The ride was interesting as Eclipsa made sure Branch was fastened in. The bus drove off, leaving the forest as Branch looked out the window, wondering if he made the right choice. He was putting his fate in the hand of a stranger claiming to be his mother. Yes, Peppy clearly assured him that Eclipsa was telling the truth but as far as Branch knew she was a stranger, having no real memories of her.

Branch remembered his father, his brothers, his grandmother. all of which ended in tragedy. Oaken, his father was picked during a trollstice and met his end over a bergen grill. His brothers all left and went the separate ways after his first and last Brozone concert ended in a mess. and his grandmother; she sacrificed herself to save him from a hungry Bergen, it wasn't even Trollstice.

So, it was safe to say Branch was not used to people sticking around as he turned to the purple troll driving, looking at her. he did not feel comfortable giving Eclipsa the title of 'Mom' yet as it would mean opening up to being hurt again. "So Eclipsa, what is 'Home' like?"

Eclipsa kept her eyes on the road, telling him about Volcano Rock City. a place which made the Village seem like a small town, taking about how it was built around a volcano. Branch was surprised to hear about this, chiming in that the volcano was sleeping "It is sleeping, right?" Branch asked as Eclipsa looked at him.

"No Sweetie, it's very active" Eclipsa responded as Branch looked at her, asking her not to call him sweetie as she chuckled realizing Branch was going to make her work for it. realizing she had a lot to make up for.

"Branch, If I had one regret, it was leaving without you. I wanted to take you with me but your family... I couldn't bring myself to break that up" Eclipsa responded as Branch looked at her. asking how exactly she knew his dad and Grandma were dead.

Eclipsa, tugged her collar admitting that the rock tribe may have...been keeping tabs on the Pop Tribe. "How do you think I found the village."

Branch was a little surprised to hear the Rock tribe was spying on them as he looked at her, asking what their king was like as Eclipsa mentioned both her and his dad were advisors to their respective kings. Eclipsa perked up, changing the subject from spying to the royal family.

"Well, the Rock Tribe is led by King Thrash, he is a great Troll, wise and caring yet a force to be reckoned with". She told Branch that she was actually playing Bass in a band with the King and her brother-in-law. Telling Branch that Slasher was the drummer and Lava was the royal family's chef, both were Carol's parents. "Carol is about as old as you. and the king also has a daughter of his own Barbra, she is a little firecracker about half your age."

The ride continued as the boy eventually fell asleep. drifting off into Dreamland. The Dream was one he often had.

He was playing checkers with his grandmother as he placed his piece down. "It was my fault wasn't it". Branch had partially blamed himself for the concept going up. it was his first concert, and he practically begged his brothers to let him be on stage. despite them being hesitant they agreed. it was supposed to be the most amazing concert ever, Brozone who would announce their new member live for the first time and a do perfect harmony.

Next thing he was a baby, onstage and he knew exactly what was going to happen and regardless of what Branch tried, that concert always ended the same way. with his brother hanging from the ceiling and later leaving him.

When Branch woke up and looked outside the Anglerbus he noticed the vegetation had died out being replaced with a rocky landscape, the sun was shining up over a black landscape, glowing with metal and orange Lava as hot air overtook the boy. eventually the bus stopped as Eclipsa looked at her son. "You're up, here we are. Volcano Rock City, and that is your home."

Eclipsa gestured to a castle carved into the center of the volcano, surrounded by lava, pouring down around it as Branch let up a gulp at the orange liquid. Branch stepped one foot out of the bus onto the rocky ground. it was hot but after the first few seconds it was tolerable "This ground is really hot."

Eclipsa chuckled saying his feet would get used to it. Rock trolls were usually tolerant to higher temperatures as she realized her son was only half Rock Troll. offering to give him a piggyback ride to the castle until she could get him some footwear until he got used to ground.

Branch politely turned her down, saying he would rather get used to it. partially out of embarrassment of being carried like a baby. as she nodded, proud her child wasn't a total softy, despite being raised by Pop Trolls. before remembering and quickly taking back her statement. "I'm sorry sw...Branch, I did not mean to bring that up.

"It's okay Eclipsa, I suppose we should enter" Branch replied hopping between his feet as the sizzled on the hot rocky ground as Eclipsa called to gate. order them to open the drawbridge as said bridge was lowered. The front of the castle was a huge skull carved into wall as the jaw lower and a bridge that was made of metal slid across, over the boiling lava. as soon as Branch stepped on it, he shrieked, running across it fumbling into the castle as Eclipsa chuckled a bit.

"First matter of business, get you some protective footwear" Eclipsa replied walking on the hot metal bridge like it was nothing helping her son up, instructing him to follow her and not say anything until she clarified it was okay. Branch did as instructed, following his mother. Branch noticed the guards standing in attention as Eclipsa walked by.

Eclipsa stood before the Troll, sitting on the throne in the center, drinking from a chalice, he had faded purple skin, black hair and wore an outfit of black leather with a lot of jewelry. Branch was surprised, he did not even know Trolls could have black hair. "King Thrash, I have returned for my trip to Pop Village.

The Trolls stood from his throne which Branch realized was made of smashed Guitars as he walked over to Branch in a matter that came off as intimidating, taking a sip from his cup. So, You're Eclipsa's kid"

Branch nodded as Thrash looked at him, saying the kid did not have to talk if he didn't want to. he made sure off the bat that Branch knew he was welcome in the land of the Rock Trolls.

"Any Family of Eclipsa is family of mine, feel free to give him the grand tour" Thrash instructed as Eclipsa nodded beginning the tour. she led Branch around showing him around decided to stop by the kitchen first, wanting to introduce Branch to his aunt. They stopped at the first stop on the tour.

"Hey sis, you busy" Eclipsa called out as an and blue troll with orange hair was icing a cake, as she looked at her smiling.

"Guess who I found, Branch this your Aunt Lava" Eclipsa said introducing Branch as Lava dropped the bag of icing, splatting on the ground in disbelief, hugging her older sister. Branch just looked at the two. Lava kneeled down to Branc, meeting him at eye level.

"Nice to meet you little dude" Lava introduced herself, telling the boy how happy Eclipsa was to have him back, commenting on how Branch's father Oaken was a piece of shit for not telling him about Eclipsa and keeping the family apart. Eclipsa's motherly instinct kicked in Covering Branch's ears as Lava chuckled, saying if he was a Rock Troll, he was going to hear dirty words.

"My dad, he actually died when I was a baby, I have vague memories about him. I was raised by my grandmother and she... she's not around anymore" Branch admitted, opening up once Lava insulted his father. Eclipsa commented how good Rosiepuff was to her, recalling how supportive the old woman was, even after finding out about Eclipsa being a Rock Troll as she looked at Lava. "And I've told you Oaken was a great man".

"Well, he's dead so no use speaking ill of him" Lava admitted, surprised to hear he was dead, apologizing for thinking bad of him. Lava looked around, seeing a sight that got her attention. rushing to the cart of desserts.

"Girls, No. No until after supper, you'll spoil your appetites" Lava said seeing two little girls helping themself as she pulled them away, icing on their faces as Eclipsa chuckled. looking at her son. and to the girls.

"Girls, I'd like you introduce you to my son, Branch. Branch this Princess Barbra and Carol" Eclipsa said as Branch got a look at the two. Carol had light blue skin and Barbra has pale purple skin, matching the king. Both had messy black hair and faces stained with food as Barbra shoved a piece of cake against Branch's mouth, giggling as he wiped his mouth, not one for sweets. but the cake tasted different from anything in the village it tasted darker and thicker if that made sense.

"Sorry Branch, looks like I have to give these two a bath before dinner...again" Eclipsa replied holding the two little girls by the arms and walking off, leaving Branch with Lava who looked at her cake. taking it off the cart.

"That is why you always make a spare cake; in case her highness gets her hands in it" Lava replied opening the cart revealing a second untouched cake. as she looked at Branch, asking if he wanted some of the first cake. "Just a bite though, I don't want you spoiling your appetite".

Branch shook his head, standing with Lava as he looked at her, asking about his mother Eclipsa. Wanting to know more about her as Lava chucked the half-eaten cake in the trash. as she nodded.

"Ah yes, My Big Sister; Personal Advisor to the King and head of the Royal Guard. you mother has achieved a lot, well you know she ended up at with the Pops and made a bad with one of them, hence you being here... I told her sleeping with the enemy was stupid, but she says she didn't regret, I guess she has a better view on Pop Trolls than most of us, you want some advice kid... Don't tell anyone you're half Pop Troll, they're the scum of the earth" Lava explained touching up the spare cake.

(A/N: in this story Barb has black hair, as she dyes it red gets her mohawk when she gets older, also Lava hints towards the Rock Troll bias towards Pop Trolls)