Chapter Text
“Branch, this stuff is amazing!” Poppy said as she opened a large box in the center of the room.
Branch looked over from the shelves on the walls, where he was cleaning framed photos.
They had been looking through his grandma’s old junk with Floyd, reliving the bro’s past through the memorabilia. After the whole “kidnapping” situation, Velvet and Veneer had been imprisoned, and Floyd had gotten better over time. His hair still had a while fade in it, but it was becoming less noticeable.
“What did you find now?” Branch said to Poppy, walking over to her.
“Just a few trinkets- wait. What is this photo of you?!” Poppy chuckled, pulling out a small Polaroid photo of Branch playing Rummy with his Grandmother.
“Seems you two had fun with each other.” Floyd said with a small smile.
“She won most games…” Branch said awkwardly as he scratched the back of his neck.
Poppy kept going through the box, mentioning something every now and then. Floyd and Branch ended up sitting down next to her, looking at the stuff she put aside. They shared memories and were having a great time. Suddenly, Poppy stopped as she pulled out a decently big rock.
“What is this?” Poppy asked.
Branch and Floyd had looked over to the rock, just as confused. “Why would grandma keep a random rock..?” Floyd asked, turning to Branch.
“I’m just as confused as you are!” Branch exclaimed. He took the rock from Poppy lightly and inspected it.
“This seems to be some sort of geode…” Branch said, shocked at his findings.
“There’s no geode mines at this part of TrollTown though… how would your grandma have it..?” Poppy asked.
“I’m not sure-“ Suddenly, the geode cracked, revealing a glowing emerald green inside, sparkling in the dimly lit room.
Floyd picked a piece of the rock up, mesmerized by its glow. The other two did the same, inspecting their pieces. Branch looked through the box some more, pulling out a note. He opened the note and read it aloud.
“Dear Rosiepuff, I have missed you dearly. I know we did not leave each other on the best of terms, but I would like for you to know that I still think of you. I have given you this crystal if you ever wish to come back to us. Please, consider coming home to Trolex Kingdom. We all miss you very much. Sincerely, your past lover, Rowan…”
“Grandma lived in the Trolex kingdom..?” Floyd asked.
“Seems to be… this ‘Rowan’ guy said this crystal would let her go back… what does that mean?” Branch added.
They all stared puzzled at the crystal and the note, before Poppy interrupted the silence.
“Wait! My dad told me something about this!”
“What’d he say?” Branch asked.
“There are crystals for the Techno trolls so they can stay in their mermaid form. This must be one!” She pulled out a small scrapbook from her hair and turned to a page. On it had a crystal identical to the one Grandma Rosiepuff had. “They say, if you keep it with you underwater, any troll can turn into a mermaid or merman, just like the Techno trolls!”
“Should we try it?” Floyd asked in excitement.
They all looked at each other before nodding. They broke the crystal into smaller pieces, one for each of them.
“Wait guys, it might be dangerous to go alone. We’ve never been there, and we don’t know what to expect!” Floyd cautioned.
“That’s why we’re getting the gang back together!” Poppy exclaimed as they left.
“Wait what? Who are we getting?!” Branch asked.
“The gang! You, me, Floyd, John Dory, Clay, and Bruce! Now let’s go!”
The trio made their way into TrollTown with a goal: Get the group and try the magic!
~~~
‘Ding dong’
“I’ll get it!” Clay yelled, walking to the door of Rhonda.
He opened the door to see Poppy, Branch, and Floyd, all seeming to be excited about something.
“C’mon! Get the gang, we’re gonna have so much fun today!” Poppy said, barely containing her excitement.
“Oh, I don’t do fun. Remember?” Clay reminded.
“Are you kidding me! This is going to be so amazing, you’ll see!”
“What’s going on out there Clay?” John Dory said, walking over to the door.
“Just come on! I’ll explain on our way! This is gonna be the best day ever!” Poppy yelled, already running away.
“Wait up Poppy!” Branch yelled.
The bros were confused as Bruce walked over to the door with the others. “Okay, what is going on?!”
“Just come on. We’ll explain later-“
Branch explained before being interrupted by Poppy yelling out to the group. “Beep beep! All aboard!”
“Poppy, Shelia won’t fit all of us!” Branch explained.
“Why don’t we just take good ‘ol Rhonda where we need to go?” John Dory suggested.
Rhonda panted happily at the group.
“Good idea!” Poppy yelled as she ran over to the group, pulling Branch and Floyd into Rhonda and getting ready to drive.
“Wait!” Branch yelled. Poppy looked back from the wheel. “We’re bringing my siblings, so why don’t you bring yours?” The group smiled as Poppy got even more excited.
“I thought you’d never ask!” Poppy stepped on the gas, heading over to her home in TrollTown.
~~~
“Dad! Yours looks so fantastamazing!” Viva said as King Peppy held up his candy necklace.
Ever since the “kidnapping” situation, Kind Peppy and Viva had been spending lots of time together to make up for all the years of bonding they missed. They had long talks about what they had been up to since the trolls escaping BerganTown. Overall, their bond had improved a lot over the month after. They were listening to some music and making candy necklaces, when they heard honking from outside. They both went to check out what was happening.
“Come on Viva! We’re going to the Techno Kingdom!” Poppy yelled from the door of Rhonda.
“Wait a minute, what?!” Clay questioned.
“We’ll explain on the way!” Floyd replied.
Viva waved Kind Peppy goodbye and ran over to Rhonda, jumping in and greeting everyone. Soon after, they began the drive to the Techno Kingdom.
~~~
“Okay, now explain what is going on you three!” Bruce stated.
“You wanna explain Branch?” Poppy asked.
“It would be my honor.” Branch replied, clearing his throat and stepping in front of the group.
“Me, Poppy, and Floyd were back at Grandma’s house checking out some old stuff. We were looking in this box when we found a crystal with a note. Apparently, Grandma used to live in the Techno Kingdom with some guy named Rowan. She also apparently-“
“Wait- what?!” Bruce interrupted. “I thought Grandma Rosiepuff was a pop troll!”
“We did too! But it seems that isn’t the case…” Floyd responded.
“Anyways, so Grandma apparently left on bad terms with this guy, and mailed her a crystal in case she ever wanted to ‘go back’.” Branch said, pulling out the crystal piece he had.
“Poppy said that this crystal can turn anyone into a mermaid, just like the Techno trolls!”
“So that’s what we’re doing?! We get to be mermaids?!” Viva squealed in excitement.
“Wait, so you’re saying that Grandma used to live with the Techno trolls, left, and was given this crystal-thingy that can turn us into mermaids?” Clay asked.
“Basically.” Floyd replied.
“Guys, we’re here…” Poppy stated.
Everyone stood in awe at the sight of the beautiful blue ocean. They could see bright lights from where the Trollex Kingdom resided, and could hear the sounds of excitement.
“Now, everyone take a piece of the crystal.” Floyd said, taking his piece and breaking it. Branch and Poppy did the same, giving a piece to each of them.
“No need to worry folks! I made us special amulets so we could hold the crystals in them!” Poppy pulled out seven matching amulets. They were a dusty shade of gold with a small openable charm. Everyone grabbed one and put them on, placing the crystal inside of the pendant.
“Now uhh, how do we use the crystal?” Bruce asked.
“It’s easy! You just have to feel your soul connect to the crystal!” Poppy said, cupping the pendant in her hands. Viva did the same and they kept repeating the phrase, “just feel it” over and over, more dramatic each time. The rest of the group looked at them like they were nuts.
“Well this just got awkward.” Bruce said blatantly.
“Guys!” Branch sternly spoke, breaking Poppy and Viva out of whatever trance they were in. “Let’s just go in and see what happens.” The group agreed and began making their way to the ocean.