The rhythmic hum of the Metroll train filled the air as Poppy sat by the window, absentmindedly humming to herself. The landscape of TrollsTopia blurred past her in streaks of color, but something caught her eye, making her perk up. "Huh?" she muttered, leaning closer to the glass.

There, just outside the train, was Val. Her girlfriend. Poppy's face immediately brightened. She always loved seeing Val, even if Val sometimes pretended not to love seeing her. "Hey, it's Val!" Poppy chirped, watching as the rocker troll stomped into a mushroom pod in the village.

Just as she disappeared inside, a burst of movement caught Poppy's attention—various items flying out of the pod in rapid succession. Something was up. Without a second thought, she rang the bell to stop the train and hopped off, heading straight for the pod. The scene inside was chaotic—Val, flustered and frustrated, was tossing things left and right. "No. No. No. I can't find it anywhere," Val grumbled, her voice laced with frustration.

Poppy peeked in, tilting her head. "Val? Did you lose something?"

Val jumped, then quickly crossed her arms. "What? No. No, I didn't."

Poppy narrowed her eyes, a knowing smile creeping onto her lips. "Really? Then what are you doing at Troll Village Lost and Found and Gift Wrapped?"

As if on cue, Cooper's head popped out of a nearby present before he giggled and hopped away. Val let out a groan. "Fine. Yes, I'm looking for something... private."

Poppy gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "Come on, Val. Friends—uh, girlfriends—ask each other for help."

Val grumbled under her breath. Poppy leaned in, teasingly poking Val's arm. "And we are girlfriends, right?"

Val sighed, glaring at Poppy but unable to suppress the slight pink tint to her cheeks. "Ugh."

Poppy smirked, crossing her arms. "Vaaaaal?"

Another groan.

"Val?"

"UGH!"

"Vaaaaaaal?"

Val threw her hands up. "Yes, we know we are! Ugh! Fine! I lost... my snuggle toy."

Poppy gasped. "Your snuggle toy?! Val, that is so—"

She cut herself off the moment Val turned to her, shooting a warning glare. Poppy quickly backpedaled. "Sorry. I know sentimentality makes you uncomfortable. One moment." She dashed outside, letting out an excited squeal, then composed herself and walked back in. "Please, tell me more."

Val hesitated before sighing and looking away. "I found my snuggle toy a long time ago. Some might say by accident, but in my heart, I know... it was fate."

As she spoke, the world around them faded, transporting Poppy into Val's memory.

A little rocker troll, barely old enough to throw a proper headbang, strutted confidently through the woods. "I am mosh prodigy!" Young Val declared with a grin, laughing to herself.

But as she walked, the trees around her thickened, the sky darkened, and an eerie silence settled in. She slowed her steps, glancing around. "Hello?" Her voice echoed. The response was nothing but the distant howl of the moon.

Young Val gulped. She was alone. Scared. But then, a glint of moonlight hit something nestled in the leaves. Young Val gasped, stepping closer. She bent down, reaching for what she thought was a plush toy—only to pick up a pinecone. But to her, it was more than that. It was fate.

Back in the present, Val's voice softened as she stared out the window. "Not just any pinecone. A beautiful pinecone, with an even more beautiful soul."

She pulled out a worn picture of Piney, her eyes misty with emotion. Poppy's own eyes filled with tears. "One moment." She ran outside, squealed again, then composed herself and returned. "It's OK, Val. You are my girlfriend, so I will not rest until we find... Coney."

"Piney."

"Piney."

Poppy took Val's picture. "Step one: we post these all over TrollsTopia." She quickly scrawled the word "MISSING" on the picture.

Val's eyes widened in horror. "No, no, no, no, no! No one can know that my sweet little seed pod is mine! It's embarrassing!"

Poppy blinked. "Why? It's adorable."

"That's exactly why it's embarrassing!" Val hissed, snatching the picture back. "I'm serious, Popsqueak! It's up to you and me to find him, no one else. Promise me."

Poppy sighed, then crossed her heart. "Cross my heart and hope to dye... my hair... beige."

A horrified scream echoed in the distance at the mere thought. "Alright," Poppy said, shaking off the moment. "I'm pulling out all the stops."

She dramatically held out a leash. On the other end, a group of Bloodhound Bugs sniffed eagerly, ready for action. "See, Val? These Bloodhound Bugs are the most elite tracking critters in TrollsTopia. Observe—Piney's hat."

The bugs took a deep inhale, their bodies going rigid. Then, in perfect synchronization, they stacked themselves into a tiny pyramid, and one pointed dramatically to the left. "Go!" Poppy declared, releasing them.

The critters darted forward; But before they could get far "PUPPIES!" Demo popped out from behind a mushroom, his eyes sparkling. The Bloodhound Bugs immediately changed course, tackling him and licking his face. "I LOVE YOU!" Demo cried, running in circles while the bugs chased him.

Poppy chuckled nervously, tucking the leash into her hair. "Next idea."

Their search led them through all sorts of ridiculous places—under Gristle Jr.'s massive toe, inside random lost-and-found boxes, even checking inside a Fun Dungeon. Nothing. Eventually, Val lay dramatically on Poppy's bed, letting out a defeated sigh. "It's hopeless. I'll never find Piney. My heart is a bottomless void of eternal darkness. But, you know, not in a cool way."

Poppy, sitting beside her, tapped her chin in thought. "Maybe... you can find a new snuggle toy? Just until we get Piney back."

She grabbed a box from her shelf and dumped it on the bed. Snuggle toys of all shapes and sizes tumbled out. Val sat up, startled. "Whoa."

Poppy grinned. "These helped me through tough times when I was little. Try one?"

Val hesitated before sifting through them. She picked up a stuffed fish. "Oh! Fishly enjoys long swims by the beach and blowing bubbles with frie—"

"Toss."

She grabbed another. "Growlie McGee here is—"

"Toss."

"OK, well—"

"Toss. Toss. Toss."

Poppy's grin twitched. "Val, it doesn't feel like you're giving this a cha—"

"Toss."

"VAL."

Then, Val froze. She had picked up a small, stuffed porcupine.

Poppy blinked. "Lord Prickles?"

Val's eyes softened. "This is the one."

She placed a tiny top hat on its head and hugged it tightly.

Poppy beamed. "So, it's a match?"

Val nodded. "Yeah... yeah, it is."

She turned to Poppy, her expression unexpectedly sincere. "Look, Poppy... asking for help is really hard for me. But I'm glad you pushed me to do it. Thanks for being such a great girlfriend."

Poppy's heart practically exploded. "Aw, Val—"

Before she could finish, Val pulled her into a quick hug, then playfully tossed Lord Prickles into the air with a triumphant, "Wheee!"

And just like that, the search for Piney had turned into something even more unexpected—a moment that made them both realize how much they truly needed each other. A heavy sigh drifted through the quiet of Poppy's pod, breaking the usual warmth that filled it. Outside, the night was peaceful, but inside, the weight of loss hung in the air. Smidge, ever her cheerful self, hummed a little tune as she made her way toward the pod. She knocked lightly, pushing the door open. "Hey, Poppy! I'm heading to the Fun Dungeon. Do you wanna—"

She stopped; Poppy lay on her bed, curled in on herself, her usually bright demeanor dulled. Smidge's smile faltered. She had seen Poppy face many things—disasters, villains, even heartache—but this? This was different. "Poppy?" Smidge climbed onto the bed with effort. "What's wrong?"

Poppy barely stirred before whispering, "Lord Prickles... is gone."

Smidge gasped. "What?! Did you check under Gristle's big toe? You know how things just—"

Poppy shook her head, sitting up. "I know exactly where he is, Smidge. I gave him to a friend in need."

Smidge's face twisted in disbelief. "But, Poppy, Lord Prickles is—"

Poppy's lips trembled as she forced a bittersweet smile. "My number one most beloved snuggle toy, now and forever? Yes, I know." Her voice wavered. "He wasn't even supposed to be one of the choices, but..."

She trailed off, her gaze distant. A memory flickered—Lord Prickles resting safely on her pillow, only to be swallowed by the mountain of stuffed toys she had gathered for Val. Now, he was gone. Smidge hesitated, then picked up another plush from the bed. "Well, at least you've still got Fishly. He's just as good." She squeezed the toy, and it let out a small, pathetic squeak.

Poppy turned her head sharply, expression unreadable. "I'll pretend you didn't just say that."

Fishly squeaked again. Smidge winced. "Yeah, okay, my bad. But Poppy, you don't have to do this. Just ask for him back."

Poppy shook her head. "No. She needed it. More than I did." She pulled her knees to her chest. "I'll... I'll just have to get by without him."

Her voice faded into silence. She let out a breath, gathering herself before standing. There was no changing what had been done. She had made a choice. But when she turned back toward her bed, her breath caught in her throat. Lord Prickles was sitting there; her heart leaped. "Lord Prickles?"

Her hands trembled as she reached out, as if afraid he would vanish before she could touch him. But no, he was real—warm, familiar, and hers. She scooped him up, hugging him tight. "Lord Prickles!" A laugh bubbled out of her. "Oh, Val must have found Piney! We'll never be apart again!"

"Poppy?" The voice behind her was gentle, but there was an edge to it.

Poppy turned, still holding Lord Prickles, and found Val in the doorway. Her arms were crossed, and her brow was raised. "Is there something you're not telling me?" Val asked. "You're acting weird."

Poppy's smile froze. "What? No! I'm fine! Totally fine!"

Val's gaze flicked to the plush in Poppy's hands, and her frown deepened. "Poppy... that's not Lord Prickles."

Poppy's stomach dropped. "What?"

Val reached behind her and, with a knowing look, pulled out the real Lord Prickles. Poppy felt her breath hitch. She looked down slowly; in her arms... was Demo. "Ack!" Demo flailed. "I just came by for a hangout—"

Poppy screamed and tossed him away. Demo tumbled across the floor, landing in a heap before scrambling to his feet. Suddenly, the Bloodhound Bugs appeared, taking off after him. "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!"

Poppy clutched her head. "Oh no, oh no, oh no—"

Val just stared at her, unimpressed. "Popsqueak. What's going on?"

"Nothing! Everything's great!" Poppy laughed nervously, pulling at her hair.

Val let out a deep sigh. She took a step closer, her expression softening. "Poppy. You know I'm not great at this whole... 'talking about emotions' thing." She hesitated before continuing. "But if we're gonna do this—if we are gonna work—you can't always be the one who's there for me. I need to be able to be there for you, too. Otherwise, we don't have trust. And that's... kind of important."

Poppy blinked. She had been so caught up in her own worries that she hadn't even realized how much she had been pushing Val away. Val sighed again. "Friends—girlfriends—ask for help when they need it, Poppy. That's how this works. So, are we doing this or not?"

Poppy inhaled sharply. She closed her eyes, letting the words sink in, and when she opened them again, her vision blurred with unshed tears. "Yes," she whispered. Then, all at once, the dam broke. "I really miss Lord Prickles!"

Val smirked. "Yeah," she said, holding up the real Lord Prickles. "I figured."

She took off the tiny top hat before handing him over. Poppy gasped, clutching him to her chest as if she'd never let go. "Thank you, Val." Then, suddenly, her expression shifted. "Oh! But now you don't have a snuggle toy!"

Val shrugged. "Eh, it'll be all right."

Then, she glanced at the framed picture of Piney on her nightstand, a thought forming. "...Actually, since asking a friend for help turned out so great..." She smirked. "Maybe I should ask all my friends for help."

At that moment, distant barking echoed outside. Val's ears perked. "Huh?"

Demo suddenly sprinted toward them, panting. "Oh, wait! That pinecone's yours?" he wheezed.

Val's eyes widened. "Yeah?"

Demo reached into his vest, pulling out Piney—with drumsticks sticking out of him. "I've been using him as a drumstick holder!"

Val gasped. "PINEY!"

She snatched him up, removing the drumsticks and replacing the top hat on his little pinecone head. She held him up dramatically. Poppy laughed, wiping her eyes, as the two walked off together—snuggle toys in hand.