A/N: Finally got some time to spare. I need to relax too! LOL. So, here's a new one. By the way, thanks for the reviews, favs and follow. Means a lot to me.
Disclaimer: I still own nothing.
Strange, I've never had that dream before. What was that all about? Why did I see those events? Did those happened when King Peppy left me on the outskirts of Bergen Town on the day we left the Troll Tree for good? I rose from my bed, as I no longer had the urge to go back to that dream world. "I might as well hate sleeping too, just like I hate singing and dancing" I chuckled. I went to the room where I store my food and grabbed some berries. Nightmares could sure make a Troll hungry.
Why are the walls vibrating? I placed my hand over the earthen wall of my home and felt slight movements. Is there a predator at the other side? What if some giant creature appears and eat me? However, as my hand ran over the surface of my wall, my ears picked up a strange sound. Not like a sound that a predator would make, but…music!moviesI finally realized what made my walls move. "They're having that big, loud and crazy party tonight!" How could I even forget? Poppy even sent me an invitation earlier, which I crushed in front of her and the whole village. Why won't she listen to me? I've warned them, particularly her, about the dangers that that party could bring. A Bergen might come over and devour all of them! "Branch, stop caring, will you?" They all laughed…they always do. Whenever I tell them that it's not safe to throw loud parties, they'd all say that I was crazy. And that Creek, he says that I'm just being negative. "Well, we'll see who's negative when a Bergen crashes in your party and feast on you! Why did King Peppy saved that guy anyway?" I saw it in my dream earlier, he was caught by a Bergen because he was too busy meditating. That sack of air should've been traumatized after what happened to him. How could he still be so calm? If I were him, I'd lose my mind! I'd probably build a huge bunker underground and run around like a maniac shouting "the Bergens are coming!" I laughed at the thought…wait, that sounded just like me.
I told myself that I won't come anywhere near that party, that's what I told them earlier. However, I had this strange feeling inside me that something bad is going to happen. "Branch, stop thinking about those Trolls. If you march down there and say that 'the Bergens are coming', they'll laugh at you again." Maybe, I should just check on them—no! I thought of some great diversion to ease my nerves. "Let's see. I'll just pick up some sticks again, that'll make me forget." So, I did, I picked up the sticks that I saw along the way. "That was strange, why are these sticks leading me to—Poppy!" Did she intentionally placed these sticks along the path to lure me to her party? Maybe I should really check things out. I fought the urge to go near them again, but before I even realized it, I was standing over at the edge of the village.
It seems that they've just begun—I think so, I could say that these Trolls are still warming up. I didn't try getting any closer, they might think that I had a change of heart and finally admit that I was just being crazy and paranoid. Good thing I was grey, no one would ever see me…in the dark. I could see Poppy on top of a mushroom along with her friends. Suki was on the turntable working on the music. Guy Diamond is probably one of those Trolls hanging above like disco balls. And Creek, he's on top of a caterpillar shooting glitters all over the place. "Pfft. Show off" I muttered. The place was too colorful and glittery…and loud, the place is too loud! Insects are everywhere; fireflies, caterpillars, name it. Anyway, Poppy seems to be very happy with her party. She has that pretty smile on her face. Yup, I think she has a pretty smile, but I won't tell that to anyone…as if I have someone to tell to. They started to go louder after Creek accidentally hit Smidge with glitters straight in the face. I just hope that they won't attract any Berg— "WHAT ARE THEY DOING!?"
"More glitter!" Poppy screamed. So, some Trolls pulled the ropes that held the oddly glowing flowers around the mushroom where she stood. The flowers released a beam of light with glitters, that reached the clouds before it vanished. That would surely attract something, if not a Bergen, probably some vicious predator. I ran back to my bunker as fast as I could. "Whew, that was close." I opened my hatch slightly and took a peek. "I can't hear you!" Poppy would definitely get everyone into trouble. I hid back inside and made sure that the entrance is locked. I entered my room through the secret door I made behind one of the shelves. I'd simply pull a hidden lever and that would unlock the mechanism I made, once I'm in, I'd pull the shelf back to its place and that would lock the secret entrance again. My room's pretty simple. There's a bed, a desk where I write my plans, inventories and sometimes, I write a poem if I'm in the mood or if anything comes in mind. There are also shelves inside with the books my Grandma gave me, my old journals, and some boxes. There's a closet inside where I store my clothes—they all look the same, camouflage is a key ingredient to survival. Beside my desk is a shelf I carved from the walls of my room, covered with curtains. I drew the curtains and sighed. "Poppy's invitations…" I muttered.
"Branch! I am having a Slumber Party tonight, care to join?" That's what she said when she gave me the Slumber Party invitation. I think we were 16 years old that time, I threw the card away to the bushes and she walked away sad and disappointed. I thought that would be the end of her inviting me to her parties, but no. Everytime she'd have a party, her invitations for me became more and more creative with pop-ups and glitter sprays. I remembered the one she sent me this morning. I pulled it out of my hair and examined it. I crushed it pretty hard, I guess. Was I too cruel to her? The voice record she added was still working though. I chuckled…I don't sound anything like that! I stood and grabbed a pair of scissors and felt from one of my boxes.
"Stick this piece in here and…there! Good as new." I stared at the card for a while. I then realized that the only party of her that I ever attended was her Birthday Party when we were still little. I smiled as I reminisced at how happy she was that day and how I never gave her that scrapbook I made with my Grandma. "Maybe someday, when things would be less complicated as it is now"
"Branch! Branch! Branch!" I heard her call. I moved as fast as I could to hide the invitations. I really don't know why hide them, maybe the child inside me, who adored Poppy very much, wanted to keep them. Fudge! I accidentally bumped on the shelf, I can't let her find out that I've kept all of her invitations in my room. "Branch, are you in there!"
"I'm not going to your party" I hissed. Is she going to invite me again? Why is she here? I thought she was already having the most fun time of her life?
"The party's over, we just got attacked by a Bergen!" They were attacked!? That means, Poppy was almost attacked too! What if it comes back? No, I won't let a Bergen hurt Poppy.
"I knew it!" I said before pulling her inside my bunker. I don't know. I suddenly felt protective over her when she said that a Bergen attacked the village.
"Branch, promise Grandma that you'll watch over the princess, okay? When you two get older, promise me that you'll protect her and keep her safe, will that be alright?" she suddenly asked.
"Yes grandma, I will always protect Princess Poppy." The little blue troll replied with too much excitement. "I will build a big house under the ground with lots of traps and locks so when danger comes, I'll bring the Princess there." Branch said with pride in his voice.
"But what about food?" his grandma asked with a chuckle.
"Ooh! I will get lots of food for the Princess and…sticks so we will have fire! Princess Poppy doesn't like dark places, so we need fire" the blue troll responded with a huge grin on his face.
Was that the reason why I had the sudden impulse of protecting her? Am I still under the oath that I made to my Grandma? Maybe all these years of making sure this bunker is impenetrable is because I wanted to keep Poppy safe? I shrugged the memories away as I locked the entrance of my bunker and placed traps around the both of us. Poppy and I sat quietly on the floor. I need to make sure that no Bergen will ever come near her. She started talking. When will she learn to be quiet? Because we need to be quiet, so I shush her immediately when words come out of her mouth. She raised her hand and she looked pretty annoyed.
"What? What could be so important that it's worth leading the Bergen right to us!?" I asked a bit annoyed.
"The Bergen's gone!" she said frantically. How is she even sure that the Bergen was gone? It could still be out there. Watching. Waiting. Listening. I warned her, but she insisted that it really did left—that's a relief, sort of.
"It took Cooper, and Smidge, and Fuzzbert…and Satin and Chenille, and Biggie, and Guy Diamond…and Creek!" I rolled my eyes upon hearing the name. I could feel a slight pang in my chest. Why is she even worried about that guy? Wait, am I being jealous? No, I am not. I had a crush on Poppy when we were kids, but not anymore...well, I'm not even sure.
"Which is why I have to ask you…will you go to Bergen Town with me and save everyone?" I was instantly brought back from my thoughts after she said those words. Me going to Bergen Town? No way! I would never go back to that place. I even helped King Peppy dig the tunnel to escape that wretched place. Now, she wants me to go back and save our—her friends? I immediately declined the offer. She insisted that they're my friends…well not anymore. I'm staying here in my bunker, where it's safe.
"Oh, that's great. You're the one guy who knows more about Bergens than anyone…but when we finally need you, you just want to hide here forever?" I chuckled to what she said. Of course, I'm gonna hide here forever, I really only have enough supplies in this place to last me 10 years…11 if I'm willing to store and drink my own sweat, which I am. Yup, I stored every drop of sweat that came out of my body—that's still water, anyway. Although, I won't drink it unless the situation calls for me to do so. I gave her a tour inside my bunker, and she did look surprised when she saw how prepared I was. They all said I was crazy! Well, who's crazy now? Me, crazy prepared. She apologized for being one of those Trolls, who thought I was crazy, but that won't do. She could stay here if she wan—err, I mean, she could go and save her friends if she wanted to, but I'm not leaving this place any time soon. Not after a Bergen just found out where the Trolls are. I'm sure the news will soon spread like wildfire and more Bergens will come over to eat a Troll.
She finally left my bunker after I suggested that she could probably scrapbook her friends to freedom. I must've offended her so badly, well I won't risk my life to go to Bergen Town and save her friends. Suddenly, the mechanism of the lift started to move again. "What now?" I asked myself.
"Oh, hey Branch? I was just wondering if I could borrow something." I looked at her a bit confused.
"What?" I asked.
"Your bunker?" she sounded a bit excited.
"What?" I asked again, but before I even got any reply, she invited everyone in. Soon Trolls came flooding down my bunker. What was she thinking!? No! No! No! "Whoa, Wait! Poppy, what are you doing?" I asked half in anger and half in surprise.
"You said you have enough provisions to last 10 years, right?" To last ME 10 years, it'll last them two weeks! Poppy, are you even thinking!? "Then I guess I better hurry." Wait, she's still going to Bergen Town. She won't last a day out there. I told her that, but she smirked. Does she even know how to get there?
"And you won't last a day in here." She's right these Trolls are wreaking havoc inside my bunker. She had that cute—I mean annoying smug on her face again. Did she plan all of this? She bid farewell to everyone after speaking with King Peppy. "Three, Two, One." I heard her count. What is she up to this time? Oh, no! Her bracelet went on, then that means. I froze, "Hug Time!" No! Everyone circled around me and started hugging each other. Wait, where are King Peppy's clothes? The place was filled with darkness as the lift reached its destination. I quickly slipped my way out of these crazy Trolls. I need to hide and be away from them until Poppy comes back! I went to the shelf where the secret entrance to my room is located. Luckily, everyone is still busy hugging each other, so nobody saw me pull the lever and get inside. Finally, I'm alone again.
"Branch! Help!" a voice called somewhere in the forest.
"Poppy? Where are you?" the blue troll ran around, searching for Poppy. He cursed himself for letting her leave and go to Bergen Town all by herself. He looked around panting, as the voice continued to call on him. Where is she? He asked himself. He saw light up ahead, he ran towards it in hopes that he would find her. He must save her before it's too late. He closed his eyes, the light became blinding.
"Branch, promise Grandma that you'll watch over the princess, okay? When you two get older, promise me that you'll protect her and keep her safe, will that be alright?" He heard a voice say. He opened his eyes and looked around and found himself in a room…a very familiar room. He gasped. In front of him were two Trolls. A little blue one wearing a jumper and an elderly purple Troll with green hair.
"Yes grandma, I will always protect Princess Poppy." The little blue troll replied with too much excitement inside him. Branch knew where he is. "I will build a big house under the ground with lots of traps and locks so when danger comes, I'll bring the Princess there."
"But…you didn't keep your promise…" Branch was surprised. But that's not what was supposed to happen. He said to himself. The old Troll turned her gaze to him. He looked around trying to find a way out, but his Grandma is walking towards him. "Didn't I tell you to watch over the Princess? Why did you let her leave for Bergen Town alone! You better follow her young man!" Branch nodded reluctantly. The old Troll looked angrily at him, "Well, what are you still waiting for? Branch, go after Poppy! Now!"
"Ah!" I shouted. I'm in my room again. Alright, of all my dreams, that was the strangest. "Grandma, do I really have to go after her?" I groaned. The room suddenly turned a bit chilly and spine tingling. "Okay, okay, I'm going after her." I muttered. I stood from my desk and grabbed my backpack. I better head out and grab some supplies first. That's odd, my "visitors" are quiet. I unlocked my secret door and went outside. They've gone tired, I could say. There are kids sleeping on the floor with their parents. I sighed, those kids are not supposed to be sleeping on the floor…they are not supposed to be here anyway. I shrugged the thought, there's nothing more that I could do about them, they're already here anyway. They're all scared and have nowhere else to go. I may be grey, but I still have some compassion left inside. I did what a good Troll must do and grabbed some mats and mattresses and some pillows and blankets from one of my storage rooms, and handed it to them.
"Thank you, Branch" they all said. I just nodded before leaving them to go back to sleep. The room is a mess, most of the food I stored were either gone or half-eaten. I didn't throw a slumber party here! And…did they drink all of the sweat I stored? Gross. I shuddered when I remembered them chugging one of the huge jars where I stored my sweat.
I went to the kitchen and grabbed whatever food left in there. Poppy might be starving by now, that dimwit. She didn't even ask for any food to bring with her. What is she gonna do? Eat any berry she could find? What if she accidentally ate a nightshade berry? Trolls are allergic to those things! Not to mention that she might've attract some predators along the way. I hurried packing. I grabbed more food, a blanket, some flint to start a fire, a pan…I could probably use that, I heard someone from another Kingdom used it as a weapon. What else do I need?
"Branch?" a familiar voice called. I turned and saw King Peppy standing.
"King Peppy! How may I help you?" I asked.
"I wasn't able to help you when the Bergen took your Grandma, but please, do anything to help Poppy and her friends." He grabbed my hand and looked at me earnestly. "Even Creek." I was a bit surprised to hear it from him. Does he know that I despise that guy? "I know you don't like him, but he's a Troll too and Poppy would be really glad if you'd help her save her friends."
"I—uh sure, I was about to—uh go after Poppy and help her save her friends." I felt a bit embarrassed all of a sudden. I pulled my hand and was about to leave when I heard him sigh. "King Peppy, I never blamed you for what happened to my Grandma. In fact, I think I would've never found the guts to live if it weren't for you. I mean, look at all of this." I gestured my hands around to show him my bunker. "If you have never let me help you dig that tunnel, I would've never learned how to dig and this place won't be here...and everyone won't have a place to stay. So, thank you King Peppy." He smiled at what I said. "And besides, I made a promise to you and my Grandma, that I'd watch over Poppy for as long as I can."
A/N: That's the chapter. This story is about to end. I was planning to end it the way the movie ended. Anyway, I have a new story in mind that would sort of continue this story, some elements of this and I 'll try to add some elements from other movies and from the story I wrote when I was in High School. Also, I have four other stories about Trolls in mind, I already made some drafts and some storylines. So, hope you liked this chapter. Have something in mind? Tell me!