Everything was perfect.
So perfect, perfect, perfect.
Until...it was not.
Entering their backstage pod after such a disastrous concert were the members of BroZone, the most legendary, most hip, most talented, and most popular boy band of all of Pop Village on the verge of embarking a spectacular world tour. Like all great boy bands (and musical groups in general), BroZone came from simple plans and humble beginnings. Little was known about their parents, whom many believed abandoned them when they were only children; those who chose to believe this theory hypothesized a plethora of reasons behind the abandonment, ranging from sheer malice from the kicks they would get from the dirty deed or genuine stress from the pressures they faced from being the guardians of five sons at a presumed young age.
In any case, their parents were out of the picture and thus their grandmother Rosiepuff become their legal caretaker going forward. It was an upsetting blow to her daily routine, but family always came first, and she proved to be up for the challenge. Sure, she was stern, strict, and severe like most grandparents could be, but she could be also be sweet, kindhearted, and altruistic to her young grandsons, steering them in the right path and preventing them from straying onto the wrong one. And with five different grandsons with five different personalities, it proved very much the definition of a daunting task.
John Dory was the eldest of the quintet, and thus (in his own words) the self-proclaimed "Leader". Even though his methods of commanding his four younger brothers more often than not got the job done, they were quite unconventional. Specifically, he was very much—to put it politely—an overbearing showboat. Combined with his desire for attention and leadership, John Dory's controlling perfectionist approach to taking care of his brothers led to more than a few confrontations with said brothers due to the high pressure the performances placed upon them.
Spruce was the second eldest of the quintet. Slightly more pleasant than John Dory (no offense), he had a prominent part to play in the form of a handsome "Heartthrob". As a member of the beloved boy band, this reputation worked well...a little too well, one might say. There were an abundance of rumors circulating that he was dating one Troll while dating another, romancing one female while romancing another, and mating with one partner while mating with another. These rumors harbored the potential to ruin the lives of those involved, and a remorseful Spruce wished for anything but that.
Clay was the middle child of the quintet. Slightly more pleasant than John Dory (again, no offense), he developed a penchant for pranking and practical jokes in his younger age, and thus, he become the resident "Fun One". However, as he become older and wiser (by a slight margin), he began to realize how much his pranking and practical jokes could hurt another Troll when taking too far, and he only found that fact one fateful day. Realizing that his title and reputation meant no one (not even his own brothers) would be able to take him seriously, a remorseful Clay wished for that day for arrive.
Floyd was the second youngest of the quintet. Arguably more pleasant than John Dory (again, no offense...but do you see a pattern here?), his shy but kindhearted nature made many to dub him the "Sensitive One". For the most part, he harbored no animosity towards this title and reputation, even embracing it amongst his family. It was because of his altruistic and well-meaning demeanor that he was often seen as the glue that stuck everything together. While he often found the job exhausting to say the least, he was more than ready to cope with the stress for his youngest brother.
Branch...was the youngest of the quintest, earning him the fitting moniker of "The Baby". Because he was the youngest, he would look up to his older brothers and idolize them just as much as his grandma. His brothers in turn would see him as cute, adorable, and the other adjectives associated with the two terms, often doing their best on their worst days to protect him from harm (pure or perceived or otherwise). However, because he was the youngest, he was left of their grown-up discussions more than once and used as a tiebreaker in even their most lighthearted of petty squabbles. Never once had his own feelings had been taken into consideration...
...and this fateful night was no exception.
"Now do you see?" John Dory huffed, "Do you see what happens when you don't follow my lead?"
"Dude, this is exactly what happens when we follow your lead," Spruce pointed his finger at him accusingly, Branch watching in fear from a few feet away. Just across him was Floyd, who frowned at the clashing personalites of his three older brothers finally reaching a boiling point.
"Oh, so it's my fault. Is that what you're saying?" John Dory angrily accused back before calming down, "Look, I know I've been hard on you all, but it's for a great reason. I know we can reach the Perfect Family Harmony."
"Well, what if we don't want to?" Spruce threw his arms up in exasperation, "We've at your beck and call from the very beginning, following your every command. Your every demand, even. And yet, you call us out for supposedly not following your lead. So, who's to blame here?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" John Dory was taken aback.
"Every personal decision you've made for us has going from bad to worse," Spruce crossed his arms in contempt.
"Yeah, dude," Clay agreed with Spruce, "This used to be fun. Now it's all about being perfect."
Hearing and watching pronounce that last particular word with such disdain made John Dory want to say something back, but Spruce interrupted again, this time with a wham line of a statement.
"You know what?" Spruce shot a death glare at his older brother, "I'm done playing the heartthrob. My exquisitely chiselled, rockhard abs and I quit."
Spruce then ripped the purple vest he wore in half, not only exposing his exquisitely chiselled, rockhard abs but also causing Branch and Floyd to gasp in simultaneous horror.
"Yeah, I quit too," Clay narrowed his eyes at John Dory as well before ripping off his Funderdrawers and hurling them into his face as he continued ranting, "And you can keep those. I'm more than just the fun one. I'm in a sad book club. Did you know that? A sad book club. I'm gonna find Trolls who take me seriously."
John Dory should not have been surprised, and yet he was. As he peeled the Funderdrawers off his face, he narrowed his eyes back at him and Spruce before scoffing in scorn.
"Fine. I don't need this," John Dory raised his hands to paint himself as the victim in a moment of weakness, "I'm out. I'm done. I'm sorry."
With that, John Dory packed up whatever belongings he had (which was arguably not a lot) before drawing a grappling hook gun and firing it outside the nearest window.
"I'm gonna go hike the Neverglade Trail by myself," John Dory chuckled in denial over his hasty decision before facing his (fixing-to-be former) brothers one last time, "Brolone. Yeah, that's right. Brobro going solo! YOLO! Goodbye forever!"
As John Dory repelled down and hit more than a few tree branches along the way, Branch and Floyd looked on in dread, Spruce looked on in complete contempt, and Clay looked on in nonchalant disbelief before hanging and shaking his head.
"Fine," Clay sighed, not bothering to remove his boy band vest as he left their pod, "I'm out of here."
"Later, losers...!" John Dory just had to get the last word in.
"Same here..." Spruce solemnly stated as Floyd tried to prevent them from leaving.
"Guys, please. Come on."
"It's my fault."
Floyd then turned to face his baby brother...his only brother now...who stared at the empty doorway of their Pod in utter heartbreak.
"I ruined everything."
"No, no, Branch..." Floyd placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "This is not your fault. But...we're not in sync. We've gone from boys to men...and now there's only one direction for us to go...the Backstreets."
"But not you, Floyd?" Baby Branch asked with wide, pleading eyes, "You're not leaving too?"
"Not forever. I'll be back. I promise. But right now, I have to follow my heart. It's telling me..."
To start a solo career, Floyd wanted to say. But as he said in his mind, he began to realize (as if he had not realized it before) how heartless and flimsy of an excuse it was to not stick around and care for his only brother left. That being said, he knew Baby Branch was smarter than he realized, and with a little help from their grandma, he could take care of himself properly and flawlessly.
"...to find our brothers," Floyd stated instead as he chose his next words carefully, "John Dory is right: the Perfect Family Harmony is essential, but not in the way he thinks."
"You mean..." Baby Branch tilted his head before gasping in excitement, "There's more than one way to create the Perfect Family Harmony?"
"I believe so," Floyd smiled, "With that, I'm going to find them and convince them to come back...because it has to be us. Together."
"Do you have to go by yourself?" Baby Branch asked sadly then, "I can go with you. I can help you!"
"Oh, Branch..." Floyd kneeled down to his level, "You are going to help me, but you have to stay in the Troll Tree where it's safe and sound."
"But what am I going to do?" Branch asked again.
"Branch..." Floyd smiled once again, "You are gonna do the most important thing of all. You're gonna…"
Floyd's mind almost immediately drew a blank. Trying to figure out a valid reason to remain in the safety of the Troll Tree proved more difficult than he had previously realized. Until it was not.
"...take care of Grandma," Floyd gestured to their Grandma Rosiepuff, who sat by a nearby table and shifting a deck of cards with such skill and expertise.
"Oh, come on, Branch," Grandma Rosiepuff beckoned him over in a sweet and saccachrine manner, "Let's play some rummy. But I won't let you win..."
Suddenly, her demeanor performed an 180 as she "jokingly" glared at her grandson in a competitive manner this time,
"...because I play for the money."
Baby Branch was taken aback and glancing back at his equally terrified older brother, who could only muster a nervous grin. He could vividly remember the first time he won rummy against his grandmother. It would also be his last.
"You might have to let her win. Occasionally," Floyd winked knowingly at Baby Branch, who nodded in acknowledgement, "In the meantime, when you do miss me, you can wear this."
Floyd slipped off the green leafy vest he had been wearing during the argument between his brothers and draped it over Baby Branch's shoulders.
"It'll be like I'm right here with you until I come back."
"And when you do come back..." Baby Branch pulled out a folded piece of paper, "We'll make our hideout."
"Definitely," Floyd nodded in agreement as he took the paper and unfolded it. His eyes widening in genuine surprise and admiration, the contents were that of a highly colorful and highly detailed layout of the hideout in question. Corresponding to certain colors of the boy band, three brothers were on one side and two brothers were on the other side.
"Wow!" Floyd laughed, "Is that a ten-story water slide?"
"Yeah," Baby Branch giggled, "That's how we shower."
"Well, we better keep this in a safe place," Floyd folded the paper back up and tucked it in a safe place in the vest. Outstretching his arms for his baby brother to partake in one last hug, Baby Branch took the opportunity and embraced Floyd, the both of them close to eliciting somber tears.
Despite wanting to make the moment last a little longer, Floyd sadly had to pull away from Baby Branch so he could gather his belongings.
"I'll find our brothers one day," Floyd vowed, "And when that day comes..we'll achieve the Perfect Family Harmony. Together..."
Floyd spared one final glance at Baby Branch, who smiled solemnly as he watched his older brother take the final steps to leave home.
"I'll see you soon, Baby Branch..." Floyd smiled, "I promise..."
With that, Floyd exited the doorway as Baby Branch rushed forward and watched his older brother leave for the outskirts of the Troll Tree, wanting to capture the memory of his soon-to-be lost brother.
"Bye..." Baby Branch whispered as he held his sad smile, "See you later..."
For those who know the tale, later could not have come sooner...
Watching the rise and downfall of BroZone undoubtedly made Poppy feel significantly more somber, though thankfully not to the close of drawing tears. This heartbreaking instigator leading to the events of her major adventures going forward was migitated by the fact that a heartwarming reunion was now in the cards, but she knew also the trials and tribulations it would take to get to that happy ending. In addition, considering that her older sister was meant to appear during the events of the forthcoming story, her early-bird appearance was a central curveball thrown in the gears.
Viva's early leave of absence was also painful for her and her father to bear, but it was nonetheless an understandable event prompted by her need to return to her people, who were survivors above all else. A community had built and established through her leadership, and the people who had built and established that community would not only ask questions about her prolonged disappearance, but panic if it turned out that she would never return. However, they knew that questions would be asked regardless, especially when their leader would return with the news of the events she partook in. Namely, the very idea of the villainous Bergens seeing the errors of their ways and making efforts to atone was utterly unfathomable to them, and as such, a progression of persuasion was much needed to help process the astonishing account to them.
Sighing solemnly, Poppy placed the globe back in its place on the holographic map and hung her head.
"It's not your fault, my dear."
A moment later, her mother approached and stood by her side, placing a gentle hand of comfort on her shoulder.
"I know, Mom. But...if I had known beforehand...none of this would've happened."
"There was nothing you could've done at the time. But if it hadn't happened...then Branch wouldn't have met you under those particular circumstances or the rest of his friends afterwards. Our past helps us define who we are while our present helps us choose who we become. We can't always change the past...but we can change the present if necessary and crave out a better future."
Poppy gave her mother's words a thought before conceding that her reasoning had raised a few valid points.
"I see. Thank you, Mom."
"Anytime, my dear Poppy."
Peony smiled and planted a kiss on Poppy's forehead, prompting the Pop Queen to giggle and hug her mother's side.
"Just curious, though. Has anyone tried to change the past, the present...or even the future?"
"Not exactly, but...one man has devoted himself to protecting the status quo of his Multiverse...in his own extreme manner through a similar mean. But that's another story for another time."
"Aww!"
Peony patted Poppy's shoulder and gestured to the holographic map.
"Don't worry, I won't forget that particular story. Right now...it would seem that we have a New Arrival."
. . .
BEEP-BEEP!
. . .
Poppy and Peony exchanged glances with each other before walking over to the map and tapping the blinking spot. A mini-screen displayed the image of a small―
"PUPPY!"
As her daughter gushed over the ridiculously cute critter, the former Pop Queen shook her head in amusement and tapped the image of the puppy. In a minute or two, details about her (judging by the feminine appearance) were listed beside her as she started to stir.
"Her name is Skye," Peony described, "She's a Cockapoo, she's around 7 years of age, she hails from Earth-081213, and her speciality is air rescue."
"Air rescue?" Poppy blinked, having recovered from the cuteness proximity.
"She's a member of the PAW Patrol, an emergency service unit comprised of..."
Peony knitted her eyebrows together.
"Young puppies?"
Poppy read the information list more attentively.
"So...A group of young puppies who act as an emergency service team in their home universe?"
She then gushed again.
"That's so adorable! And quite impressive, when you think about it."
"Well, you better retrieve her so you can process the news to her," Peony gestured.
"But what do I say?" Poppy frowned now, "If she's a kid, then I can't just tell her that she's dead, right?"
"That's because she's not actually dead," Peony smiled in reassurance, "She's having an out-of-body experience that allowed her access to the Space Between."
"Like me?"
"Oh, no," Peony grimaced, "You actually died that day, and it was only through my intervention that you were able to survive and live another day."
"I meant, right now?" Poppy cringed as she clarified, "Is THIS an out-of-body experience?"
Peony blinked as a smile of embarrassment was plastered on her face, "Oh! Oh, yes! THIS is an out-of-body experience for you! Sorry about that!"
"No worries!" Poppy laughed awkwardly, "I should've clarified that part!"
Mother and daughter shared more awkward laughter.
"So...I should get her, right?"
"Yes, you should."
Poppy and Peony exchanged nods before the former transported away, the latter looking on. As she smiled and shook her head before turning to survey the map again, Queen Angella approached and stood across from her. The other side of the map masked her face.
"You were going to tell Poppy about him?"
"She has to know...one way or another. As a dear friend, you shouldn't stop me from revealing the truth."
"I couldn't even do so because of our friendship. But as your dear friend...have you considered how your daughter will take the news?"
"I have. She will either take them well or poorly...or perhaps even in-between. Poppy is growing as not just as a Queen, but as a Troll. She knows now that the world she lives in―much like the others she has observed―do not follow the rules of black and white anymore. People depicted as the darkness are capable of seeing the light, and people labeled as the light...are capable of falling victim to the darkness."
A solemn silence followed, with Peony and Angella in a momentary standstill before the latter spoke to the former.
"So Poppy has a darkness in her just as much as a light."
"Yes, Angella. Poppy is capable of great things should she find the balance..."
. . .
. . .
. . .
"The perfect harmony..."
["Where You Come From" ― Diamond White & Shameik Moore]
In the heart of the city, a young Funk Troll by the name of Lunella Lafayette woke up and started the day with a much-needed musical number. Getting cleaned up, slipping on her usual outfit, and finally trying on her roller skates, she burst out of her apartment and skated towards the central park, passing by the passengers of her everyday ride.
[Diamond White]
It's a good day to be great!
I'm lacing up my roller skates
As she slid down the streets, she passed by Ruby Gillman, who in the midst of her finishing hours spotted her skating by. Lunella beckoned her on and prompted her to give chase.
To hit the pavement once again
My neighborhood really is the best
Then, she skated forward to find Mirabel, Bruno, and Camilo manning a food truck while Alberto passed out plates of pasta.
Hey-hey-hey, how do you do?
It is so good to see you!
"Que pasa!" Mirabel called out.
"Ciao bella!" Alberto greeted.
"Hey, Lunella!" Bruno and Camilo waved.
"What up, fellas?" Lunella greeted and waved back as she beckoned them along for the ride. Briefly exchanging glances with each other, Alberto merely shot inside the food truck that Mirabel, Bruno, and Camilo drove and pursued Lunella in. This in turn prompted many of their hungry, awaiting customers to give chase as well.
Everybody know each other's names
Everybody round here family
Come for them, you coming for me
Lunella shook her head and laughed in amusement as she continued her way to the park, where many a Troll of different size, shape, age, and tribe congregated and interacted in such a friendly manner. From atop one of the many built-in platforms, she spotted her older brother's group performing the background music and then a stairway. With a determined smile, she leapt up and slid down the railing before skating forward to the platform.
When the light is inside you
No one can turn it off
Maybe your superpowers
Find you when you're lost
It must be in the water
Cause we all got that sauce
Don't you ever forget
Where you come from
When she was close enough, Lunella launched herself and stuck the landing, swerving to a stop beside Miles, whom she tossed the microphone to.
[Shameik Moore]
It ain't you at, it's where you come from
Wander but come home
The seed, the soil, and the root
Made the flower that is you
The water, the honor, the reverie dripping in pride
The melanin black and gold is glowing where I reside
As Miles ruffled his younger sister's hair mid-rap, Lunella batted him away with a laugh and joined him in his rap.
[Diamond White & Shameik Moore]
If you feeling good, drop a pin
Twilight riffed her guitar...
Wanna know where you at, where you is?
Followed by Sunset...
If you in your neighborhood, shine your light
And then Flash...
So the ancestors see you way up high
...just as Ruby tossed a pair of confetti bombs into the air and opened fire on them with her laser vision. It caused them to explode and rain upon the crowd, who cheered in absolute delight.
[Shameik Moore]
Everything you need is inside of you
But I've got your back when you need me to
Miles then took Ruby's hand in a gentle, affectionate manner and twirled her slowly. Ruby then leaned into Miles, the dance ending with her melting in his embrace.
We'll be rolling till the end of time
Just keep your light on, never hide your pride
Lunella then skated back into the picture and towards center stage.
[Diamond White]
Everybody knows each others' names (yeah)
Everybody round here family
Come for them, you coming for me (yeahh)
Exchanging acknowledging smiles and nods with her new friends, the Funk Troll then led them toward the finale.
Everybody knows each others' names
Everybody round here family
Come for them, you coming for me (you're coming for me, yeahhh)
Eventually, Queen Poppy and Skye made it to the heart of the kingdom, where the former's new friends were performing. They made their way to the front through outside the crowd, where Queen Peony and the rest of the council awaited as they watched the performance from their desired spots.
[Diamond White & Shameik Moore]
When that light is inside you
No one can turn it off
Baby, your superpowers
Find you when you lost
You must be in the water
Cause we all got the sauce
Don't you ever forget
Where you come from
As Skye watched and cheered for the group, Poppy's eyes met her mother's, the both of them exchanging acknowledging smiles and nods.
When that light is inside you
(No one can turn it off)
They both knew that this was not the end.
Baby, your superpowers
Find it when you lost
Instead, it was only the beginning.
You must be in the water
Cause we all got the sauce
The beginning...of a brand new day...
Don't you ever forget
Where you come from...
As the song ended, the crowd cheered and continued to party and interact with their peers while Miles and Lunella continued to man the DJ booth. Poppy manuevered her way to her mother while holding on to Skye, who looked on in awe and wonder as the Trolls began to gush much like the Pop Queen before.
"Mom, Mom!" Poppy set down Skye before she huffed and puffed, "I present to you, Lady Skye! Skye, meet my mother, Queen Peony!"
"It's a honor to meet you in person, Queen Peony," Skye bowed in respect.
"The honor is all mine, Lady Skye," Peony smiled in merriment as she obliged with a bow of her own, "I take it my daughter has brought you up to speed?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Skye smiled back, "And I'm excited to train alongside your daughter!"
As if to prove her point, the seven-year-old Cockapoo began bouncing up and down before performing a series of backflips, much to the confusion and amusement of Poppy, Queen Peony, and the rest of the council.
"I forgot to mention the backflips," Peony smiled and shrugged.
"Aw! It's a puppy!"
On the last backflip, Skye was caught by a now equally excited Sofia, who playfully rubbed her belly and prompted delighted giggles from the puppy. Approaching from behind her were Raya, Mirabel, Alberto, Mei, and Mr. Wolf, the latter of whom noticing the small animal in the Princess's arms.
"Always the dog?" Mr. Wolf smirked.
"Always the dog," Mei smiled, "That's me with kittens."
"I can relate."
"Guys, this is Skye," Poppy introduced her, "She's going to be training with us for the meantime until we can find a way for her to go home."
"And she likes backflips, right?" Mirabel crossed her arms with a grin, "Because I think she's already established that."
"Sorry," Skye smiled back sheepishly, "I have a tendency to do that whenever I'm especially excited."
"Really? We couldn't tell," Alberto joked.
"So, Poppy..." Mirabel shook her head, "When's the royal wedding? I wanna make sure my family is prepared for the trip ahead."
"A royal wedding?" Skye gasped, "You're getting married, Queen Poppy?"
"Oh, no!" Poppy blushed and waved her hand, "Of course not! That comes later, though! Two of my friends are, though! The King and Queen of Bergen Town may look scary and intimidating on the outside, but they are actually kind and warm on the inside."
"Well, I can't wait to meet them!" Skye nodded.
"I'm glad you are," Poppy smiled, "because you along with the rest of my friends―as my royal council―are also the King and Queen's guests of honor! You know, in case it wasn't established already."
"It already was, Popsqueak," Sunset approached with Twilight and Sunset, "Although, I may have to make sure that my dear girlfriend won't contract a case of PTSD."
Poppy frowned and turned to Twilight, "Why? What's wrong?"
"Well..." Twilight nervously scratched the back of her head and giggled, "The last time I was at a wedding...well, I won't go into detail, but that's how Sunset, Flash, and I arrived in the Space Between."
"Nothing will happen at this wedding, Twi," Flash planted a kiss on her forehead before turning to Poppy, "Nothing will happen at this wedding, right?"
"Of course!" Poppy nodded with reassurance, "Not with the proper precautions and security measures! Sunset, Raya. You two with Miles and Ruby got that covered, right?"
"No promises," Sunset admitted, "But if a fight breaks out...I'm there."
"That's all that needed?" Mei shot her an acknowledging frown.
"Oh, boy..." Mirabel rolled her eyes.
"Oh, joy..." Mr. Wolf chuckled, "So when's the big day...or night, depending on your preference?"
"Either one is fine," Poppy waved again, "It should be in a few days from now. The Battle of Folk Rock was about two months ago, so it should've been enough time for Bridget and Gristle to work out the wedding plan."
She then glanced over to Mirabel, who was currently pigging out on a pair of pizza pies.
"Did you already contact your family ahead of time, Mirabel?"
"Ooh, I probably should do that," Mirabel winced through a stuffed mouth before activating her wristwatch, "It's about time I see my family again."
"Didn't you already do that when you first went back to your universe?" Alberto tilted her head with Mei.
"I chickened out for the most part," Mirabel admitted, "Although, my family is doing well for the most part the first and last time I checked up on them."
"Have you been in contact with them since?" Mei asked afterwards.
"Only my Abuela and my Toñito know about me," Mirabel continued, "And yes, I've been contacting them almost every other day. The other times, I just let them know when I'm on a mission...or something like that."
Eventually, her wristwatch created a portal that appeared behind her.
"Well, I hope that your family will get the chance to attend the wedding!" Poppy smiled and waved goodbye at her friend.
"Me too!" Mirabel smiled and waved back, "Save me a pair of pulled pork sandwiches, BTDubs!"
"No promises!"
Poppy and Mirabel exchanged hearty laughter as the latter shook her head at the former before stepping inside the portal and teleporting away.
"I'm sorry..." Miles approached with Ruby and Lunella in tow, "Did Mirabel seriously say "BTDubs" like it was nobody's business?"
"Yeah, never again," Sunset smiled and cringed as she shook her head, "Never again."
"I gotta give her credit," Lunella took a bite out of one of Mirabel's pizza pies, "She's trying."
"Apparently not enough..." Flash shook his own head before Twilight elbowed him and turned to face Poppy.
"Should we do the same as well? Get into contact with our families and loved ones?"
"That's your choice, Twilight," Poppy replied, "I'm not forcing you to invite someone and reopen old wounds."
"I can give my friends a call," Mei suggested, "I've been in contact with them for the past two months, and my mom's more trusting towards me...which is honestly saying a lot."
"But Mei-Mei, most parents don't tend to place enough trust in their children at a certain age," Raya frowned.
"Well, you haven't met my mom."
"You told me never to meet her prior to you introducing me to her," Alberto smiled at his girlfriend, "Said something about reminding her too much of a friend of yours...?"
"It's true, though."
"Call them up and try, anyway!" Twilight placed a hand on Mei's shoulder, "If they don't accept the invitation, then you shouldn't hold it against them. Believe me...I learned that the hard way."
"How exactly?" Mr. Wolf knitted his eyebrows together.
"That's another story for another time," Poppy shot Twilight a knowing look, which the Princess appreciated, "Right now, we have a wedding to prepare for!"
Joined by Peony and the rest of her council, the expanded group of friends cheered and exchanged excited chatter as they went back to the concert. Truth be told, Poppy was entirely unsure on whether or not if inviting her newfound friends and their loved ones to the wedding was a great (let alone good) choice to make. Even taking into account the amount of required hands actually needed and the inevitable culture shock, she was still determined to strengthen the bond between the different dimensions her friends hailed from. She needed to be cautious, though, when choosing the right person or people to confide and place their trust in when performing that particular task.
Until then...
Poppy would choose to live in the moment...
It's some kind of love, it's some kind of fire
I'm already up, but you lift me higher...
Floyd smiled and hummed a bittersweet symphony at the memory. He would never forget the day his band broke up and his brothers fell down...a hole of despair.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, it was quite remarkable that such a tiny mishap could lead to a large disaster. He vividly recalled the fateful night where emotions were running high and sensibleness was running low. According to his eldest brother, they were supposed to "make Boy Band history" that night if not for the concert's various other faults.
Floyd hated to single out the specific people, but there was no denying the fact that the eldest of his brothers in question was...a bit of a glory hound. He had an insatiable hunger for fame, fortune, and most importantly, attention. His eldest brother was a slave to his own perfectionist methods that it ran contrary to that of his brothers and the other Trolls around him. There were a few "inspired moments" of brilliance, but they were also few and far between.
In the end, it was his own hubris that led to their own undoing.
Gazing at the family photo, Floyd sighed in melancholy as he set it down on the nightstand and continued to get the pot boiling. Lifting up the cover and taking a whiff of the very nearly completed macaroni and cheese, he nodded in satisfaction before taking a jar of hazelnut chocolate spread and digging out a spoonful to eat while he worked. While he did, he rummaged in the fridge for a bottle of ketchup.
Floyd suddenly chuckled at the memory. He recalled Clay squirting a whole bottle of ketchup into the large bowl of macaroni and cheese, resulting in nearly everyone getting figurative and literal emotion sickness. As one could tell, he did not fall into that category. Much to his (and everybody else's) surprise, he actually enjoyed the unlikely combination of two different tastes. Much to his detriment, however, it became a running gag within the brotherly group that whenever macaroni and cheese was made, a mega bottle of ketchup was a prerequisite.
He took pride in the fact that Branch at least tolerated it.
Branch...
His train of thought now traveling to the station where his youngest brother was, he remembered meeting Branch when he was a literal little baby. Cradling him in his arms as he rocked him back and forth, Floyd recognized that moment as the one where he needed to set an example for him to follow if his brothers failed to consider it. He was always known as the shy and timid one of the bunch, so it could not hurt to step out of his shell once in a while, right?
Aside from his aforementioned reputation, Floyd also served as the heart of the group—the person that kept them together, the glue that stuck them together, the string that tied their world together. Heck, he even provided Branch some well-meaning advice regarding his pre-show jitters. When he and his brothers were together, there was nothing they could do.
My, my my...
. . .
How the times have changed...
. . .
What wouldn't I give to relive the old days...
. . .
KNOCK-KNOCK!
Before he could dig in, Floyd looked up from his entrée at the sound of his door being rapped upon. As it was in the middle of the night, confusion understandably settled in. He rarely had visitors at daytime, let alone nighttime.
Who would pay a visit to me either way?
A now cautious Floyd armed himself with a kitchen knife he took off the rack as he approached the front door. Deeply inhaling as he gently grabbed the doorknob, he slowly exhaled as he quickly turned it and pulled the door open.
He was not exactly sure what he had happened next.
All he knew was that he came face to face with quite possibly the most...
Tall?
. . .
Shiny?
. . .
No...
. . .
Handsome...
...thing he had ever seen.
The...thing before him resembled a doll...if that doll had a silver or matt chromic complexion. His short green hair had a long quiff and resembled smooth plastic while his cobalt blue eyes stood out from the night sky behind him. His outfit of choice was a bronze metallic top with shoulder pads and matching shorts, while his accessories included a golden earring on his right ear, dark blue chromic bracelets, and a matching necklace with boots.
"Hey there, cutie..." The male doll spoke in a silky, almost sultry voice as he leaned down to his level.
So lost in said silky, sultry voice Floyd was that he almost missed the photo of him and his brothers being held up to his face.
. . .
Wait...what?
. . .
"You're him? The pink-haired one?"
It was then that Floyd hesitated to answer, the realization that this male doll was strange and suspicious finally registering to him.
"I am..."
"Just making sure," The male doll stood back up and flashed a toothy smile as his arms stretched out to grab him.
While Floyd was denied the chance to scream, he was not denied the chance to fight back.
"Dear John Dory, I'm being held against my will by superstars Velvet and Veneer. Come to Mount Rageous at once and bring our brothers. Love, Floyd..."
Reading the letter before him, John Dory felt his heart stop and his breath hitch.
How could this happen?
. . .
How could they do this?
. . .
How could...I do this?
The last time he saw his third younger brother, he was having an argument with the second and third while the youngest...
Branch...
He never admitted it in public or even to the rest of his brothers (including the one in question), but he had grown fond of him during the few times they did spend time together. The first time he actually held his youngest brother in his arms when he was born was...a strange and surreal experience, to say the least. Sure, he already had his hands full taking care of three younger brothers, even with the help of Grandma Rosiepuff. But when it came to Branch, it was rather...comforting? Second only to Floyd, Branch was the brother he did not argue with, was not exasperated with, or hold a grudge against. Of course, he was the youngest at the time, meaning he looked up to the rest of his older brothers and he (the self-proclaimed "leader" of the five) had to set an example for the four to follow.
Another thing he would never admit?
John Dory was stubborn, but he was not stupid. Not completely. He saw how close Branch and Floyd were in their younger days, setting a stage for their perceived present-day relationship. So close were they that Floyd would stand up for him and actually yell in his face to leave him alone whenever Branch did something wrong. Yet another thing he would never admit, he was genuinely frightened what his third younger brother could and would do should he make Bitty B cry again. Their relationship was far closer than that with the rest of his brothers.
With that in mind, John Dory glanced at the letter again and realized something. Taking a much closer look at the handwriting, it seemed too...feminine, even for Floyd.
Could it be...a trap?
. . .
Maybe...
. . .
But I have to know for sure.
. . .
I have to try and find him.
Glancing all over the place, John Dory rummaged for whatever weapons he could inside Rhonda, his mode of transportation who growled in her sleep. Managing to find among other things a baseball bat, a frying pan, and the kitchen knife the note had came along with, he gathered them all and stuffed them all inside a backpack before starting Rhonda up. With a deep breath, he set a course for Mount Rageous and drove off into the night, determination worn on his sleeve and flashing in his eyes.
"Hang on, Floyd. I'm coming for you..."