Willow had left to go watch the party for a little while. She liked to pretend she and Branch were down there having fun with all of her friends. It was difficult, not being able to have all of the fun she could with Poppy. She smiled and leaned forward. The party looked especially fun, just like Poppy had promised it would be.

She was so distracted, she didn't notice her brother standing behind her until he scoffed. She jumped a little and turned around, her face sheepish. "Hey, bro."

"I can't believe she's going through with this party," Branch muttered. "It's such a bad idea." He turned around and started walking away.

"Maybe," Willow allowed, getting up to follow him. "But Poppy is going to have to learn on her own whether it's a bad idea or not. You can't lecture her into listening. Besides," she added with a smile. "At least she's having fun."

Branch paused in his steps. "You know, you can go to the party. If you really want to." He clenched his arms around the bunch of sticks he was carrying. Willow looked at them. So that's why he was out there. "You're plenty old enough to be making that decision for yourself. I won't try to stop you."

Willow considered his face. Even if he was trying to hide it, she could see the fear in his eyes at the thought of her taking him up on the offer and going to the insanely loud and crazy party. She snorted and grabbed the sticks from him. "Please. As if I'd leave you alone to go party with Creek of all people." She grimaced at the thought. "I'd much rather spend time with my big brother." She smiled when he visibly relaxed. "Hey, held out her fist to him. "You and me, right?"

Branch nodded and touched his fist to hers. "Me and you," He agreed. "Now come on. It's getting late and that party is going to last a while."

The duo walked in silence until they entered the bunker. Branch went to sit in his alcove with his hidden cabinet of Poppy invitations while Willow went into her room to take a shower to wash the dirt of the day off.

When she finished, she looked in the mirror and sighed. It was difficult, to stay positive in a world that had been so cruel to her family. Even more so when it felt like the whole village was against her brother for being afraid of something he had every right to be afraid of.

If Willow thought about it for very long, she would admit she was tired. Tired of the stares around the village, tired of the snide comments and remarks from the other Trolls. She was really tired of Creek and his comments about her and Branch's situation. But most of all, and the reason she refused to think about it all, she was tired of staying happy for the sake of her brother. But he needed her around. He needed her to stay the happy troll or he would fall into a hole so deep he'd never see the light of day. So she would push down those thoughts for now. They can wait.

She took a deep breath, held it, and released, the tension leaving her body. "Here comes the sun, do dun do do," she sang softly. "Here comes the sun, and I say. It's alright." She smiled and looked at her reflection. "It'll be alright."

Willow brushed her hair down to the side of her head and put on a night dress. She grabbed one of her books and walked into the living room where she heard Branch talking a level below her. "You all said I was crazy, huh?" He asked. "Well, who's crazy now?" He pointed at himself proudly. "Me. Crazy prepared."

Willow frowned. "Branch?" She asked putting her book down. "What are you doing down there?"

"I was telling Poppy that we'll be able to live down here for a good ten years," Branch grinned, crossing his arms.

Willow rolled her eyes and used her hair to get to the bottom level. "For the hundredth time, I am not drinking our sweat." She grimaced. "It's disgusting. You should dig a spring down here so we'll have fresh water."

"Willow!" Poppy gasped when Willow hopped down. "A Bergen stole our friends!"

Willow froze. "A Bergen found the village?" She asked, paling. "They weren't supposed to do that!" She looked at Poppy. "We were supposed to be safe."

"I know," Poppy said. "But I need Branch's help to go find them."

"And I'm not doing it," Branch asserted. "We'll be safe, here in the bunker."

"I'm sorry," Poppy said. "I should have listened to you." She followed Branch with Willow right behind her. "You told me not to throw the party, and I threw it anyway. And it's my fault they were taken. And now I don't know what to do."

Branch leaned against one of the shelves. "Why don't you try scrapbooking them to freedom?" He deadpanned.

"Solid burn, Branch," Poppy relented. Branch smirked in response. She looked at Willow, her gaze nervous. "Any chance you'd be willing to come with me?"

Branch frowned. "No way is she going anywhere near the Bergens." He crossed his arms.

Willow sighed and looked at Poppy. "I'm sorry about our friends, Poppy. I really am. But I don't know if I could go face off against the Bergens without Branch."

Poppy nodded and started walking to the elevator. "Well, thanks anyway."

"Hey, anytime, Poppy," Branch grinned and stood back up. "See you in ten years." Poppy said nothing as she used the lever to go up to the top of the bunker.

As it got darker, Branch frowned and walked over to his sister. "I'm sorry about your friends," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Willow crossed her arms in front of her. "I'm going to miss them," she admitted.

"Let's run an inventory check," Branch suggested to keep her mind off things. The two started walking away when they heard the platform lowering.

"Oh, hey, Branch?" Poppy asked. "Just wondering if I could borrow something."

"What?" Branch sighed, annoyed.

"You're bunker," Poppy grinned.

"What?" Willow and Branch asked, confused. They watched in horror as Poppy invited all of the Trolls in the village into the bunker.

"What are you doing?" Willow asked in horror.

"Branch said you have enough provisions to last ten years, right?" Poppy asked, her hand on her hips and her face smug.

"Yes," Branch confirmed, his face stressed. "To last me and Willow ten years. Us! It'll last them two weeks! Three max!"

"Then I guess I better hurry," Poppy smiled and went back to the elevator.

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Branch grabbed her hand. "You won't last a day out there."

"And you won't last a day in here," Poppy returned. Branch watched in horror as the Trolls started devouring the stores of food and liquid as well as the younger ones setting off the traps he had set. "Solid burn, returned."

Poppy made it back to the platform. "Bye, everybody!" She waved at everyone. "See you soon!" She pulled the lever as the Trolls all started waving at her. She grinned, looked at her hug time bracelet, and began counting off. When she had one finger left, all the bracelets went off and all of the trolls started coming in for a group hug.

Willow smirked at what Poppy did. Branch was not going to stay there for long. She avoided the trolls as she made her way up a level where the living area was and went into her room. She changed into a pair of pants and a red t-shirt she made and packed her and Branch a camping pack. They were going to need supplies if they were going to Bergen Town.

By the time the third hugtime happened, Branch was racing up to the living area. "I'm going to help Poppy," he told her.

"Great," Willow said smiling. "I have our packs ready.

"You're not coming," Branch said, determined. "There is no way I'm letting you go near Bergen Town."

Willow rolled her eyes. "And what makes you think I'm letting you leave me behind?" She pulled her pack on and tossed the other to her brother. "You're the only family I have, Branch. I'm not going to stay here to worry about whether you'll come back alive." She glared at him. "I'll just follow you if you try to argue with me."

"Fine," Branch grumbled, pulling his pack on. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

"You don't have to," Willow smirked and pulled on the lever to get the platform up to the top. "You and me?" She asked, holding out her fist.

"Me and you," Branch agreed, with a fist bump. He groaned at the thought of having to catch up to Poppy. "Let's get this over with."

"That's the spirit," Willow said, forcing some cheer in her voice. Despite her insistence on coming, she wasn't excited about going to Bergen Town. "Let's find Poppy."

And here's the next installment. I love how much you all are enjoying this story and I hope you continue to enjoy it. Thank you for reading everybody and I'll see you in the next chapter.