Disclaimer: We don't own Trolls.

In Bergen Town, the Snack Pack had run out of ideas. They were still in the tank, and they could think of plenty of ways to get out of there. However, being out of the tank would do them no good if they couldn't get out of Bergen Town, which was the dilemma they kept running into.

"We might as well face it," Chenille said after several hours of shooting down poor ideas. "We don't know how to get out of this!"

Creek sighed, looking down sadly. "I hate to admit it, friends, but Chenille is right. It seems there's only one possible chance for our survival." He walked up to DJ and gave her a solemn look as he asked, "Well? What do you say, love? Shall we get this over with so that no one gets hurt?" He took her hands and held them in his.

DJ's eyes widened in shock. Disturbed, she asked, "Uh, what're ya doin'? I—"

Biggie's eyes widened. "Wait a moment, Creek. Are you...suggesting we do as the bergen wants?"

Guy sighed, moving toward Smidge then. "Oh, well. Can't be helped, I suppose." He bent down to the tiny troll's level with a smile and asked, "So? What do you say, Smidge? The both of us already know we'd make beeaauuutiful muuuuuusic together."

Smidge's eyes widened as she looked at Guy. "Uh..." she started, raising a finger. She was going to ask if Guy was flirting with her, but she was interrupted before she could.

"Just a moment, Guy!" Biggie cut in, his tone suspicious. "Are you really interested in Smidge? Or is there some ulterior motive?"

Guy turned to Biggie with a very bright smile. He raised his arms in excitement as he answered, "Why, of cooooourse I'm interested, my friend! I mean, just think of the possibilities! Smidge is exactly the right shade of yellow to potentially produce gold gliiiiiiter trolls! Why, we'd have the best looking children for miiiiiiiles aroooooound!"

Once more, Smidge raised a finger, this time to protest. "Uh... Guy, that's—"

"I should have known! You're only interested in her looks!" Biggie said, looking offended. "You don't care about Smidge! I, on the other hand, think Smidge herself is deserving of some positive attention, and not just because of her appearance! Why, she has many other wonderful qualities that you're ignoring!"

"Meep!" Mr. Dinkles protested. The gist of that little sound was that he disagreed. He thought Biggie would be better with DJ or Satin, and the worm was very rude in his protest.

Biggie gasped at his worm. "Why, Mr. Dinkles, I'm shocked! How could you say that about Smidge?"

Smidge turned to Biggie—she didn't even know when he'd started crushing on her—but she didn't have a chance to speak as her second suitor started glaring at Biggie, pointing a finger at him.

"Well, I never! From the sound of it, you don't know her at all! She's one of our best dancers, cleans up good at parties, and her cooking skills are simply divine! Why, she's way too good for a left-footed klutz like you! But I, on the other hand, am a superb party animal, so she clearly belongs with me!" Angrily, he pointed at himself to emphasize his point.

"I beg your pardon? I am not a 'left-footed klutz!' And Smidge belongs with someone who will treat her the way she deserves to be treated, not someone who will be so focused on himself that he'll ignore her needs!"

Guy got up in Biggie's face, glaring daggers at him, and demanded, "What was that, you cowardly worm-hugger!?"

"You heard me!"

The door opened, and a few of those trolls not currently embroiled in an argument over Smidge looked to see the bergen scullery maid coming in with a book in her face.

When Chef had told Bridget to get a book on troll care from the library, the younger bergen had been surprised to know such a thing even existed. Trolls were usually left to themselves except on Trollstice, but, apparently, someone had taken the time to write a book about caring for sick trolls (nursing them back to health and keeping them happy while you do) and dealing with trouble-makers. It seemed that, historically, bergens had separated trolls who grew very sick from the others to prevent the illness from spreading. She supposed that made sense. After all, who wants their livestock spreading illness?

Currently Bridget was trying to find a way to get the trolls to cooperate and start breeding. What she really needed was a book on that, but it didn't exist. This was the next best thing—at least the parts about dealing with trouble-makers might give her some ideas to try.

Creek grimaced, looking at Guy and Biggie fighting over Smidge. "Oh... Well. Can't say I saw that one coming. But it's all the more reason why we must act quickly. What do you say, love?" This last was directed at DJ again.

DJ grimaced. She was feeling a bit uncomfortable now. "Ya serious? But I thought ya had a thing for Poppy!"

Creek sighed and looked down. He said, "Sad to say, I did. But I highly doubt it will work out, given the circumstances." He took DJ's hands again and looked at her with sympathy as he added, "My only concern now is that we find a way to extend everyone's lives as much as we possibly can. I only wish to do what must be done to keep you all safe."

"Well, yeah, but—"

"I would never treat Smidge like that!" Biggie's cry, louder than Guy's accusations that Smidge would be ignored by Biggie in favor of Mr. Dinkles, cut DJ off. "How dare you, you wonderful, thoughtful troll!?"

Guy stopped glaring, blinking at Biggie in mild confusion. "...I'm sorry. Was that meant as an insult, or were you actually serious?"

Smidge looked at him, wondering the same thing.

Biggie blinked, straightening up. "Oh. Apparently I'm bad at insults."

Bridget watched the trolls, concerned. If she wasn't mistaken, two of them appeared to be fighting over a third. While she wanted them to breed, she didn't want them fighting over the female trolls!

Guy pointed triumphantly at Biggie and laughed, "HAH! You've just proven my point for me! Smidge and I have waaaaaay more in common because, when we dish out insults, they actually sound insulting! Clearly I'm the better troll for—"

Fuzzbert said something in his own language, which, for some reason, Cooper always felt the need to translate, even though everyone here could understand him just fine. Well, except for the bergen, but they weren't counting her.

"Fuzzbert says it should be Smidge who picks," Cooper translated unnecessarily. "I mean, you both say you like her, so let her decide who she likes."

"Excellent observation, Fuzzbert!" Biggie said. "A true gentleman would allow the lady to make the final decision."

"I fully agree!" Guy then turned a flirtatious grin on Smidge and said, "You'll choose me, right, Smidge? I mean, we both know we're just made for each other."

Smidge looked at him, growing a bit uncomfortable now. She kind of liked it better when they were fighting over her and leaving her out of it.

"No, Smidge, you'll choose me, won't you?" Biggie countered. "After all, we're such great friends, and I'll never try to outshine you."

Yes, Bridget was definitely concerned now. "Oh, well, that's...really something. I didn't know trolls had love triangles." She started flipping through the book, saying, "I wonder if there's anything in here about how to work this out..."

She doubted it, but it was worth a shot, right?

"Ignore the rantings of the common trolls, my dear buttercup. He doesn't know what he's talking about. You know we'd be shaaaaaaring, the spotlight together. Just the two of us. What do you say?" Guy offered, taking Smidge's hand romantically.

"No, Smidge, don't be fooled by his charm!" Biggie pleaded, taking her other hand. He gave her a very loving look as he said, "I love you for who you are, not just how you look."

"I beg your pardon! I care about more than how she looks! And I would never sideline her for some dumb worm that I'm too helpless to live without!"

Hurt, Biggie gasped. "How dare you!? I wouldn't sideline Smidge, either, Guy. And your hair is looking especially sparkly today!"

"Oh, yeah!?" Guy said, getting up in Biggie's face again. "Well, that's the best thing you've said to be all day!"

"Yes, it is! I really should stop trying to insult you!" Biggie answered, returning Guy's glare with one of his own.

Finding nothing useful in her book, Bridget gave up and put it down. She walked over, saying, "Hey, hey! There's no need to fight!"

The trolls ignored her, too busy glaring at each other fiercely.

"You want a piece of me, chubby!?"

"Bring it on, you sparkly devil!"

All the other trolls' eyes widened.

Smidge put her hands to her cheeks and cried, "Oh, my ga!"

"I don't know why, but I feel slightly jealous," Chenille said. She glanced at her sister and asked, "You?"

Satin nodded. Yes, being jealous in a situation where they were all being forced to have children seemed a little strange, but Smidge's popularity stirred that feeling, regardless. "I wish somebody would fight over me."

"Uh..." Bridget glanced at the cage, concerned. "Maybe I need to separate those two for now..."

Nose to nose, the two continued their argument.

"Crybaby!"

"Good Samaritan!"

"THANK YOU!"

"YOU'RE WELCOME!"

"I don't think you two know how to argue at all," Cooper said. "You're doing it wrong!"

Biggie and Guy both turned their glares on him in annoyance.

"So Guy and Biggie are both fighting over Smidge," Chenille said. "Creek decided to test his luck with DJ. Cooper and Fuzzbert...aren't doing anything, which I can't really say bothers me." Not that there was anything wrong with them, but those two weren't her type. Neither was Biggie, really. "Has nobody noticed that we're standing here alone?"

"That's right! In case you haven't noticed, we're available!" Satin agreed, waving her arms in the air as though signaling a plane.

Suddenly Creek took Chenille by the hand and gave her a loving look. "Here now, love. Don't be so indignant. I can see you're a troll worth fighting for." He gently kissed the back of her hand.

Now that was what Chenille was talking about!

"Oh!" She put a hand to her cheek, blushing slightly. She was definitely pleased with this attention. "Well, it's good to see someone has some taste," she said with a smile.

"What about me?" Satin asked.

"So? What do you say, love?" Creek flirted with Chenille. "The sooner we synchronize ourselves, the better we'll all be."

Chenille returned his flirtatious look with one of her own, taking his other hand in her free hand as she said, "Okay, Creek."

As there was little privacy to be had in an empty tank, Creek fanned his hair out to cover himself and Chenille, leaving Satin stuck outside.

She crossed her arms and turned away, jealous of her sister. "Well, don't let me stop you. You two have fun in there!"

Biggie and Guy were now arguing with Cooper in addition to each other. For his part, Cooper seemed to be enjoying himself. Since this was getting a little ridiculous, Bridget opened the tank and reached for Biggie, whom she deemed the least dangerous.

Of course, this action caused mass hysteria.

"Oh, noooo!" DJ cried as the bergen picked up Biggie. "That horrible monster's got Biggie!"

"Looks like they've changed their minds, after all! We're all dooooomed!" Guy cried, his voice autotuning on the last word. He started running in a blind panic.

Cooper joined Guy, running around wildly, screaming, "AAAAAHHHHH!"

"Oh, my! Oh, my! Oh, my!" Biggie worried. He thought he might faint as he held Mr. Dinkles close.

"It's okay," Bridget said gently to the scared troll. "I just think you two could use some time apart, that's all." She gently placed Biggie in the bird cage and locked him in, then latched the lid back onto the tank.

Most of the trolls stared at her, eyes wide in shock. Guy and Cooper stopped running.

"What!?" Guy asked, now very much at a loss for what was going on.

"What gives!?" DJ asked.

"Oh, my ga!"

"You can join the others again once you calm down. Chef wouldn't be happy if any of you got hurt now," Bridget told Biggie.

"What? But she wants to eat us! Doesn't she?" Cooper asked.

The trolls all looked at each other curiously. This bergen was much more gentle than the one who had brought them in, and the king's threat to "bite all your yummy heads off" had shown them that was the norm. What this one was doing, none of them could say.

Elsewhere, Poppy and Branch had stumbled upon a stream of cool, clean water, where Poppy insisted they stop and bathe. Branch, on the other hand, wanted to keep going so he could get this over with, all things considered. For one, the more time he spent with Poppy, the harder it would be to say goodbye when he needed to. For another, he wanted to get the risk of interactions with other trolls over with as soon as possible.

"Oh, come on, Branch!" Poppy complained. "I haven't had a decent bath in days! And I smell like I work at the saddlespider ranch! Plus you're all covered in mud! So we totally have to stop and make this one right." She crossed her arms, giving him a stern look.

Branch leaned in and gave Poppy a good sniff.

Now uncomfortable, Poppy leaned away from him. "Ew... Branch..."

He put a hand to his chin and said, "Admittedly you do stink. That might be why you keep getting attacked... Fine, we'll stop and get cleaned up. Just make it quick."

Excited, Poppy started dancing around and cried, "Yeeeess! Thanks, Branch! I'll be right back!" She ran off behind a nearby rock and started undressing. As she did, she called back to Branch, "You need one, too, Branch! You'll want to look your best when we go save everyone!"

She then started singing as she got into the water and started washing herself. Lucky for her, she'd stashed some soap in her hair. You can't have a party when everyone's worried about how badly you smell, after all.

"Hey! I'm not giving up today! There's nothing getting in my way! And if you knock, knock me over, I will get back up again!"

"I don't see why that would be," Branch said lamely as she kept singing. Like he cared what he looked like when they found the others? If he was unrecognizable, that would probably be better for him, anyway.

Still, knowing Poppy wouldn't quit until she got her way, he left his backpack on the shore and got into the creek a little further away to wash the mud from the swamp off both him and his clothes. It wasn't like his camouflage was much use to him out here.

A bit later, with both trolls clean, dry, and dressed, Poppy put her hands to her cheeks as she stared at the clean gray troll that she hadn't seen properly in years (covered in mud was not how she'd imagined finding him). He'd even washed off the war paint on his face, much to her relief.

"Aw... You look so cute now! Now are you glad we stopped? You look more like a troll again and less like a creepy swamp monster," she said, smiling.

Branch just shrugged—it didn't matter to him. He'd be covered in mud again soon, after all...assuming he survived this trip. "It's better camouflage in the swamp than out of it." He picked his backpack up and put it on, adding, "Let's get back to your village."

"Uh, speaking of, I was...kinda hoping we could just head straight to Bergen Town..." Poppy pulled out his map and showed it to him, saying, "See, it says here that Bergen Town's a straight shot south from where we are now! So, if we head in that direction—"

Clearly she was ignoring the red triangles and exclamation points all over the map that indicated about 20 danger zones in that general direction. Branch didn't have time to point them all out for her, so he focused on the worst ones.

He pointed at a spot to the south east of the swamp and said, "Right here's a place I like to call the Valley of Birds, and I'm talking the troll-eating kind." He pointed to the west of that and said, "This here is nothing but quicksand for about three miles across, and it would add about five days onto your trip to go around the safe way." Pointing to another spot near that, he continued, "If you take the short route, you'll be walking through this area, which is currently flooded. And, my personal favorite part of your route, right here."

He pointed to a word on the map: Borget.

"This is the village of Borget, completely inhabited by bergens who don't want to live in Bergen Town. They left after Trollstice stopped happening and have been looking for trolls of their own to eat ever since. The lack of an organized holiday means, if we were captured by one, we'd just be eaten, end of discussion. Still want to take that path?"

If she did, she was an idiot, no doubt about it.

Poppy's eyes widened in shock. Could all of that actually be out here? All in one place? "Uuuuhhh..."

Satisfied he had won, Branch started walking off for Troll Village, saying, "We're heading back to Troll Village. It's safer, especially if everyone has already left."

Poppy stared after him for a moment. There was no way there was actually that much danger out here! Branch was, after all, always finding danger in safe places.

"Okay? First of all, Branch, how do you know that?" she asked giving him a look that was one part lame and two parts concerned. "Have you ever actually been to those places? Or is this just your paranoia making stuff up again?"

"I didn't settle in a swamp because of the great scenery, Poppy. I know all of that because, after I was banished, I had to find a place with resources that wouldn't kill me."

"Oh..."

Well, this was awkward. She'd just brought up bad memories, no denying that. From the sound of things, Branch had suffered several near-death experiences out here himself. Poppy twiddled her thumbs a bit, not sure what to say for a moment.

"Well, then, what are we waiting for!? The sooner we get to Troll Village, the sooner we reach Bergen Town!" She grabbed Branch's hand excitedly, said, "Come on!" and dragged him off.

Poppy's favorite way of dealing with an awkward situation: move on and pretend it never happened.

"Hey!" Branch protested, startled.

If Poppy had her way, they'd have kept moving right through the night. Branch, however, insisted that they stop for several reasons, including the dangers of traveling at night in the dark and the fact that they needed sleep in order to survive. So, like it or not, Poppy found herself setting up camp with Branch. They got a campfire going, and Branch started cooking up some of the food he'd packed—mushrooms and roots. When he tried to feed it to Poppy, she refused.

"Poppy, you need to eat," Branch told her. "It's not going to kill you."

"Ugh! Speak for yourself. That looks totally disgusting! Don't you have anything tastier in there? I know you didn't pack anything good for me."

She had some nerve, asking him for "tastier" food. The girl had nearly starved herself to death! She should be grateful for anything he gave her!

"Poppy, what I packed is what's going to keep you breathing and give you the energy you'll need for this insanity we're currently heading out on. So stop complaining and eat something."

"But, Braaanch! I'm not even sure if trolls should be eating this stuff. It's not part of a healthy diet at all!" she whined, throwing her arms up in the air.

"I've been eating it for the last ten years, Poppy."

"Urg, fine! Give me that thing!"

She snatched the plate from Branch and grimaced at it. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she closed her eyes, took a root, and took a big bite. Her eyes widened in surprise as she found that it wasn't as unappealing as she'd been expecting.

"Huh. You know, that's not half bad," she said, mouth full. "Not as good as rumbleberries, but..." She swallowed then took another bite.

Branch rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, well, the only thing I've got that comes close to that is the berries you already tried to eat."

"That's okay," Poppy said as she chewed her latest bite of food. "Once we save everyone, the others will know—"

"I may be coming to help you save your friends—even if it is probably too late for them—but I'm not going back to your society!"

Poppy swallowed her food hard and gave Branch a disappointed look as she whined, "Aw, but, Branch. Why not?"

"They don't want me there, Poppy." Looking away, he added, "And I don't care, anyway."

He didn't. Really. It wasn't like it mattered to him what they all thought.

"But, Branch! You do belong there! All heroes deserve to be treated like heroes! So you shouldn't—"

"I'm only a hero in your eyes," he cut her off.

Poppy looked at him sadly. "Branch..."

Why was he always so down on himself? Couldn't he see what she saw? He wasn't what everyone thought!

He got to his feet, saying, "We'd better get to sleep. We'll be back in Troll Village tomorrow morning, then we can find our way to Bergen Town from there."

Poppy sighed and reached into her backpack to pull out a blanket Branch had packed for her, saying, "Yeah, Branch. Whatever you say." She gave him a lame look before she spread her blanket out on the ground.

Branch moved away from her and laid out a mat for himself. Several feet from her, he lay down with his back to her. Poppy looked over at him, thinking. Then, grinning mischievously, she picked up her blanket and moved a bit closer. She lay her blanket out right beside him and lay down to sleep.

Feeling something close, Branch looked over his shoulder to see Poppy closer than he wanted her. "What are you doing there?"

"What? I'm not used to sleeping alone." She adjusted her blanket a bit.

"What?" Branch sat up, incredulous. "Poppy, you're 21 years old. Who are you living with?"

Generally trolls moved out on their own as adults, finding pods of their own. The princess shouldn't have been an exception to that rule.

"Uuuuhh... everyone...?" she asked, confused. Did he forget she lived in Troll Village?

"Everyone lives in your pod?" he asked lamely. Surely she couldn't be serious. There had to be a miscommunication here somewhere.

"Oh, come on, Branch. It's not like it's that big a deal. I'm just used to having fellow trolls around." Muttering, she added, "Haven't had a decent hug in days, either. You won't let me, so—"

It was true—every time her Hug Time watch had gone off, Poppy tried to hug Branch. And every time he stopped her with one hand, pushing her back. She'd stopped trying when he threatened to go home and leave her on her own if she didn't.

Louder, Poppy finished, "I'm just a little homesick! You understand." She gave him a reassuring smile.

"No. I don't," he answered somewhat harshly.

"Yeah, well, tough cookies. I'm already comfortable, and heroes shouldn't sleep alone, anyway." She turned away from him and put her picture collage down, pulling out all of the different frames.

Branch just stared at her for a second before lying back down, his back to her. Apparently everyone did live in her pod with her, but the more pressing part of what she'd said was her second reason: Heroes shouldn't sleep alone. He wasn't a hero. How long was it going to take for her to figure that out?

Poppy grinned over her shoulder at him before turning to the pictures of her friends. "So special..." she said, stroking the picture frame. "Good night, Cooper. Good night, Smidge. Good night, Fuzzbert. Good night, Satin. Good night, Chenille. Good night, Biggie. Goodnight, DJ. Good night, Guy Diamond." She gave an affectionate giggle, then reached to boop the last one in the nose as she said, "Good night, Creek."

Branch glared at Poppy over his shoulder and demanded, "How's your husband feel about everyone else living there?"

Now that was a weird question.

Poppy's eyes widened in shock as she quickly sat up and turned to face Branch. "WHAAAAA!?"

Branch rolled over, propping himself up on an elbow, and said, "Well, you clearly have your friends living in your pod with you, so how does Creek feel about that?"

Poppy just stared at him as if he'd eaten his own foot. Really, though, with the things she'd said tonight, she shouldn't have been surprised he was thinking that. "...Uh, no. No, Branch. No one's living in my pod with me, and I am not married. What ever gave you that idea?" She put a hand on her hip.

"You just said you never sleep alone! I doubt anyone in Troll Village is ever this close to you at night if they don't share a pod with you."

Poppy sweat, grinning awkwardly. Of course that was the reason. She'd told him she didn't sleep alone. Her word choice might not have been the greatest if it led him to believe that.

"Uuuhh... No. No, Branch, I don't actually have anybody sleeping in bed with me. I'm just not used to being away from Troll Village. My friends all sleep in separate pods, including my boyfriend, Creek. So, no. I'm not that immature. Just a little lonely. That's all."

"Ugh, Poppy! The way you were acting, you had me thinking you'd all somehow moved into my old bunker so you could be together all day."

It wouldn't have surprised him, either. Trolls were very social creatures, but Poppy and her friends took it farther. Smidge was never more than ten feet away from Poppy, the twins constantly complained about being attached at the hair but panicked if anyone suggested separating them, and Biggie was always with Mr. Dinkles, at the least.

Poppy's eyes widened again, and she stared at him completely nonplussed. "Why would the trolls move down there? Trolls hate living underground."

"Never mind," Branch said, giving up. He rolled back over to sleep.

Poppy watched him for a moment before sighing. "Right. Good night, Branch." She moved a little closer, leaning over his side and smiling warmly at him as she added, "And, for the record, you did do a good job getting rid of those growlbeasts, even if you did take it a little too far."

As if her words weren't shocking enough, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Branch jumped a bit, startled, then looked up at her with a mix of shock and confusion. Why would she kiss him? Why would she say he'd done a good job when she officially thought he was a murderer? Sure, she still cared about him, for some reason, but kissing him?

Poppy returned his shocked look with a warm smile and caring gaze. "Thanks again for saving me...hero."

She went and crawled back onto her own blanket again, wrapping it around herself a bit. Branch sat up and stared at her for awhile, still lost.

She'd kissed him. Him. What was wrong with that girl? He wasn't what she thought, and he was sure that the growlbeasts would have proven that to her. So why was she still so affectionate?

Even better, she'd called him a hero again—twice. She'd accused him of murder earlier that day, yet she was still calling him a hero? Why?

That girl was a mystery he couldn't solve. After a bit, he gave up and turned away, laying back down with his back to her so he could sleep.

A/N: Biggie's inability to insult anyone was based on an episode of TBGO where he and Smidge got into an argument and his insults were all compliments.