"Who's excited to kick off Creek Week?" Poppy asked a group of Trolls in a clearing. "A full week of exercising our minds and bodies." Poppy smiled at the eager responses. " Now, I know Creek would usually lead Creek Week, but he can't be here for obvious reasons."

"He betrayed us!" Branch said, standing on a rock with anti-Creek signs and a t-shirt with the same picture as the signs. "We were all thinking it."

Willow raised her hand from the yoga mat she was sitting on. "Speaking of, why are we still calling it Creek Week?" She accepted the t-shirt Branch tossed her way and slipped it on over what she was wearing.

"Because the name was already established ," Poppy answered. "And we couldn't think of another one." She pulled the anti-Creek banner and crumpled it up. "And yeah, Creek did betray us, but hey, we have a great substitute instructor to replace him." She gestured for Cooper to appear with a yoga mat. "Whoo-hoo!"

"Everyone join me in a Downward Cooper," Cooper said getting into a yoga position. The group watched as Cooper moved his neck around his legs and body.

Willow grimaced and stood up. "Yeah, I'm not doing this."

Branch looked at Poppy. "If you ask me, we should cancel Creek Week altogether. Or at the very least, rename it."

"That's what I'm saying," Willow said, crossing her arms.

"What would you rename it to?" Poppy asked.

"How about Troll Who Sold Us Out by Trying to Feed Us to Bergens Just to Save His Own Skin Week?" Branch suggested.

Willow rolled her eyes. "That's too long," she said. "How about Traitor Week?"

Branch nodded approvingly. "That could work."

"Look," Poppy said to the two. "I'm furious over what Creek did, too. And sure, sometimes the mere thought of him sends me into a blind rage and makes me so mad I want to grab him by the hair and..." she screamed in frustration. She sighed and smiled. "But still, he was a great yoga teacher."

"True," a voice said. Willow startled at the sound and turned to where the voice was coming from. Creek was back. He was a mess, but he was smiling. "And I still could be."

Willow ignored the screams from the Trolls behind her as she ran up to the traitor and punched him in the face. "What are you doing here?" She asked, grabbing Creek by his vest. "You're not welcome in the village."

Poppy crossed her arms and stood by Willow. "Yeah, tell us what you're doing here, traitor."

"'Traitor.' Yes, I deserve that," Creek admitted from where Willow was holding him. "But the truth is Poppy, I came back here today because I'm lonely." The Trolls behind Willow paused in confusion. "I'd do anything to take back what I did when I handed you over to the Bergens and sacrifice myself for you instead. I've returned to tell you all that I'm very sorry."

Branch scoffed. "Please. You think we're just going to forgive you?"

"We forgive you!" The Snack Pack shouted from behind Branch. They ran up to hug Creek before stopping as Willow still hadn't let him go. She growled in warning so the Trolls would back away.

Poppy sighed, defeated. "Let him go, Willow."

Willow looked at her friend, incredulous. "Poppy! You know what he did." She glared at Creek. "He betrayed everyone! I remember the look on his face when he did it. He wasn't sorry then , why should we believe he's sorry now?"

"We almost died because of him," Branch agreed. "And you're gonna let him back just because he said 'I'm sorry'?"

"No," Cooper denied. "He said he was 'very sorry'."

Poppy put her hand on Willow's shoulder. "The village has decided. We have to forgive him, Willow. Please put him down."

Willow groaned, annoyed. "Fine." She tossed him to the side where the Snack Pack surrounded him. "You all can forgive him, but count me out." She glared at Creek. "Keep him away from me."

"Let's welcome you back the Troll way," Guy Diamond said, helping Creek up. "With a makeover."

Willow watched unimpressed with Poppy and Branch behind a rock while the makeover happened. She was going to leave, but Branch stopped her.

What a manipulative jerk," he said looking at Poppy. "We got to get rid of him."

"We can't," Poppy said. "We've already forgiven him."

"Don't tell me you buy that whole," Branch started to imitate Creek. "Oh, I wish I could sacrifice myself for all of you?"

Willow nodded. "It's easy to say he would do that now that we're not all in danger."

"Of course not," Poppy denied. "But I'm queen, Branch. I have to set an example for everyone and try my best to live in Harmony." She finished in song while the critters harmonized with her.

Willow rolled her eyes as Branch shooed the critters away. "Well, that's fine for you, Poppy. But you can't expect all of us to be okay with him being back."

Poppy shrugged. "You didn't like him before all of this, so I'm not surprised you don't like him." She looked at her friend, pleadingly. "Just don't bring up the betrayal again. As far as the village is concerned, it's water under the bridge."

Willow crossed her arms. "Fine. I'll leave him alone about the betrayal. But he seriously needs to avoid me." She waved at her brother. "I'll see you at home, bro." Branch waved at her as she walked away.

Willow grumbled as she walked to the bunker. "Stupid Creek, ruining my day. Why did he have to come back at all." She sighed. "Maybe some baking will cheer me up." She put on an apron and started gathering ingredients. After the ingredients were gathered , she began singing softly to herself.

(Willow)

All you have to do is take a cup of flour

Add it to the mix

Now take a little something sweet, not sour

A bit of salt, just a pinch

Willow smiled as she set cupcakes into the oven before mixing more batter and making frosting. When the cupcakes were done , she pulled them out with her hair and placed more in the oven.

Baking these treats is such a cinch

Add a teaspoon of vanilla

Add a little more, and you count to four,

And you never get your fill of ...

Branch walked into the kitchen to see Willow frosting cupcakes while putting more in the oven. He watched, concerned as the pile of cupcakes grew larger on the table.

Cupcakes! So sweet and tasty

Cupcakes! Don't be too hasty

Cupcakes! Cupcakes, cupcakes, CUPCAKES!

Willow looked up to see Branch and grinned. "Hey, Bro!" She tilted her head at the slightly scared look on her brother's face. "What's going on?"

Branch gestured to the towers of cupcakes. "How long have you been in here?"

"I've been here since I left you and Poppy," Willow said, placing more cupcakes on the counter. "I've been stress baking."

Branch nodded. "I can see that. Are you better now?" He asked, concerned.

"I am," Willow smiled. She looked at the towers. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all the cupcakes though ." She looked at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd check on you before I go back to proving Creek hasn't changed," Branch grabbed a strawberry cupcake and took a bite. "That, and eat some lunch." He chuckled. "I'm guessing cupcakes for lunch?" At Willow's blushing face, he grinned. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find something to do with these."

Branch looked at the cupcakes thoughtfully. "Actually, could I have a basket of these? I have a plan."

Willow shrugged and nodded. "Sure." She filled a cupcake basket and handed it to her brother before filling another one. "I'll be around the village giving these out to some of the Trolls. That should get rid of most of these."

The two siblings went up the platform together and went their separate ways in the village. She spent the majority of the day with her friends, avoiding Creek, and handing out cupcakes. It was a good day overall. At least, it was until she heard her brother screaming.

Willow ran to where he was calling for help. When she got to the river, Branch was standing on a rock, cheering. She tilted her head. "Branch? What's going on?"

Branch jumped to the side of the river where Creek was standing. "That's right, Creek," Branch said, crossing his arms, ignoring Willow. "I staged that fall, because I knew you couldn't be trusted, and now they know it, too."

Willow scoffed at the declaration and looked at her brother, eyebrow raised. "Sorry, bro. But all you've shown is that he's a coward. And everyone knew that already." She gestured to her friends behind Branch.

Creek apologized to the group and walked away. Poppy scowled and looked at Branch. "I can't believe you pretended to be in danger just to trick Creek."

"I did it to expose him," Branch corrected.

Poppy groaned, annoyed. "Branch, we already knew Creek had weaknesses , and we were trying to accept him anyway. The only person you exposed here is yourself."

Branch sighed and looked at the group. "Okay. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize to us," Poppy shook her head. "Apologize to Creek. He could have gotten hurt. When he forgives you, we'll forgive you."

"You want me to apologize to him?" Branch asked, incredulous. "You can't be serious! Guys." The Snack Pack turned around and walked away with Poppy. He looked at Willow who was amused at the whole thing. "Can you believe this? She's going to make me apologize to Creek."

Willow shrugged. "You should have just avoided him like I've been doing," she told him. "And you don't have to apologize to him." She turned around to walk away. "You'll just have to accept that Poppy will never forgive you or talk to you if you don't."

Branch sighed. "Fine, I'll go apologize to the traitor." He started following his sister. "Will you come with me?" He watched her clench her fists. "I know you hate him. You hated him even before he betrayed us. But I could use my sister's support."

Willow sighed. "You just have to play the sibling card, don't you ?" She rolled her eyes at her brother's smile. "Fine. I'll go with you . As long as I don't have to look at him, or talk to him. And he can't be alone with me for any reason."

Branch sighed in relief. "Deal." The Duo walked in the direction they saw Creek leave until they found him by his pod raking in the dirt. "Creek," Branch greeted him.

"Shh," Creek said, sticking a hand in the air. "I'm raking."

"Of course you are," Branch said walking closer. "Any idea when you'll be done ?" Creek didn't answer and continued with his raking. Branch sighed. "Look, I know you're probably mad."

"Why would I be mad?" Creek asked, looking at the river. "I finally got back in with my friends after months, and now they think I'm a coward because of you!" Creek broke his rake. "And I'm at peace with that."

Willow snorted when she saw the picture Creek had raked into the sand. It was Branch with a giant 'X' across his face. Yeah, he was definitely at peace. Branch sighed. "I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"

"I'd love to forgive you," Creek smiled. Willow frowned. It couldn't be that easy.

"Good," Branch grinned. " Now let's head back so you can tell everyone."

"Unfortunately, I can't forgive you." Willow rolled her eyes. Called it. "Because I can see that you're still angry with me."

"What do you mean?" Branch asked, gritting his teeth. "I'm not angry." He growled when Creek slapped him with his hair.

"See," Creek pointed. "Anger." Branch pointed out it was because he slapped him, which Creek Asked if he did and slapped him again.

Willow growled and was ready to punch Creek again when Branch stuck his hand out for her to wait. He took a deep breath and faced Creek. "Okay. Is there a way I can prove I'm not angry with you?"

"Oh yes," Creek nodded. "You just have to apologize to me in front of the whole village, singing in A-sharp, extolling my many, many virtues." He pulled out a sheet of music and handed it to Branch. "I took the liberty of writing down the lyrics."

"What?" Branch looked at the lyrics, disgusted. He crumpled up the paper. "I'd rather have the Trolls be angry at me forever than sing this."

Creek grinned, smug. "Your choice."

"Fine!" Branch threw his hands up in the air. "Then I choose to be alone. My sister will be my only company." He scowled. "That's how it was before, anyway." He grabbed his sister's arm and pulled her along back to the bunker.

When the two were on the platform, Branch groaned. "I don't need the Troll s," He crossed his arms as the platform went down. Willow watched, amused as he talked to himself. " Also, I'm glad to be talking to myself again. I make some really good points." He looked at his sister; she was annoyed at the wording. "Leave me alone , you were at the village a lot."

Willow shrugged. "Fair enough." The platform reached the end of the living quarters. Willow walked into the kitchen to grab a cupcake while Branch went and talked to his remote control, Gary.

It wasn't long before Branch entered the kitchen. "Alright, let's go so I can apologize to Creek."

Willow raised an eyebrow behind the cupcake she was eating. "It hasn't even been an hour," she said, amused. "Start missing our friends already?"

Branch scowled. "Shut up. I just know you'll avoid your friends too if they avoid me." Willow shrugged. He wasn't wrong. "And yeah, I don't want to end up living alone down here." Willow nodded as they gathered the Snack Pack and Creek.

"Well," Branch said, opening the sheet music when Willow sat down as far away from Creek while still being in the group. "After a lot of thought, I've decided I owe Creek a big apology. Here goes." He blew a harmonica.

(Branch)

Would you forgive me for

Everything I've done?

I didn't mean it

I should've seen that

I was hurting someone

You shine bright like the sun in the sky

On a beautiful day

You're enlightened but humble

And handsome and so very bra-a-ave

"That was lovely," Creek said. "But was that the entirety of your song, Branch?" Branch looked over the paper and groaned, annoyed.

I'm so sorry

Show me mercy

Oh, enlightened one

Oh, won't you forgive me?

Willow rolled her eyes as Creek forgave Branch even if it wasn't in A-sharp like he wanted. The rest of the Snack Pack joined with Creek and cheered at his choice to forgive Branch. "Well, that was nauseating," she said, standing up when Poppy joined Branch. She looked at her brother. "I've been by Creek too long. I'll see you at home, okay?" Her brother nodded and waved her away.

"Willow, are you saying you still haven't forgiven me?" Creek asked as she walked away.

Willow nodded. "That's what I'm saying," she confirmed. "And I don't have to." She began her walk back to the bunker.

It was three days before Willow had to deal with Creek again. She was relaxing at the river alone when he approached her. She groaned, annoyed when she noticed him. "I thought you would be smart enough to leave me alone," she said, glaring at him over her pair of sunglasses.

"I wanted to talk to you again about forgiving me," Creek said. Willow scoffed and pushed her sunglasses back. "I figured you may be more open to the idea if we did this away from everyone else."

"Away from Branch, you mean," Willow corrected. When it didn't look like Creek was going to be leaving, she sat up and crossed her arms. "Fine," she gestured in front of her. "The floor is yours."

"I screwed up," Creek admitted. "I was so afraid of dying, and I was willing to do whatever it took to stay alive. Even if that meant betraying the whole village."

"You were," Willow nodded. "And you were stupid for thinking that Bergen was going to keep you safe after all the Trolls were captured. I don't care what she told you, you were going to be useless after Trollstice."

"I remember you telling me that," Creek said, rubbing his neck as he remembered being strangled three times that night. He sighed. "I'm sorry I betrayed you and the village. I can't say I won't do it again if I think it would save me, you know as well as I do I'm going to do what I can to save my skin. But I can promise I'll work on being braver and try not to put myself in a position where that's necessary."

Willow nodded and stood up. "I accept your apology," She said cordially. She raised her hand when he was about to hug her. "For the sake of the village, I will forgive you for the betrayal. I already told Poppy I was going to leave it alone. But you and I both know I hated you before you did that." She glared at him. "You have always been cruel to my brother. Making him sing a stupid apology song that sings your praises is just the most recent. And don't pretend you didn't use to call me a monster after that first time you insulted Branch. You made everyone terrified of me for the longest time. Even if you apologize for that, I will not ever forgive you for your part in making my brother the village pariah for the past twenty years."

Willow walked away from Creek. "Seriously, stay away from me and my brother. You've done more than enough."

"You seriously won't forgive me for something that happened years ago?" Creek scoffed, following her. "What kind of Troll are you? Trolls forgive, it's what they do." Willow ignored him as she kept walking. "Are you even a Troll? Maybe you and your brother were isolated for so long you're not even Trolls anymore." He scoffed. "That would make sense since neither one of you was willing to forgive me so quickly."

Willow bristled and turned around. She stormed up to Creek and punched him in the face. "Of course, we didn't forgive you!" She shouted, annoyed. "Why should we? You have been nothing but snide and rude ever since we met. And then you betrayed everyone and suddenly we're supposed to be friends after an apology? That's not how friendship works!" She glared down at him as he stood up, his nose bleeding. "And don't you dare insinuate my brother and I are lesser Trolls because we didn't forgive you. My brother is a better Troll than you'll ever be. If it was him captured, there's no way he would have betrayed the village to save himself."

Willow sighed as she noticed they were drawing a crowd. "At Queen Poppy's request, you have been forgiven for your crimes against the village and are welcome for as long as you shall live." She glared pointedly. "But this is the last time I will say this. Leave me alone. I don't want you talking to me, looking at me, or even being on the same side of a party as me. You will avoid me like the plague." She smirked, vicious. "And if I hear that you made any mean or hurtful comments to or about my brother, I'll end you myself. Is that understood?" Creek gulped and nodded. "Good," Willow smiled cheerfully. "Then we're done here." She walked away, leaving Creek surrounded by the Snack Pack.

"Willow!" Poppy yelled running up to her friend. "What was that about?" she demanded, frowning. "Why did you scare Creek like that?"

"He decided to bother me while I was relaxing to apologize," Willow shrugged. "I was just making sure he knew where we stand with each other." She looked thoughtful. "I'm not sure how he knew where I was though."

"I told him," Poppy admitted. Seeing the startled look on Willow's face, she explained. "I wanted to give him a chance to make things right with you. I figured, if he apologized and explained his side, he'd have a better chance of you forgiving him."

Willow glared at her friend. "I told you and the others to keep him away from me," she was mad. "What? Did you think that was a suggestion? I can't believe you decided to ignore that."

"I was trying to get you to let go of the anger you hold for Creek," Poppy defended. "You can't be upset about that, can you?"

"You crossed a clear and direct boundary, Poppy," Willow sighed and turned away from Poppy, crossing her arms. "Shockingly enough. I can be mad at that. This was not okay, Poppy."

Poppy flinched back at the tone Willow used. She sighed and looked at her friend. "You're right," She said. She reached up and touched her shoulder. "I should have never sent Creek to talk to you. That was not okay, especially after you told us to keep him away from you. I am so sorry I did that and I will never do it again." She smiled when Willow turned around to face her. "I promise, I will never cross a boundary after you make it. You're one of my best friends and I will never hurt you like that again."

Willow sighed and faced her friend again. "I'm still mad at you," she said, warning her. She smiled when Poppy wilted. "I forgive you though. Just give me some time to get over my hurt feelings, okay?"

Poppy grinned. "Really?" She squealed and hugged Willow when the girl nodded. "Alright, I'll give you all the time in the world." she looked at her friend desperate. "Just don't let it be forever, okay?"

Willow laughed and hugged her friend. "Of course." After all, Trolls are very forgiving creatures.

So Willow doesn't forgive Creek. At least not for everything. Did anyone honestly expect her to? Thank you all for reading. I'm not sure how many more episodes I'll be typing before the holiday special.