While Poppy and Branch were swimming down the stairs, everything outside wasn't looking too good.

The barrier started to fade away.

It was clear Trollex didn't have much strength left.

Even worse than that; Lotan was able to use some of his magic to start removing the colors of the corals of the reef one by one.

Inside the staircase, it seemed like they were swimming forever.

Branch asked, "How long until we get to the bottom?"

Poppy said, "I don't even know how far down this goes."

Branch then said, "Wait. I got it. Get to the middle."

They both swam to the center, and Branch said, "Now, exhale."

They both exhaled and they both immediately started sinking quickly to the bottom.

They finally got to the bottom.

They took a deep breath and Poppy said, "Great idea, Branch."

Branch said, "Thanks."

They both then saw there was but one door at the bottom.

They opened it to find...more stairs.

Branch sarcastically said, "Oh, great. More stairs."

Poppy said, "Actually, not too much. And it looks like they lead to the tallest tower of the castle."

They both immediately started swimming up.

***

Meanwhile, the other leaders tried to keep Trollex from fading out, but it was only a matter of time before he was done.

Down in the Faire, Smidge and Biggie had drawn a large crowd to watch them dolphin race.

Smidge made a look of confidence, but Biggie was a little nervous.

The crowds cheered as they led their dolphins to the starting line.

Smidge asked Biggie, "Are you ready?"

Biggie nervously said, "As ready as I'll ever be."

Cooper saw the fading barrier and went down to start the race.

He said, "Racers, start your dolphins!"

Smidge and Biggie got ready.

"On your mark..."

Smidge was confident.

"Get set..."

Biggie was freaking out.

Cooper waved his flag.

"Go!"

Smidge was able to ride her dolphin just fine, but Biggie was bumping up and down.

They were halfway to the finish line when Biggie finally went off his dolphin.

Smidge won easily.

The crowd went wild, "Bravo, rider Smidge!"

Smidge went to Biggie, who asked, "Isn't there someone else who could race you?"

Smidge answered, "The fate of an entire kingdom rests on us showing these Trolls a good time! But, if that isn't important to you..."

Biggie started whimpering, and Smidge said, "Ok, ok, I'll find someone else."

Biggie said, "Yay!"