Ughhh, it's like 2018 all over again. I keep watching TBT over and over again, just like I did with the first movie.

OoOoOo

Ironically, it seemed like Rhonda was heading in the direction of Vacay Island.

Branch's eyebrows furrowed, as he glanced at the map. "Clay," he called. "Bruce is sure he hasn't seen Poppy?"

Clay finally moved from his spot next to Viva- whose side he hadn't left the entire time- coming up next to his younger brother. "That's what he said," he affirmed, but the look on his face indicated that he had noticed the same thing as Branch.

Of course, even if Poppy had turned up at Vacay Island, there was no guarantee that Bruce would have noticed. He was running a restaurant and had thirteen kids. Still, his instincts wouldn't stop gnawing at the back of his head. Something wasn't right about this entire situation. No one had seen Poppy this morning, not even once?

The implication of that was... alarming. It could possibly mean that she- if it was true she was kidnapped- had been attacked exiting her pod... or in her pod. He shuddered, horror gripping his stomach. But it also gave him some semblance of a clue.

Poppy's pod wasn't too much bigger than anyone else's. It was bright pink, sure, but so were a lot of other pods (in fact, Viva's was right next to hers; it would be easy to confuse the two). King Peppy's pod was actually the largest and would be the biggest indication of royalty. If someone was looking for Poppy, they'd more than likely confront Peppy first.

So whoever had taken her- assuming this was a kidnapping- had known exactly which pod was hers. This was the work of someone who knew the village, knew Poppy.

"Bro?" Branch was snapped out of his musings by a hand on his shoulder. Clay was still standing next to him, looking concerned but trying to smile. "You good there?"

He took a deep, ragged breath. "Of course," he answered. By his older brother's face, he was unconvincing. "Just thinking."

Clay briefly glanced over his shoulder, sharing a look with Floyd who was sitting in the front with John Dory. What was it with people sharing looks around him? "Cool, cool..." Awkward silence washed over them. This was a persistent thing when it came to his brothers, everything was still so new.

Fortunately, Viva had no problem breaking it. "Branch, do you have any theories?" she asked, joining Clay. "I've been brainstorming, but you know Pop Village and, well, Poppy better than I do."

Branch looked at his girlfriend's sister. Part of him wanted to lie and say no, but that wouldn't be fair. He wasn't the only one who loved Poppy. "I've got... suspicions," he admitted. "But nothing concrete. You?"

She pursed her lips. "Well, you know how we found Poppy's bracelet?" At his nod, she continued, "Well, I was thinking, isn't it weird that it fell off?"

He stared at the older troll, eyes wide as he caught onto what she was saying. Hug time bracelets were designed to be a perfect fit for the user. Even if it had originally belonged to Viva, Poppy's had never been anything but snug on her wrist. For it to have come off, either someone took it off her, or... "She left it for us to find."

Part of Branch was uplifted by this revelation. He was so thankful for Poppy's tendency to think on her feet. But the pessimist in him couldn't ignore that it meant she was taken against her will. That she was out there, begging for him to help her. Muses forbid whoever had her dared to hurt her.

Anger tinged his senses; if there was so much as a hair missing from her head when he found her...

Viva nodded, giving him a gentle smile. "Poppy's smart," she told him, as if he didn't already know. "And tough. Whoever has her doesn't know who they're messing with."

Branch smiled, probably his first real one all day. "You're right," he agreed. Poppy was going to be fine.

She had to be.

OoOoOo

They arrived at Vacay Island not long after that. Bruce was there to greet them, a kind smile on his face. "Hey, brothers," he greeted. "Viva. How was the trip?"

"Smooth as it always is with Rhonda," John Dory answered, not at all realizing that would be as smooth as a cavern full of bricks. "And you still haven't seen Poppy Seed around here?"

Bruce regretfully shook his head. "Not at all," he replied. He gestured to the restaurant. "Why don't you guys stop in for something to eat? Brandy and the kids would love to see you."

Branch was about to decline, to insist that they needed to stay on the scent, but Floyd spoke up before he could. "That sounds great, Bruce," he agreed.

"Floyd," protested Branch.

But his big brother sent him a disapproving glare. "I know for a fact you haven't eaten all day," he pointed out, causing Branch to flush purple. "You need food, Branch. You're no good to Poppy if you keel over from exhaustion before we find her." He had a point. But still-

"Rhonda will find the scent," John Dory assured him. "But Floyd's right, B. You really should eat."

Clay nodded. "You too, Viv," he added, looking pointedly at his co-leader.

Viva shrugged guiltily, nudging him. "I don't think they're gonna let us off the hook," she said. "Mr. Clay is a real stickler for this sorta thing."

Branch rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he hissed, more so directed at his brothers than the long-lost princess. "Let's eat and get back on the road."

Bruce slung an arm around his shoulders. "Great!" he shouted, firmly leading him inside. As if the older troll was scared he would run away. "You have to try the onion rings, B, they're to die for."

"Fine," he bit out, not really caring what he ate as long as they could get back to finding Poppy right after.

Bruce's smile didn't falter as he led them to a table. "Be right back with your food," he told them, rushing off to the kitchen.

Clay frowned. "He didn't even take our orders," he pointed out.

"He's getting me onion rings," Branch revealed absently, only to be met with intense looks from his brothers. "...What?"

Clay blinked a little too quickly. "You loved onion rings," he pointed out. "When, er, when you were little."

"I did?" He did have a taste for them now, but Branch had only recently discovered that. He hadn't eaten any fried foods in the years he had been gray (he had only eaten fruit, vegetables, and whatever game he could catch; he never went into the village for fast food) and Grandma had never taken him out; they couldn't afford it without the money Brozone brought in.

Floyd nodded, his eyes slightly shiny. "Bruce took us to a diner one day while John Dory went to the doctors with Clay," he recalled. "He got you onion rings because you kept pointing at the picture. When you tried them, I swear your eyes grew. You scarfed the whole plate down."

John Dory chuckled. "Any time after that, you would ask for them wherever we were," he continued, and Branch was alarmed to see his oldest brother a little more than emotional. "Bruce eventually started bringing them home from his dates."

Branch drew his eyebrows together in confusion. "He... remembered that all this time?" he asked, unexpectedly touched. He had... he had thought his brothers had left him in their past completely.

"Of course I did." Bruce had materialized behind him, setting a plate of onion rings down in front of him. "You used to climb all over me, begging for me to get you some. I think I was your favorite for a while after that." He stuck his tongue out at their other brothers. "Those three were pretty salty about that."

Clay rolled his eyes. "And he wouldn't stop bragging about it either."

"I put them on the menu specifically because of you," continued Bruce as if he hadn't heard him. "Called them the Branched-Out Rings."

Branch cringed. "Bruce, that's incredibly tacky."

His older brother laughed. "Maybe," he admitted, ruffling the younger troll's hair. "But it reminded me of you, kiddo."

For once, Branch didn't condemn the endearment. He really hadn't been prepared for how... affectionate Bruce turned out to be. He remembered Spruce as a typical teenager; always rolling his eyes, being uncooperative, and sneaking out. He supposed being a father had changed all that.

If only he had gotten to experience it when he'd really needed it.

OoOoOo

When Rhonda returned, Bruce pulled him aside while everyone else got on. "How are you holding up, B?" he asked.

Branch peered at his brother. "Fine," he lied. It wasn't a complete lie; he would be fine as soon as he found Poppy. That was all that mattered, not these... emotions he felt around his brothers. He hated that they would reveal things like that because it was proof that they hadn't forgotten him, that he had still been on their minds.

It was also proof that they still abandoned him despite that.

"Hey," urged Bruce. "Don't do that. Talk to me, B."

"There's-" Branch swallowed harshly. "There's nothing to talk about." No, he couldn't. He would end up saying something he'd regret and drive Bruce away, just like last time.

"Branch," his brother said firmly. "I know."

Branch choked, a horrible coldness settling into his stomach. "You know what?" he asked, even though he had a very good feeling what it was.

Bruce's eyes flicked to Rhonda. "Your colors," he answered. "Branch, I know you were gray."

OoOoOo

Dun, dun, dun! Bruce knows! I hadn't intended to make Bruce so mushy, but I figured he'd feel guilty in a different way than the others. Being a parent changes you and I think he'd really regret Branch being alone for 20 years because he couldn't imagine his own kids being like that. Obvi, he's not coming on this adventure because of his 13 kids and it wouldn't be fair to Brandy to do it again, but he's still gonna support his brother emotionally.

I hope you liked it and please review!