Long Live The King
Ch1
It was 50 years ago at Volcano City as a certain troll was biting the rolled piece taffy in his mouth waiting to be called to the stage. he had light blue skin and a golden blonde pompadour. his suit white with metal studs lining it white matched his hollow body guitar. the audience was clearly cheering
"All right now put your hands together for the one the only... Leroy Gold" a voice said as if on cue the cheering went all the way to 11 as Leroy walked up, his red silk cape fluttering in the air behind him, holding guitar overhead. he was silent until he ran his ran his hand in a windmill motion, strumming a chord. eventually the trolls started singing.
The show could only be defined as euphoric, everything about Leroy, his voice, his presence, his moves, his stage attire and white and golden guitar gave off the appearance of something more than a king, a god. the moment the final note was played the crowd erupted in cheers. Leroy pulled the red cape from his suit, wiping the sweat from his forehead before tossing it into the crowd.
Among all the Rock Trolls who ever lived, the was none with more impact than Leroy Gold. So, it was only natural the city would mourn when his boat crashed, and his body was never found. The brightest light of Volcano City snuffed out. with his death came to age of leather attire, bad attitude and crazy hairdos. Since Leroy had no family, his childhood friend Thrash would surpass him as leader of the Rock Trolls, eventually handing the crown down to his kid Barbara, or Barb for short.
For a while the Rock Trolls were isolated from the other tribes until the events following the Rock Trolls World Tour. Now Trolls of all tribes were living in a place called Trollstopia, under the rule of the Pop Queen, Poppy.
It was a typical day as Poppy was laying, belly down on the grass, sniping through the felt fabric in her hands. Scrapbooking was her favorite hobby as her boyfriend Branch walked by, dripping liquid as she looked up.
"What happened to you?" Poppy asked, sitting her tools down as Branch huffed, telling her simply that Cloud Guy happened. she chuckled at the pranks that Branch was often the butt of.
"How about we have a picnic tonight, just the two of us" Poppy offered, saying it would take his mind off it as she leaned in to kiss him, backing away. apologizing but he stank, which Branch attributed to the fish he was coated with as he walked off, his feet making a wet squishing noise.
Poppy closed her book, walking through the city, waving to the trolls who called out. it was business as usual...until she two of the residents approached her. being her Bestie Val Thundershock and the rocker's manager/friend Demo, looking around as they were glad, they ran into her.
"Hey Poppy, I'm sorry to bring this up but the rock trolls will be leaving Trollstopia for about a week" Val informed as Poppy dropped her scrapbook at the mention of her friends leaving, asking for a reason as Val Rubbed her arm nervous as Demo filled her in.
"It's just... the 50th anniversary of Leroy Gold's death is coming up and most of the Rock Trolls are heading back to Volcano Rock to pay respects" Demo explained. it was a bit weird considering 50 years had passed but it was an anniversary, and the Rock trolls were clearly shaken up about it.
"You wouldn't understand Poppy, you're not a Rock Troll but Leroy was huge among the Rock Trolls as Poppy nodded her head, saying it was okay if they go.
"So, Who is this Leroy Gold" Poppy asked, bending over to pick up her scrapbook as Val looked at her a bit shocked by the question but remembered the Pop Queen was pretty oblivious, having just recently found out about the other tribes so her not knowing about Leroy would make sense.
"Follow me" Val instructed, leading Poppy back to Rock Hollow, to where The Rock Trolls kept a record player. The purple haired troll handed Poppy a pair of headphones to put on as Val flipped her fingers through the vinyl collections, pulling out a record from its sleeve, setting it. it was a sleeve that simply read 'Solid Gold' on a red base The second the needle dropped on the record Poppy was first exposed to the music of Leory Gold.
The sound of his vocals against the guitar was like nothing she had heard before. after needle reached the center of the record and stopped Poppy lifted her headphones, saying the music was amazing. Val nodded, picking up the vinyl disc and sliding it back into the sleeve.
"I got this record from my old man. I know it's old and pretty soft; but liking Leroy Gold won't get you looked down upon in Rock Troll culture, he was a trendsetter" Val admitted as Poppy nodded.
"Look, I don't like my friends leaving but I understand, and It would be wrong to tell you that you could not go to pay respect" Poppy explained as Val nodded, saying she would see her when she returns.
"I would ask you to come with, but you know, you're the queen. If you left, the city would probably fall apart" Val teased as Poppy chuckled, Poppy told Val to have a fun time, leaving Rock Hollow.
Val took the time to pack her bag, which consisted of a few pieces of clothes, like one shirt, one skirt and two pairs of underwear as well as a few socks and gloves. all packed in her bag. other Rock Trolls were packing their bags, ready to leave at sundown.
Barb was planning a week-long festival to honor Leroy Gold, but she was very hush hush about what it actually was. Demo came into the room, carrying his bag.
"I thought you were gonna let Poppy know about us leaving in advance" Demo said, explaining that she just found as Val thought Demo was going to tell her.
"We played rock, paper scissors, you lost" Demo replied as Val huffed, forgetting that she always threw rock.
Back at the Bunker Branch was having a dinner he cooked with Poppy, who was enjoying it, complimenting her cooking skills.
This is so good" Poppy replied, running her silverware thru the heavenly food, cutting it with her knife and she picked the piece up with her fork, dipping it in sauce before bringing it to her mouth.
"Thanks, the recipe was my grandmother's she had a box of them. plus being alone all of these years, it helps to learn how to cook" Branch admitted as the queen looked at him, telling Branch about the Rock Trolls leaving to pay respects to Leroy Gold as took a sip of water.
"It's nice they do that, every year I do something on the anniversary of Granny's death, and Leroy was pretty important to the Rockers, he did not know much but he and Demo often listened to records together. The manager was the guy who got him into 'Bad Hair Day' and Demo also enjoyed softer rock, like Leroy Gold.
"Do you think we should go; I mean I haven't actually spent any time with Barb since the tour, and this means a lot to Val and the other Rock Tribe" Poppy asked as Branch gave his opinion, saying the city might not like their queen being absent.
"I mean Smidge and the Snack Pack can help run things in my absence, they have done it before" Poppy explained, recalling that week she had the flu, and Smidge acted as temporary Queen.
Branch acknowledged the Snack Pack could run things, but said if Poppy was going, he would go too.
"You know I'm surprised you did not know about Leroy" Branch admitted, but he know that Poppy did not listen to that much Rock music. she was quick to defend the music she heard, not knowing Rock could be like that, a step away for the fist-pounding music they usually played.
"Songs like that, just wow" Poppy admitted, eventually they finished their meal. Poppy was set on joining the Rock Trolls as Branch logical would go with her. she gave her list of activities for the Week to the Snack Pack who agree to follow it to the smallest detail as she and Branch walked over to Val and Demo.
Val and Demo honestly could not believe that Poppy and Branch were coming with her, but they were glad to have them. making room in one of the busses for the Pop Queen and her Boyfriend as they sat. Demo tapped the head of the microphone.
"Okay Trolls, this trip will take a while, so keep your hands to yourself, remain seated and keep the seatbelts buckled" Demo said as the Rock Trolls looked at him.
"I'm kidding" Demo commented earning a few looks from the Rock Trolls, telling them to go nuts. to which was their default. The ride outside of Tollstopia was loud in the usual rock troll behavior
"So much for a respectful trip to pay respects" Branch commented, almost regretting leaving them as Val looked at them, saying the tribe was just getting their party energy out before they arrived in Volcano Rock City.
"They won't be like this at the celebration" Val informed handing a drink to Poppy and Branch. The Queen simply thanked her, taking a sip from the drink. it was pleasant. the trip kept on as usual as Demo spoke over the microphone.
"And if you look to the left, you'll see Volcano Rock City in the distance" Demo called out, a few Rock Trolls poking their heads out, seeing the fiery landscape in the distance. Branch looked at Poppy.
"Our last trip to Volcano Rock City was not a pleasant one" he commented, reflecting on the events of Barb's World Tour and him getting brainwashed. It was safe to say of all the leaders he had the least trust of Barb.
"Branch you promised you would give her a clean start" Poppy comforted as he sighed, remembering her agreement to his girlfriend. eventually the bus rode up the volcano stopping at the top. the mouth of the create opened as the Rock Trolls poured out.
"I forgot how hot it was up here" Branch commented, glad he did not wear a shirt.
(A/N: So, it's pretty clear that Leroy Gold is heavily inspired by Elvis Presley but he's not a straight 1 to 1 copy of him. He was the Rock King prior to Thrash but after his disappearance Thrash was given the crown)