The Snack Pack and two Bergens looked in utter shock.

In front of them was Branch holding his hair-cage in front of them, containing a certain Troll...

"CREEK?" they all shouted in surprise. Creek had a look on his face that read fear, surprise, then relief. However, Branch knew the coward was nervous about being caught red-handed back at Bergen Town because Creek was struggling to get out of the cage as Branch walked back to the group. The purple troll certainly didn't seem the same "wise" troll he had once been. He seemed kind of dishevelled and had guilt etched on his soul. Whoa. That came out of nowhere.

"Poppy! How nice to see you!" he said in false happiness. Poppy had a very stern face. She certainly didn't appreciate the last time she saw Creek. Memories of his betrayal called back to her. To be honest, it was one of the thoughts that made her feel distraught.

"Set him down, Branch." Poppy said, still glaring at the traitor. Branch reluctantly put Creek down, retracted his hair and went to go stand next to Poppy. The rest of the Snack Pack were silent.

"Branch? Funny, I didn't even recognise you!" Creek said, trying to break the ice, or turn attention away from himself. Sure enough, the last time Creek saw Branch, he was still grey. Branch narrowed his glare.

"What are you doing here, traitor?" He asked angrily, cutting to the chase.

"I barely got away from Chef. She tried to eat me when she realised I was her last chance of happiness. But I got away safely." Creek explained, trying to maintain his calm composure, but his guilt was still in his voice.

"Real shame." Branch said coldly, giving Creek a death stare, having the biggest urge to strangle him again.

"Creek. In case you have forgotten, you and Chef have been banished from being anywhere near the Troll Tree and Bergen Town." Poppy said in the uncharacteristically proper and stern voice of a true queen. You know that when she's serious, you messed up.

"But what did I do?" Creek asked, playing dumb and innocent.

"You put the lives of the Trolls in danger, seemingly willingly. All because you were too afraid to be eaten, you sold your friends and their families out to the Bergens. Your cowardice nearly killed us. If it wasn't for Branch, we'd all be dead." she explained, staring him down.

"Poppy, please," Creek said, advancing slowly towards her, having a solemn face. He took her hand in both of his. Poppy looked down at it, wanting to pull away, but she didn't try.

"I know I have wronged you all in the past, but I swear, it was the only option I had," he told her, softly. Charming, indeed, but that doesn't excuse what he did. Still-

Branch, feeling suddenly defensive, swiftly separated and swatted Creek's hands away from Poppy's.

"No, it wasn't. The least you could've done was fake surrender to the Bergens without actually going on with Chef's plan. Or maybe not look so happy to betray us? Or better yet let Gristle eat his first Troll." Branch told him savagely. Gristle Jr looked uncomfortable in being mentioned.

Everyone else was still silent. They were at loss for words.

Creek ignored him.

"Please, Poppy. Forgive me. Don't you remember what we once were?" Creek said softly.

"What?" Branch asked abruptly.

"I know. But can I really forgive after your actions?" Poppy asked. It wasn't a rhetorical question. She genuinely sounded like she was torn between forgiving him or not.
There was a silent pause.

"Branch, can I talk to you?" Poppy asked him. Branch nodded, confused. "Guys, could you guard Creek while we talk?"

The Snack Pack and Bergens nodded and kept their gaze on Creek. Poppy gestured for Branch to follow her away from the group. He obliged. Once they were a small distance away, she turned to him.

"Branch, do...do you think we should forgive Creek...?" Poppy asked him, meekly. Branch was surprised.

"What? No, of course not! Poppy, he almost killed us! Almost killed you," he retorted. Poppy pulled her hair down softly and started combing through it, nervously, contemplating Branch's words.

"But maybe he's changed..." Poppy said, surprising herself for trying to defend Creek. Branch narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"What is this about, Poppy?" he asked, curiously.

"I just keep thinking about the good old times...when he was our friend," Poppy said, sadly.

"Your friend," Branch corrected. Poppy always saw good in every troll, and he loved that. However, in this case, it wasn't the best quality to have.

"I don't want Creek to be any more trouble to us, but at the same time, I want him to give him a chance to show that he's not truly bad," she told him, looking down. Branch looked at her in pity. In all honesty, no troll had ever done what Creek did before, so King Peppy didn't have to worry about making this decision. Poppy had just become queen, and she has to either shun an old friend away or forgive and invite the traitor back. To Branch, it seemed like a no brainer. He never liked Creek, but Poppy used to be very fond of the troll. Keep in mind that she always saw good in every Troll, even Branch. The biggest grump who used make sarcastic remarks and who refused to be happy. She got Branch to show his true colours, but in all honesty, Creek seems like he's already shown his.

"Hm..."

"Would you trust him?" Poppy asked.

"I trust you," Branch concluded, kindly. Poppy sighed in exasperation, a reaction the male didn't expect.

"Branch, that's sweet, but I don't trust myself with this decision! I need help."

"Well, if you're willing to let Creek prove that he's trustworthy, then try it. But if he tries anything, I'll make sure he doesn't do it again," Branch said, seriously. Poppy raised her eyebrows.

"And what exactly are you planning to do?"

"Duh, lock him in the cage he locked us in...and then strangle him...again..."

"Branch."

"Kidding...About the strangling part. But I'm serious about locking him up. If he's in cahoots with Chef or any other predator, then who knows what will happen if we just banish him again and let him join back with Chef," Branch explained seriously. "But if it were my choice, Creek wouldn't be able to step foot anywhere near here at all."

Poppy contemplated.

"I think I know what to do," she concluded. "Thanks, Branch. I can always count on you" she said, genuinely, giving him a hug. Branch reciprocated, willingly, before pulling away.

They walked back to the group, who were circled around Creek.

"Creek," Poppy said, clearly for everyone to hear. "We have decided what to do."

So that's the end of that chapter!

Yes, the "creature" Branch caught was actually Creek! Surprised? Probably not, but in the last chapter, what Branch actually saw was the top of Creek's hair, while his purple body was hidden behind the bush.

Stay tuned for more chapters soon!

This is Dawn, signing off.

Pea-

wait. Okay, so I suddenly had a thought. If Branch is voiced by Justin Timberlake, then does that mean Branch sung songs like Mirrors and Suit & Tie? WAIT. Does that mean Branch sung Sexyback? 'Kay this is getting kinda awkward. Signing off for real now.

Peace.