The picture above is Willow's Dad, by the way. Enjoy!

“Hey, Dad, check this out!" Willow said. “Pyrokinesis in my left hand, and cryokinesis in my right. And together, you get..."

Willow smashed a fireball and a snowball together, turning Troll Village into one big steam room!

“That's impressive Willow," he praised her. “It can confuse Grossums, and open up your pores."

“Looks likes Poppy and Branch's already have been," Willow pointed out. They did seem seem to be sweating a lot (Branch more than usual), but they were coming from a different part of the forest with strange looks on their faces.

“I know that look," Willow's Dad said, smirking.

“What look does Biggie have?" Willow asked as the large Troll stumbled into the view. Willow's Dad was unsure, even as the steam cleared up.

“Giant... furry... teeth... Even the... teeth were furry..." he mumbled, and fell flat on his face.

“Biggie, are you okay?" Willow asked with concern. The rest of the Snack Pack showed up.

“Well, other than the fact that a critter bit my bottom, I can't complain," Biggie replied.

“What kind of critter was it?" Poppy asked.

“Well, it was the size of a Troll, had bluish-grey fur, a foaming mouth, and it hated sunlight."

“I know one critter that fits that description," Willow's Dad declared.

“Is it your grandfather wearing a lady's coat eating whipped cream?" Smidge asked sarcastically.

“Smidge, let's hear what the man has to say," Guy Diamond said.

“What is it, Dad?" Willow asked. He paused before answering...

“Lycan-Troll."

“Lycan-what?" DJ Suki asked, confused.

“The Lycan-Troll is a rare beast, and a vicious one at that," Willow's Dad explained. “Those who survive its bite are not actually survivors at all. They are doomed to a life as half-Troll, half.... uh, Lycan. At the height of every full moon, the condemned Troll transforms into a terrifying monster! Claws as long as scrapbooking scissors, teeth stronger than Crystal's head! And a thirst...for blood."

Biggie screamed at the mere description.

“Biggie, the Lycan-Troll is just a legend," Branch reassured him. “There's no proof it's real."

“Or is there?" Willow muttered to herself.

“Mr. Duckweed, have you ever seen a Lycan-Troll?" Poppy asked.

“No."

“Has anyone in Troll Village seen a Lycan-Troll?"

Everyone just stared at each other.

“Never have I ever," Cooper answered.

“I rest my case."

“But the stories, oh-ho, they'll straighten a hairs on the world's curliest Puffalo," Willow's Dad replied.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

That evening, the entire Snack Pack met Willow's Dad at Misty Meadows. After setting up a fire, he told them a tale.

“His name was Hairris!" he began.

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

“Weird kid," Willow's Dad added. “Bright red hair, eyes as blue as ice. And naughty as a Grossum in a chicken coop."

“Trust me, you do not want to see that," Willow whispered to Branch.

“One night, little Hairris, against his parents wishes, went exploring in Troll Forest. Days went by, no sign of him. Only a far away scream coming from the woods. The little menace never returned..."

Suddenly, Willow's Dad screamed at the young Trolls, scaring all of them.

“Or did he? Every year from then on, when little Hairris' birthday came around, a blue-eyed beast with red fur and black fangs would sneak onto his parents' farm and pluck one of their Puffalos right out of the paddock! The creature would look back, taunting them."

Biggie began shaking in terror.

“But I wouldn't worry, Biggie," Willow's Dad reassured him. “You ain't showing none of the symptoms."

“Hmm, what kind of symptoms would he be showing?" Guy Diamond asked with a smirk. “Just for the sake of argument, of course."

“I don't think that's a good idea, Guy Diamond," Smidge said angrily. But Willow's Dad explained them anyways.

“Well, for starters, you'd be looking at sensitivity to light."

“Biggie, aren't you always talking about how it hurts your head when you look into the sun?" Guy Diamond pointed out.

“Now that you mention it..." Biggie began to recall. He looked at the fire and flinched.

“Unquenchable thirst."

“You look thirsty..." Guy Diamond teased as Biggie rubbed his dry tongue.

“He always looks thirsty!" Smidge spat.

“And it hurts to look directly to the sun, period," Branch added.

“What other symptoms are there, Mr. Duckweed?" Guy Diamond wondered.

“Fidgety fingers and toes, on account of the claws starting to sprout."

Biggie gasped as his fingers and toes began twitching. “I am fidgety!"

“And finally, the overwhelming desire to eat raw eggs," Willow's Dad finished.

Biggie ran to a nearby nest, scaring a mother bird, and taking one of her eggs. She chased him as he ran off with a crazed look on his face.

“Oh, this is too rich!" Guy Diamond laughed.

Smidge growled at him. “You have no idea what you have done! You are gonna help me fix this, Guy! You hear me?!"

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Later that night, Poppy and Branch were making out in Poppy's bed, their bodies completely bare. Branch couldn't help but notice, however, how his lover's mind began to drift.

“You okay, Poppy?" he asked with concern.

“I know the Lycan-Troll isn't real, but I'm still worried about Biggie," she explained. “He's losing his mind completely! He thinks once the moon reaches its apex, he'll transform into a monster."

“Don't worry, in time he'll see there's nothing to worry about," Branch reassured her, and continued kissing the queen as she lowered herself to the bed.

“Hey, guys!" Willow shouted, crash-landing through the door. Poppy and Branch immediately covered themselves. “You are not gonna believe what I found!"

“Okay, we don't believe you!" Branch said. “Now would you get out of here?!"

“I didn't even say what it is yet," Willow pointed out.

Poppy rolled her eyes. “What is it, Willow?"

“Apparently, Queen Penny wrote an entire book about Lycan-Trolls," she explained. “I'm not saying Biggie's been bitten by one, but what if Dad's right about their existence?"

“Willow, your dad was under influence for over ten years, and he was never very bright to begin with," Branch pointed out. “Why should we listen to him now?"

“Branch, he's been trying to redeem himself to Willow," Poppy pointed out. “We should at least give him a chance."

Branch grumbled. “Okay, fine. What does the book say?"

“Here, it says something about them living on an island," Willow answered. “But it's very dangerous, not to mention a day's trip."

“Well then, we'll leave at dawn," Poppy decided.

“Wait, why are we going to a dangerous island full of monsters that could turn us into monsters?" Branch asked.

“Come on, Branch!" Poppy insisted. “It's a mystery, and it's up to us to solve it!"

“If you two wanna get yourselves killed, go ahead," he said. “But don't expect me to tag along."

“Not even if I make this face?" Poppy pouted, making the saddest face Branch had ever seen.

“H–Hey, no. Stop!" But it was pointless, he found himself caving. “Fine. Ugh!"

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“Okay, guys, if we do happen to come across a Lycan-Troll," Branch said as they prepared to leave, “we need to have a really good plan."

“How about, don't get bitten?" Willow suggested. “Sounds like a good one to me."

“I'm with Willow," Poppy agreed. “Now, how do we get there?"

“I'll get us a ride," Willow assured them, and flew off.

“Um, Poppy?" Satin spoke up. “We're worried about Biggie."

“Yeah, he's not talking to anyone but Mr. Dinkles," Chenille added. “And he's convinced the moon didn't apex last night, so it must be tonight."

Inside his pod, which was under full lockdown, Biggie was muttering in strange tongue in total freak-out mode.

“Well, that's just great," Branch said sarcastically. Suddenly, they all noticed Smidge dragging Guy Diamond to Biggie's house by the wrist, Guy's face stained with tears.

“What have you guys been doing?" Branch asked.

“Gathering samples," Smidge answered.

“Samples? Of what?" Poppy wondered.

“Critter bites," Smidge replied, showing Guy Diamond's arm as he continued crying. “One of these has to match Biggie's and convince him that this Lycan-Troll thing is just another one of his paranoid delusions."

Branch raised an eyebrow. “And why is Guy..."

“He's the one who started this! It's all Guy Diamond's fault that Biggie thinks he's turning into a monster... Plus, Milton went to a critter convention, I can't ask him."

“Well, looks like you earned this one, Guy," Branch said.

“Not so funny now, is it?" Smidge growled. Guy shook his head. “Let's go, pal!"

While Smidge and Guy Diamond went to Biggie's, Willow returned with a large bird. Branch nervously hid behind Poppy.

“Okay, everybody! All aboard for the Isle of the Lycan-Troll!" Willow announced.

“Oh, no!" Branch protested. “I am not getting on that thing, and there's nothing you can do to–"

Before he could finish his sentence, Willow encased his body in ice. Poppy's jaw dropped at the sight.

“Relax, he'll defrost along the way," Willow assured her.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Smidge knocked on Biggie's door rapidly as Guy Diamond held onto his arm in pain.

“Go away! It's not safe!" Biggie shouted. “I could go at any minute."

“We're just here to check something," Smidge assured him. “Can we look at your butt?"

“Please do it," Guy Diamond begged. “I think I need serious medical attention."

Biggie peeked outside and saw the glitter Troll's rainbow-bloody arm. “What happened to you?"

“Ask her!"

“Okay. What happened to him?"

“He's helping me find out what happened to you," Smidge answered.

“I think we all know what happened to me," Biggie said.

“Just pull down your pants!" Guy groaned. Biggie complied and Smidge compared the bites.

“Well, we can cross Puffalo, Swampkin, Grossum and Snuggle Squid off the list," Smidge said. “Come on, Guy!"

“I'm not going anywhere with you! You're crazy!" Guy Diamond protested, only to be dragged away by the tiny Troll again.

Later that day, Smidge and Guy Diamond, with another bite, returned to Biggie's house. Biggie cautiously opened the door and noticed Guy's arm oozing with puss.

“I don't feel so good," he moaned.

“What kind of bite is it this time?" Biggie wondered.

“Squishy Snake," Smidge answered as Biggie showed them his butt again. “Another no match."

“Wait, aren't those supposed to be poisonous?" Biggie asked as he pulled his pants back up.

“Don't think so," Smidge lied.

“I'm pretty sure they are."

“Nope, you're wrong."

“I'm pretty sure I'm not," Biggie argued. “I know my snakes."

“Guys, there's definite pois..." Guy Diamond tried to say, but ended up collapsing before he could finish his sentence.

“Well, I'm not one to say I told you so, but he really should see a doctor," Biggie pointed out as Guy Diamond began to have a small seizure.

“Wuss," Smidge muttered, and dragged the ailing Troll with her hair.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Thank you for choosing Air Squawk for all your travel needs," Willow announced in a high-pitched voice. “Don't stand until the bird has come to a complete stop. Thank you! Goodbye! Goodbye! Thank you, goodbye!"

“This is where the Lycan-Troll lives?" Branch asked. “On a tiny island with very little life on it?"

It was true, there were very few trees on the island. And not too much of any other plants.

“Maybe there's something in that cave over there," Poppy suggested, and headed inside. There were no Lycan-Trolls, but words carved into the wall. Willow set off a flame with her hand and read them.

“Beware the beast. Turn back before you become him. Your fate is sealed!"

“I think it's time we went home," Branch said nervously.

“Branch, it's just an old cave drawing," Poppy pointed out.

“Then what's that over there?" Willow asked, pointing at a shadowy figure of a Troll-like creature with glowing yellow eyes. Branch screamed at the sight and hid behind a rock. Poppy rolled her eyes and approached the shadows. She prepared herself for whatever would come next, and saw... a statue made of stones, grass and amber.

“You can come out now, Branch!" Poppy shouted. “It's just a decoy!"

While Poppy and Branch looked at the statue, Willow found a bunch of scrolls. She picked up one of them and began reading.

Wither and decay

End this destiny

Break these earthly chains

And set the spirit free

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Okay, Biggie!" Smidge shouted. “This better match, because I don't know how more Guy can take!"

Much to her surprise, however, Biggie's door was no longer sealed up. He and Mr. Dinkles were gone!

“Do you see what I see, Guy?"

“I don't know," he whimpered, his eyes looking in opposite directions. “I think I've gone blind from all the venom..."

“He's out! Biggie on the loose!" Smidge alerted. “This is bad. This is very bad..."

Meanwhile, Biggie was outside of the village in Troll Forest as the moon was beginning to rise. His sanity was slipping further away.

“I can't be contained, Mr. Dinkles!" he growled. “Look at that moon! In a matter of hours, it'll finally apex, and I will be transformed into a great hairy beast with nothing to do but feast on my prey! It's like all my senses are alive for the first time! I can feel things, see things, hear things, I've never been able to before! Come, Mr. Dinkles! Our destiny awaits!"

“Meep!"

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“This doesn't make any sense," Branch said. “Why would someone make a statue of a Lycan-Troll?"

“Maybe this has something to do with it," Poppy suggested, and pulled out an old scrapbook wedged in between two boulders. It had a drawing of Poppy's ancestor, Queen Penny on the cover.

“By now, you realized the Lycan-Troll isn't real," it read. “I made it up to protect these incantations written by Callisto herself for her followers, who were plagued by the Darkness. Although imprisoned by the moon, I fear she's still trying to find a way to make sure the evil she created takes over the Earth, and she may destroy the Trolls in the process, for we are the only ones who stand in her way. I spent most of my years as queen tracking them down, but the magic in them is too powerful for me to destroy. So, I hid them all here, but the Sun and Moon Scroll, which I have sent to Lonesome Flats under the protection of Mayor Cactus Joe. I know it sounds foolish to hide these scrolls in the same place, but I knew only one of my descendents, a strong, brave, and stubborn ruler, would be the only one to find them. I hope no creature of Darkness ever gets their hands on them, for they will seal all of our fates."

“Well, at least we know the Lycan-Troll is just a myth," Branch said. “Let's go home."

Poppy shuddered, and couldn't find the strength to get up.

“Branch– I don't feel good..." she coughed. “What's– happening?"

“‘I hope no creature of Darkness gets their hands on them...'" Branch repeated, his eyes widening in realization. “Willow!"

Wither and decay

End this destiny

Break these earthly chains

And set the spirit free

Wither and decay

End this destiny

Break these earthly chains

And set the spirit free

Poppy and Branch found Willow stuck in a trance, dropping the scroll she was reading. All of the stones turned black and the plants were dying. Even the purple streaks in Willow's hair were gone, and her large eyes were mostly pupil.

“I don't think she can control it!" Poppy exclaimed.

“Willow, snap out of it!" Branch pleaded, and reached out to grab her arm. What he didn't expect was for his hand to get burned at the touch! He screamed in agony at the feeling.

“Branch!" Poppy shouted, running up to him. At that moment, Willow snapped out of it and collapsed. She looked up and noticed Branch in pain.

“What have I done?" she said to herself.

“I'll be okay, Poppy, don't worry," Branch tried to reassure her. “But I think I should see Dr. Moonbloom."

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“Well, this hand is now useless," Dr. Moonbloom announced. “Until it heals in a few weeks. You'll need to be careful during recovery, or the skin will peel off."

“Don't worry, I'm the king of careful," Branch assured her. Willow's Dad showed up with bugs in his hair.

“Dad, how's Biggie doing?" Willow asked.

“Gone. He and that worm of his flew the coop last night. Said something about howling at Bird Cliff when he went ‘full Lycan-Troll.'"

“You didn't try to stop him?" Poppy said.

“I was busy watching the doctor suck Squishy Snake venom from Guy Diamond," he laughed. “You should've heard him. He sounded like a Puffalo being turned inside out!"

“Not only that, Smidge is gone, too," Chenille warned. “Went to look for Biggie. She seemed to think whether he grew a bunch of fur or not, he wouldn't survive the cold."

“Yeah, and she dragged Guy Diamond with her," Satin added. “I'm surprised he made the trip. He's not looking too good."

“Oh, boy," Branch muttered.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“I don't know if she got it all," Guy Diamond moaned. “I'm starting to feel a little woozy, and all I see is mist."

“That's because we're in Misty Meadows!" Smidge pointed out. “Now, hurry up before Biggie jumps off a cliff or something."

“You think when he's a full Lycan-Troll, he'll remember all the rotten stuff I said to him?"

Smidge smirked. “Now that you mention it, I think he said he was gonna eat you first. I'm hoping it'll be slow and painful."

Suddenly, Biggie jumped right out of a bush and growled at them, his mouth foaming.

“I am Lycan-Troll! Run for your lives!" he yelled, and ran off. Guy Diamond headed in the opposite direction, terrified. Smidge just rolled her eyes and went after Biggie.

“Biggie! Get back here!" she yelled. “I command thee! Lycan-Troll!"

Guy Diamond, meanwhile, was heading for the village, but a growl coming from the bushes caused him to stop.

“Uh, Biggie? Is that you?"

Biggie finally reached the top of Bird Cliff. The birds who lived on it were annoyed by his howling, however, and squawked at him angrily.

“The apex is upon us! Howl with me, Mr. Dinkles! It feels so good! In just a few moments, we will finally be free! Free! Roaming the woods, marking our territory, the wind in our hair! Well, my hair, at least. You don't have hair. Free from the bonds that bind Trollkind!"

“Meep!"

“We'll have to leave Troll Village, of course. I would never forgive myself if I ate one of my friends. On the other hand though, I'm sure as a Lycan-Troll, I would find them delicious, especially Branch. By all that's Trolly, he looks like a blueberry."

Biggie began shuddering as the moon continued to rise.

“It's happening! I can feel it!" he growled. “Are you ready Mr. D.? Are you ready to finally be free?!"

“Meep!"

“Biggie! Wait!" a familiar, gruff voice shouted. Biggie turned to find Smidge behind him. “You can fight this!"

“No, I can't!" Biggie cried. “You don't know the hold it has on me. It has its claws in me."

“What if I fight it with you?" Smidge suggested. “We do everything together. I was married to you! I refuse to spend the rest of my life without one of my best friends. I'm begging you, and you know how much I hate to beg. Just get down from there!"

“It's too late to stop the metamorphosis," Biggie argued. “Can you not see what I have become?"

“Biggie, stop!" Branch shouted as the rest of the Snack Pack joined them up the cliff. “There is no metamorphosis, all right? You are not turning into a Lycan-Troll."

“It's true," Poppy added. “Queen Penny created the myth to keep Dark creatures away from incantations Callisto wrote for them. Willow destroyed all of them with her magic after reading one."

“No, I don't believe you!" Biggie protested. “Look at me, I'm hideous. I'm terrifying!"

“Biggie, you're not hideous or terrifying!" DJ Suki pointed out.

“Then how do you explain this?!" Biggie asked, pulling down his pants to show off his bite. Everyone cringed at the sight.

“Now, that's what I call a full moon," Willow muttered.

“You can't, can you?" Biggie said. “That's what I thought."

“Wait, wait, wait!" Guy Diamond interrupted, dragging a sack with something moving in it. “Wait, I can explain it!"

“Woah! You look terrible," Willow said.

“Uh, Guy? What do you have in that bag?" Poppy asked nervously.

“I have what did this!" he answered, pointing to a bite mark on his sparkly butt cheek that resembled the one on Biggie's.

“Ahh! The Lycan-Troll got him, too!" Biggie screamed. “Save yourselves!"

“It's not a Lycan-Troll!" Guy Diamond confirmed. “It's a rabid Cuddlepup, and I caught him. You're not turning into a furry beast, Biggie. I just made you think that, but it's not true. Funny, but not true."

Biggie cautiously took a step forward, but the rock he stood on crumbled beneath him and he found himself plummeting hundreds of feet to the ground.

“No!" the Snack Pack shouted. As Biggie fell to his death, he grabbed Mr. Dinkles and held him close as he braced for impact. But just before he could hit the ground, the entire group wrapped their hair around his waist and pulled them back up.

“Group hug?" Biggie suggested, and the Snack Pack came together for a warm embrace.

“Come on, let's get you and Guy rabies shots," Poppy suggested, and they headed back to the village.

“Uh, Guy Diamond, where's the Cuddlepup?" Branch asked. Guy Diamond noticed the bag was empty! After hearing a growl, he turned to find...

I think we all know what happened afterwards.

Sorry this took so long, I was busy with my rewrite of Poppy's Secret.

Until next time. 🤘