Disclaimer- I do not own Trolls or Trollstopia in any way or form. Melody Song, Twilight Tidepool, Buckaroo, McJagger, and Mal Shredder are my O.C.s and belong to me. In contrast, Aggie belongs to I.M. Rally. I will also be making up another song today, just a heads up. So, sit back, and enjoy today's chapter while preparing for tomorrow's spin on Classical Rock!

Poppy: You can do it solo!

Branch: But then you'd be all by yourself.

Aggie and Synth: (Synth: Yo!) So, it'd be more fun to share this one with someone else! (Tiny Diamond: Hit it, daddy!)

Rhythm and Blues: Together, we will soar across the sky and beyond!

Holly Darling: So, tune-up your voice!

Val Thundershock and Melody Song: Stand up and sing along!

All: All different voices (Tiny Diamond: Everbody now!), our melodies ringing. We're living in harmony! Yeah, we're living in harmony! Our song is much stronger will every troll singing. We're living in harmony!

Rocking a Rekindled Heart

Melody was humming a pop song in her head as she was busy finding her helmet, shoulder and knee pads, and her rock surfing board. She was extra excited because she and Val were heading to Boulder Ridge to do some rock surfing: one of their favorite activities. She pulled out her red surfboard as she shouted, "Awesome! Now, where's my equipment"? As Melody opened the closet door and started going through her things, Val had to duck her head to avoid getting hit by flying objects as she said, "Woah, Melly! You sure are excited." After finding her matching red helmet and gray pads, she said while putting them on, 'Of course I'm excited! you know I love a good day of rock surfing, and I know you do too, Val." The Rock ambassador shrugged and went to grab her equipment, coming out with a purple helmet, purple surfboard, and gray shoulder and knee pads, saying, "You know me too well, kiddo. Besides, I need this after rocking this morning's solo. I can feel my legs and arms stiffening in pain." Melody then said, "Well, some rock surfing and then a dip in the hot springs are just what you need to get your muscles feeling better. I know I need it. you can only cut so much hair without your fingers going numb for so long before it catches up to your arms." As the two cousins mingled, they saw Melody's mom Mal walk by, wearing something entirely different. That caused them to peak their heads out as Melody called out, "Mom"? Mal turned around and said, "Hey, Melody. Didn't see you there." Val and Melody walked towards Mal with their surfboards in hand as Val commented, "Wow, Aunt Mal. you look...different."

Indeed, they were right. Instead of her normal rock attire, Mal Shredder was wearing a red T-shirt that had a pink heart on it, green shorts, light blue and orange flip-flops, and she even had her hair up in a bun rather than up in its normal style. Melody smiled, saying, "I like the new look, mom. What's the occasion"? Mal replied, "Well, Peppy and I are going for a nice stroll down by the shoreline, then going out for ice cream." Melody found it to be kind of cute as Val raised an eyebrow and commented, "You've been spending a lot of time with Peppy recently. Have there been any romantic moments between the two of you"? Melody made a grossed-out face while saying, "Ew, Val! There's no way my mom would have any romantic intentions towards Poppy's dad! Right, mom"? Mal chuckled as she tousled Melody's head, despite the helmet being in the way, while saying, "No, there isn't anything romantic between us. We're just old childhood friends hanging out with one another. I haven't seen Peppy in a while, so at times we get to spend with one another, which allows us to catch up on the years we've been apart." Now, Val was beginning to feel sick as she said, "Yeesh, it sounds so sappy, my stomach is doing loop-de-loops." Melody then asked, "How did you and Peppy ever meet anyway, mom? I thought that you guys were separated when you were kids just like we were."

Mal sat on the couch in the lounge room, with Val and Melody sitting next to her, as Melody's mom explained, "Now, this story goes back to a time when we still all lived together in peace and harmony. Peppy and I were I this little playgroup with a lot of other kids. In fact, some of the adults who are adults now were a part of the playgroup. Essence was there, and she loved to sing. Trollzart was always swinging a stick around like a baton, which showed he was destined to be a composer. Even Thrash, though he was a bit...rowdier than the other children. Among the group were Peppy and me."

Flashback to several years ago...

In the middle of a huge forest lay a diverse, harmonious village, where trolls of all kinds of music could live in peace and harmony. Everyone got along nicely, and there was no source of fighting or conflict among the tribes. In what used to be an old daycare, a group of children played with one another. Young Essence was sliding her feet across the floor and sing, "Oh yeah," and harmonizing with the AC. Young Trollzart was tapping the side of a xylophone with a stick, waving it around, while sucking his thumb. Thrasher, who was a little older than the other children, was running around and drumming on everything in the room, shouting, "Rock and Roll"! Some of the children watched Young Peppy, who was dancing the running man, the cabbage patch, and the group's electric slide. They all seemed to be pretty impressed as Peppy bowed when he saw that in the corner, drawing all alone was a Young Mal, who before, preferred to be alone.

Voice Break: Back then, I was a loner, much like you sometimes are, Val. I didn't want to make friends and preferred doing things my way. Until Peppy saw me all alone and felt pity for me. He then took time out from his little dance shows to come and talk to me.

Peppy walked to the table that Mal was sitting at and said, "Hi there." Mal looked up and then turned her attention back to her drawing. Peppy felt a little awkward about her silence but didn't want to give up on becoming her friend. He found some crayons and a piece of paper and picked it up. He then found a seat across from Mal and sat down, working on his own drawing. The two drew and colored in silence before Mal looked at his drawing and asked, "What'cha drawing there, Pepster"? Peppy held up his drawing and said, "It's a picture of me on a dance floor dancing under a disco ball. Pretty cool, right"? Mal sighed and asked in annoyance, "Is dancing the only thing you pop trolls do"? Peppy smiled, not taking her comment to heart, saying, "Yep! I love to dance, almost as much as I love to sin, though I am not very good at it." Mal chuckled as she said, "Shocker. A pop troll who dances well sings terribly." Peppy chuckled as he then saw her drawing and asked, "What'cha drawing"? Mal kept her paper hidden under her arm and asked in annoyance, "What's it to you"? Peppy held his hands up as she replied, "Nothing. Just that it looks excellent. Is that red stuff lava from a volcano"?

Voice Break: I first thought Peppy was kind of annoying, but then again, I was pretty rebellious and tough at a young age for a rock troll, so my behavior was normal. I thought he'd be just another passerby, but as we kept talking, I started to grow kind of attached to him.

Mal then uncovered her picture and held it up, saying, "It's me in front of an erupting volcano singing. There, happy,"? Peppy smiled, saying, "It's really as good. almost as good as your singing voice." Now, Mal became interested as she asked, "You...think my singing is good? He nodded, saying, "Yeah! Your voice is perfect"! Mal smiled and then replied, "You know, if it weren't a part of our participation mark, I wouldn't even be singing in the first place." Peppy then asked, "Say...would you...sing for me"? Mal was silent for a minute before saying, "Okay, but just this once! And you better not tell anyone about this! Pinky swear on it"! Peppy held his pinky up and said, "I won't," as they both locked pinkies and made the promise official, sending a small wave of glitter out of the school. Mal then sat down and took a deep breath before beginning to sing in one of the most melodious voices Peppy ever heard.

Voice Break: I wasn't fond of performing in front of others back then, but Peppy seemed like a really nice troll. So, I thought, one quick verse couldn't hurt, right? Little did I know how much he really liked my singing voice.

"Stars shining bright above you. Night breezes seem to whisper, "I love you." Birds singing in the sycamore trees. Dream a little dream of me."

Peppy was dumbfounded and in disbelief as Mal, a little confused about his reaction, asked, "What's with the dopey look on your face"? Peppy then said, 'That is the most beautiful voice I've ever heard. You sing really well...sorry, I don't know your name yet." Mal chuckled and answered with a smile, "Thanks, and it's Malinda." Peppy then asked, "Mind if I call you Mal for short? It's shorter, and I think it really rocks for you." Mal thought about it before smiling in approval, saying, "I think I'm starting to like it too. Thanks, Pepster," as Peppy smiled and replied with, "Call me Peppy, Mal." Mal smiled as soon their teacher called everyone together for storytime. Peppy then asked Mal, "If you want, do you want to sit next to me at storytime"? Mal nodded as she got up, saying, "Sure thing, Peppy. And, this is probably going to sound weird, do you maybe...kind of...wanna be...you know...friends"? Peppy nodded and offered a fist bump since he knew rock trolls did not like hugs, saying, "sure thing"! They both fist-bumped and went to join the other kids for storytime.

End of flashback

"That day was when I realized that I made a true friend with someone who was the total opposite of me, but the fact that we were opposites made us even closer. Peppy and I were best friends throughout our childhood and even our teen years. As we got older, we started to drift away from one another and branch out with other trolls. That's how he met Petunia, Poppy's mom. Even as we separated, we still kept in touch and remained close, even after the separation drove us apart. His friendship with me was what got me to open up and start to love pop music, which led me to meet Bill soon, and the rest, as they say, is history." Val and Melody were speechless as Melody recovered quickly enough to say, "Wow, mom. I didn't know Peppy played a huge part in your life. If you never met him or befriended him, then I probably would have never existed. Or at least, I wouldn't be a pop/rock troll. I would just be one or the other." Val then added, "Yeah, Melly brings up a good point, Aunt Mal. I mean, I figured you were close ever since that small interaction on Family Day, but hearing your story, it actually makes things a lot more clearer." Mal then looked at her watch and got up, saying, "Oh! Look at the time! I'm going to be late! I'll be back soon, you two. Have fun at Boulder Ridge and be careful," as she ran to go meet with Peppy.

As Val and Melody watched Mal leave, Melody commented, "Suddenly, I don't care as much about going rock surfing." Val was thinking about something as she asked, "Hold on a minute. Melly, we know your mom is single ever since...*hisses* Bill's death, right"? As Melody nodded, Val then asked, "And we know Peppy is also single ever since Poppy's mom passed as well, right"? With another nod, Val then stated, "So, those two have been close friends since childhood, and ever since losing their original partners, they've been single. Now that they reunited and are spending time together, do you think...there's a chance they might actually...fall in love"? Melody stuck her tongue out in disgust as she shouted, "Ew! I don't even want to think about it! I mean, I wouldn't mind having Poppy as a sister-in-law, but still, yuck! Peppy and Mal, dating? In love,"? Both cousins winced in disgust as Val commented while holding her jaw, "I can feel a cavity coming in because of how disgustingly sweet it sounds." Melody got up and threw her helmet and pads onto the couch, saying, "Forget rock surfing! We have to go see for ourselves. While mom says there are no romantic relations involved with the two of them, we need to see personally if there really are no romantic relations"! Val threw her gear off as she said, "I'm in, Melly"! With that, both cousins rushed out to follow Mal and Peppy on their little "get-together" and see if their suspicions are right.

By the beach, Peppy and Mal were walking along the beach as Peppy commented, "This is nice. I don't remember the last time we hung out like this," as Mal commented, "You said it, Pepster." Melody watched them through her periscope in the plants along the shoreline while Val had a microphone and headset on the listen to their speeches. Meanwhile, Mal asked Peppy, "So Peppy. I must say my congratulations on your daughter becoming engaged with Branch. she's lucky to meet a troll like him." Peppy smiled and said, "Well, no one's happier than my daughter. She and Branch have been working together to plan and prepare for this wedding. Branch recently came up to me and asked me to be the troll to perform the ceremony." Mal giggled as she said, "Wow, the old talkative troll I knew from daycare performing a wedding ceremony. now, you have to get me an invitation so that I could see you in a robe." Peppy blushed and chuckled while Melody replied while looking sick, "Aw yuck! I don't know what's weirder. Seeing Peppy in a robe or my mom getting invited just to see him in a robe." Val shuddered and said, "Both, kiddo. Now, keep watching. What are they doing now"? Melody looked into her periscope as she saw Peppy and Mal ballroom dancing along the shoreline as Melody replied, "They're *retches* ballroom dancing together on the sand." Val stuck her tongue out as she replied, "Ew! Gross! If they do anything else that's sickeningly sweet as that, I'm probably going to barf glitter." Melody replied, "I'll join you," as they both got back to listening/watching Mal and Peppy dance and start to sing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Lost, But Not Forgotten~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peppy: I remember the day that we first met. You were all alone, and you wanted no friends. Yet the moment that we laid eyes, you got pulled in for a big surprise!

Mal: You were so kind to come by and chat. Despite my behavior, you still came and sat. Once we began to talk with one another, I knew that our bond would be like no other!

Both: Then the day you left, I felt oh so lonely. To me, you, my friend, were my one and only. But just because we separated did not mean our friendship dissipated. The plan to split up the tribes sure was misbegotten, and our memories may be lost, but not forgotten.

Mal: As we grew older, our friendship grew. Together, there was nothing we couldn't do. And even when we started to drift apart, you still were held near and dear to me in my heart!

Peppy: And now, Malinda, we're together again. The unlikely couple of best of friends!

Mal: Pepster, you always seem to make me smile!

Both: Our time together is always worthwhile!

Then the day you left, I felt oh so lonely. To me, you, my friend, were my one and only. But just because we separated did not mean our friendship dissipated. The plan to split up the tribes sure was misbegotten, and our memories may be lost, but not forgotten.

As Peppy tossed Mal up into the air and caught her elegantly, he brought her back onto her feet while commenting, "Malinda, I can't tell you how happy our last few meetings have made me. I haven't felt this good in a long time." Mal smiled and responded with a blush while saying, "Me too, Pepster. Me too." Then, they did something that made Melody and Val's jaws drop clean off. They both cradled one another in each other's arms and shared a kiss as a wave doused their feet in cold water. Both cousins felt something come up as Val sickly replied, "That'll do it," as they both bent over and ended up barfing glitter behind bushes. Back in Trollstopia, Val and Melody were walking around with sick expressions while holding their stomachs as Melody said, "That was the most disgustingly sweet moment I have ever witnessed. I don't know if I can handle any more of "THAT" today." Val groaned as she said, "If it happens again, I think I'm going to start losing blood while barfing glitter." Melody then shuddered as she said, "I can't believe it! MY mom, YOUR aunt Val, is in love with POPPY'S dad! It's crazy insane on so many levels just listing them all make you sick to the bone"! Then, Val noticed something in the distance as she pointed, "I don't think we're the only one who thinks that," as she pointed at Poppy, who was currently barfing glitter in a nearby trash can. They both walked up to Poppy as she started to recover, with Melody asking, "Why are you barfing glitter, Poppy"?! Poppy replied in frustration, "Have you seen what YOUR mom/aunt is doing with MY dad?! It's like those two are starting to fall in love! Their romance is as cute as it is weird"!

Val shuddered and held her stomach, saying, "Tell me about it! We just saw them kissing on the beach"! Poppy shuddered as she said, "Weird! Look, I'm all for romance, but the three of us can agree we can NOT let this happen"! Val and Melody nodded in agreement as Melody commented, "Yeah! I mean, not to be unsupportive of her, but I don't want her to marry another pop troll. I don't want her to forget about my dad"! Val nodded in agreement, saying, "Same. Not that we wouldn't want a father or an uncle, but I don't want her to forget about Bill! He's way too important to be replaced and forgotten by someone else, no offense, Popsqueak." Poppy commented, "No offense, and I agree. I'm afraid if he marries Mal, he'll forget all about Petunia, and I'm not ready to let go of the memories of my mom. Plus, think of what a tougher Peppy could be like." Poppy then imagined her dad with spiky hair, black and white makeup on his face, and wearing spiky clothing, riding around on a flyer bug recklessly, screaming everywhere he went. Melody then spoke up, saying, "Imagine what a less edgy Mal would be. Val and Melody then imagined Mal wearing tropical clothing, playing a ukelele, and saying to them, "Come and mellow out with me, girls." With that, all three of them said in a panic, "WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN"!

Val and Melody rushed back home as Val shouted, "Find that memory box! Quickly," as they ran into their closet and started throwing items and looking for something in particular. Melody shouted, "Keep looking! That box has to be somewhere"! Mal, who had returned from her day with Peppy, saw the frantic cousins sifting through the closet as she asked, "What's going on here"? Melody peaked her head up and said nervously, "Oh, hey, mom! Val and I were...looking for something...for her next concert." Val peaked out and added, "Yeah...we are." Mal chuckled as she said, "Sounds great, you two, but before you continue your search, there's something I need to tell you both." Melody widened her eyes and shouted, "NO," as she dove and grabbed Mal by her legs, shouting, "Please don't marry Peppy"! Mal looked at her daughter in confusion as she then saw Val on her knees and begging, for the first time since coming to Trollstopia, begging, "I am normally not one to beg, but please"! Mal had her hands up and said, "Woah, Woah, Woah! Where did you two get the idea that I was marrying Peppy"? Melody had tears flowing as she said, 'You've been spending so much time with Peppy, and you both look so happy being with one another, and the kiss you guys shared on the beach! You guys love each other so much, and you guys are so perfect for one another, but...but...please don't marry Peppy! Nothing against him, but I don't want you to change and become someone entirely different, and I especially don't want you to forget about dad! I'm not ready to move on from remembering about Bill! Please, mom! If not for you, do it for Val and me! Please think about how this would affect us"!

Val also had tears developing, but she did her best to hide them as she said, "Yeah...what Melly said." Mal looked at Val and her almost heartbroken daughter as she smiled, saying, "Val, Melody, I'm not marrying Peppy, even if I wanted to." Melody stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes as she said, "Huh...what do you mean"? Mal knelt to their level, saying, "Girls, Peppy and I may kiss or blush or even do small things that look romantic, but in reality, we are only friends, honest. I know we may seem romantically close, but we are only friends and nothing more. We've been teasing each other for years that we could've been more, and in front of our friends, we like to do little things like kiss or blush to keep the playful teasing up. Besides, Peppy and I both agree that even if we wanted to marry one another or other trolls, in particular, we wouldn't be ready yet because we still miss our loved ones dearly. I still miss my husband the same way you miss your father, Melody. And Val, I know you miss Bill the same way you miss your mother, am I right"?

Val nodded, replying, "I still think about her every day." Melody brought both cousins close to her as she said, "See? We all still miss trolls close to us, and no matter what, unless we were ready, I would not want to move on in my romantic life yet until we are all ready. And I promise you both if I ever meet someone I might want to marry, and we do elope, I will never fully change and especially forget about him. Promise." Melody and Val began to feel a lot better as Melody commented, "I cannot begin to explain how relieved I am to hear that, mom," as Val added, "Yeah. Though did you two have to be sickeningly cute? Your kiss literally made us both barf glitter, and don't even ask me how that's remotely possible"! Mal chuckled as she stated, "Well, that's always been a surprising trait. It seems that every time we like to tease like that, trolls around us always seem to barf glitter. Now, why don't I help you two clean up, and then I can tell you what I was going to say"? They both nodded in unison as the little family began to clean up the mess together.

Meanwhile, Poppy was at her pod looking for something in particular. she fished through a chest full of her favorite things until she found what looked like an old picture frame. It had a picture of a pink female troll with purple hair and a green headband full of petunias. She had Popp's pink eyes and smile, and the troll seemed to be holding an egg next to a slightly younger Peppy. She was wearing a lavender dress covered in pink hearts, and she looked so warm and cuddly, you could hug her for infinity. Poppy looked at the picture solemnly as Peppy entered her pod, saying, "Poppy? Are you ok"? Poppy looked at her father as she said, "I'm fine, just...looking at Mom's old photo is all." Peppy seemed to know what was going on as he asked, "Is this about me hanging out with Malinda? Poppy, I loved your mother so much, and I still do. Malinda is only an old friend I haven't seen in a long while, but I can assure you that she and I are just friends. Besides, I could never forget about Petunia. She was the love of my life and a caring mother. You'd love her Poppy because she had the same optimistic and care-free go-lucky attitude you do. She always looked out for her fellow trolls and helped out however she could. Her legacy is one no troll could ever forget, and one I would certainly never forget.

While you might think I've had my romantic interests rekindled because of Malinda, the truth is, she and I have been teasing one another about becoming more ever since we were kids. We would always tease our friends in front of how our friendship could have become something more, but Mal and I had a mutual agreement that we would only remain close friends. Sometimes, we may kiss or blush or even do romantic interactions with one another, but it's just for fun and nothing else. I could never forget Malinda, but I could also never forget about Petunia, and especially not you, my beautiful daughter." Poppy smiled as Peppy hugged her while saying, "One day, when you and Branch have a child, remember to love it the same way I loved her. Because together, you can raise a great troll, just like Petunia and I did." Poppy smiled and said, "I promise, Dad," as she and Peppy looked at the old photo of Petunia, and could've sworn that just for a minute, they could see her smiling and waving right back at them. Back at Rock hollow, once the bedroom looked tidy again, Val then asked, "So, what's the special news Aunt Mal," as Melody asked, "Yeah! What's the special news, mom"? Mal chuckled as she says, "Alright. I'll tell you. Now, this may sound shocking, so mentally prepare yourselves. You see...it's better if I show you." Mal then left the room for a minute and came back, pulling a cart that had a red and black egg resting in a nest. Val and Melody walked up to it as Melody said, "That's a troll egg! I recognize it anywhere"! Val looked at it and asked, "Mal, where did you find a troll egg"? Mal smiled and said excitedly, "Well, let's just say...Melody, you're going to be a big sister"!