Working on her own details for her own battleplan, Blue watched from a distance as those fools the Tribes called their Leaders and Ambassadors engage in petty squabbles with each other, ultimately devolving into a nearly violent scuffle between the Mayor of Lonesome Flats and her cat-like law enforcement acquaintance before the Pop Rock hybrid girl and her Grey Troll mentor de-escalated the situation. She did not care much about the so-called rulers and their diplomats, but there were certain objects and subjects that seemed insistent on catching her attention. Yes, this included the latter two Trolls and their peculiar choice of weapon. The gold cutlass-shaped wand with a light-blue ruby should have been considered nothing special, tacky and gaudy even for her liking. It was the energy the wand emitted, however, that caught her eye.
It couldn't be...the Six Strings?
Indeed, Blue let herself be deluded by the deduction that the wand carried a power reminiscent of the Six Strings, thought to be destroyed for good. Backing up this rather ridiculous and downright dangerous claim was the fact that, for a brief moment, she could have sworn she caught a glimpse of their colors glinting in the two Trolls' hairs. She admitted she was stubborn, yes, but she was not entirely stupid. She was also not entirely selfish, either. She genuinely wished to secure the safety of her remaining loyal crewmates, but the opportunity to snatch the Six Strings (or, in this case, an enclosure that harnessed their power) was simply too desirable to pass up or let slip away. She was also an opportunist through and through, and her forming an enemy mine with the Troll Tribes to achieve an ulterior motive was a risky gamble she hoped pay off.
Taking all of those factors into consideration, the Captain performed a press check on her Beretta 90Two out of sight from the others and watched the tribal rulers and their diplomats perform their duties assigned according to the battleplan schematics.
Let's just hope the heroes will find it within themselves to rise to the occasion...
Outside, Poppy's group were met by a great wide open plain decorated with training dummies and target sheets, giving it the appearance of an outdoor training range. In addition, a nearby workbench carried a mini-arsenal of firearms, melee weapons, and other equipment. The roster of firearms included a 3rd Generation Glock 17, a SIG-Sauer P226R, a SIG-Sauer P226 Super Capacity Tactical with Magwell grips and Equinox-style stainless parts, a Beretta 92FS, a Colt M1911A1, a nickel-plated Colt MK IV Series 80 with pearl grips, a Remington 870 with a standard magazine tube and wooden furniture, a Remington 870 MCS Masterkey, a series of M4A1 Carbines (one of which was fitted, a series of Heckler & Koch G36C rifles, a suppressed Daniel Defense M4A1 with a flashlight and Leupold HAMR sight, a M249 SAW Paratrooper with a Leupold Mark 4 HAMR optic and a SureFire 100-round casket magazine, and a M79 Grenade Launcher.
On the melee weapons, there was a wide variety such as a metal disc-shaped shield with the color scheme of red, white, and blue in addition to a silver star in the center; a black recurve bow with a matching mechanized quiver; and a long red-and-silver metallic baton. Aside from those, the melee weapons were mostly swords, knives, and other blades. One such sword was constructed with a light blue blade and a golden hilt with a turquoise opal embedded inside while another was far more muted with a slightly wavy blade, a golden dragon tsuba with a blue gemstone embedded inside, and a brown handle.
Raya gasped in shock as she gently took up the sword and examined it with tears in her eyes.
"Is it yours?" Poppy asked as she approached her.
"It was my father's," Raya breathed out as she took it by the handle this time while continuing to examining the blade. Nodding in understanding, Poppy let Raya observe her family heirloom and turned her attention to the first sword. From what she could tell as she carefully picked up, it was an exact replica of Adora's own sword back in the living world.
Next to it was a 3rd Generation Glock 17. Poppy frowned at the firearm, recalling the rather unpleasant memories of her wielding such a lethal weapon, even if the reasons and intentions were noble. She could remember taking the lives of many Party Crashers on that fateful night despite them being the obstacles in her and her friends' quest to save the kingdom from the pre-reformed Queen Barb and her allies. Now she had three adversaries and their groups to deal with, and she was incredibly reluctant to step back into that role to save not only the kingdom once more, but the entire Multiverse as well. She did not have much of a chance, however.
Standing alone was not an option either.
"Don't worry, Poppy," Mirabel approached with little to no subtlety, "I'm nervous, too. Sometimes, I think to myself...what would my Abuelo Pedro do?"
Poppy turned to face her as she continued talking.
"I never knew him, but from what my Abuela told me, Camilo, andTío Bruno...he was a kind, loving, and dedicated man. He loved his family that he died for them. Love is a powerful universal language. When a person wields it...anything is possible."
Poppy knew this, but it never fully registered to her until that moment. Over the course of the journeys she made through the Troll Kingdom and the Space Between, she had befriended so many Trolls who hailed from different Tribes and different genres. She managed to achieve her goal of saving the Troll Kingdom through a combination of embracing the differences the Troll Tribes shared and her love for her people and the friends she had made up until that point.
"You're right, Mirabel," Poppy smiled to herself as she abruptly hugged the Latin Troll from the side. It caught Mirabel off guard before she nonetheless smiled and returned the hug.
"I really appreciate your advice," Poppy continued to smile.
"Of course you would," Mirabel chuckled as she briefly pulled away, "I'm your new bestie, aren't I?"
Shaking her head, Poppy exchanged brief but meaningful laughter with Mirabel, her new bestie.
"And as your new bestie with a passion for fashion..." Mirabel walked away as Poppy gasped in realization.
"Did you make new uniforms for the group?"
"Just a few," Mirabel smirked as Poppy squealed in excitement.
"Bash is doing what?"
Branch was taken aback and left aghast by the belated revelation Sheriff Callie had delivered to him and the rest of the royal members. He had momentarily forgotten about it when their journey to the Folk Rock Kingdom had become their top priority and creating a viable battleplan replaced it when that goal was achieved. He was also ashamed to admit that he had forgotten about Harper, Archer, and the distraught state they were in upon their return to Pop Village prior to the ambush. His worry for Poppy and the rest of the Tribes were his primary concern at the time.
So to have another dilemma on their hands was enough to lose his patience with the pesky Party Crasher.
"Bash is committing rape in order to produce offspring," Callie explained bluntly as Harper and Archer themselves held each other for comfort, "And not just against other Trolls, but his own kind as well. There were even about 20 female Party Crashers when we were there last."
"So what does this mean?" Holly breathed out in horror, "We've been killing children?"
"As far as we know," Callie shook her head, "We've been killing the more adult Party Crashers, judging by their appearance. Most of their offspring were born in front of me, Harper, and Archer. It also looks that they have just started giving birth to their children."
"Meaning they have been held since..." Delta rubbed her forehead, "The months following Barb's World Tour."
"This is my fault..." Barb murmured to herself when she came to his realization.
"No, it's not," Creek took her hand in his, "Yes, you hired them, but they diverged from your instructions for selfish reasons. The Party Crashers can be very unpredictable."
"I hired them too..." Blue darkly chuckled to herself, "Given their growing reputation, I would've learned from her mistake."
"You would've thought..." Sun Lien scoffed in agreement, Diogo holding her hand in support.
Branch sighed as he clenched his fists, "After this...we need to find the hostages and rescue them."
"I agree," Callie nodded, causing Harper and Archer to exchange shocked glances.
"You want to go back?"
"I'm not asking you to come," The Sheriff faced them, "But when someone needs saving, I'm not one to let them suffer."
After a moment, Harper and Archer conceded and nodded along with her.
"They need to stopped," Queen Essence turned to Branch.
"Now," Branch nodded.
Poppy took up the Glock 17, checking the ammunition and chambering the slide before loading a Remington 870.
Mirabel and Mr. Wolf performed a press check on their SIG-Sauer P226R pistols before the former chambered a Mossberg 500 Persuader.
Raya sheathed her father's sword and brought a brass check to her SIG-Sauer P226 Super Capacity Tactical.
Ruby loaded a Remington 870 MCS Masterkey as Miles holstered his Glock 17.
Mei and Alberto chambered the slides of a Colt M1911A1 and Beretta 92FS, respectively.
Marinette and Camilo checked the sights of their SIG-Sauer P229R pistols before the latter picked up and observed the star-studded shield.
Lady Bone Demon examined the Colt MK IV Series 80 before she handed it to Elsa and took up a Beretta 92FS and the bow-and-arrows instead.
Twilight, Sunset, and Flash all took up Glock 21 pistols and Daniel Defense M4A1 rifles.
Esteban took a Glock 17 as Sofia pointed out a pair of Remington 870 shotguns for Satin and Princess Peach to use.
Poppy then took the blue-bladed, golden-hilted, and turquoise opal-embedded sword and sheathed it.
Branch took up a SIG-Sauer P226R, checking the ammunition and chambering the slide.
DJ Suki, Trollex-1, and Diogo chambered a Glock 17.
Chenille handled Branch's Glock 17 two-tone, holstering it before taking up a M4A1 Carbine and a Remington 870 MCS Masterkey.
Melody loaded her Remington 870 Wingmaster as Trollex-2 chambered his own Remington 870 with a pistol grip.
Petra was nearby prepping her Glock 17, Glock 19, SIG-Sauer P229 E2, Remington 870 MCS, and M4A1 Carbine while Billy checked the sights of his Remington 870 Field Gun.
Suzi holstered her Glock 19 as Delta Dawn cocked her Winchester Model 1873.
Hickory loaded his Remington 870 as Callie performed a press check on her Colt MK IV Series 80.
Val and Gust checked the sights of their Beretta 92FS pistols before holstering them.
Barb slung over her Remington 870 over her shoulder and chambered her Glock 17.
Branch was handed another SIG-Sauer P226R by Creek, whom he shared acknowledging nods with.
("Arise" [From Marvel's "Cloak & Dagger"] – The Seige)
The group found Peony, Bruno, Elsa, Miss Shinobu, Miss Mitsuri, Chancellor Esteban, Princess Peach, the Tribe Leaders, and the Lost Trolls waiting for them at the outdoor training range as they returned. With the flip of a switch, the training dummies were propped up and the target sheets were brought down. Each of them took a battle stance as they faced down their "opponents", wondering who would draw first blood.
[Verse 1]
Remember back in the day
When you taught me to live and I taught you to pray?
Poppy charged first as she placed headshots in the training dummies.
We went into battle together
No matter the weather, we never delayed
Mirabel followed afterward, double-tapping the training dummies as they sprang back up.
You gave me commands, I always obeyed
I never let you go astray, I
Raya drew her sword and decapitated the dummies, shooting the ones in front of Poppy and Raya.
Never thought I'd see the day that
You would come up to betray me
Miles used his webbing to pull the opponents towards Ruby, who used her laser vision to
Sick of playing silly games, you
Never loved me anyway, you
Mr. Wolf covered Satin as they advanced toward their enemies, shooting down the training dummies when they returned with a vengeance.
Should not have let me get away, 'cause
Now I'm hunting for my prey, I'm
Twilight, Sunset, Sofia, and Esteban primarily used their magic against their opponents while Flash finished them off with gunfire.
Bigger, I'm better
My mind is a weapon
Marinette used her yo-yo and the shield to knock them away while Camilo covered her and an arriving Princess Peach.
I won't ever let it be cheddar
Break me down and I'ma just get up
Mei and Alberto opened fire on the training dummies while Lady Bone Demon generated blue crystals to utilize as throwing weapons.
They ask me how I did it
I'ma just tell 'em I rose up
Poppy then unsheathed her sword and charged once again...
...the same time Branch opened fire with his pistol.
[Chorus]
I'm a survivor (I'm a survivor)
He covered Chenille as she went in for the kill, tossing Creek a rifle for him to use.
Fight for my life (Fight for my life)
Delta Dawn, Hickory, Val, Gust, Petra, and Billy all covered each other to minimize the amount of opponents that had them surrounded.
Coming back stronger (coming back stronger)
DJ and Trollex-1 ran side by side as they fired shots, covering Namaari as she leapt over them and sliced away.
I will arise (I will arise)
Melody fired her shotgun before switching to her Rainbow Wand.
I'm a survivor (I'm a survivor)
Agatha was then tossed the Rainbow Wand, using it to disorient and disarm her opponents as Trollex-2 covered her.
Fight for my life (Fight for my life)
Adora and Catra charged the training dummies as Sisu created a mist for them and Callie fired into it.
Coming back stronger (Coming back stronger)
Prince D helped Chenille to her feet as they charged once more.
I will arise
Branch fired his last shot into the last training dummy...
...just as Poppy reloaded with a fresh new magazine.
[Verse 2]
Staring at you from afar
Analyzing every scar
Facing her mother now, who wielded an energy-constructed katana, Poppy drew her sword just as Raya drew her father's own while she waited in the wings.
Asking myself how we got here
Remember this is who we are
They charged at each other with grimaces of determination, their swords glinting in the light as they clashed with each other.
Branch dueled with Blue as Chenille sparred with Namaari.
I am not here for revenge
I did not come to make amends
The Captain noticed the body language in Namaari and frowned at her perceived impotent rage.
Not here to repent for my sins
I just came here to win
Raya dodged an ambush from Mirabel, who wielded a machete (she had no idea where she got that from) and slashed away at her.
I just came here to end
I just came here to fight
Mei ducked when the star-studded shield flew towards her and ran towards her opponent who threw it. Marinette herself retrieved the shield and flung her yo-yo at Mei, who produced her newly acquired baton and deflected it.
Show you everything you said I couldn't be
I became overnight
Both Trollexes stood by their respective partners as they engaged in combat with Creek and Barb.
This for the blood, this is for the tears
Chenille helped Prince D to his feet as they battled Diogo and Sun Lien.
This is for my pen and my plight
Trapped in a face-off, mother and daughter wielded their swords and took a battle stance once more.
Two walk in...
"...but only one of us is walking out of here tonight..." Poppy whispered to herself as she charged once more.
Two days before the battle would take place, all the royal members collaborated with the Royal Guard from all the kingdoms to discuss their plan.
[Chorus]
I'm a survivor (I'm a survivor)
Mounting all sides of the kingdom with machine guns, grenade launchers, and flamethrowers, the Folk Rock Royal Guard met with the K-Pop Royal Guard to acquire katanas, sais, and shurikens.
Fight for my life (Fight for my life)
Branch passed sharpened sticks and brass knuckles around as Dulce supplied flashbang grenades.
Coming back stronger (Coming back stronger)
Chenille helped Prince D provide hoverboards to his fellow Funk Trolls.
I will arise (I will arise)
Blue chambered her Beretta 90Two and holstered it as she watched Diogo and Sun Lien share a loving embrace. She could only sigh softly to herself as she walked away from them.
I'm a survivor (I'm a survivor)
Poppy levitated in midair as she continued to duel with her mother, who barely broke a sweat.
Fight for my life (Fight for my life)
Taking it as a hint, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before visibly relaxing.
Coming back stronger (Coming back stronger)
With that, she disappeared into thin air...
I will arise
...before reappearing behind her mother, whom she swiftly "struck" with the final blow.
Peony herself smiled with pride for her daughter, who returned the gesture with one of her own as they both floated back down to the ground.
As the Folk Rock Kingdom made the final preparations to their traps, the Troll Leaders and Ambassadors had many of their respective tribe members all split up and take up separate positions throughout the kingdom. While the citizens took a backseat and patrolled the outskirts, the Tribe Leaders made it a point to protect the front of the kingdom, considering it a chance for the citizens and the Ambassadors to make it out alive if the plan did not proceed as smoothly as they hoped. King Eric was not one to trade lives, however.
Inside the castle, Chenille held Branch's Glock 17 as Prince D carefully peered out the window, searching for any stowaways and stragglers.
"Hey, Darnell...?"
"Hmm?"
"I just wanna say something."
"You don't have to."
"But...I feel like I should. I just wanna say if we don't make it through this..."
"I know, Chenille."
"But you didn't know what I was gonna say."
"I have a pretty good idea."
With that, Prince D walked over to Chenille and craned his neck down to plant a soft kiss on her lips. Caught off guard by the action, she nonetheless reciprocated and planted a much harder kiss on his lips (but after she placed down the gun) and wrapping her arms around him. Smiling into the kiss, the Hip-Hop Troll mimicked the Pop Troll's actions as they both melted into the embrace.
Upstairs inside another room, Branch glanced at a photo of himself and Poppy seated together and enjoying the day like it was nobody's business but their own, sighing solemnly as he did so.
"Your girl?"
Jumping in fright, Branch turned to find Blue leaning against the doorway as he pocketed the photo.
"Yeah."
"Don't worry. You'll find her...or she'll find you."
"Is that supposed to mean something?"
"It could," Blue shrugged as she smiled, "I'm just saying...do you know what's the powerful weapon of all besides guns and fear?"
"No. What?"
"Love."
With that, Blue left the room and Branch, who contemplated her words.
"Mirabel...you've actually outdone yourself."
Back inside Bruno and Elsa's mansion, Poppy glanced at the outfit Mirabel had sewn for her. The set consisted of a jumpsuit, waist skirt, back armor, shoulder armor, hand guards, a drape-like gown, and a small metallic headdress; they all shared the same white-and-gold color scheme. Apparently, she had gotten the idea from watching an alternate Multiverse vastly different from their own, a sentiment echoed through the several different outfits she had created for the team.
Among the many examples, Raya's outfit was a blue-and-black armored suit with black boots, black gloves, arm sleeves that reached to her armpits, and a detachable hood. Mei's outfit was a black-and-red jumpsuit with a red leather jacket, silver-and-black boots, and silver bracers. Finally, Mirabel's own outfit was a slightly blue-tinted gakuran jacket, a white belt, baggy chocho zubon pants that extend into tabi socks, a pair of zōri with red straps, and bands of white cloth wrapped tightly around her calves resembling kyahan.
"A classic way of saying thank you," Mirabel crossed her arms in a smug manner.
As the rest of the team got dressed in their uniforms, Poppy turned to her mother.
"So...I guess this is goodbye. Again..."
"Is it really goodbye when you know you might see me again?"
"Will I?"
"Of course, my dear. Take a look around you."
Poppy indeed took a look around and found her friends mingling with each other.
"All these people you've befriended over the course of your journey thus far... They're far more special than you realize. Far more powerful..."
Poppy faced her mother again as she placed a left hand of comfort on her right shoulder.
"A person as special as them is never truly gone. As long as you have them and they have you, you can accomplish great things."
Smiling through her tears, Poppy hugged her mother tight.
"Thank you, Mom. I love you..."
It was a gesture Peony herself returned, fighting back tears of her own.
"You're welcome, Poppy. I love you too..."
After a brief moment, Mirabel and Bruno sniffled as well as they wiped away their tears, Miles and Nimona rolling their eyes.
"It is time," Queen Aretha suddenly spoke as she and the rest of the Tribe Leaders formed a circle around Poppy's group. Their eyes glowed with the color of their respective genres as they exchanged respectful nods of acknowledgement with them. One by one, they gradually disappeared from the mansion until only Poppy remained.
The present Pop Queen shared one more glance at her mother.
"Goodbye, Mom..."
The past Pop Queen shared one more glance at her daughter.
"Goodbye, Poppy..."
With that, Peony faded from Poppy's view as the light dimmed and darkness settled in...
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
"Mom...?"
...before one swift flutter of her eyes brought the light back.
Poppy opened her eyes and gasped, taking a deep breath and inevitable yawn as she awoke. Rubbing her eyes, she blinked and stood up to brush the first off her dress before taking in her surroundings.
I'm...at the edge of Troll Forest...
After glancing around, her eyes eventually met those with a small group of assorted Trolls, ten at the most. The group included a K-Pop Troll, a Funk Troll, two Techno Trolls (one of whom bore an uncanny resemblance to Trollex), two Country Trolls, a Rock Troll with the wings of a Classical Troll, a K-Pop Troll with the fashion style of a Rock Troll, and...an actual Rock Troll (going by her appearance alone). Their leader was a Pop Troll with a light pink complexion, a dark pink nose, light blue eyes, and dark blue hair with purple tints; her outfit was a slim navy blue suit jacket above a white long-sleeve button-down shirt, a matching tunic vest, a navy blue high-waist flared skirt, and a green headband with a large dark blue flower in the center with blue petals, two smaller yellow flowers with petals of the same color, and four additional yellow flowers with lighter green petals.
It's...it's her...
Mustering up the best smile she had, Poppy chuckled lightheartedly, "Oh, hello. Sorry about that. You guys and gals thought I was a corpse in the woods, huh?"
"Honestly, I hoped you were," The first Techno Troll with the fashion style of Funk, K-Pop, and actual Pop muttered under her breath, "That way, I can cross that off my bucket list..."
The older Country Troll with an ivory beige complexion, blue eyes, bright gold hair, a white long-sleeve collared shirt with a blue tweed vest, blue denim jeans, a solid purple cotton neckerchief, and a light brown ten-gallon cowboy hat nudged the Techno Troll in response before rolling her eyes in exasperation.
"So..." Poppy shook her head, "With that cleared up, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Poppy, Queen of the Pop Trolls. And yours?"
Everybody seemed too shocked to comprehend that the Pop Queen was standing there in the flesh, asking them to introduce themselves.
"G-Gemini," The Trollex Look-Alike eventually went first, "but my friends call me Gem."
"Pleased to meet you, Gem," Poppy outstretched a hand for Gem to shake, which she took gently.
"I'm Annie," The older Country Troll went second, "and this is my sister Amber."
The younger Country Troll with a stone beige complexion, green eyes, burnt amber hair, a brown leather jacket with a faux shearling white wool collar, a butter yellow long-sleeve collared shirt, a honey yellow skirt with a brown button belt, a solid blue cotton neckerchief, and a dark brown akubra hat with an amber yellow band flashed the "hang loose" hand gesture as a form of greeting while the Funk (or maybe Hip-Hop?) Troll walked beside her. He had red fur with lavender blue stripes, purple eyes, short thick blue dreadlocks, four blue legs, a silver flower and gold star earring on each ear, and a black letterman jacket with white sleeves.
"I'm Curtis, but you may call me Prince C. What's poppin'?"
Poppy waved back as the Rock-type Troll waved at her. She had blue eyes, light brown hair, a black jacket, a blue long-sleeved button-up collared shirt, black skinny jeans, and a pair of brown tinted sunglasses resting above her hair.
"I'm Leah."
"Amy," The Classical Rock Troll flew towards her. She had blue, green, and purple hair; a pair of green eyes that appeared to house different shades; and a blue choker with a red hourglass symbol on it. As her namesake indicated, she wore clothing that was evocative of Classical and Rock Troll attire, including a black leather tailcoat above a white long-sleeved button-up collared shirt, a black waistcoat, and a matching bowtie.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Amy shook Poppy's hand.
"Kate," The Techno Troll with Funk, K-Pop, and regular Pop fashion introduced herself.
"Daisy," The K-Pop Troll with dark blue eyes, green eye coloring, and jet-black hair with purple tints went second.
"Luke," The Rock/K-Pop Troll with a violet-grey complexion, a light purple nose, pink-red eyes with blue eye coloring, and dull blue hair with red tints went next. He wore a black leather jacket, a navy blue long-sleeve button-down shirt, black leather pants with matching fingerless gloves, spiked bracelets on both wrists, spiked anklets on both ankles, and a black beanie that hid his hair but not his eyes.
"And I'm..." The Pop Troll went last, though with great reluctance before she ultimately followed through.
"Ruby. The Princess of the Pop Trolls...and your daughter."
Taken aback by the sole Pop Troll's introduction, Poppy carefully examined her...daughter from head to toe, much like Ruby had done to her before. After a moment of tension, the Pop Queen merely smiled and chuckled, much to Ruby's confusion (and, by extension, the others).
"I know."