Chapter Text
John Dory closed his eyes as tears streamed down his cheeks. It felt like forever since he'd found out his baby brother, Branch, was alive.
He was going to see him in a place others referred to as Pop Village. It was a surprise visit after years of no communication.
A rock troll had thankfully given him the map that would lead to his brother.
He followed the path exactly and was almost there when a hand grabbed him.
He had struggled and screamed, Rhonda was close.
Unfortunately, these two were stronger.
They caught her, throwing her into some type of vehicle while John was forced into a purple bottle.
He later learned that his captors were twins named Velvet and Veneer. Two aspiring stars who had zero talent.
Until they started to steal his.
Now, as he sits in his diamond prison, all he could think about were his little brothers.
He hadn't seen them in at least twenty years. There was no doubt in his mind, he was the worst big brother in history.
~~~♡♡♡~~~
Clay reread the letter on his way out. He'd found it just outside the gates the night before.
John was in trouble, if he was lucky, he'd get there just in time.
He arrived at the golf course gates, looking up to see Viva blocking his path.
“Viva, I have to go.” He met her eyes, pleading with his own for her to step aside.
She folded her arms, glaring at him. “I'm sorry, Clay, but I'm putting my foot down on this.” She sighed, her gaze softening as she looked into his teary eyes. “I'm not going to lose anyone else.”
“He's my big brother!” He choked back a sob. If he didn't get there now, who knows what could happen to John.
“You could die!” Tears filled Viva's own eyes. “The answer is no, that's final.” she turned away, “Close the gates.”
“No!” Clay watched in horror as the putt putt trolls began closing up.
He couldn't stand there and do nothing while his big brother suffered.
Clay ran as fast as he could to the closing gate, diving under just in time.
“Clay!” Viva screamed, reaching for him. Just like that, he was gone.
“This isn't up for debate!” Clay called as the gate closed.
He turned to face the world, realizing he was on his own.
All he had to do was get John out of there and bring him home.
Easy-peasy.
Right?
He started his walk, knowing he was John's only hope.
Ten days later, he finally made it. He was exhausted, sore, but he was in Mount Rageous.
He walked around, avoiding the giants. Arriving at the stadium, he ran inside. The twins were singing, distracting the audience.
Using his hair, Clay lifted himself into the vents, crawling around until he stumbled upon a dressing room.
Peering inside, he saw John sitting in a bottle. He'd never seen the man look so tired.
Hopping down, Clay landed on the vanity. He ran to the bottle, looking his brother over for injuries. “John!”
John looked up, his eyes widened in shock. “C-Clay…?” His voice was hoarse, anyone could see that John was getting weak.
Clay took a step back, looking the prison over. “Diamond? Really?” He groaned, “That means…”
“You don't have to.” John quickly spoke as he stood, touching the wall of his prison. He didn't want to be the reason for yet another battle between his brothers.
“It's the only way to get you out.”
“I know, but the Perfect Family Harmony might not even be obtainable.” He sighed, “Besides, you'll need to find our brothers.”
Clay's ears lowered, he really didn't want to. Especially not after they all abandoned Branch.
But, John needed them now. He was shivering, looked exhausted, and was clearly uncomfortable.
If they didn't suck it up, John would only worsen until he died.
“John, what are they doing to you?”
“Stealing my talent.” He scoffed, “They're a bunch of talent stealing succubi.”
Clay's heart sank at this information. If John's talent was being stolen, and he looked this awful, he could only deduce that it was making him sick.
But if he was merely sick, why was he so pale?
“I'll find them.” Clay whispered, “I'm going to find them and we'll save you.” He placed his paw where John's was, “I promise.”
John smiled a little, nodding as he slowly sat down. He shivered, clinging to his jacket. “I'll be okay.”
He looked around, spotting the closet. “Rhonda is in there, she's a very good girl.” He looked back at Clay, “There's a map, follow it to the Pop Village, where Branch is.”
With a nod, Clay approached the closet and opened the door. Rhonda came bounding out, rushing over to the vanity.
“Rhonda, take Clay to Branch.” John sighed softly, “Behave for him, okay?”
Rhonda whimpered, opening her door.
Clay took a step onto the bus, looking back at his eldest brother. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” John leaned against the wall, closing his eyes for some much needed sleep.
Clay watched, noticing how thin he'd become.
They had to hurry.
Getting on the bus, he found the map quickly. “Let's go find my brothers.”
~~~♡♡♡~~~
Clay arrived at Bergen Town, stepping out of Rhonda and leaving her to hopefully not cause a commotion.
He had followed the instructions of other trolls, his brother was here.
At a bergen wedding.
He shuddered, remembering all the deaths at the hands of these creatures.
Clay snuck in, looking around in awe. It was brighter, trolls freely walked around.
The bergens were laughing, celebrating.
Looking around, he eventually spotted an older, duller version of his brother.
“Baby Branch!” He ran forward, excited to see how the youngest had grown up.
Branch turned, groaning when he spotted Clay. “Oh no…”
Once he reached Branch, Clay grabbed his face. “Come here! I haven't seen you since you were a baby.”
He started pinching Branch's cheeks, cooing at him. He only stopped when he was pushed off.
“I don't know you!”
Clay froze, he smiled nervously. “Come on, it's me. Clay. Your second favorite brother?” He moved to grab Branch's face again, wanting to look him over.
Branch batted him away as much as possible, suddenly feeling overwhelmed.
Poppy was quick to pull Branch behind her, raising her fists to fight Clay. “Who are you and what do you want with my boyfriend?”
Clay put his paws up, hoping to prevent a fight. “Easy there, we don't need to fight.” He offered a paw for her to shake. “I'm Clay, Branch's brother.”
Poppy stared at him, her mouth agape. She turned to Branch, waiting for an explanation.
Branch folded his arms, growling. “Ex brother! You walked out on me, remember?”
“I know, and I'm sorry, but I need you.” Clay took a step forward, reaching out for him.
Poppy leaned in, her eyes narrowing. “Do I….know you from somewhere?”
“I don't think so?” Clay tilted his head in thought. “Unless you've heard of Brozone?”
“Brozone!?” She gasped, “You're the fun one! Oh my gosh! Guys, it's Clay from Brozone!” She squealed, jumping up and down. “Wait.”
She paused, thinking. “Wait, so…that means the rest of Brozone…”
“We're Branch's big brothers.” Clay chuckled, grimacing at the glare he was given from the youngest.
“Branch!” Poppy whipped around, staring him down. “Why didn't you tell me!?”
Branch shrugged, “It's complicated.” He looked away, willing his emotions to go back down.
Poppy's gaze softened as she touched his shoulder. “Oh, sweetie, ‘cause you weren't in the band?”
“Oh, he was in the band.” Clay chuckled, “That's our Bitty B.”
“What!?” Poppy looked between the two. “No way, that's impossible. Bitty B had glasses.”
“And a diaper.” Clay smiled fondly at the memory.
“And,” Branch sang, “a falsetto made of gold, not that anyone cared, but that's all in the past.” He scoffed, “You guys stopped being my brothers the day you walked out on me and never came back!”
Clay flinched, “I'm sorry, okay?” He took a deep breath, they didn't have time for this. “Look, we can discuss it later. Right now, I need your help-”
“Help!?” Branch spun around, it took everything he had not to punch him. “Excuse me, “big bro”,” the air quotes stung Clay more than he liked to admit. “I needed your help twenty years ago!”
“Branch, please-”
“No! You don't get to come here and ask for my help when-”
“It's John.”
Branch fell silent, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “What about him?”
“He's trapped in a diamond prison, we need to bust him out.”
“No.”
“Branch-”
“I'm not going on some stupid risky mission to save one of the jerks who left me!” Branch swallowed the lump in his throat. “I-I needed you guys for years, now I'm finally at a point of healing. I'm not putting myself through that again, Clay.”
Clay touched his shoulder, he hated doing this, but they had to help John. “He's getting weak and may be dying.”
Branch paled, “W-What…?”
“I got this letter, telling me to bring you.” Clay folded his arms, “To bring all of you.” He sighed, “I know you hate us, but I wouldn't do this to you unless it was an emergency.”
“I-I'll go.” Branch ran a paw through his hair, his mind racing.
John was possibly dying. There wasn't any more time to waste.
“I'm coming too.” Poppy grabbed his other paw, “It'll be okay.”
Branch slowly nodded, all he could think about was saving his big brother.
The ground began to shake, they quickly backed up as an armadillo bus came out of the ground.
“Our ride is here!” Clay approached, petting it. “Meet Rhonda, John's bus.”
“I am already regretting this.” Branch sighed as he eyed the thing.
Poppy squeezed his paw, “I know, but your big brother needs you.”
They climbed into Rhonda, Branch was the least excited to do this.
Clay took the driver's seat, cracking his knuckles. “Let's find Floyd.”