Disclaimer:
I do not own trolls. Dreamworks has all rights. First three chapters are a fanfic of a fanfic; Lone Concert originally by Dawnbuneary. The story has been dead since 2017 and I decided to pick it backup so here is my take on this trollverse. Hope you enjoy.
Poppy woke up in her flannel, hair a mess, and curled up in her covers with used tissues littering the bed. Her friends came early so that they could be there for her. When they entered her room they saw she was a mess. "Oh Poppy." DJ Suki said being the first to her side. "We are so sorry for blabbing." Biggie said holding Mr. Dinkles. "Mew." Guy Diamond moved to her bed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's not entirely your fault I should have told him. I am just hoping he will let me explain today. But for that to happen I need to get changed." She put on a new outfit, one that was still cozy to comfort her the moment her friends left. Once she was changed she left her pod with her friends close behind her. If she was being honest she wasn't quite sure what to do or how this was going to turn out all she did know was that she did owe Branch an explanation and an apology for what had happened yesterday.
Poppy was going through so many different scenarios through her head on how she was going to handle this conversation she was going to have with Branch. She didn't notice the Snack Pack trailing her trying to get her attention or the fact that she was heading to Branch's bunker. By the time she realized she was on top of the GO AWAY mat. The Snack Pack stopped short to play interference if they needed to. Poppy took several deep breaths before knocking on the mat. "Branch. Branch. I know you're in there. Please we need to talk. Branch." She waited a bit to see if he would answer but heard no reply. She was about to knock again when she heard the elevator coming up. She took a step back and waited for Branch to reveal himself. Once she heard the elevator stop she waited for him. Branch was at the entrance to his bunker taking a deep shaky breath before placing his hand on the latch to unlock his bunker to exit.
"Poppy. I" Branch tried to say but was cut off by Poppy who just bursted with rambling. "I am so sorry. About everything I really was going to tell you but I was so scared how you would react and I just ended up lying to you and I kept lying to you. When we first saw you sing it was the most amazing thing I had ever heard. I just couldn't not go back to hear you again. But I swear we were not going to do it any more." Poppy amazingly said with one breath. Branch just let out a sigh. He wasn't mad about the spying but the lying. How is he supposed to trust her again? And she came up to him because she heard him sing again and again. "Poppy I could forgive the spying and in time I think I could forgive the lying." Branch said, making Poppy feel like a ten ton bag of bricks was just lifted from her chest. "But what I can't forgive was the fact that I now feel like you wanted me to change. You said you accepted me either in grey or color but now I don't know if I can believe that." Branch said with an unwilling tear slipping down his cheek.
"That's not true!" Poppy tried to protest. "Really because ever since you started to hear me sing you have been trying harder and harder to "make me happy" and I thought maybe it had something to do with the 20th Anniversary but now I know that it doesn't." Branch said, forcing Poppy to stop in her tracks. She loves Branch grey and all but she does see how her actions could be seen as her wanting to change him. Which wasn't true. She loves him just the way he is. She just wanted to help make him happy. Because she truly does believe that everyone deserves to be happy and is worth it. "Branch we may not have understood your ways but getting to know you better, hearing my dad's stories, hearing you sing I feel like we all misjudged you and are coming to really see you for the amazing troll that you are and that I love." Branch's heart broke at those words but that's all they were right. Just words. All he's ever known was people leaving him. Judging him. Or lying to him. Playing tricks on him. He just does not trust that easily but he wants to trust her which is why he thinks with some time he could again. But right now he just can't.
"There's no good way to say this, but I have one last song for you Poppy." Branch said in a voice only loud enough for her to hear. She was taken back by this. She never thought she would get the chance to hear him sing again. That she had the right to. But here he was about to sing her one last song probably for the last time. Then a wave of guilt rushed over Poppy this time she would be the reason he closes himself off from everyone. When all she has ever wanted was for him to feel welcomed and accepted she managed to do the opposite. Branch grabbed her hadn and led her over to a stream near his bunker and he kneeled by it. Poppy kept her distance but still kept close. Her knee felt like jelly and her heart raced. She loved Branch's music but if he wrote this because of his heartbreak yesterday then she was on edge. Rather or not she wanted to hear it but she couldn't just run from Branch now she owed him this much. Besides, any decision she could have made was quickly taken out of her hands.
The glow bugs started to softly play their tune and Branch sang for what was to be his last time, because if he were to sing again he did not think he would be able to finish the song because all he would think about would be Poppy. He needed to do this. He did not want to let her go he wanted to fight for her but everyone in his life leaves him she would eventually too. Branch does not think he would survive that heartbreak. So it was time to try and survive this one. How could he have been so stupid to think he was lucky enough to be with her. When she said she loved him he felt like he was told that he won a prize he was convinced he'd never have, but Poppy was not a prize and he never thought of her as such. She was still never his to be with.
Mm, Mm, mm
I know your favorite song
I hear it everyday
Poppy looks at him lovingly as he continues to sing while looking at his reflection doing everything he can to avoid eye contact with her even with her reflection because he knew that if he did he would break.
Whoever made your smile
Made it to get in my way
Poppy slowly inches forward not to scare Branch or cause him to stop; she truly hopes that they can work things out. Glitz is witnessing this whole transaction and they too hope for the best. Also unbeknownst to them the Extended Snack Pack are watching from their usual hiding spot hoping that the two came working things out and that they didn't just help ruin Broppy's chances.
And every time you laugh
You make that little sound
Poppy never realized just how much Branch notices about her and how much he really does love her. Will love be enough to save them? Or will they crash and burn like every invitation Branch has been given? She finally sits down next to him, but he is still avoiding eye contact. She wants to touch him but thinks better of it.
It's just the hardest thing
To love you but not know how
Poppy's heart begins to break at his words. Why has she never realized just how long this troll has been in love with her? And why did she not realize that she is madly in love with him too? Did she waste so much time that they missed their chance? She was praying that the answer was no.
So I spend all my nights in the dark and afraid
'Cause I've tried to forget you but these things just don't go away
She was glad that he was thinking of her just as much as she was thinking of him. The Snack Pack sat down and listened to the beautiful song. Creek was still very hopeful that this would not end well.
I hate that you're perfect, perfect for me
If I didn't know better, then I would believe
We were made for each other, but I'd know the truth
Poppy was very hopeful at these words because, if she was being honest with anyone who asked. Branch was Perfect for her and she didn't hate it. She loved how he completed her. She was happy to know that he felt the same.
You're no good for me, I'm no good for you
And I hate that you're perfect
You're perfect for me
I hate that you're perfect
You're perfect for me
Poppy's heart sank. He thought that they weren't good for each other. No. No. No. They were made for each other he even admitted that. Branch please. I love you.
What good are words when they always just get in our way
And it hurts the most just to know that you don't feel the same, the same
So sometimes I get down on my knees and I pray things will change
But life is what happens when things they don't work out our way, our way
Love is hard. Life is hard. I'm sorry for hurting you. Poppy kept screaming in her head but no words came out. Was he giving up on them? Did he just need a break? Then Poppy remembered something vitle. Everyone else in Branch's life has left him. Everyone he cares about. And she was supposed to prove that he could trust her and be different. But she broke that trust and now he doesn't believe she will stay. And words now won't be enough to convince him otherwise this time.
So I spend all my nights in the dark and afraid, mm
'Cause I've tried to forget you but these things just don't go away, away
Poppy kept biting her lips to keep herself from crying so she really did ruin everything. She should have been honest from the start and not been selfish. She could no longer look at Branch. The Snack Pack regretted their actions that led them to this point and Creek was silently cheering that this was happening.
I hate that you're perfect, perfect for me
If I didn't know better, then I would believe
We were made for each other, but I'd know the truth
Branch was ending his song. The light melody that had been playing was slowly coming to an end and he knew that once he finished this song. It would be the last time he would ever sing and this time there won't be a radiant Pink Princess to make him think otherwise.
You're no good for me, I'm no good for you
And I hate that you're perfect
You're perfect for me (yeah, yeah, hey)
I hate that you're perfect
You're perfect for me
Branch finished his song. Poppy was holding back sobs. The Snack Pack was waiting to comfort her when needed. "I'm sorry Poppy." Branch said not being able to look at her. "Me too." Poppy said. "Just so you know I don't want you to be anything but yourself, Branch. Knowing you better has changed everything. Your passion, your intensity, your loyalty, and all the grumbles under your breath. Yes they turn us upside down, but because of you I feel safer, and value honesty even when the truth is hard. I love how weirdly over prepared you are and are not afraid to stick to your morals even when we make it hard. And I realize that just because something isn't bright and cute that doesn't make it any less beautiful. Because I love you just the way you are. And if you need time I will give it to you but I will never stop trying to make you happy because I love you and I can't imagine a world without you in it." Branch was so taken by this. "I can't imagine a world without you in it either, but for now I think it is best that we have our space."
"I'll earn your trust back, Branch I promise." Poppy made her vow. But until then she needed to start living her life again. As much as it hurt she couldn't just waste her life away she was never going to build things back up she has to try and move forward. Branch wasn't sure if he had made the right decision or not; he did know that he needed space from his one friend. Even if it hurts. Why does it hurt so much? Maybe because he lost one of the only friends he's ever had. Maybe with time they will be friends again but he will need that time first.
It has been a week since the two had spoken and Poppy was still trying to find her place after the breakup with Branch. She didn't blame him. She should have been honest, but she did the one thing she promised she'd never do and she hurt him and now she was hurting. Maybe Creek was right and this was all doomed from the start but she just couldn't give up hope that she and Branch would one day be ok. Because she still loves him and if she was being honest with at least herself. She did think she would love anyone else other than Branch. He was it for her. But life goes one even if you don't want it to and today she was reading the trollings the history of how they became free since today was the 20th Anniversary of that happening.
"Once upon a time...in a happy forest, in the happiest tree lived the happiest creature the world has ever known. The Trolls. They loved nothing more than to sing, and dance, and hug. Dance, and hug, and sing, and dance, and sing, and hug, and dance and hug, and dance, and sing, and hug, and dance, and hug... But then one day, the Trolls were discovered by... a Bergen! They didn't know how to sing or dance or even hug. They were the most miserable creatures in all the land. And once they saw how happy the trolls were they wanted some of that happiness for themselves. Eating a troll made them feel so happy, they started a tradition. Once a year, every year the Bergens would gather around the Troll Tree to taste happiness on a holiday they called Trollstice." Poppy explained to the younger trolls who were not alive during this time. She told them how her father the King led an escape by digging tunnels under the troll tree to escape from the mean Bergans and he couldn't resist or leave a single troll behind. "No troll left behind. He shouted as he exited the tunnel behind the final troll to escape." Poppy continued.
Twenty years ago today, King Peppy made us safe and now every troll is free to be happy and live in perfect... Harmony." Poppy sang the last word which the trolling sang with her. "And that's why we hug every hour." Tiny Diamond said. "Yep." Poppy told them as she closed the scrapbook. "I wish it was every half hour." One of the trollings said disappointed. "So do I. But that wouldn't leave much time for singing and dancing, now would it?" Poppy said in the best cherry tone she could manage. "Princess Poppy, do the Bergens still want to eat us?" CJ Suki asked. "You bet! But just because it's the only way they'll ever be happy." Poppy explained. A boy licks his own skin and widens his eyes. "Oh no. I do taste delicious."
"Is there nothing else to make them happy?" The children came up with ideas to try and make the trolls happy, all excited to help like sleepovers and birthday parties. A baby named Keith starts talking. "Or stare at your parents while they sleep." Poppy felt a little uncomfortable with Keith. Most trolls did. "But I don't want to be food." The child speaks sadly, Poppy soon starts trying to cheer the girl up. "Don't worry. No Troll ever will be. And that's why we're celebrating with the biggest party ever! Everyone will be there." She says excitedly. "Everyone?" The little troll pokes his head out of Poppy's hair, he asks, tilting his head in a scary way. "Everyone." Poppy responds in a kind but similar way that Keith did, she then pulls out her bell and starts to ring it.
Ok challenge share this story with others, post in the comments section on which story you wish for me to revamp next. Rules for the revamp. 1.) It has to have been dead for 7 years or more. 2.) It has to have no more than 10 chapters already no less than 3. I do need something to work with but if there is too much I can't do much. My next project after Trolls might be Danny Phantom, but I am always up for suggestions. So send me that name and author, how long it's been inactive and how many chapters and word count. So I can't wait to see what y'all send me. Hope you enjoyed this latest chapter. Now get ready cause we have finally caught up to the movie. Speaking of movies I said I just saw the new Trolls and it was everything I had hoped it would be. Until next time.