Back in the real world, the entire audience watched in somber silence as Branch continued to cry for his deceased, dearly beloved. Tonight extracted a heavy toll: the death of the Pop Queen and the death of all music. Poppy's lover was completely racked with guilt of failing to protect her that he couldn't even find it within himself to attack Barb, the Troll he believed to be responsible for his pain and suffering. The Tribe Leaders had reservations themselves, but they weren't far behind in sharing their loss. King Quincy and Queen Essence gently wrapped their necks around each other for comfort, Delta Dawn took off her hat and placed it over her heart, King Trollex and Trollzart both hung their heads in defeat, and King Peppy fell to his knees, for he had lost the only family he had left.
Poppy's friends and the entire Pop Tribe fought back tears of sorrow, but it was DJ Suki who fought back the hardest for not just her niece's sake, but her own. Poppy was always considered a sister to her and a second mother to CJ, who buried her head into her aunt's chest as she sobbed and hugged her, a hug DJ returned gratefully. The two of them were joined by Trollex, Bliss, Coral Blush, and even Techno Beat.
Biggie hugged Mr. Dinkles tight, traumatized over having leaving her friend, who paid the ultimate price for his mistakes, and being transformed into a Rock Zombie, a fate shared by Guy Diamond, Smidge, Legsly, Tresillo, Wani, Mandy, and Aspen. When learning of their friend's death and them attacking their own friends and allies while in their Rock Zombie state, they were quick to be overwhelmed in a state of denial before being calmed down by Biggie, who confirmed the news himself. Tresillo and Wani were both comforted by their fellow teammates and even Chaz, who acknowledged Poppy as a formidable ally.
Hickory accompanied Clampers and Growly Pete as they met with Delta, whose eyes were beginning to water up. Over the course of the journey to Volcano Rock City, Poppy had become the daughter she never had, often risking her life to protect hers during the fights. Noticing her niece's already watery eyes, Delta picked Clampers and hugged her close, a group hug ensuing with Hickory, Growly Pete, and Meadow following behind.
Satin and Chenille both hugged Keith as he mourned for Branch and Poppy, while Pennywhistle was held close by Trollzart. Creek, Bella, Gia, Archer, Gemma, Harper, Adora, Catra, Val, Holly, Lownote, Dante, Synth, and Laguna all mourned Poppy's death in their way, despite some of them not knowing the Pop Queen personally.
Barb, remorseful for the pain and suffering she intentionally (and unintentionally) caused, had remained on her knees the moment she saw Poppy fade away into the literal ashes of time. In hindsight, her plan to unite the Troll Kingdom under one genre of music was well-meaning, but ultimately flawed. Uniquity would be replaced with conformity, no distinct personality to bring to the table. And yet she had the nerve to blame Pop for destroying music when all was said and done.
She felt disgusted by herself.
Slowly standing up, she walked over to the damaged-beyond-repair guitar, which happened to be out of reach of Riff, who was busy comforting a sniffling Priscilla. They (along with the audience) watched as Barb bent down to pick up the instrument, gaze at it with utter contempt, and chuck it into the lava below, where it melted for good. She knew it was far too late for repentance, but she had come to terms with her own misguided actions and recognized the consequences of them. An arriving Riff, Priscilla, Carol, Sid, and Stevie seemed to agree, as they gathered for a group hug around the Rock Queen for comfort.
Prince D and Cooper exchanged saddened looks at each other and then at their parents, still entrapped in their loving embrace. The two princes joined the others in hanging their heads in despair. All they could do now...was pray and hope.
. . .
. . .
. . .
But hopes and prayers can be found in the most unexpected of places.
("Heartbeatbox" by Theodore Shapiro)
[0:00 - 0:18]
THUMP-THUMP!
As he hung his head, Cooper's eyes rested on his beating heart as it glowed pink.
THUMP-THUMP!
His eyes widening in amazement and then realization, Cooper then saw the microphone Barb had long discarded.
THUMP-THUMP!
Cooper walked away from his family, who watched on in confusion along with everyone else, wondering what exactly he was doing now.
THUMP-THUMP!
Taking up the microphone and holding it up to his still-beating heart, Cooper's heartbeat was amplified by the stereos.
THUMP-THUMP!
[0:18 - 0:35]
Everybody was snapped out of their traumatic trance and murmured quietly to themselves: what was that noise? That joyful noise.
The Tribe Leaders were the first to notice, followed by Poppy's friends and allies, then the rest of the Tribe members, and finally Branch.
While the fair majority was in shock to find this lone Troll could generate a beat without a String, Prince D smiled proudly at his twin brother as he walked to him, took his place beside him...and began to assist him.
[0:35 - 0:53]
Beatboxing to the rhythm of the night, Prince D and Cooper exchanged joyous looks as they continued to perform a lifitng heartbeatbox for the somber crowd.
"What... What is that?" CJ looked on in awe.
"Those are my sons..." Queen Essence smiled in proud acknowledgement, "Making music..."
As Branch's eyes widened in surprise, Delta Dawn's heart began to glow as well, this time a bright orange. Slipping on her white hat, she knew what to do now.
[0:53 -1:13]
Delta Dawn joined in with the heartbeatbox, clapping her hands and tapping her hooves to the rhythm, joined by Hickory, Clampers, Growly Pete, and Meadow. The Country Troll Leader then turned to the crowd, whose own hearts glowed a bright orange, and encouraged them to join in. And join in they did so with excited glee, following in their leader's hoofsteps.
This was followed by Funk's purple, Techno's blue and green, Classical's yellow, Rock's red, and Pop's pink. Everybody contributed to the heartbeatbox, the founders of which were surprised by the accompanying crowd. Cooper and Prince D turned to the others in astonishment, to which they responded with bewildered shrugs.
[1:14 -1:25]
When the music ceased momentarily, DJ ran up beside Cooper and Prince D, taking the microphone from them and speaking into it.
"Everybody, listen! Queen Barb can't take away something that is inside us...because that's where music really comes from."
Barb gave her words a thought before slightly acknowledging that DJ may have a point.
"She's right," King Quincy spoke up to reinforce her, "It started with the Strings...but now it comes from us."
The Techno Trolls exchanged knowing looks and joined in once more.
[1:25 - 2:20]
Led by Kelpy and Seagrass, the Techno Trolls began to vocalize melodically and gave the heartbeatbox a chanting, otherworldly feel.
Branch, Barb, and Poppy's friends glanced around in awe before whipping to Trollex, who spoke next.
"Yeah, it comes from our experiences!"
"Our lives!" Delta Dawn agreed.
"Our culture," Queen Essence strengthened.
"Beautiful!" Trollzart laughed joyously with Pennywhistle and Dante.
"Listen to that..." Branch murmured under his breath, "Barb can't take that away..."
"One nation under Reggaeton..." Tresillo realized.
"...under Smooth Jazz..." Chaz stared at the crowd in awe.
"...under K-Pop..." Wani smiled with her sisters.
"...under Yodel..." Dickory nodded.
"...under Funk..." Cooper realized.
"...Classical..." Pennywhistle gasped.
"...Techno..." CJ laughed.
"Country..." Meadow breathed.
"...Rock..." Riff exchanged looks with his fellow Rockers.
"...and Pop..." Creek exchanged looks with Branch, who remembered what King Quincy had said in Vibe City:
Denying our differences is denying the truth of who we are...
This was a quote also remembered by Barb, who was approached by her father, who showed no disappointment or anger toward his daughter, but kind understanding instead.
"Dad...?"
"It's all right, Barbara," King Thrash smiled, "Just let everyone be what they wanna be...including you."
The Rock Queen flashed a genuine smile toward her father, whose head she rested her own against upon leaning down.
Watching this from afar, Branch knew that Barb had repented and atoned for her mistakes. She and the rest of the Rock Trolls were just as misguided as anyone else tempted by the power of the Strings.
Poppy didn't die in vain...
As the Trolls remembered the loss of the Pop Queen...as the Tribe Leaders continued to mourn their fellow leader...as a solemn silence settled in once more...
. . .
. . .
. . .
A sole voice echoed throughout the auditorium...and broke the solemn silence.
"Let me...hear you...sing..."
