#so as he lives among other trolls like the pop trolls

[missescalientee]

what was Niccolo childhood like in VRC?

Not the best? It was okay when he was younger cuz he could play with his dad, but as he grew older, Gryffin became more distant, and Cecile pushed the idea that rock = bad he just ended up having a really hard time. He didn't have a lot of friends, him and his peers had clashing attitudes which led to fights. It's one of the reasons Gryffin sent him to live in Symphony Ville full time

[crunchycoookies]

Hi! i have a question for your country branch au (if that's okay ^^;)

Was everyone in town as accepting as delta? Or where there some who were wary about a pop troll living in lonesome flats?

At first they might confuse him for a rock troll because he’s grey. At this point they’d be wary, but mostly confused because rock trolls are know to be very attentive to their trollings. After learning of Branch’s true origins, the older townsfolk pull Delta aside and urge her to “get rid of him” (NOT IN A KILL WAY. Just like…put that thing back where he came from or so help meeee, way). Of course she says no, bringing up the fact that he’s a child and clearly ran away from his tribe for some reason, which convinces them to let him stay. Branch’s grayness sways their opinion too. Going gray is treated seriously among country trolls, and they haven’t seen someone so young become gray, for years at that.

After a while everyone begins to love him. The adults are very protective of Branch, especially after learning about how the pop trolls treated him and his grayness. The other children accept him with open arms, teaching Branch how to play their games and such.

[kittyball23]

How do you think Trolls World Tour would’ve played out if Branch reunited with Floyd who was living with the rock trolls but fled when he heard of Barb’s plan to find help to stop her only to run into Poppy and his little brother all grown up?

I think it perhaps would have played out a little something like this 🙂:

Between a Rock and a Hard Place (a Trolls fanfic)

“AAAHHHHHHH!”

The scream startled Branch and Poppy, the pair of them taken aback by the sight of their friend, Biggie, frantically scurrying through the crowd of Trolls in the Village’s clearing. The cause of his fear was made apparent when the Trolls noticed a fuzzy, bat-like creature zipping along right behind him, flapping its leathery, black wings persistently, her bugged red eyes fixed unwaveringly on him.

“Help!” Biggie cried out in desperation. “I’m being harangued by a monster!”

Giving up trying to outrun it, the big blue Troll crouched down and put his hands over his head, hoping it would perhaps go away. But, it didn’t. The creature beat its wings against him and made angry hissing sounds.

“Someone stop it!” he whimpered helplessly.

Luckily, as he’d wished, it was right at that moment that a shock of magenta hair whipped out and snatched the creature from the air. Relief passed through the Trolls, until they realized that it was not the Pop Queen who had grabbed the critter. In fact, it was nobody that the village knew.

But - standing there in the clearing donning black shorts with a large belt buckle, and a simple, black, pearl earring - the Troll seemed to know exactly what he was doing.

“Gotcha! Okay, shhh, shh… Now calm down,... who’s a good girl? You’re a good girl…”

The batty creature struggled in the newcomer’s grasp for a second, not appreciating being held steadfast, but quickly was soothed as the Troll rubbed its furry little belly and spoke hushedly. Pretty soon, its flapping had stopped entirely and purred, the vibration rumbling against his teal hand.

Once the others could sense no more imminent danger, they began to gather a little closer, whispering among themselves.

“Who is that?” Legsly asked, pointing at the new Troll. “And what is that thing he’s holding?” she added, referring to the critter.

“It’s creepy!” Cooper shuddered, shielding his eyes from the creature.

“It’s scary!” Satin and Chenille chimed at the same time.

“And… naAaAAasty,” Guy Diamond yelped in his techno-like voice.

“Hold me, Daddy!” Tiny Diamond whimpered in his deep voice, letting his father clutch him close for protection.

Suddenly realizing that all the attention had gone to him, the newcomer shrunk under everybody’s gaze, bashfully tucking his head down between his shoulders and allowing his magenta bangs to fall over his face, so that it shielded his left eye.

Branch’s eyes narrowed at him, though he could feel that his gaze was not as intense as he would’ve liked for it to be. Reason being, there was something strangely familiar about this Troll. What it was, though, he couldn’t pinpoint right away. That hair, that voice… he could’ve sworn he’d seen and heard it, if long ago in his memory.

As it turned out, it wasn’t a much different situation for the new Troll, either. He looked at him curiously, mirroring Branch by slightly tilting his head and narrowing his eyes, as if there too was something he was trying to figure out. It was only when he shifted his gaze down to the leafy green vest Branch was wearing that things clicked. Recognition seemed to flash across his face in an instant, the magenta-haired Troll lifting his eyes to meet Branch’s and looking as though he were about to say something. But before he could…

“‘To Queen Poppy’?” Poppy read aloud from a scroll that the creature had dropped on the ground. She was confused to see her name written on it, and continued to read. “’Barb, Queen of Rock, announces her One Nation of Trolls Under Rock World Tour. Bring your string to the biggest party in the world has ever seen.’” Poppy beamed. “Oh, don’t worry everyone. It’s an invitation!”

The Trolls chattered excitedly. A party? With games and presents and glitter galore? That sounded like fun!

“But why does she need our string?” Cooper questioned.

“And what does ‘Queen of Rock’ mean? Who is she?” Poppy asked aloud.

“You don’t wanna know.”

Poppy whirled around to face the newcomer, his silence having her almost forget entirely that he was even there. “Trust me,” he said again, “you don’t.”

The Pop Queen was startled to hear such a thing. “But… it’s a party!” she exclaimed.

“Not the kind you wanna go to,” the Troll replied without hesitation. “Not with what the Hard Rockers have planned…”

Poppy shook her head. “But who are they?”

“Nobody!” King Peppy shouted, hurrying into the crowd of Trolls, sidling up to his daughter’s side and tearing the invitation from her hand. He proceeded to crumble it in a frenzy, all while crying out hysterically. “Nobody saw anything! Nothing to see here!” He then turned to the magenta-haired Troll and began to shove him away. “Young man, go back to where you came from! Now, please!”

“Whoa, whoa, Dad!” Poppy called, touching her father on the shoulder. He yelped, jolting and looking at her wildly. Popy was baffled. Her Dad was kicking out a Troll? What in the world for? She took his hands in hers in and spoke soothingly to calm him. “Dad, what’s going on?”

King Peppy gazed deeply into her eyes for a moment, peering between her and the new Troll, and then sighed.

“Oh, Poppy,” he moaned, “I’ve long feared this day would come. I was hoping to protect you from this.”

Poppy raised an eyebrow. “Protect me?” she asked. “I’m not a little kid anymore, Dad. I’m the queen now.”

“You’re right,” King Peppy agreed, nodding slowly. “The truth is… we are not alone in this world…”

Mr. Dinkles made a spooky sound to accompany King Peppy’s explanation. Biggie stuck a finger in his pet form’s round mouth.

“Shhh!” Biggie said to his little friend.

“You see, there are other kinds of Trolls,” King Peppy told everyone. The Trolls around him were silent for a moment, taking this in. Other Trolls? What did King Peppy mean?”

“Wow, really?” Poppy said enthusiastically. “Dad, that’s great! The more Trolls, the merrier!”

The newcomer scoffed. “If only it were that easy,” he mumbled.

King Peppy cut his eyes to him, frowning. “Young man, this conversation does not involve you. I’ve asked you to leave once… don’t make me have to call security!” He jerked a thumb over to where Smidge was standing, the little Troll cracking her knuckles in anticipation of a potential scuffle.

The Troll gulped at the sight, and quickly stammered an explanation. “N-no! Please, I’m not here to cause trouble. I came here to help you guys.”

But when Peppy did not relax, and Poppy began to show signs of discomfort at the confrontation, Branch stepped in to enforce the matter.

“You heard him,” he stated simply, but with a hardness to his voice that spoke more volumes alongside the clenched fists at his side.

“I know,” he replied. “But I can’t just leave you guys in danger, Branch.”

“We’re more than capable of taking care of our - Wait, what?” Branch blinked, surprised to hear this stranger call him by name. How did he know who he was?

The Troll offered a gentle smile. “It’s been a while, bro.”

The blue Troll gasped, realizing exactly who this was and being unable to believe it. All the years he waited and waited, until he couldn't anymore, and now he was back? He could almost feel tears pooling in his eyes as a mix of conflicting emotions assaulted him.

Poppy saw the strong reaction coming from her friend, and cautiously spoke to the newcomer.

“I’m sorry... Who did you say you were, again?”

The newcomer let out a breath he was holding, tucked the bat creature under one arm and extended his other to Poppy to properly introduce himself.

“Forgive me for not doing this sooner. My name is Floyd,” he said, “and I’m Branch’s brother.”

__________________________________________

With the manner in which the Trolls in the clearing had erupted into a cacophony of noise - a mix of questions about the Troll-turned-sibling, panic-stricken worries over the idea of the existence of other strange Trolls, and even outright screaming - it came as no surprise that Peppy had ordered for them to break into a smaller group, to allow for a little more privacy.

It was here in the beautiful secluded grotto in the company of just Floyd, Poppy,  Branch, and the Snack Pack that King Peppy wove a tale unlike any other that had been heard. A story of six Tribes of Trolls, each uniquely defined by their special taste in music - Techno, Funk, Classical, Country, Rock, and Pop - and how harmony had been created as a result of it. The harmony, however, was not meant to last. Intolerance sprouted like weeds, leading to discord, leading to the ultimate separation of each tribe. But perhaps the most striking part of the tale was the revelation of their own string - the Pop string, a gorgeous pink in color and producing an equally gorgeous sound, housing the very lifeforce that made them them - the toe-tapping, finger-snapping, rump-shaking Trolls they were.

“Ohh, I get it,” Poppy murmured, “Queen Barb wants to reunite the strings so that the Trolls Kingdom can be one big party again!” The Pop Queen grinned a little. She liked the sound of that!

But Floyd shook his head. “Um, no,” he disagreed gently. “Barb has no interest whatsoever in uniting the world. She wants to destroy it. And she’s going to do it one tribe at a time until there’s none left!” He picked up the invite from where it lay (a little wrinkled, but still legible) next to the ancient scroll that King Peppy had used to depict the tale. “These invitations were just the first step. A deception. And anyone who doesn’t give up their string is going to have it taken by force.” He looked at the bat critter in his hands and sighed. “I tried to stop the invite from even reaching you guys, but I guess I wasn’t fast enough to keep up with Debbie here…”

Poppy was stunned. “B-but… why would another queen use her power for evil? Didn’t anyone try to stop her?”

“The Hard Rockers are all on board,” Floyd explained. “She managed to convince everyone that this was the best thing to do for her people. They all believed her. Well, um… except for me. But then again, I was never a true Rock Troll from the start…”

Poppy snapped her fingers. “That’s riiiight… and that’s something else I’m not understanding…” She turned on her friend. “Branch! How come you never told me you have a secret brother?!”

The blue Troll frowned. “What’s there to tell? I have no brothers.”

Floyd was confused. “Branch, what are you talking about? Just take a look at us…”

It was true. Even by sight, there was a very distinct similarity between the two of them, from their teal skin, purple noses, round face shapes, and even slight downward curve of their ears.

But Branch crossed his arms defiantly. “I have no brothers,” he said again, emphasizing each syllable, “because the day you walked out on me, you lost the chance to ever call me that again.” 

“Branch, please, believe me, I was going to come back, it’s just - “

“Just what?” Branch cut in, scoffing. “You’re a liar. You never followed through with your promise.”

Floyd fiddled with his fingers. “Well, um, I mean, I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Uh-huh… twenty years TOO LATE!” Branch turned to the others in the grotto. “Why should we believe someone like this? For all we know, he could be a spy for these ‘Hard Rock’ Trolls!” He searched his friends’ faces. Silently taking it all in, Biggie, Smidge, Cooper, Guy Diamond, and Legsly were a mixture of uncertainty and concern, not sure what to make of it.

King Peppy spoke up for them. “Branch,” he said gently, “I certainly see where you’re coming from. But… are you willing to put our tribe in danger because of it?” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but it’s a risk I’m not willing to take.” He then waved to the Trolls. “Hurry now! We must prepare before Barb arrives! We’ve got no time to lose!”

“Dad, wait!” Poppy cried, trying to stop her him and her friends as they shuffled off. “Guys, come on! Just because they’re different doesn’t mean that the solution is fighting! Branch, help me out here, say something!”

Branch marched right by her. “Wait for me!” he called out. But as he scurried by, he was grabbed by the arm.

“Branch, wait,” Floyd pleaded. Then he turned to Poppy. “Could you, uh… give us a minute?” he asked politely.

Branch wanted to protest, but he groaned, and did not put up a fight. “I’ll meet you in a second, Poppy,” he said with a roll of his eyes.

“Oh! Um, okay…” She trudged off, sparing one last glance at them before heading off in the direction her father had gone. The two boys were left there in an awkward, tense silence.

Floyd broke it first, clearing his throat. “Wow… you’ve really grown into that vest of mine. You’re… a man now.”

Branch kept his back turned to him as he answered tersely. “Just goes to show how long it’s been.”

Floyd sighed. “Look, Branch, I know that nothing I can say is a valid enough excuse for what happened. I guess I just got so caught up with my solo career once the Rock Trolls took me in. But I swear that there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think about you.” He chuckled for a second. “Remember how we used to make up songs and dances? It was a lot of fun.”

It was, Branch recalled, almost wanting to smile, but he composed himself. “That’s all in the past,” he said coldly, turning to look him right in the eye. “And besides, actions speak louder than words. And the fact is that you never came back.”

Branch felt a tug at his heart when Floyd winced, hurt by his words. But then again, they were words of truth.

“You’re right,” Floyd said, “Actions do speak louder than words. And here I am now, trying to save my little brother from something that I know for sure is going to harm him. Because I want him to be safe. It was a mistake to leave him the first time. And I don’t want to lose him again.”

Branch felt himself loosening. He wanted to keep up the wall of ice he built around himself should any of his brothers try to come back into his life. But not even those walls were immune to the warmth of Floyd’s kindness. “I really want to believe you, Floyd,” he whispered, “I just don’t know if I can…”

“Then let's just take things one step at a time, okay?” And when Branch nodded, Floyd took the opportunity to extend his arms out, allowing Branch to decide whether he wanted to make a move or not.

It didn’t take long to come to that decision, though. Branch embraced Floyd in a replica of that very same night that he had left him. He squeezed tightly, wanting to confirm his physical presence, and afraid to let go should he have been a mirage this entire time.

“Awww…”

The pair broke apart, finding Poppy cooing at the scene. She grinned sheepishly upon realizing she’d intruded on the private moment.

“Oh! I’m sorry…”

“It’s all right, Poppy,” Branch assured. “We’re just about done here.”

“Oh, good,” she breathed in relief. “Well, I mean, because, I wanted to talk to you guys about Barb. We’ve gotta stop her!”

“Can’t say I disagree with the endgoal here, but the trouble comes in the ‘how,’” Floyd pointed out.

“Well, we can think about it as we get everyone safely hidden away in the bunker,” Branch said, waving them to follow.

“Bunker?” Floyd asked, coming up alongside his brother.

“Oh, it’s the coolest thing ever!” Poppy gushed. “It’s underground, and it’s got all these tunnels and rooms, and trapdoors, and… and so much cool stuff!”

Floyd beamed. “Wow, so you built the hideout, huh? I’m proud of you, Branch.”

“Hideout?” The Pop Queen echoed, curious.

There was a hint of a bashful blush in the blue Troll’s cheeks as he shrugged in reply. “Heh, well, it’s not that big of a deal…”

“Of course it is,” Floyd countered, bumping his elbow against his. “Did you even add the ten-story waterslide?”

Poppy gasped. “A waterslide in the bunker? That sounds amazing!”

But Branch shook his head. “Nah.”

“But then, how do you shower?”

Branch answered his brother’s teasing question with a little smirk. “I bathe.”

[decent0distraction]

So I’m working on a post about a Trolls au in which the Brozone brothers grew up and performed in the Bergentown Troll Tree since the third movie established that their grandma lived in said tree, meaning she, and little Branch, lived in captivity for a period of time; so the au is a what if in which the Pop Trolls never attempted to escape but instead worked to live and survive. But as I was going over my draft for this au, I had an idea for a smaller au that I want to talk about.

Brozone broke up and Branch was left with their grandma. She got eaten, he went grey, but got left behind when the Pop trolls escaped from the Troll Tree.

Viva, roughly 11 to 13 (see my other Troll au posts if you want an explanation for why I put her at that age at the time of the escape) does what she can the best she can; finding as many left behind trolls as she can and fleeing with them.

But Branch, small and sad and hopeless, is so still and quiet, so void of color, that he isn’t found.

By the time night falls, he eventually gets up and tries to find someone - anyone - but everyone is gone.

Branch is the last Troll of the Troll Tree and is entirely alone.

20 years later, Poppy has been raised by a stern, overprotective father who has molded her into the perfect heir who has grown up with the constant reminder that she isn’t the rightful heir, but she’ll have to do.

Peppy doesn’t mean to be cruel; he just can’t survive losing anymore of his subjects.

But Poppy has proven herself; she established a patrol and defense force, the subjects adore her, and she prioritizes safety while still allowing celebrations and fun.

But she can’t shake the feeling that the Trolls left behind, including her sister, are still out there somewhere.

This leads to some poking into certain secrets of the past; like the whole thing with the strings and the other Troll Tribes.

But she can’t leave her kingdom to go looking for ghosts. Can she?

Meanwhile, Branch has spent the last 20 years hiding, surviving off of left behind food, and basically lives in an apocalyptic state of what was the Troll Tree.

He stopped speaking when he lost his grandma. Not that he has anyone to talk to, heh. Sorry.

But it’s true! He spends his days hiding in old houses or sometimes underground, especially when the occasional Bergen tries to pick up those houses, hoping to shake a dead Troll body out of one. Like that one Bergen did years ago, finding an old lady Troll. (Yep, that’s right. Branch didn’t even get to bury his grandma)

So yeah, Branch isn’t ok,, mentally. He fantasizes about literally burning Bergentown alive, among other things.

He’s been living off of bugs, plants, and rotten food for so long that he’s recently been unreasonably considering luring a Bergen to him so he can at least get a few bites of a finger or something. Anything.

He has considered ending it, but he knew that his body would be found and eaten. He doesn’t want that.

He’s been to the tunnels that the escaped trolls made, but with everything sealed off, there’s no way to get out that way.

After years of weather and general neglect from the Bergens who built the damn thing, the cage around the Troll Tree has slightly larger gaps in between some of the bars. At night, Branch tries to slip out of the caged tree and roam the streets of Bergentown, hoping to find his way out.

But it’s a big town for someone so small and he can only move so fast being as hungry and tired as he is. So he always has to rush back to the tree before sunrise to avoid being caught.

Meanwhile, John Dory has heard rumors of the Pop Trolls having escaped. And Clay of course has heard Viva talk about her sister and her father, giving him hope that his baby brother was alive.

Bruce wants to believe that his family is safe on their little island of paradise, especially given that his wife has more of a size advantage and the rest of her fellow creatures are literally willing to rip apart any Bergen that dares to try going after Bruce or any other Troll on their island.

But Bruce still has horrific nightmares of finding his brothers dead or half eaten. The fear makes him want to seal up their island and keep out any outsiders should they want to hurt anyone. But his wife and family, and their community, work to remind him that he’s safe; that it’s all safe.

Floyd…

Floyd returned almost as quickly as he left. Or at least, he tried to. He couldn’t believe how stupid he was to leave a child in such a dangerous situation. But unfortunately, Floyd wasn’t quick enough. He couldn’t find a way back into Bergentown on his own and he couldn’t find anyone to help him.

So he has spent the last 20 years camping around the perimeter of Bergentown, attempting new ways to getting in but failing each time.

And it isn’t until 20 years after everything happened that John Dory finally tracks down his brothers.

Clay is the first to agree to help the oldest, even convincing Viva to join them in hopes of finding her family.

It takes some work convincing Bruce, but they manage.

They find Pop Village before they find Floyd, but Peppy tells Viva that Poppy ran away to find the other Troll Tribes. And her.

Viva has a panic attack and Clay stays behind to help her, as John Dory hears Peppy tell Bruce about how they escaped from the Tree via the tunnels. John Dory takes off through those tunnels, animalistic in clawing his way through the dirt and rocks to make new tunnels.

He had hoped to dig his way to the Tree, but he emerges out of the ground right outside Floyd’s campsite.

Their reunion is tearful and both are relieved to see the other again. Clay and Bruce catch up with the oldest and all four brothers exchange hugs and apologies.

Floyd is the first to pull away, convinced that if they all survived, then Branch must have too.

John Dory is hit with the realization that his little brothers are still little-like; they are still in the mindset of frightened children, crying for the only form of parent they ever knew; him. The oldest. The one who failed them.

He doesn’t want to present the possibility that because Branch wasn’t much older than a baby at the time, that he most likely didn’t survive. He doesn’t want to risk losing the brothers standing right in front of him.

But he can’t not try to find Branch. At the very least, he can’t let those monsters have their way with Branch’s corpse.

So the brothers work together until they finally find a tunnel that leads directly to Bergentown. They have to wait until nightfall to come out, but once topside, they make it to the tree to find Branch.

He immediately attacks Bruce, who was closest, having forgotten who they were and almost entirely out of his mind.

Starvation, isolation, and sleep deprivation has mind warping effects. He sees his brothers as literal monsters.

Floyd, desperate to have his brother safe and away from this awful place, manages to subdue Branch so that John Dory knock him out.

It’s almost too easy for them to carry Branch back to the tunnel and to Pop Village.

By morning, Branch wakes up in restraints. It takes a lot of work, but his brothers get some food in him and eventually he calms down and realizes that he’s safe.

Just in time for Poppy to return with the leaders of the other Tribes…

More to come

[partywithoutsmiling]

I know I will probably disappoint lot of Creek fans, but honestly I prefer him canonically gone XD;

(This is by no means a post made to pour critique on Creek fans; I am simply explaining why he won't make any appearances in my AU past the necessary plot device in the first movie events)

I said in my previous ask that Creek is unempathetic to needs of any other creature but himself. He looks upon others- most likely subconsciously- in ways that would make them useful to him, not as someone whose life has an equal value to his own.

This calousness is shown in his remorseless acceptance of sending his whole Tribe to his death- even shrugging like 'what can you do' when he lures them out.

I called him chilling and that still checks, and I go as far as call him unnerving.

However, ultimately, he is a wimp XD;

I know there are plenty of writers out there who likes to paint him as a sinister villain, who'd go as far as to try and cause deliberate harm- and maybe if he was pushed enough, he'd do so, like a cornered rat

But really, similar to Branch, he wants to avoid physical conflicts, and especially wants to avoid any harm to himself. His greatest strenght was always his cunning, and being more aware of how to spin situation to his favour-

And yet, he is also so stupid and activelly sabotaging himself XD

(Srs, my guy, peacocking around under Chef's hand, confident he saved his own life, while not even trying to leave himself an escape plan- or leave a small thread of oppoturnity to allow him to be accepted back into his tribe)

He's the Peter Petigrew of the Trolls franchise, a Wormtongue level of villain. Confindent, self-assured and arrogant- but only when he is absolutely sure he has a backing of a bigger bully, unless he is the 'biggest' himself.

As soon as things get too hot, he bails; and while he maybe would have entertained going back to his Tribe after his betrayal, he would be on the bottom of the totem pole now; no power and no oppoturnity to get it back- and he certainly doesn't have the drive to try and redeem himself.

From story telling perspective, it would make him a rather poor antagonist. Annoyance at best, not even similar to Team Rocket who can be funny and heartfelt; just pathetic level of a villain really. He served his purpose and there is no need to drag his character on after that.

I just cant honestly imagine him being that interesting, in my AUs- because, since they are mostly from Branch's or Poppy's view, they wouldn't even notice that he's there.

He would avoid them like a plague; use the miracle oppoturnity of having a clean slate with other tribes to worm his way among them; in fact, he'd consider it a hindrance if any Pop Trolls showed up and recognized him.

But as I said, he's stupid.

In Wanderer AU, the Strings in Branch's hair would call to his powerhungry nature; he wouldn't even consider that Branch might have more connections among the other tribes than he'd even imagine; if an oppoturnity arrives where Branch shows up in a place where Creek lives (as he wouldnt have been caught dead roughing it up on the road), he'd see Branch alone, without the backing of the Pop Tribe or Poppy.

He'd try to steal the Strings while Branch is asleep. Eyes on the goal, not even considering the consequences. He just knows Strings equals power, and he wants power.

He'd be caught- and that would bring Branch's attention to him even being alive in the first place. Truth of the Traitor comes out- and since the alliance, the rumours would spread like wildfire and Creek would have activelly burned any bridges of goodwill he had managed to build, or that he could have build.

in Rock Beast AU, much the same- he'd try to find safety under the wings of a bigger bully, and alienate everyone because of it- no matter what tribe it is.

A wimp, and a fool.

This is why I said he never consciously used his friends- he doesn't have the capacity to do it consciously XD;; everything is instinctual, a learned habit, inability to function any other way.

Truthfully, he is not even a villain; antagonist to our protagonist, sure, but active villain? Ehhhhhh

He is just a hardcore oppoturnist, to the extreme; there is no real malice beside the consequences of his actions; he just doesn't care that deeply about these things; I don't believe he would ever even consider Branch his enemy, or a rival, not like Branch would have considered him back; Creek just really doesnt care about anyone but himself- and that certainly means he would never care hard enough to even muster the hatred necessary to plan someone's demise or harm

[royalchewy]

This took me forever, but I am so happy to finally have the whole family in one picture! Click for better quality. For those interested, background on the family and more as really long ramble below!

Background of the family is Aramid is a Rageon who was gifted a troll when she was younger. Bergens would sell trolls to other large species, like Rageons, but each treats them as a source of happiness differently. For Rageons, who are very material, they are live in entertainment/living decorations.

Aramid is a bit odd though, seeing her troll, Coir, as a friend, who, being like 16 years older than her, basically becomes her guardian because her dad is never around and her mom is out of the picture. They spend years getting better treatment and personhood for trolls, which is successful and the whole reason Velvet and Veneer even can have trolls napping and troll torture as charges against them. After said incident though, Coir decides to spend sometime back among trolls, having thought the pop trolls were essentially wipes out besides the ones who were also sold like him when young.

He meets Persi (pronounced like Percy and short for Persimmon) while on a tour of pop village, Persi being a putt-putt troll from the Hole-n-Fun. They hit off and eventually have a few kids, who love their giant sister. Especially because said sister is one of the most famous fashion designers in Mount Rageous and is always sending them some of the best outfits she can for dress up and special events, as well comfy and cute ones for the day to day. Enough about the family though, here are some of my favorite parts of this family portrait

The daddy-daughter shots of this piece are everything to me. On the left is Persi with their middle daughter Sisal. Sisal’s favorite animal at the moment is monarch butterflies, because the orange makes her think of Persi and butterflies are just neat.

On the right is Coir with the youngest daughter, Clementine. She’s the shyest and always at Coir’s side. She loves dress up the most and is the one who suggested some kind of princesses and prince outfits for he pictures.

Last of the kiddos is Kevlar! He is the youngest (by half an hour, he and Clementine are technically twins) and only boy. He’s the wild child and always keeps his dads’ on their toes. He is the only one so far who has figured out how to roll up in a ball like the putt-putts can. The pearls in his hair were from an accessory for someone else that he broke. The pearls were because of him too. Sisal asked for butterflies and flowers, Clementine asked for crowns and royalty, Kevlar asked for…. Ocean. He was okay with pearls as the compromise item. He also jumped off Aramid’s shoulder the moment this picture was taken. He was fine.

I lastly just wanted to show Aramid’s necklace and the details of her dress. She and Coir always have matching gold necklaces (usually with their initials/names, but sometimes they switch us up). She gifted Persi different gold chain accessories to match theirs but also to match his style more and will eventually gift her siblings something to their styles when they’re older. I also just wanted to show the flowers and strands of pearls because they were fun to make and finding that brush was a life saver.

I will definitely be making a family picture with just the trolls so I can add even more details to their outfits! If anyone read this whole thing, I apologize for my ramblings, but appreciate you taking the time to do so. Would love to hear and thoughts or answer any questions! Take care!

[lanternfields]

Beneath the Mind AU Prologue timeline lore

Heads up this timeline of events is specifically just for this trolls au that I've been making and some of the lore that I put like the bergan ancestors originally being experimented pop trolls is just something I made up! Thanks!

------------------

Ancestral era of the troll tribes

-First troll tribes

-The making of the strings

- an unknown amount time of peace among the tribes

Pop has the largest tribal population and believes they should share their music and happiness with the other troll tribes.

Pop steals all the strings and starts their campaign to unify the trolls under one music, their music.

This campaign was led by a young king at the time.

The other tribes understandably don’t like this and so are openly rebelling to get their strings back. Rock in particular was doing a lot of damage. 

10 long years of open rebellion among the tribes

 - In the first few years pop had internal rebellions trying to stop the campaign for their own reasons.

 - For pop this caused a deep division for the tribe, thus causing some branches of the tribe to split away from their  hidden capital to avoid conflict, their descendents are sub-genre of pop trolls in the present. (Like the K-pop gang)

 - Around the middle of the rebellion, so like 5 years after it started, the pop king at the time started experimenting with the powers of the strings and tested on the captured internal rebels, since well they weren't going to be missed by the majority of the pop tribe.

 - This experimentation meant to mass produce a special skill for the pop trolls, shapeshifting, resulted in failure but made the ancestors of the Bergans. This also gave way for the incomplete theory for the ultimate power cord that King Thrash manages to finish in the main storyline. 

 - The pop king then, decided to get rid of any evidence of the experimentation, this resulted in his closest advisors and warriors having to put the ancestors of the Bergans as far away from the capital. So transporting their rapidly changing bodies away.

 - This whole experimentation debacle started then ended in the span of 3 years, so at this point 8 years into the war, it was during those 3 years did the other tribes finally started gaining some wins against pop and getting inside hints on where pop’s hidden capital is.

 - Around the end of the experimentation part, the little brother of the king of pop, age is like a preteen, started to subtly sabotage the campaign since at this point he’s scared of his brother and had enough of the conflict. 

 -  In the last 2 years of the rebellion was the worst for pop as the tribes were closing in on the pop capital and were putting them under siege. 

In the tenth and final year was when the siege finally broke through the pop capital defences and the other tribes leaders and warriors came through to get their strings back and run. 

During the final battle of the tribal leaders against the pop king they managed to get funk’s string out first but couldn’t get the others.

But during the final battle the pop king did die before he could play the incomplete theory of the ultimate power chord but not at the hands of any of the tribal leaders but by his brother’s hand who at this point was 13 and stabbed him in the back.

It was there the tribal leaders got their strings back with the help of the new pop king and all decided to go their separate ways and call their people back to live in isolation.

In the wake of the siege, the pop capital was just a shadow of its former self due to the two year siege and subsequent final battle that took place within the capital.

The pop tribe’s population had dwindled and needed stability, the ruined capital wasn’t going to cut it.

 - So in the end the 13 year old pop king at the time decided it was best if the pop trolls were to leave their old capital and go nomadic for a bit then find a new place to settle down. 

 - The pop trolls were nomadic for a good decade until finally deciding to settle deep in the forest where the troll tree in the first movie would be found.

 -Now it's been a decade since peace was established through isolation among the tribes. The pop trolls are starting to live in the new troll tree with their now young adult king who wants to forget the whole rebellion happened in the first place. This means keeping quiet about the other troll tribes for generations and only making his descendants aware of the other tribes not the people. As his belief was that ignorance was bliss, as he was at his happiest before he found out about what pop really did to the other tribes, so his people and future generations should to.

(Bergan Era) - A century has passed since separation was established among the tribes

The bergens, a wandering group of species so different and more miserable than their ancestors stumble upon the troll tree, where the pop have been living happily and forgotten their history

The Bergan have only one folk tale that’s been passed among them for a century. It tells how they supposedly came to be from the ground and small creatures of bright colours once watched from afar and they gave them a semblance of happiness but when their ancestors became too scary for the colourful creatures to be around anymore they left without a word thus taking their only source of happiness away. 

When they see the pop trolls for the first time the Bergans connected them to the colourful creatures of their folk story and grew hopeful that they might finally achieve the happiness that the story entailed. This did not happen, at least not at first.

 One day a young Bergan ate a troll and became happy for a day, and now every Bergan wants a troll to eat.

Bergans soon gather any pop troll that leaves near the tree and builds a strong cage so the troll doesn't escape. This cage is heavily fortified with no chance of escaping through the bars for the pop trolls.

The Bergan kingdom was established along with the town in a few years time

The first Trollstice is made

The pop trolls do try different escape routes in the beginning of the Trollstice era but only to result in failure due to the Bergan watching them like hawks.

It was then the pop king back then, Poppy’s great grandfather, to play the long game and start plans on making underground escape tunnels. So the pop trolls start digging with the little resources they have and continue to do so until the end of the Trollstice era, which was a century after they started digging when King Peppy led them out of there.

The end of the bergan era in, year 199, when the great escape happened.

[rfsmith]

Some AU!Branch from my head, still no name for it but I’ll nickname it “Heartstone” for now.

Concept is Branch lived in isolation in a dark forest between Pop Village and Bergen Town, he became a bit of a line defense and safety for the village. Watching over and keeping trolls who wonder into the forest from being eaten. All while living alone in the forest that doesn’t appreciate sounds or light so his skin becomes hard and rock like. He lives among the trees and eats what he can catches which would be lizards or bugs. He starts to develop bottom tusk that are retractable and top fangs, his skin starts to literally turn into stone that’s concrete which he learns through reading and meeting other creatures, being turned into stone isn’t a good thing. His heart is slowly being encased into a gem and suffocating his voice and magic.

May add more to this, but let me know it’s an interest

[empressgeekt]

Trolls - Burning Branches au - Plot ideas that will probably never come to fruition

SO the full plot summery of this AU, is split among three different posts, underneath the same title and all tagged. But the basics of the AU is that Branch runs away from the troll tree, shortly after Grandma's death, and ends up in Rock troll territory with a TBI, that made him lose all memories of his life before with Thrash and Barb. After Branch grows up, now going by the name of Char, he's betrothed to the Queen of the Poppy trolls, and through their journey from romance to the alter, Char learns about his birth family, for better and for the worse.

It's better explained through the posts, Just do yourself a favor and read those first.

Link to where other posts can be found - https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/rock%20prince%21branch%20in%20an%20arranged%20marriage%20au

Now Let the Plot bunnies run wild.

Plot Bunny 1: Time Travel?

I love sci-fi plots, with time Travel being a saved tag on my AO3 account. So, it's not shocking that this little bunny was popping up in this fandom for me.

Basically, on the night of Branch's first show, Brozone is sucked out from behind stage before the show, and sent to the epilogue future of the RPBAM AU. Needless to say, everyone is shocked by their future selves (with bitty as the exception, he's just excited). JD is laid back. Bruce is a family man. Clay is a CPA. Floyd ends up as a music teacher and in a wheelchair. And Bitty, is burnt into Char and is a rock king. Not mention all the future kids, and Barb.

The fic would follow the younger brothers working though their issues early by bonding with their older counterparts. Eventually, they are returned to the moment they were zapped from, their memories whipped, and the time-line continues.

Plot Bunny 2: Blood Parents are alive.

it's pretty obvious that mother and father Brozone are out of the picture by the time Branch hatches. Most likely, killed by bergans, which I do suspect is the reason that John has trauma and stemming from that his perfectionism. In this they'd be loving parents, becasue I think it's sadder and I prefer healthy relationships. I'm thinking of the names, Tia, and Branch (I like to think that since, they were taken when Char was an egg it was up to John to name him, and well, he was a teenager who just lost his dad, probably wanted to give his baby brother a connection to them).

But that didn't mean they were eaten. Their boys were some of the most stubborn, dramatic trolls in the franchise, they wouldn't go down without a fight. Rosiepuff certainly didn't, you could hear her struggling the flashback. So, in this AU they would manage to escape from their cage and hide in the Bergen Castle walls. Looking for a way to escape, only to find and empty tree when they finally managed that. To punish themselves they returned to the castle, and lived in the walls for the next twenty years, only to be found by Bridget and Gristle while they were doing some remolding. They think they are going to get cooked, and no bergen can convince them other wise. So, they make a call to Pop village.

Clay is sent, because he has a history of explaining the Bergen situation the the rest of the puttputt when the moved so this is easy for him. Along with John Dory, because he has a ride. imagine the trolls shock when Bridget escorts them to surprise Family reunion. Tears are shed, and hugs are given, Clay and John get them up to speed on modern events. Before escorting them back onto Rhonda and back to the village. Their first stop is Floyd's house, and JD gets a letter out to Bruce.

The main plot would be about the parents re-connecting with their sons, and connecting with their youngest and grandkids (story takes place in epilogue). However it's diffcult with Char mourning the recent death of Thrash and just having his third child.

Plot Bunny 3: Dimension Travel

Once more another sci-fi plot I love.

Char gets sent to the canon timeline, before the first movie takes place. Don't really have much of plot for this one, this is just to make Char clash with Creek and call out Peppy on all his lies before he hands the crown to his daughter. And marvel at the bunker.

---

That's all I got at the moment, hope everyone enjoys. Update: Prewriting has begun and prolog/first chap are complete.

[sammyhasspammy]

Switcheroo Au: Branch

Branch was born to the previous Queen and King of the Pop Trolls. His eldest brother, John Dory, was the current ruler of the trolls, and unfortunately, soon after his coronation, their grandmother, ex-Queen Rosiepuff, got eaten by a bergen. King JD realized that they couldn't keep living like this, so he hatched a plan to escape by digging tunnels under the tree in secret. During the escape, all the brothers make it, but their parents are lost in the process. The family is torn apart by the grief of the situation. Bruce, Clay, and Floyd run away, leaving John to raise Branch himself. The prince grew up to be the most fun-loving troll of Troll Village, always planning parties and helping every troll in need, even the ones that were "unhelpable" according to other trolls, like Poppy.

He never gave up on her, even after rejecting his party invitations hundreds- no, thousands of times. During the 20th celebration of their escape, he plans to host the biggest party troll kind has ever seen despite Poppy's protests. Unfortunately, things go awry when the bergen chefs, Chad and Todd, take several of their friends back to bergen town in hopes of regaining their honor. Branch goes out to save Smidge, the veterinarian; Chenille and Satin, the twin DJs; Suki, the fashion designer; Creek, the lovable one; Guy Diamond, the businessman; Darnell, the cool one; and Biggie, the serene one. Although Poppy thinks he'll fail, she joins him anyway. On their mission, they help Gristle, the scullery maid (butler?), win over Queen Bridget of the bergens. In an unexpected twist, Biggie sells out Troll Village to Chad and Todd. Despite this, they are able to free all of Troll Village while becoming friends with the bergens. John Dory, feeling as though he was inadequate as a king, partly because he blamed himself for losing their parents 20 years ago, now crowns Branch as king now that he is old enough to rule.

Sometime later, the trolls get an invitation from the rock queen Val Thundershock who plans to take over the world. With the help of some friends, they are able to defeat Queen Val while becoming friends with her and opening up the way for the troll tribes to live in harmony once more.

A month later, a stranger interrupts Queen Bridget and Gristle's wedding. The stranger turns out to be Poppy's father who came to inform Poppy that her sister, who she thought to be dead, was actually alive but captured by the duo Veneer and Velvet. Poppy is not confident in her and her father's ability to perform a family harmony, so she asks Branch and JD if they can perform the harmony. John reveals that they're not the only family they have, and Branch finds out that he has 3 other brothers he didn't know about. They go on an adventure to find them. The first stop is Floyd who now lives among the rock trolls and is in a band with Barb (Who is Val in this au), and Riff (Who is kinda like Blaze? idk yet), with Sid Fret (who is Demo) as their manager. Next is Bruce who found love with a giant puppet lady named Brandy (his backstory stays the same cause I can't... think of anything else, but feel free to recommend ideas!). They find Clay in an old abandoned golf course as one of the co-leaders of the putt-putt trolls. He is hesitant to go and almost forces his brothers to stay, but they escape and continue on their search to find Viva, hoping that the four of them can pull it off. Unfortunately, Poppy and Peppy have a fight that leads Poppy to run off and Branch joins her. They eventually make it to Mount Rageous to find that the other brothers and Peppy were also taken hostage. They try to save them without singing but fail to. Clay eventually catches up and tries to help, but it's clear that there's only one thing that'll save their families. Branch urges Poppy to take the lead in the family harmony because he never knew his brothers, but she knew her sister. She takes the lead and they are able to escape while putting Veneer and Velvet behind bars.

Brains storm post - Poppy - Viva

More content will be posted in my #switcheroo au tag! :D Feel free to send any questions or recommendations into my ask box!

Outfit Closeups

[blade-that-was-broken]

Maybe a spoiler question but where are all of the brothers/ what are they doing in Wrath and Ruin

Alright *cracks knuckles* this might be a little vit vague/not in depth cause I don't have everything entirely blocked out yet.

Wrath and Ruin

SPRUCE CLAY FLOYD HISTORY

SPRUCE

Spruce found Vacay Island, almost drowned, and began working for the inhabitants at a restaurant. He liked the fast movement, the relaxed personalities and learning to surf. He learned to cook new foods and was rather happy there. He stayed there for many years, probably at least 8 years up to ten. However, when the war sparked up again (several years after the destruction of the Troll tree that Spruce does not know about), the resort owner feared retaliation on his paradise for harboring a pop troll. Vacay Island was rather close to the Troll Kingdoms so they once in a while got some news. Thrash made bounties on any found Pop trolls (he’s looking for the string). And although the resort owner didn’t want to turn him in, he ended up kicking Spruce out. Spruce was heartbroken and forced back into the Troll Kingdoms. 

He didn’t go through Pop borders but rather whatever the closest one to Vacay Island was (excluding what used to be known as Techno) and was caught by a convoy of Rock Trolls. When they asked him what kind of troll he was, thinking perhaps pop, he couldn’t answer because he didn’t even know there were other trolls and he didn’t really understand he’s a pop troll. But some people in the town that he was found in backed him up, claiming as one of their own, which led to giving him a subgenre that he learned. 

He ends up living there for quite a while and has to learn a new type of music. This is where he learns about not only the other genres, but what happened to the Pop trolls and what is going on with the invasion and war. He is devastated and confused and overwhelmed with grief - as he thinks everyone, he loves is dead. 

CLAY

After the breakup, Clay goes back and forth between the Tree and not in the Tree. He has taken a few trips into the city - mostly to learn things - and therefore has gotten some more education but he keeps coming back to it, although he avoids his home and stays with friends on the outskirts of the Tree. (Tentative) 

Clay actually ends up with the Pop trolls and does not escape with Viva and gets to the Golf Course. Due to Thrash’s invasion (which to the Pop trolls, they do not understand and it mostly just causes chaos) the escape ended up being a little different and it did give the Pop trolls some better movement and time to escape. 

He does try to go back to his home when the escape occurs but he is cut off. He gets close and he may have spotted John Dory within the fray (Tentative) before getting cut off. One of his friends is zombified and Clay has no idea why his friend is going after him. Clay does escape him, although his friend is taken by a Bergen. He is dragged out by others and can only watch when the Troll Tree explodes. 

Later, when the pop trolls regroup, he discovers his Grandmother is not among them and receives reports from people that they had seen her taken by Bergens. When he cannot find his baby brother, he assumes the worst. He is devastated and blames himself - since he was in the Tree. His colors dull because of this but due to his desperation to prove himself, to be taken seriously, he does not go entirely hopeless/gray. 

So he puts himself to work. Or at least he tries to. After the village is constructed, he tries to build up defensive capabilities (possibly even electricity, not certain) and there is a learning curve - as he is still very young. Due to his desperation to be taken seriously, other trolls sometimes find him rather annoying and rarely do. This is mostly because of how he acts, as it can be kind of obnoxious. Part of the reason they don’t take him seriously as well, is less because of the old fun boy persona and more because he is so young. Coupling that with his actions/new personality, it’s not a great combination. 

Trying to appease everyone, King Peppy gives Clay a task of creating a library. It is away from people and Clay pours everything he has into it. He takes it all very seriously - to the point that people don’t really want to affiliate much - and although over the years, Clay believes the people are taking him seriously, they mostly aren’t, thinking him childish. 

Due to his personality, aversion and such - and because that is who she is - Poppy makes a point to befriend him. She becomes a bit of a bookworm because of him and learns new ways to scrapbook. Clay wasn’t exactly friends with Viva at the Tree but he knew about her. He never really got the memo that she doesn’t exist anymore so if the topic may come up (it might not), he would be the one to tell her. 

FLOYD

Floyd left and found some bandmates on the outskirts of the Troll Kingdoms before Thrash’s attack. They thought they could make it big in the city, since the kingdoms were pretty isolated. Some bandmates might not be trolls but live near the borders. Uncertain. Either way, everyone was kind out of out of the way small town types so they never got the news of Thrash’s invasion before they left. 

There was some struggle but they found a niche and got semi famous. They had no idea what was happening in the Troll Kingdoms - the rest of the world didn’t know. Although they shared some good fortune, Floyd’s band broke up after about 7 years, after their second album. Some decided to go home, others decided to go solo. 

Floyd blamed himself for the failure (it wasn’t) and didn’t think he could return home with that failure. He fell onto some hard times and turned to gambling (which runs in the family) and became a bit addicted to it. It got to the point that he has spent time in prison. Between the music slump, the gambling and the prison time, Floyd accrued quite the debt with loan sharks. 

And then he heard the news. He got a letter from an old bandmate. It was explained that it took a while to find Floyd’s address and condolences were sent. The letter mentioned the war, what happened to the pop trolls and told Floyd not to come back. 

He doesn’t listen.

[pikatrainer99]

Branch mental health character analysis part 2: Trolls World Tour (SPOILERS FOR A FOUR YEAR OLD MOVIE BUT JUST IN CASE 😅)

(Part 1 is right here in case you missed it or need a refresher)

Hey everyone! I'm back with the second part of my Branch character analysis! This time, we're gonna go over his character in the second film, Trolls World Tour, so without further ado, let's get started!

This time around, Branch still lives in his bunker, but he's got more color to him now and he is able to enjoy singing and dancing with Poppy and the others, which is good character development for him. He also wants to confess his love for Poppy, but really struggles to do so. After hearing about the history of the different Troll tribes from King Peppy, as well as Queen Barb of the Hard Rock Trolls' world tour, Poppy decides to set out to unite the other Trolls and prove that differences don't matter. Branch tries to talk some sense into her with his logical thinking as well as his trauma-induced anxiety and trust issues, but to no avail, and he ends up joining Poppy on her quest…but not without sneaking some weapons on board the balloon they're traveling in…because his need to be over-prepared is still clearly there, especially when facing something new. He is clearly anxious, he doesn't know anything about the other Trolls and he feels the need to be hyper-vigilant just like in the first film, never letting his guard down. Poppy kicks the weapons overboard, and Branch is clearly upset by this, saying that he "whittled those for hours", referring to the sharp stick spears among the weapons he had brought.

When they reach Symphonyville, where the Classical Trolls lived, Branch, while feeling empathy for them, is still on guard upon hearing Pennywhistle the flute's voice in the destroyed town. Upon being asked if they're nice or mean, Poppy says they're nice, and Branch says, "Yeah, but not too nice…so don't even try it!" This, to me, is Branch's anxiety and fear of the unknown mixing in with his already established issues, particularly his paranoia. After their talk with Pennywhistle, Poppy finally realizes that Barb and the Hard Rock Trolls want to destroy all music except for Rock, and Branch panics and says that they need to make sure their string is safe, to which Poppy says it is as she pulls it out of her hair, causing Branch to freak out more at the fact that she BROUGHT IT WITH HER. He then says they need to go back home to Pop Village and get everyone in his bunker where they'll be safe (again, his bunker is HIS safe space, but his character development has led to him actually wanting to protect the rest of the Pop Trolls by keeping them safe in there…good job Branch!), but Poppy says that they need to keep going, completely invalidating Branch's concerns and worries (Poppy WHY…?!) and they head off towards the Country Music Trolls' territory.

When they reach Lonesome Flats, where the Country Trolls live, the Country Trolls' leader, Delta Dawn, is singing a sad song called "Born to Die" which Poppy dislikes because of how sad it is. Branch, however, seems a bit conflicted on how he feels about it, saying that he agrees that it's really sad, but then pointing out that life is sad sometimes…so he kinda likes it. This makes sense as Branch has been through so much in his life up to this point that he is depressed and traumatized. I didn't used to like sad songs either until I started really struggling with my own depression and trauma as a teenager (I've had these issues since I was a very young child but it really took over my life as a teen), and then I started finding a weird sense of comfort in them...which I was also confused about at the time, just like Branch seems to be here. After getting thrown in jail by Delta Dawn after performing an impromptu pop medley planned by Poppy to "cheer the Country Trolls up", Branch is once again, prepared for anything as he already has a plan and a shovel in his hair which he starts to dig them out of the jail so they can escape, but then they're rescued by Hickory, who Branch immediately is suspicious of and doesn't trust. His guard is up for a good portion of the time they spend traveling with Hickory, and when he says something about it to Poppy, she twists his words around saying that it's not Hickory Branch doesn't trust, but her. Branch immediately denies that (and rightfully so, he didn't say anything like that at all), and tries to get Poppy to understand that that wasn't what he meant, but she doesn't listen to him.

It's not until after the incident in Vibe City where the Funk Trolls live, that Poppy and Branch have a big fight. Poppy is so one-track-minded, so focused on being a good queen that she can't bring herself to focus on anything else, and Branch is desperately trying to get her to listen to reason. Poppy wants to continue their journey to help the other Trolls but Branch wants to go back home and protect their friends and family. Poppy accuses Branch of giving up and Branch is frustrated that all of this is all because Poppy feels the need to prove herself as a good queen, he tells her that good queens actually LISTEN, which she is not doing. They talk about how different they are and how they're too different to get along, causing Branch to leave, incredibly upset by it as he loves Poppy and cares about her more than anyone else, as his depression hits again (seriously, look at his face, he looks so sad the entire time while he sings "Perfect For Me"…he actually looks like he's close to tears at times in that scene too). When he gets captured by the K-Pop gang (who btw, actually call him "crybaby" before saying anything else to him) and the Reggaeton Trolls, he declares that all music should be saved, opening up to and accepting the two groups of Trolls in front of him even though they're bounty hunters trying to capture him and Poppy and bring them to Barb. They do end up working together as at the end, as Barb prepares to play the ultimate power chord, they show up in the balloon to help stop all music from being destroyed. This is a BIG step for Branch, as his trust issues were on alert 24/7 in only just a few scenes prior!

Branch jumps in front of Poppy, taking the hit from the ultimate power chord for her, getting turned into a rock zombie in the process. This shows how much Branch really loves her, as he didn't even HESITATE to sacrifice himself (he gets turned into a zombie controlled by Barb…I'm counting that as a self-sacrifice) to protect her, which is really sweet but also kinda sad…that kind of self-sacrificial behavior usually means (from what I've seen anyway) that the character puts others' lives way above their own, usually it's a self-worth issue, they don't care what happens to them, as long as their friends and loved ones are okay. We know that Branch has been through A LOT, so this kind of mentality actually makes sense…it's heartbreaking but it makes sense that he'd struggle with self-worth issues and low self-esteem (spoiler alert: we'll definitely get more into that when we get to the third movie). The guitar is soon smashed by Poppy, destroying the strings, but they all realize that music really comes from them, and they sing "Just Sing" (my personal favorite song in the film). Branch finally confesses his love for Poppy, she reciprocates, they high-five, and that's pretty much it for Trolls World Tour.

I hope you all enjoyed the second part of my Branch character analysis! I didn't put images or GIFs in this one because finding them takes a lot out of me, and since I'm struggling mentally right now, I didn't wanna put anymore stress on myself. Again, if you think I missed anything, please feel free to let me know what I missed in the comments below! This isn't the end of Branch's journey though! There's still one more movie to cover, so I'll see you guys hopefully soon for part 3: Trolls Band Together! Catch ya later! 👋

[tezzbot]

I know literally nothing about Trolls, so I’m curious. Was there anything specific that got you into the franchise? A trope? a character? Or was it just a variety of things that only coming together made it into something special?

I want to know if I should watch the movies since you’re the first person on the internet I’ve seen to have a positive opinion on them.

So, my first introduction to the franchise was way back when just the first movie was out. It was my little brothers favourite film for a LOOONG time so it was on repeat in our house for a while lmao it took me a while to actually pay attention to it but once I did I was like yeah! Good movie :] it establishes the world and characters well, and it's just an all round fun time with cool designs fun ideas and yknow I'm always a sucker for colourful singing fun little guys. A lot of people misunderstand the messaging of the first movie which frustrates me A Lot lol but yknow. It's a cute and silly and fun time and you can't go wrong w that. Singing Killed His Grandma<3 lol

The second movie is also very fun to me and expands the world in a really cool way, with new genres of trolls and the differences between them, each troll tribe has it's own unique setting I loooove the backgrounds in these movies you can tell a lot of thought was put into them, everything looks crafted in it's own unique way that represents the creatures that live there soo well augghgh yum. I personally think the second movie, for a children's film attempting to be an analogy for colonialism and historical revisionism lmfao, does a fairly decent job at tackling the themes in a way kids can kind of understand I think?? obviously it simplifies it all but, yknow, kids movie. And the individual character arcs the main characters go through are really interesting and fitting to the characters imo.

I also really like that they don't change Branch after the end of the first one to just be back to a peppy pop troll, like he's still a grumpy anxiety ridden little guy, like it shows his recovery from being grey isn't linear but he's improving, and it continues into the third movie as well as he slowly regains colour bit by bit, I really like Branch as a character :]

And the third one adds so much to Branch's character as well, delving into his backstory and making him like even more tragic which is so funny to me. We again, get an even more expansive look at the world outside of Bergentown, Pop village and the other troll genre territories and we get to see even more creatures from all over. And is also just one big Justin Timberlake Used To Be In a Boyband joke its great JHJGFH

I think it's very much a big mixture of things that's got me hooked on this series, among them is the clear love you can tell the creators have for it the world is so vibrant and interesting, the characters are honestly engaging and fun to think about since the movies are short snippets we get of their lives and realtionships and what have you I'm always a sucker for open to interpretation character relationships as well lmao, for me the jokes hit pretty well, and they're just Fun to be so honest, it's okay to have fun sometimes and they just make me happy so I am going to continue to play my tuoys smile

[kittyball23]

Soundproof (a Trolls fanfic)

Summary: John Dory reveals that Rhonda is soundproof, and that little bit of information sits quite well with Poppy and Branch **Rated M**

A/N: 😏

__________________________________________

It was precisely three things that were serving as a distraction to Branch that night.

One was the incredibly delicious marshmallows in his hands, plopped into his mouth every few minutes so that he could experience its chewy, fluffy goodness in between the songs that he and his brothers were harmonizing to. Another was Poppy, sitting across him from the campfire alongside her sister Viva. Her deep, fuschia eyes - sparkling with the reflection of the crackling orange flames - remained trained to his blue whenever she spared a glance his way, letting him know by the intense gaze that there was something other than flames crackling between them.

Tension.

And it was one that was continuing to build as the evening progressed, all because of a small tidbit of information that was so graciously dumped upon them during the idle conversation among the group of friends. The information in itself being the third distraction.

Patience was not proving to be a virtue, however, and he and Poppy had to be pulled out of their dazed infatuation with one another several times - Viva nudging her sister with a giggle and Floyd nudging Branch wearing his own little smirk.

After what did feel like hours of happily enduring laughter, songs, stories and other shenanigans that could only ensue among siblings, the first yawn finally was emitted, coming out of Floyd. It in turn caused everybody else to realize just how tired they were, too. So when the other yawns and tired stretches followed suit to confirm it was true, Branch nearly felt like pulling his brother in for a hug. His favorite bro had come to his aid, even if he may not have known it! But while the fun between the seven friends had just concluded, the heated glint in Poppy’s eyes told him that their fun was just beginning.

Just as Branch’s thoughts began to wander somewhere ungentlemanly, John Dory’s loud voice broke through. “I don’t know about you all, but I’m bushed!” To demonstrate his point, he plopped down flat on his back upon his sleeping bag. “Guess it was pretty fun singing and roasting marshmallows after all, eh?” he chuckled after a moment.

Bruce hummed in agreement, munching on the last few in his possession. “Mmm-mmm! I gotta tell Brandy we should add these to the dessert menu,” he said, referring to his wife of whom he ran Vacay Island’s cantina with.

“Imma be the first one in line if you do that!” Clay exclaimed, exchanging a fist bump with the purple-haired Troll.

“Count me in on that, too!” Viva giggled. She too really loved marshmallows - her couch back in Putt Putt Village, in fact, was a marshmallow! And only now did it really occur to her to wonder how in the world she’d managed not to consume it for all those years living there. Shrugging it off, she turned to the gang with a large grin. “He’s right though,” she said, gesturing a thumb at John Dory. “This really was fun! I’d love for us to all hang again sometime!”

Floyd nodded his head, agreeing. “That would be nice.” He turned to Branch, seeking his younger bro’s opinion.

“Yeah,” the blue Troll responded, hoping he didn’t sound too breathless when he answered, his gaze still fixed on Poppy.

The Pop Queen, in a similar fashion, concurred with a little dazed “Uh-huh.”

Good nights were bid, sleeping bags unzipped, and wrappers to the Jumbo-sized marshmallow bags disposed of. As Branch went to go put out the campfire, he silently mouthed the words to Poppy that would let her know when they could get the ball rolling.

Five minutes.

He accompanied the words with hand gestures - one going forward, as though he were making the motion for the word “after,” and then another gesture tucking his hands under one side of his head, to make it look as though he were laying down to sleep. Poppy understood right away, confirming with a little wink and followed by a half-lidded gaze that made a tingle go down his spine. He tried to ignore it as he laid down in his sleeping bag, for the sake of surviving those next five minutes without her in his arms already, but found he couldn’t. Poppy’s effect was too strong, and the desires manifested themselves in delicious fantasies for what he ached to do with her. Fantasies of which would soon become a reality.

Branch lay until he was sure that he heard the sounds of heavy cadences of breathing and light, steady snoring. He waited an extra thirty seconds or so afterwards, just to be extra sure and, upon hearing no signs of activity, allowed himself to rise up and out of his sleeping bag, careful to take the utmost caution in not making any noise whatsoever.

Poppy, also having waited the allotted time, made to get out of her sleeping bag, too. In her haste to reach Branch’s side, she accidentally crunched on a dry leaf, the crinkling noise resounding around them. Both froze. With this number of Trolls snoozing in the vicinity, someone was bound to stir. And stir someone did.

Clay shifted in his bag, and Branch held his breath, fully expecting his older brother to blink his eyes open and catch the two of them sneaking off. But to his relief, the lime-green-haired Troll drowsily mumbled something about tax evasion and then snuggled back into his blanket. Poppy met her boyfriend’s eyes and scrunched her shoulders, a little blush tinting her cheeks and a quiet giggle escaping her. Branch rolled his eyes playfully, and simply extended his hand for her to take, a little smirk on his face. She squeezed it softly as he tugged them along, padding against the soft dirt floor underneath them to reach their destination. Once they got just outside of JD's beloved caterbus pet, he released from her grip, bringing his hand up to her face so he could pull her in for the kiss he'd been dying to share with her. Poppy obliged him willingly, parting her lips slightly to deepen it. He pulled away with some reluctance after several seconds, resting his forehead against hers. Branch’s voice was hushed and eager when he spoke, finally addressing that one point of crucial information in the earlier conversation that had been so easily glossed over by the others, even his brother - JD - himself, who had revealed it.

"Do you really think that Rhonda is completely soundproof?"

The question itself wasn't so crude, but for the purpose that he was asking it made his cheeks grow warm. He couldn't help but think back to the time when John Dory had made the very confident-sounding claim that Rhonda was waterproof, but it hadn't turned out to be so.

Poppy however didn't seem bothered, and snickered. "I mean, even if she isn't, I'm sure she'll make sure nobody bothers us. Won't you, girl?"

Branch gave a short gasp when he felt a rumble of a trill behind him in response, only coming to just realize that Rhonda had been awakened and was panting happily at the couple. She wagged her stumpy green tail, seeming to have understood what Poppy had said and more than willing to be of help.

Branch still looked a little bit uncertain, suddenly rethinking this little venture. Even with as much as he wanted this to happen, would it be wise?

"Poppy," he said, pausing to think of what he was going to point out to her first. That perhaps they shouldn't be partaking in these type of activities within a caterbus that was not theirs? With not one, nor two, or even three or four, but FIVE other Trolls who had the chance of waking up and catching them in the act? And what kind of mess would they leave behind on the bed? Branch couldn’t imagine the embarrassment that he would have to face if confronted by John Dory for anything that was leftover upon the sheets….

But Poppy was quick to already reply. And reply she did. "Brrranch…" His name was a teasing growl, the ‘r’ drawn arousingly as she opened Rhonda's side door, batted her lashes and gingerly stepped foot inside.

Branch sighed. That's it.

In a move that suddenly startled her, he swept in, hauling her up and off her feet and hoisting her in a bridal carry that had her doing her best to not squeal in surprise. As he toted her into the caterbus, he hoped Poppy wasn't prepared to sleep.

Because Branch sure wasn't.

__________________________________________

A loud, thumping in the night is what awakened him.

Floyd startled, a little groggy as he registered that it was still pitch black, the morning not broken through yet. He attempted to shut his eyes again and doze off, but a sudden rumbling in his stomach caught him off guard, letting the magenta-haired Troll know loud and clear that it was hungry.

One midnight snack will do, he thought. Or... whatever time it is. Floyd had no way of knowing in particular what hour it was. It could very well be past midnight, or just a few minutes before the crack of dawn. He went back and forth reasoning which of the two it could be as he made his light, tip-toeing steps towards Rhonda. JD had lots of goodies packed in his fridge and cabinets, so there was bound to be something to sedate him.

As his hand reached for the knob of Rhonda's door, prepared to turn, he stopped short at the sound of the thumping again, more pronounced. Floyd blinked. Was that coming from inside of the caterbus? He strained to listen, and heard a rapid creaking noise, as though springs were being pressed down upon over and over, accompanied with a long, drawn noise of some sort. A moan, he realized, the longer he had his ear perked to attention.

Wait a minute... He thought he recognized that voice. Was that… Poppy? Floyd blinked. Why? Had something happened to her? He glanced over to where the other Trolls had been sleeping, seeing for the first time that her sleeping bag was indeed empty...

...And so was Branch's.

Suddenly, the magenta Troll's brain began to put two and two together, the cogs shifting in his brain right as another thumping was heard, and a new moan that bore a resemblance to the name of his youngest bro resonated.

Something had happened to Poppy all right. But it wasn't anything bad.

It was…

They were...

“Oh!” he gasped. Floyd suddenly felt blood rush to his face, his appetite vanishing entirely and his stomach turning queasy. He hurriedly turned his heel, trying to dash as quickly as he could back to his sleeping bag before he had an accident, but failing as he tripped over one of his brothers.

"Ow," a drowsy mumble came from Bruce, and he began to sit up and rub his eyes at the disturbance. "Floyd? Dude, what's going on?"

Floyd waved his hands in a panic. "No! Bruce, go back to sleep. Please!"

"Huh?" Bruce cocked his head. "What are you talking abou - " His sentence was cut off by the sound of a shout, one that sounded an awful lot like their youngest brother. More thumping followed, and Bruce raised an eyebrow, clueless for a second, until realization dawned upon him. "Ohhhh," he said, cracking a smile once his thoughts were confirmed upon seeing the lack of Branch and Poppy in their respective sleeping bags. Rhonda affirmed it further, cutting her narrowed eyes at him as if daring him to try and intrude the private moment. So that's what they were up to. Bruce shook his head, fondly remembering a time when he and Brandy were younger, and would get up to their own share of frisky business. "Well, I'll tell you one thing for sure," he told Floyd, "If there was ever any doubt that Branch isn't a man, there certainly isn’t one now."

Two responses met the purple-haired Troll. One was another loud moan coming from the caterbus. The other was a groan of dismay from his magenta-haired brother.

"Didn't John Dory say she was soundproofed?" Floyd whimpered in mortification, pointing at Rhonda.

Bruce laughed. "Bro, Rhonda's not soundproof. JD just sleeps like a rock. See?" The brothers looked over at their eldest bro who indeed looked like a content stone just laying there. Un-rock-like though, he snored, drooling some from the side of his open mouth.

Of course, Floyd thought with a roll of his eyes. He cast a worried glance at Bruce. "Okay, but, um, what should we do? I'd love to go back to sleep, but not if I'm going to listen to… um… to…" He tried to think of the right word to describe what was happening without outright saying it, but found he didn't have to. He grimaced when Poppy cried out, making him shudder. "To that," he finished.

Bruce understood and patted a hand reassuringly on Floyd’s shoulder. "Not to worry, bro. I got you covered. Here, gimme your hand." Floyd extended his palm out, and Bruce reached into his hair, pulling out a couple of small objects.

Floyd was perplexed when he realized what it was. "Gumdrops?" he asked.

"Hey, I know they're delish, but they're also 100% soundproof, guaranteed."

Floyd narrowed his eyes, unable to help feeling skeptical. "You sure?"

Bruce nodded. "Yep! Trust me, I stuff them in my kids' ears every night right after they've gone to sleep, in case the wife and I ever get in the mood. So far, they haven't been disturbed a peep!"

Floyd felt his stomach lurch and then nodded. “Okay! Alright, I’ll take them.”

Bruce chuckled, putting his own gumdrops in his ears and snuggling back down. He dozed off once more, and Floyd soon after, the magenta-haired Troll relieved that true to his brother’s word, he heard nothing but the sound of silence.

__________________________________________

Poppy found the brilliant sun the following morning a perfect compliment to the equally sunny attitude she had. She stretched, recomposed herself, and took a great big whiff of the fresh air once she stepped out of Rhonda. Right as she began to replay the events of the previous night, she felt a pair of hands slink around her waist, belonging to the Troll she’d shared the wonderful experience with. She giggled a little as his caress lightly tickled her sides, and she turned to face him, bestowing a quick peck upon his lips.

“Morning,” he whispered.

“Morning,” she replied. She licked her lips with a little hum, noting the flavor he’d left behind on them. “I take it coffee's brewing?” she asked.

“Mmm-hmm,” he confirmed, tipping his messy-haired blue head back towards Rhonda. “Want a cup?”

“In a little bit,” she said. “Think I’m gonna stretch my legs out here a bit first. I’m, uh… still a bit sore.” She admitted it with a blush that made Branch chuckle.

“All right.” He better adjusted his leafy vest to conceal the purplish mark on the base of his neck, bruise-like in appearance if not for the indentations indicative of teeth, if one were to look closely enough - evidence of the Pop Queen’s handiwork, no doubt.

They exchanged another sweet peck, and then Poppy was off at her sister’s side in a couple of wobbly bounds.

“Wakey, wakey!” she chirped, shaking her shoulder.

Viva gave a short yawn and grinned when her sights set on her sister. “Hey, you!” she giggled, throwing her arms around her for a hug. Taking note of her messy pink hair and worried she’d tossed and turned through the night, Viva questioned her. “You sleep okay?”

“Yeah,” Poppy replied. Better than okay, actually, she added silently, remembering Branch’s arms around her and how expertly they’d handled her.

“Oh, good!” Viva breathed out. “Um, you do know your leg warmers are inside out, right?”

Poppy grinned sheepishly when she realized her sister was right. But she couldn’t help be disoriented, not after the way Branch made her so drunk on his love. She shrugged, grateful when Clay’s awakening interrupted them.

“Ah, man, I had the best dream ever!” he declared as he stretched, sitting up in his sleeping bag.

Viva rolled her eyes. “This isn’t the one where you’re drinking hot cocoa and finishing everyone’s taxes, is it?”

Clay raised a hand. “Guilty, and quite happy to be found so!” he laughed.

Viva chuckled and turned to her sister. “That’s Clay for ya!”

Poppy shook her head with a little grin and then spotted Floyd and Bruce. “Hey, guys!” she called. “Branch is at the caterbus brewing some coffee. Want some?”

Poppy then witnessed something peculiar. At the mention of their youngest bro, Floyd’s eyes widened and he exchanged a look with Bruce. The purple-haired Troll calmly replied for the two. “I’ll take a cup, Poppy, but I think Floyd’s gonna pass. He was a little sick last night, and he’s still not up to par just yet.”

Poppy’s eyebrows creased in worry. “Oh, no! Really?” She looked to the magenta-haired Troll for an answer.

“I’ll be fine,” Floyd squeaked, clearing his throat afterwards in hopes that nobody would question him further for his strange behavior. Attention was drawn from him when John Dory leapt upon his feet, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

“Wassup, fam!” he cried, snapping his fingers. “I don’t know about you all, but I slept like a baby! A baby Branch that is.” He chuckled at his own joke, until the voice of his youngest brother stopped him.

“I thought I told you to refrain from calling me that!” Branch grumbled as he stepped towards them, sipping a cup of coffee.

“I was just playing, bro.” His expression then switched to a serious one. “For real though, dude, are you all right?”

Branch looked at him with confusion. “What’d you mean?”

John Dory exhaled. “Huh, I dunno if I was dreaming or something, but I coulda sworn I heard some screaming from you last night. And y’know, come to think of it, you too, Poppy!” JD scratched his head. “Were y’all having nightmares or something?”

In that instant, Poppy felt all the color rush to her face. Branch gagged midsip of the coffee he was drinking, and Floyd moaned, a hint of green tinting his face as he rushed into the bushes to heave what was in his stomach.

“NIghtmares!” Poppy laughed. “Nightmares he says!” She laughed until she felt herself grow light-headed, and then faint.

Not in much of a better state, Branch stood, frozen in shock and unresponsive to his surroundings, blue eyes open wide but unseeing.

“Uhhh… I feel like I missed something here,” JD said, puzzled.

Clay and Viva murmured their agreement as the former waved a hand in front of his little bro’s face and Viva fanned Poppy, who was still splayed on the ground.

“I didn’t,” Bruce mumbled.

JD’s head shot towards him. “What?”

“Nevermind,” the purple-haired Troll quickly said, plastering a nothing-is-wrong grin on his face. “Now, who wants gumdrops?”

[glitterp0prhaps0dy]

Broken Noses

Floyd had been fortunate to encounter such kindness since his arrival. From Barb's welcoming attitude to Thrash's... unique charm, Riff's chaotic camaraderie, Carol's enthusiastic presence, Demo's polished demeanor, Val's fearless spirit, and even that peculiar fish-like vendor who mysteriously showed up once a month - everyone had extended a hand of friendship. Even Rebel, who had her reservations initially, had warmed up in her own way. It was a motley crew of rockers and misfits that Floyd had somehow found a place among.

However, unbeknownst to this eclectic group, not everyone in the city was thrilled about the new Pop Troll's presence. There was a discordant note in their harmonious existence, a shadow lurking just out of sight. As they ventured into the market for a day of fun and exploration, little did they know that their pleasant outing was about to hit a sour note.

Their ignorance wasn't their fault; how could they have known? The city was a big place, filled with all sorts of characters, and they had been lucky enough to mostly encounter the friendly ones. But luck, like the weather in a rock ballad, can change swiftly and without warning.

So, as they laughed and bantered, making their way through the bustling market, a storm was brewing on the horizon. They were yet to realize that their day, which had started with such promise, was destined to end on a discordant chord.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rebel scrutinized the shopping list, her eyes narrowing as she tried to decipher the scrawled items. They stood at the entrance of the market, a replacement for the one previously charred courtesy of Riff's antics. "You know, we'll probably save time if we tackle this list in separate teams," Rebel proposed, glancing up from the list to the others. "Everyone okay with splitting up?" she inquired, gauging the group's reaction.

Carol was absentmindedly spinning a drumstick between her fingers, lost in thought as she hummed a tune only she could hear. Barb was fiddling with a small, intricately designed pendant hanging around her neck, her eyes occasionally darting around the market's entrance, taking in the hustle and bustle. Riff, with his ever-present energy, was tapping his foot rapidly on the ground, a beat forming in his mind as he surveyed the surroundings with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Floyd, meanwhile, was adjusting his hat, a slight look of apprehension on his face as he observed the lively market, still somewhat new to the chaos of the Rock Trolls' world.

At Rebel's suggestion to split up, each paused their individual preoccupations, their attention turning towards her to respond.

Carol halted her drumstick's spin, catching it with a practiced grip. "Sure thing," she said with a nod, already scanning the market stalls for musical accessories.

Barb released her pendant, looking determined. "Yeah, splitting up works. I'll take the food section. Quick in, quick out," she stated confidently, her leadership qualities shining through.

Riff ceased his rhythmic foot-tapping, a grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like a plan! I'll head towards the fireworks and...stuff," he declared, barely containing his excitement at the prospect of exploring.

Floyd adjusted his hat once more, offering a hesitant but willing smile. "Okay, I'll manage," he said, his voice carrying a note of uncertainty but also a readiness to participate.

Rebel noticed Carol veering off course, her enthusiasm for drumming accessories momentarily distracting her from the task at hand. Quickly stepping forward, Rebel gently grabbed Carol by the elbow, guiding her back to the group with an amused shake of her head. "Hold up, we're a band, not a solo act," Rebel teased, earning a sheepish grin from Carol.

Once everyone was back together, Rebel unfolded a slightly crumpled piece of paper, clearing her throat to get everyone's attention. "Alright, team, here's the game plan," she began, pointing to each item on the list as she assigned tasks to the group.

"Carol, you're on kitchen duty. We need rockberry jam, some crystal sugar, and don't forget the bass-boosted beans," she instructed, handing over a small basket to Carol, who nodded enthusiastically, mentally preparing herself for the culinary quest.

"Barb, you're tackling the home essentials. We need new strings for the sound system, a couple of lava lamps for ambiance, and if you can find any of those glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars, grab 'em," Rebel directed, giving Barb a knowing look that said, 'make our place the coolest cave in town.'

Riff was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, eager for his assignment. "And Riff, you're on entertainment and miscellaneous. Pick up some spark rock for the fireplace, a few vinyl records of classic rock bangers, and... please, try not to get distracted by the fireworks stand," she added, her tone a mix of sternness and jest.

Finally, Rebel turned to Floyd with a gentle smile. "And Floyd, I've got the perfect task for you. Can you handle getting the fluffernutter spread? It's just one thing, and it should be right at the entrance. Plus, it's essential for our snack stash," she explained, handing him a small, lightweight bag. Her tone was encouraging, making it clear she had chosen something within Floyd's comfort zone to ensure he felt included without being overwhelmed.

Carol sprung into action, her drumsticks magically appearing in her hands as she approached her mission with the enthusiasm of a rock star hitting the stage. To the casual observer, her shopping method resembled an impromptu performance; she tapped on cans as if testing their sound quality, drumrolled on the countertops, and even managed a mini solo using a pair of zucchinis as makeshift mallets. Her journey through the food aisles was less about the destination and more about the rhythm along the way, though she never lost sight of her ultimate goal: the rockberry jam, crystal sugar, and bass-boosted beans.

Riff, with a mischievous glint in his eye, took off towards the entertainment section. His path was anything but straight, zigzagging through crowds, occasionally stopping to inspect something shiny or unusually shaped. He couldn't help but detour through the pyrotechnics section, eyeing the sparkliest fireworks with a childlike wonder, though he remembered Rebel’s warning just in time to pull himself away and continue on his quest for spark rock and vinyl records.

Barb moved with purpose, her gaze fixed on her list of household essentials. The lava lamps and glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars were a must for setting the right vibe at home. She navigated the market with the efficiency of a seasoned shopper, though she couldn't resist pausing at a stall selling vintage rock posters, reminiscing about concerts past before snapping back to her task.

Meanwhile, Floyd explored the market with a mixture of curiosity and determination. The variety of goods on display captivated him; from exotic fruits that looked like they belonged in a science fiction movie to musical instruments that seemed to play themselves. Despite these distractions, Floyd maintained his focus on finding the fluffernutter spread, his eyes scanning each stall with increasing intensity. Finally, he spotted the stand he needed, but the vendor behind it was fast asleep, snoring gently. The precious fluffernutter spread sat just beyond, tantalizingly out of reach. Floyd hesitated, pondering his next move, his mission momentarily thwarted by the slumbering obstacle before him.

Floyd mulled over his options, his internal dialogue a whirlwind of considerations. ‘Should I wake them? No, that seems rude. But then again, they are sleeping on the job. Maybe there's another stall with fluffernutter spread, but I've wheeled around this market three times already and this is the only one I've seen. Why would they choose to nap now, of all times? Do they not want to sell anything?’

He continued to ponder, weighing the pros and cons of each potential action. ‘If I try to grab it myself, that could end badly if they wake up. They might think I'm trying to steal it. On the other hand, if I don't get this spread, I'll be letting Rebel and the others down. But really, who sleeps through market hours? It's both impressive and baffling.’

Floyd's thoughts danced around the dilemma, seeking a solution that felt right. ‘Maybe they had a rough night? Or perhaps they're not feeling well. Ugh, but I really need that spread. Okay, what if I just gently wake them up? A polite nudge, nothing too startling. That has to be the best option, right? Yeah, I'll do that. Just a gentle wake-up call. No harm in that.’

Resolved but still a tad uncertain, Floyd prepared to gently rouse the vendor, hoping the interaction would be as smooth as the fluffernutter spread he was so eager to acquire.

Before Floyd could even attempt to rouse the slumbering vendor, the vendor startled awake on his own. He had an unusual appearance, with grey-purple skin, black hair, and a muddy blue nose. Sporting a headband and a red and black shirt, along with black shorts, a leather vest, and studded bracelets, he certainly stood out in the market crowd.

"Whoa, sorry about that, dude," the vendor said, blinking groggily like a frog awakening from a nap. His voice was laid-back and chill, with a hint of an edgy surfer vibe.

"Hey, wait a minute... you're that troll everyone's been talking about! Cool! The name's Sid Frett," he introduced himself with a casual nod, acknowledging Floyd with a friendly grin.

Floyd narrowed his eyes at the troll before him, piecing together where he had heard that name. That's right, during one of Riff's more colorful stories about wild parties, he had mentioned a notorious party aficionado named Sid! "I'm Floyd," he replied, his attention momentarily diverting back to the essential item on his shopping list. "It's nice to meet you, really, but I'm actually here to buy something from you. The fluffernutter—" Floyd's introduction was abruptly cut short as a hulking brute of a troll approached the stand.

This imposing figure had long, red and black hair that tumbled messily down his back, and his head was adorned with a fearsome animal skull. His outfit screamed 'wild'—wearing leather pants that had seen better days, with patches and studs adorning the seams. Around his waist, a belt with bones and teeth dangled, clinking with every step he took. His chest was bare, save for the straps of a harness that held various pouches and what appeared to be small tools or weapons. Tattoos snaked up his arms, telling tales of victories, battles, and perhaps even lost loves in a visual tapestry that was as intimidating as it was intriguing.

The brute exhaled sharply through his nose, a visible puff in the air, as he glared directly at Floyd, sending a shiver down his spine. The uncomfortable tension was palpable. Then, with the same intensity, the brute's menacing gaze shifted to survey the stand and Sid Frett, assessing the situation with an unreadable expression.

The brute troll's voice was a rumbling growl, as if each word was dragged up from the depths of a dark, tumultuous sea. "Sid," he barked, his gaze still locking Floyd in a chilly embrace before dismissively turning to the vendor. "I'm here for the usual."

His words were clipped, a sharp contrast to the laid-back aura of Sid Frett. The brute's massive frame loomed over the stand, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the light. He leaned in, the bones and teeth on his belt clinking ominously. "Make it quick. I've got places to be and things to... handle." The last word was almost a hiss, filled with a menacing promise.

Sid, for his part, seemed unfazed by the aggression, nodding amiably. "Sure thing, big guy. Just give me a sec."

The brute then turned his attention back to Floyd, his eyes narrowing to slits. "And you," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "What's a pop troll doing here, eh? You lost, little boy? This ain't your bright, shiny world." His posture was aggressive, an unspoken threat hanging in the air between them. It was clear from his demeanor and his words that he had little regard for Floyd, viewing him as an unwelcome intrusion into his domain.

Floyd swallowed hard, the unease twisting in his stomach making his words tremble as they left his lips. "Just... healing up and... hanging out with friends..." His voice was barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to the brute's domineering presence.

The brute troll snorted, his disdain for Floyd palpable. "Healing up? In *our* city? You pop trolls are all the same, weak and relying on others to pick up after your messes. What, can't handle a bit of real troll life without running back to your sugary songs and sparkly dances?" His voice was like gravel, harsh and unyielding, each word designed to cut deep.

"You don't belong here, pinkie. This place," he gestured broadly, encompassing the market with a sweep of his arm, "is for those who can handle themselves, not for delicate little flowers who wilt at the first sign of trouble."

Just then, Sid returned, holding the dangerous item the brute had requested. He caught the tail end of the brute's tirade and immediately frowned. "Hey, no cool, dude," Sid interjected, his voice firm yet calm. "No need for that kind of vibe here. We're all just trying to get along, you know?" Sid's laid-back demeanor didn't waver, but there was a note of seriousness in his voice that suggested he wouldn't tolerate any further aggression towards Floyd. "Let's keep it mellow, alright?"

In the bustling market, a subtle commotion began to draw the attention of Barb, Carol, and Riff. From a distance, they spotted Floyd, his wheelchair unmistakable amidst the throng of shoppers. They exchanged quick glances, an unspoken agreement between them, and began to navigate through the crowd, their steps quickening as they closed in on their friend.

Meanwhile, Floyd, despite the coil of fear tightening in his chest, found a spark of defiance that surprised even him. Looking up at the brute troll, he mustered all the sass he could gather. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize we were measuring toughness by the ability to be rude to strangers in a marketplace. In that case, congratulations, you're the toughest troll here," Floyd retorted, his voice laced with sarcasm.

The brute's face twisted into a scowl, his eyes narrowing dangerously. The tension crackled in the air, the brute's anger visibly rising like a storm cloud ready to burst. Floyd's retort had struck a nerve, and the situation teetered on the edge of escalating further.

Floyd, sensing the brute's anger reaching a boiling point, couldn't resist pushing just a bit further, his voice dripping with an audacity that seemed to draw strength from the looming threat. "And here I was thinking the market was for shopping, not for flexing muscles you probably got from lifting your ego."

The brute's face turned an alarming shade of red, veins bulging like road maps on his forearms and forehead, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles whitened. The fire of rage in his eyes blazed even brighter, threatening to ignite the very air between them. It was clear Floyd's words had fanned the flames of his temper into a full-blown inferno.

Sid chuckled lazily, his laid-back demeanor contrasting sharply with the tension in the air. "Looks like pop trolls do pack some sass after all," he remarked, a smirk playing on his lips as he sided with Floyd.

Enraged by Sid's amusement and Floyd's defiance, the brute's temper erupted like a volcano. With a roar, he launched himself at Floyd, his massive fists swinging wildly. Before anyone could react, his knuckles connected with Floyd's face in a sickening crunch. The force of the blow sent Floyd's wheelchair tumbling over, the sound of impact echoing through the market square. As Floyd crashed to the ground, stunned silence fell over the onlookers, their eyes wide with shock at the sudden violence.

Floyd cried out, the sharp sting of pain radiating from his nose, now bleeding and seemingly misshapen from the brute's punch. His arms bore the harsh scrapes from the rocky ground beneath him. "What the hell, Grog?" Sid Fret exclaimed, his usual mellow tone replaced by one of concern and disbelief.

Cradling his face in his hand, Floyd struggled to comprehend the sudden onslaught of pain. "What... the fuck," he gasped, each word punctuated by a wince.

Grog, towering and fuming, paced back and forth like a storm about to burst. "You think you can just roll into MY territory, spouting sass like you own the place? Pop trolls—nothing but a bunch of glittery weaklings, thinking they're all that with their shiny stuff and their sugary music. Well, not here, not in MY area! I don't take disrespect lightly, especially not from a pop troll who doesn't know their place. You're nothing here, you hear me? NOTHING!" His voice boomed across the market, his rage palpable, eyes blazing with an intensity that silenced the murmurs of the onlookers. "This is rock territory, hard and unforgiving, not some sparkly dance floor for you to twirl on. Remember that." His words hung heavy in the air, a declaration of disdain for all things pop in his rugged, untamed corner of the world.

Floyd, battered and in agony, with his nose broken and his leg shattered, his face a mess of blood and bruises, refused to succumb to defeat. Despite the excruciating pain, he rallied his spirit for a counterattack. With a burst of resilience, he shot his hair out like a lifeline, targeting Grog's neck, the strands wrapping tightly in an attempt to subdue the giant. For a moment, Grog seemed to falter under Floyd's desperate grip, but the brute's superior strength quickly became evident. With a fierce jerk, Grog tore Floyd's hair from his grasp, severing the vibrant strands. Floyd, feeling the acute loss as though it were a limb, wailed in anguish. The severing of a troll's hair, a deeply personal part of their being, inflicted a pain that was both physical and profoundly emotional.

In a display of sick, twisted satisfaction, Grog turned his attention to Floyd's wheelchair, the only thing that allowed Floyd a semblance of mobility and independence. With a cruel grin spreading across his face, Grog lifted his foot and brought it down with all his might, crushing the wheelchair beneath his heavy boot. The sound of bending metal and breaking parts echoed through the market, a cruel testament to Grog's brutality.

But as Grog reveled in his destruction, his moment of triumph was abruptly cut short. Out of nowhere, he felt a powerful force collide with his face, the impact staggering him backward. A sharp, excruciating pain exploded across his features, and when he reached up to touch the source of his agony, he felt a distinct shape imprinted on his skin—a hoof print. 

Through the haze of his shock and pain, Grog heard a roar of anger, and as his vision cleared, he locked eyes with his assailant: Rebel. She stood there, fuming, her posture radiating pure fury and defiance. The unexpected counterattack left Grog screaming in a mix of rage and pain, his plan to dominate and terrorize now met with fierce resistance. Rebel had launched herself into the fray without hesitation, her kick a clear message that she would not stand by while injustice unfolded before her eyes.

Rebel stepped forward, her presence commanding, yet eerily calm in the wake of the chaos. The rage that had ignited her actions moments ago seemed to cool into a chilling, controlled demeanor. She fixed her gaze on Grog, who was still reeling from her unexpected assault, her eyes conveying a depth of resolve and menace that belied her tranquil posture.

"You know," Rebel began, her voice low and steady, a stark contrast to the surrounding tumult, "there's a thin line between bravery and stupidity. You just leapt over that line with both feet." She took a step closer, her eyes never leaving Grog's, her stare piercing through him like a sharp blade. "I suggest you think long and hard about your next move because if you so much as breathe in Floyd's direction again, I'll ensure that the consequences are... memorable."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the promise of retribution. It was clear from her tone and her posture that this was not merely a threat but a guarantee—a calm yet terrifying assertion of her capability to protect her friends and make anyone regret crossing her. Grog, despite his earlier fury and aggression, found himself unnervingly subdued under Rebel's gaze, a testament to her formidable presence even without overt aggression.

Barb, Riff, and Carol rushed over to the scene, their expressions a mix of concern and anger. Riff immediately scooped Floyd onto his back with a gentle yet firm grip, while Barb knelt beside them, dabbing at Floyd's bloody nose with a tissue, her movements careful and tender.

"Whoa, buddy, we got you," Riff said, his voice a mix of anger and concern.

Barb's voice was low and soothing, a stark contrast to the violence that had just unfolded. "Floyd, you're going to be okay. We're here now."

Carol hovered nearby, her usual flamboyance tinged with worry. "Oh, the horror! The absolute barbarity! To lay hands on such an exquisitely delicate Pop visage! Fear not, for we shall compose a ballad of revenge so dramatic, the very skies will weep at its telling!"

Meanwhile, Rebel and Grog were locked in a tense staredown. Grog towered over Rebel, his frame bulky and imposing, but Rebel's stance was unwavering, her gaze sharp and intimidating.

"You should pick your battles more wisely," Rebel's voice was calm but laced with an icy threat, "especially when one of them is the daughter of King Thrash. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to hear about your... hospitality."

Grog's anger bubbled beneath the surface, his fists clenched at his sides. The mention of the King, coupled with Rebel's unflinching demeanor, seemed to pierce through his rage. With a final glare that swept from Rebel to Floyd, he spat out a venomous threat. "If I ever see you again, Pop troll, it won't end well for you."

With that, Grog stormed off, each step heavy with restrained fury. Rebel watched him leave, her gaze cold and calculating until he disappeared from view. Then, she turned back to her friends, her expression softening as she approached Floyd and the others.

"Let's get out of here," she said, her voice a gentle command that brought the group together, ready to support one another in the aftermath of the confrontation.

[partywithoutsmiling]

What would happen if Thorn was alive in either of your aus (or in canon) what would he be doing?

Pft honestly, if Thorn is alive, then Mulberry would be alive as well, because there is no way he'd abandon her or wanted to live without her.

When he and Mulberry were caught, Bergens were already slowly combing through the Pop Troll territory, decimating their numbers, most likely setting up what they thought were permanent settlements that would however eventually fail as the local source of Trolls dwindled and the Bergens were forced to go hunting further and further away, until they simply couldn't sustain their need for a happiness boost and they had to pack up their things and move on to the next 'patch'.

The one way I can imagine them surviving, was if they attempted an escape but were only semi succesful; the Bergens would have most likely troll-proofed their settlement to the best of their abilities, and so complete escape wouldn't have been so easy.

So while escaping their confines, they wouldn't have been able to trully get out.

Then, perhaps an accident, that would have greatly hindered one of them; and then, maybe the changing of seasons; no matter how attuned to Nature the Trolls were, they could hardly handle a heavy rain season or winter- especially Thorn, who is from volcanic area, and grew up living mostly underground.

For a pair of two mice sized critters, that makes the world around them especially hard to traverse, and they would have been forced to make frequent stops.

Imagine, if you will, if they tried their best to get back to the Troll Tree to warn the Pop Royalty about what was coming, but just failed- and they arrived just in time for the Tree to get caged, trapping all of their remaining family inside, with Bergen guards constantly patroling around, and the Chef and her assistants snatching up any would be runaway Trolls until they were cowed enough not to try anymore.

They have no idea that at that moment, it is only Rosiepuff, Branch and Clay remaining in the Tree; but any grand plans in trying to get in are put on hold when the old injury rears its ugly head and greatly hinders their ability to function- leaving the other to be the sole protector of them both.

After that, it is only poor compensation, to be able to watch the Tree be still alive and hear the trolls singing, despite Trollstice starting to happen every year. They live in the city; in the walls, in the attic, in the basement. Like Borrowers, they scavenge what they can, take items that won't be missed, while every day watching, hoping, waiting for a chance to get to the tree and saving their sons.

They never manage to cross a path with the 'Borrower Teams' from the Tree; never spot their boy Clay among the scouts, always managing to sneak away at any louder noise.

Then, the Last Trollstice happened- they noticed the Trolls escaping and knew they must be heading towards the northern woods- taking that as their chance, they head there too, over the roofs and over the battlement, taking the Bergen's distraction as a blessing to finally be reunited with their family.

And they are!

Only not with Branch's side of the tribe.

Instead they encounter Viva, Clay, and their band of misfits.

SO! That's my take on what Thorn would have been doing XD He'd have his reunion with Clay, and had to force himself to terms with the fact that all his other sons- even the youngest one- must have been killed. But he was born and raised a leader; while he was never raised in Pop Troll culture, he was raised to be tough and to fight back- and if there is one Troll that can help Viva make their 'Tribe' survive, it was him.

Of course, he wouldn't have been able to stay in the Golf Course forever; growing restless, catching wanderlust, but also starting to disagree on how isolated Viva keeps everyone. Then, suddenly, a sliver of hope comes on the air, as a blurry ruined postcard shows up, with barelly legible invitation to a wedding; their son Spruce is alive!

Thorn is immediatelly keen to go- but Viva puts him in an ultimatum: if he leaves the golf course, he can never come back. Thorn, being a stubborn asshole, of course doesn't care- especially when Mulberry faithfully follows her mate, despite Viva's surprise (as she expected Mulberry to stay behind with her son) Clay, for his part, is conflicted- oh he is unhappy with Viva doing what she is doing, but at the same time, he understands why she is doing that. He doesn't want his parents to leave- but at the same time, he is a grown man now, and Viva needs him.

So, off Thorn and Mulberry goes, on another adventure, trying to find their second oldest Spruce; a search that definitelly takes them more than just few days to complete. It most likely takes them all over the possible current world map, searching for clues- but honestly, they can only do so much on vague invitation and ruined postcard.

Their age eventually catches up to them, and, without no-where to go, they settle down among the minor genres, saddened, but not really able to do anything but try to live out their lives in peace.

(You have to understand, by the time Branch was born, both Mulberry and Thorn were in their late thirties, and they are definitelly over sixty years old now, when the plot of the first movie happens)