going well at all.

"Did I mention how nice the weather is?" Branch asked Poppy.

"Thirty-seven times," she answered bitterly.

"Well... it's very nice."

While the not-so-happy couple shared an awkward silence, Willow and Barb looked on.

"I don't get it," Willow said, tapping a clipboard with a sparkly pen. "I tried everything in that movie, but nothing seems to be working. There was the orchestra, the rose petals, the love song... The only other thing they did in that movie was sink the ship."

At that moment, the giant firework crashed into the side of the ship and exploded. Barb and Willow noticed water filling into the giant hole the firework made.

"Hm, that oughta do it," Willow figured. As the ship's bow went down, everyone ran up to her stern, which rose up into the air. Barb grabbed Willow by the wrist and pulled her to the stern, where everyone else was panicking. Trollex watched sadly as his small concession stand fell overboard.

"Fun fact, the ship sinking was not in the brochure!" Tug announced, which did not settle anyone's nerves.

"Wow, is this romantic or what?" Willow said to herself.

"Willow, where are the life preservers?!" Delta Dawn asked.

"We don't have them," she answered, much to everyone's shock. "We have fun preservers! Hit it, Trollex!"

"Get ready for it!" King Trollex shouted, pressing a button. Suddenly, the aft of the ship, where everyone was standing, was being raised up and leveled out about 50 feet into the air, much to everyone's surprise.

"Well, that's the end of this diaper!" Riff exclaimed as a giant plastic slide was rolled out, down the smokestacks, and into the ocean. Water began pouring down, turning it into a waterslide.

"Okay, everyone!" Willow announced, flying above the crowd. "Head for the fun preservers!"

Everyone noticed inner tubes emerging from the slide in rows of five.

"Alright! Cupid's first!" Riff shouted, jumping on a tube while doing the sign of the horns. Everyone else followed his lead until it was just Poppy and Branch.

"There's only one left," Branch realized.

"Branch, I'm scared," Poppy whimpered, curled up into a fetal position.

"Don't be," he reassured her, picking her up and placing her on the inner tube. "Just have fun!"

With that, he pushed her down the slide and watched as she laughed and screamed in joy.

"Is that everyone?!" Barb asked.

"Fun fact, there were a total of two hundred passengers and crew onboard!" Tug told them.

"Well, at least ninty-nine of them were Techno Trolls, those guys were born for the water," Willow pointed out. "But we only had a hundred fun preservers, so we're one Troll short."

"Whoo-hoo!" Poppy shouted, sliding across the water. "That was awesome! Branch, wasn't it... Branch?"

Everyone watched as the R.T.S. Broppy went completely underwater. All that came up was giant air bubbles.

"Oh, no," Willow muttered.

"I'll go look for him!" King Trollex said, diving into the water.

"Be careful, dude!" Barb warned.

Underwater, Trollex searched for Branch. He didn't have to worry about swimming in dark waters, since he was basically a living nightlight.

Finally, he found Branch, unconscious and completely still as his body sank, but not nearly as fast as the ship. Trollex grabbed the Pop Troll and pulled him up to the surface.

"I got him!" he shouted to Willow, who used her magic to create a wave that carried everyone to a beach. Trollex swam to the shore and laid Branch onto the sand.

"Branch!" Poppy exclaimed, running up to his lifeless body. "He needs help! Somebody, do something!"

"No physical injuries, he must've took in a lot of water," Barb suspected. "Does anyone know CPR?"

"Three chest compressions, and blow into his mouth," Willow answered. "Keep doing it until he starts breathing."

Poppy pressed his chest, pushing the water out of his system, and went mouth-to-mouth. Everyone else watched nervously as she carried on.

Then, Poppy felt a cough against her lips. She noticed Branch opening his eyes halfway and hugged him.

"Poppy?" he gasped.

"Oh, Branch!" she sobbed, hugging him as everyone cheered. Except Willow, who just looked away feeling guilty.

"Willow, do you have something to say?" Branch wondered.

"Okay," Willow finally admitted. "I set this whole thing up."

"Why?" Poppy asked.

"Well," she explained, "I thought about what you said about not being sure if you can love Branch again or not, and I thought I could fix it before anything happened... like it did with me."

"What do you mean?" Poppy wondered.

Willow sighed, not sure how to explain it.

"Pops, that's kind of a personal question for Willow," Branch warned her.

"No, it's okay," Willow insisted, and turned to Poppy. "I used to be in love with you, for quite a while. You didn't even know how I felt, and when you found out, you did nothing about it until... you had to."

Poppy closed her eyes and remembered a giant snake-like creature, Willow with black streaks in her purple hair and covered in strange markings, and kissing her to trigger her empathy and break her heart. Poppy opened her eyes and noticed her friend's saddened expression.

"I didn't want that happening to Branch, too," Willow added.

"Will, you're a good friend," Branch said reassuringly. "I take that for granted sometimes, but you are."

"Thanks, Branch," she replied as he pulled her in for a hug. Branch then turned back to Poppy, who was looking away in thought.

"Look, Poppy," he said, "if you don't want to be with me anymore, that's fine. I'm not gonna force you to do anything."

"Yeah, I don't see how a relationship can work between us," Poppy admitted. "Although... there's something charming about your quirkiness, and it was sweet how you gave the last raft to me."

Branch's eyes lit up with joy. "So..."

"Care to walk me home?" Poppy asked with a warm smile.

"Of course, milady," Branch replied, kissing her knuckles. They linked arms and walked off together.

"Huh, that actually worked," Willow said to herself. "I should try this with Ash."

In Misty Meadows, Trollzart and his orchestra played a love song for Willow and Ash, who sat at a table covered in rose petals with Riff hanging in between them dressed like Cupid.

"Willow," said Ash, "I love having Riff's feet in my face as much as the next Troll, but how about we just go see a movie?"

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but there were a couple of references to my other book, In The Stardust. It wasn't my best work, but what are you gonna do?

I'm not entirely sure what it'll be about yet, but the next chapter will have something to do with Flower. She either makes friends with a Lava Lizard or Branch enters her in a cutest baby pageant to compete against one of Cloud Guy's kids. I'll make up my mind eventually, though.

Until next time. 🌈