Every Troll in Pop Village had a cupcake, one of which had to have the real gem.

Poppy organized a small troupe of Barb, Prince D, and Cooper.

She said, "Thanks for coming to help, guys."

Barb said, "No problem. So, what'd you do this time?"

Poppy said, "I didn't-Ok, Branch's gem is lost in a cupcake somewhere in the village. So, we have to check them all before anyone eats theirs."

Cooper said, "Got it."

But, he then took out a bullhorn and shouted, "EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT!"

Poppy immediately silenced him, "Shh! Cooper! I don't want anyone knowing about this. If Branch catches wind, it'll ruin his special day."

Prince D asked, "But, how can we be sure someone doesn't bite into a cupcake with the real gem?"

Poppy answered, "Just split up and check the cupcakes as fast as you can. Go, team!"

The troupe checked about every single cupcake for the real one, but they couldn't find it.

Then, Poppy heard, "Why, yes, Mr. Dinkles."

It was Biggie, "Of course you can have the first bite."

Poppy went to them, "Whoa, whoa! Dinkles, hold up!"

She immediately slapped the cupcake out of Biggie's hand before Dinkles could bite it, but it still wasn't the real gem.

Even worse, the slap caught everyone's attention.

Especially Branch's, "Poppy, why did you do that?"

Poppy answered, "Branch. Why did I do it? Because, um, uh...Because slapping cupcakes is the newest craze. Everyone's doing it."

Branch said, "Really? 'Cause that sounds-"

Guy Diamond cut him off, "Slap-tastic!"

He slapped a cupcake out of Tiny's hands, who then shouted, "We got us an old-fashioned cupcake-slapping on our hands!"

As everyone excitedly started slapping cupcakes, Poppy said, "Oh. I suddenly regret this."

Branch then said, "Cupcake slapping? Eh, I don't get it."

He then slapped one out of someone's raised hand.

He then shouted, "Actually, never mind! I totally do! Cupcake slapping for life! Whoo-hoo!"

When he left, Barb said, "Uh, maybe it's just me, but it sort of seems like we made finding the gem way harder."

Poppy then said, "New plan!"

***

The troupe was joined by DJ Suki and Trollex.

Trollex inserted a tape into a tape recorder, and it started playing one of Branch's songs.

DJ then said, "There. As requested, one of Branch's songs from our archives."

Poppy said, "It's perfect, you guys. A gem glows when it hears its owner singing, so..."

She turned up the volume and looked around until she saw a blue glow in a bush.

"There! We found it!"

She took out the cupcake with the real gem and everyone cheered...until Biggie popped out.

"Cupcake slap!"

He slapped the cupcake out of Poppy's hand and it crashed into a tree.

And the gem shattered slightly.

Everyone gasped but Biggie, "I've never heard a cupcake shatter before. Bonus!"

When he left, Cooper said, "I mean, there might be hope."

A big branch then landed on it.

*Gasp*

"I mean, it might be ok."

A big bird then fell on it.

*Gasp*

"I mean-"

Everyone shouted, "Cooper!"

Poppy then went to the destroyed gem, "No, no, no, no, no! I ruined Branch's Troll gem. He's gonna be crushed."

The others tried to comfort her.

Then, "Perhaps not."

It was..."King Peppy?"

He told them, "If you plant another strand of Branch's hair, it's possible to grow a brand new gem. But, for it to blossom in time for the ceremony, Branch would need to feel a burst of overwhelming joy. Like he's never experienced before."

The others were in awe.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'll be disappearing back into the shadows."

He then backed into the bushes making ghostly moans.

Poppy then said, "Ok. To the ceremony!"