Disclaimer:
I do not own trolls. Dreamworks has all rights. First three chapters are a fanfic of a fanfic; Lone Concert originally by Dawnbuneary. The story has been dead since 2017 and I desided to pick it backup so here is my take on this trollverse. Hope you enjoy.
Poppy was walking with her friends back to the village after watching Branch's latest performance. They haven't stopped asking her about what she had meant but still wasn't answering. "Come on Poppy you can't just say something like that bad then all away." Biggie pleaded. "Mew." Biggie then held out his pet worm. "See, even Mr. Dinkles agrees." Poppy turned around finally looking at her friends. "I don't know what you want me to say." She said a little frustrated at the fact that she didn't completely understand her feelings and they just expected her to be able to tell them what she meant when she didn't even know.
"Give her some space. She's still trying to come to terms that she loves him." Guy Diamond said seriously with underlying tease in his voice. The others giggled in excitement for Poppy all except Creep I mean Creek. Who nearly had a heart attack at hearing those words put together. "Love. No, she doesn't love him. Right Poppy you are just a little….. infatuated with Branch. Right? You're not in love with him?" Creek said panicked but also hopefully. Poppy completely ignored Creek's rant; she was lost in thought the moment Guy Diamond said the word love. She was then thinking back to what Branch had said when he thought he was talking about her "mystery" troll. Was she in love with him?
Creek had to give it one more try to snap her out of her thoughts before she realized her true feelings for that grey grump. "Well think about this Poppy. Branch might return your affections and you two try to make it work. Might even make him happy again. But what if something happens. You get hurt or he gets hurt and you both lose the friendship you both have. Would it have been worth it? And over what? A couple of songs you can't even tell him that you have heard because he doesn't know we were spying on him and if he did he would probably never trust you again. I do not want to sound negative but right now I don't see the positive of the two of you together." Creek said calmly. When he looked at Poppy's face she had one that was almost of horror.
How could she be so selfish and Branch if he did ever find out about them watching him sing he would just close himself off for good. She couldn't ever lose Branch as a friend. The thought of that just felt like the worst feeling in the world. "Ok. Creek might have a point. There are a lot of things that could go wrong if you continue to lie to him but if you really do like him maybe it is worth a shot." Suki said. Poppy seemed to calm down at that she had a lot to think about before tomorrow. "Thanks. You all are the best friends a girl can ask for. Keeping me grounded while giving me hope. But I really need to think things over. Night." The others waved good night as she went to her pod to head to bed.
Once Poppy was gone Guy Diamond smacked Creek in the arm. "Ouch! What was that for?" Creek asked, now rubbing his sore arm vigorously. "Why would you say that to her?" GD replied. "What I just wanted her to understand what could go wrong before jumping into this. And for once actually think about Branch." The others looked at him curiously. Usually Creek would thrive on taking a shot at Branch and for them it would be a little funny. But none of them have done that since listening to Branch's songs. It felt almost wrong to tease the grey troll now that they've felt almost a bit closer to him. Creek saw the looks on their faces and if he's being honest he's the last one to defend Branch but this time it was actually working in his favor. "If Branch ever found out about us watching his clearly personal songs he would feel betrayed. And I hate to admit it but Poppy seems to be his only actual friend other than that glow bug that follows him." Most of the others were starting to follow Creek's train of thought. But he explained further for those who still weren't following. (Cough. Cough. Cooper. Cough.)
(Sorry about that, allergies and all that.)
"Poppy would be devastated if she lost Branch as a friend and she would if things got serious between them and then he found out about what she's been keeping from him." Creek finished explaining. "So she just needs to tell him before things get too bad." Satin said. "Ok but how?" Chenille countered. "I don't know but we won't solve anything tonight so let's all head to bed and get some rest." Creek said calmly. Guy Diamond and DJ Suki still felt there was more that Creek was holding back and they didn't trust it but for now they headed for their respective homes to go to sleep.
The next morning Poppy woke up still confused about her feelings for Branch. Does she love him? She needed to talk to someone about this. Not her friends. Last time she tried that it did not end well so to say. She wasn't sure if she should talk to her dad. Then she thought of the perfect person to speak to. Contrary to popular belief the Snack Pack does not spend every single second together. Today Biggie was spending one on one time with Mr. Dinkles, DJ Suki was with Satin and Chenille to figure out her outfit she will wear for the 20th Anniversary of the Great Troll Escape. Creek was teaching yoga classes and she couldn't remember what everyone else said they were going to do but she was going to visit a certain friend. Again. Don't judge her!
Poppy remembered that Branch had liked the strawberry cupcakes last time so she went to get some more to bring over. (Like you didn't already guess she was going to see Branch.) Poppy thought that it was only fare since she was technically inviting herself over. Once she had her cupcakes she headed over to the bunker. When she reached the Go Away mat she was created by Glitz who just nuzzled and purred into the nap of her neck. Poppy googled at the adorable action. She gave Glitz a cupcake before making her way down. Branch must be heading in and out around the top of the bunker which is why it was opened. She started the elevator and headed down.
When she saw the inside of the bunker it was a little messy. "Hey Branch!" Poppy shouted, to see which room he was in. The sudden burst of noise had caused Branch to become startled and Nick over some things. "Hey Poppy what are you doing here?" Branch said, annoyed, revealing himself while rubbing the bow sore spot on his head. Poppy winced at the fact that she was technically responsible for Branch's latest injury. "Sorry. I had come to ask you a question but I can however help you with whatever this is?" Poppy said. Branch looked around and noticed the state of his bunker. "Yeah inventory day. I was checking what supplies I had, what was expired, and what deliveries I needed to make. It's just easier to do it all at once and leave the hatch unlocked for a short while." Poppy didn't realize he did all this. "So who do you make deliveries to?"
"Medical supplies to Dr. Plum so she doesn't have to worry about running out for her patients. Sky Toranto with some biodegradable supplies he can use for the death traps you call parties. I figured if you all must insist on throwing so many parties, you might as well use things that are good for the environment. Some herbal teas I've made at the retirement home." Poppy stood there shocked. How had she not noticed what all he does? "Wow. You know anytime you do this I'm more than happy to help. I want to." Poppy said sincerely, finally placing the strawberry cupcakes on the table. Branch just responded with a massive blush. "Sure. But I already have everything ready to be delivered and I just need to clean up." Poppy started to help clean up. "No. Poppy you don't have to clean up. You also don't know where everything goes." Branch said, a little embarrassed. Poppy stopped what she was doing. Branch felt bad he wasn't trying to be mean but he also didn't want Poppy to feel like she needed to clean up his mess.
"Hey. How about you tell me where this goes so it can get done faster. Then we can split up the deliveries. As future Queen I need to be able to help out and know about what the village needs. I never thought about what our parties could do to the environment or what supplies Dr. Plum needs for her patients. Please. I'd really like to help." Branch smiled at her. "Ok. Well I can get this mess cleaned up pretty quick on my own but if you want you can make the deliveries to Sky Toronto and Dr. Plum. By the time you get back I should be getting down with the last delivery." Poppy beamed at this. "Great." Poppy grabbed the stuff to make her two deliveries and headed off.
On the way to Dr. Plum she passed by her dad. "Hello Poppy what do you seem to be up to?" King Peppy asked his beautiful daughter. "I'm just helping Branch make some deliveries to Sky Toronto and Dr. Plum." Peppy was well aware of the deliveries Branch makes and is proud to see his daughter taking more responsibilities for the kingdom other than just partying. Branch was a good influence on her. "Well I will leave you to it." Peppy said before walking away allowing Poppy to make her first delivery. "Hello Dr. Plum? I have the medicine and stuff from Branch." Poppy called out. Dr. Plum came out a little confused. She was expecting Branch not Poppy. "Hello princess, what are you doing making the delivery? Is Branch alright?" Dr. Plum asked with concern. Poppy smiled back at the doctor. "He's fine. I just thought I'd help him out a bit. He does a lot for the village and most of us don't really realize it or acknowledge it." Poppy said as a matter of fact. This warmed Dr. Plum's heart ever since Branch lost his family she felt almost motherly towards the grey troll and was happy someone else is seeing him for how great he is. "That's very nice of you. Tell Branch I said hi and thank you." Poppy nodded. "I will." With that she headed out to Sky Toronto.
Poppy made it to Sky Toronto's in record time. The same he was a little confused and worried when Branch was not the one to make his usually delivery. But like Dr. Plum he was happy to see someone else caring for the grey troll that was the closest thing he had to a son. Not that he would ever admit it. "Im glad the supplies are finally here. I was nearly out and we needed them for the 20th Anniversary." Sky Toronto said. "Well I was glad to help out both you and Branch. I'll tell him you said hi." Poppy said. Sky Toronto nodded back before going back to work.
Poppy walked through the village with so much on her mind. Before she heard Branch sing she could have sworn that she was the only one to say something nice about Branch. And even she had trouble on those rare occasions but it seems that she was wrong. She headed back to Branch's bunker and waited for him to return. She sat on the sofa and waited. She closed her eyes and took in the scent of Branch that seemed to stay in the air. It relaxed her like nothing else. She dozed off feeling more tired than she thought. She hasn't been sleeping well in the past several days. When she woke up she found herself covered in a blanket and on what she assumed was Branch's bed. The door to his room was closed. He must have come back and found her asleep and moved her so he wouldn't disturb her. That was really sweet. With a stretch she got out of the ridiculously comfortable bed and headed back to the sofa to find Branch sitting at the kitchen table writing in his song book and eating a cupcake. This put a smile on her face and went to go join him. "Hey."
"Hey." Branch said swolling the cupcake and closing the book. "Thanks for the cupcakes." Poppy grabbed one. "No problem. Thanks for letting me sleep guess I was more tired than I thought. Also Dr. Plum and Sky Toronto say hi. They missed ya." Poppy said still trying to hold back a yawn. "No problem." Branch said before finishing his cupcake. "So earlier before you helped me out. Thank you for that by the way. You said you wanted to ask me a question." Branch asked her curiously. Poppy blushed. "Yeah. I didn't know who else to ask. But um. How do you know if your in love?" Poppy said. She looked into Branch's eyes that looked ready to pop out of his head and now it was his turn to blush. "Um." Branch stuttered. Out of all the things he thought she was going to ask this was not one of them.
"Why do you ask?" Branch wondered hesitantly. "I just." Poppy started with a sigh. "I just started to have these feelings for someone and I just haven't felt like this before. Don't get me wrong The Snack Pack is great for advice but I just don't thinl they'd understand. And it felt weird asking my dad. I guess. This felt serious and I also knew that you wouldn't tease me for asking." Poppy explained. Branch felt a little honored that she trusted him like that, but felt a little sick to his stomach to think that she was possibly falling in love with another troll. "Um love is not something anyone can really explain. It's how you feel. Like when I think about the girl I love. I actually feel like smiling." Poppy gave him a mock act of shock before bursting into giggles. Branch just smiled at her before continuing. "We are similar in a lot of ways that are below the surface. In ways that truly matter, but we are also extremely polar oppositees at the same time in other ways." Branch said. Poppy thought that it would make sense for them to be similar in the important stuff and different in other areas. "Kind of like a mirror?" Poppy said. This earned her a confused look from Branch. "What?"
"A mirror. It shows you an almost perfect reflection of yourself but the only difference is that everything is in reverse. I don't know, it made sense to me." Poppy said. "No. No. I get it." Branch said, making Poppy smile. She loved her friends but they were not the poetic type and anytime she wanted to make analogies like that they were just looking at her completely lost. It would make her feel like she wasn't a part of the group in those moments. But it was nice to have someone be on the same page for one on this type of stuff. Poppy noticed the time and realized that she did need to get back to her dad before the end of the day. "Hey I hate to cut things short but I promised my dad I'd help him with something." Poppy said heading towards the elevator. "Yeah no problem." Branch said waving goodbye. "Thanks for listening. It was really nice talking to you." Poppy said before leaving. Branch just stood there with his ears feeling like they were on fire. Glitz came buzzing out to tease his friend. "Shut up."
Later that day, Poppy was still thinking about her conversation as the group headed to see Branch sing again. Before any of them could get a word out to signal that they were here they saw the zipping of a glow bug. Glitz was flying around chaotically around Branch and all over the clearing. They clearly were in a good mood and were getting very antsy about waiting for Branch to finish. "Will you knock it off? What is the matter with you? Did Poppy give you sugar or something?" Branch meant it as a joke but the Snack Pack turned to Poppy who sheepishly shrugged admitting to doing just that. Glitz just zoomed around Branch's head causing the grey troll to swat him off. "Ok. Ok. Ok. I'm done. Are you happy now?" Branch said. He was received by a squeaky YES! Branch couldn't help but laugh. Poppy sighed at the sweet Sven in front of her. Branch closed his book and stood up and the music began to play.
Aren't you somethin' to admire?
'Cause your shine is somethin' like a mirror
And I can't help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and
The glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I'm always
Parallel on the other side
'Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
Poppy was becoming more and more sure about her answer. And she was more scared about this than she's ever been in her whole life. But what if Creek was right and this just all goes down in a ball of flames. Not his words but hers.
I can tell you there's no place we couldn't go
Just put your hand on the glass
I'll be tryna pull you through
You just gotta be strong
'Cause I don't wanna lose you now
I'm lookin' right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I'll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin' back here to you once I figured it out
Still seeing the uncertainty on her face DJ Suki placed a hand on the princess's shoulder drawing her attention. She gave the pink troll a smile that showed that whatever Poppy decided they'd support her. It was exactly what she needed. Their confidence gave her strength.
You were right here all along
It's like you're my mirror (Oh)
My mirror's staring back at me (Oh)
I couldn't get any bigger (Oh)
With anyone else beside me (Oh)
And now it's clear as this promise
That we're making
Two reflections into one
'Cause it's like you're my mirror (Oh)
The longer the song went on the more she was ready to admit that she likes Branch. And not just that. But that she was and is and probably will always be from this point on. In love with Branch. The village's resident grey troll. The one to fix the security around the village just so they'd be safer. The one who is always concerned about everyone even if he doesn't show it. The more she thought about it he really was like a perfect reflection of her. This just seemed to cement the smile on her face. Helping her to breathe easier.
My mirror's staring back at me, staring back at me
Aren't you somethin', an original?
'Cause it doesn't seem merely assembled
And I can't help but stare, 'cause
I see truth somewhere in your eyes
Ooh, I can't ever change without you
You reflect me, I love that about you
And if I could, I
Would look at us all the time
'Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
This song was really beautiful, Poppy thought. Wondering if Branch would prefer her over this other troll? What did that girl have that she didn't? Poppy then thought that maybe she doesn't annoy him everyday and drown him in glitter. Maybe she's not too much like she is. Poppy can admit that she can be too excited and too crazy and definitely too loud. Poppy was starting to feel sad about the qualities that this girl probably had that she didn't. Then she started to feel jealous. Jealous? No. Nope. She will admit to being in love but not to being jealous that was not becoming a queen to be. Poppy was still sad that Branch preferred this other girl than her. Maybe with time Branch could see her in the same way he sees this girl. That did bring some hope back to Poppy.
I can tell you there's no place we couldn't go
Just put your hand on the glass
I'm here tryna pull you through
You just gotta be strong
The lights matched the melody perfectly and Branch just swayed to it. He had to admit that these past days he's felt happier. Little did the Snack Pack or Poppy know that they started to sway too.
'Cause I don't wanna lose you now
I'm lookin' right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I'll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin' back here to you once I figured it out
Creek saw the transmission on Poppy's face. He was actually overjoyed to see that she was so scared to tell Branch the truth but now. What if she did come clean and he forgave her? No that can not happen. Branch needed to learn the truth but not from her. He (Creek) needed to be the one narrating this story. But how?
You were right here all along
It's like you're my mirror (Oh)
My mirror's staring back at me (Oh)
I couldn't get any bigger (Oh)
With anyone else beside me (Oh)
And now it's clear as this promise
That we're making
Two reflections into one
'Cause it's like you're my mirror (Oh)
My mirror's staring back at me, staring back at me
The music stopped, the lights dimmed, and Branch got down from his mushroom. "Squeak." Glitz buzzed into Branch's cheek. "I know I have just been so inspired by her lately. I just wish I could tell her." Branch said a little sad. When will he stop living in a fantasy and stop being a coward? When will he tell her? That was the question on everyone's mind.
With that Branch left with his glow bug and the group came out from hiding. "Wow. Just wow." Smidge said. "Yeah." The group replied. "So same time tomorrow?" DJ Suki asked. "I don't know, I have a date with Milton tomorrow." This seemed to snap Poppy out of her thoughts. "What? That's amazing. Besides he probably won't sing tomorrow so you just worry about your date. I'm so happy for you!" Poppy said so energetic walking Smidge to her pod followed by the girls who were going to help her get ready for her date the following day.
Before the boys went off Guy Diamond grabbed Creek by the shoulder to turn him to face one another. "Creek. We need to talk." Creek was wrapped up in his own thoughts lately; he did not notice that his friends had caught onto his sour mood. "Look I know you like Poppy but if you want her to be happy you will be supportive in this. I know none of us want her to get hurt but that's not up to us in the end." GD said. Creek couldn't believe what he was hearing. They would want him to be supportive in her throwing her life away than to be with him the better option?!? "I'll try to be more supportive from now on." Creek said. It honestly almost killed him to say. But if he was going to stay the best option in the eyes of all trolls he would try to appear to support Poppy in this stupid idea while secretly playing out his plan to get rid of Branch. Creek walked away. Guy Diamond was worried he knew how mean Creek could be when it came to Branch. Practically only him and Suki ever saw through Creek's persona. He just hoped maybe a day to himself would do him some good. The rest of the boys have one another worried glances before heading home to go to bed.
Sorry for the delay. The next chapter chould be out within the next day. I had decided last minute that there needed to be a chapter between the one before this chapter and the one after so that's what took so long. We are slowly catching up to the start of the first movie. Also keep in mind this is going to be different from the movies. I am making Barb Branch's sister and when I had originally seen Viva I thought she was going to be Poppy's mom not sister so I am making her Poppy's mom in this so keep that in mind. No incest. I promise. Thanks for reading.