After hours of flying through the air on their bugs and hoverboards, following the daggers, the ten Trolls were getting tired, and they would have to stop sooner or later. No one, however, was more exhausted than Willow, who flew on her own two wings.

"Maybe we should've taken a bus," Prince D yawned as they flew over a forest filled with evergreens.

"With hot chocolate and comfy seats," Cooper added dreamily.

"If you guys wanna rest, you can," Willow reassured them. "I can handle this my-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Willow's wings pulled themselves back into her body and she began falling through the air, screaming in terror.

"Hang on, Will! I'm coming to get ya!" Ash shouted, diving after her. Just before Willow could hit the ground, Ash flew in on her motorbug and caught her in her arms.

"Thanks... babe..." Willow panted.

Ash wasn't gonna let Willow collapse from exhaustion. "Honey, your body's telling you you're just as tired as the rest of us."

Willow didn't answer. She just fell asleep in her love's arms.

"'Kay, gang, we're gonna rest here tonight!" Barb announced, as everyone landed on the forest floor. Ash gently placed Willow on the ground and pulled a blanket out of a gym bag, wrapping it around Willow's body.

"You heard what Midnight said," Ash said quietly to Barb. "She'll only have enough strength to destroy the Black Rock. After that... I can't imagine losing Willow."

"I'm sure it'll be okay," Barb tried to reassure her sister. "Just because Sol's Light will destroy itself in the end doesn't mean it'll take Willow with it."

Willow subconsciously wrapped her arms around Ash's waist and nuzzled her like a baby Swampkin.

"It's a good thing we made her stay during the World Tour," Barb said. "Even though I was gonna turn her into a rock zombie, she probably would've succumbed to Callisto's curse if we hadn't, which would've been way worse."

"Yeah, and the Pop Trolls would lose their friend forever," Ash added. "Should we tell them what Midnight told us?"

"Nah, best not to worry them," Barb suggested. Ash gently rubbed her fingers through Willow's rainbow hair and sang a sweet lullaby.

I'll be your crying shoulder

I'll be your love's suicide

I'll be better when I'm older

I'll be the greatest fan of your life

While the rest of the group slept, Branch had never felt so restless. He couldn't understand why, there was nothing to worry or be suspicious about. Although that Midnight Shadow guy seemed to be hiding something behind his poker face.

"Oh, Branchie!" a familiar voice whispered sweetly. Branch turned his head to find Poppy smiling at him.

"Poppy, we stopped here to- Ooh!- to rest, not get worked up," he pointed out as she kissed behind his ear. "Besides, we're surrounded by our friends."

"Then let's get away from them," she suggested. Branch got up and Poppy led him up a fir tree to an empty hollow. "How's this?"

With a smirk on his face, Branch claimed Poppy's lips and placed his hands on her shoulders. One of them slid down to her hip and she let out a moan. Branch growled, much to Poppy's surprise, and began leaving a trail of kisses across her jaw and neck, and gave her a couple light bites as he began unclothing her. The fourth bite was a little too hard, forcing Poppy to pull away and shout in pain.

"What was that for?!" she exclaimed, rubbing the area gently.

"I-I don't know what came over me," Branch said worriedly. "Are you hurt? Let me see."

Poppy slowly pulled her hand away to reveal a few drops of blood on her skin. Branch pulled a band-aid out of his hair and placed it where the wound was. He softly kissed it to make it better.

"Poppy, I'm so sorry," he said, hugging her. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I know you didn't," Poppy reassured him. "You usually keep me from getting hurt."

"Of course I do. If anything happened to you or Flower, I would never forgive myself."

"Well, don't worry," Poppy said. "Nothing's gonna happen to me."

With a small smile on his face, Branch began kissing his queen again. This time, he made sure to be more gentle, and pushed her dress down the rest of the way. Poppy kicked it aside and removed his vest. Branch pushed her to the floor as she dug her fingers into the roots of his thick hair.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Psst! Branch!" a voice whispered. Branch woke up and noticed Midnight standing at the edge of the hollow. "I just want to ask you a few questions. Come here."

"Can't they wait till morning?!" Branch grumbled. Midnight just stood by the entrance, staring at the waxing moon. Branch carefully pulled away from Poppy, put his clothes back on, and stepped out to join Midnight. "What kind of questions?"

"How long have you known Willow?" Midnight began.

"About two years," he answered. "Midnight, what is-"

"One a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your friendship?"

"I don't know. I just love her like a sister. Granted, you know, an annoying sister you only look after because you have to, but-"

"Okay, good," Midnight interrupted. "Any mental health issues? Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic night terrors?"

"Well, some night terrors a couple years ago- What am I doing?! Why are you asking me all these questions?!"

"It's just to be safe," Midnight replied.

"Be safe from what?" Branch wondered. Midnight just continued staring at the moon. "You saw someone betraying us."

"Either us or the Party Crashers," he admitted. "But both parties will fall when one is turned against."

While Branch and Midnight spoke to each other quietly, Riff spied on them. Not paying attention to what they were saying, he focused more on Branch. He pulled out an old, black-and-white picture of a middle-aged Troll taking a mugshot, and compared him to Branch. There was no current resemblance, but the old Troll had a thick mullet and tattoos all over his body. Branch had almost the same look when Barb turned him into a rock zombie at the end of her World Tour.

And it left Riff wondering ever since.

"I remember the day the Pop Trolls faced the Party Crashers," Branch explained. "They follow Bash like moths to a flame. They'd only betray him if they could actually think for themselves."

"Even so, whoever the traitor is, he or she may destroy our one chance at restoring the balance," Midnight said.

"Midnight, how are you able to see all these things?" Branch wondered.

"I was born under a lunar eclipse," he answered. "The moon's red glow was the first memory I ever had. My parents told me that a Troll born on such a night would hold a great gift. But I didn't know what kind of gift it was until... about four months ago. I heard a voice tell me the prophecy about the Black Rock's destruction. I realized it was the Moon's voice. Then, there were more. One rejoicing for his life, another pleading for hers, and there was Darkness in both voices."

"Willow and the Rattlecobra," Branch realized. Midnight raised an eyebrow. "We didn't know this at the time, but Willow's birthday was four months ago. And every year, her mother would try to kill her. But Willow felt her anger take over and ended up killing her instead. Around that time, Poppy triggered something called a Resurrection spell, waking Willow's father, the Rattlecobra."

"So when Callisto's curse was set on a Troll, I could hear the Moon speak to me," Midnight figured. "He can't talk with his mouth, but I can still hear him. Until now, I only told Barb's dad about the prophecy, even though I didn't expect him to remember it."

"And you think this is all connected?" Branch asked.

"I feel it," he replied, certain. "The Sun gives life, and the Moon takes life away when it's ready. When Sol was brought into the world, the Earth became overcrowded until he met Callisto."

"And when she murdered Sol, everything began dying," Branch finished.

"The fate of the entire world rests in Willow's hands," Midnight added. "If she fails to destroy the Black Rock, everything will die. Including the Trolls."

Branch looked back in the hollow as Poppy continued sleeping. Her glittery freckles sparkled in the moonlight.

"Then we need to make sure Willow does destroy it."

❤️☀️🧡🌙💛☀️💚🌙💙☀️💜🌙

"Okay, people, people!" Barb shouted as Riff slammed his head on a drum. "Look alive! Let's go! Come on! Get up! Let's move it! Rise and shine! Now's not the time for beauty sleep! Trust me!"

Everyone else woke up with a start, and most groaned in annoyance.

"Thanks for the embarrassment," Ash groaned as Willow used her inhaler.

"You're welcome," Barb replied with a smirk. "We gotta move fast if we're gonna get to where the daggers are leading us, so eat your breakfast burritos as quickly as you can."

"They look like they were frozen, thawed, and frozen again," Prince D pointed out as Riff passed them out. "How are we supposed to eat them?"

To answer the Funk Troll's question, Willow conjured up a fireball and threw it at Cooper's, cooking it instantly. "Who's next?"

After their half-assed breakfast, the group continued their journey. Branch glanced at all of his fellow Trolls and cleared his throat.

"Okay, guys," he announced. "Once we arrive, we have to make sure Willow destroys the Black Rock and that no one will get in her way."

"And once she does, I'm gonna kick your butt," Brawl added.

"Hey, guys?" Willow said in alarm. "I think we're here."

The group stopped at the edge of a massive ravine. None of them could see the bottom, but the walls were laced with daggers. It was like the inside of Clampers' mouth. On the other side was a black, rocky land nearly void of life. At the center of the island was a giant castle made of stone, the same type the daggers were. It was so big, about a hundred Bergens could live there!

"Callisto's Sanctuary," Midnight muttered. Riff just focused more on the bottomless ravine just below them.

"That's a long way down," he pointed out.

"Long way down, long way down, long way down..." his voice echoed through the ravine.

"Well, now what do we do?" Poppy wondered.

"I'll call for help," Cooper offered. "Help!"

"Help! Help! Help! Help!" his voice echoed.

"Did you hear that?!" Cooper exclaimed. "That poor guy needs help!"

Brawl caught Cooper before he could fall in the ravine. Suddenly, they all heard an eerie screech.

"Aah! Birds!" Branch screamed, hiding behind Poppy. Ash pulled out a pair of binoculars and got a better look at the creatures on the other side. Only the front half looked like a bird, and each of them had the tail and back legs of a Country Troll.

"Those aren't birds," she said nervously as a whole flock flew towards them. "Those are Hippogriffs."

The creatures were colorful, with unique colors and patterns. Their leader had an aqua-green head, a pink body covered in magenta stars, and a deep blue tail. He glared at the Trolls with his sapphire eyes as he landed with the rest of his flock. Riff whimpered and held Barb close to him.

"Ugh, wimp," she groaned, pushing him away.

"Sorry, Briff shippers," Willow muttered, and approached the lead Hippogriff. "Uh, hi. My-My name is Willow Duckweed. I-I've come to destroy the Black Rock."

The Hippogriff slightly tilted his head. Willow couldn't speak Hippogriff, but hoped Pinkhawk was good enough and squawked at him. In response, he screeched and reared at her, flapping his wings.

"Great, she offended him," Barb said sarcastically. Willow backed away and sealed her eyes shut as the Hippogriffs prepared to attack. But then, Willow's hair and fingers began glowing white! Her wings opened up and began glowing as well. The lead Hippogriff screeched at his flock, ordering them to back down.

Willow opened her eyes and was in awe over what was happening, although she wasn't quite sure what it was. The lead Hippogriff began hovering in the air and gestured for Willow to follow him. Although hesitant, she agreed, and flew by his side across the ravine. He screeched to his flock and they all carried the rest of the Trolls across to meet with them by the castle.

"Okay, that was kinda weird," Branch said nervously. Once his Hippogriff put him down, she began preening his hair. "And it's weirder."

"I think she likes you," Ash giggled.

"Well, I don't," he protested. "I already have a girlfriend."

"We can't leave our flyers there," Riff said. "What if the Party Crashers use them to cross?"

Nodding in agreement, the lead Hippogriff screeched at his flock and they went back to retrieve them.

"Excuse me, Mr. Hippogriff?" Poppy said to the leader. "I'm Queen Poppy, what's your name?"

The Hippogriff squawked in response.

"Squawk?" Cooper wondered. "Weird name."

"I think it means something else," Barb pointed out. "We just can't understand it."

"Do you mind if we call you something else?" Poppy asked. The lead Hippogriff smiled and shook his head. "Great! What should we call him?"

"How about something to symbolize his authority?" Willow suggested. "Like Alpha, or Boss? Oh, I know! King!"

"Willow, five of us have dads who are kings," Ash pointed out.

"Way to kill that mood," Willow muttered.

"How about Starclaw?" Barb offered. "He's got stars for spots, and those killer claws."

"Hmm... Starclaw..." Poppy said to herself. "I like it! All in favor?"

Everyone raised their hands except for Branch.

"He's half bird, we should name him Killing Machine," he grumbled. The Hippogriff just glared at him.

"And Starclaw, it is," Poppy declared. "Now, where do we find the Black Rock?"

Starclaw trotted inside the castle and tapped his beak against a shimmering black wall with words carved in. They were written in some strange, ancient language.

"The Moon Cannot Be Seen Without The Sun's Light," Willow translated. At that moment, her wings opened back up and glowed white. The wall became clear, and she could see a ring big enough to fit on Bridget's finger. All of the diamonds and gems were destroyed, except for one.

The Black Rock.

Starclaw plucked out one of the feathers in Willow's wings and placed it against a dagger. The feather turned into a glowing, stone-like blade that looked like a white sword. Barb took it and hit it against the dagger, slicing the dagger in half.

"Cool!" she said ecstatically. "Now, we can get in!"

Unfortunately, when Barb slashed it against the wall, a powerful blast knocked them all over.

"The Moon will be at its highest and brightest tonight," Midnight explained. "Then, the gateway will open, Willow can get in, and maybe Willow can use this blade to destroy the Black Rock."

Willow turned around to find the rest of the group smiling at her. Except Brawl, of course. He didn't seem happy unless he was kicking someone's butt.

What if this does kill me? she thought. I can't imagine just leaving all my friends.

"Until then, why don't we check this place out?" Prince D suggested. "It's pretty cool."

"I'm gonna help that guy in the ravine!" Cooper shouted, running outside.

While everyone else ran off to do something, Poppy, Branch, and Willow stayed in.

"This must be a lot to take in," Poppy figured. "You scared?"

"No," Willow lied. Poppy gave her a look that said she didn't believe her. "Maybe."

"Will, it's okay to be scared," Branch reassured her. "What matters is you were able to overcome that fear. Look how far you've come. It was dangerous, but you made it anyways."

"Yeah, I did," Willow realized. "I guess all I needed was a little courage. And the best friends a teenage sorceress could have."

"Aww!" Poppy and Branch said at the same time, hugging their friend.

Willow: Now

Now more than ever

We must stick together

United

Branch: Now

It's now or never

So let's face the future

Clear sighted

Poppy: Somehow we've managed to make it this far

It's been one heck of a ride

All: There's nothing I couldn't do

Not with you by my side

With a burst of energy, the trio began exploring Callisto's Sanctuary together, with the same song in their hearts.

Willow: Maybe tomorrow

We'll find to our sorrow

Our story has come to an ending

Branch: Maybe we're fated

To be separated

Who knows where our paths might be bending?

Poppy: How I wish we could stay here forever this way

But perhaps there's no point in pretending

Willow: If we're destined to head in our own different ways

Poppy and Willow: Let's make the most of these sweet final days

All: Why not go out in a glorious blaze?

Despite the fact that it was home to an ancient demon, the Sanctuary was quite nice. It was home to hundreds of colorful Hippogriffs, who ate fish from whatever river was down in the ravine, and nested in the towers of the castle. And the hatchlings were the cutest little fluff balls!

Cause now

Now more than ever

We're still here together

United

Now

It's now or never

So let's stand as one

Undivided

The three jumped into the ravine, swam in the river, and climbed up the daggers with their hair.

When we look back at this moment we had

Then shall we tremble with pride

There's nothing I couldn't do

Not with you by my side

What in the world would I do

After riding Starclaw through the clouds, the three returned to the castle to watch the Black Rock flickering inside its resting place.

Willow: Without you

Branch: Without you

Poppy: Without you

All: By my side?

Well, we're almost done... Or, are we?

Feel free to comment. Until next time. 🌈