The true wielder of the strings

by Bloodred739

Branch was different. No one had to tell him this. He had always known it. He didn't sing, he didn't dance, and he rarely smiled. But after an encounter with a group of trolls unlike an he'd ever seen, Branch discovers many things. Not just about other trolls, but also himself. He learned that beyond his village, there were things waiting for him. a home, a family, and a destiny.

5. Chapter 5: Worried mothers

The story begins during the time of silence. When music, the truest form of emotion in this world, did not yet exist. When the world was so void of positivity, that not even colors were real. In this dark time, while all the troll tribes did coexist, no troll truly lived. They only survived, and had to fight tooth and nail just to have that. If not against ferocious predators, then against the cruel and heartless Metal trolls.

A story of the troll known as Kairus.

Unlike all other trolls born in this time, the troll called Kairus was born with colors. His fur was a beautiful glowing green, and his eyes a piercing bright blue. His unique and conspicuous appearance disturbed, and scared many. Even the two parents who conceived Kairus could not help but feel uneasy in the presence of their son. But Kairus's appearance was not the only thing that set him apart from others. It was his abilities as well.

Like all other male trolls in this time, when Kairus's 12th birthday came, he was taken from his home, and thrown into the army, where he would be trained to become another soldier in defense of the people, favoring a spear over all other forms of weaponry. Even at his young age, Kairus's immense strength and natural instincts gave him absolute dominance over his fellow students, and respect from his higher-ups.

In a short 3 years, Kairus's apprenticeship ended, and he was made the youngest general in history.

Through his leadership, the armies' strategic successes were second to none. In no time, Kairus had been given more power than any general before him. And while it might have been said that such success was an achievement for a troll with only 15 years of age, this proved to be false.

While a strong young man, Kairus was far from perfect. When angered, his decisions lacked thoughtfulness and subtlety. As a result, many of his fellow trolls, people who he had trained and bonded with, met their deaths. Some succumbed to injuries on the battlefield, and others were captured and enslaved by the Metal trolls.

Kairus may have been a general, but at his core, he was still a boy. A boy who grieved the loss of his comrades. Usually he would not display weakness in front of his subordinates, but the particular death of a troll on the battlefield had broken him. A young troll, not much younger than him, cried as he slowly bled out in Kairus's arms.

Wanting to do something, anything to ease the boy's suffering, the young general performed an act that would forever change the course of history.

He sang.

His notes soft yet powerful, not only affected the dying troll, but the many comrades around him. As he sang, many of the trolls around him began to glow, being filled with a positive energy that they had never known before. The once all-gray trolls began to fill with colors of all kinds. Though the colors faded again the moment Kairus ended his song. While this newfound magic could not save the dying boy, it at least eased him in his last moments.

For the next 10 years, Kairus not only continued to fulfill his duties as a general, but he also practiced his newly discovered magic constantly. Learning how to even use it on the battlefield to invigorate his allies. Finally, the day came when the Metal trolls finally ceased their attacks, and the surviving men were finally able to return home. Though Kairus's significance in their victory did not go unnoticed by the first kings and queens of the tribes.

His praise was made public for the people to see. For his service, the young man was granted a single wish. Wealth, nobility, even the hand of one of their daughters if that is what he wished. Anything, and it was his.

But Kairus had a different request. A very strange one. He requested a lock of hair from each of the tribe leaders.

Even after hearing this strange demand the kings and queens complied, not seeing the harm in it. After obtaining the six locks of hair, Kairus reached into his bag, and pulled out a snow white harp. One that would come to be known as the sacred harp. After placing it down in front of the tribe leaders, the young veteran gripped the locks of hair tightly, and began to sing.

As he sang, the locks of hair all began to float from his hands, taking on colors, and filling with different, but powerful energies. The tribe leaders watched in awe as Kairus performed this magic ritual, the various emotions from the hairs flowing through them as the once normal troll hairs became strings.

When the ritual was complete, the six strings slowly floated down, attaching themselves to the harp like magnets. With this done, Kairus smiled, and said that with all the lives he had taken, he now wanted to give something to the world. And so with a gentle, yet firm move, the veteran played all of the strings at once.

In that single move the world itself seemed to fill with a powerful light, enveloping everything. When it ended, everything was different. The trolls, the public space that they all stood in, the grass, trees, sky, everything. It all had color. It all had feeling. Every troll of every size could feel it. The growing muses inside of them. It was as if something had lit the candle to their souls, making them glow. There was so much emotion. So much joy.

Except in Kairus.

His once bright colors were now as dark and gray as his fellow trolls used to be. His breathing was incredibly heavy, and there was smoke coming off of him, as if he had just been lit on fire.

With the last of his energy, Kairus walked up to the tribe leaders, and offered them the sacred harp, claiming that it belonged to them now, and asking them to use it to keep the trolls united. With that, he fell to the ground, the last of his life leaving him.

A funeral to stand above all others was held for Kairus, and every troll from the six tribes attended. The soldiers he trained with, the commoners he had sang to, and even the parents who once feared him. But with his death also came a prophecy. One that would be ripped away from history, only to be brought back if it ever came true.

He will know despair so great, his colors will leave but return brighter

His blood will give him strength greater than his first life

In times of danger, he will harber his fellow trolls, away from the eyes of those who would bring them harm

The magic of his voice will ignite hope where it was once lost

With the hearts of the royal descendants, he will gather all other trolls, and bring them under a rule of order and peace

The Wielder will unite all

--

"I'm scared, Cindy."

It was dawn. Artina sat down at her office table. Cindy and Devan, who she had sent for half an hour ago, were here as well. Artina's eyes were heavy from lack of sleep, and her head was pounding from stress. On her table sat every book and scroll on the history of the wielder. It wasn't much, but it was everything the High Priestess had. History that changed so many things she had been told to believe over the years. The story she had just read held the most details.

And it all scared Artina.

Hearing this story, Cindy started to look as uneasy as her sister. "So you think Branch is…"

"He's already fit two of the categories, Cindy." Artina said. "He was completely gray when he got here yesterday, and now his colors have almost completely returned. And you saw him lift that stagelight. And when we spoke yesterday, Branch told me about a bunker that he had been living in, and fortifying all of his life. He also told me how he left it open for the Pop trolls in case of danger."

"Well maybe the last two sure, but we've seen trolls lose their color, and get it back before." Cindy said. "That's not something new."

"But not the way Branch did." Artina said. "When a troll loses their color, it usually takes them months, or even years to get it back completely. But with Branch, his colors almost completely returned right in front of us. The lights, the glowing, that's never happened before."

"That's true.." Cindy said. "This prophecy also mentions something about "the magic of his voice", right? I can only assume that refers to him singing. Have you heard him sing yet?"

"No, I haven't." Artina said.

"There's also the line about the hearts of the royal descendants." Cindy said. "What does that mean?"

"Let's assume all of this is true, Artina." Devan finally spoke up. "That your kid's this Wielder or whatever. What's got you so afraid? This is a good thing, isn't it? After all these years, you got your kid back, and he's some mythical chosen one. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that if this is all happening now, it's happening for a reason." Artina said. "Something is either coming, or is already happening, and we're not seeing it. I'm not an expert on destiny or prophecies, but I know that if this prophecy is revealing itself now, there must be some meaning behind it. Something that could be dangerous."

"What should we do then?" Cindy asked her sister. "Branch should at least know all of this too, shouldn't he?"

"No!" Artina quickly yelled, surprising Cindy and Devan. "I mean, not yet. We're still not absolutely sure if this is true. Until then, what you've heard here does not leave this room."

Artina rubbed her temples again, and fell into her chair. That was what she was most afraid of in all of this. How Branch would react to it. She could only see two endings to that scenario, and she didn't like the outcome of either. The first one was telling this to her son, and him believing that this was why she brought him here. To be some tool in this prophecy that they didn't fully understand yet. He'd probably leave, and she didn't know if her heart could take that.

Or worse, what if he embraced it. Fully accepted the title of the Wielder. Any way of attempting to gather all trolls and unite them could be, no, Would be dangerous. Life risking, even. She just got her son back into her life. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him again.

"Alright Artina, we get the picture." Devan said, hands raised if the concerned mother had just pulled a dagger out on him. "So then what's the game plan here?"

"I don't know yet." Artina said, sitting up straight in her seat. "But until we know more, you both need to promise me that you won't speak a word of this to anyone. Not Queen Barb, not Thrash, and especially not Branch."

"Sure thing, boss lady." Devan said. "Not a word. You can count on us."

"Artina, Barb is our queen now." Cindy said. "We can't keep something this significant from her."

"I'm not asking you to lie, Cindy." Artina said. "When we know for sure that this is true, I'll tell Barb myself. Until then, I'm only asking you to not mention this to her."

Cindy thought about it for a moment. She felt like she wouldn't be doing her job as Barb's co-advisor by hiding this, but her sister was probably right. They should wait until they know for certain that her nephew was this prophesied one, and avoid any type of public panic.

"Alright, Artina." Cindy said. "I won't say anything to Barb."

"Thank you." Artina said with a small smile. "Now, I need to go through these books a few more times. I have to make sure we haven't missed anything."

"I don't think so." Cindy said, closing the book that her older sister had just opened. "You've been up all night worrying yourself about this. I can tell you haven't slept."

Artina wanted to argue with her, but just at the mention of sleep, the royal advisor could already feel her eyelids become incredibly heavy. Her sister was right.

"Welp, if that's all, then I think I'm gonna head out." Devan said before getting up from his chair.

"Remember Devan, not a word to anyone." Artina stressed one more time. "That means not Jake, or even Amber."

"I got it, I got it." Devan said as he left Artina's office.

Now just the sisters, Cindy smiled at Artina. "C'mon, let's get you to bed."

Minutes later, Artina found herself in her bedroom. The second she fell onto her bed, the mother's thoughts turned to her son. She wanted to be wrong about this. About Branch. And she hoped that she was. But if she wasn't...

Not able to fight it anymore, Artina's exhaustion finally won, and she gave into sleep.

--

Branch was woken up by the sound of snoring. Very loud and obnoxious snoring.

The survivalist yawned and rubbed his eyes. This bed was a tiny paradise. Much better than the one he had handmade for himself in his bunker. He could definitely get used to this. Even now, all of this still felt too good to be true. This room, this castle, his position in it, and the advantages that it brought. And there was the food too. He really liked the food here.

As if called by the thought of food, Branch's stomach rumbled. It was morning so it'd be time for breakfast, right? He wondered if he could finally find his way to the dining hall by himself. This castle was still like a labyrinth to him, but he was sure he could figure it out with enough time.

The Poprock troll slowly got out of bed, and soon realized that he was not alone on it.

Branch turned himself around to see Queen Barb, sleeping on his bed beside him, and snoring in a very unlady-like manner. That's when last night's events finally caught up with Branch. The coronation, his new guitar, and the private party that he and Barb had.

And by the old gods, was she incredible.

Of course, Branch had never been with any other troll before Barb, but he definitely couldn't imagine anyone else topping her. Except maybe Poppy.

As quietly as he could, Branch found his clothes and started to dress himself. As he did so, he thought about Poppy again. He wished that he could've said his farewell to her in person, but then her crying face might have been his last memory of her. He didn't want that. He couldn't bear that.

His mother had already informed him that King Peppy currently forbade any outside contact with anyone in the Pop village aside from himself. Hopefully, this would change when Poppy eventually became queen.

Looking over at the case that contained the bass guitar that his mother had given him, Branch walked over to it, and opened it, admiring the instrument once again. His mother had kept it in working shape all of these years, just for him. With a faint smile, he closed the case, and strapped it onto his back, ready to bring it with him.

"Morning, Branch."

Branch was pulled away from his thoughts by Barb. The queen let out a yawn as she stretched her arms, either unaware that she was completely topless, or she didn't care to cover herself. "You heading down to the dining room?"

"Uh, Yeah." Branch said, trying and failing to not look upon the queen's beautiful naked body as she got out of bed. Branch looked at the tattoo right above her left breast. A little black heart with an even smaller one under it.

"Didn't get enough of an eyeful last night, huh?" Barb said as she slipped on her panties and then grabbed her shirt. "Too bad, the show's over for now. I'm hungry."

With that, Barb threw on her shirt, and the two made their way out of Branch's room, and into the hallway, all the while Barb asked about Branch and his old life at the Pop village.

"And you were the only one preparing if the bergens ever found you guys?" Barb asked.

"I was the only one preparing for any type of danger." Branch said. "All anyone else ever did was sing, dance, and hug all day. No one else thought about the bergens, or even the predators that lived outside of the village. It was just me and my bunker."

"Well, bergens know better than to attack Volcano Rock City. Most we really get are those annoying lava spiders every now and then. Wait, bunker?"

"Yeah." Branch said. "I spent almost my entire life fortifying it." He didn't mind talking about his bunker. He took pride in all the work that went into it. "I had enough supplies in it to last me about 10 years. 11 if I was willing to store and drink my own sweat. Which I was."

"Dude, ew." Barb said.

When the two trolls made it to the dining hall, Cindy and Carol were both already at the enormous table, helping themselves to the buffet of breakfast food. He almost immediately noticed that his mother was nowhere to be seen.

"Good morning, aunt Cindy." Branch said as he took his seat at the table. "Good morning, Carol."

"Good morning, Branch." Cindy said with a mouthful of food.

Carol said nothing as she looked at her food. She just waved at Branch and Barb without even so much as looking at them.

Ignoring her daughter's rudeness, Cindy looked over at Barb, noticing that she was only wearing her shirt and panties. It didn't take her long to piece it together.

"Well, well, Branch." Carol said. "I see Queen Barb's already helped you get comfortable in the castle. So how was he, my queen?"

Branch almost choked on his food when his aunt said that. A blush starting to build.

"I'm having a hard time believing that was your first time, Branch. Cause if it was, you've got really good instincts."

The survivalist troll's face started to grow a darker shade of green from the embarrassment. This, like many other things here, was something that he was not used to. In Pop troll culture, it was extremely taboo to kiss and tell, considering that Pop trolls mated for life. And frankly even if it weren't, it wouldn't make this situation any less uncomfortable for Branch.

"Also, you taste kinda sweet." Barb said. "Kinda like sugar. Is that a Pop troll thing?"

"So, where's mom?" Branch said, desperately trying to get the attention off of him.

"Your mom's not feeling too well right now." Cindy said, quick to cover for Artina. "She had a good bit of paperwork that she had to get finished. She's sleeping in."

Branch nodded and returned to his breakfast. While he'd never outright say it, he wanted to spend more time with his mother. Having a real family again after so long had left him yearning for more attention. They still had so much lost time to make up for. But he had to remind himself that his mother's duties were important, and she couldn't just put them aside for anyone. Not even him.

"Awww." Barb sarcastically cooed to Branch. "You gonna be ok without mommy here to feed you?"

Before Branch could respond, something dropped onto his head, getting a scream out of him and causing him to fall over in his chair. Panicking, the survivalist ran his hands through his hair, grabbing whatever had just assaulted him, and pulling it out.

Branch raised an eyebrow. It was a bat. At least, that's what he thought. This winged creature's fur was white and messy, its teeth were rugged, and its big red eyes seemed to twitch and turn all over the place. It was something in the middle of ugly and cute.

Barb laughed and grabbed the strange creature from Branch and cuddled with it. "Don't worry, that just means she likes you. This is my pet Debbie. Say hi, Debbie."

The bat let out a light squeal to the Poprock troll, which he assumed was it's form of a greeting.

After collecting himself mentally, Branch stood up, grabbed his chair, and then brought it back to the table. As they all went back to their breakfast, Debbie sat in Barb's lap, eating the bits of food that the queen gave her.

"So what's on the agenda, Cindy?" Queen Barb asked the co-advisor.

Wiping her mouth off with her sleeve, Cindy pulled out a small list from her pocket. "First things first, you're gonna need to assign a few of your closest trolls to your royal group. Roadies, bodyguards, friends, and the like. The guards will need to know who can be trusted around you."

"Easy enough." Barb said. "That's Sid Fret, Riff, and Carol. Oh, and you too, Branch. You can play that bass, right?"

"It's been a while since I've played an instrument, but I think so." Branch said. Another thing the survivalist discovered in the books he had taken from his ex-king was that unlike the other races, Pop trolls were naturally gifted in the way of musical instruments. Most required no practice in order to play them, just the drive to do so. Though Branch did not know if this extended to music outside of pop. He supposed that he would find out.

The mention of music reminded Cindy of one of the lines in that prophecy. The "magic of his voice". Maybe this would be a good opportunity to find out if that was true as well.

"So Branch, I'm curious." Cindy asked. "Can you sing?"

Her nephew froze up at the question. His energy changed almost completely. Cindy looked down, and noticed that his hand was shaking a little. After a moment, Branch spoke up again.

"No." He said as he focused his eyes on his plate, hoping that his response would be the end of this topic. "I can't."

"Can't or won't?" Cindy asked. "Y'know, your mother has quite the singing voice herself. Could've been pretty famous if she hadn't decided to become advisor to the throne. I wouldn't be surprised if you could sing like her."

"Ok fine, I won't." Branch quickly and sharply responded, no longer feeling hungry. "Listen, I don't mean to be rude, but I really don't wanna talk about this."

Cindy looked at Branch. This aura that her nephew currently had, it was one of someone who had been through more hardship than anyone his age ever should. She knew this because in her earlier years, she had fought beside many who had this same feeling of presence. Even the look in his eyes was enough to tell her that he had seen many sleepless nights in his life.

"That's alright, Branch." Cindy said. "I didn't mean to pry."

Barb watched the entire interaction, not sure what to say. It was clear that Branch still had some baggage from his old home that he had to part with. So while she was curious, she decided not to touch more on this. At least, not now.

"Next will be discussing the funds that go into the VRC orphanage for next year." Cindy said as she continued to look at the paper. "There have been a good bit of complaints about the conditions there."

"Got it. We have the funds for that, right?" Barb asked. The orphanage was one of the Rock Queen's first major priorities, considering the size of her kingdom. It was hard enough for all of those trollings growing up without parents. If she could make their lives even a little better, then she would.

"That brings us to our last, and most important issue." Cindy said. "The royal coffers aren't running low yet, but they will be by the end of this year. But there is a solution. It seems Delta Dawn and the Country trolls are finally ready to discuss a trade agreement with us."

"And what do they want?" The queen said with an unamused look. Country trolls, like many other troll tribes, didn't tend to have a positive opinion of her people. If Delta Dawn was looking to make some type of deal with them, she must have been desperate.

"I received the letter this morning. The drought that's been going on in Lonesome Flats hasn't been easy on them, or their livestock." Cindy said, pulling out said letter from her other pocket. "Delta Dawn's willing to trade us the ore from her mines in exchange for food and water. She'll be coming to Rock City to discuss the details this afternoon."

"Guess we're only savages when they don't want something." Barb said, rolling her eyes. "Is that everything?"

"That's all of the important tasks for today." Cindy said as she put away the paper. "Unless there was anything you wanted to do."

"No, but send word to Riff and Sid Fret, and let them know about their new positions, and that I want them both here pronto. I wanna have a little jam session." Barb said, finishing the last of her breakfast. "I hope you weren't thinking about playing any pop music, Branch. That repetitive shit stays out of my group."

"That's fine." Branch said. "I think I prefer rock anyway."

"That's what I like to hear." Barb grinned. "Let's see how much of our blood you really have in you. You coming, Carol?"

Carol looked at Barb. Just hearing her name come out of the queen's mouth made her skin burn. Not that it didn't feel like it was burning already. Just like Riff told her, Carol's mother was using her ties to the city to make sure no one sold her brimsmoke. Everything looked too bright. Everything smelled so strong. It was too much.

Everything was so clear. And she didn't like it.

"I'll catch up later." Carol almost whispered. "I need to talk with mom."

With plans set, Branch and the queen got up from the table, and bid Cindy and Carol farewell, leaving the aunt and daughter alone. With those two gone, Cindy looked at her daughter. While it hurt to see her like this, Carol had left her mother with no other choice. If this is what it took for her to get clean, then this is what they would do.

"You made me do this, Carol." Cindy said as she focused on her plate. "We tried this the easy way, but you wanted to be difficult. So now-"

"YOU JUST THINK YOU'RE SO MUCH BETTER THAN ALL OF US , DON'T YOU!?" Carol yelled, catching her mother off guard. "Every second of every fucking day, you and Artina act like you're both just so much above everyone else! All because what, you've been babysitting some old man for 20 years!?"

"What did I say yesterday?" Cindy yelled back. "You will not disrespect Thrash! Do it again, and I swear to the old gods-"

"Oh there's another thing I can't stand about you!" Carol said, standing up from her chair. "Always preaching about your invisible masters! How they're so powerful and so giving and caring! If they're so great, where were they when Thrash's old lady died, huh? Where were they when a lava spider tried to make dinner out of your leg?"

"Carol, I am warning you right now…" Cindy said as she also got up from her chair as well, and eyed her daughter. Her anger building up like a thermometer in a pot of boiling water.

"Where were they, huh?" Carol said again. "Where were they when Thrash's brain started melting into shit? Or when Artina crashed into that bergen shit hole, and got trapped there? Huh? Where were they when one of those Pop trolls forced his dick inside of her, and got her pregnant!?"

Suddenly, a large cracking noise rang out through the dining room.

Carol, who was frozen in mid step, was suddenly looking to her right, with a large handprint on her left cheek. It took a moment for her to piece together what had just happened. Her mother had slapped her.

The silence that came afterwards was deafening, as if the entire world around them was in as much disbelief as Cindy herself. The co-advisor's heart started to burn with a quiet rage so intense, it felt like her chest was in flames.

"Don't you ever, Ever speak about your aunt like that again." Cindy growled.

Carol felt her burning cheek. Her mother had pulled her by the ear before, and would sometimes give her a light smack on the head to get her attention, but never once had she ever struck her in this manner.

Cindy's hand was still raised in the air, her anger not subsiding, even while seeing her daughter's face. Not only had Carol just insulted the very foundations of their family's beliefs, but then she had the audacity to bring up what had happened to Artina.

Without so much as a peep, Carol walked away. Cindy made no attempt to stop her as she sat back down, now alone at the breakfast table.

As she looked down at her plate, her usually very large appetite was completely gone. How did this happen? Where had she gone so wrong with Carol?

--

"Well… here it is."

After a few more hours of travel and mishaps, Poppy and her friends finally found themselves standing in awe at the many tunnels ejecting from the large hill in front of them. One of them leading to the old troll tree, and Bergen Town, where the rest of her friends were being held captive.

The princess and Smidge both looked down into one of the tunnels, hoping to see something that could help them figure out which one would lead to the troll tree, but they were all too dark.

"There's so many…" Poppy said as she felt one of the rough tunnels with her hand. "Which one is the right one?"

"I don't know." Smidge said, looking at the map that King Peppy had given them. "This map doesn't say."

"You traveled through the tunnel during the great escape, right Biggie?" Poppy asked her big blue friend. "Do you know?"

"I think I was six when that happened, Poppy. I can't remember." Biggie said. As scary as it was, the blue troll remembered very little about the day of the great escape. Most he could recall were the shovels and pickaxes crashing into the tunnels, and his mother's happy face when they all made it out safely.

Poppy took a step back and looked at all of the tunnels again. Maybe they all led to the troll tree. There were, and still are quite a lot of trolls. Maybe they had to dig multiple holes for everyone to escape through. But she wasn't sure if they should risk it. They could get lost, or worse. But the more time they spent standing here, the less time Poppy's captured friends had.

"Maybe we could split up." Suki suggested and walked towards one of the tunnels next to the one that Poppy was standing in front of. "Me, Biggie, and Satin could go through this one, and you and Smidge can go through that one. Then we all gather up again when we find the right tunnel."

Poppy looked at her friends for any sign of objection to this idea. When she found none, she agreed.

"Be careful, guys." Poppy said. "If the path doesn't seem like it's the right one, come right back."

Satin, Suki, and Biggie nodded their heads before getting ready to make their way into the darkness. Poppy really hoped that she wouldn't come to regret this.

As the now group of two walked through the dark, cold path, Poppy tried her best to stay positive. Thinking of sunshine, rainbows, glitter, and the big party that they'd all have when this was all said and done. Even bigger than the one before! And then afterwards, she'd begin her search for Branch. She hoped that he was ok too, wherever he was. Then, if the princess could find the courage, she'd tell Branch…

Poppy turned a little red just thinking about it. What could've been. Maybe if she had come to terms with her feelings sooner, things would be different. Maybe Branch would be here, helping them right now.

Smidge, on the other hand, was having her own personal conflict regarding what she would do when they got to Bergen Town. The unspoken plan was of course to sneak into Bergen Town, and get their friends back when no one was there to see them, but what if that wasn't possible? What if she had to fight?

Smidge looked down at the dagger strapped to her waist. She had never actually used a weapon before. She was never expected to. But not only was she Poppy's bodyguard, she was the strongest troll that her people had. If they had to fight, it would fall on her and her alone to keep her friends safe. But could a bergen even be harmed by a weapon this size?

She of course still had Branch's journal, but it didn't really have any useful tips for fighting bergens, only how to avoid them. According to the entries, bergens were sensitive to extreme light in any form, were not very agile, and most were not too bright. This could all potentially be useful, but Smidge just wasn't certain how she'd use it in a fight.

"Hey Smidge?" Poppy said to her short friend. "Can I ask you for a really big favor?"

"What is it, Poppy?" Smidge said.

"Well…" Poppy said, poking her fingers together. "After we rescue everyone and make it back home, I wanna go and find Branch next. And when we do… I wanna do more than just tell him how I feel."

Smidge smiled like a smug kitten. "Careful now, Poppy. Don't forget that you're the princess. He has to get you a ring before he takes you to bed."

"Not THAT!" Poppy said, so embarrassed that she might have lost her train of thought if this wasn't so important to her.

"Well then what are you worried about?" Smidge asked, a few giggles escaping her. "We already figured out he likes you too. When he finds out you feel the same way, he'll come running back to the village with us."

Poppy smiled. While she wasn't as certain as her friends that it was true that Branch returned her feelings, she did hope that they were right. But wherever he was right now, if Poppy was going to confess her feelings to Branch, she needed him to know that they were genuine, and not just something she was saying to get him to come home. It had to be more than just words.

"But I want it to be more special than that." Poppy said. After regaining her composure, the princess reached into her hair, and pulled out her mandolin. "There's a song that I've been thinking about. One that I wanna sing to Branch to really let him know how I feel. I was hoping for your opinion on it."

A part of Smidge felt like she should tell her princess that this probably wasn't the best time for singing. Especially assuming this path was the correct path to the troll tree. But the truth is that Smidge was incredibly nervous. Maybe a little bit of music would help. So Smidge agreed to listen.

Poppy took a deep breath, and then let her instincts and emotions fall down through her arms, and into her fingers as she started to play her mandolin. The tune was soft and sweet, and soon met with her singing.

(All about us by He Is We)

Take my hand

I'll teach you to dance

I'll spin you around

Won't let you fall down

Would you let me lead

You can step on my feet

Give it a try

It'll be alright

Smidge smiled. A genuine one this time. She could practically see Poppy's emotions spilling onto every note that came out of her mouth. The princess's music always brought a wave of joy to people whenever she sang, but Smidge had never once heard Poppy's music sound so heartfelt. Smidge could also easily tell why Poppy chose this song.

With all the time he spent alone, Branch might not know how to dance, sing, and she was almost certain he had no experience with anything involving romance. But who better to show him than Poppy?

The room's hush hush and now's our moment

Take it in, feel it all and hold it

Eyes on you, eyes on me

We're doing this right

'Cause lovers dance when they're feeling in love

Spotlight's shining

It's all about us

It's oh, oh, all

About uh, uh, us

And every heart in the room will melt

This is a feeling I've always felt but

It's oh, oh, all about us

Smidge felt her own tiny heart gush at the melody. This wasn't just another song, but it was a duet. In troll tradition, singing the first half of a love duet to someone was an offer of companionship. If the troll being sung to responds with the other half of the duet, it meant they accepted. Poppy would essentially be putting all her cards on the table for Branch. Poppy really did want this.

The two were so lost in the sweet tune that they almost didn't notice that the path they had chosen had led them into a new area. A really big one.

Poppy and Smidge both took in this place they found themselves in. It was a large, dark room with four large marble pillars that were supporting its ceiling, and many rows of wooden seats, all facing a single pedestal. The chipping on the pillars, vines and overgrown vegetation around the splintering chairs, and the heavy amount of dust and webs told them that they were possibly the first two trolls to set foot in this room in a long time.

Poppy and Smidge both looked in awe at this strange room. The only light in the room came from the soft glow coming from several small glowing stones embedded into the floor, and the large one sitting above the pedestal. Poppy immediately recognized them as sunstones, like the ones Branch had in his bunker for lighting.

Smidge looked up at the ceiling, and jumped in shock before grabbing her dagger. The ceiling was filled with carvings of trolls that she didn't recognize. Trolls in armor and bearing weapons, fighting bigger and much scarier trolls. And way at the end, was an even more peculiar carving. It was a carving of an armored troll holding a spear.

Poppy, also seeing this, looked at Smidge, wondering if she knew anything about what they were looking at. This area was clearly some sort of place of worship. They had something similar in the village led by Cybil, the village's wise woman. Though there's was much smaller and more homely.

"Is this some type of church, Smidge? Like, for Gah?" The princess asked her friend. Unlike Smidge, Poppy was not a follower of Gahmin, so she knew almost nothing about things like this. "That guy with the spear, is that him?"

"No, I don't think so." Smidge said. The dwarf knew the stories of Gahmin like the back of her hand. He was not a warrior, nor was he a troll of violence of any kind. Plus, there were records and detailed images of Gahmin in their historical scrapbooks. He looked nothing like the carving above them. Whatever they were seeing, it likely predated Gahmin. "Maybe this can tell us more?"

The two trolls slowly walked down the center aisle between the rows of chairs, making their way to the pedestal, noticing that there was a scroll sitting on it. Unlike everything else, this scroll looked like it was untouched by time.

Poppy picked up the scroll, and opened it for Smidge to see as well. Both of them only became more confused as they looked at the scroll's contents.

At the bottom of the scroll, was an image of six different beings, all different shapes in sizes. Above that, was an image of a harp, with six colorful strings. And sitting at the top, was the troll they saw on the ceiling carvings, holding his spear in one hand, and what they guessed were the six harp strings in his other hand.

"Poppy!"

Poppy and Smidge looked away from the scroll and saw Satin standing in the entrance with an excited look on her face. "We found the right path! C'mon!"

Poppy's eyes went wide. Oh hair, in all of this discovery, she had forgotten what they were doing here. "Are you sure?"

"Suki and Biggie are there right now. They're waiting for us!" Satin said. "C'mon let's go!"

As the three quickly made their way out of the tunnel they were in, and into the one that their friends had gone into, Poppy thought about their discovery, unsure of what to make of it all. That place, this scroll that she now had tucked in her hair, all of it. None of it was on the map. And as far as she knew, that history, or whatever it was, they had nothing like it at home. Was it just lost to time? Maybe her father knew more. She'd have to ask him about it later.

When they made it to the end of the tunnel, the three all looked around. Unlike the map, the tree looked and felt dead. All of its leaves were gone, the branches were weak and its bark was chipping and dry. Poppy felt bad for the poor tree. It seemed that the trolls were the ones that maintained this tree when they were imprisoned here.

Looking for Biggie and Suki, Poppy's eyes quickly fell on her two friends, who were looking out into the distance. Walking up next to them, the princess noticed that Biggie was shaking and holding Mr Dinkles even harder than usual, and Suki was frozen in place.

Before Poppy could ask them what was wrong, she immediately received the answer when she looked in the direction they were facing.

There were bergens. Everywhere, as far as the eye could see. Some in the large uneven buildings dotted everywhere, and others out on the street. The dark black smoke coming through the many chimneys filled the sky, creating a dark layer of fog that almost resembled an approaching storm.

Almost all of the giant creatures were wearing worn out, tattered clothing, and every visible sight of their bare skin was covered in dirt, bruises, and scars. Their teeth sharp, rugged, and some even bloody. Like a predator after finishing its meal.

But it wasn't merely their appearance that had horrified her two friends. It was what was going on in the center.

There was a circle of them surrounding two bergen children. A girl with a pink tattered dress, pigtails, and bloody lip, struggling to pick herself up off the ground. The other was a boy who was almost twice her size and possibly twice her age as well, with a smile on his face.

The five trolls watched in horror as the bigger bergen continued to kick the girl over and over while she was down while the adults around them yelled, cheered, and even laughed. Eventually, the girl's screams turned silent, and she stopped moving. When the crowd realized that she couldn't fight anymore, the cheers turned into jeers.

"Finish her, Tog!" One of the bergens. "Kill her good, and you can have her heart and arms when we cook her for dinner tonight! Your favorite bits!"

The boy called Tog's smile grew even wider. The young bergen walked over to the girl, and prepared to crush her skull with his foot, only to discover that she was not unconscious. The second his foot came down, the bergen girl rolled out of the way, and then grabbed his leg.

Tog screamed as she jammed her teeth into his leg, breaking the skin, and drawing blood. And lots of it.

"That's right, Bridget!" A different Bergen shouted at the girl. "You wanna eat tonight, don't you?"

Desperate to get her off of him, Tog punched the bergen called Bridget in her head repeatedly. Then in one loud, and swift movement, Bridget ripped her head away from Tog's leg, taking an entire chunk of flesh with her.

Poppy and her friends all collectively felt their stomachs twist as the bergen girl chewed up Tog's flesh, and swallowed it before licking his blood off of her fingers as the older bergen continued to scream in pain, holding his open wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding.

Seeing the opening, Bridget roared as she jumped onto Tog, knocking him onto the ground, and bit into his neck with even more force than she had bitten his leg.

As Bridget's jagged teeth punctured his jugular vein, the older bergen's shrieks began to turn into gurgles as he began to cough up blood. His yanking and pulling at her body became slower and slower as the life faded from him. Finally, after a minute that felt like an eternity, Tog stopped moving completely.

Satisfied, Bridget slowly got up off of Tog's now-lifeless body, his blood dripping down her chin and neck, soaking her dress.

After a small silence, the bergens surrounding Bridget and the corpse all laughed and cheered, bringing a smile to the girl's face. Afterwards, they grabbed Tog's body, and started to carry it away.

"We're eatin good tonight, little lady." One of the bergens said to Bridget. "Keep that up, and you'll never find yourself on the menu."

As the large circle of bergens finally started to disband, Poppy couldn't believe what she had just witnessed. Not ready to believe that evil of this magnitude could possibly exist. The bergens fought each other, Killed each other, for amusement? For FOOD? And they made their own children do the fighting? How could any living thing be this heartless?

The princess looked down one of the many roads. At the end of it was a castle. If she were a gambling woman, she'd bet that that's where her friends were being taken. They had to move now, before it was too late.

Poppy walked to one of the ends of the tree, and looked at the road again. It was a straight path, with plenty of rubble. If they moved at an even pace, and used their hair to blend in, they could be at the castle in less than a few minutes. "C'mon guys. We've gotta get to that castle."

With no hesitation, Smidge and Satin ran to her side as she prepared to descend down the tree. But before she started to climb, she noticed that Biggie and Suki weren't moving. Suki was shaking, and Biggie was hugging Mr Dinkles harder than she'd ever seen. "What's wrong, guys?"

"...I can't go down there, Poppy." Suki said quietly. "I can't."

"What?" Satin said, taken back by this. "You're getting cold feet now? But what about our friends? What about my sister?"

"What about Us?" Suki snapped at her. "Didn't you see what just happened? That's how they treat their children! What do you think they'll do if they catch us?"

"Our friends need us, Suki!" Smidge yelled back, angry at the fact that her friends would give up now, when they were so close. "Some of them could be hurt! Creek has a baby with him! You can't give up now!"

Poppy stepped in, trying to calm everyone down. "Listen, Suki. I know this is scary, but we have to be brave. We can't leave our friends behind."

Biggie finally spoke up, his voice shaking. "I'm scared, Poppy." He said. "I don't want to go down there either."

Poppy walked up to the scared-looking troll, and gave him a hug. "It's ok to be scared, Biggie. But we can't let our fears turn us away from our friends. We have to be strong for them."

Biggie returned her hug. He wished he could be as brave as Poppy. He really did. But he just couldn't bring himself to leave this tree, which was possibly the only safe place around them. Not after what he had just seen. "I'm sorry Poppy, but I can't… I'm sorry…"

As much as the princess wanted to keep trying to convince her two friends to join her, she understood their fear. Hair, she was scared too. Maybe even more than them. But Poppy wouldn't stand by and leave the people she cared about in the hands of those monsters. Even if she had to do this alone.

"It's ok, you two." Poppy finally said. "I won't ask you to come if you don't want to. Smidge, Satin, if you guys wanna stay behind too, it's ok. You've already helped me get this far."

"No." Smidge said firmly. "How many times do I gotta repeat this, Poppy? I'm your bodyguard. My job is to keep you safe, wherever you go."

"I'm with you all the way, Poppy." Satin said. "I won't abandon my sister again."

Poppy smiled at their unwavering support, thankful that she wouldn't be alone in this. "Thank you, both of you. Let's go."

With plans set, the three trolls descended down the tree, and carefully squeezed passed the rusted gates. Now out on the road, the three used their hair to blend in with rubble and debris on the road, moving forward fast enough that they could reach the castle in a timely manner, but also slow enough that they wouldn't arouse suspicion.

--

If Delta Dawn had learned one thing in her life, it was to never hope. If you wanted anything in this world, you had to obtain it through hard work.

She learned the value of hard labor when she was a young trolling, just as every other troll in Lonesome Flats did. Milking yaks, and swinging a pickaxe in the mines. Learning how to properly butcher and prepare the animals for supper, and where to dig a new well when the old one dried up.

But sometimes, hard work isn't enough. Sometimes, you have to compromise. Even if it's with Rock trolls.

In the few centuries that Delta Dawn's people had lived in Lonesome Flats, they had endured many things. Sickness, heatwaves, and even predators.

Harshnesses so terrible, that Delta's parents had died to them, forcing her to become Mayor when she was 20.

Harshnesses so bad, that her people were now on the verge of extinction. With fewer than 100 of them left. And this drought definitely wasn't making things better.

The drought in Lonesome Flats had started maybe at the beginning of this year, and it had not been kind to the mayor, or her people. Their well had dried up almost completely, and the dry soil made it impossible to dig a new one. Not having water not only meant that her people would have nothing to counter the boiling sun, but it would also affect their yaks as well, which meant no milk or meat. The bit of rations her people had left would only last them a week at most.

So as much as Delta Dawn hated to do this, she, Hickory, Growly Pete, and Holly Darlin were on their way to Volcano Rock City to discuss a trade deal with the newly crowned Queen Barb of the Rock trolls, ready to offer the gold and silver from their mines in exchange for food and water.

Now, while Delta had no real hatred for Rock trolls, they wouldn't have been her first option if she had any others. Most were brutish, didn't know how to behave in public, and quite frankly, she had no love for that loud and angry noise that their people called music. But unfortunately, they were the only other tribe of trolls that were omnivorous. Her people could not survive on fruits and vegetables alone.

Delta had only met with King Thrash a single time to discuss territorial boundaries, and that was almost five years ago. She had never met his daughter, the new queen. But as far as Rock trolls went, Thrash was quite civilized. Hopefully, his daughter Barb took after him.

After half a day of travel, Delta Dawn and her group could finally see Volcano Rock City in the distance. It's black clouds filling the air, it's dark enormous buildings scraping the skies, and the enormous castle built into the volcano. Even the pleasant tune she was currently playing from her banjo couldn't distract her from the disgusting smell of brimstone that was already filling her nose.

"Why a volcano of all places, Hickory?" Holly Darlin asked. "That just seems like a disaster waiting to happen."

"Rock trolls are made outta tougher stuff than most, sweet pea." Hickory said, taking a swig from his canteen. "A dip in magma's like a warm bath for them."

"Wooow." Holly said in awe. "Is lava like their water? Do they drink it?"

"No, Holly." Hickory said with a small laugh. "Just doesn't affect them like it does us. They still need water just like we do."

While Growly Pete was here for protection, Hickory's knowledge of the other tribes was why he was accompanying her on this meeting. But her daughter Holly Darlin was here to learn. She had to know about these things if she were to become Mayor one day. "Thanks for letting me tag along, Mama!"

"Just remember that this ain't a road trip, Holly." Delta Dawn said to her daughter. "This is serious business. You watch, and leave the talking to me and Hickory."

"Yes ma'am." Holly said. Soon after, she continued to ask Hickory questions, which he gladly answered.

Delta smiled. Ever since she was a little trolling, Holly had always been drawn to her and Hickory. Always wanting to help Delta with her chores, asking Hickory to show her how to milk a yak and make his famous yak burgers, even offering to aid him in digging out a new well, which even without a drought, was no simple task. Even now, with Holly in her twenties, this never changed.

It made Delta so happy.

So happy that Hickory had a bond so deep with their daughter, and the girl didn't even realize it.

Delta will never forget meeting Hickory when she was twelve, fetching water for their families from the well. They had been tighter than a knot ever since. While the citizens of Lonesome Flats all knew this, most avoided bringing up the fact that Hickory was a halfbreed. Born of a Country troll and a Yodelling troll. Quite an odd mix. Not that it ever bothered Delta.

But as the years passed them by, their feelings for each other grew and changed. Curiosity became fondness. And then fondness became love. Love that Hickory finally made clear to Delta on her 19th birthday, alone in her room.

Delta told him that while she did return his feelings, she had to deny him. As the mayor, she knew the laws of her people, and respected them. Because of Hickory's heritage, she and him could not be romantically involved. Any heir that Delta bared had to be a pure-blooded Country troll.

The mayor sighed. Things could've ended right there. They could've ended, and the two of them wouldn't be in the situation they were in. But Hickory just had to be stubborn. He had to ask Delta for a kiss goodbye. Then that kiss led to another. And another, and another, and before she knew it, her shirt was off, then… Well, things happened.

Delta still remembered the absolute joy in Hickory's eyes when she told him that she was pregnant. And then the pain that came when she told him that this changed nothing. They still could not be together.

Delta could spin a lie that Holly's father died during the sandsnake attack that had recently occurred, but if anyone were to discover that her and Hickory had been involved at one point, it would be very easy to piece together who Holly's real father was.

And now here they were, almost 20 years later. Still living this lie. This lie that burned Hickory's soul. She wished things could be different. Maybe one day, they would be..

As the four got closer to the entrance of Rock City, they all jumped as one of the giant searchlights fell into them, and a voice above, demanding them to halt. Soon afterwards, a group of armed guards descended from the watchtowers, weapons at the ready. In less than 10 seconds, there was a small legion of Rock trolls in front of Delta and her group. Soon after, another Rock troll flew through the crowd of guards, and up to Delta, a serious look on his face.

Delta examined this troll. His very small body and wings were obvious tells that he had the blood of a Classical troll, but his dark purple fur, long and messy black hair, and slightly red eyes told her that he was a halfbreed. A "Classicrock troll", they called it.

"Hey there." The man said, a little bit of his Classical blood in his deep voice. "Name's Rex. I lead this group of guards here. Now, you mind telling me what you're doing in Rock troll territory, Queen Delta?"

Pete growled, and tried to step in front of Delta to guard her, only for her to put her hand out, gesturing for all of them to stay calm.

"It's Mayor Delta." She said sternly. While the other tribe leaders may have held titles like this, Country trolls had not been arrogant or entitled enough to give themselves royal titles in centuries. "Your queen is expecting us."

Delta raised an eyebrow as the general started looking up and down her, then her group. His suspicion was very apparent. "Now see, if that's true, then why are you out here, at the front gate? If Queen Barb wanted to see any of you, why wouldn't she just send an anglerbus and save you all the walk?"

"Maybe we don't trust your metal monstrosities." Pete said, stepping up to Rex in a fruitless attempt to intimidate him.

Rex only smiled arrogantly at Pete. "Oh, that's right." He said. "You all just choose to live in the stone age. That banjo you're carrying is probably the most advanced thing your tribe has."

When it looked like both Delta and Pete were about to understandably get angry with the Classicrock troll's complete insensitivity of their culture, Hickory finally stepped between them, raising his hands. "Hold on now, youngin. There's no need for things to get rash."

Rex narrowed his eyes at Hickory, his calm and peaceful demeanor making him very difficult to read.

"Now young man, let's say we're lying." Hickory said. "You bring us to the queen, she brushes us off, and the most that happens is you've bugged her a little. But let's say we're telling the truth. Then you, and the rest of the trolls here have just turned away her guests. I don't think she'd be too happy about that."

Delta could almost see the gears moving in Rex's head as he thought. Hickory had always been a man of honeyed words. It was one of the first things that drew her to him all those years ago. She was glad that she decided to bring him with her.

"Let's get one thing straight." Rex finally said. "We don't like you any more than you like us. But we can be civilized."

The Classicrock troll nodded his head to the rest of the guards, silently commanding them to clear a path. "We'll take you to see Queen Barb. But you try anything shady, and me and my guards will beat you silly."

Delta Dawn and her group followed Rex through the city, marveling at the sights around them. The Rock trolls may not have been their favorite tribe, but there was no denying that they had an impressive civilization.

As they walked, Holly Darlin couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Even the smallest buildings here felt so towering up close. Not even Holly and her mother's homes were this big. She was always under the impression that Rock trolls were uncivilized and aggressive. But then again, those details were just from the books she had read.

Finally, they reached the castle at the center of the city, and were led into a wide hallway, which was filled with many paintings of Rock trolls from the past. They could already hear the sound of a singular electric guitar being played. Delta Dawn took in a deep breath, and then let it out as she mentally prepared the crimes against music that Queen Barb was most likely playing.

The five trolls entered the throne room, finding out that not only was the queen not alone, but she was not the one playing the guitar.

Queen Barb, who was sitting on her throne and holding her guitar, along with Sid Fret on bass to her right, and Riff on drums to her left, all watched in quiet astonishment as Branch who in front of the three, played what was possibly the most intense power chord that they had ever heard.

Branch couldn't explain it, but the second he switched on his bass, and felt the hum of the guitar strings, it was like something inside his soul had switched on as well. Without thinking, his pic danced on the guitar with a level of passion that he didn't know he still had inside of him. He hadn't even noticed that the others stopped playing.

"Gnarly…" Riff whispered.

Cindy, who was present as well, watched this happened, the same level of amazement on her face as Queen Barb and her friends. A part of her wanted to go and wake up her sister, just so she could see this as well.

A few moments after Branch finished his solo, hands sore and brows sweaty, he finally opened his eyes, and looked at his friends, now aware of the scene he was probably making.

"Um.. Sorry." Branch said to them, unsure of what else he could say. "It's just been a while since I've played and I just, well, got caught up in the moment."

"Dude…" Barb said in a low voice. "That was fucking EPIC!"

"That was badass, bro." Sid Fret said, punching Branch in the shoulder.

"Where'd you learn that, dude?" Barb asked. "No fucking way a Pop troll taught that to you!"

Cindy watched with a smile as the three trolls continued to praise her now-nervous-looking nephew's skill. The boy had so much of his mother inside of him, that he reminded Cindy of Artina in their younger days. Her reminiscing was cut short when she finally noticed Delta Dawn's group of four, accompanied by a guard.

"Queen Barb." The guard said, regaining her composure. "Queen Delta of the Country trolls is here. She claims that you're expecting her."

Noticing them as well, Barb made herself comfortable in her throne, leaning on the limb, and hanging one of her legs off the other. Following her lead, Riff and Sid Fret quickly walked up to the throne, and stood by opposite sides of it. The action was both a show of their position as members of her inner circle, and a silent promise to protect their friend. After seeing this, Branch walked up to the throne as well, standing next to Cindy.

"Welcome to my kingdom, Queen Delta." Barb said, her hands gliding on her guitar strings as petting an animal. "So I heard you were looking to strike some type of deal with us."

As much as Delta tried to keep her composure, her brows just couldn't help but furrow at the trolls that stood before her. This was the leader of the Rock trolls? And these young trolls, almost children, were her inner circle? The queen herself couldn't have been much more than a year older than Holly! If she was ruling now, that could only mean her father was either dead, or simply not fit to lead.

"Yes, Queen Barb." Delta said, trying to keep the disdain out of her voice. Even referring to this child as "queen" left a bad taste in her mouth. "As you may know, my people are suffering from a severe drought. We are willing to offer the gold and silver from our mines in exchange for food and water for our people. Just as the letter we sent said, we're here to discuss the details in person."

As Hickory stepped up to aid in the discussion, Branch tried his best to pay attention, but there was something distracting him. Something… calling to him.

That's when Branch noticed the Country troll's banjo. Just like yesterday, he could sense the magic coming from her string, and instinctively knew that it was powerful. Once again, everything in the room began to fade away until all that the Poprock troll could see was himself, and the Country string. And just as before, it called to him…

"Excuse me, your rockness?"

Branch was taken away from his trance by the voice of yet another group entering the throne room. Two Rock trolls, one full-blooded, and one Funkrock, and standing behind her was…. What the hell?

Branch rubbed his eyes, making sure that he was seeing clearly. It was that girl Legsly! One of Poppy's friends from the Pop village! And she looked distraught, as if she had been through something intense.

"Legsly?" Branch asked.

Recognizing his voice, the Pop troll stepped from behind the larger troll. "Branch?" Legsly asked back.

Barb glared at the three trolls, clearly not happy about her first real royal duty being interrupted. Even if it was by one of her people's territorial observers. "This better be really fucking important, Kelley."

"It is, your rockness." Kelley said. Afterwards, Kelley bumped Legsly with her upper right leg, startling her a little. "Just like I said, Legsly. Just tell them exactly what you told me."

Legsly shakily walked up to the throne, still very much intimidated by all of these dark and strange-looking trolls sitting by it. So she focused her attention on Branch. He may have never been the nicest troll, but at least she knew him.

"You were right, Branch." She said, ready to cry for the 100th time in the past two days. "You were right…"