A day after the banquet, Poppy's group began traveling through the kingdom as Sofia and Esteban led to a house containing potential allies for the battle ahead. Having met the two a few weeks following their arrival in the Space Between, the both of them felt differently towards them. The former held high praises for two people in particular while the latter harbored mixed feelings toward one half of the pair. Knowing them through their respective reputations (one mastered cyrokinesis, the other was a clairvoyant), Poppy had opted to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Walking closer to the location they were given, the group's ears perked up at the sound of music playing in the distance. Listening on a little closer, Poppy recognized the sound of the forgotten Disco Trolls with a blend of the more recognizable Funk Trolls. Spotting a predominantly blue three-story mansion sprinkled with the other colors of the rainbow (specifically yellow, green, and purple), she broke into a sprint as Mirabel followed behind.
"Sofia, is this the place?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Sofia nodded in response as she and Esteban approached.
Exchanging glances, Poppy and Mirabel pulled open the double doors and they were immediately met with a cold blast. They both gasped at the sight of the lobby, which had been triumphantly transformed into a winter wonderland that kids began playing around in. Behind them, Sofia giggled in delight while Esteban groaned in disbelief.
Upstairs, an Orchestral Pop Troll made snow and sleet rain upon the ecstatic children and tweens as she chuckled gently to herself. She had azure blue skin, French blue eyes accentuated by shiny purplish-pink eyeshadow, platinum blonde hair styled in a French Braid that was swept over her left shoulder, a light dusting of freckles, and thin pink lips adorned with dark pink lipstick. She wore a pale blue dress adorned with an illusion neckline and sky-blue belt as the long sleeves are showing her shoulders (the skirt stopped just short of the shin area), matching pale blue leggings, and open-toe ballet flats.
She was eventually joined by a Latin Troll with sage green skin, hazel green eyes, curly black hair mixed with white streaks, and light freckles on his face. He wore a hooded emerald green ruana cuffed at the elbows over a long-sleeved burgundy shirt, dark brown pants, and black boots.
Exchanging loving looks with each other, the two Trolls leapt down from the balcony as the Orchestral Pop Troll used her cyrokinetic abilities to create a slide that broke their fall halfway through, the Latin Troll laughing in joy alongside her.
("Keep It Comin' Love" – KC And The Sunshine Band) [Idina Menzel & John Leguizamo Cover]
Poppy, Mirabel, and the others entering the mansion looked on as the two Trolls become fantastically flirty with each other, dancing and dipping each other low to the funky music that played all over the lobby. Meanwhile, taking a closer look at the Latin Troll, Mirabel could not help but deduce that this Latin Troll seemed far too familiar for her liking. It was a sentiment shared by her cousin, who approached wearing the exact same expression. Camilo exchanged looks with his cousin as a result.
[Chorus: Both]
Keep it comin' love
Keep it comin' love
Don't stop it now
Don't stop it no, don't stop it now, don't stop it
Keep it comin' love
Keep it comin' love
Don't stop it now
Don't stop it no, don't stop it now, don't stop it
The Orchestral Pop Troll skated around the room with makeshift ice skates, carefully circumventing the collection of children near her radius.
[Verse 1: Idina Menzel]
Don't let your well run dry, don't stop it now
The Latin Troll pulled the Orchestral Pop Troll close and spun her around, causing her to laugh in delight.
[Verse 2: John Leguizamo]
Don't give me no reasons why, don't stop it now
The couple took each other's hands and spun in a circle as the children laughed and did their best to move out of the way.
[Chorus: Both]
Keep it comin' love
Keep it comin' love
Don't stop it now
Don't stop it no, don't stop it now
Don't stop it
Keep it comin' love
Keep it comin' love
Don't stop it now
Don't stop it no, don't stop it now
Don't stop it
As the primary couple took the lead, a secondary couple saw fit to join them. Miles abruptly pulled Ruby onto the dancefloor, much to her embarrassment as she tried to keep up with him. Following them were the tertiary couple of Mei and Alberto, who slid past them and danced slowly but no less joyfully.
[Verse 2: John Leguizamo]
Don't build me up, just to let me drop, don't stop it now
The Latin Troll briefly seperated from the Orchestral Pop Troll as he skated around the secondary and tertiary couples.
[Verse 2: Idina Menzel]
Don't turn me on, just to turn me off, don't stop it now
The Orchestral Pop Troll laughed along with him in joy as Poppy, Marinette, Sofia, and many of the group members danced to the beat. Meanwhile, other members such as Mr. Wolf and Lady Bone Demon preferred to maintain the perks of being a wallflower. However, for the life of them, Mirabel and Camilo could not shake the strong suspicions that they have seen the Latin Troll before.
[Chorus: Both]
Keep it comin' love
Keep it comin' love
Don't stop it now
Don't stop it no, don't stop it now
Don't stop it
Keep it comin' love
Keep it comin' love
Don't stop it now
Don't stop it no, don't stop it now
Don't stop it
Eventually, spending more than enough time apart, the Latin Troll and the Orchestral Pop Troll reunited on the skatefloor.
[Verse 3: Both]
Don't tell me there ain't no more, don't stop it now
Don't turn me down, just close your door, don't stop it now (Ooh)
The couple stared lovingly into each other's eyes before sharing a short but sincere kiss on the lips before holding each other as the song continued on.
Keep it comin' love
Keep it comin' love
Don't stop it now
Don't stop it no, don't stop it now
Don't stop it
Mirabel gasped when she came to a realization.
"Tío Bruno?"
At that, the Latin Troll's ears perked up as he turned to face her and Camilo, gasping in shock.
"M-Mirabel? And Camilo?"
"Tío Bruno," Camilo himself took in the man who was his uncle, "How've you been?"
"I've..." Bruno paused in hesitation, hoping to find the right response, "I've been well. And you?"
"We've had our days," Mirabel shrugged, "Sometimes good, sometimes bad."
"Sometimes a little bit of both, I suppose?" The Orchestral Pop Troll smiled as she approached them.
"Sometimes a little bit of both," Camilo nodded, "I'm Camilo, and this is my cousin Mirabel. And you may be...?"
"Elsa," The Orchestral Pop Troll introduced herself, "Bruno has told me a lot about you two...or rather, his Mirabel and Camilo."
"I take it you're from an alternate universe, too?" Bruno wanted to confirm his suspicions.
"Earth-212411B," Mirabel nodded in confirmation.
"Earth-212411C," Camilo replied before adding, "Well, technically, it's labelled Earth-221218, but I digress. What about you?"
"I guess Earth-212411D," Bruno joked before rubbing his chin, "But it's officially labelled Earth-211206. I remember being captured by this prince from the Southern Isles and his henchmen before I was transported here to the Space Between."
"And I was in the process of saving my beloved when I was transported here along with him," Elsa added to remind him.
"And you did so quite beautifully, my lady," Bruno remarked in the form of flattery, which seemed to get a pink blush out of her.
"Aw, stop it, Bruno. You're making me blush."
"And you're making me sick to my stomach."
Everybody looked up to find a Rock Troll sliding down the ice slide, using a hunting knife to control her movements. She had light pink skin, short dark pink hair in a Chelsea haircut, and white eyes. She wore a magenta tunic with a chainmail shirt underneath, a metal gorget around her neck, brown leather gauntlets, a brown leather belt, and brown leather boots that hit just below her knees and are turned down at the top like pirate boots. She had one ring piercing in her right ear, an eyebrow piercing on the left, and three rings in her left ear.
Landing ever so gracefully on the ground before the group, the Rock Troll stretched and cracked her muscles before sheathing her knife.
"I mean, honestly...how could an Ice person like you..." The Rock Troll gestured to Elsa first before Bruno, "...end up with a not-so-Hot person like him?"
"He's adorable," Elsa defended her beloved as she shot him a smile, "and he protects me on more than one occasion. Plus, he makes me laugh."
"Not that you need help with either one..." The Rock Troll muttered to herself before turning her attention to the considerably large group behind the couple that was quickly filling up the mansion, "So...what's the story here? A party? An orgy? Or possibly both? I mean, hey, I won't judge if it's both."
"Seriously, kid," Bruno grimaced in disgust, "That's the first thing you assume? And in front of the other kids, too..."
"I'm horny, Tío Bruno!" The Rock Troll huffed in frustration, "I can't help it! I've been stuck here for...Gloreth knows how long! And I'm surrounded by not just kids who are far mentally stable than I am at the moment, but also a lovey-dovey couple who seem hellbent on flaunting their feelings for each other in public at each ample opportunity!"
Elsa blinked in bewilderment as she faced Bruno.
"We flaunt our feelings in public?"
"Not on purpose, I believe," Bruno shrugged before turning his attention back to the now despondent Rock Troll.
"Look, kid. I may not have the cure for your...rampant horniness, but I can tell you that it's not too late."
"To find a cure for my rampant horniness?" The Rock Troll raised an eyebrow at Bruno, who blushed as he realized his miswording.
"No, no! Not that! You know what I meant!"
"Do I?" The Rock Troll smirked as Elsa rolled her eyes and approached to assist her blushing, blabbering beloved.
"Nimona... I understand you've been through. Being called a monster was undoubtedly one of the worst moments in your life, if not the worst. Am I correct?"
The Rock Troll now known as "Nimona" calmed down and nodded solemnly.
"Okay. And when you sacrificed yourself to protect your kingdom from...her, why did you?"
"I...don't know," Nimona shrugged.
"Because you're not a monster," Elsa continued as she placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You're a hero. An unconventional hero, but a hero nonetheless. In your last moments, you may have felt unloved, but you still found a reason to perform one good deed."
Nimona managed a small but sincere smile at that advice...before chuckling and shaking her head in disbelief.
"I have to admit...you're pretty good at that."
"I try," Elsa shrugged with a smile.
"Yeah, you're far better at that than I am," Bruno chuckled as he scratched the back of his head.
"Don't worry, Miss Nimona!" Poppy eventually jumped in the conversation to introduce herself, "My friends and I are trying to get home too! We'll help you every step of the way!"
Examining the Pop Queen from head to toe, Nimona eventually took her hand to shake it.
"And you are...?"
"Queen Poppy of the Pop Trolls at your service," Poppy properly introduced herself, "And it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!"
"Uh...the pleasure's all mine, I guess?"
"Okay! Miss Elsa and Mr. Madrigal," Poppy then turned her attention to the couple in question, "I've heard such good things from Princess Sofia, such as you two helping us to train for the battle ahead!"
"Train?" Elsa blinked.
"Battle?" Bruno squeaked.
"It's a long story," Mirabel nervously laughed, "How about an explanation over lunch?"
"A lot of food means a lot of stomachaches," Miles grimaced.
"It can also mean a lot of energy to burn off during the training sessions," Ruby interjected with a positive spin on such negativity.
"Either way," Camilo shrugged, "I'm down. Lead the way, Tío Bruno!"
Exchanging confused glances with each other, Bruno and Elsa shrugged along with him before leading the group. As they walked, Mirabel felt a tug on her skirt and glanced down to find Alberto walking side-by-side with Mei.
"Your uncle's name is Bruno?" Alberto frowned.
"Yes...?"
A minute later, Alberto smirked and shook his head as he chuckled. Next to him, Mei gulped audibly and winced in acknowledgement. Knowing her boyfriend and his past, she knew exactly where this was going.
Jokes about a certain Bruno abounded all over...
"So...you two know her? The Poppy Duplicate."
"In a sense. He knows her apparently more than me."
The next morning, the Snack Pack, the Tribe Leaders, the Tribe Ambassadors, the Bounty Hunters, and the other members of royalty met in King Eric's castle to discuss the new and improved battleplan with the ruler himself and his two advisors. However, the two responsible for the creation of said new and improved battleplan were not currently present in the conference room with the five groups. Considering their instigating actions, Chenille and Prince D's focus were placed exclusively on the one Troll that served as their immense inspiration.
To their chagrin, despite wanting to keep their conversation regarding the Pop Troll a private affair, two other Trolls had the misfortune of encountering her apparently after their meeting with her. Tresillo and Wani had snuck out of the conference room the moment they saw Chenille and Prince D sneak out, which is how they had the following conversation.
"So who is she?" Wani turned to Prince D, who sighed in response.
"Viva. I used to...date her, for lack of a proper term."
"I couldn't tell," Chenille chuckled, "There's really no better term to describe it."
"How did you meet each other?"
"Well, for starters, she tried to murder us...before befriending us."
"Mmm," Tresillo's eyebrows shot up, "A feisty one, huh?"
"This was...before the Tribes were united," Prince D explained as far as he could, "She and I were just kids when we first met. I was trying to find Cooper when the Bergens attacked. Viva saved me...but I never knew how much I saved her. A tragic short-loved love story if I ever witnessed one...because I was in the center of it."
Even if Prince D did not show it, Chenille could tell the mere mention of Viva's name was enough to hit a special sore spot in his heart whenever the need to regale the tale was requested. The Pop Troll could only imagine what the Hip-Hop Troll had experienced.
"She fed me. She nutured me. She trained me. She...she cared for me," Prince D fought back any and all tears that leaked from his closed eyes, "And in the end...she still loved me no matter how much she said she hated me."
"What happened?" Wani tilted her head.
"I..." Prince D hesitated before continuing, "I couldn't leave. I wanted to continue looking for my brother, but Viva kept me from leaving out of fear that the Bergens would return. We fought each other. I lost...but she let go regardless."
Prince D sniffled and shook his head as the memories of that fateful night came rushing back to him at full force. Without hesitation, Chenille took one of his paws into one of her hands, grasping it tight and never once letting go.
"Before I left..." Prince D regained his composure, "I told Viva to head to a mini-golf course that the Bergens abandoned. I told her that...I would see her again. And I never did. My mom and dad, they brought me home because the other five Troll Tribes were torn over helping the Pop Tribe escape the Bergens. By the time they finally reached a decision, the conflict had been resolved, but another had been created. They all pinned the blame on each other for refusing to intervene to the point of dealing blows. I had to put aside my search for my brother and Viva to help my parents tend to their kingdom and prevent another war."
His breath then hitched, "I forgot all about her and him until those fateful days. I should've done more..."
"You did what you could," Chenille smiled softly, "Viva's still alive, and she's willing to provide us with an amount of aid, right?"
"That's not the point," Prince D shook her head, "I let her down. I let those other Trolls down."
"Other Trolls?" Wani raised an eyebrow.
"The other Trolls that were left behind with Viva," Prince D explained more, "They made their own motto—"No Troll left behind"—to prevent anyone else suffering that fate."
"Huh," Chenille chuckled in realization, "That's what former King Peppy used to say."
"Well, does your former King realize he essentially broke his own law?" Tresillo crossed his arms.
"I honestly hope not..." Chenille slowly frowned, "For now, anyway."
"What?" Wani looked at Chenille as if she had grown a third head, "Are you saying that we keep quiet about this Viva?"
"King Peppy has an unfortunate habit of keeping secrets from our own Tribe for our own safety," Chenille's frown hardened, "Keeping the events of Barb's World Tour in mind, he's going to have to come clean about Viva eventually."
"And we keep quiet about this from the others as well?" Tresillo unfolded his arms.
"We have a battleplan to discuss with the others," Prince D sighed, "We'll revisit the topic later."
With that, the four of them exchanged acknowledging nods before heading back to join the others in discussing said battleplan. As they did, though, Tresillo could not help but wonder.
"I know this should've been at the forefront of this conversation, but...do you think Poppy would've freaked out if it turned Viva was her sister?"
"Massively," Chenille chuckled as Prince D nodded his head, "That would just mean we have two Queen Poppys to deal with instead of one..."
"Oh, what joy..."
You gotta work hard (Uh-huh)
To make it look it easy
You gotta live fast
To keep makin' that money (Ooh)
If you want to be as famous as me
You gotta work, you gotta work, you gotta work
Watch me work
Poppy's group looked on with wide eyes and in downright disbelief as the future supposedly unfolded before them.
A pair of tall humanoid dolls with colored lips, petite noses, silver/matt chromic skin, and smooth plastic hair were the stars of a stylistic sucky music video, donning bronze shoulder-padded tops, shorts, and skirts. As with most stars who primarily delved deep into the musical arts, the humanoid dolls practically flaunted their fame and fortune fantastically while crooning about them with crudeness and charisma. All the while, they made snow angels with a plethora of diamonds, drove around in a fancy red car, and tried too hard to be sexy and sultry.
At least one person seemed to enjoy themselves.
When Poppy got curious and asked Bruno about the future to learn more about Viva and the events after the big battle, she then took the information and ran through the holographic globe before they were greeted by the music video in question. Raya and Elsa nonchalantly raised a single eyebrow, Mei received flashbacks to her obsession with a specific boy band back in her world, Mr. Wolf and Satin (along with Alberto and Nimona, who "tried" not to pay attention) cringed at the poor special effects, Sunset and Flash received their own flashbacks over their own attempts to direct a music video when they were a musical duo themselves, Esteban covered Sofia's eyes during the more...inappropriate parts, Miles and Ruby exchanged awkward glances, and Bruno and Camilo shared the same looks: they were rethinking life as they knew it.
Only Poppy, Queen Peony, the former Tribe Leaders, the Lost Trolls, Princess Peach, Lady Bone Demon, Miss Shinobu, Miss Mitsuri, Miles' Funk Troll acquaintance, Queen Angella, Marinette, and Twilight paid close attention to the music video to see if there was a connection between them and Poppy's sister. However, the present-day Pop Queen momentarily looked up from her notes to see Mirabel subconsciously swaying to the beat and hiddenly humming to the lyrics.
"Are you enjoying this, Mirabel?" Poppy giggled in amusement as Satin looked over as well.
"Don't judge me," Mirabel hissed in a hushed tone, "It's so catchy!"
"I don't want to admit it either, but still..." Ruby bobbed her head up and down as Miles, who was watching his girlfriend enjoy the song, rolled his own eyes.
As the music video (and, by extension, the song) ended, Esteban sighed in relief.
"What kind of person in their right mind would devise a devious melodic tape such as that?"
"Probably the same kind of person who would destroy their fashion sense in such a dastardly way..." Satin humphed with contempt.
"Girl..." Nimona scoffed and shot Satin a dirty look, "If that's your main takeaway..you have a big problem."
In turn, Satin shot Nimona a dirty look of her own before turning to Poppy, who continued to take notes despite the amusing nature of the music video.
"Honestly..." Flash chuckled as he recalled an especially embarrassing memory, "Knowing me and Sunset..."
"It will be difficult to separate the art from the artist," Sunset nodded in agreement.
Poppy turned the volume up to ten as she listened to the radio DJ exclaim important information:
"That's Velvet and Veneer's spicy hot new single, "Watch Me Work". Catch them tomorrow night at the Rage Dome where they'll be receiving the Lifer Award."
Poppy frowned at the names before continuing to take notes.
So they were the ones who took Branch's fourth eldest brother...who I have never met along with his other three older brothers. Why didn't Branch tell me that not only did he have four older brothers, but they were a boy band that I immensely like? That was not how DNA worked!
. . .
Then again, neither did true human emotions...
. . .
Whatever happened among them...must've been really bad...
Poppy's sour mood returned, but she dared not to show it as the call-forward progressed.
It's some kinda love, it's some kind of fire...
Poppy looked up from her notes again as she and the others looked at the screen.
I'm already up (Ooh), but you lift me higher (Ooh)...
Placing them down and walking towards them, Poppy (both of them) watched their boyfriend lead his four brothers (who were currently in diamond prisons) in a perfect family harmonious performance.
You know I'm not wrong (Ooh), you know I'm not lying (Ooh)...
That sweet mood returned with a vengeance, pride emerging from the depths of Poppy as she watched on.
We do it better, we do it better, yeah...
For some inexplicable reason, Poppy found this song extremely familiar. A familiar feeling of Déjà vu, perhaps?
And I don't mind if the world spins faster
The music's louder, the waves get stronger
Now Poppy's turn to subconsciously sway to the beat and hiddenly hum to the lyrics, the Pop Queen's smile only grew wider and wider as the beat progressively got faster and faster.
I don't mind if the world spins faster
Faster, faster
Suddenly, Poppy's shoulder was tapped by Mirabel, who smiled along with her and gestured her best friend to continue singing...along with her.
Just let me take you to a better place
I'm gonna make ya kiss the sky tonight
The rest of the group jumped in momentary shock as Poppy and Mirabel sang along with the video and could look on with amusement and bemusement all the same.
Yeah, if you let me show the way
I'm so excited...
"...To see you excited!" Poppy and Mirabel sang at the same time before they sang along to the song completely, the faint sounds of an ukuele accompanying them in the background.
I'll takе you to a better place, yoo-hoo
(I'll takе you to a better place)
And, baby, you can love me on the way
Just as Viva tossed Poppy in the air to be caught by Branch in the video, Mirabel tossed Poppy in the air...
We're flyin' up to outer space
...and caught her when she fell, the both of them spinning each other in a circle.
I'm so excited! (I'm so excited)
To see you excited! (To see you excited)
A glowing pink, white, and gold circle.
Yeah!
Unbeknownst to the duo, the group and the children watched in wonder and surprise as they glowed these exact colors and continued to sing in harmony.
I don't mind if the world spins faster
The music's louder, the waves get stronger
As the song progressed to a powerful climax, the group slowly backed away as Poppy and Mirabel's voices reached a crescendo the same time their colors glowed brighter and brighter.
I don't mind if the world spins faster
Faster, faster, faster...!
At that moment, the two girls struck their best pose and capped off the song.
Just let me take you to a better place!
. . .
BOOM!
Suddenly, the house was the center of a powerful shockwave that emitted the colors of pink, white, and gold engulfing the majority of TrollsTopia as the denizens looked up from their daily routine in intrigue.
In the midst of going over their battleplan, Branch, the Snack Pack, the Tribe Leaders, the Tribe Ambassadors, and the Bounty Hunters looked up in momentary surprise as they felt an explosion momentarily rock the Folk Rock Kingdom.
"What was that...?" Chenille asked under her breath as she exchanged glances with Branch, Prince D, Tresillo, and Wani, all of whom shrugged and wore the same confused expression as she did.
Having closed their eyes to shield them from the blast, Poppy's group reopened them and gasped at the sight before them.
The Pop Queen herself and Mirabel both stylish, sparkling dresses that were far more fashionable than their usual outfits.
Poppy's yellow eyes remained, but her hair color now glowed blue and purple to complement the primary pink. Her dress consisted of a rainbow-colored top with the lines presented vertically that formed a small V-shaped neckline, a skirt that was made out of rose pink clouds, and pink leg warmers with red stripes.
Mirabel's green glasses remained, but her hair color now glowed white and pink to complement the greater gold. Her dress was a white party dress which had golden butterflies embroidered on it, lace ruffles at the sleeves, and a light pink bow pin placed near the top and slightly to the left side of her head. She also wore white and gold flats that matched her dress.
Her eyes now glowed bright gold.
"Whoa..." The majority of the group whispered as Poppy and Mirabel recovered from their dazed and confused state to glance at each other.
"Whoa!"
Examining each other from head to toe, the two girls began gushing over their new clothes.
"Are those little clouds?"
"Those are little butterflies!"
"They match your eyes!"
"They match your eyes!"
"Nice pink warmers!"
"Nice gold flats!"
"Wait..."
"Wait..."
"Is your hair glowing?"
"Is your hair glowing again?"
. . .
"Wait, my hair?"
Mirabel glanced up to see that her hair was glowing as well before glancing down to Poppy.
"Is it strange to say that this is probably the least strange thing I've ever witnessed or experienced?"
"Nope," Poppy smiled and shook her head, "Not at all."
"Uhh..." Nimona frowned and bit her bottom lip, "I'm sorry, did we miss something?"
"Probably not," Miles chuckled.
"Unless..." Elsa rubbed her chin.
"Given the display of magic we witnessed and experienced..." Paul caught on, "Bright, positive music can lead to bright, positive magic..."
"And dark, negative music can lead to dark, negative magic," Peony nodded in understanding.
Poppy rubbed her chin before Mirabel interjected.
"Or just emotions in general. No matter what the music may be, Poppy could be happy and sad either way."
"Perhaps," Elsa nodded as well.
"What about you, Mirabel?" Mei approached, "Your eyes and hair are glowing too because you sang along with Poppy. Does that mean you have powers too?"
The idea never occurred to Mirabel until that very moment, the Latin Troll exchanging looks with her alternate family members. She had been so used to living without a Gift that her somehow finally managing to received one seemed foreign to her.
It was something Poppy noticed as she smiled to her again with pride.
"I think you have a Gift, just like you said."
"Huh," Mirabel could not help but smile as well, "How about that?"
"How about that indeed..."