The night came and went and it was now morning. Down here it always seems like its nighttime with it's dark, secluded location; illuminated just enough to see with lanterns and candles. I open my eyes to see a sleeping Branch by my side. He looks so peaceful, so tranquil, so…happy. I feel proud that I've been able to give him everything that he's wanted, that he's needed. Weeks ago when I came back to Troll Village and he showed up at my doorstep, I knew I had a mission to accomplish. Some people are made perfectly for each other. They fit just like two puzzle pieces, like a glove. Then there are those who may fit together, but they're crammed and squeezed and stretched so they stay together. While everything may hold up for a while and appear rosy, it always blows up in the end. That was Branch with Poppy. You think that they would be destined for each other. You think that they were meant to last forever. You think that happy princess and the grumpy survivalists would connect somehow. Clearly that isn't the case, it never was. Did I act as a catalyst to end their relationship? Sure I did. But without me, Branch would have never discovered what he really needs to make him happy. After all, all Trolls need to be happy, right? We all have happiness inside of us, we just need someone to help bring it out of us. I brought it out of Branch.

He stirs in his sleep and flutters his eyes. He rolls over to face me, an innocent grin on his face. I smile back at him and run my fingers through his thick blue hair. I truly love his beautiful colors he shows when he's happy. I have to keep reminding myself that this isn't going to last forever. Branch and I aren't going to be lifted into the sunset on top of a giant mushroom. I have to keep reminding myself that this is just temporary. I can't let my emotions get in the way of this plan I want to put into motion. Maybe I did feel something for Branch when this began. At least I think I did. I did! I really did have pure intentions and I did want to …like him and be with him. But as anyone knows, plans are meant to change and nothing ever stays constant. Branch has already made the decision on whose heart he's going to break, and it was Poppy's. I have to pay her a visit before I can enact phase three of my plan. I kiss Branch on the lips, resulting in a sweet chuckle from him. He rolls back over to go to sleep, which is my cue to get up and get out of there.

I pop out of bed and go the the mirror to comb my hair. A Troll is nothing without their hair! I whip out a comb and slide it through my locks, keeping it straight and [perky. I check my teeth; white as ever. My face; glittery as ever. It's time to head off. I take one last glance at Branch in his bed. For a brief moment I consider living a life with him. I consider the possibilities and all the adventurous we could have together. That doesn't matter now. I shake my head clear of these thoughts and I head out of his bunker. The stroll through Troll Village is almost unbearable, but it's not like I care what anyone thinks if we're being honest. I ruined Poppy's wedding, dethroned her indirectly and stole her fiancé. I don't have much to lose. All the Trolls I pass give me shifty glances, whisper to each other and point at me. I know I'm the talk of the town. I better get used to it, because after phase three of my plan, I'll be the talk of the town for years to come.

Poppy's home is as pink and preppy as ever. A giant pink plant with pink accents and a pink door and pink window panes and a pink welcome mat. Does she not get tired of pink? Its quite a horrid color. I tap my fist on the door and call out her name. After a while there is no response. I tap again and still nothing. What do you do when someone doesn't answer the door? Well you invite yourself in! Isn't that right? It's what I do anyway. You learn more about someone if you stop knocking and just come on in! I enter her house and peep around; she's nowhere in sight. Of course there's a sensory overload on my eyes with the pink plastered on literally every objects. The walls, the floor, the ceiling, the furniture, the appliances, the light fixtures, the utensils, the carpets, the paintings. You think of it and it is most definitely pink. Something seems off. Her home is radiating negative vibrations. My senses are tingling. I sense a bad, bad aura nearby. It's a mix of a muddy forest green and black. Feeling jealousy and like a victim, insecure and critical of others, unforgiving rage and unexpressed grief. This aura is unfamiliar. This can't be coming from who I think it is coming from.

i make my way to the back of the house to Poppy's bedroom. I nudge open the already cracked door to get a look inside. There she lays, shades of grey and black, on the floor. Something is off about her bedroom however. You'd expect it to be just as pink and positive as the rest of her home, but no. It's all a dulled down version of pink and slowly becoming more grey. I look to see the grey from the bedroom spreading out into the hallway and through her home. Her once cheery disposition kept her happy home healthy, and now that she's like this, it's killing her house. Her house is a part of her, and it's losing her color just as she has. Quite a shocking site if I do say so myself, but it isn't anything surprising. I'm actually glad to see her falling apart. Her world crumbling around her, piece by piece. I notice something on the ground by Poppy. It's some kind of bottle. Upon further inspection I realize it's a bottle of Happy Juice. This fluid is sold all the stingiest of stores to help downtrodden Trolls feel 'true happiness'. It was created a while back by the Bergens for Bergens, but it made it's way into Troll Village somehow. Just a few sips can make anyone happy, but too much of it and it becomes addictive and starts to take over your life.

I give Poppy a little shake and she's unresponsive. Another shake or two and she finally begins to stir. Her breath reeks of Happy Juice. She's stumbling and fumbling her words - she's completely sloshed! Son of a Bergen I never thought I'd see her like this. She's disoriented and doesn't even know what's going on. I help her up onto her bed . I think it finally sinks in that I'm in her bedroom and she pushes me away weakly. At this point I don't really know what she's doing. She's starting to say things but won't finish them, she's trying to stand up and walk around but keeps falling over. Reluctantly, and only because I want her fully aware of what I'm about to tell her, I make her some sage tea. It clears your mind and heightens your memory and cognitive skills. After she downs an entire cup in one sip, she begins to become more responsive and alert. I know this because she gives me the meanest look she has ever given to anyone. If looks could kill, I would be gutted and hung after one glance from her.

"What do you want?" Poppy mumbles, barely audible.

"I just want to check in on you/" I tell her, sitting down with her on the edge of her bed. She stands up and walks away, getting as far away from me as she can without leaving the room. "And tell you that it's over."

"It's over?" she asks, tightening her grip on her tea mug.

"You and Branch." I answer. "He's done with you. Any grip you thought you had on hip has long since slipped. So you can give up. He doesn't love you anymore. And you better not come near him again, or I will make you regret it."

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Poppy shouts.

"Oh sweetie, you've got a storm coming your way. You're not going to be able to fight the storm and me. A queen has a lot of responsibilities." I tell her.

"I said...I don't want to be the queen anymore. I can't do it." Poppy mutters.

"Then Troll Village will crumble under your feet and at your hands, because no one will stand up to do anything. I hope you enjoyed this little charade while it lasted." I stand up and walk to the bedroom door, ready to leave. "I hope you have a swell life, Poppy. I really do. Just remember, it's your fault Branch hates you, and soon, all of Troll Village will hate you once you fail to protect them."

"This...is your fault!" Poppy screams, slamming her tea cup on a nearby table. "You manipulated Branch! You've created this fake story you want all the Troll to believe! You want them to hate me."

"You slapped me in front of everyone. Not only that, but you set me on fire and launched me out of King Gristle's castle on a flaming grill. Attempted manslaughter?" I say to Poppy. I've caught her. She's speechless; unable to respond.

"I didn't...you..." Poppy stutters. "What are you going to do Creek? What are you going to do! Answer me!" Poppy shouts, tears of betrayal and frustration spilling down her cheeks.

"Bergens eat Trolls to become happy, right?" I ask her, a smouldering grin across my face.

"The Bergens already found true happiness, long ago. It's just that mean old chef, wherever she is, who doesn't understand true happiness." Poppy refutes. "You think you can bring a bunch of Bergens over here to eat us? Try again!"

"I'm very convincing." I say. "After all, I made Branch fall in love with me, made you resign your position as queen and made Troll Village hate you. I guess you could say, I'm a master at manipulation?"

"Branch...loves you?" Poppy squeaks, her voice quiet and afraid.

"Not that it concerns you, but yes."

"Don't you hurt him!" Poppy shouts, taking a few steps towards me.

"Since when have you cared about anyone other than yourself?" I ask Poppy.

"I've always cared about everyone!" Poppy says. "I've always put everyone's happiness above mine. I've always wanted to make sure everyone else could be happy before me. You know that, Creek. Everyone knows that."

"Oh right, how could I forget! Forcing Branch to marry you in a fake wedding so you could upkeep your reputation as the happiest Troll and the best ruler of Troll Village. You didn't care how he felt then or during, so you sure as hell don't care how he feels now."

"That's...that is not true."

"Goodbye, Poppy." I start out, just narrowly missing Poppy's tea cup smashing against the door. She screams at me as I leave her house, but I don't mind. She's just going to further taint and ruin her reputation. I look at her greying house. It's a sad thing, isn't it? She can't keep a grip on anything, and it's going to be her fault when Troll Village falls apart. I'm going to break her apart, piece by piece.