“We're really glad you came to our wake-up rave, Dubstep," Synth said to Branch as he and Laguna Tidepool escorted the prince home. “You comin' meant a lot to us."

“Well, I'll have to thank you both for inviting me," Branch replied. “So, uh, what made the Techno Trolls decide to throw a rave at four in the morning every day?"

“We find it to be the most refreshing hour of the day," Laguna explained. “Our daily wake-up raves boost our confidence levels, keep us motivated throughout the day, and for some of us, they even increase our sex drive."

“Too much information, Laguna!" Synth said, sternly shaking his head. “It is true, though. Without the raves, we find our days get thrown off in a million horrifying ways. Like when Mollusk used up all the outlets for our alarm clocks and we ended up sleeping in. We were still tired that morning!"

“I was so drowsy, I almost didn't notice I wore mismatching socks," Laguna added. “The weird thing is I don't even wear socks."

“I had it much worse," Synth insisted. “I was so out of it at this flavorberry patch, I sank in a pit of quick glitter. I don't even eat flavorberries, yo!"

The three Trolls laughed.

“Well, I'm gonna go back to bed," Branch said as he approached the pod door. “See you guys later."

“Farewell, Branch," Laguna replied.

“See ya, Dubstep!' Synth said, waving goodbye before leaving with Laguna.

Branch quietly stepped inside the pod and gently lifted the blankets as he crawled back into bed, where Poppy was still in a deep sleep. Branch gently pushed back her bangs and planted a soft kiss on her cheek before going back to sleep.

“Okay," said the ice cream vendor, “I got a butter pecan with whipped cream for a Polly Marlin and a Rocky Road with extra Rock for a Pal Blundersquack."

“Don't they ever get our names right?" Holly wondered as she and Val sat down with her bowl of ice cream.

“If they did, they wouldn't be doing their job," said Val. “So... have you seen Creek since he punched the memorial stone?"

“No, and we still don't know who Crocus is," Holly replied. “Er, was. Y'know, because he's dead."

“Forget Crocus, since the guys kept those three girls from flirting with Branch, they've cut ties with Creek," Val explained. “In fact, Demo's now dating Aria."

“Really, Demo and Aria?" Holly asked.

“Yep, Demo and Aria," Val confirmed. “Anyway, Creek's tried to manipulate Poppy so she'd run back into his arms and since none of his plans have worked, it's only a matter of time before he tries to kill Branch."

“Val, I know you're worried, but we don't know for sure if Creek is planning on killing anyone," Holly pointed out. “But just in case, we better check on them after Waterlily's healing class. We'll need to do all we can to stop him until Barb and Lavender come back with answers."

“Eh, they're probably just sitting in a tree, gazing into each other's eyes," Val figured. “What I wouldn't give to be Lavender right now."

💍💗💐🍾🥂🌹💍💗💐🍾🥂🌹

“Thundershock, I am impressed!" Waterlily praised as she looked closely at a tiny vial of liquid. “You've managed to brew yourself a perfect batch of venom repellent."

“Meh, it was nothing," Val insisted, and returned to her desk.

“This mixture can help cure stings from most insects and fight against certain types of snake venom temporarily," Waterlily explained to the class. “Of course it can't help if a bug's stinger is the size of your head and can buy you time against diamond snake venom, but minutes only. In fact, there is only one true cure and it's very rare."

“Did you actually pay attention?" Holly whispered to Val.

“The Val method wasn't working on her," Val admitted.

“Darlin', Thundershock, pay attention!" Waterlily scolded.

“Sorry, Miss Lily," Holly apologized.

Once class was dismissed, Holly and Val split up to find Poppy and Branch. Val managed to find Poppy rather quickly, but before she could approach her, she noticed Creek standing behind the pink princess. How long had he been there, Val wondered?

“My poor darling Poppy," Creek said suddenly, making her jump. “You've put yourself through so much and for what?"

“What are you doing here?" Poppy asked.

“I'm just here to let you my offer still stands," Creek replied. “You don't have to be miserable anymore if you spend the rest of your life with me."

“Creek, I'm not miserable," Poppy insisted. “Branch and I are doing just fine. He's nicer now, he's gentle and sweet and funny and... he's really changed."

“Has he?" Creek asked, feigning concern. “Or perhaps he's just putting on an act to please his mother."

“Creek, what are you talking about?" Poppy asked, confused.

“The only reason Branch married you is because his mother would have banished him if he hadn't," Creek revealed. “He told me himself, Poppy, and I knew you would rather know the truth."

“No, I don't believe you," Poppy argued. “And even if he did, it doesn't matter. Now, he actually loves me! Or, at least, I think he does."

“He hasn't told you, has he?" Creek said, shaking his head. “Even after six months of marriage. How sad. Hair, he probably thinks more about other girls than you."

“Creek... Go away," Poppy ordered, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“Very well," Creek replied with a shrug. “When you realize who you really belong with, you know where to find me."

Once Creek was gone, Val stepped out of her hiding place and said, “You okay, Popsqueak?"

“Oh, Val!" Poppy said with a jump. “Sorry, I didn't... How much of that did you hear?"

“Only the part that mentions all of it," she answered. “One could hear the emotional manipulation from a mile away."

“Creek's not manipulating me!" Poppy said defensively. “He's just... worried for me."

“No, when my parents wouldn't get me a motorbug when I was thirteen, that was worry," Val said. “Also, I think money was tight. Creek is trying to trick you into running back to him."

“But, Val, I..." Poppy stuttered. “He just... I... He's just still in love with me."

“Poppy, I'm a certified heartbreaker," Val pointed out, briefly showing her a certificate, “and I can tell you that is not what love looks like."

Before Poppy could think about this, her hug time bracelet went off. She gave Val a hug and said, “I'm late to meet Branch at the children's hospital. See you later, Val."

“Hey, this isn't over!" Val shouted as Poppy sprinted off.

💍💗💐🍾🥂🌹💍💗💐🍾🥂🌹

Holly, meanwhile, found Branch just outside of the children's hospital putting up a strange device with help from Synth. She calmly approached them with a friendly smile.

“Howdy, gents!" she greeted. “What are y'all up to?"

“Setting up this genetic scanner," Synth answered. “It's this cool thing that, uh... Uh... What did you say it does, Dubstep?"

“It scans a nearby living thing and tells you what it is and whether or not it's safe," Branch explained. “If it's safe, it stays quiet. If not, alarms will go off."

“How do you know it works?" Holly asked.

“Ginger Jo and I took it around the forest and tested it," he replied. “We almost got killed out there. And we would have finished it sooner if Lavender hadn't showed us her pet before she left."

Flashback

“I named him Wrinkles!" Lavender said, showing Branch and Ginger Jo a chubby, flat-faced, bug-eyed creature.

The machine scanned it and said, “Dog... Pig... Dog, pig, dog, pig-dog-pi-do-pi-do-pi-dog– Loaf of bread. System error!"

End flashback

“I'm gonna show this to Poppy and see what she thinks," Branch added. “If she approves, I'll put more up around the village and install signals so we'll know what's attacking us and where."

“That's real sweet of you," Holly said, looking behind Branch. If Creek was planning to kill him, she knew she had to keep an eye out.

Branch turned to see what Holly was looking at, but saw nothing there. So, he said, “So, what's going on with you, Holly?"

“Hmm? Oh, not much," she said. “I've just been getting ready for the Lonesome Flats Cutie Pageant so I can win for the fourth year in a row. But enough about me, let's talk about you, Branch. How are things with you and Poppy?"

“Uh... Things are going great," Branch replied, confused by her abruptness. “Why are you asking?"

“Oh, no reason," Holly answered, secretly nervous. “Poppy's just one of my best friends in the whole dang world and I'd hate to see her heart get broken into a million pieces if anything ever... I'm talking too much again, ain't I?"

Synth nodded. “Totally."

“Holly, you don't have to worry about a thing," Branch assured her. “I love Poppy and I would never hurt her, okay?"

“Okay, I just– Wait, did you say love?" Holly asked, not believing her ears. “You really feel that way?"

“Of course I do," Branch insisted.

“Eeeeeee! I don't believe this!" Holly squealed. “Branch, you little cutie! This is the best news I've heard!"

Before Branch could say anything else, Holly grabbed his shoulders real tight and gave him a big kiss without thinking.

“Branch!" they heard someone exclaim. The trio turned around to find Poppy with a confused look on her face.

“Well, this ain't good," Synth said quietly.

Didn't see that one coming, did you?

Until next time. 🌈