The start to the boys' trip was.. interesting, to say the least.

While Branch was doing all the driving upfront, in the back of the armadillo vehicle, well.. it was pretty much a different story.

John popped up in frame with his goggles on his face again while holding a microphone and singing into it.

Like we always do at this time!🎶
I go for mine, I gots to shine!🎶

The three younger brothers sang along as well, standing behind him.

Now throw yo' hands up in the sky!🎶

I go-go for mine, I gots to shine!🎶

John sang along with them this time and wrapped his arms around them,

Now throw yo' hands up in the sky!🎶

Branch was gripping onto the wheel trying to hold onto the last of the sanity he had left; it had only been fifteen minutes and chaos was already brewing.

Sighing heavily, he started to speak.

"Hey guys.. guuuysss.."

I'ma get on this TV mama, I'ma
I'ma put shit dowwwnnnn!🎶

Ayy (ayy), ayy (ayy)🎶

Ayy (ayy), ayy (I'm good!)🎶

Clay slid into frame this time with his shades on again and snatched the mic from John.

"Hey!"

Have you ever popped champagne on a plane,🎶

While getting some brai-🎶

"GUYS!!!"
Branch would finally shout out loud before that.. not so appropriate lyric could be finished.

Eventually the music got cut off and the singing halted as the brothers all turned to look at their youngest brother.

"What's up champ?" John asked, as if he didn't just hear former Bitty B scream at him.

"What's up is that all this needs to go down!" Branch gestured with his hand as he pointed up and down,

The brothers would all look at each other before he continued.

"we're on a very important mission and so far you guys don't seem to be taking anything seriously!"

"Awww come on little bro we were just tryna-"

"I mean if I knew this would've been the case I would've just left you guys back at the village!"

There would be a slight pause after that, every single one of the boys' eyes in the back widening.

"Woah, woah, hey, Branch-" Bruce tried to slow him down, holding his hands up, "let's just-"

"And I get it's not everyday that something like this happens so of course it's confusing and overwhelming but come ON! If it's our family and village's lives at stake we're talking about here you should at LEAST be trying your best to prove that you're SERIOUS about saving them!"

"Branch, Branch, hey-" John walked up as well trying to calm him down.

"I can't even believe the first things on your mind would be to have a little 'karaoke party' which you ALSO did in my bunker without MY knowledge!"

"..okay-" Bruce smacked his lips and started again, putting a finger up,

"technically that was John and Cla-"

"Come on man chill out-" Clay nudged his shoulder quietly, "really isn't the time for that-"

"I mean seriously, grow UP guys!" Branch continued, "This isn't some kind of fun little stakeout or vacation or- 'bRoZoNe aDvEnTuA' like you guys are saying! Honestly with all the times you still call me Baby Branch I like to think about who's actually the baby here!"

Floyd would look up at his younger brother worriedly then back at his older brothers with the same expression.

"Branch heeeeyyy!" Clay tried this time, walking forward, "you're all good G, we got it! You don't have to stre-"

"No, Clay, maybe I do, maybe I do have to stress," Branch eventually heard what one of them said after taking a short pause through his ranting, "because you guys never listen to me!"

Without realizing Branch started to put more pressure on the gas, causing them to speed up.

The older brothers would all exclaim and struggle to keep their balance at this, trying to quickly grab Branch's attention for him to slow down.

"Branch, hey, hey!" John tried calling out to him, "You gotta slow down man- woah!" He nearly tripped and fell over something before Bruce was able to grab him.

Even Rhonda could sense that something was wrong and was trying to grab the attention of the frustrated troll by making certain moves or noises but to no avail.

"I don't even know how I'll expect to get through this trip and save everyone in time if you guys are gonna constantly lolly gag, slow me down, and ignore every single thing I SA-"

But then, everything just stopped.

Branch stopped, Rhonda stopped, everything stopped.

It was all over when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder.

Letting go of the wheel slowly, he lift his foot off of the gas and leaned back into the seat, taking deep breaths every few seconds.

He wasn't even going to turn because he knew exactly who it was, but he would anyway to see the soft and comforting expression of his fourth oldest brother, the one he was always closest to.

"We hear you Branch, and we're here for you."

Branch didn't say anything and just continued to stare up at him with a now saddened look, giving Floyd an opportunity to speak more.

"Everything's gonna be just fine, we're gonna get through this. We'll be right by your side as we follow your every move."

The three older brothers in the back nodded in agreement, not surprised that Floyd was the only one who was able to get him to calm down and listen.

Branch sighed shakily and stayed where he was but turned his gaze away from him for a few seconds, before suddenly wrapping his arms around him and burying his face into his chest.

Floyd happily squeezed his baby brother back, running a hand through his hair soothingly while rubbing his back at the same time.

"I'm sorry.." Branch mumbled almost quietly, squeezing him tighter.

Nearly cradling him, Floyd pressed his cheek against his forehead before mumbling back to him.

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

The two would stay there in each other's arms for a good minute, before another one of the brothers would speak up again.

"Branch?"

The youngest wouldn't let go of his brother but slowly lifted his head to look up at who was talking, and Floyd would turn to look over as well.

John took a few steps forward again, clearing his throat.

"We want you to know that we do listen to you, and that we'd never try to make you feel like we didn't ever again."

"Agreed," Bruce walked up next to him, patting his shoulder, "we're all in this together, and we want to help you. Last thing we'd wanna do is to make the same mistake of neglecting you in your time of need."

"Yeah, you're in charge here man. We got your back from here on out, always." Clay walked next to Bruce with a small smile on his face, nodding.

Floyd smiled over at them then looked back at Branch, who was fighting back a smile of his own and eventually lost that battle.

"Thanks, guys.." He slowly released his hands from around Floyd, resting his hands on his lap, "I.. I'm sorry I got so frustrated back there.. I'm just worried about how all of this will play out and being able to save everyone in time.. it is my fault after all.."

"Come on Branch, don't say things like that." Floyd scolded him lightly.

"But it is! If you guys knew what happened before-"

"Hey, come on," John interrupted and walked over to them, "we, got this. I mean, we're Brozone!" The oldest brother let out a chuckle after this,

"When have we never had things under control!"

In silence besides the sound of a cricket in the back, the brothers all just stared at him with slightly unamused expressions, as if the answer should've been obvious.

Eventually, they would all turn to see that there was an actual cricket in the corner.

"..how did-"

"EEWWW GET IT OUT-" Clay exclaimed before hopping behind Bruce onto his shoulders.

The older brother rolled his eyes in response and casually picked it up and walked over to the door and slid it open, tossing it outside before walking back.

"Now get off me-"

John scratched the back of his head in confusion of whatever the hell just happened before sighing heavily and getting back to the topic.

"ANYway point is-" He clasped his hands together and turned back to Branch, "I know this is a lot, but you know we got you! And we've gotta be more positive don't we? It's what gets us farther in these types of situations. It doesn't mean we don't care. If we didn't care we wouldn't be here right now."

"For sure." Floyd nodded with a smile.

"Yeah, you're.. you're right. I'm sorry for being so uptight. I'll- I'll try to let loose some." Branch shrugged, rubbing his arm.

"Hey," John pat his shoulder lightly, "don't get yourself down, there's nothing wrong with caring."

"Yeah, maybe we haven't shown it as much as you have, but we're all just as worried as you," Bruce walked over to them, "I mean I'm over here praying that my wife and kids are alright!"

Clay nodded in agreement to everything that was being said, not really being as vocal as he was earlier, as if something was on his mind.

Branch would smile at his brothers, starting to feel a little better about things.

"Don't worry, I'm gonna get us to the troll tree as soon as I can so we can get this riverglow and save everyone."

"Aht, not "I", we." John nudged his shoulder with his signature smirk.

Branch would roll his eyes and shove him playfully, turning back to the wheel.

"Mhm, that's what I meant," Branch put his hands back on the wheel, "now we should seriously get going, we don't wanna waste more time."

"Hey, wait, hold on," John stopped him before he could start Rhonda back up again, causing him to turn back and look at him.

"Would you.. want me to drive instead?"

Branch sighed and turned back around.

"No, John, I'm fine, let's just keep-"

"I just- think you should take a little bit of a breather for a while, you were pretty tense earlier and you should take some time to think."

"John I already said I'm fine! I can-"

"Trust me brother, I know what it's like."

Branch stopped after hearing that and sighed, not wanting to push away his sympathy of understanding the feeling of letting stress get to him as he's also been through similar experiences, looking down at his hands.

"Just.. let me take over for a little."

After some thinking, Branch would just stay there in his spot, not moving.

John stood there watching him for a little, starting to think that he wasn't going to agree and started to turn around.

Until Branch let go of the wheel and started unbuckling himself from the seat.

"Alright," He got up from the seat and walked over to him, "I think you'd know the way better anyway.. but just- nothing crazy please."

John smiled at him and rubbed his shoulder in response.

"Youuuu got it!" He hopped over to the drivers seat and plopped down in it, buckling himself in.

Floyd smiled warmly over at Branch and put a hand on his back.

Branch smiled back over at him and they would begin to walk toward the back of the vehicle.

"ALRIIIIGHT let's go Rhonda Ron!" John tapped his hand on the gear shift and stepped on the gas.

Rhonda made an excited armadillo noise as she began to run off onto the trail again, continuing their halted journey.

Branch would sit next to Floyd and sighed, resting his hands on his lap again as he looked down in thought.

Floyd looked over at him noticing this, trying to catch his gaze.

"What's goin on?"

"I just.. I hope my message got through to everyone properly, especially being that I sent them out kinda last minute.. I don't want there being anymore chaos or trouble than there already is down there."

"I'm sure everyone got it."

"I hear you man," Bruce sat next to Branch, sighing, "I know I keep talking about this but I'm super anxious over whether Brandy and the kids are fine are not and heard from me. It's already bad enough they aren't trolls, if they were all to go down there who knows what'll happen-"

Floyd gently pat his second older brother's shoulder, Branch giving him a look of empathy before looking back down at his lap again.

"Well.. all we can really do right now is just keep our hopes up. It's what gets us farther, right?"

John would hear what he said from upfront and began to smile, feeling glad knowing his word of advice got to his youngest brother.

Bruce and Floyd looked at Branch then each other, then back at him again as small smiles would begin to form on their faces.

"Right."

♡♡♡

Meanwhile..

"I don't understand.. is.. is this some kind of joke?"

"I.. don't believe so, I mean.. I don't see a reason as to why they'd feel the need to lie about something like this- and crazier things have happened before."

"Right right, good point.. well, how do you think everything's going now? Should we go check or- try and do something?"

At this moment, King Quincy and Queen Essence were reading the letter that Branch would make sure to quickly stop and make copies of to send out to everyone before they really hit the road. He let everyone that he was aware was coming or may have been coming know what was happening and that they couldn't go to the village right now but reassured them that him and his brothers were off to fix everything.

"I.. don't know, I mean.. I've never heard of anything like this before, what could we d-"

"Wait.." Essence stopped her husband and turned to him with a frightened expression, "Cooper.. D.. they're out in the village right now! You don't think-"

Quincy realized what she was trying to say and immediately sunk his head in fear with widened eyes.

"..no.. they couldn't.."

"Well- Quince we have to go we have to do something!" The Queen of Funk began to panic, "we have t-"

"Hey hey woooah," Quincy immediately called to her, "I'm sure that whatever is going on.. they've got it all under control."

"But.. what if they don't?"

"Then they would tell us and ask for our help. Don't you remember when Poppy and Branch came to us in their time of need to stop Queen Barb from destroying all music?"

"Well.." Essence looked down and nodded slowly, "yes.."

"Right. So for now let's just let them try and handle this on their own like they said they would, and and a little later on if we don't get anymore updates we can go and check to see what's happening, sound like a plan?"

Essence looked back up at her husband slowly and nodded, smiling a little.

Quincy smiled back at her and nuzzled her gently.

"'sides, they're trolls, I think we know by now they can fight through anything. And so will our boys." He winked down at her, still nuzzled against her.

"Of course," Essence chuckled and laid a kiss on her husband's cheek, sighing as she rested against him.

"I just hope it'll all turn out alright.."

--

Throughout the rest of the kingdoms of the trolls, the other leaders would also be informed of this news and have either the many mixed reactions of shocked..

"Oh my!" Trollzart read the letter in shock.

--

Confused..

"Daaangg is this like a virus or sumn?" Trollex read the letter in confusion.

--

Worried..

"Well golly gee, this can't be good.." Delta read the letter with worry.

--

And-

"Huh, so everyone's just- fighting and throwing things at each other?" Barb read the letter with interest.

Slowly, she nodded with an intrigued smirk.

"Wicked. Didn't think they got down like that."

..yeah, take a wild guess-

While this didn't particularly interrupt their own festivities if they had anyway, it would still cause a wave of concern for the transformed pop trolls.

And valid concern too, because things didn't seem to be getting any better back at the village..

♡♡♡

Back at.. Pop Village-

Viva slid into view, flipping her hair to the side easily as she started to sang.

Superstar, where you from? How's it going?🎶
I know you got a clue what you're doing🎶
You can play brand new to all the other chicks out here🎶
But I know what you are, what you are, baby🎶

Poppy slid in front of her, flipping her hair as well as she began to strut.

Look at you gettin' more than just a re-up🎶
Baby, you got all the puppets with their strings up🎶
Fakin' like a good one but I call 'em like I see 'em🎶
I know what you are, what you are, baby🎶

Together the girls would then sing:

Womanizer, woman-womanizer, you're a womanizer🎶
Oh, womanizer, oh, you're a womanizer, baby🎶
You, you-you are, you, you-you are🎶
Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer!🎶
(Womanizer🎶

Boy don't try to front, I-I🎶
Know just, just, what you are, are-are!🎶
Boy don't try to front, I-I🎶
Know just, just, what you are, are-are!🎶

On the other side of them was standing Tresillo, not having a clue of whatever the absolute hell happened just now.

"...what part of "get away from me", did you weirdos TRANSLATE INTO "I WANNA KISS YOU??!" GOD-"

Immediately he would run away from the both of them until-

"YOU WANNA KISS WHO NOW??" Wani shouted from afar, running after him.

"NUH UH, YOU STAY AWAY FROM ME TOO!!" He shouted back at her, not even turning to look at her as he ran.

"TRESILLOOOOOOOO-"
Wani suddenly gained sonic speed while running after her man.

"I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WOMEEEENNNNN- DOOF-"

The Reggaeton troll fell to the ground as he got tackled by his girlfrie- rival.. you know this is honestly normal for them just a little more to the extreme.

"RIMBAAA, BORAAAA HEEELLPPP-"

"Ugh we told you not to call us those tRaCeY-" Marimba sassed as her and Tambora walked over to them.

"ONLY I CALL HIM TRACEY-"
Wani said while strangling him.

"Hey, who's we! I am not associated with you or anyone in this garbage village!" Tambora would then sass at Marimba who took great offense to this.

"Okay then bOrAAA you go help him then!"

"...no." Tambora would say before casually walking away.

"Ugh, I don't even know why I'm HERE!" Marimba stomped away afterward.

"BECAUSE YOU NEED TO HELP M- ACK-" Tresillo said as Wani strangled him again.

"NOT ANOTHER WORD OUTTA YOU DREADHEAD- HOW DARE YOU GO KISSING OTHER GIRLS-"

Unsurprisingly, Wani pulled one of his hairs on his head after that.

"I WASN'T KISSING ANY- OIIII- GIRL IF YOU DON'T GET OFF ME-"

Going back to the sisters, they stood together watched as the chaos took place while not uttering a single word for a good minute.

"..I can't believe I ever ruled for these people, I mean, look at them making fools of themselves, I can't actually live here."

"Yeah, sucks for you.. wait-"

Viva shook her head then turned to look at her younger sister,

"why am I talking to you- better yet why was I SINGING with you!?!"

The older sister gave her a shove, "I DON'T EVEN LIKE YOU!"

Poppy would gasp dramatically at this gesture, balling her fists.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME!" The queen squealed frustratingly and pushed her back, "I DONT LIKE YOU FIRST- and um, I'm the best at singing, that's why-"

"Oh yeah that'll be the day squeaky pinkie PIE!" Viva insulted.

Poppy gasped dramatically again with a higher pitch.

"Ughhh see! That TERRIBLY annoying voice! I mean how did that old man even let you be queen with it, you're not even queen MATERIAL!"

"Well you know what," Poppy stomped up to her older sister and got in her face,

"Good, because I wouldn't WANNA be queen for YOU," she poked Viva in the chest, "ORRR these lousy stuck up brats I somehow used to call my people!"

"Ohhh yeah like you're not stuck up okay okay-" Viva waved her hand in her face nonchalantly.

"UGH!" Poppy exclaimed out loud but then lowered her voice to deliver this next line,

"You know, as an older sister you sure as hell aren't a good one."

Viva took a step back and began to turn around.

"I have no sister."

She started to walk away from her and heatedly shoved other trolls out of the way in the process.

"...whatever."
Poppy mumbled, beginning to turn around herself.

She flipped her hair one time before she began to turn around as well and walk away until something began to fall out of her hair.

Looking down she would see a card.. the card that she had originally made for Branch for today.

Slowly she bent down to pick it up and looked at it, opening it up to reveal all the glitter and hearts and love spread all over it, along with two little cute cut outs of them holding hands with one another.

Her eyebrows began to furrow as she stared down at the card, until something inside of her just suddenly told her to stop, and she would shove it back into her hair.

"I'll just keep it in there so I can rip it up in front of him when I see him again." She would say before walking away casually.

The thing about that though.. she also could've just ripped it up in that moment right then and there if she really wanted to. Perhaps the fact that she didn't could've quite possibly.. meant something?

♡♡♡

While everyone else was having their own conversation, the middle brother of the group, Clay, was sitting slightly isolated away from his brothers as he was wearing a pair of headphones, listening to music.

Now nomally, the green haired troll wouldn't push himself away from everyone like this unless he was really bothered or upset about something, and one of those times just happens to be now.

He sighed as he looked to the outside of one of the windows, holding his right headphone.

Or.. more of a memory.

~Two days ago~

"Ughhhh, it's not comin out right!"

Clay was sitting inside of Rhonda and would grip onto a card that he was attempting to make for Viva frustratingly, almost about to throw it, but calm himself down and just sighed, lowering his arm.

"I'm.." He sighed again I'm not good at this whole card thing.. it just isn't me. But.. she would, want one wouldn't she?"

Sitting the card beside him he sighed, not knowing what else to really do.

"Hey Clay!" John bursted open the door.

"AH- oh, John what- what're you doing here??" Clay jumped up hiding the card behind him.

Walking inside he scratched his side as if he didn't just scare the grass out of his younger brothers hair.

"Weeelll this is my armadillo sooo I kinda just burst in whenever I please- even though I allowed you to sleep on my spare bed for the time being-"

"..right, right-" Clay nodded, looking away.

"Aaannddd I was coming to ask you if you wanted to come with us to wish Branch a happy Valentine's Day! Was Floyd's idea."

"..oh, oh yeah sure, I'll.. I'll come."

John Dory would notice he wasn't as upbeat as usual and put his hands on his hips, tilting his head.

"Okaaay what's wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, what? Nothing, I'm- I'm fi-"

"Come on man, you're not foolin me. What's going on?" John walked over to him.

"It's really nothing, I'm serious! I.."

John stared over at him, waiting for whatever else he had to say.

"I just.. don't wanna talk about it right now," Clay turned his gaze away from him, feeling his ears heat up slightly, "Maybe.. maybe later."

"Hmmm.." The eldest would slightly stare his younger brother down for a bit, before giving him a few reassuring pats on the shoulder.

"Alright, well, whenever you're ready I'm here to listen. Anyway, we're gettin ready to go if you still wanna join."

Clay slowly turned to look back at him, who would smile a little in return, before eventually leaving out of the armadillo van.

Sighing, he took one more look at his attempt of a card he was making for his best friend, still not impressed by how it looked so far.

"I'll.. work on something better soon."

He got up and put the card inside of his hair, walking out of the armadillo van as well behind his oldest brother.

~End of Flashback~

Clay was currently looking at the unfinished card that he was making for Viva, honestly thinking of just throwing it out the window while holding a grip onto it because of how rough it looked, but..

He didn't wanna throw away the only reminder of her he had right now.

Staring down at the card some more, he held it more delicately as a small smile began to form on his lips.

"Sup bro-" John slid next to him out of nowhere, wrapping an arm around him.

"AH- oh, John, hey-" Clay fumbled with the card and quickly put it away, moving his headphones from his ears, "wait, weren't you driving?"

"Yeah but Branch insisted on taking over again and I was getting a little tired so I let him."

"Oh, right." Clay slowly turned from him and looked down at his hands in his lap, patting it gently.

"So.. whatcha listenin to?" Suddenly the oldest brother took his headphones from him and put them on his own head.. somehow.

"Hey!" Clay exclaimed.

"Ooooo is this CB?" John held the right side of the headphones, nodding, "Valid bro validdd-"

"John-"

"I SAY YOOOOOO, I DON'T KNOW YA NAME BUT EXCUSE ME MISS-"

"What's the next one?!" He didn't even let the song finish as he clicked a button to go to the next one.

"No!!"

"OOOOOH THIS IS A BANGER- IS YA MAN- ON THE FLOOR- IF HE AIN'T- LEMME KNOOOWWWW-"

Floyd and Bruce would turn to look over at what was happening with confused looks.

"LEMME SEE IF YOU CAN RUN IT, RUN IT-" The Square headed fool got up out of his seat and started dancing.

"John!!" Clay tried calling out for his older brother again, standing up as well.

'WAIT WAIT WAIT ONE MORE-" John clicked the button again.

"NO-"

The middle child reached out to him to try and snatch the headphones away but John kept moving his hand away.

"I'M ON SOME NEW SHIIIT IM CHUCKIN UP MY DUECES UUUUP TO HER- OW-"

Bruce smacked the back of his head.

"Knock it off fool-"

"Come on man!" Clay complained, finally able to snatch his headphones away from him.

"I'm not in the mood right now!"

He walked away with the headphones and wrapped them around his neck, sitting back down.

"Why?" John followed him, "What's got you all bummed? You were just fine less than a minute ago."

"Nothing, I-" Clay sighed, "I just wanna chill right now, is there something wrong with that?!"

"Yeesh, alright, I was just askin." JD finally backed off, lowering his voice.

"Clay?" Floyd would ask in worry, scooting closer to him.

The green haired troll began to feel that all eyes were on him now, starting to feel bad for reacting the way he did.

Even Branch began to slow down Rhonda after hearing all of the commotion in the back, but he halted on asking after it suddenly became silent.

"..sorry guys, I.. honestly something has been on my mind but I've just been trying to ignoring it this whole time.."

It was Bruce's turn to scoot closer to his younger brother now.

"Well talk to us, what is it?"

"I.. I don't know how to explain it.. it's really weird.."

He clicked the music on his headphones off and took them from around his neck, putting them down on the couch and walked to a window.

The rest of the brothers looked at each other, in wonder of what was about to happen, and Branch would walk over to join them in their circle of wonder.

Standing there for a bit, he finally closed his eyes, and began to..

..feel like sun.. on my skin..🎶

..so this is love.. I know it is..🎶

I know it sounds super cliché,🎶
But you make me feel some type of way,🎶

This is falling, falling in love!🎶
..
yeah🎶

Clay slowly moved away from the window, turning around as he started bobbing his head to a beat.

And he began to smile.

Mh-mh-mh-mh-mh-mmh, yeah..🎶

He started to walk forward, still bobbing his head as his brothers watched him.

I got a lot on my mind,🎶
Got some more on my plate,🎶
My baby got me looking forward to the end of the day!🎶

The rest of the brothers looked at each other, starting to slowly smile, looking back at their middle brother.

What you say? You and me?🎶
Just forget about the past, throw it in the trash!🎶

Clay slid to the side and turned to his brothers and pointed forward, a wide smile on his face as he tapped his foot to the beat.

What you say? You and me!🎶
Live the life we never had like we're never going baaaack!🎶

Bruce smiled at him and walked up to him, singing the next verse as he wrapped an arm around him.

Feel like sun, on my skin!🎶

John walked over to them, joining in as he put a hand on his little brother's shoulder.

So this is love, I know it is!🎶

I know it sounds super cliché!🎶

But you make me feel some type of way!🎶

This is falling, falling in love!🎶

I know it sounds super cliché!🎶
Branch joined their side, a smile of his own apparent.

But you make me feel some type of way!🎶
Floyd joined lastly, wrapping his arms around Branch and Clay with a wide smile.

Clay gratefully smiled at all of his brothers, feeling much happier than before.

This is falling, falling in loooooveee!🎶
All of the brothers would dance around and out of Clay's way.

Yeeeaaaahhh!🎶
Clay sang a high note, spinning around.

This is falling, falling in love!🎶

Ooooooohh~🎶
Floyd and Clay had one arm wrapped around the other as they sang in harmony.

This is falling, falling in love!🎶

After the song, the brothers would all turn to look at Clay, who was looking down with no longer had a look of sadness, but surprise.. as if he realized something.

John walked over to him again as he was in his thinking state.

"How you feelin?"

"Wow.." Clay started, pausing for a bit after that.

"..wh- what- did I say somethin wrong-" The oldest clueless brother looked around confusedly.

"No, I mean.. I.. I think I'm.."

Right then and there, he stopped, slowly raising his gaze towards his attentive brothers.

"..I'm in love with Viva.."

Once again, the brothers looked at each other again, only their smiles were so much bigger than before.

Branch walked over to him again as well, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't think man, you know."

Clay smiled at his youngest brother, feeling like his cheekbones were gonna burst from happiness.

"..well about TIME you realized do you know how much we've been saying that you two should get toge- OW-"

John's mini tangent was interrupted when Bruce walked over him to elbow him in the side.

"You should totally tell her when this is all over!" Floyd hopped over to them, grabbing his older brother's arm excitedly.

"Aha.. I.. I mean I dunno.. she's my best friend.. I don't wanna mess up everything we already have.." Clay scratched the back of his head slowly, looking away.

"Hey, you'll never know until you try."
Bruce walked back over to him and punched him in the shoulder gently, a light smirk on his face.

Clay snorted almost quietly, not able to fight back against the smile on his face as he looked to the side.

After a few seconds he took his card from his hair and looked at it, in all of it's cluttered glory.

"..I'll think about it."

"YEAAAHH LESSGOOOOOO!" John ran over to him and put him in a headlock, ruffling his hair with his fist.

"Awe come on Johnnn!" The middle brother would whine annoyed but in a playful manner.

"Yeah John, move-" Bruce moved the oldest brother out of the way.

"Pfft-" He would scoff in response, crossing his arms.

"...only I CAN DO THAT!"
The heartthrob launched at Clay and ruffled his hair in a wilder manner.

"GUUUYSSS cut it ouuuut seriously!" Clay would start to actually get ticked off and attempted to move his hands away, only for him to keep putting them back in his hair.

Floyd laughed at all of the chaos as John stood next to him, shaking his head with a smile.

"Okay he's right though, we really need to get back on the road now-" Branch began walking back over to the driver's seat.

"Right, continue on the way Rhonda!" John pointed forward.

Rhonda continued on foward with their journey once again, emitting an excited purr before doing so.

As Branch started driving, Floyd would slowly walk over to his side, about to tap on his shoulder but halted as Branch had already noticed him approach.

"Hey," Branch smiled over at him, looking back at him while the path at the same time, "what's up?"

"Uhmmm, uhh.. you know what, nevermind, it's kinda ridiculous-" Floyd was about to turn around.

"No no, what's going on?"

The dark magenta haired troll sighed and turned back to him slowly.

"I just.. I hope that Boom- IIII MEAN KISMET- ALLLLLL OF KISMET-" Floyd stumbled over his words while rapidly moving his hands around, "is doing alright through all of this-"

"Uhhhh-" Branch would stare at him confusedly before responding to his comment, "I mean, yeah, I'm sure they are.. I made sure to send them a message as well."

--

Meanwhile, the boyband didn't even receive the letter, as it got misplaced in their pile of fan letters.

"So- about that Valentine's Day party Branch sent us an invite to- we goin or nah? It's today and I- kinda just remembered-" Ablaze would start, laid across a couch while holding up an invitation that Poppy most definitely sent.

Right now the boys were all inside of his pod in the living room which was a regular hangout spot for them, and they were all just hanging around doing whatever, whether that was listening to music or just.. laying there.

"Huh, we haven't seen him since our comeback, it has been a bit of a minute, I don't see why not." Hype shrugged, sitting up on another couch he was laid across.

"It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's tri- party?!" Trickee snapped out of his little song when he heard that word, "yeah yeah let's go!"

"Alriiiight cool," Ablaze nodded.

He then turned his head to Boom, who was laid across the floor on a circular carpet with colors like teal or light blue.

"..is he dead-" Trickee asked.

"No Trick he always does that," Hype responded, not even paying attention to what was happening as he did stretches with his arms and legs in the air.

"Yo, Boom," Ablaze finally called out to him.

"Hm?" He said, looking over to his bandmate.

"You down to go to this party later?"

"..huh?" The rainbow haired troll blinked as if he was out of it but then remembered what he said.

"Oh, OHHH yeah sure!" Boom sat up in his spot while smiling, "sounds fun, and it has been a while since I've seen Floyd."

They all stared at him weirdly after that, confused as to why he only mentioned-

"Floyd?"

"...what'd I say wrong- wait- OH- OHHHH shoot I didn't mean to say Floyd- well- I did, but- I meant Branch and his brothers too." Boom shrugged with a side smile.

"..riiiiight.." Trickee eyed him playfully.

"Yeeaaahh sorry, after you mentioned Branch I remembered him and then remembered our nice long talk.. heh." Boom would look to the side as he spoke about this with a small smile.

"You guys talked?" Hype said, getting up from his spot, stretching again, "You like him?"

"Yeah! He's really nice and we have a lot in common, I feel like we're close friends already."

Hype had to blink a few slow times after that.

"..tooootally what I meant-" He walked away to the kitchen to grab a snack.

"Wellll anyway, what time do yall wanna go?" Ablaze leaned back in his seat and cracked his knuckles.

"Hmmm.. ever heard offff fashionably late?" Hype looked over to them with a playful smirk, taking out a pack of chips.

"Ahhhh, a man of culture." Ablaze playfully smirked back at him, raising his fist in the air at him.

"Pffff mann you crazy- fashionably late? That's not even a thing!" Trickee waved him off with chuckling.

Hype slowly turned to look at him.

"...this is why we can never be roommates- just bandmates-"

♡♡♡

Flying over the village was the devious Marshmallow queen herself, smirking down at what she'd started.

"Beautiful.. this is what I like to see. Maybe they're not suffering, but their happiness is, and that's good enough for me."

She flew down some more to get a little closer, having to scoff a little after seeing the clutter of decorations everywhere from trolls fighting so much.

"Gee, it's really a mess down here huh- guess that really means it's working."

Mary would giggle to herself, not feeling an ounce bad of what she had inflicted upon the once happy-go-lucky trolls.

"You know what, Branch won't make it back in time, and even if he does.. well.. there's no way he'll.." She'd turn to the side while crossing her arms, not finishing her sentence as her smirk stayed on her face, just slightly smaller.

"Hm."
She started to fly in another direction until she got knocked into from behind, nearly falling over.

"AH- what th-"

She looked forward to see a troll walking ahead of her that she assumed shoved her, growling annoyed.

"WATCH IT!" She raised her fist in the air and shook it while shouting at them.

Turning around revealed to be the face of Gia Grooves, looking as if she didn't even care about what she just did.

"I don't gotta watch nothin-"

"You just SHOVED INTO ME!"

"..yeah okay well listen here honey bun.. I'm not just gonna stand here and listen to you accuse me of something I clearly did-"

Gia walked away for good this time, sassily flipping her hair as she did so.

"UGHHH! Even while they're assholes they're still annoying and STILL find a way to get the best of me!"

Mary huffed, crossing her arms in a ticked off manner, but eventually blew it off, calming down.

"No matter, it's still a thousand times better than them being their normal selves which is TEN TIMES more annoying.. they don't deserve to be happy.."

Mary would then look around and her eye would be caught on something stuck in the bushes, causing her to fly over to it.

As soon as she reached it, she would soon realize that it was none other than Poppy's crown.

"Well well well.." She said, her smirk returning to her face, "lookie at what we have here."

She reached into the bush and pulled the crown out of it, turning it in different angles.

"Looks like queenie misplaced her little tiara!"

She would stare at it some more before slowly turning her head to look over at the once joy filled place that's called Pop village.

"..you know.. for as long as hate lives around here.. these trolls could probably use a new queen.. hehehehe-"

"Awww come onnnn- if you do that I'm definitely gonna have to move away!"

Mary nearly dropped the crown as she looked around rapidly.

"Who said that?!"

Suddenly, cloud guy appeared out of nowhere.

"Heeyyy, just me." He would stand there in front of her with his signature smirk placed on his face.

"Oh for everything that's trolly- you again?!"

"Yeaaahh I like to hang around here- whiiich is why you can't do this to these trolls and become their unofficial queen and stuff- I have to be able to be here for my friends Poppy and Bra- I mean dumpy diapers!"

"Not- my- problem- now GO AWAY!"

Mary turned away from him but gasped when he reappeared in front of her.

"Pretty pleeaaaseeeee- I mean seriously did somebody hurt you do you wanna talk about it-"

"NO!" Mary sped away from him in the other direction.

Cloud Guy just shrugged and turned to walk away.

"Can't say I didn't try-"

♡♡♡

"Alright guys, we've driven for at least an hour, just another and we'll finally be there!" Branch informed his brothers.

"Alriiiight," Bruce nodded with his arms crossed, smiling.

"Let's get it!" Clay pumped a fist into the air excitedly.

Branch would smile over at them, until he felt Rhonda start to slow down, the smile immediately leaving his face.

"Wait- what- what's going on what's happening- why is-"

Eventually, Rhonda would just completely stop where she was, not moving at all, not even when Branch kept trying to hit the gas to move her again.

"What- Rhonda! What's going on?! Come on girl!" Branch would look around frantically, tapping his hand rapidly onto the wheel.

"Uhhhhhhh, uh oh-" John slowly got up from his spot.

Floyd, Clay and Bruce look up at John as he fumbles nervously with his jacket pockets.

Branch whipped his head towards the back where they all were.

"What does 'uh oh' mean?!" Branch exclaimed at his older brother.

"Okay, okay, uh- I kinda forgot and probably should've said this sooner but-"

"But?!"

"..when Rhonda is either hungry, has to use the bathroom or needs to rest, doesn't matter- for any of them she'll just stop and won't move again until she's ready."

Branch stared at the square headed dude in disbelief, like he was absolutely insane.

"...until, she's ready.."

"Yuh huh."

"...did I HEAR THAT RIGHT?!"

"I mean, I'm pretty sure I said it clearl-"

Bruce smacked him in the back of the head.

"Okay you need to stop doing that-"
John exhaled annoyingly and rubbed the back of his head.

"Nah."

"Okay well what are we still doing in here?!" Branch hopped out of the drivers seat and opened the door, gesturing to outside, "let's go figure out what's going on already!"

"Alright alriiight Bitty B ease up," John chuckled and patted him on the back, walking outside.

Branch would glare at him after he used that nickname, following behind him.

John walked over to Rhonda and gently patted her face, petting her.

"Hey sweet giiiiirl, what's goin on you okay?" He cooed.

Rhonda murmured, and the two could swear they could hear rumbles not long after that come from her.

"..what the HELL was that-"
Bruce said from inside of the van.

"Oop, I guess she's hungry! Don't worry girl I gotcha!"

John ran inside the van and shuffled through many different things and quickly came back out with a bunch of different berries in a bucket large enough her size.

"..you've just had that sitting around?" Branch raised an eyebrow.

"Emergency rations." John would casually respond as Rhonda would happily dig into the bucket of berries.

Branch would slowly nod after that, impressed especially because he also would store emergency rations himself.

Rhonda would soon finish her meal and purred happily, licking John as a way to thank him.

"Ahh nahh no problem girl it's nothi-"

Suddenly, his entire head would be engulfed in her mouth again.

Branch would just stand there, getting annoyed all over again.

"..I'm so sick of this-"
He mumbled and walked over to John and stood in front of Rhonda.

"Rhonda.. kindly spit him out please-"

Rhonda would just stare down at him and blinked with innocent eyes, until she eventually spit John out and flopped back on the ground.

The rest of the brothers would walk out of the van to see what was happening.

"Come on let's go," Branch grabbed John's hand and pulled him up, "she seems happy enough so maybe she's ready to take off again."

"Uhm well-" John dusted the glitter off of his face and shoulders, "it doesn't exactly work like that-"

"What?"

"We have to actually wait, until she let's us know we're ready. And after she eats she's definitely gonna wanna rest so.. my estimate is we maaay be here for around an hour."

"..that's a joke right-"
Bruce said, not laughing.

"Seriously?!"

"Crazy right? I didn't know armadillos were so complicated.. still love her though." John smiled over at her and gave her chin scratches.

"John- do you realize what you just said?! We can't just sit around and wait for a stupid signal! There are trolls' lives at stake we cannot waste anymore time!" Branch stated, walking up to him, then trailed away with a scoff.

"Look man I'm sorry!" John walked up to him and watched as he trudged around, "I definitely should've said something earlier but there's really nothing else I can do! I can't force her to go! That'll just slow us down more!"

"Of course there's nothing you can do- of course YOU CAN'T- YOU KNOW WHAT- AAAAAH!" Branch started facepalming himself repeatedly.

"Branch!" Floyd said worriedly, almost about to go up to him.

"Heeeyy hey hey, come on, stop that-" John immediately grabbed his little brother's hand.

Branch huffed in a pissed off breath.

"You have five seconds-"

"Heyyy come onnn, on the bright side I diiiid say that the wait time was an estimate, we might not be here that long,

The older brother put his hands on his little brother's shoulders gently.

"Let's not freak out-"

Branch did not look the slightest happier or amused at him and would look to the side of him just for a second, his eyes slightly widening.

"..oh yeah..?"

He moved his brother to the side and walked out towards the grassy field they were in that looked like the middle of nowhere.

Suddenly, he would spread out his arms and scream with his head thrown back towards the sky-

"..can we freak out NOW?!?!"

John was leaned against Rhonda, not reacting at all.

"..I'm not seeing the issue here-"

"We are stuck.." Branch lowered his arms and gaze and slowly turned to John, "in the middle of nowhere.. for god knows HOW LONG!"

"Oh come onnnnn it doesn't have to be all bad, we can find stuff to do! Like, we can tell stories or sing songs or-"

"And of course, you're not even taking it seriously. As usual."

John would immediately fall silent after that, staring at his youngest brother with a slightly hurt expression.

Branch, on the other hand, turned away from him and shook his head.

"Why do I even bother."

"..Branch.."

The grayish-blue troll didn't respond as he walked away, not even knowing where he was going, just as long as he was alone.

The rest of the brothers still stood near the entrance, looking at each other worriedly before turning back to JD, who's head was hanging slightly low.

His head would rise up a bit when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, looking to see Bruce giving him a reassuring look.

"It'll be fine."

John didn't responded but just nodded at him, turning his head to look forward, sighing.

---

Branch was standing out in the field not too far away from everyone, but far enough where he was able to be alone and collect his thoughts properly.

A little aways behind were three of his older brothers, looking around for him until they spotted him, standing alone with his hands tugging on his vest.

Clay was about to go up to him until Bruce stopped him, shaking his head.

Branch sighed to himself, looking down as the wind blew through his hair gently.

"I wish we were closer.. I wish this could all just be over.. all I want is to see your smile again.."

Floyd frowned hearing this, putting a hand on his heart.

Clay looked over at him, then back at Branch, then back at Floyd again.

"Wait- did he- did he say something- cause I didn't hear shi-"

"Shhhh!" Bruce elbowed him.

Branch put his hands to his side and turned his gaze up to the sky, the frown on his face more apparent.

..

I can't win, I can't reign..🎶
I will never win this game without you..🎶
Without you..🎶

He stayed where he was, the wind continuing to blow.

I am lost, I am vain..🎶

I will never be the same without you..🎶
Without you..🎶

Slowly, he began to walk forward as the wind would slightly pick up speed.

I won't run, I won't fly!🎶
I will never make it by without youuuu!🎶
Without youuuu!🎶

Uh.. I can't rest, I can't fight!🎶
All I need is you and I, without youuuu!🎶

Branch stopped walking and just began to imagine Poppy was in the sky formed as a cloud, reaching his hand out.

Withoooooouuut.. youuuu..🎶

Oh oh oh!🎶
You, you, you!🎶
Withoooout you, you, you!🎶
Withoooout youuuu..🎶

Branch would pause for a second, just taking in everything around him internally and externally, but was kept on pause when nearby he heard..

Can't erase, so I'll take blame..🎶
Clay walked next to him while looking forward, singing as well.

He'd look over at Clay, seeming surprised.

But I can't accept that.. we're estranged, without you..🎶
Clay finally looked over at him, a small smile on his face.

Without youuuuuu!🎶

Branch smiled back at him and continued singing, walking around him.

I can't quit now, this can't be right!🎶
I can't take one more sleepless night without youuuu!🎶
Without youuuuu!🎶

Clay did the same and walked around him while singing the next part, starting to put a pep in his step.

I won't soar, I won't climb!🎶
If you're not here, I'm paralyzed without youuu!🎶

In the short distance coming closer, Floyd and Bruce would join in as well, singing,

Youuuuu!🎶

Without youuuuuu!🎶
Clay hit a slight high note, smiling as he gestured at Branch to continue.

Branch began to get more upbeat as well, walking forward again as he began moving to the beat and would continue singing, his older brothers harmonizing in the back as he did so.

I can't look, I'm so blind!🎶

I lost my heart, I lost my mind without you!🎶

Together, he and Clay stood together sang:

Withooouuuuttt... youuuuu!🎶

The two pointed at each other with wider smiles on their faces.

They then would begin dancing around each other, their two other brothers walking over to join them.

Oh oh oh!🎶

You!🎶
Clay pointed at Bruce.

You!🎶
Bruce pointed at Floyd.

You!🎶
Floyd pointed at Branch.

Withooouuut you, you, you!🎶

Withoooout youuuu..🎶

Eventually all the excitement would die down, and Branch would walk forward once more, his brothers watching from behind as he took this last verse on his own.

..I am lost, I am vain..🎶
I will never be the same without youuu..🎶
Without youuu..🎶

..

Without youuuu..🎶

Branch sang a soft note to end, looking up once more, except the sadness that was there before wasn't as heavy.. as if everything he was feeling at that moment was lifted off his chest and shoulder.

Clay walked over to his side and rested a hand on his shoulder gently.

"You okay?"

Branch didn't respond nor look at him for a bit but just closed his eyes before sighing, opening them back up and turning to look at him, a small smile on his face.

"Yeah."

Clay smiled back at him, and opened his arms for a hug.

Gratefully, Branch walked over to him and accepted the hug, feeling his older brother lovingly squeeze him and pat his back.

The stress of not getting back to everyone sooner or having setbacks kept getting to him, but everytime time it did, his four older brothers would remind him that they were there and that they loved and cared for him, and that would the stress into a motivator.

Sighing, Branch let his weight go to rest against Clay and laid against his shoulder. He desperately needed this hug and didn't realize it until now.

Actually, it was the second time he needed a hug like this and didn't realize it until now.

After a minute or two, they would pull away from the hug and give each other another warm smile.

Clay kept his hands on Branch's shoulders and began talking to him.

"I know how you feel, I have someone I miss too.. but we're gonna get through this, we're nearly there just like you said."

Branch nodded slowly, taking a short deep breath.

"Thanks."

Bruce and Floyd would walk over to them after their moment and gave them smiles of their own, gaining some in return as the other two would turn to them.

Branch would stop smiling though when he heard footsteps running towards and turned to his left, watching as his older brother was approaching them.

"John!" He said, walking up to him to close the distance quicker.

"Hey!" He panted, trying to catch his breath, "Gotta tell you somethin!"

"Look, if.. it's about earlier, I- I didn't mean what I sai-"

"We can start leaving! I was able to get Rhonda up and ready to go!"

"Wait, what?"

The rest of the brothers looked at each other with surprise then back at the two with small smiles

"Yeah yeah yeah come on come on come on let's go!" He urged him and the others to follow and started turning.

"Alriiiight road trip back AWN!" Clay pumped his fist in the air again and began to jog, Bruce and Floyd following behind.

Branch was the only one not cheering or smiling, standing there as he eventually followed behind.

The brothers were all going back inside of Rhonda and John stood outside waiting for all of them to go in before he made his entrance.

Branch would get there after a few seconds and stand behind, not moving towards the entrance.

John would notice after three of his younger brothers went inside only one of them hadn't yet, and he turned to see Branch with a contrite look on his face.

"You uhhh.. gettin in or-"

"John, you.." Branch walked up to his brother slowly, "you didn't have to do that.."

"Whatcha mean?" He genuinely asked in response.

"I mean.. I know Rhonda needs her rest and- I was being kinda harsh earlier, you really didn't have t-"

"Oh whaaat? Come onnn come on enough of that Bitty- uh, sorry, Branch," John waved a hand at him calmly and collectively,

"Rhonda's more than happy to get moving again! And I actually didn't even convince her in the way you think."

"Huh?" Branch questioned.

"See, after you left and the bros went to check on you I stayed behind to keep an eye on her but then kinda started gettin mopey and ended up venting all over the place about how I suck and-"

"John.."
Branch frowned with remorse, taking steps towards him.

"BUT UH besides the point- I'm assuming she really listened into what I was saying and heard how important it was that we leave because she started nudging me and licking me, and I guessed that was her way of trying to tell me that she was ready to go so I asked and she gave me another big lick which usually means yes! So now we're officially back and READY TO ROLL! Cool beans right?" John put his hands on his hips holding his signature smile.

Branch didn't say anything but just ran over to his big brother and squeezed him in a warm, loving hug.

John stood there in shock for a good long minute, as it took him some time to fully comprehend that his baby brother was wrapping him in one of the biggest hugs he's ever truly gotten.

A part of him didn't really know how to respond as he isn't really used to hugs or getting hugs from his younger brothers so much..

..but the other part took over and protectively wrapped his youngest brother into his arms, burying his face into his shoulder as he nearly lost control of all the emotions he was fighting back internally.

From the inside the rest of the brothers would watch the two embrace one another, relieved smiles planted on each of their faces.

"..you may not always get things right, but.. you don't suck John.. at all.. I appreciate you so much and I want you to know that.. I need you to know that.."

John sniffled and moved his face away from Branch's shoulder but still kept him close to him.

"Gee, I.. well.. it really warms my heart knowing that you feel that way. Just means that I'm doing something right, and.. I wanna keep doing things right- after everything ya know.. I.. I really do care a lot.. I'm uh- aware I'm not always the best at showing it." He chuckled softly.

Branch smiled warmly at him and wiped away the tears on his face.

"You don't have to always get it right, you're not always gonna get it right. I know you care."

All John could do was just smile at his brother, his heart continuing to fill with what he felt was all the happiness in the world.

Suddenly, two arms would wrap around them both, causing them to look at each other in surprise slash confusion until-

"John you idiot, we adore the hell outta you you moron!" Bruce said, hugging the both of them tighter.

"Very- passive aggressive, but- I love you too-"

"Sorry, little force of habit-"

Floyd would also join the hug from another side.

"No matter if things were rough.. we never stopped caring."

Clay just joined into the hug with-

"AWWW I LOVE YOU GUYS! I HAVE BROTHERSSS!"

This would get a laugh out of everyone as they'd group hug for a few seconds longer.

"Alright alright, I hate to cut this beautiful moment short, but, we should really get going now,"

The brothers all agreed while nodding, pulling away from their hug.

Branch smiled back at him then at the rest of them.

"Well let's go then."

One by one they all got back into Rhonda, and Branch would make his way back to the drivers seat and strapped himself back in.

He tapped into the microphone before speaking into it.

"We all good back there?"

"All good in the hood bro!" Clay called back to him, getting relaxed.

Branch nodded and put the microphone away, adjusting himself more readily.

"You ready too Rhonda?"

Rhonda purred at him in response and he happily took that as a yes.

"Alright.. here we bro again."

The troll stepped on the gas once more, and their journey would finally continue for the millionth time.

♡♡♡

The rest of the drive lasted with no trouble and was less longer than before, seemingly finally being closer to their destination according to Branch's memory.

SO I PUT MY HANDS UP!🎶

THEY'RE PLAYIN MY SONG!🎶

THE BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY!🎶

NODDING MY HEAD LIKE- 🎶
Clay pointed at his two older brothers to continue.

YEAH!🎶
Bruce and John sang.

MOVIN MY HIPS LIKE- 🎶

YEAH!🎶

SO I PUT MY HANDS UP THEY'RE PLAYIN MY SONG!🎶

THEY KNOW I'M GONNA BE OKAY!🎶

Floyd smiled over at his chaotic brothers, bopping his head to the beat to their singing.

"Guys, guys, okay GUYS- I really hate to be that person but seriously, enough with the songs-" Branch called back to his brothers "we're nearly there and we need to get serious-"

"Oh sorry Branch," Bruce said with a smile, "we're just really excited cause of how we're finally almost there."

"In fact.." John looked over his brother's shoulder, "I think I can see it right now!"

Up ahead the view of Bergen Town started to come into frame.

The rest of the brothers walked forward to get a better look at the view, looking genuinely surprised at how much more colorful and full of life it was now.

"Wow.. it really has changed.." Floyd murmured.

"Yeah.." Branch nodded, continuing to drive forward, "it's amazing isn't it? They've changed, a lot."

"..have they-"
John said quietly not thinking that anyone would be able to hear them.

"Yes, just because you're growing grey hairs doesn't mean they're still the same people-"

"OKAAAAY I got it-"

Branch would drive down a certain path to get to the troll tree quicker, urging Rhonda to pick the speed up just a bit as they got closer.

They would finally reach the tree and it was definitely much more brighter and lively than it was many years ago.

Rhonda was stopped next to the tree and all of the brothers collectively walked out of the armadillo and stood in front of the tree and all it's glory.

"Here it is.." Branch said, staring up at it.

"Aaaall the trauma.."
Clay said, staring up as well.

"Grow up-"
Bruce berated him quietly.

"Alright, let's go."

Branch stretched his hair into the tree and pulled himself up in it, his older brothers following behind him and doing the same.

For the next ten to fifteen minutes the brothers would search in every angle and go in every direction to look for this sparkly blue flower, so far to no avail.

There were flowers here and there in certain areas, but none that matched the one they were supposed to fine.

"..have I been looking in the same place or is this tree just REALLY big?" John was walking on a limb while searching left and right.

"It has to be here! Mary said it was!" Branch hopped from limb to limb whilst looking around.

"Are you sure she wasn't lying- I think we've pretty much everywhere.." Bruce called out to him from another side of the tree.

"It was really specific for a flower though, I don't see why it would be a lie.." Floyd said, stretching his hair down to land himself on a limb.

"Well then where the heck is it?!" Clay said, plopping down on one of the branches he was standing on.

"I.." Branch said, "I don't understand, she said it was here.. did she really-"

"Branch??"

Branch turned when he heard a familiar voice nearby and saw Bridget and Gristle approaching, somehow have noticed him and his brothers roaming around in the tree as they were passing by.

"Bridget? Gristle??"

Branch lowered himself out or the tree, his brothers following behind him as they noticed what was going on.

"Hey!" She kneeled down to them, "What're you guys doing here? Don't worry, we got Poppy's cute little invitation for her Valentine's Day party today if that's what you were wondering, we were just on our way over actually!"

"No no, you guys, you can't go to troll village right now it's madness!" Branch warned them quickly.

"What?" Gristle raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Yeah," Clay stepped up, "some weird.. marshmallow.. potato.. fairy.. thing- put a nasty curse on everyone and now we have to find this flower to make a wish to bring everyone back!"

"Oh wow.." Bridget looked over at her husband in surprise who looked back over at her with the same exact expression, then back at the trolls.

"Why didn't you tell us?" She would then ask.

"I was going to, but- I figured since we were on our way here already I would tell you both then."

Bridget nodded, understanding, then paused for a second before asking,

"Is there.. anything we can do to help?"

"Well.. she said the flower would be here at the troll tree, so.. do you possibly know anything about a.. riverglow flower?"

"A.. riverglow?" Bridget asked, sitting up a bit.

"I.. I'm not sure.. Grissy do you-"

"Yeah, don't know what the hell that is, never heard of it in my entire life." Gristle shook his head.

Bridget would look back over at them with a frown.

"Sorry guys."

Branch sighed, running a hand through his hair as he began to stress again.

"If we don't find this flower in time or at all we're not gonna get any closer to saving everyone! Ugh what are we supposed to do we've already looked every-"

"Hey," John walked over to him, "why don't we try looking one more time? I mean for all we know it might just be.. hidden somewhere or particularly hard to find orrr we just haven't looked in every part."

Branch looked over at his older brother and sighed, nodding slowly.

"Okay.."

John patted his back and stretched his hair back into the tree, the rest of the brothers following behind him.

"You guys need any help?" Bridget asked.

Branch turned to look at Bridget, thinking for a second before answering.

"I think we can handle it."

Bridget smiled down at him.

"I hope you're able to save everyone. Actually, scratch that, I know you'll save everyone."

Branch nodded, "I'm planning on it."

"Well.. we can always stay here with you guys until you find it."

Branch would smile at that, appreciating the offer, then shortly join his brothers back in the tree.

"Shouldn't we help?" Gristle looked over at her as she was getting back up on her feet.

"He said they can handle it Grissy! And I have no doubt they can. Those trolls are some of the most brightest and determined creatures I know."

--

"Okay come on guys, look in EVERY crevice!"

The brothers would have at one more attempt to search for the missing flower again, taking more time to really look through.

"Flower here, flower there.. where is our flower.." Clay looked around while taking small steps.

"Come on guys, you know what the new kids on the block said," Bruce was looking through leaves, "we gotta take it-"

Step by step~🎶
Clay sung and finished, hanging down from a branch while swinging.

Gonna get to you-

GIIIIIIIRL!🎶
Both would sing together and point with wide smiles.

"GUYS!" Branch yelled out to his brothers after popping his head out of leaves, "come on this is serious!"

"Right, right, my bad-"

He would sigh before going to look at other places that looked covered with leaves.

"Have any of you found anything yet?"

"Not yet so far.." Floyd said, sighing as he looked from flower to flower.

"Yeah all I found is this blue flower that looks like it hasn't fully bloomed yet," John was holding open a bush he came across,

Suddenly, the brothers would slowly turn to look at their oldest brother from every direction.

"..wut."

Branch took slow steps towards where his brother was.

"What did you say?"

"..uhh.. I said I found a blue flower and-"

Immediately Branch swung over to where he was and nearly fell overtop of him.

"GIVE IT TO ME-"

"OKAY-" John moved out of the way of the bush still holding it open with one hand, "IT'S RIGHT THERE-"

Branch would slowly walk over to the bush and indeed saw the pretty blue flower, that was very much hidden.

The legend was true!

"Wow.. it is real.."

Gently he would reach down to pick the flower up out of the bush and held it in his hands.

Floyd swung over to where Branch and John were and stood next to them.

"So what now?"

Branch turned to Floyd while holding the flower, looking at it for a bit before looking up at him with a smile.

"We go back, and we make that wish and save everyone."

"LESSGOOOOOO- WAH-"

Clay would cheer before falling out of the tree.

The brothers would all just watch him fall, hearing leaves and branches make noise before it was complete silence.

"..Clay.. are you dead-"

---

After finally retrieving the flower the boys would all be back in the armadillo van, ready to go back to their home and fix the mess that was spread there, but not before John would feed Rhonda some so she'd have more energy on the road and they wouldn't have a chance of having another random abrupt pause.

Oh, and Clay survived the fall.

"Bye bye! Good luck with everything!" Bridget said, waving with Gristle to them from above.

"Thanks guys!" Branch waved back to them.

He placed the flower into an empty cup he had in his bag and placed it near the window, and soon he would waste no time to hit the gas and they would be off, finally heading back home.

"WOOOO! YEAH we GOT IT! Valentine's Day is SAVED!" John fist pumped in the air with his wide smile,

Hmm, you know what, this calls for a celebration!"

"Celebration?" Branch questioned up front, "We haven't even gotten to the real deal ye-"

"Why don't we start figuring out what the song we'll sing will be for when we perform?"

The rest of the brothers would all excitedly clamor in unity as they all agreed.

"Whaaat about.. CALIFORNIA LOVE!" Clay jumped up, "You know the one where it goes like CALIFORNIA KNOWS HOW TO PARTYYY IN THE CITAAAAY-"

"Hmmm, good choice but nah, too California-y," John waved his hand, still thinking,

"Dang-"

"Orrrr how about," Floyd stood up as well and cleared his throat,

Wiiiisee men saaayy.. only fooools rushhh innn.. but IIII caaaan't help.. falling in love.. withhh youuu.. 🎶

"Beautiful, but too you, sad and sentimental- needs to be somethin upbeat-"

"I tried-" Floyd sat back down but then looked up,

"Wait what do you mean too 'me'-"

"Alright alright-" Bruce stood up, smoothing out his vest and adjusting his necklace.

"How we feelin about this one-"

After getting in a pose he began to sang,

You and I~🎶
Together for always~🎶
Baby I~🎶
Breathe every single breath foooor youuu babyyy!🎶

Clay and Floyd would clap and cheer him on, their older brother bowing in response.

"Thaaank you thaaaank you," The heartthrob winked, "I sang that to Brand on our wedding day."

"...definitely you as well, but too couply- some people are still single pringles-"

Bruce glared over to him and responded, "you're a single pringle-"

"And I'm proud of it." John put his hands on his hips, holding a toothy smile.

"Well we gotta pick something John," Floyd input.

"Yeah! Plus, you're the only one who hasn't suggested anything!" Clay complained.

"Becaaaauseee.. I'm still thinking!" The square head would excuse himself.

"It didn't take long for us to think of a song-" Bruce mumbled, looking to the side slowly.

John would hear what he said clearly and just ignored it, staying in his "thinking" state as he tapped his chin.

"Just give me a second! Hmmmm hm hm hmmmmm.. OH! GOT IT!"

John slid to the middle of the room and posed before singing,

AY MY GIRL MY GIRL SHE LOVES ME!🎶

I KNOW I'M ON HER MIND EVEN WHEN WE DON'T SPEA-🎶

"NO!" Clay and Bruce both shouted.

"Whyyyyy?" John pouted.

"Didn't you JUST say nothing too "couply?" Bruce reinstated what he said before.

"Well- this is excused because it's something we would've sang in our band days!"

"Oh for the love of-"

Branch would listen to the four either discuss or nitpick about a song to pick and just ignored it at first, but then gave up and-

SKRRRRRRT-

"WOAH-"

The brothers all said in unison, nearly falling over and turning to look at the drivers seat where their youngest brother resided, seeing him unmoving.

Even Rhonda herself would exclaim as she wasn't expecting that sudden action.

"Branch, wha-"

"John, take the wheel." He said, still not moving.

They all looked at each other, thinking that he may have been upset.

"Why? You okay?"

"Just come take the wheel."

John would look back at his brothers one more time as they all shrugged, and nervously walked up front to the driver's seat.

Branch wouldn't say anything and just unbuckled himself and got out of the seat, walking towards the back as John took his place quietly.

The rest of the brothers just watched as Branch walked toward them without a word, their looks a mix of anxiousness and concern.

Suddenly, he would turn around away from them and posed, stomping his foot to a beat.

Soon they would catch onto what was going on and now looked at each other with wide smiles.

Looking up with a smirk, Branch started to sing.

There can be one only you, woah-oh!🎶

Wooooaaahh~🎶
Floyd, Bruce and Clay would harmonize behind him.

And, baby, God could never make two, woah, na-na-na-na!🎶
Branch held up a peace sign and then did a spin around, nodding.

Wooooaaahh~🎶

And I know you came here with your crew, woah-oh!🎶
He started to walk forward, stepping to the beat.

Wooooaaahh~🎶

But I promise you that it feels like it's just us two, uh-huh!🎶

Wooooaaahh~🎶

Oh, I don't know what you had planned to do tonight!🎶

Wooooaaahh~🎶

But I just wanna be the one to do you right, right!🎶

Wooooaaahh~🎶

And we're standin' here lookin' at each other, baby, eye to eye!🎶

Wooooaaahh~🎶

And I'm hopin' that you're thinkin' 'bout leavin' with me tonight!🎶

Wooooaaahh~🎶

Together the four brothers would all sing:

Who said you can't find love in the club?🎶
'Cause I wanna tell them they wrong!🎶
Come on, just, baby, try a new thing!🎶
And let's spark a new flame!🎶

You gon' be my baby! (yes)🎶
Love me, love you crazy! (yes)🎶
Tell me if you with it! (yes)🎶
Baby, come and get it!🎶
Maybe try a new thing (Usher, baby)
And let's spark a new flame!🎶

Clay walked up to Branch and nudged his shoulder, about to take the stage.

Aye B, let me holla at her

Yeah, man, listen

..

I can't believe you came here all alone,
baby girl, where's your lover?🎶
Clay started to freestyle in the middle, hearing his brothers still harmonizing in the back.

Ohhhh! It don't really matter,
'Cause I got plans to get to know you better, yeahhh!🎶

Baby, baby, baby, baby!🎶
Let's make what we got here last foreverrr!🎶

Girl, 'cause I don't wanna let you go..
neveeeerrrrr!🎶
Pointing up to the ceiling he would hit yet another high note.

I don't know what you had planned to do tonight!🎶

Wooooaaahh~🎶

Girl, I just wanna be the one to do you right (right)!🎶

Woooaah~🎶

And we're standin' here lookin' at each other, baby, eye to eye!

Wooooaaahh~🎶

Baby, I hope that you're thinkin' 'bout leavin' with me tonight!🎶
Clay moonwalked backwards towards all of his brothers as they all started to sing again.

Who said you can't find love in the club? (Love, oh)🎶
'Cause I wanna tell them they wrong (oh, whoa-oh, tell them that they wrong)🎶
Come on, just, baby, try a new thing (try a new thing, hey)🎶
And let's spark a new flame (oh yeah, yeahhhh)🎶

You gon' be my baby!🎶 (oh)
Love me, love you crazy! (crazy)
Tell me if you with it! (with it)
Baby, come and get it!🎶
Girl, just try a new thing!🎶 (gonna spark it up) (baby, try a new thing)
And let's spark a new flame!🎶

After finishing the song the boys would all clap, cheering.

"WOOO YEAH!"

"AMAZING! But heyyyy but that's still couplyyyy," John said upfront.

"Oh I didn't say I wanted to choose it, I just thought it'd be fun and cool everyone down." Branch shrugged.

"Valid,"
The oldest would nod in response.

"Yeah, that was pretty fun." Bruce walked up to Branch and patted him on the back with a smile, earning a smile from his younger brother.

"How come you didn't think of a song Branch?" Clay asked, "well, besides the one we just did, but, you know-"

"I'm not worried about it right now. I'm just ready to get home and have this settled once and for all. I'd feel better about deciding by then."

"Well I hope that song did you wonders because it got me pumped UP!" Bruce pumped his fist in the air, earning a chuckle from Branch.

"Yeah, it did. Singing with you guys is always a time. And I.. I actually had a really good time on this trip with you all."

"You know what," Floyd walked next to him, "me too. Definitely a lot to unpack in just a few hours but, I still had a great time, it was a blast."

"Yeah, same." Clay nodded, agreeing with a smile, "we should do this again sometime! Just- minus the having to save everyone part-"

"Aw HECK YEAH!" John shouted from upfront excitedly.

"Ehh I dunno I would probably hold back on that-" Bruce joked while looking to the side.

"Oh you know you enjoyed yourself too come onnnnn!" Clay shook him playfully.

"Get your hands off me fool!" Bruce reached up to his hair and ruffled it again.

"Heyyyyy!" The middle brother moved his hands away, "put some respect on my MANE fool!"

The two younger brothers would laugh as they watched this, getting comfortable to enjoy the rest of the drive home.

♡♡♡

One to two hours later, the view of troll village would start to come back into frame, exciting everyone in the vehicle.

Though it was now basically dark out, they could still tell that they were back home.

"Yessirrrrrr we are BACK!" John patted the wheel as he continued driving forward.

"Still chaotic as all hell though.." Bruce mumbled, looking around outside as the village was still a mess.

Things were slightly calmer than before but still tense between everyone, whether there were smaller fights or they would continue walking past one another with either grumbles or snaps. Either that, or some trolls were back in their pods for the night.

"Okay, park Rhonda close but still somewhere where they won't be able to mess with her," Branch walked up to the front and directed John.

"Already workin on it!"

John found a nearby tree and parked Rhonda behind it, and the rest of the brothers would all climb out of the vehicle as soon as he did.

Branch grabbed the flower that was still sitting in the front and followed along to outside with his brothers.

John would unbuckle himself and step outside last, going up to Rhonda and pressing his head against hers.

"You always make me proud, every single day." He mumbled, giving her gentle pets.

Rhonda purred gently but happily and licked his face, earning a soft chuckle from him.

"Stay hidden, okay? I love you."

He gave her one last hug before running over to join his brothers who were now standing in the middle of the village, seeing that they were all just staring at the spread out crowd.

"Alright.. uhh, how am I gonna do this-" Branch looked down at the flower.

"What do you mean B, just make the wish!" Clay said.

"No I know but.." He looked back up at the village again, "shouldn't I try and grab everyone's attention?"

"I mean.. I don't.. really think it's necessary?" John responded, "Lil miss what's her face was able to curse the village without having to do that, so-"

"But- isn't that different though?"

"Branch, realistically, I don't think that even if you tried you'd be able to grab their attention, and some people are already in their pods so I say just go for it-"

"Yeah! Take it away baby bro!" Floyd rubbed his shoulder with a smile.

Branch exhaled, closing his eyes for a second while nodding.

"Okay, okay, you're right.. let's do this."

Holding the flower in front of him, he closed his eyes again and began to make the wish, the brothers taking a few steps away as he did.

"I wish.. I wish that this curse would reverse, and that the place that I value most, would be brought back to it's original post.."

Silence.

"..did- did it work?" One of the brothers would ask.

After not hearing anything for a good minute, Branch would open up one of his eyes only to see Prince D staring at him weirdly.

"Prince D?"

The Funk Troll just blinked twice before saying,

"Bro.. do you realize how stupid you looked talking to a flower jus now.. tsk, damn I can't stand these pop trolls man-" He would shake his head while walking away.

"What the.."

The brothers would just watch him walk away, confused out of their minds.

"..isn't that raci-"

"Wait- hold on-" Branch made a realization, "Darnell would never say that!"

"Hm, maybe his valentine was a pop troll but he got rejected?" John theorized, "Huh must suck to be him-"

"Maybe he's on his man period." Clay shrugged.

Floyd slowly turned to look at him.

"..we don't get those.."

"Wait, we don't?? My life has been a lie..."

Bruce facepalmed one times a million in disbelief that he had relations with this troll.

"Guys!" Branch said.

The brothers all looked at Branch after, noticing that he was looking around and looked distressed.

"It.." He started to mumble, "it didn't work?"

"Maybe.. it just takes time for it to work?"

"But that doesn't make sense, it should just work straight away! And wouldn't have I been told that too?"

"Um, uhh.." Floyd tried to reassure him quickly, "maybe there's a certain way you have to do it?"

"There is! I-I don't understand I did it exactly as she-"

Just then, their conversation would stop as they heard cackling from above, turning their attention towards the sky where the a familiar floating demon resided.

Branch squinted up at her, looking skeptical, and then saw it.

In her hand.

"Is she.. holding Poppy's-"

"YOU- YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVED- THAT A FLOWER- A STUPID FLOWER- WOULD GRANT YOU A WISH?" Mary would laugh so hard she could barely float in the air properly, "AND YOU DID THE RHYME TOO?? HUH-LARIOUS!!"

"What?"

"Wowww, that definitely looks like the flower too, I didn't think you'd even be able to FIND it! I was told that fairytale as a child and just decided to use that and assumed you'd come across a random flower but I guess the legend is true if that really is it! You definitely don't make a wish to make it bloom though, now THAT was the funny part- no no, actually, the rhyme is, DEFINITELY the rhyme!!"

"You.. lied to me?" Branch started taking steps towards her.

"You LIED?!!!"

"Well of course I did! I had to get you to waste more time so you'd have less time to figure out how to really break the curse! Watching you make a silly wish to a FLOWER was totally worth the price of admission!" Mary wiped away a tear from laughing so hard.

"And I mean why would I, the VILLAIN out of ALL people tell you how to break the curse?! Wow, I think all that singing and dancing has started to make your brains rot-"

Branch looked down at the ground, devastated and nearly dropping the flower from his hands.

He couldn't believe they went through all of that just to come back to be laughed and mocked at for believing the cure wasn't really a cure, and so much time has already passed!

"Man.." Clay shook his head slowly, looking up at her in disbelief, "what's wrong with you?"

"HAHAHAHA- you," Mary stopped laughing and stared at them with a deadpanned look,

"you all are what's wrong with me."

Bruce would step up as well, raising his voice.

"Don't YOU have family? Anyone that loves you and cares about YOU? Someone YOU care about?"

Mary would pause for a second, thinking about her cousin Celie or possibly anyone else, before she finally answered,

"..I have no one, and I'd like to keep it that way, I've always worked better on my own and this is the proof."

John Dory shook his head, gawking up at her.

"Sick man."

"Toodaloo! Enjoy your non trolly world!" She sung before flying away.

"..she lied to me.."

The brothers would all turn to look at Branch, still looking down as he fell to his knees.

"Branch,"
John started.

Branch didn't answer and just stayed there, which was starting to worry John.

"Branch we can still-"

"..no, we can't."

The brothers all became wide eyed hearing him say this, a gasp or two emerging quietly.

He was.. giving up?

"Of course we can!" Floyd walked to him, "We can't give up!"

"Guys, we spent so much time on this only to be tricked in the end, we don't have anymore time to figure out anything else, the day is gonna be over soon."

"Branch come on man," Clay said shaking his head again.

"There's no way we'd be able to figure out how to break the curse with this little amount of time!"

"I'm sure we can think of something! Come on Branch you can't be serious!"

"Face it, there's nothing we can do but give up. It's over, we lost."

Branch got back up on his feet slowly, still holding the flower.

"Mary won."

He wouldn't look at his brothers and just slowly walked away past them.

Worried for their brother and their people, they would all turn to look at each other, unsure of what to do, then looked at their village which was most definetly not their village anymore.

--

I found myself dreaming in silver and gold🎶
Like a scene from a movie that every broken heart knooows🎶

Branch walked past destroyed decorations and watched as trolls would roll their eyes at each other or shove past one another.

He would slowly begin to stop though as he noticed a familiar pink troll walking away in another direction.

We were walking on moonlight and you pulled me close🎶
Split second and you disappeared and then I was all alooone🎶

He started to reminisce all of the memories that they had together, the flower in his hands beginning to tremble.

I woke up in tears, with you by my side,🎶
A breath of relief, and I realized,🎶
No, we're not promised tomorrow🎶

The memory faded away as it turned into Poppy walking away from him, and then the reality of her actually walking away.

Sighing, he held his head low again and continued to walk.

--

So I'm gonna looove you, like I'm gonna lose you🎶
I'm gonna hold you, like I'm saying goodbyeee🎶

Things with the brothers weren't going so great either.

After a while they would all choose to seperate and be on their own.

And as they were on their own, so much time would seem to pass and things just seemed like they continued to get more dull.

Clay was walking on his own, just walking around for the most part unsure of what to do.

At one point he would look up as he walked he noticed a pink troll with blonde hair sitting in a tree by herself, isolated from everyone.

He sighed quietly and took his card from out of his hair, as it still was the last true reminder he had of her.

Wherever we're standing, I won't take you for granted🎶
'Cause we'll never know when
When we'll run out of timeee..🎶

So I'm gonna love you, like I'm gonna lose you🎶
I'm gonna love you, like I'm gonna looose yooouuu🎶

John was leaned against Rhonda who was still behind the tree, sighing as he was holding a picture of him and his brothers as kids.

In the blink of an eye, just a whisper of smoke🎶
You could lose everything, the truth is you never know🎶

"It's happening again, isn't it.." He mumbled to himself, putting the picture down next to him.

Rhonda would purr against him and nuzzle him gently, trying to reassure him.

So I'll kiss you longer baby, any chance that I get🎶
I'll make the most of the minutes🎶
And love with no regrets🎶

Bruce was going his own way as well, missing not just his family back at his home, but his brothers who'd he'd seperate from as well.

Let's take our time,🎶
To say what we want🎶
Use what we got,🎶
before it's all goneee..🎶

He would stop though when he swore he could see something up ahead from where they were going, even beginning to possibly recognize whatever or whomever this was.

And he did.. it was none other than his tall soulmate, looking around while being careful.

"No way.." He mumbled, starting to run up to her.

'Cause no, we're not promised tomorrow🎶

Brandy would see one of the trolls running toward her from a distance and recognized it to be her husband, smiling wide as she moved toward him as well.

So I'm gonna love you,🎶
like I'm gonna lose you🎶
I'm gonna hold you,🎶
like I'm saying goodbyeee🎶

When they finally closed the gap they hugged each other gently, murmuring to one another.

"Oh my sweet palm tree what in the world are you doing here? I mean I am glad to see you but I told you to stay home!" Bruce lightly caressed her face.

"I know, I know, but.. I just couldn't stop worrying after you sent that letter! And I didn't wanna bring the kids just in case so I asked one of my closest girlfriends to watch over them for a bit of a while last minute."

"I see.. I'm sorry for worrying you hon, so much has happened and has been happening." He said, shaking his head.

"Yeah, I can tell.." She looked around the village again seeing the mess, "well.. how is everything going now? Are you and your brothers okay?"

"No, not really.. they're all really upset and so am I honestly, we kinda just went our seperate ways after our adventure didn't end up saving everyone."

"Again?" Brandy would say after he said they went their seperate ways.

"Well, no, not like that, I mean- tsk I dunno.." Bruce would turn away, not knowing how to explain, "it's super complicated."

"I understand.. well hey, listen, no matter how bad things may seem right now, later there is bound to be some kind of miracle that'll shine all over you and everyone else."

Bruce smiled a little but then sighed again.

"How.. can you be sure?"

His tall wife then leaned down to gently put a kiss on his forehead, pulling him close to her.

"I just am."

Wherever we're standing🎶
I won't take you for granted🎶
'Cause we'll never know when,🎶
When we'll run out of time🎶

So I'm gonna love you,🎶
Like I'm gonna lose you🎶
I'm gonna love you,🎶
Like I'm gonna lose you🎶

Floyd was walking on his own in a separate direction, thinking about everything that's happened and his brothers and how they may be doing.

Those thoughts would be cut off quickly when he heard something from above, turning to see a ship that looked like the vibe city ship flying above.

Confused for a second he would recognize it as such and completely turn around as he watched the ship land in a nearby open space, the Funk King and Queen immediately leaving out of it and looking around desperately.

They'd keep looking around until they spotted Floyd, staring over at them, and they took this opportunity to go up to him.

Immediately the troll started getting nervous, looking around.

"You're.. one of Branch's brothers?" Queen Essence would ask him.

"Uhm, yes," Floyd answered, "Floyd, your majesty."

"Ah yes, and just.. call me Essence."

Floyd would nod silently after this and just looked to the side for a bit, not knowing what else to say.

After the small pause, Quincy would now be the one to speak.

"Floyd, would you.. happen to know where Branch is at all? We got the letter he sent, but we're really worried about our sons, and, things aren't lookin so hot here as we hoped they would."

"I'm really sorry about that, and.. I'm gonna assume that he's in his bunker right now, but, he's really upset about the turn of events that took place earlier. We all are."

"Turn of.. events?" Essence asked.

"Yeah, the flower we were meant to grab to make a wish, doesn't actually make a wish.. Mary, the one who put the curse on everyone lied and- now we're stuck here."

The King and Queen looked at each other before looking back at Floyd, looking at him with incredulity.

"Well.. there's no way you're just giving up, right?" Quincy said, staring down at him.

"I.. well.. I definitely don't want to but.. what else can we do? That was the only thing close we had to fixing all of this."

"Well you don't stop there, you keep goin!"

Floyd looked up at the King, listening to what he was saying.

"You don't just stop and let go of everything you've been working hard for just because one thing fell through, you keep on goin and you keep on trying, until you finally get to where you wanna be! Where do you wanna be right now Floyd?"

"Uhm, with.. with my brothers, and my friends and village?"

"Exactly, and by giving up you're letting go of all of that, and we both know you don't want that. Don't let one downfall be the reason that you lose everything, including your brothers. You have to be the change, you hear me son?"

Floyd took his gaze away from the King, thinking deeply about what he was telling him, especially the last line.

..no not 'you hear me son?' fool, the other last line-

You have to be the change.

"Yeah.. yeah you're right, you're so right King Quincy." Floyd looked up at the King once more.

"Of course I am, now quickly, run off and go tell your brothers before anymore time gets wasted!" Quincy nodded his head in another direction urging him to go,

"And just- call me Quincy by the way."

Floyd nodded and went to go track down every single one of his brothers.

Essence would slowly smile watching him run, then would turn her attention to her husband.

"Oh, you've always had such a way with words my love," Essence nuzzled against her husband, feeling him nuzzle back.

"Guess you can call it my specialty," he chuckled, sighing afterward, "I do hope they all heed my words though, I'd hate to see this village go down all because some little marshmallow has some petty drama against them."

"You ain't lyin," Essence agreed, sighing as well, "I'm truly worried for our sons too.. I hate that they had to fall victim to this."

"Yeah, me too."

---

I'm gonna love you,🎶
Like I'm gonna lose you🎶
I'm gonna hold you,🎶
like I'm saying goodbyeee!🎶

After running some distance he would find Clay, sitting under the same tree that Viva was sitting on, his face buried in his knees.

He ran over to his brother and shook him gently, and when he rose his head from his knees the older brother would gratefully wrap his arms around him, regretting ever have left as he was just as lost as Floyd was earlier.

Wherever we're standing,🎶
I won't take you for granted!🎶

After they reunited they ran off together to find the next brother, that eventually being Bruce as it would take not a lot of time at all to notice Brandy nearby sitting and talking with him, putting their questions of when she got here to the side as they ran over to their older brother.

Bruce would look over to see his little brothers calling him and going towards him as he smiled wide, getting up and running over to them and embracing them in a warm hug.

After talking with one another for a bit Bruce would give Brandy a kiss on the cheek and told her he'd be back soon as the three brothers would take off once more.

'Cause we'll never know when,🎶
When we'll run out of tiiiime!🎶

Finally, they'd find their eldest brother, who was asleep against his pet armadillo peacefully, and they'd calmly approach him to wake him up.

As soon as he did he would rub his eyes a few times to make sure he was seeing what he was sure he was seeing, and as soon as the blurriness left he would begin to tear up and got up to embrace every single one of them.

And for the first time in a long time, they all happily accepted and fully hugged him back, Bruce wrapping his hair around all of them.

So I'm gonna love you,🎶
like I'm gonna lose you🎶
I'm gonna love you,🎶

They'd all pull away from the hug after a good minute and things were set straight to business.

"We gotta go find Branch." Floyd urged, his older brothers nodding in agreement.

Like I'm gonna loseee, youuu🎶

♡♡♡

Laid across his bed miserably with a soaking wet pillow and tissues everywhere was a slightly more gray Branch, holding a picture of him and Poppy together.

Across from him on a small table was sitting the riverglow flower, still in the same cup he had it in.

He sighed heavily as he wiped away the last of his tears, not having moved out of his spot for a good few hours, just falling asleep and waking up put of nothing every thirty minutes. He felt there was no reason to go anywhere or do anything else.

He failed to save his family, and he walked away from his brothers when they needed him most.

He'd lost everything.

What other point was there?

As he'd continue to dwell on all his negative thoughts, he looked over to see his noise cancelling headphones again.

"Well, back to the old grind.." He mumbled to himself.

He reached over to grab them and put them on, turning over a bit so he was laying on his back, staring at the ceiling as he let his mind take control of him with one more sigh.

This night is cold in the kingdom..🎶
I can feel you fade away..🎶

--

"Braaaanch! Branch open up!" Bruce knocked on the door.

"Do you think he's even in there?" Floyd asked, getting worried he may have walked off somewhere.

"I would only hope he is," John walked up to his side, worry of his own becoming apparent in his voice.

"Hey, guys," Clay said, turning toward them, "the door.. it's open again."

The three of them looked at each other before moving toward themselves, Clay sliding it open some more to let himself in as they would all eventually followed behind.

---

Could you find a way to let me down slowly?🎶
A little sympathy I hope you can show me..🎶
If you wanna go then I'll be so lonely,🎶
If you're leavin baby let me down slowly..🎶

Branch's pillow was practically being pressed by himself into his face as his singing wasn't even singing anymore but just pain.

Let me down, down,🎶
Let me down, down🎶
Let me down, let me down-🎶

Down, let me down, down🎶
Let me down-🎶

Soon though, his brothers would enter the bunker, the first one finding him being John as he urged them all to come into his bedroom, entering to see him laid across his bed with his arms out.

"Branch!" Floyd went up to him, the others following behind.

"Branch, hey, liste-"

And I can't STOP MYSELF FROM FALLIN-🎶
DOWN, DOWNNNN-🎶

Floyd would pause, staring down at him awkwardly. It was already awkward enough that he had his pillow shoved on his face, but singing over him loudly was another.

John and Clay looked over at each other with odd expressions.

Bruce sighed and snatched the pillow away from him, seeing that he had his noise canceling headphones on.

"Yep- that explains it and EW it's wet-" Quickly he discarded it, throwing it to the side.

"Huh-" Branch immediately looked over when his pillow got taken away from him, seeing all of his brothers.

"Guys? Wh.. what're you doing here?" He said almost quietly, sitting up in his bed, taking his headphones off.

Floyd walked over to his little brother and sat next to him.

"Listen Branch," He started.

Clay stepped up next.

"We know it might seem like the end right now, but-"

"It is the end.." Branch interrupted him, looking away, "just give it up already guys."

"But.. little bro!" John exclaimed, taking a step towards him.

"You gotta get up here man, it's worse than ever! I mean I've been sitting around long enough to see that people are trying to leave!"

"It's over! Okay?!" Branch snapped his neck back in their direction, an irritated but also hurt expression placed on his face.

After that he would sigh, looking down at the floor, avoiding all of their gazes.

"Just leave it alone.."

Turning away from them completely, he'd murmur,

"and leave me alone.."

Looking at each other, the brothers would all frown, before looking back at their youngest, who was clearly very heartbroken.

Branch would sit there, waiting for them to actually leave, thinking they probably would, but instead felt a soft touch on his shoulder, turning to see Floyd, a hurt expression in his own eyes.

For a minute he put his own feelings to the side, feeling a different type of pain seeing the brother he was always closest to hurting.

Brother, don't go, brother, don't go there..🎶
Floyd would start singing to him, not taking his eyes off of him.

Saying those words, so don't you dare..🎶

Branch continued to stare at him, putting his full attention on him now.

'Cause just like that, you're in the deep end,🎶
Bruce would continue the singing, walking the other side of Branch.

You're squeezin your hand, guess you're hurting again🎶

Clay joined in, walking over to them as well.

I know you're lost,🎶
Feeling like the world's got nothin' left..🎶

..

Sometimes life don't work out the way you like..🎶

And it hurts so bad you can't even cry..🎶

Floyd stood Branch up, now holding his hands as his eyes stayed on him, the background of his bedroom fading away into a dark blue color with faded stars as it was just them now.

I know that you're up on the edge like you're out of time..🎶

..

But it's not too late to change your mind..🎶

Together, Bruce Clay and Floyd sang, as Floyd would let go of him and back away towards them.

To change your miiiind..🎶
To change your miiiind..🎶

Branch would watch them before looking down again, still feeling unsure, until another hand touched his shoulder, looking to see Bruce again.

Brother, hold on, brother, hold on now..🎶

Clay went to his other side and touched his other shoulder with a small smile.

'Cause I'll be right here when the high comes down..🎶

Branch would look at both of them as they both began to sing again.

'Cause just like that you're making a mess,
Pushin' away every one of your friends🎶

I know you're lost,🎶
Feeling like the world's got nothin' left🎶

Floyd walked up behind him, singing again.

Sometimes life don't work out the way you like..🎶

And it hurts so bad you can't even cry..🎶

Slowly and gently, Floyd would hug his younger brother from behind, squeezing him lightly in a warm embrace as he buried his face in his shoulder.

I know that you're up on the edge like you're out of time!🎶

But it's not too late to change your mind..🎶

Floyd would move back again, and together the three would sing again.

To change your miiind..🎶
To change your miiiind!🎶

To change your miiiind
Oh, to change your miiiind!🎶

Branch continued watching them but slightly jumped as he not only felt someone grab his shoulder this time, but completely turn him around.

The next thing he saw was his oldest brother, staring at him with a deadpanned but loving look in his eyes, swearing he could see the slightest of tears.

Sometimes life don't work out the way you like!🎶

Branch's eyes would widen at this, feeling a rush of mixed emotions swing in that he couldn't even comprehend when his brother would start to sing loudly.

And it hurts so bad you can't even cry!🎶

Suddenly John would pull him in for a tight hug and squeezed him, leaving Branch there in complete surprise.

I know that you're up on the edge, but you still got time!🎶

After a little bit he would calm his voice down, slowly letting go of him but kept him close, a more saddened expression on his face now instead of the one he had before.

But it's not too late to change your mind,🎶

Floyd walked over once more, a warm smile on his face.

No, it's not too late to change your mind..🎶

John let go of him completely now, the solar background would fade back into Branch's bedroom, and just like Branch was, the rest of the brothers were all staring at their oldest brother in slight shock and maybe even concern.

"..wow J," Bruce said, blinking slowly.

"Yeah that was- woah-" Clay added.

"Yeah uh.. are you okay?" Floyd asked.

John didn't even answer at first and stood there blinking, not even fully comprehending the question.

"What??" He just shook his head and looked around as if nothing happened,

"Oh, oh yeah I'm fine that was just-"

"Are you sure? Cause- man that came from the SOUL-"

"I'M FINE-" John quickly insisted, "WE NEVER SPEAK OF THIS-"

"But anyway.. baby bro," He took hold of Branch's shoulder, "take it from someone who's made the same mistake before.."

Branch intently listened to his oldest brother.

"..don't give up on the people you love.."

And finally, thankfully and ever so slowly, Branch would start to smile after that.

Floyd walked up to him again, seeing him turn to look at him.

"You have to keep going Branch. Before I would grab the rest of our brothers, someone wise would tell me.. we have to be the change."

Branch sighed, starting to feel slightly better.

"..thanks guys.. I appreciate you all so much.."

The brothers would all smile over at him.

"But.. I still don't know what else to do.. there's little to no time now and we don't actually have a real cure."

"Well.. earlier we were gonna say there's still one more thing we haven't tried." Bruce insisted.

Branch turned his attention to him hearing that.

The brothers would all look at each other and smile again, before turning back to Branch as John would say,

"Singing."

"Worth a shot right?!" Clay slid next to him with a wide smile.

"But.. how would we know that would even work?"

"We don't." Floyd insisted as well, causing Branch to look at him.

"..but it's better to try than not to at all." Floyd nodded towards him with a smile.

"Exactly!" John added, "and hey it is the day of love, and trolls love to sing- makes sense doesn't it?"

And right then and there, a lightbulb would ding overtop of Branch's head.

"..wait.. John" He pointed to him as he stared into space, "say that again-"

"That again."

Bruce slapped the back of his head.

"What the hell did I do now!" John complained while rubbing his head.

"No no no! The thing about love say that again!"

"Ohhhhh, uh, it's the day of love and trolls love to sing?"

"Love.. love.." Branch began walking around while talking,

"Love is the opposite of hate.."

The brothers all looked at each other, wondering where he was going with this.

"And a while ago marshtato mary said.."

~

"Let's just say the trolls will no longer be known for singing, dancing and hugging, which I HATE!"

~

"She said that? Wow, brutal." Bruce said.

"She hates singing dancing and hugging, but trolls love that, she's full of hate but trolls are full of love.. holy crabcakes that's IT!!"

"YEEEAH WE DID IT!!" Clay jumped up in the air, "What did we do?

"It's LOVE!" Branch turned to his brothers.

"We have to break the curse with love!!!" Walking towards them he'd continue to explain.

"The trolls are all normally loving creatures, but Mary put a curse on all of them and filled them with hatred! So we have to fight back the curse and fill their hearts back up with love again!"

He stopped in front of them holding a wide smile.

"Mary lied BECAUSE the answer was so obvious! We have to spread love!"

Bruce and Clay smile at each other at after this, understanding.

"AHAHAHAHAHA, INHALE- I don't get it-" John looked to the side with his hands on his hips.

And for the one thousandth millionth time, Bruce would slap the back of his head.. imagine how rich someone would be with the amount of times this happened-

"Ow- can you STOP that!"

"Wow.. that was beyond inspiring baby bro," Floyd walked over to Branch, earning a proud smile from him afterwards.

"But.. how are we gonna do this? How are we gonna save everyone in time?"

It was now Branch's turn to walk up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"With the things trolls love the most, singing dancing and hugging."

Floyd smiled at him, nodding.

Branch would then hold up his hand in front of his face and pretend he was looking at his nails.

"Anyone up for another performance?"

"HELL YEAH, LET'S GOOOOO!!" Clay jumped up on his bed and said excitedly.

"Oh baby you know I'm always up for a performance~" Bruce also pretended to look at his imaginary nails.

"Yeah alright let's do it!!" Floyd agreed excitedly.

"YEAHHHH! JD BACK IN THE HIZOU-"

"BUT uh, I'm gonna have to lead this time-" Branch looked over at John with a smile.

"Huh, wait oh yeah no of course baby bro of course!"

Branch had to roll his eyes after that.

"Don't worry you'll get your spot back after this is over-"

"Hey hey no, I'm not mad at all, seriously, do your thing brother, we got you." John walked over to him and pat his shoulder.

"Yeah, always." Floyd nodded.

Branch smiled at both of them, feeling more than ready to get this show going.

"Uh-" Clay hopped off of Branch's bed, "hate to interrupt the moment but-"

He held up a random watch he found, "we have fifteen minutes."

"Oh, nice." Branch nodded.

Then he pulled on his ears.

"FIFTEEN MINUTES??!"

"SHOULDN'T WE START REHEARSING??" John began to panic as well.

"THERE'S NO TIME FOR THAT!!" Floyd said in a panicky voice, "WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO IMPROV!!"

"I..IMPROV??" Bruce now said in his own panicky voice.

"I mean, we've done it before haven't we?" Floyd tried to calm down and reassure the others as well as himself.

"Hardly!! Last time we improvised we left him for twenty years!!" Bruce pointed at Branch.

"Oh- right-"

Branch would groan in annoyance when he realized what was happening.

"ALRIGHT!!! CLEARLY improv is not gonna get us anywhere-"

"Oh we're doomed, we're so done-" Bruce slid a hand through his hair.

"Okay guys, cool it! If we had more time I'd be panicking too, but our village is at stake here, this is about saving them. Besides, it should all be coming from here," Branch pointed to his chest, signifying his heart, "not here." He pointed to his head, signifying his brain.

The brothers all looked at each other, much more calm now as they all nodded, agreeing.

"Well said Branch."

Floyd put his hand on his shoulder once more.

"Let's get out there."

Branch nodded and didn't waste any time, running towards the lever of his bunker, his brothers following behind him before he'd lift them all up towards the exit.

After a second though, he'd quickly pause and stay there, causing his brothers to turn to him in confusion.

"What's up?"

Not saying anything, he hopped off the lever and ran to his bed.

"Branch! Where you goin?!" John shouted to him.

Stopping at the end of his bed, he looked around until he saw it.

The pretty blue flower in all it's glory.

It wasn't as sparkly as it was before, but he would still take it with him anyway, running back to the lever after he retrieved it.

♡♡♡

Leaving the bunker, the boys would dash back toward the village, seeing that it wasn't as crowded as it was before.

Which was.. sort of a problem.

"How are.. how are we gonna do this-" Bruce said, looking around.

"We.." Branch started, looking around as well, picking out a few things that stood out to him.

He would spot a few lights spread out on the ground, then looked at the stage that Poppy would use nearby.

Slowly, something then started forming in his brain, and he'd turn to his brothers.

"Guys, find as many lights as you can and hang them up and around, we need to grab everyone's attention."

"Okay, I'm rockin wit it," Clay nodded, "but what if they're-"

"Asleep? Oh well, they're just gonna have to wake up- I'd rather them wake up and be angry now then to wake up the next day being angry for the rest of their lives-"

"Now let's go! We don't have much time!"

"What can we do?" A voice behind them would ask.

Slowly, all five would look behind them.. only to see-

"Wazzuuuup," Trickee pointed a finger gun at them.

All of Kismet was just standing there.. as if absolutely nothing was going on.

"..when the fu-"

"BOOM?!" Floyd would suddenly shout out loud.

The rest of the brothers would snap their necks to look over at him after that outburst.

"..I MEAN WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING HERE?"

"Hey Floyd!" Boom waved over to the flustered troll, smiling wide.

To say that Floyd wanted to melt and die right then and there was a huge understatement.

Because he already was.

"Soooo.. what's actually going on?" Ablaze would ask, getting the sense that a party wasn't actually partying.

---

After some more questionings and explanations, like when exactly they all got there or why the village looked as crazy as it did, Kismet would fully agree to help.

They'd all help Brozone set lights up around so there would be some light outside and give it more of an effect.

Floyd was pulling another set of lights over to a tree and would turn the other way, bumping into someone as soon as he did.

"Oh my gosh I'm sor-" He'd stop as soon as he saw just exactly who he'd bump into.

"Oh sorry Floyd!" Boom quickly apologized, "Wait no you already said sorry- wait- I mean no- well- yeah no just- anyway do you need any help?"

Floyd would just stare at him, not saying another word.

"..what, what happened did I say something wrong?"

"No.. not at all.. I just love your eyes.."

"..you do?"

"I MEAN NO IT'S OKAY I DON'T NEED ANY HELP-" Floyd nearly tripped over the lights he was holding as he ran in another direction.

Boom would smile to himself after that, slowly looking down as his ears started to feel warm.

Branch would quickly run to the stage and took a megaphone from his hair.

He looked over to his brothers and Kismet who were both setting finishing up setting up the lights, making sure they were all on before they'd turn and give him a clean thumbs up.

Branch nodded then clicked a button on the megaphone to turn it on.

"Hello troll villa-"

Branch stopped when he couldn't hear his echoed voice like he should have,

"wait, wait is it not working-" he started to smack it, "come on come ON OLD THING-"

Suddenly it would make a loud screeching noise, getting nearly all of the entire village to uproar in distress.

"OOOOH ow yeah that was loud- too much for my old ears-" John said, scratching the back of one of them.

"Shit- uhhh sorry, sorry everyone heh-" Branch smiled nervously as he smacked the megaphone again and tested it once more, hearing that it was back on normal volume.

"Okay, let's try that again- hi, everyone, as you all know I'm Branch, and-"

"GET OFF THE STAGE!"
Guy Diamond would shout from a random corner.

"...as you all know I'm Branch, and, today something you are all currently unaware of has happened.. you've all been cursed."

Surprisingly, trolls would just start to stare at him confusedly instead of having random outbursts, and others who were inside their pods started popping their heads out.

"Marshtato Mary, our former enemy and I guess still enemy was the root and cause for all of this, how exactly? I still don't know.. literally she doesn't even have powers- but anyway, even though she did this to you all.. I still feel like it's my fault that this all happened,"

Brozone and Kismet would both frown up at him hearing him blame himself.

Mary, on the other hand, happened to see and hear his half of his little speech and flew above the village.

"I said something that I didn't mean because I was so selfishly upset about something else.. I wished Valentine's Day didn't exist. But after today, I want it back more than anything, and I feel like it's my responsibility to put things back into place."

"..what is he yappin about-" Someone in the crowd would mumble.

"So.. here you all go. I hope this works."

Poppy emerged from the crowd beginning to fill up with more trolls, an unimpressed but curious look on her face.

"What does he think he's doing?" Mary whispered to himself, staring with a half squint half glare.

As Branch put the megaphone away his brothers and Kismet would join him on the stage and go behind him.

He turned to see them all smiling at him and he would smile right back, turning back forward as he inhaled, then exhaled slowly with his eyes closed.

After a bit of quiet, he would stomp his foot and look up and everything and everyone ahead of him.

We don't have time left to regret!🎶

Holddddd on!🎶
Both Brozone and Kismet would sing in the background.

Branch started to walk forward, still singing.

It will take more than common sense!🎶

Holddddd on!🎶

So, stop your wondering, take a stand!🎶
Branch gestured to everyone below him, who were all still staring either looking irritated, confused or annoyed.

Fortunately as well, the music began to grab people out of their pods, whether they were complaining or curious.

Holddddd on!🎶

Cause there's more to life, than just to live!🎶
Branch spun around and spread his arms out, before hopping off of the stage.

Holddddd on!🎶

Everyone would begin to sing together as Branch would dance and run towards many trolls, either wrapping his arms around them or having them touch hands.

'Cause an empty room can be so loud!🎶

There's too many tears to drown them out!🎶

Viva was still in her tree but saw and heard everything happening, sliding down slowly as she'd begin to make her way over to the crowd.

So, hold on!🎶
Floyd sang.

Hold on!🎶
Boom sang after him.

Hold on!🎶
John and Ablaze sang.

Hold onnnn!🎶
Hype sang, sliding to the front of the stage excitedly.

Through the music and their engagement, trolls would begin to snap back into reality, shaking their heads and either looking around or bopping to the music they were hearing.

Branch would smile at the progress and looked over at the stage to his brothers and friends, urging them to join him.

They would all see this and smile at each other and hopped down the stage, joining in on the rest of the fun.

"What the- no! WHAT?!" Mary exclaimed in a panic, looking at the trolls who were turning back into their normal selves.

One single smile, a helping hand!🎶
Bruce and Trickee slid over to Cooper and Darnell, wrapping their arms around one another before dancing away.

The two princes of funk were broken out of their curse and looked to see their arms wrapped around one another than back up at each other, smiling happily as they squeezed each other in a tight hug.

Essence and Quincy would see this and smile with relief, leaning against one another.

Holddddd on!🎶

It's not that hard to be a friend!🎶
Hype and Ablaze wrapped their arms around Tresillo and Wani who were already bickering with each other, but would then snap back into reality and look around confused and see each other.

And for once, they were actually sort of happy to see each other, a small smile forming on their faces even though they were still confused, Hype and Ablaze dancing away.

"Hi," Tresillo greeted her.

"Hi," She greeted him back, moving some of her hair behind her ear.

Holddddd on!🎶

So don't give up, stand 'til the end!🎶

Branch nudged Clay and pointed over to Viva, who was getting ready to walk away from it all.

Clay nodded at him and dashed through the crowd to get to her as quickly as he could.

Holddddd on!🎶

Viva was starting to walk away until she felt someone grab her hand and immediately she grew irritated, looking back to see him.

There's more to life than just to liveee!🎶

Clay desperately stared into her eyes as he sang, still holding her hand as he pulled her closer.

Viva kept trying to pull away but the more he'd stare, the more she'd struggle less.

Slowly, her eyes started to return to their normal color and she'd start to shake her head, snapping back into her normal self.

Holding her head and trying to figure out what just happened, she wouldn't even have time to as Clay would smile wide and pick her up excitedly, spinning her around in his arms.

Branch would smile at this and continue to bring trolls back to reality.

Holddddd on!🎶

'Cause an empty room, can be so loud!🎶
There's too many tears, to drown them out!🎶

So, hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
hold on!🎶

Back and forth both boybands would go around restoring everyone back to their normal selves with their song, some of trolls clapping or dancing along.

When you love someone and they break you heart,🎶
Don't give up on love, have faith, restart!🎶
Just hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold onnnn!🎶

Both bands would meet in front of the village again as they smiled at one another proudly of all their progress, but one of them would tap Branch and gesture him towards Poppy, who stood in the now happy crowd with her back turned from everyone.

Slowly but gracefully, Branch would start to inch his way towards her while singing softly, trolls stepping out of his way for him to get to her.

When it falls apart.. and you're feeling lost..🎶

All your hope is gone.. don't forget to-🎶

Hold on!🎶

Branch held a hand out to her only for her to raise an eyebrow in response.

Clay and Viva gave each other a look before looking back at the two.

Branch inched closer to her, trying to get something out of her.

Holdddd onnnn!🎶

..

Poppy would only roll her eyes and start to walk away, and of course Branch would immediately go after her.

'Cause an empty room can be so loud!🎶

Branch would finally reach Poppy and grab her hand.

There's too many tears to drown them out!🎶

Poppy groaned in annoyance as she looked back at him and tried pulling her hand away.

So hold on!🎶
The brothers and Kismet all sang again.

Hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶

When you love someone!🎶
And they break you heart!🎶
Don't give up on love,
Have faith, restart!🎶

Just hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold onnnn!🎶

'Cause an empty room can be so loud!🎶
There's too many tearssss!🎶
..to drown them out🎶

So, hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶

The brothers and Kismet all walked behind Branch, singing along with him once more.

When you love someone!🎶
And they break you heart!🎶
Don't give up on love!🎶
Have faith, restart!🎶

Just hold on!🎶
Hold on!🎶
Hold onnnn!🎶

Hold onnnn!🎶

The song would end, and though trolls were happy or back to normal they were still confused, wondering what just happened.

"Everyone alright? Is everyone okay? Do you remember anything at all?" John walked around and asked how everyone was feeling, most of everyone shaking their heads in response, and eventually he'd try his best to explain what's going on.

Unfortunately, though, everyone was back to normal except Poppy, who was still just staring at Branch, not reacting to anything he just did or said at all.

Along with him and the brothers and Kismet, other trolls also would start to look at each other in confusion or worry.

"Viva?? Poppy??" Peppy would walk through the crowd, trying to see what was going on.

Viva would see her father emerge through the crowd and let go of Clay's hand, going over to him.

"Daddy!" She said, running over to him and gave him a hug.

Peppy hugged her back and held her hands.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine, but.." Viva turned back behind her and said in a softer voice,

"Poppy.."

Peppy would look over as well and realize completely was happening.

"Oh no.."

Viva walked back over to Clay, holding his hand.

Right now her and Branch were having a staring contest, except one of them was annoyed and the other was scared out of their mind.

John walked up behind him just a few steps and mumbled quietly.

"Branch?"

"Why isn't she.."

He'd pause for a second as he thought of something, his eyes widening.

'Wait.. someone!" He finally took his eyes off of her but still held her hand, looking around at everyone in the crowd.

"W-What time is it!"

Clay pulled out the watch he had earlier and gasped quietly.

"It.. It's 12:01.."

Branch gasped quietly as well, looking around in fear as he turned back to Poppy, still just staring at him.

"Wait, what?" Viva would start to look around, starting to panick, "w-what does that mean? She's gonna be okay, right?"

Clay lowered his head sadly.

Viva would look over at him with teary eyes.

"Clay?" She mumbled quietly, grabbing his arm and shaking him lightly, not getting a response from him as he just stared at the ground.

"Uh ohhh looks like you're too late Branchhh!~"
Mary would fly down towards them again, giggling,

"Looks like the happiest troll in the world couldn't fight off becoming the MEANEST troll in the world!"

The trolls would look up at Mary and gasp quietly, the reality of this whole curse thing really hitting them now.

"How can you be so evil..?" Essence said in a disappointed tone while looking up at her in shame.

Branch shook his head not wanting to listen to her or believe her, and turned back to Poppy immediately, his chest and heart growing heavy.

"Come on Poppy.. it's me.."

Poppy still just stared at him, but her eyes would begin to furrow and she'd suddenly snatch her hand away from his, just like she did before.

"Get lost already."

Branch would shake his head again slowly, not wanting to believe this.

He didn't want to believe she was actually gone.

"..no.."

Eventually, he would let go of her hands, shutting his eyes tightly and painfully while lowering his head.

"It's my fault you're gone.. and I couldn't even save you.."

The brothers and Kismet all frown and lower their heads sadly, feeling horrible for Branch.

Viva couldn't hold back her tears anymore and sniffled, turning away as she wrapped her arms around Clay, burying her face in his chest.

Clay clutched her tightly in his arms, a tear streaming down his own eye.

All of the other trolls would either stare upfront sadly or give each other saddened looks, not able to believe that the Queen was really gone.

Essence and Quincy had their arms wrapped around their sons, staring over at the front mournfully.

The Snackpack would also stare in forlorn, feeling terrible not only because Branch lost his best friend, but they lost their best friend as well.

Sighing heavily, Branch hung his head low and started to turn and walk away from it all, feeling like nothing but a huge failure as he wanted to get away from all the affliction.

"But you did."
A familiar soft and sweet voice would speak from behind.

Immediately Branch shot his head up and whipped his head around to see her.

Her beautiful, lively warm and welcoming figure along with her sweet smile.

"Hey there Branchifer." She spoke again in her sweet and soft voice, still smiling that loving smile.

"Oh Poppy!"
Branch ran up to her and picked her up and hugged her, spinning her around.

Poppy laughed and hugged him back tightly.

"Hi!!"

And right then and there, everyone began to cheer excitedly.

"Oh thank goodness!" Essence leaned against her husband and sons happily, the three of them also smiling in glee.

"WOOOO YEAAHEAAAHH!" John would shout out loud, clapping.

"WHAT?!?!"
Mary screamed out angrily.

Bruce smiled wide and looked over at Blaze who smiled back at him, giving each other a fist bump.

"SHE'S ALIIIVEE!" Trickee exclaimed then wrapped an arm around Hype, "LOOK HYPE!"

Hype would roll his eyes playfully with a smile and pat his friend's side.

"Yeah man I can see."

"THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!" Clay clapped with a wide smile, whooping.

"YESSSS!!" Viva hopped around excitedly then jumped on Clay who held her as they both laughed.

"We.. we did it." Floyd said in a soft voice while smiling, watching his brother squeeze his girlfriend in happiness.

"And we did great." Boom walked next to him, smiling at him.

Floyd smiled back at him and nodded, turning back to the front as he took a small step closer to him.

"I thought I lost you!" Branch put her down carefully, not even able to believe he was able to hug and hold her just now.

Poppy smiled and laid a hand on his cheek.

"You never will, I told you I'm not going anywhere, right?"

Branch smiled back at her but was still in disbelief.

"I.. but.. how is this possible? The curse, you were meant to stay the same after the end of the day.."

"EXACTLY!!"
Mary shouted in the background.

"You know.. I think the last of my happiness- and don't quote me on this I'm just theorizing but- it started figuring out what was going on and when it did, it kept fighting back against it."

"Wow.. well one thing's for certain.. nothing can take away your optimism." Branch smirked at her as he slipped his hands around her waist.

"You got that right." She smirked back with a wink and they both would share a warm laugh.

"POPPPYYYYY!!" Suddenly Viva would run over to her and jump on her, hugging her tight.

Nearly falling over Poppy laughed and hugged her sister back tightly.

"VIVA!!"

"AWE YEAH! WE DID IT!" Clay ran over to them excitedly

"YEAH WE DID!" Trickee joined over, and he and Clay would dap each other up.

The rest of the brothers and Kismet would join them as they'd all conversate excitedly, happy that everything was finally back to norma-

"NO!! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!! SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO STAY CURSED FOREVER!! YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO KNOW HOW TO- TO- GUGHHH!!"

The group would all look at each other before Branch would take a few steps towards her.

"Give it up Mary, our love is too powerful for anything to seperate us, not even a silly curse."

"Yeah you marshmallow.. thingy!!" Clay stepped up next to his brother.

"NOOO!" Mary started throwing a fit as she flailed her arms and legs everywhere, "HATE WILL RULE FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER!!! GRRRRAADHG YOU TROLLS ARE SO ANNOYING I CAN NEVER WIN WITH YOU ALL!!"

"Awwww, does someone need a hug?" Poppy smiled and started approaching her while opening her arms.

"NO!" She pointed down at Poppy, "YOU STAY AWAY FROM ME! ALL OF YOU!"

"Yeah she does!" Viva did the same and opened her arms, "come on down here cutie!"

"I AM NOT CU-"

"Aw come on Marshy," Bruce said, joining by Brandy's side again as he nuzzled her with a smile,

"join in on all the fun and the loveeeee~"

"No.. NO I HATE THAT WORD, I HATE IT!!"

"But we have to say it!" John joined as well, "It's the day of looooveee!"

"And we loooove to celebrate it." Branch wrapped an arm around Poppy.

"NO NO NOOOOOOO!!"

"Come on Mary show some looooove!" Floyd began approaching her as well.

And soon enough, everyone began to approach her while repeating the word love.

"MMMMMMMNOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

"UGH!!" She immediately darted upwards in the air away from them.

"I CAN JUST MAKE ANOTHER SPELL! I'M MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER NOW THAT I KNOW HOW TO MAKE THEM!!"

"Go ahead!" Viva said, walking back next to Clay with a smirk, "But we'll all just end up attacking you with our LOVE again!"

"Oh and-" Poppy reached her hair up to her hand to grab her crown that she was still holding.

"I believe this, belongs to me!" The queen smirked up at her, putting it back on her head where it rightfully should have been.

"URRRGGGHHHHHHH!!!"

Finally she started to fly away as fast as she could.

"THE ONLY THING ILL EVER LOVE IS GETTING RID OF YOU AAALLL!!"

"Hey, she finally said the word! Guess that still counts for something, right?" Clay nodded and put his hands on his hips, turning to look at Viva.

"She'll come around one day!" Viva nudged him, and they would both laugh together.

Branch and Poppy would laugh as well then turn to look at each other.

Slowly though, Branch would start to frown and look to the side a bit, putting a hand behind his neck.

Poppy's smile would fade as she noticed this, tilting her head to try and catch his gaze.

"..it's all my fault.." Branch mumbled.

"What?" Poppy said, "What is?"

"All this, I mean I was so upset and selfish after hearing you and Viva's conversation which is what got us here.."

"H u h," Viva would dunk her head in confusion, not knowing whether to stay confused or to call him an eavesdropper even though he had no idea what he was talking about.

"..but you know what?"

Branch reached down to take her hands, a small smile returning to his face.

Meanwhile on the other hand Poppy was also confused as to what he was talking about.

"After today, I'm glad viva's your valentine Poppy,"

Poppy's eyes widened slightly and her eyebrows would raise as she looked back at her sister who was just as lost, shrugging at her before she turned back to Branch.

"I mean, this is also Viva's first Valentine's day spent with everyone so, who better than to spend it with her sister who she's finally been able to meet after years of being separated from her? It really works out for both of you and I couldn't be happier."

"And.. after today's experience.. I remembered how much I value the love and support of my brothers," Branch looked over at his brothers with a smile and they gladly smiled back, even Clay who was also just as confused.

"and that it's just as important as my love for you."

Poppy would not say anything for the next few seconds but just started to slowly smile and bite her lip, snickering.

"W-Wha-"

Just then Viva would start to snicker as well, those snickers turning into giggles as she held a hand over her mouth.

Then not even a few seconds later both of the girls would burst into laughter, wooing and snorting and all.

Everyone would either stare at them or each other with the most perplexed looks, not understanding either.

"I CAN'T BREAAATHEEE-"
Viva fanned her face as she wiped away a few tears.

"I am soooo concerned right now-" Clay mumbled, John nodding in agreement.

Trickee would start to chuckle as well, not even knowing what he was laughing about, and Hype immediately elbowed him in the side.

The laughing would continue and Branch started to get a little ticked off now, just wanting to understand.

"I- I don't get it what's funny I mean I just got done pouring my heart out here-"

"Braaaanch branch branch branch-" Poppy finally calmed down, sniffled, let go of his hands and lowered her head while patting his shoulder, holding up her finger for a short pause.

"Viva's not my valentine!"

"Wh- huh? But I saw you two hugging and giving each other cards and cheering!"

"Uhh, yeah, because Viva was showing me her card she made and asking if it looked okay so she can ask CLAY to be her valentine! And of course I said it looked good."

"Uh- oh-" Branch said almost quietly, feeling incredibly stupid.. as he should.

"But.." Poppy returned to her sweet voice and took his hands again gently, "you and your bond with your brothers is really sweet to me, I'm so glad that through trying to save us you all could get closer."

Branch smiled back at her, holding her hands back.

"Me too."

"Wait.." Clay would speak up, "what did you say?"

"Oh- uhhhh- whoops!" Poppy giggled sheepishly.

Realizing what Poppy just said, Viva would widen her eyes, feeling like she was gonna pass out right then and there.

"Viva?"

Slowly, the blonde haired troll would turn to him with the biggest poker face ever.

Once she saw that Clay wasn't reacting though, she sighed and gave up, lowering her head.

"..you know what-" Viva shuffled around in her hair and took her card out of it, "here- just- just take it-"

She shoved it into his hands and kept her gaze towards the ground, looking away from him.

Everyone began to take a few steps from the two, making them the center of attention.

The green haired troll would look up at her before turning his attention to the card, opening it slowly and reading what it said.

Happy Valentine's to my best friend, aka the most AMAZING, FUNNIEST, CUTEST and TALENTED troll in the whole entiyah WORLD!!!!! You've done so much for me and you've been here with me ever since I lost everything, so who better to ask this than to you, my absolute favorite person.
I still don't entirely know how this whole thing works but um- would you kindly be mine??? (plz say yes omg- well I mean if you want but-)

~love, your bestest friend who appreciates you more than anything.. Viva

Clay continued to stare down at the card, his heart beginning to pound slowly as his ears started growing warm.

"..Viva.."

The blonde haired troll still didn't look at him, sighing quietly.

"You can just say it, I already know what it's gonna be.." She mumbled.

Clay would slowly lower the card from his face, looking over at her again.

"..I would love nothing more in the world than to be yours.. I couldn't imagine being with anyone but you.."

Viva slowly lifted her head up and turned to look at him.

Clay walked over to her with a small smile, still holding the card.

"You've been my best friend since we were kids."

"Told ya," Poppy would slide over and whisper in Viva's ear, quickly sliding away.

"R.. Really?" She said in disbelief, fully turning to her.

"Yes really girl! Don't you remember the promise I made to you? I'm not goin nowhere!"

He would reach down with his other hand to take hers, squeezing it.

"Ever."

Viva would start to smile back at him, her heart pounding in sync with his.

Still holding her hand, he would gently pull her to the center and put the card in his hair, taking her other hand.

..Someone told me🎶
Love was only..🎶
In the movies,🎶
It don't exist in real life these days now🎶

But you showed me,🎶
Clay smiled as he moved a piece of hair away from her face, a blush flushing through her cheeks after he did so.

If I only,🎶
Just find the faith I need to believe🎶

Clay held onto her hands as everyone around them faded away and it was just them, into a dark blue background with stars and heart constellations glowing around them.

If anything is possible!🎶

If you want it bad enough!🎶
He sung happily as he started dancing with her.

Know the sky ain't too high!🎶
Test your liiimits!🎶

He gently slid his hands to her waist and started to spin her around.

You can feel unstoppable!🎶
Incredible!🎶

Oh, hold still, I can see, I'm so ready..🎶
He rested a hand on her cheek as he stared into her eyes, earning a warm smile and a hand on top of his from her.

Oh, this is gotta be the night!🎶

Taking her hand again he would start to run with her, hearing her giggle ever so slightly.

That dreams come true!🎶

Everything feels just right!🎶

He looked over to her with a smile and held her hands and spun her around again, levitating lightly in the air.

'Cause when I'm with youuu~
You knooow~🎶
Girl, I'll be holdin' on!🎶

'Til you feel my love!🎶
Did you feel my love?🎶

I'ma have you like,🎶

Clay let go of her hands and did his own dance, pointing at her.

Ahhh~🎶

'Til you feel my love!🎶

Viva smiled wide and copied his dance.

Ahhhh~🎶

Ohhhh, 'cause when I'm with youuu!🎶
You knooow!🎶
Girl, I'll be holdin' on!🎶

He nudged her shoulder gently and playfully.

'Til you feel my love!🎶
Did you feel my love?

Yeeaaa!🎶

The background would fade to them facing a sunset while standing under a tree that was near a cliff, holding hands.

Someone told me..🎶
That it's unlikely..🎶
Clay turned to look at her again, seeing her look back at him.

To do all the things you wanna do🎶
'Cause life just ain't fair now🎶

But don't be lonely,🎶
Find somebody!🎶

Clay wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close, causing her to blush even more than before.

Then it won't be so hard for you to see!🎶

Smiling, he pulled her down with him over the cliff and they both flew over, still wrapped in each other's arms.

Viva gasped quietly as she looked at the ground below her then back at Clay.

That anything is possible!🎶
If you want it bad enough!🎶

Know the sky ain't too high!🎶
Test your liiiimits!🎶

Clay would keep his arms protectively wrapped around her but started to bring her down to the ground gently.

You can feel unstoppable!🎶
Incredibleeee!🎶

As they landed on a grassy field still close to the sunset he took her hands again.

Almost there..🎶
I can see..🎶

He took a step closer to her and she did the same, loving smiles on both of their faces.

I'm so readyyy!🎶

Clay would hit a soft high note before starting to dance with her again.

Oh, this is gotta be the night!🎶
That dreams come true!🎶
Everything feels just right!🎶

'Cause when I'm with youuu~🎶
You knooow~🎶
He stopped for a quick second to boop her nose, earning a goofy smile from her.

Girl, I'll be holdin' on!🎶
'Til you feel my love!🎶
Did you feel my love?🎶

I'ma have you like,🎶
Clay slid away and did his own dance again.

Ahhhh~🎶

'Til you feel my love!🎶

Ahhhh~🎶

Viva copied him again with a smile, bumping butts with him.

Ohhh, 'cause when I'm with youuu!🎶
You knoooow!🎶

Girl, I'll be holdin' on!🎶
'Til you feel my love!🎶

Did you feel my love?🎶

..

They were back in the dark blue background with the stars and hearts again, holding hands once more.

Everything that I've ever wanted..🎶
Rught in front of me..🎶
Not a dream, eyes wide open..🎶

Girl, I'm here..
Clay pulled her in for a warm hug, holding her close and never letting go.

Viva hugged him back tighter, resting her head on his shoulder with a wide smile.

And I'm coming in,
Doors are closin~🎶

Clay would slowly pulled away but stayed incredibly close, feeling her warm breath on his.

I won't run 'cause I'm chosen!🎶
I won't run 'cause I know that!🎶

Pulling away, he held his arms out towards her with a wide smile.

Ohhhh!🎶

The background was now back to the normal village, and they were still in the center as everyone was smiling at them.

This is gotta be the night!🎶
That dreams come true!🎶

Everything feels just right!🎶
'Cause when I'm with youuuu!🎶
You knooooow!🎶

Girl, I'll be holdin' on!🎶
'Til you feel my love!🎶

Did you feel my love?🎶

I'ma have you like,

Ahhhh~🎶
This time both Clay and Viva would his dance together, smiling widely at each other.

'Til you feel my love!🎶

Ahhhh~🎶
The village would copy their dance now.

Oh, 'cause when I'm with youuuu~🎶
You knoooow~🎶

As they stood close together in the center the trolls would form a heart around them, just like with when Branch and Poppy sang together.

Girl, I'll be holdin' on!🎶
'Til you feel my love!🎶

Did you feel my love?🎶

After the song was over everyone would start clapping and cheering.

"You.. love me?" Viva would smile up at him.

"Of course I do," He said in a soft voice and smiled back, rubbing her bands gently with his thumbs, "always have."

"Oh Clay.." Viva jumped on him again and squeezed him, feeling him hug her back.

"I love you too.." She mumbled, burying her face into his neck.

"Awwwwwww!" Everyone would say.

Suddenly though, something would fall out of Clay's hair as they shared their loving hug.

Viva would notice and hear and look down to the ground, seeing a card.

"What's that?" She said, dropping herself out of his arms.

Clay was confused for a second until she saw what she was about to pick up and panicked.

"OH- UH UH- THAT'S JUST UH- THAT'S NOTHING REALLY UH I KINDA FORGOT I HAD IT AND WAS ACTUALLY GONNA JUST THROW IT AWA-"

"Oh, Claaay!" Viva with her heart on her chest as she already had the card opened.

"Anddd you're already looking at it.."
He sighed, scratching his neck in embarrassment.

Looking at the mini cut outs of her and Clay hugging she would also find the unfinished sentence that read,

Happy Valentine's Day Viva! I just want you to know that you're so important to me and..

"You were making this for me? That's so sweet!!" She closed the card and looked at him with an overjoyed smile.

"Well, y-yeah but I never got around to actually finishing because I didn't like it and I wanted to make something better for yo-"

Happily, she leaned over to put her hand on his shoulder and kiss his cheek.

"I LOVE it." She smiled at him, holding the card close to her.

It was Clay's turn to blush now as he held his cheek, smiling back over at her sheepishly.

In the background, Branch Poppy, the brothers and Kismet were all smiling, happy for their friends slash relatives.

"YEAAAAH GET IT CLAY!" Bruce shouted, having an arm wrapped around Brandy's neck.

"Awe man.." John wiped a tear away "it's enough to make a grown square cry.."

"Oh now you know if he calls himself Square it's serious." Branch joked and laughed as well as the others.

"Don't," John sniffled, still wiping tears and speaking in a trembly voice, "don't get used to it-"

Boom smiled watching everyone interact, his hands placed behind his back.

From behind, Floyd would tap his chin nervously while approaching him, reaching his hand out to tap his shoulder, pulling it back a few times but eventually tapping it.

Boom turned to see who it was and once he saw it was Floyd, his eyes and smile brightened.

"Floyd!" He said in a cheerful tone, "Hey!"

"HI- I mean uh, hey, h-hi!"

"Hey! Oh wait- no- sorry I already said hey- but uh, what's happening?"

"Uhhh.. well.. well I uhhh.."

Boom would just smile over at him, waiting for whatever he had to say.

"I.. I wanted to.. ask.. if.. um.. maybe.. youu.. youuuu wanted to-"

"Yeah of course I will!"

"O____________O"
Floyd's lips were immediately zipped after that. He didn't even finish his question but he still had a huge blush on his face.

"...OH MAN SORRY!" Boom immediately apologized, "I tend to do that when someone I really like is about to ask me a question-"

"R.. Really.." Floyd trembled, "like?"

Boom would now start to blush as well, but not as much as Floyd who you could call Flomato now because of how red he was.

"..oh, well.. yeah! Ever since we.. first talked after that performance on Vacay Island I've.. kinda thought about you a lot and I wanted to get to know you better but I didn't know how t-"

"WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?!?!!" Floyd blurted out, grabbing at his shorts.

Boom widened his eyes after that, a warm smile forming on his lips.

"Of course Floyd." He said again in a softer voice.

"W-Wait, seriously, you- I need to make sure I'm hearing things right did you say yes-"

Boom nodded, the same smile staying on his face.

And suddenly, out of nowhere, he would launch at him and wrap his arms around him in utter and complete happiness.

"Woah," Boom said, laughing.

"..wait- wait is this okay?" Floyd would pull back a little, holding his shoulders,

"Are you okay with this I'm sorry I know I kinda just jumped on you I just got excite-"

"What wouldn't be okay-" Boom put his hands on top of his gently, easing him down with a smile, "is if you let go."

Floyd wouldn't say anything else but just smiled back at him, and wrapped his arms around him more calmly, hugging him close.

Poppy laughed wholeheartedly and turned back to her boyfriend with a wide smile.

"Oh Branch!" Poppy hugged him, "you saved us, again!"

"Oh well I mean," He held her and shrugged with a smile, "it's just what I do you know, it's not really a big dea-"

She'd stop him as she pulled him in and kissed him on the lips.

The brothers, Viva and Kismet would all snicker or giggle.

Poppy would open her eyes a bit and see something glowing from his hair, gasping as she pulled away.

"Branch! Your hair! It's glowing!"

"Huh?"

Branch looked up at his hair to see it was indeed glowing, other trolls gasping in the background as well.

"Is that.. the.." Slowly he reached in his hair to pull out the riverglow, as it was actually glowing and sparkling now, fully bloomed.

"Oh my gosh.." Poppy mumbled, her eyes sparkling just like the flower was.

"This is.." He took it out of the cup and put it in her hands as he cupped his hands into hers, "the riverglow flower.. apparently it was a legend that Mary said was supposed to fix everything, but- of course she lied."

Poppy giggled softly at that.

"Typical Mary."

"Yeah.. but.. I guess she didn't completely lie.. the legend was true. She just lied about what it does. But I think I figured it out now."

Poppy looked up at him.

"If the love that we all share is powerful enough, it'll bloom and glow like the glow from the stars in the sky."

"That's.. that's so beautiful.." Poppy smiled and looked back down at the flower, watching as it gleamed.

The two groups would come closer to see the flower themselves, gasping quietly, as well as a few other trolls.

"Wowww.."

"It's so pretty!"

"Huh," Tresillo would see the flower, nodding.

Wani was standing next to him while admiring it as well with a smile.

He turned to look at her, watching as her eyes gleamed from the sparkle that was shining.

"It actually kinda reminds me of you." He'd say in a softer voice.

Wani would stop everything and look over at him, her smile faded.

"What?"

Tresillo would realize what he said and immediately cleared his throat and turned away back to the flower.

While he stared though, he felt a warm kiss hit his cheek not even a few seconds later.

His eyes widened and he turned to Wani who wasn't looking at him anymore and at the flower as well, but a wide smile was plastered across her face.

Turning away from her again, a smile of his own began to form across his own lips.

"Hey, look, I think it's twinkling!" Poppy giggled.

"Okaaay I-" Smidge walked closer to the group, "hate to interrupt all the ships coming to life but-"

She gestured to the entirety of the village, seeing how it was still messy.

"What are we gonna do about this-"

Poppy looked up and over, seeing that the village was indeed trashed.

"..oh-" She blinked, "well it's- pretty late right now.. how about we clean up tomorrow?"

"Sounds like a plan!" Darnell walked over to them with a smile, his brother and parents alongside him.

"We'll help."

Kismet walked ahead and agreed.

"We will too."

Poppy smiled at that, along at everyone else who said they would help as well.

She looked over at Branch who smiled and took her hand as they both engaged in last minute conversations with everyone before heading their separate ways for the night.

To say that this wasn't one of the most amazing, or THE most amazing Valentine's Day, would be the same as saying John Dory didn't have a square head.

It may not have been what anyone had expected at all but.. sometimes the most meaningful experiences comes from exactly that.

And because of that, today was just a day that no one in the village would ever be able to forget.