Chapter 3: Research and Development

Now that Circe has been revealed and it's obvious she's up to something. Branch, DJ, and Storm will need to get information on who or what she is if they want to stop whatever she has planned.

Reby Montana – Good question. We'll have to see in future installments like The Beat goes on or Trolls World Tour. And could you please cut back on the name calling and language please?

If any of you need reference for what Circe looks like then go to Deviant Art and search "Circe the Charen" then she should come right up and that's what she looks like.

Enjoy!

"Thank you! Thank you Troll Village!" Circe said with satisfaction after concluding. "I'm so pleased you all enjoyed my wonderful song."

Practically every troll in Troll Village was around Circe praising her for her performance. Except for a certain two trolls and Tragon.

"Something isn't right here. I can sense when something is wrong and something is definitely wrong." Storm said having that bad feeling now more than ever.

"For once I second that. I know music and that music has some serious bad vibes." DJ Suki replied turning to her friend with discomfort.

"Yeah" Branch said under his breath looking suspiciously at the Charen in question. Branch is the most pessimistic troll so it wouldn't be surprising he was suspicious, but if Storm who's instincts could sense when something is wrong, and DJ who like most troll is positive and isn't one to think negatively are with him on this, then Circe was definitely up to something. But why are they the only ones to see this? Surely some of the others could tell that something wasn't right. Right? And what's a Charen anyway? Being a survivalist, Branch is one to know has many critters in the known world as possible. But he's never heard of a Charen. There were so many questions and Branch was determined to get some answers. "Come on! Let's get to the bottom of this." Branch said gesturing the two to follow him as they approached the Charen in question.

"That was an interesting song you just sang there Miss umm Circe right?" Branch walked up to Circe crossing his arms as Storm and DJ walked up next to him.

"Hmm." Gaining the Charen's attention from the other trolls praising her. "Oh! Yes indeed that is my name and I know my song is just so enchanting isn't it. No need to thank me for gracing all of you with it, it was my pleasure." Circe said praising herself.

Storm growled slightly in annoyance at her arrogant statement, DJ didn't like it either.

"And what is your name young blue troll?" Circe asked Branch.

"My name is Branch and these are my friends DJ Suki and Storm." Branch said introducing himself and the friends by his side. However Circe simply gave them an uninterested and slightly annoyed look.

"Oh well I didn't exactly ask for their names. But it was nice of you to share I guess." Circe said turning away from them. Leaving the three of them shocked at the rude statement.

"Well that wasn't insulting at all!" Storm said irritated only loud enough for the two to hear.

"What are you talking about? That was up right rude!" DJ Suki said confused but also annoyed at the same low volume.

"I was being sarcastic." Storm replied forgetting that not all trolls get sarcasm.

"So uh what brings you to Troll Village anyway?" Branch asked Circe.

"Oh I've just been traveling around practicing, looking for an audience to preform too. But alas I haven't had a place to call home in so long!" Circe said dramatically. "I don't suppose you trolls would mind if I settled for a little while in your lovely village? I've traveled for so long I could sure use some rest." Circe asked turning back to the other trolls.

"But of course we'd love to have you here! Wouldn't we Mr. Dinkles?" Biggie said sincerely then asking his pet glow worm.

"That would be amazing!" Guy Diamond said in auto-tune.

"Yeah and you're so awesome! You've already given some inspiration for a new outfit!" Satin said "What do you think Poppy?" Chenille continued.

Before Poppy could say anything Branch ran over and interrupted her.

"Uh Poppy a word please? Branch said guiding her a few feet away. An action from which Circe narrowed her eyes at with her arms crossed.

"Yeah Branch is something wrong?" Poppy asked making Branch give her a confused/concerned look.

"Uh Yeah! Seriously nothing about her seems fishy to you at all? Branch asked Poppy. She can't be 'this' oblivious right?

"Not really I mean if Circe needs a place to stay then I don't see why she can't stay here for a while. And besides Circe doesn't seem so bad." Poppy said from which saying 'really' gave Branch a confused/concerned look.

"Not so bad?" Branch repeated. "Did you hear what she said to DJ and Storm?" Branch asked pointing out Circe's rudeness.

"While it was nice of you to share, she did only ask for your name." Poppy replied shocking Branch.

"Wait! You're taking her side!?" Branch yelled his question. Since when would Poppy, ever take sides with someone whose statement dissed her friends?

"I'm sure she's just tired. I mean she did say it's been awhile since she's had company. She's probably just out of practice when it comes to being around others." Poppy stated.

"Ok while I can see your point. Still the lyrics of her song didn't sound, sinister at all to you in anyway?" Branch asked referring to Circe's previously suspicious performance.

"Honestly I didn't notice. It was just so catching it was almost, mesmerizing in some way." As Poppy said that her eyes seemed dull. "Look if you three need time I get it but we at least try to be hospitable and welcome Circe on her stay." Poppy said as she walked back over to where the others are and Storm and DJ approached Branch.

"She can't be serious." Storm said seriously confused.

"For once I wish she wasn't." Branch replied.

"So what are we gonna do?" DJ asked. "When can't just stand by and do nothing."

"Circe is definitely up to something. I for one am determined to find out what it is!" Branch answered.

Storm and DJ Suki looked at each other and nodded signifying they both agreed with the objective.

"We're in!" Storm said ready to back her friends up.

"Really?" Branch asked turning toward them.

"Well yeah! If our Village and our friends are in danger and we're the only ones who can stop it. We gotta stick together on this." DJ answered.

Branch smiled at their statement. He was glad to have any support in this mission of theirs. If Circe hasn't already won over all the other trolls, then he'll need all the help he can get.

"Besides-" Storm continues. "By now we both know that you'd be lost without me." Storm said giving Branch a smirk. Branch simply groaned at her fact.

"So what's the plan anyway?" DJ asked

"Well we know next to nothing about Circe or even what a Charen is. I for one have never heard of it and that's saying something." Branch pointed out pacing.

"There's nothing about them in your 'Wilderness Guide' or anything?" Storm asked.

"I've read through it at least ten times and it never said anything about Charen." Branch said

"Well if there's nothing in your guide, then it's lucky we know a place that might have something." DJ said with some excitement building up and it seemed Storm knew what she was talking about cause she grinned and was starting to get excited too. But Branch was confused at first till his eyes widened and he realized with slight fear what they were thinking of.

"To the Troll Village Library!" The DJ and Storm said in unison each grabbing one of Branch's arms and running that way.

With Circe.

"And this is the guest pod!" the orange troll Aspen guided her in.

"By the way don't worry. I'll make sure not too many trolls try to bother you while you're here. You sang so awesomely they're practically already your fans." Smidge said cracking her knuckles.

"That's quite alright Smidge dear, I actually quite enjoy the attention." Circe reassured her.

"Ok then we'll leave you to get settled." Smidge said leaving.

"Hope you enjoy your stay here!" Aspen said, leaving as well.

"Oh believe me, I only will if you all do." Circe replied to them leaving.

Then, once she was alone, Circe started to monologue to herself. "Haven't had a feast like that in years! This place is a gold mine of positive energy. My parents were right about them, no wonder we went to them for food. Course that was a long time ago. And for my revenge, in no time I'll be running this place. They may not remember, but I sure do! For what they did, for what they put me through! They'll be working for me, feeding me and they won't even know it. They're far too trusting, they already seem like putty in my hands. But eventually, they won't even know what to eat before running it through me. I'll never go hungry again!" Circe conspired with herself.

But then, Branch, DJ, and Storm came to mind.

"Hmm, although those three didn't seem taken with my song like the rest. With that Tragon, it comes as no surprise. But still they might be a problem." Circe said with worry, until her necklace started to glow. "What am I saying? It's only three of them and eventually the whole village will be eager to do as I say. When the time comes and my spell takes full effect, they'll chose me over them and I'll be able to take care of them easy!" Circe said, with arrogant confidence and her necklace started to glow brighter. "Soon my revenge will be complete, and Troll Village and its inhabitants will belong to me!" Circe finished with a maniacal laugh. (And no, none of the trolls could hear it.)

With Branch, Storm, and DJ Suki.

"WOOHOO!" Storm and DJ cheered enjoying riding the mine car set outside the library, from which Branch of course disliked. "WAHHHH!"

After the ride was over and they pulled into the library. Branch was glad it was over since he was starting to feel kinda sick.

"Man I never get tired of that ride!" Storm said climbing out of the cart.

"I know right? So awesome!" DJ agreed climbing out.

"Phew ok let's get searching." Branch said relieved hopping out of the cart heading for the book shelves as Storm and DJ followed. "We need to see if we can find anything about Charen."

A few minutes later.

"Anything? Branch asked after finishing a book and placing it on a large stack.

"Nah." DJ answered looking through a pile of books.

"Not yet." Storm answered flying looking at the higher shelves.

"I don't get it, there's got to be something in here!" Branch yelled getting frustrated.

When Storm pulled out a book and turned away from the shelf. Her tail accidentally knocked into the bookshelf. Causing the books to fall on her and DJ.

"Whoa! Look out bellow!" Storm yelled falling from the upper shelves.

"Huh?" DJ muttered looking up from her book, realizing what's crashing down above her. "Uh Oh!"

"Guys!" Branch yelled with concern. He hurried over to the pile of books his friends were beneath. He started digging through it looking for them. Luckily it didn't take too long to find them.

"You two ok?" Branch asked hoping his friends didn't get hurt.

"I'm ok." Storm groaned getting up, with some books falling off her.

"Me too." DJ answered taking a book that fell on her head off.

"Phew that's good." Branch was relieved to hear.

DJ then looked at the book that fell on her. 'Creatures beyond Critters' it was called.

"Uh guys I think I found something." DJ said quickly gaining her friends' attention.

"Whoa! This has to be what we're looking for!" Branch said excitedly, taking and opening it eager to find some answers.

Branch flipped through the pages looking for the right information. With DJ and Storm hovering over.

"Let's see. Plumfadoodle? No. Pukwudgie? No." Branch said searching through the book.

"You're in the P's we need to go back to where the C's are." Storm pointed out.

"What? Oh right! I knew that." Branch said flipping back through the pages.

"It's not like you just flip through the pages. And just happen to find the page you're looking for." Storm said to DJ.

"Found it!" Branch yelled in achievement. Storm and DJ leaned over to look at the page with him.

Charen.

Charen are beautiful and friendly Siren like creatures that live in small families. Charen feed on the happiness and positive energy of non-critters. It is unknown why Charen are unable to feed on the happiness of critters. It seems they are just simply immune. But Charen don't steal happiness. They merely harvest it. They commonly use their natural singing voices to bring joy to others. Charen also have the ability to hypnotize non-critters. But since they're naturally nice they never use that ability. Feeding on happiness can also increase a Charen's singing voice. Also Charen songs have no effect on Bergens. For Charen songs only work on non-critters who generally are happy.

"So that's it! Circe used her song to cast some kind of spell on the others!" Branch said happy after finally getting some answers.

"So wait, if that's right then how come we weren't affected? We're happy." DJ asked

"Well even through Tragons are a lot like trolls. We're actually classified as critters. Branch probably because he was unhappy for most of his life." Storm pointed out.

"That has to be it!" Branch agreed with Storm's logic.

"But what about me?" DJ asked since she's happy and a troll.

"I'm guessing its cause you never take off your headphones." Storm smirked and pointed out her yarn headphones.

"Oh, right!" DJ looked up and said embarrassed. "Forgot about that. But if it also says that Charen are friendly. Why is Circe doing this?" DJ asked

"If trolls have Creek, Charen can have Circe." Branch answered on how Creek wasn't so great either.

"I guess you're right. So what now? DJ asked

"Now that we know what's going on we have to put a stop to Circe. We're the only ones unaffected by her song, so it's up to us to stop her and save the others." Branch spoke for triumphed comeback. "We've got a lot to do! No time to waste."

It was then Branch heard a thump. He turned around only to find Storm and DJ had fallen asleep. Storm was curled up around DJ. While DJ laid her head on Storm like a pillow, with her holding Storm's arm draped over like a blanket. Looking at his two friends cuddling, Branch came to the fact that they were tired and needed sleep.

"Ok fine, we'll till tomorrow." Branch sighed.

To be continued.

Oh Wow! I was on a roll with this chapter! This was definitely longer lasting then the other two. At least I'm getting better. My sister commended on how villainy I made Circe. Remember if you guys need to see what she looks like go to Deviant Art and search "Circe the Charen".

Note: The name Charen is based off the Greek word 'Χαρά' pronounced Chará which means Joy. So I took Chará, shortened it and combined it with Siren.

With this new found knowledge will Branch, DJ Suki, and Storm be able to find a way to put a stop to Circe's plot for revenge? Guess you'll have to wait till next time.