A/N: Hi! Thanks for the positive reviews, I was kinda nervous when I posted this story. Anyway, like what most of you have, I love Mulan because she was the first princess (though she's not even a princess) who doesn't necessarily need a man to save her. She figured things out on her own and it was truly inspiring. She chose to go join the Army in her father's stead, because she wanted to protect him. So much for that, here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, just my imagination working!

"None of the guards survived, Your Majesty. All the prisoners have slaughtered them before they escaped the Tree." Everyone inside the Throne Room gasped, horrified to what took place in the forsaken Tree beyond the Great Wall. The council whispered at each other to share their opinion on the incident, though none of them has heard the whole story yet.

"Escaped? Nonsense! The Hornwood Tree is a heavily fortified dungeon, the former King Prairie made sure of that! How could they escape? This has to be a shortcoming from your Army!" one of the council said, to which the rest of the group agreed with.

"Shortcoming from my Army?" Branch asked. "All of us have spent almost half of our lives training and following protocols…some of us even have families that they've chosen to leave because they want to preserve peace in this Kingdom," Branch was deeply offended to what the council said about him and his soldiers. They've never idled on their duty in the Kingdom, so passing the blame to them will never be acceptable. "We risk our lives on that cold and barren place just to make sure that those Trolls are still locked up inside that Tree, while you sit inside your warm and cozy halls and give your opinion on everything! Tell me, how is that a shortcoming from my army? From the King's Army?"

"You better watch your tone, soldier. We are the King's council. Know your place!" one of the council said.

"I am not just a mere soldier, council. I am the General of the Troll Army and I've sworn my sword to the King and not to any of you. Your words have no bearing to me." The council gritted their teeth. They hated it when someone would defile their pride. They are the King's Advisers, they are not to be belittled by anyone…not by a woman, and not by a soldier.

"Enough!" King Peppy finally said. He scowled at the council before fixing his eyes back to the General. "This is an urgent situation, and there is no place for such pointless arguments. General, continue with your report."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Branch turned his gaze to the Troll King and away from the impertinent Trolls of the Council. However, the elders continued to glare at him, and speak of him under their sleeves. "We were able to get some information from the Warden before he drew his last breath. Apparently, the Trolls locked in Hornwood has proclaimed themselves to be a part of a new Kingdom...their own Kingdom"

"New Kingdom? But they are still under the authority of the Troll King" Poppy asked.

"Y—Yes, Your Highness, but…they've declared their autonomy from your father. They call themselves the Horns now and have declared their own King." Branch glanced at Poppy, who was standing just a few steps away from the King. She looked horrified like the rest of the Trolls inside the room. He fixed his gaze back to King Peppy to avoid any eye contact with the Princess.

"Horns? New King?" King Peppy asked. He felt anxiety surge inside him and his head began to ache. Poppy gave the King a very concerned look, he is stressed out…very stressed out. "Who is this King? What's his name?"

"Canyon, Your Majesty. Their leader is called 'King Canyon'" Branch tried to speak calmly, so the King won't be distressed any further.

"And where did you get his name?" King Peppy asked.

"Inside one of the cells, Your Majesty. There was a vandalism written in blood that says 'Long live King Canyon, long live the Horns'. It was in…Cell No. 4." King Peppy's eyes widened and his hands clenched on the armrest of his Throne. "Your Majesty, is there a problem?"

"None…" Peppy said while rubbing his temples. "You are dismissed for now. I'd ask for further details later. Poppy, accompany the General. I need some time alone…to think." He gestured his hands to get everyone to leave the room. The council was the first to leave as they could no longer stand the presence of the General as well as the Princess, whom both defiled their pride.

"Dad?" Poppy looked at her father with deep concern. She has never seen him so worried before. Yes, the banished Trolls are the most dangerous Trolls to ever exist in the Kingdom, and their escape is something to be worried about; however, something in her gut says that there is a deeper reason why her father is too distressed.

"Go for now." Peppy commanded before his daughter could even approach him and tend to him.

"Okay…" Poppy replied. The King commanded the guards to escort Princess Poppy and General Branch out of the Throne room. The pink Troll took a final glance of her father as the doors closed. She wondered what could be causing him such trouble, but he won't probably tell. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves.

"He'll be fine." She looked up and saw Branch staring at her.

"I hope so…" she muttered. The two walked down the hall without saying a single word at each other, only the sound of their feet marching down the marble floor could be heard. Poppy wanted to start a conversation, she thought of anything to talk about. A nice conversation could help her to be completely calm. Besides, she also wanted to hear Branch's voice again. "About the council…they're really quite rude." She felt her heartbeat start to rise to an unimaginable rate. The conversation is not going to calm her down, that's for certain.

"It's pretty obvious. Having a hard time with them?" Branch glanced at her, before turning his gaze back to the end of the hall.

"Kinda." Poppy took a deep breath again and tried to think of a new topic to talk about. "So, uh…Branch" she nervously said. The General looked at her. "I, uh…I heard you're the General now."

"Uh, yeah." He tried to sound casual. "And I…heard that you're going to be Queen" Branch chuckled a bit. "So…who's the lucky Troll?"

"What do you mean?" Poppy asked. "Who's the lucky Troll?" Poppy gave him a very confused look.

"The lucky Troll. You're going to be the Queen, right? Then I guess, you're getting…married…soon. I guess, he's a lucky Troll…" Branch showed not even a single emotion on his face.

Poppy's eyes widened. "What? I'm not getting married! I'm going to be Queen because my father decreed that I'd be next in line for the Throne."

"But you're a princess? Aren't the one next in line supposed to be a prince? Aren't you supposed to wait for some Troll to ask for your hand in marriage?" Poppy's mouth dropped open. She cannot believe what she was hearing from him. His views about her, about women, are similar to the Council's.

"Being a princess has nothing to do with being a leader! I can be anything I want!" Her voice echoed all over the place. It no longer bothers her if the council would hear her, she's getting tired of people telling her the things she cannot do. "If you're just going to judge my capabilities as a leader just because I'm a woman, then no thanks. I'd rather go back to my room and spend the rest of the day reading some edicts and memorize some decorum and protocols. Good day to you, General!" she said before storming off.

"Wait!" Branch said, grabbing her arm. Poppy felt a powerful wave, almost like electricity, surge inside her body. She felt warm, really warm…no! She felt like she was on fire! Branch immediately let go of her once he realized what he did. Poppy is no longer that girl, who used to invite him to join her at the village parties…she is the crowned Princess of the Kingdom, the heiress of the Throne and the future Queen, whom he must swear his loyalty and service. "I'm sorry, Popp—Your Highness…for grabbing your arm and if I have offended you in some way. Forgive me for what I've said, I have forgotten my place. You are the Princess of the Kingdom…and I am no more, but the General of the Troll Army. Forgive me for being disrespectful. I have to excuse myself for now. Have a good day, Princess." Branch bowed his head and left Poppy and her guards alone in the hall.

Poppy watched him walk away. She never got the chance to talk to him all because she overreacted to what he said. She convinced herself that she was right, that Branch was wrong for belittling her capabilities to lead the Kingdom. She watched the Troll General go farther away from her, which reminded her of the day he left to join the Troll Army

"Branch!" Poppy called. The grey Troll turned around to meet her gaze. Poppy noticed that he was carrying a huge bag on his back and another two on both of his hands. "What's with all the bags? Are you going camping?"

"No, I'm not going camping. I'm leaving." Branch dropped the two bags on the ground. It's probably necessary since the conversation would probably take long. He knew Poppy way too much.

"Leaving? Why? Where are you going?" Poppy asked.

"To the Great Wall. I'll be joining the Troll Army." Branch looked at the direction where the Great Wall is supposed to be standing. "I heard that they are looking for new recruits." Branch fixed his gaze back to the pink Troll.

"But…there are lots of soldiers on the Wall. Why would you want to be in there? It's cold, it's quiet and there's not even a single party there." Poppy could feel her heart hitch. She knows that the Wall is a dangerous place, a very dangerous place. Aside from that, she does not want him to leave.

"That's the point. I'd be far from here. Far from you. Far from the village parties. The place is quiet and cold, it's perfect for me." Poppy felt her heart break into a million pieces to what Branch said. Why would he want to be away from her? She felt tears start to form at the corners of her eyes. She can't let her friend go and get himself killed. She tried to persuade him to change his mind, but as she expected, he won't listen to her. "If there's nothing more you'd say, then…goodbye, Poppy."

She never heard a single word from him ever since. She tried sending him letters and cards, but she never got any reply from him; however, there were words that spread all over the Kingdom about a brave and heroic grey Troll on the Wall. Somehow, that news gave great hope to Poppy…hope that he's still alive. But hearing that he's a General really surprised her, he's too young to be a General. Poppy wondered how he got into the position. She wished that she could talk to him and ask him everything she wanted to ask, but Branch would probably shut her out…like he always does.

The day passed, and Poppy hasn't heard anything from Branch since the short conversation they've had. She'd see him once or twice, whenever she walks around the courtyard of the palace. She wanted to approach him and try to start a conversation again, but he's too pre-occupied with his new job. Both of their lives have changed for good, and nothing's gonna bring them back to the way they used to be.

Suki, Satin and Chenille prepared Princess Poppy for the Dinner with the leaders of all the towns and villages who've sworn their allegiance to the Troll King. They fixed her hair and gave her the second dress Satin and Chenille brought in the room earlier that day. The three girls enjoyed teasing her and watching her face turn crimson every time they'd mention Branch's name.

"When I become Queen, I'd make sure that you three are going to be punished!" Poppy tried not to laugh and acted poised and regal. Her friends didn't take her seriously though, how can they? Her face is so red, after mentioning Branch many times.

"Forgive us, Your Highness." The three said. Satin snorted and the three started laughing again.

"I'm out of here." Poppy rolled her eyes and reached for the door.

"Poppy, wait." The three girls ran after her and tried to block the door. "The party will start in two hours!"

"I'll just walk around the garden." Poppy reached for the knob and opened to door. "I'll be back. I just need some fresh air."

"Fine. But do us a favor and...say hi to the General for us!" The three said before they closed the door. Poppy rolled her eyes and walked down the hall until she reached the balcony that overlooks the courtyard. She rested her arms on the balustrade and watched the Troll Army.

He's there, standing and giving orders to his men. Poppy watched his every move and tried to listen to the sound of his voice. She missed him, so much that she just wanted to run and hold him in a tight embrace. She stared at him dreamily and felt her cheeks started to go warm. Ever since King Peppy mentioned of his arrival, Poppy couldn't stop herself from imagining what would their first conversation be like after so many years; although, things didn't go as she imagined.

"Poppy!" Poppy snapped out of her reverie and turned her gaze to a purple Troll with a turquoise and blue hair wearing an armor similar to those in the Troll Army. She looked at him carefully, trying to remember if they've met before.

"Creek?" she asked. "Creek! It's you! It's so nice to see you again!" She ran to him and threw her arms around him.

"That's Captain Creek" he said. Poppy giggled and examined him from his head down to his feet. His armor is different from the rest of the Troll soldiers, that means he is a high-ranking official in the Troll Army. "Anyway, it's nice to see you too, Pop—I mean, Your Highness" Creek said.

"Please, drop the title." Poppy rolled her eyes and nudged the purple Troll. She looked back to the spot where Branch stood, and to her dismay, he's no longer there.

"Anything wrong. Princess?" Creek asked.

"Nothing…Didn't I just told you to drop the title?" Poppy tried to sound serious, although she is trying really hard not to giggle.

"Yes, you did, Your Highness." Poppy rolled her eyes. "But as a soldier, it is one of our protocols to properly address the members of the Royal Family."

"Fine…" she muttered. "So, how've you been? Being a soldier must've changed you a lot." Poppy looked at him again and noticed a lot of changes ever since he left to join the Army. Creek went to the Great Wall a year after Branch left. With him leaving too, Poppy felt sad…but not as sad when Branch left.

"Physically, yes, I've changed a lot, but I'm still the same old Creek" the purple Troll said.

Poppy was about to talk again; however, she noticed lights and glitters beamed up to the sky. There's a party in the Troll Village! Her eyes gleamed in excitement. She wanted to come and join them, but the guards won't allow her to leave the palace grounds…unless. "Creek, can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure. Anything, Your Highness." Creek said.

"I was kinda wondering if you could help me…go to the party down at the village!" Poppy crossed her fingers, hoping that he'd say yes. She wanted to go there so badly.

"What? But you have a party with the Town Leaders, remember? It'll be in an hour and a half." Poppy groaned a bit and looked at him with her sad and soulful eyes. Creek rolled his eyes and huffed. "And aren't you supposed to be asking your guards to escort you?"

"Those guards would obey every instruction my father would give. They won't allow me to leave this palace! Please, Creek…it'll be quick I promise. I just need to sing and dance again, like before. This place is starting to drive me nuts!" Poppy said.

"Just for a short while, and then we're going back?" Poppy nodded her head in agreement. "I'll be in great trouble with what you're thinking!" Creek looked at the marching soldiers at the courtyard and checked if the General was there.

"Don't worry. Just please say 'yes'. Please!" Poppy crossed her fingers even tighter and wished that he'd finally stop talking and take her to the village already.

"Fine…but just for a couple of minutes, okay?" She nodded before dragging Creek's hand and pulling him towards the gates. The guards should let her leave because she'll be escorted by a high-ranking soldier, she thought.

"King Peppy strictly instructed us to never let you leave the palace unless you have an escort" one of the Trolls guarding the gates said.

"This is Captain Creek of the Troll Army." Creek waved his hand to the guard, which made Poppy giggle. "He'll be my escort." Poppy watched the two Trolls at the gates look at each other and discuss the matter. Poppy rolled her eyes and waited until the guards have made a decision. After a few minutes of arguing, the two have decided to let her leave, since Creek is a soldier and is capable of protecting the Princess.

"We made it! Now let's go to the party!" Poppy pulled Creek down the path that led to the Troll Village. It was long walk, but Poppy didn't care. Loud music blared all throughout the village. Lights and glitters filled the place. It was the most beautiful sight she has ever seen! Everyone was singing and dancing and hugging! Poppy felt a sensation inside her bones, the sensation that she never feels whenever she's inside her room trying to learn how to be a queen. She missed the fun so much, that she could feel tears of joy welling up at the corners of her eyes.

Poppy stepped into the party and quickly got the attention of everyone. "It's Princess Poppy!" Everyone in the village stopped dancing and gasped. The Trolls made way for the Princess and allowed her passage. The pink Troll felt really awkward, she wanted them to have fun again and stop minding her presence.

"Please, everyone. Don't mind me and continue with the party" she said. Everyone did what she said and went back to singing and dancing. Poppy joined in and had the best time of her life. She completely forgot all of her worries and all of the problems she has…as well as the time.

An hour passed and Creek began searching for the Princess in the crowd to bring her back to the palace…but she was nowhere to be found! He tried calling her name, but the music was too loud, he could barely hear himself shouting. He tried to make his way through the crowd and search for the Princess, but there's too many of them. He should've never let the princess be out of his sight.

Poppy continued to dance and sing to her heart's content. She was so caught up with the sensation that she always feels when she's in a party, that she forgot her promise to Creek and her commitments in the palace. She loved being in the village, everyone loves her and hugs her all the time, unlike the haughty Council of her father. The Princess danced so hard, that the hems of her dress began to fall apart.

Another hour passed and Creek was still unsuccessful in searching for the princess. The music got louder and the dancing became more intense. He pushed some Trolls aside and squeezed his body to find Poppy. He scanned every face to make sure he'd find her.

Meanwhile at the palace, the three girls are wondering where Poppy is. She's half an hour late for the Dinner with the Town Leaders. Every seat was occupied, save for one…her seat! Their palms became sweaty and they can't stop themselves from trembling in fear.

"Where is Poppy?" King Peppy asked.

"F—Forgive us…Your Majesty, but we have no idea where she went." Their hearts pounded inside their chests and held each other's hands.

"What do you mean you don't know? Didn't I ask you to keep an eye on her?" The three nodded. "Then where is she? Dinner is almost over, and I am about to make the proclamation"

"We're s—searching for her, Your Majesty. We even asked the guards for help. She said that she'd just go for a walk in the garden, but when we came there, she's nowhere to be found." Suki said.

"Suki." A Troll guard called. "Your Majesty!" he quickly bowed his head to show reverence to his King.

"Is this one of the guards you've asked to help you?" The three girls nodded. Peppy turned to the guard. "Have you found my daughter yet?"

"No, Your Majesty." King Peppy scoffed and rubbed his temples. "But the Trolls guarding the gates said she left earlier with Captain Creek."

"She left? And the guards allowed her to leave?" The guard nodded. King Peppy felt his head ache even more, he rubbed his temples harder and tried to control his rage.

"Call for General Branch, now!" King Peppy said.

"Princess Poppy! There you are!" Creek said when he finally saw Poppy dancing at the center of the crowd. Her dress was completely soiled with all of the dancing she did, there's a gash on her skirt and on her sleeves, the knots on the bodice of her dress were lose. She's a complete mess.

"Creek! Thank you so much for coming with me! I've never felt this so much happiness before!" Poppy screamed.

"You can thank me later! But we need to get back to the palace! Quick!" Poppy's eyes widened when she finally noticed that the sun is no longer up in the sky. It was dark, the moon is up in the sky as well as the stars.

"Creek, what time is it!?" Poppy nervously asked.

"It's been an hour and a half since your Dinner with the Town Leaders has started!" Creek grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the crowd. Poppy ran as fast as she could to keep up. She instantly cursed herself for going at the center of the crowd, they can't find their way out! Creek had to push some Trolls aside again, so they may have a bit of space to squeeze themselves through. Finally, after what felt almost like forever, the two were able to get out of the crowd. Creek immediately took Poppy's arm again and ran up to the hill that leads back to the palace gates.

"Captain Creek" a familiar voice called that sent shivers down the purple Troll's spine. "Quite a lovely night for a stroll, isn't it?" Poppy could sense sarcasm in his tone.

"General Branch." He let go of Poppy's hand and bowed his head. Despite the little light that the moon gave, Creek could see anger painted all over his face.

"Guards, get the Princess back to the palace. Captain Creek, I need to have a word with you." The guards did as they were commanded and surrounded the princess to send her back.

"Branch, please don't punish him, i—it's not his fault" Poppy begged.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but my soldiers are under my authority. They are none of your concern, unless I pledge my life and loyalty to you." Branch turned and started walking away. Poppy has never seen him look so serious before. His placid tone made Poppy feel uncomfortable. "We better move fast. The King is waiting for you."

They entered the palace gates and saw the Troll King waiting at the courtyard. Poppy felt her heart begin to race inside her chest. She watched Branch give his regards to the King, before he moved aside. King Peppy turned his gaze unto her and she quickly bowed her head.

"Where have you been?" King Peppy asked in a calm voice. An eerily calm voice.

"To the village, Dad" she replied.

"Do you know that you are supposed to be at the Dining hall about two hours ago?" the King asked again, to which Poppy replied with a nod. "Then why do I have to ask the General to come to the village and pick you up?" The King's tone began to rise.

Poppy was afraid, so afraid that she can't fix her gaze to her father. "I'm sorry. I just got so caught up with the party and—"

"Party? You've decided to miss the Dinner with the Town leaders, and my proclamation, just so you could join the village party?" Poppy bit her lower lip and clenched her hands on her ripped skirt. "Haven't we talked about this yet? That unless you learn how to be a Queen, you must refrain from those parties for just a short while! Is it too much to ask!?" The King's voice echoed all over the palace grounds. "You dishonor me." Poppy's lips quivered and tears started to form at the corners of her eyes. "Get her cleaned."

Suki, Satin and Chenille ran to her side and quickly escorted her to her room. Poppy saw the council in the hall and said things that are surely against her, but she didn't mind any of the words that came out of their mouths anymore. The worst thing she could ever hear, in all her life, came from her father's lips. "You dishonor me" The words still lingered inside her head.

That night, Poppy just sat in front of a mirror and stared at herself. The three girls have already left and she was all by herself to think about what happened earlier. She sighed. She cannot sleep, how can she? After everything that happened. Her father is disappointed, Branch is probably mad and Creek got into trouble because of her. She stood from her seat and left her room. She wandered around the palace, entering familiar rooms and going to places that she may find interesting. The whole place was dark, and only her lamp and the moonlight gave luminescence to the corridors.

She entered a hall, a very familiar hall as it is where King Peppy would always bring her…The Hall of Kings. It is where all of the portraits of the former Troll Kings were hanged. Under their portraits were their names, and the most significant things they've done for the Kingdom. The first Troll King, King Pebble, was said to be the most important Troll King of all. That is because he was the Troll who planted the Troll Tree and established the Kingdom. There was a special shrine built just for him inside the cavern of the Troll Tree, where all the Kings were laid to rest.

She wandered down the hall and looked at every face of the Troll Kings on the wall. King Pepper, King Perry, King Pier, all of their names started with P. The princess giggled a bit upon realization. The faces and names started to grow more familiar as she reached the end of the hall. There was King Percy, her great-grandfather, the King who fought the locusts that invaded from the south. Next to him was King Prairie, her grandfather, the Troll King who decreed the construction of the Great Wall. He received the title, "Bringer of Peace". The next King was the one whom Poppy knew most, her father, King Peppy. He is known as the wisest and most compassionate Troll King of all. Everyone in the Kingdom loved him, and Poppy is much aware of that. There was a frame next to her father's, which was left empty for the next ruler of the Kingdom. It was supposed to be her frame, when she's crowned Queen of the Troll Kingdom. She looked back to the far end of the hall and sighed. All of them are Kings. All of them were once Princes and Heirs to the Throne, not like her.

She stared at the glass that covered the empty frame and saw her reflection. She remembered everything that the council has said about her, what Branch said…what King Peppy said. Dishonoring her father, being unfit to be a ruler…all of them. Was it her mother's fault to give the King a daughter, instead of a son? Or was it her fault because she could never meet their standards.

Look at me,

I will never pass for a perfect queen, or a perfect daughter.

She made her way out of the room and wandered again until she reached the garden. She stared at the moon and felt tears stream down her face.

Can it be,

I'm not meant to play this part?

She hopped on the railings of the bridge that spanned over the stream that ran through the garden. She balanced herself, while crossing the body of water.

Now I see, that if I were truly to be myself,

I would break my father's heart.

She looked at the waters and saw her reflection. She sighed and looked away from the face that gave her father too much shame and disgrace.

Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me?

Why is my reflection someone I don't know?

She made her way to the entrance of the Troll Tree cavern. She bowed down before King Pebble's shrine to pay her respects.

Somehow, I cannot hide

Who I am, though I've tried.

When will my reflection show, who I am, inside?

She looked up and saw her face reflecting from the giant crystals that serves as the headstones of her ancestors' graves. She looked down, still ashamed of the face she saw…ashamed of herself.

When will my reflection show, who I am, inside?

A/N: One of the most memorable songs from the movie. Anyway, this chapter took me a lot of time to make, so I hope you liked it! Do you have something in mind? Tell me! I love suggestions!