Branch has led a hard life. His mother died right after he was born to a rouge burgen. His father and grandfather, sacrificed themselves during trollstice in his second year so he could live, then when he was four, his singing caused his grandmother's death via selection for trollstice. Everyone he loved was gone, and since there was a constant state of fear in the troll tree, he had no friends to depend upon. He was alone, and his happiness left along with his grandma. His colors faded, his once light blue skin turned gray and barren, while his once rich navy hair turned blacker than the night he learned to fear.

He was scared, when his fifth trollstice was around the corner, his king called for a gathering inside the troll tree. He didn't want to go and mix among the bright trolls, but there was a feeling in his chest which forced him to go.

When he arrived, he was only greeted with fear stricken looks, horror and pity, from the older trolls to those even younger than himself. He felt ashamed, and if possible, his colors dulled even more. He looked at the ground, taking hold of his own arm, and gripping it hard so he can try to hold back the tears about to fill his eyes.

"Attention trolls!" King Peppy announces to the trolls, forcing attention away from the dull troll.

Branch breathes deeply and forced his gaze upwards to look at the large orange king, holding the small pink princess in his left arm while addressing the large crowd of rainbow trolls. His authoritative stance making the tears stay in his eyes and begin to dry.

"As you all know, in two weeks time the next trollstice is going to be upon us. It is an upsetting time for the lot of us, not knowing who may be taken from us next." The king says with a slightly wavering voice," And that's exactly why I've called you here today. It's time for us to leave this horrid place. We must escape before our families are torn apart further, and I have a plan on how we'll do it."

The king then explained how a third the population of the tree would be used as distractions, playing and singing like always, while a second third would make fake wooden trolls to place inside the pods that were to be harvested, and the last third would be used to create a tunnel that connects to a network of underground burrowing marmots the king had discovered recently. With everyone in agreement, the king began to assign roles. He called to each troll by name, addressing their responsibility. Once called, the troll would leave to get a good rest before beginning the plan the next day.

The last troll called, was of course Branch. While others got their assignments, they would scorn him as they left. Mean comments about him being an orphan, about his color, about how he should've been taken instead of the great Rosiepuff or his heroic father. He knew that many despised him for being a sole survivor, but he was sure he hated it more than anyone else in the entire tree.

"Branch, my dear boy, come closer." King Peppy says with a gentle tone he'd take to when talking to Branch.

"Yes." Branch says weakly, slowly approaching the king but still glaring at the ground.

"Now, I have a special job for you Branch." Peppy says, gently touching the grey trolls black hair, which hadn't been used in quite some time," I need you to look after Princess Poppy and Queen Joy while I help to construct the tunnels."

Alarmed, Branch looks up to the king quickly, and his nose is grabbed by the small Princess who coos loudly with delight. Peppy smiles, and strokes the black hair more, while Branch tries to find the words to say.

"King, if I may…" Branch starts with a highly wavering voice," Can I just work on the tunnel? I have no right to do this, why not get an older mother troll to take care of them? They're enough making fakes, I shouldn't be in charge of this."

"Oh, what nonsense Branch, I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you could do it." Peppy laughs.

"But I'm a bad luck charm!" Branch yells throwing Peppy's hand off his hair so he can wrap his own arms around his head," Anyone close to me dies, I can't have that happen to the queen or princess. Please, sire, I'm already hated for killing Grandma, I don't want any more animosity."

"What...what large words for a child." Peppy says with a dumb struck look in his eyes," Branch, what's making you feel this way? Are you alright?"

Peppy reaches down to try and consol the young child, but Branch swats away any attempt to make physical contact. Small sobs arise from between Branches arms, and Branch falls to the ground on his side, his small body quivering from the force of his inhaled breath.

Peppy looks to his guards, who look at the king dumbfoundedly. Peppy quickly gives Poppy to the nearest guard before collapsing on his knees and picking up the small child into his arms. Branch sobs, not moving his arms from his head, but PEppy squeezes the child nonetheless.

"I should've been taken instead." Branch cries softly.

Peppy can't help but let a few tears fall at the young child's words. One so young should not be able to tell that those they love will never come back, or that they were taken instead. A five year old shouldn't ask to die, no matter who they are. Branch is an example of how fragile children really are, and Peppy knows somewhere in his heart that this little one in his arms will never be able to fully form back into the troll he's supposed to be.

"Would you like to stay in our pod tonight, Branch?" Peppy asks softly when Branch finally starts to calm down.

Silently, the small troll nods his head in small motions. The king sighs and gently pats Branch's hair, before lifting him up, resting the head of black hair onto his right shoulder. Peppy motions for the guard to bring Poppy back, and he rests the small princess on his left shoulder. He silently dismisses the guards before walking carefully to his royal pod.

"Welcome back dear." Joy says in her average sweet tone.

Joy is a quiet spoken troll, with pink skin, a red nose, and a deep purple hair, that rises from her head only to fall gently around her shoulders. She had been sickly every since birthing the princess nearly a year prior, and everyone knew she was in her last leg of life. Not even able to use her hair for everyday purposes, even she knows very well she won't even live to the next trollstice.

"I've brought a guest to keep us company." Peppy says, moving his right shoulder lightly," Say hello, Branch."

Shyly, the gray troll turns his face to look at the queen. He bows his head slightly, his eyes puffy and red from crying.

"Hello, highness." Branch says with a slight waiver in his voice.

Without missing a beat, Joy walks over and takes the shy Branch off of her husband and wraps him in a large hug. Branch doesn't know how to respond, but when she finishes, she holds him so that he can look into her chilling violet eyes. Her smile makes her glitter sparkles shimmer in the light and she lightly pecks Branch's forehead with a kiss.

"What a wonderful guest." Joy beams," But he should know to call me Joy, or auntie Joy, or auntie in general."

"Sorry, auntie Joy." Branch says with a small blush darkening his grey face.

"That's a good godson." She laughs while nuzzling their noses," I can only assume you're sleeping with us, it's not like we have another room for you to sleep in."

"What about the guest bed…" Peppy couldn't finish his sentence before Joy punches him square in the gut, making him fall to his knees and cough," I mean that's a lovely idea."

So the four made their way to the bedroom. Peppy took Branch and they took a quick bath, before getting dressed and walking back to the bed, where Joy sits, reading a book, with Poppy sleeping in her crib soundly at the side of the room. Joy looks over happily to the pair and moves over to the side of the bed, patting the covers to invite Branch into the bed.

Quietly, Branch climbs into the bed, and makes his way under the covers, careful not to touch the queen or king. It's ineffective, as soon as he gets fully under the covers, Joy wraps him in a hug, nodding to Peppy to do the same. Branch feels a lump in his throat.

"Why are you so nice to me?" Branch asks trying not to cry.

Peppy looks to Joy with a confused look at what to say, and she smiles gently while rubbing the small trolls head. She takes a breath and begins to sing.

'You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged', she sings in her heavenly voice she's known for.

'Oh, I realise, it's hard to take courage. In a world full of people, you can lose sight of it all. The darkness inside you can make you feel so small.'

Branch begins to cry, and Peppy gives him a squeeze as he smiles to his wife.

'Show me a smile then, don't be unhappy.' she sings making Branch look up to her,' Can't remember when I last saw you laughing. If this world makes you crazy, and you've taken all you can bear, just call me up, cuz I will always be there.'

She nuzzles the small troll once more.

'I see your true colors, shining through' Peppy chimes in with his wife's singing,' I see your true colors, and that's why we love you. So don't be afraid to let them show.'

'Your true colors.' Peppy sings holding the note.

'Your true colors.' Joy sings in a round.

'Are beautiful, like a rainbow.' they sing together squeezing the small troll, who sobs into their arms.

They quiet down and embrace the moment, comforting the small orphan full of sadness. Slowly Branch cries himself to sleep, and Peppy shuts off the lights. Joy lovingly looks at her husband, then down to Branch.

"Goodnight." She says with a smile.

"Goodnight, dear." Peppy says with a sad smile.

Everyone falls asleep, unsure of tomorrow, but sure that tonight will bring comfort.