Branch turned around facing John Dory, a serious look in his eyes as he asked what happened to Floyd. John Dory explained what happened and what he had been up to recently.
"You see I've been adventuring around, traveling the world, seeing exotic places, meeting exotic creatures and..."John Dory noticed, everyone having eyes on him as Branch gestured for him to get to the part with Floyd.
"Well, one day I was out camping when I received a letter from Floyd, out of the blue, we had recently gotten in touch and had been writing back and forth". John Dory went on about his story.
Two Month ago, in the Jungle. John Dory was running out of an ancient temple, carrying a gold statute over his head, as he turned around seeing a huge ball of yarn rolling after him and building speed.
"No,no,no no" John Dory called out, seeing the light of day as he slid out of the temple gateway, breathing a sigh relief, wiping his forehead. He stopped when he felt what was there, or what wasn't. John Dory froze seeing his googles left in the temple hallway as he shot his hair forward, grabbing the eyewear and pulling back at the last second before the huge ball of yarn crushed them as it slammed into the gateway, blocking off the temple.
"That was Close" John Dory called out, reapplying his goggles and admiring the golden cat shaped idol. JD began his trek back to where he had left his armadillo bus, Rhonda. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a snack, tossing it as Rhonda caught in in her mouth. seeing the mall box on Rhonda's side actually had mail in it. John Dory pulled out the envelope, tearing the top as bit into a fruit reading it.
Back in the Present Branch read over the letter, which seemed to be written from Floyd, telling John Dory how he was being held captive by two Pop Superstars named Velvet and Veneer at a place called Mount Rageous and to bring their brothers.
"I Could not find anyone at the time, so I went in alone" JD admitted recalling his failed rescue attempt and how he DID manage to find Floyd.
There on a vanity in what appeared to be a backstage room sat a purple bottle, JD was looking as he noticed inside was the shape of the troll, on his side curled up as JD Lowered himself from the vent, landing on the vanity and running to the bottle tapping it.
"Floyd, Floyd, Floyd" John Dory called as the figure turned around, hearing the constant tapping on the bottle as he got up, looking at each other JD noticed how bad Floyd was. It wasn't that anything looked off with Floyd visually. but he was clearly tired, and looked like he had no energy.
"I Got your letter I'm here to rescue you" John Dory called out, reaching into his bag. He pulled out a glove with some sort of ceramic tip on the knuckle. throwing a punch and expecting the bottle to shatter as it did not even leave a dent.
"It's not glass it's..." Floyd was cut off as JD tried again to punch as he vibrated along the vanity "...Diamond, you can't break this JD. Look It's too late for me, I never sent for you. Velvet and Veneer are talent sucking succubi with no talent of their own, they have been draining mine. If you stay, they'll just drain you" Floyd said as the two noticed footsteps from the hall.
"You have to leave" Floyd ordered as it was too dangerous for JD to stay, knowing what the Twins would do if they caught him.
"No, I'm not leaving a brother behind, not again" JD rebutted as they heard the door handle jiggle. JD was no closer to breaking the bottle as he looked around. "I Promise I'll be back" JD whispered, zipping up into the vents before the door opened.
Back in the present John Dory was explaining that for the past two months he had been trying to plan how to rescue Floyd.
"One Month later, I was traveling through the remains of Lonesome Flats, during the Rockpocalypse but I did not know that at the time" JD Continued his story as Barb rubbed the back of her neck.
"Yeah that, not my finest moment" The Rock Queen admitted, having a look uneasiness on her face that said she was genuinely sorry as the focus was back on JD.
Rhonda pulled into the ruins of Lonesome flats. JD was looking to restock on food and had done business with the Country Tribe before, since he wasn't super nauseating the Residents tolerated all JD saw was destruction and vandalism.
"Hello, Mayor Dawn, Sheriff Tumbleweed, anyone?" JD called out, feeling his stomach grumble. seeing no trouble with taking food if he was going to pay for it, he walked into the town's general store, collecting an armful of edibles. a bag of jerky, a can of beans. some bottles of Sarsaparilla.
Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a few coins, which which be a suitable trade as he placed them on the counter, near the register and carried to stuff out, making his way back to Rhonda. JD set up camp beside the Armadillo bus opening the can of beans and cooking them over an open fire sticking a spoon in as he stirred.
John Dory thought to accompany his dinner with some music, reaching for the portable radio switching it on as he was startled by the sounds of wailing guitar. John Dory reached for the knob, turning it was the same song was broadcasting on every station. He was about to just turn the radio off when heard the dialogue coming through the speaker.
"This is 106.6 The Axe, where It's 'all Rock, all the time', Next track comes from Queen Barb, off her new album. which if I'm being honest is some of their best work yet; and that new Bass Player is really what the band needed. Trading Rikki Lee for Branch was a great deal" The radio DJ as John Dory spit out his mouthful of beans. Hearing the Name Branch.
It couldn't be, could it, no. But what if it was. John Dory weighed the options about going to Volcano Rock. He knew from personal experience that the Residents did NOT like Pop Trolls. But If this Branch playing bass for the Queen of Rock was his brother, it was his best lead so far and he promised Floyd he would do everything to save him. he turned to Rhonda telling her they were heading to Volcano Rock.
After two weeks on the Road JD eventually found his way to Volcano Rock City where he was surprisingly welcomed, seeing a few Trolls as various genres on his way.
eventually he found his way in front of the bridge leading to Skull Castle stopped by a couple of Rock Guards, holding spears as asking John Dory for his Identification and intentions. John Dory introduced himself and explained that he needed to see Queen Barb about something very important as the three looked at him.
"Whoa dude, nobody just 'sees' Queen Barb especially not an outsider" The first guard commented as JD repeated it was important. He was so close to a lead on one of his brothers and these punks were standing in his ways.
"If it's important, you can write a request for an audience and submit to the Guards, Us. once approved you may see Queen Barb" The Second Guard replied, handing JD a form as he grumbled filling it out. after handing it to the guard they looked at each other, JD shrugging his shoulders.
"You can stay at the Crashing Pit until the Guards reviews your request, just look for the crater filled with tents and couches, it where visitors stay". The second guard informed as JD huffed watching the torture that was legality and paperwork.
Eventually two weeks passed by as JD was staying in the Crashing Pit when a third guard found, him handing him a letter. which he unrolled seeing the paper was formally written as he read it" John Dory, We have read over your request for an audience with Rock Queen Barb. we regret to inform you that your request has been declined" the bottom was stamped with what JD guessed was the Rock Guard Seal.
JD Crumpled the paper in his hand as the guard taunted him, somehow knowing that the Guard would never have accepted his request. John Dory had come too close to fail as he noticed the guard walking away laughing at what an Idiot JD was. The Ex-singer decided to take matters into his own hand, picking up one of the many guitars that littered the Crashing Pit and slammed it against the guard's helmet, knocking him out.
"Sorry dude, but I NEED to see Queen Barb" JD replied stripping the guard and putting the armor on over his regular clothes. JD hoped he could just pass by the guards on the bridge as he approached as the two looked at him.
"Did you really think that was going to work" The first guard asked, holding his spear to John Dory, not fooled by such an obvious trick as John Dory removed the helmet, admitting that he saw it in a movie once and it seemed cool. going for a more practical option he grabbed the two guards, with his hair, slamming them face-first into each other.
""Ouchies-Mommy" the two replied before hitting the ground asleep. John dory removed the heavy metal armor as pulling out two gloves with bladed palms. It was no problem; he had scaled mountains before. this mountain just had a pool of lava beneath it and shot up hot air regular. piece of cake...right.
John Dory put his skills at rock climbing to the task, scaling the volcano's inside believing that he could do this as he grabbed a piece of loose rock, which fell, landing in the hot lava. Eventually JD made his way to a window, flipping in.
"So, you're telling me you knocked out a guard, stole his armor. realized that was a dumb idea, knocked out two more guys, scaled the inside of the volcano and fought through Barb's Guards to get to her?" Poppy asked, wanting full context as Barb shrugged.
"That's actually pretty Hardcore, don't get me wrong. I'm pissed you KO'd my guys but still, pretty 'Rock' of you" Barb admitted, claiming she might go easy on his punishment as JD huffed, saying he would not have had to resort to violence if Barb had just agreed to see him.
The two continued arguing as Branch got between them, saying that if there was one of his brothers he would go on a dangerous mission for, it would probably be Floyd. "I Mean, we can always punish JD when we get back" Branch offered as the Queen shot JD a devilish look, fine with me."
"Yay, BroZone Adventure" Poppy added, obviously wanting to join in.
A/N: So, I wanted to do some explanation as to how JD ended up in Skull Castle, despite Barb not being aware of who he was, JD actually did try to go through the proper channels to see her but was forced to take drastic measures. Also, Poppy Tagging Along.