(Sort of) Madagascar 2 AU

Branch sits alone by the tree. Then a troll comes running to her panicked!Branch's eyes widen in shock. Many scary thoughts fill her head. Then the troll stopped in front of and takes a minute to catch his breath.

"I need help...I was told that you know a lot about romance...Please help me.," the troll said.

Branch is surprised by this then calms down. This guy must be in a really tight spot if he came running all the way here just for advice. Not many trolls know about Branch's love for romance and how romantic she truly is. Branch gives the best romance advice but, she and many others don't know it. The male troll sits on the small mushroom in front of Branch.

"What happened?", Branch asks him.

" Well,there's this girl I know and I have been in love with her for a while now but,she doesn't know that. We have been friends from the moment we met but, what if by asking her out I will destroy our relationship? And she also seems to be crushing this random guy and I don't know what to do. I want us to be more than 'just friends'...," the male explains.

Branch understands how he feels. She is in a similar situation herself. Branch is in love with Prince Poppy but, they are just friends and he has a crush on Creek. Branch starts thinking about what the other troll should do.

"You should go tell her how you feel while she is still single. Speak from the heart and tell her that you love her...Then you will find out if she feels the same or not. Maybe she does but, if you don't tell her she might not tell you either.", Branch tells him.

" And if she doesn't? ",he asks uncertain.

" Then at least you know how she feels and that you tried to do something about your feels for her.", she replies.

Later, it's now night time and Poppy and Creek are on their first date. They are next to the river in the moonlight. They dance while Creek sings about what Poppy likes about her. The glow bugs sing along as back up. Poppy just listens while dancing to the beat not really realizing how full of herself Creek sounds. Creek wasn't wrong about the reasons why Poppy liked her but, he didn't know that what he saw was just the front she puts on to get attention. As the beat continues to play in the background Poppy wanted to talk to his date.

"So Creek,what do you like me?", he asks curious.

Creek only liked Poppy because, he is royalty,have money,will believe all her tricks and lies and is also handsome... She is just a power wanting, full of herself and good at acting gold digger! She didn't really like Poppy for him or truly knew him despite how close Poppy and her are.

" I like that your a prince.",she tells him.

"Okay,Anything else?", Poppy replies thinking it was a joke.

" Your handsome...", Creek says.

Poppy blushes and smiles at her words. Then his blush and smile fades away as Creek adds another thing. Creek usually has the right thing to say but, she was too busy thinking about getting powerful that she got stuck! The music had stopped and Creek did not know what to say.

" Hmmm,your royalty?",Creek adds.

"You already said that...", Poppy said blankly realizing it wasn't a joke.

The mood is officially killed by the awkwardness . Then Poppy notices Branch walking towards them while looking at the flower in her hands behind Creek. She is looking at and holds a pink glittering rose like flower in her hand hands. She had decided to take her own advice. Branch knew it was Poppy's favourite flower so she picked it thinking it would be a good romantic gesture. Plus she remembered he wanted it for something earlier. She looks up and stops only to see Poppy with Creek. It looked like they are on a date which broke her heart in seconds. It sounds like glass breaking in her head.

"Hi Branch.," Poppy greets awkwardly.

"Are you two on a date?",the grey troll asks.

" Yes,we are!",Creek says in a rubbing-it-in-your-face tone.

"Oh,okay...", Branch says even more heartbroken.

" I found this flower earlier and I remembered this morning you said you needed it for a scrapbook so here.. ",Branch said awkwardly.

Poppy was surprised by Branch. He honestly did not expect her to do this. His heart warms up at the gesture.

"Thanks.",Poppy said.

Branch walks to Poppy then gives him the flower. Branch turns around ready to walk away then walks pass Creek. Creek turns to Poppy.

" So -",Creek says.

The grey troll stops in her tracks!If she is going to give Poppy up and to Creek of all trolls then she will have a talk with her! If Creek is going to be with Poppy then she has expectations. Branch turns around then walks back fast and grabs Creek by the shoulders. She pulls her around and keeps her hands on her shoulders then shakes her once while looking straight into her eyes seriously.

"Look!You are lucky to be with a great guy like Poppy!He is one of a kind! I hope that when you look in those beautiful eyes you'll realize how lucky you are! If I was in your position I would always try my best to keep him safe,give him my whole heart, tell him that I love him and wonder why a wonderful guy like Poppy would want to be with and love a girl like me but, i'm not... So you better treat him right! You should never take advantage of love cause it is not worth losing!", Branch says honestly with her heart.

Branch let's go of Creek then turns around and walks away. A few other trolls who are just passing by had heard Branch's words. They never heard anyone say what Branch said before! The other trolls,Creek and especially Prince Poppy watch her leave. The Prince is awestruck and speechless! He couldn't believe what he just heard. He did not know that Branch saw him like that and he also never saw her as a romantic either!

" That's so romantic... ", a female troll comments.

" I had not heard her talk about a guy like that before...", a male troll comments.

Creek roll her eyes not caring about what Branch said! She is just to going keep the act up and do whatever she wants once she has complete power. She is going to get rid of Branch somehow. Creek turns around to face the Prince.

"Now,where were we?", Creek asks sweetly.

" I'm royalty...", Poppy said dead.

The next day,the water of the river,lake and any water source near are completely gone!Where did all the water go? The Pop village had officially no water left!How does water disappear over night?The whole village,including Branch, are at the large mushroom. Most of the villagers are upset and worried! Prince Poppy and Queen Peppy try to calm everybody down. Branch gets onto the big mushroom to find out what is going on.

"Poppy, what happened?", Branch asks.

" All the water just suddenly disappear. How could this happen?", Poppy says unsure what to do.

"I got lots of water stored in my Bunker but,the well died up completely... The water stored should last two weeks for the village. Maybe longer if everyone only uses it for cooking and drinking.", Branch offers concerned.

" Thankyou, Branch! It means a lot!", Poppy says very grateful.

Branch nods her head and smiles.

"Okay,everyone calm down! I'm sure we will find a solution to our water problem. ", Queen Peppy says.

Poppy was just about give the trolls some good news when Biggie and Emerald comes running back with empty buckets. Prince Poppy and Queen Peppy look at her along with the rest of the village.

" Any water?", Poppy asks.

Biggie shakes her head.

"There's just diamonds and gold in the all the near by caves...", Emerald says sadly.

Everyone groaned at the bad news.

" Well on bright side, Branch has offered to share her stored water with us but, we have to work sparely with it...",Poppy announces.

The village is surprised that Branch would share water with them. Then suddenly loud footsteps are heard from the forest coming towards the trolls. They all gasp in fear! A big tall green Bergen comes into view and stops in front of the trolls!

"Your probably wondering what happened to all your water...I Adam Spells, a wizard, took it away from you all! Why? Cause I want and need a troll but,not for eating...I need a troll as a sacrifice! If none of you will do it then I won't give your water back!...",

Most of the trolls gasp in fear.
Children move closer to their parents. Creek smiles evilly at when Adam looks at her. She sends her ally a wink then goes back to 'being scared'.

" Anyone will do! Like maybe someone who lonely,unwanted and unneeded by this village and without any family or friends. Someone who probably going to die alone without anyone giving a care. A troll who is worthless! ", Adam says aiming the words indirectly at Branch.

The words hit Branch in the right places in her low self-esteem causing her to volunteer herself for death. Branch raises her arm.

" I'll do it...", Branch says softly but clear and loud enough for everyone to hear.

"WHAT?!", Poppy screams out loud in shock.

The village immediately cheers loudly. The Bergen pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket.

" Here is a piece of paper with my demands about how she must be when I take her since she is grey. I'll be back this noon. Make sure she is ready! ", Adam says threatening.

Creek walks forward to the Bergen and takes the paper with her hair happily. Then Adam turns around and leaves. The crowd immediately grabs Branch and starts running away with her through the village celebrating. Poppy jumps off the mushroom and chases after Branch. The prince catches up with the two trolls carrying her in celebration. Branch turns her top half of her body around and notices Poppy.

"Please don't do this...", Poppy begs.

"Why not? It's not like I belong here anyway and I will die one day. As long as you and everyone gets water it doesn't matter what happens to me...", Branch says.

"But - ", Poppy says but gets cut off.

" Poppy,ever since we met you have changed my life and I never thought I could repay you for all your kindness. I don't deserve any of it. Now I have a chance to repay you and keep you and the village safe. Poppy,You are the most important person in my life...", Branch admits.

Poppy was speechless. When Branch finished talking Poppy starts slowing down a little.

"Good bye,Poppy...", Branch says.

In seconds, Poppy stops in his tracks. He stares at Branch in shock as she is carried away far from him. Time seems to slow down to the Prince. Poppy couldn't believe what just happened. His heart was beating fast yet he wasn't moving. As Branch is still in his view Poppy flashes back to every single moment he shared with Branch for a minute but, it felt like it was longer. Poppy have been feeling this strange feeling since he was a teenager. For the first time in his life Poppy finally understands and knows what his heart has been telling him. His heart takes over in that moment as he speaks.

"I love you,Branch...", Poppy admits quietly.