Branch had never felt so disoriented, not even the time he and Poppy switched bodies. He woke up feeling a throbbing pain in his forehead, and noticed he was in some sort of labyrinth with different tunnels that kept moving. Branch tried to bring his good hand to his forehead, but his whole body felt encased in something. He noticed he was trapped in a giant, green cocoon! He tried to break himself free, but the coating was too thick.

“Hey. Ya done?" a familiar voice said. Branch turned his head a little to find Poppy in a chrysalis herself.

Or was she?

“If you're the real Poppy, what were we supposed to do yesterday night?" he asked suspiciously.

Poppy rolled her eyes and answered, “I was gonna take you for a ride."

Branch sighed in relief. “Are you okay?"

“I'm trapped in a pupa by a monster who's pretending to be me, so this is definitely the best day ever," Poppy answered sarcastically.

“Sorry I asked," Branch said. “We got to find a way out of here!"

“This is a very powerful magic, how are we gonna break through it?" Poppy asked, feeling hopeless. “This is impossible."

“You don't think this is what happened to Princess Primrose, do you?" Branch wondered.

“If she couldn't get out of here, how can we?" Poppy said. Branch noticed the queen beginning to tear up.

“Pops, we'll find a way out of here," Branch reassured her. “We'll figure this out... together. Okay?"

Poppy looked away sadly. Branch decided to take a different approach to cheering her up.

The sky could be falling

The seas could be rising

The whole world could end

And you'd still be there smiling

You laugh in the face of the dangers you see

Oh, thank goodness you're out here with me

As Branch continued singing about her blind optimism, Poppy couldn't help but let out a small smile. She swung her chrysalis back and forth, trying to get close to him. Once they stuck together, they pressed their hands to the walls, as if they were reaching out to each other.

“If I had to be imprisoned by a Changeling in an enchanted cavern and encased in a magic chrysalis... I'm glad it's with you," Poppy declared.

“Me, too," Branch whispered. As they pressed their foreheads against the walls, their hair began glowing. The brighter the glow, the more the cocoons cracked, until...

CRACK!

Poppy and Branch were free!

“But how?!" Branch exclaimed. Poppy didn't seem to care, she just wrapped her arms around him good and tight. Branch remembered an excerpt from the Rattlecobra's book.

“Trolls don't have true magic, but a powerful energy that comes from the heart."

Branch returned Poppy's embrace and buried his face in her neck. He then looked around and notice various tunnels closing and opening.

“If I had to guess, I'd say this cavern is constantly shifting, like how a Changeling can change his or her appearance," Branch explained. “A Changeling could find their way out, but other creatures... it's like the world's biggest puzzle."

Then, Poppy had an idea!

“Branch, you've been training your whole life for this moment," she encouraged him. “It's what you were born to do. You got this!"

Branch nodded and sniffed the air. “I'm picking up flowers, cupcake frosting... and glitter farts. Down there!"

Poppy saw a tunnel on the ground that was beginning to close up. Putting all of her trust in Branch, they both jumped in and made it all the way down just as it was completely sealed.

Well, maybe not all the way.

“Okay, Willow's right, I need to lose weight," Branch admitted, his bottom half still stuck. Poppy grabbed him with her hair and pulled him out, causing him to fall on top of her.

“Well... I can't say we haven't done worse," Poppy pointed out nervously.

“True," Branch agreed, awkwardly getting off of her.

“Which way next?" she asked, getting back up.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

In the Larx, Morpho was taking care of business she should've finished three hundred years ago: destroying her kingdom. Everything was covered in green flames, all she could hear were screams of terror. Eventually, there were only two other Changelings left, a male and a female.

“I could kill you, but I have a better idea first," Morpho told them. With a snap of her fingers, she had complete control over their minds. “Feels good to be loved again."

Believe me, I know

I've sunk pretty low

But whatever I've done, you deserve

I'm the bad guy, that's fine

It's no fault of mine

And some justice, at last, will be served

Now, it's time to step up

Or it's time to back down

And there's only one answer for me

And I'll stand up and fight

'Cause I know it feels right

And I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready

Ready as I'll ever be!

A bird watched Morpho heading back to Troll Village with her two mind-trapped minions. He looked for the only Troll who could talk to him and gave her the message.

“What's he saying?" DJ Suki asked as the bird tweeted and chirped.

“The Larx is complete destroyed, almost every Changeling's been killed," Willow translated. “We're on our own, guys."

“What do we do now?!" Biggie hyperventilated. Cooper patted him on the back to calm him down.

“We're gonna kick Morpho's butt!" Smidge said angrily.

“She's too powerful!" Satin said.

“We'll never beat her," Chenille added.

“Then we'll just have try," Willow declared, spreading her wings.

Now, it's time to rise up

Or it's time to stand down

And the answer is easy to see

And I swear by my wings

We'll achieve awesome things

Are you ready?

The rest of the Snack Pack nodded in agreement.

Biggie: I'm ready!

Satin and Chenille: We're ready!

All: We're ready!

Willow: Ready as I'll ever be!

In the labyrinth, Poppy and Branch were still searching their way through. But things got confusing as the tunnels kept coming and going.

“I've been in mazes before, but nothing this complex," Branch admitted.

Are you quite sure we can do this?

Poppy held his hands and gave him a reassuring smile.

Together, we will, guarantee

Morpho: They all will love me!

Snack Pack: Now, it's time to redeem

Or it's time to resolve

Willow: Prove they can trust me!

Snack Pack: And the outcome will hardly come free

Poppy: I'll save my friends and family!

Snack Pack: Now, the line's in the sand

And our moment's at hand

Poppy: And I'm ready

Branch: I'm ready

Willow: I'm ready!

Once she returned to the village, Morpho had the two Changelings sent to the cavern to make sure her Troll prisoners wouldn't escape. With a sinister grin, she took the form of Queen Poppy.

Ready as I'll ever be

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

“What's next?" Poppy asked.

“Well, despite having my brain teased, I'm pretty sure we're closer to the surface," Branch replied. Suddenly, he heard a strange crunching noise beneath his feet and they both looked down to find old Troll bones!

“Eww!" they both said at the same time.

“On the bright side, we got just as far as Primrose did before she starved to death," Poppy pointed out, her voice filled with fear.

“Actually, there are other things that could've killed her before starvation," Branch explained. “Infection, dehydration..."

Poppy gasped. “Sunlight!"

“Well, yeah, there's also sunstroke," Branch agreed. “But in a dark, spooky cave, that's highly unlikely."

“No, look! There's light up there!" Poppy corrected. They headed toward a tunnel opening up for them... only to have their path blocked by two possessed Changelings with glowing green eyes.

“You're not going anywhere!" they said in unison. Poppy and Branch looked at each other nervously.

“Well, I'm not going down on an empty stomach!" Poppy declared, pulling out a candy bar. Once she ripped off the wrapper, however, the Changelings were caught in a trance. Filled with curiosity, Branch took the candy bar from Poppy and waved it around. The Changelings couldn't take their eyes off it. He noticed a nearby tunnel beginning to close up and threw the candy in that direction, causing the hypnotized pair to follow.

“Let's go!" Branch shouted, grabbing Poppy's hand as they ran through the way out before it could close back up. Once they were out, the two Trolls began laughing.

“Who knew Changelings were chocoholics?" Poppy giggled. “It's just like when Keith broke into your safe room!"

Branch shuddered. “Don't remind me."

“Hey, my fellow Trolls!" a voice that sounded like Poppy announced. “Are you all having fun?!"

The Trolls cheered in response.

“Willow, I hope you know what you're doing," Branch mumbled as he and Poppy raced toward the village.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“What's the plan?" Guy Diamond asked nervously.

“Well, from what I found out about Changelings, they're afraid of something called the Flerkel," Willow explained.

“That's a weird name," Cooper pointed out.

“Weird critter," Willow added. “It's like a wingless bird. Black feathers, long, skinny legs covered in orange scales, a purple beak, glowing yellow eyes, and a call so terrifying, it freezes its prey in its tracks. Satin, Chenille, you guys gotta make a Flerkel costume as quickly as possible. Smidge, Guy Diamond, Legsly, I need you guys to put it on. Legsly can wear the boots, Guy can do that weird thing with his voice to mimic its call, and if I look into Smidge's eyes long enough, I can make them glow."

“How do you even do that?!" Legsly asked in amazement.

“I have no idea," Willow admitted. “But to make them glow yellow, I'll have to take off my contact lenses. For some reason, I don't have to when it comes to the other colors."

“Then what?" Satin asked.

“While the ‘Flerkel' is distracting Morpho, DJ and Cooper will prop up a mirror behind her to reveal her reflection," Willow continued. “And unless I'm mistaken, Morpho will then try to take our love by force. With the rest of the Changelings gone, there is only one other way to get rid of her. Biggie, you will help me take care of that."

“How are we supposed to get rid of her?" Biggie asked.

“I'll explain it to you in a minute," Willow replied. “We don't have a lot of time, so we better get started. Satin, Chenille, start sewing!"

“The fashion twins are saving the day!" Satin cheered. Chenille just rolled her eyes.

“Stop calling us the fashion twins, that's not a thing."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Each of them wearing a hoodie, Poppy and Branch snuck their way through the crowd to the stage where Morpho was giving her speech as Poppy.

“You got the camera?" Branch whispered. Poppy nodded. “If they can't show her reflection, hopefully a photo will work just as good."

“Yeah, I don't think she realizes how much has changed in the past three hundred years," Poppy said.

“Queen Poppy," Creek announced from the crowd. “I have something to tell you, and I can't think of a better time than during the Summer Sun!"

“What's he doing?" Poppy wondered as he approached Morpho.

“Probably something stupid," Branch figured.

“Of course, Creek!" Morpho said, trying not to sound annoyed. “Whatever do you need?"

“We've known each other for a long time, love, and I have a few things to say about the beautiful bond we share."

“I don't know what the heck Creek's doing, but it's buying us time, so something good," Willow said.

“But how do we get rid of Morpho?" Biggie asked.

Willow sighed. “Remember when you thought you were turning into a Lycan-Troll, and Queen Penny actually made them up to protect a bunch of incantations written by Callisto? Well, right before I destroyed the scrolls, I read one of them. It's probably powerful enough to destroy Morpho."

“Why do you look so worried?"

“Once I start the incantation, I won't be able to stop," Willow explained, creating a large snowball with her magic, “and it could really hurt the Trolls. I need you to snap me out of it so I don't go too far."

“You can count on me, Willow," Biggie assured her as he took the snowball.

“So, I have only one thing to ask from you," Creek finished, taking Morpho's hands. “Queen Poppy, will you do me the honor of..."

“Ladies and gentlemen!" Satin announced from the back of the crowd. “Please allow us to introduce our guest of honor!"

“Everyone give it up for... the Flerkel!" Chenille added as Legsly wobbled her way through the crowd dressed as the creature with Guy Diamond and Smidge. Willow removed her contacts and looked into Smidge's eyes to make them glow yellow as Guy Diamond began singing in his auto-tuned voice.

While the rest of the Trolls were confused, Morpho was frozen in fear. Cooper and DJ Suki snuck up and placed a giant mirror behind her, revealing her true form. But the Trolls were too distracted by the “Flerkel" to notice. Suddenly, Legsly slipped on a banana peel and Guy and Smidge fell down with her, the costume ripping off and Smidge's eyes no longer glowing. Morpho turned to notice the mirror behind her and smashed it with her fist before anyone could notice.

“Seven years bad luck!" Cooper pointed out. DJ Suki just smacked her own forehead.

“Well, that didn't work," Willow said, putting her contact lenses back on.

“Now, as long as there are no more interruptions," Morpho growled, “let us begin the festivities!"

FLASH!

“Huh, that actually worked," Branch said as he looked at the photo, which showed her true form. Morpho became curious and approached him and Poppy.

“What do the two of you have there?" she hissed. As Branch gave her the photo, Poppy suddenly removed her hoodie, revealing herself to everyone's surprise. “What?! But how did you escape my zombies?!"

“Turns out you guys have a craving for chocolate," Branch answered, holding up a fudge brownie. He teased Morpho with it before eating it himself, making her angry.

“Very clever, Branch," she huffed as he took off his jacket.

“I don't understand," Creek said, confused. “How can there be two Poppy's?"

“This is the Changeling, Morpho!" Poppy announced, holding up the photo. “She was best friends with Queen Penny's daughter until she let anger and jealousy take over. She succumbed to the Darkness and betrayed the Trolls and the Changelings!"

At that moment, Morpho's entire body set itself ablaze and she revealed her true form. She glared at Poppy, cackling.

“It's true, I did betray everyone!" she admitted. “But none of you know what it's like to have someone else favored over you! Ever since my brother was born, he was the perfect one, the favorite, the one destined to take the throne, which meant he got all the love, and I got nothing! Once I took Primrose's place, I was finally loved, but her mother exposed me and my own parents made me fall asleep for three hundred years."

Morpho then noticed Branch shielding Poppy with his body. She hissed at the survivalist.

“And if it hadn't been for you, I would've gotten away with it the second time around. Luckily, I've taken care of the Changelings of the Larx, so nothing and no one can stop me from taking all your love!"

“It's time!" Willow whispered to Biggie, and turned invisible. Biggie watched as Morpho trapped the rest of the Trolls in green cocoons, their faces filled with fear. Morpho then felt something wrap around her boy, and noticed it was black and purple hair! She turned to notice a large-eyed teenager with a look of defiance on her face.

Morpho laughed. “Well, isn't this cute? A little girl who thinks she can stop me!"

“And she's gonna do it by fighting fire with fire," Willow declared as a chrysalis began forming around her ankles.

“And how do you plan on doing that?" Morpho asked, unintimidated. In response, Willow closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began the incantation.

Wither and decay

End this destiny

Break these earthly chains

And set the spirit free

Morpho noticed the purple streaks in Willow's hair turn as black as the rest of it. She opened her eyes, revealing they had turned into solid black orbs as she repeated the incantation over and over again. Suddenly, Morpho felt hot. She looked down and saw her entire body beginning to melt! Morpho screamed in agony at the feeling, until she was nothing more than a black and green puddle of goo.

Biggie noticed the rest of the Trolls beginning to suffer in their cocoons and jumped down to take action. He threw the snowball at Willow, only for it to turn into steam. Willow was still trapped. Biggie got another idea, and pulled out a feather.

“Works on Mr. Dinkles," he figured, and attempted to tickle her with the feather, but it caught fire the moment it touched her skin! “No! Willow, snap out of it!"

Break these earthly chains

And set the spirit free

“Willow, this isn't you," Biggie said quietly. “You're our friend, we care about you. And I can tell deep down, you still care about us, too."

At that moment, Willow's eyes and hair returned to normal as she collapsed. Everyone broke free from their chrysalises and Poppy and Branch rushed up to Willow.

“Will, say something!" Poppy pleaded.

“Uh, sumthin'..." Willow mumbled before blacking out.

“Don't worry, I think she's okay," Biggie reassured them. “But she should probably get some rest."

“I can't believe she did that!" Legsly exclaimed.

“Let's just hope she'll never have to do it again," Branch said, carrying Willow to her pod.

I was gonna have Creek attempt to kill her out of fear, but it felt OOC, there's no way he could've done it, and Willow's been through enough with the whole “almost-murdered" thing.

Next chapter is the last, and it's kinda sad. But it's not the end, it's a whole new beginning.

Until next time. 🌈