Chapter Text
Willow had been sick for a while now. As much as she tried to convince herself otherwise, she wasn't as invincible as she let others believe. While she was sick, Branch had taken it upon himself to look after her, even taking over her ambassador duties. However, one thing he had forgotten to do was tell her partners.
So, when Willow didn't show up for their eagerly anticipated date night, it was no surprise that Barb and Trollex felt hurt and concerned. Their worry intensified as they arrived at the bunker, only to be greeted by a protective Branch standing at the door, his arms crossed firmly over his chest.
"Now really isn't a good time," Branch said, his tone leaving little room for argument.
"Willow promised she wouldn't miss any more date nights," Barb said, echoing his stance with her arms crossed defiantly.
"We just want to make sure she's alright," Trollex chimed in, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Let them in, Branchy," a faint voice interjected from behind him, breaking the tension in the air.
Branch sighed heavily, a look of resignation washing over his features as he turned to face his sister. "You're supposed to stay in bed, Willow," he chided gently, though the worry in his eyes was unmistakable.
Barb and Trollex peered around Branch, and their hearts sank at the sight of Willow. Wrapped tightly in a blanket, she looked frail and exhausted, her skin pale and her normally vibrant eyes dimmed with fatigue.
"Sweet Beat!" Trollex exclaimed, his instincts kicking in as he quickly dashed around Branch to kneel beside her. "What's wrong?" His voice was laced with concern and urgency as he placed a hand on her forehead.
"You look terrible," Barb remarked, her previous stance softening as she uncrossed her arms to show her worry.
"Thanks, Barracuda," Willow replied, managing a weak smile that barely reached her eyes. "I'm just not feeling great," she confessed, her voice a mere whisper.
"Willow, you're supposed to be in bed, resting," Branch reiterated sternly, the protective brother in him surfacing.
"I'm supposed to be going to Mount Rageous," Willow insisted, determination flickering in her eyes despite her weakened state.
"They can handle whatever it is without you," Branch insisted, his concern edging on frustration.
"What exactly are you going to Mount Rageous for?" Barb asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity, her interest piqued.
"They wanted a Troll representative," Branch waved his hand dismissively, as if it were a trivial matter. "Something about wanting to make the city more Troll-friendly and needing insight from some Trolls."
Barb and Trollex exchanged glances filled with understanding, and after a moment, Barb said, "We'll go in your place."
Willow's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at them. "No," she quickly shook her head. "I can't ask you to do that."
"You don't need to ask," Trollex asserted, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You need help, and we're offering it." He then stood, moving confidently beside Barb, his expression resolute. "You just focus on getting better, okay, Sweet Beat?"
"Branch can take care of you while you rest," Barb added, her voice reassuring and firm.
"Okay," Willow sighed, her shoulders slumping against the door frame, the fight seemingly leaving her body.
"Now, would you please get back into bed?" Branch inquired, his exasperation evident but laced with love.
Willow pouted playfully, sticking her tongue out at her big brother before relenting. "Fine." Her gaze softened as she looked back at her partners. "Thank you, Barracuda, Angel Fish."
"Anytime," Trollex replied, a genuine smile breaking across his face.
"We'll see you in a couple of weeks," Barb assured her, waving cheerfully. "Love you, Popstar."
That was the last time Willow had seen Barb and Trollex. It felt like a lifetime ago, back when they had reached out to her during the first week after they set off on their journey. Their messages were filled with excitement as they updated her on their adventures. They had been making preparations at Mount Rageous, a place known for its treacherous peaks and breathtaking views, but after checking in, the silence was deafening.
At first, Willow tried to convince herself that they were caught up in their responsibilities, focused on ensuring everything was just right in their respective kingdoms. Days turned into a week, and her initial thoughts began to spiral into doubt. Maybe they were upset with her, or perhaps the weight of leadership had completely engulfed them, causing them to forget about her. But when Val and Synth came by, looking for news on Barb and Trollex, concern rippled through her like a cold wind. Their worried expressions only heightened her anxiety. It became painfully clear: something was deeply wrong.
Determined to find out the truth, Willow devoted the following month to an exhaustive search. She reached out to anyone who might have information, sending frantic letters toward Mount Rageous, each message filled with urgency, but all of them met with silence. The frustration piled up, and the gnawing worry in her gut grew more insistent with each passing day. When she finally decided to contact the bounty hunters, she felt a spark of hope, imagining they could find them.
Two months had now slipped by, and as she sat with her thoughts, hopelessness began to creep in like a shadow. Poppy had tried to give her a job, suggesting she help plan Bridget's wedding, hoping it would distract her from the anguish of uncertainty. And while she poured herself into the preparations, ensuring every detail was perfect for her friend's big day, the distraction proved to be far less effective than she'd hoped. She stumbled through sleepless nights, operating on sheer determination. The weight of worry made restful slumber elusive, and the brief moments she did fall asleep were often interrupted by thoughts of Barb and Trollex. Branch had managed to get her to fall asleep one time, but when she learned he had drugged her, she stopped trusting anything he would give her to drink or eat.
On the day of King Gristle's wedding to Bridget, Willow found herself watching her brother prepare. Branch, dressed in a vibrant, sparkly green suit, was lost in a BroZone vinyl, a musical escape that seemed worlds away from her turmoil.
"The sky was the limit, now the stars where we're livin', it's the vibe when we're in it, it'll blow your mind." Willow sighed as the music played and turned back to her map. He was trying to distract her while also reminiscing about the happy times with their brothers. It wasn't working as well as he had hoped, and it was just making him sad. She had already gotten ready for the wedding, knowing her brother would insist she go instead of focusing on her missing partners.
Poppy entered the room with an air of purpose, her posture straightening as she cleared her throat. "Poppy," Branch greeted, his voice gentle yet tinged with concern.
"Hey, Branch," she replied with a warm smile, her attention shifting to Willow. "How's Willow doing?"
Branch's expression shifted, his features morphing into one of sympathy. "She hasn't gotten any sleep yet. She must be exhausted," he said, his voice echoing his own pent-up worry.
Willow turned her head slightly, irritation flickering within her. "I can hear you, you know," she muttered, a hint of annoyance creeping into her tone. "I'm fine." She turned away from the map and nodded to her friend. "I'm ready for the wedding, too."
"Maybe you should skip the wedding," Poppy suggested gently, concern etched on her face. "You're clearly stressed, and Bridget will understand."
"I'm fine," Willow shot back, her defensiveness rising in response to their concern.
"You need sleep," Branch insisted, his determination to help her clear.
"No I don't!" Willow argued. "I need to find Barb and Trollex. I need to go to this wedding. Anything else can wait until later."
Branch opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, Poppy stepped forward, her voice firm yet compassionate. "Willow, as your queen, I have to insist. You are to stay here and get some rest." A sad smile curved her lips as she continued, "I know you want to help, but you won't do anyone any good as exhausted and frazzled as you are. Please, consider just trying to get some sleep."
Narrowing her eyes at Poppy, Willow felt the familiar irritation bubble up. She hated it when Poppy played the queen card against her. "Fine," she conceded, her voice clipped with frustration. "You two enjoy the wedding." With that, she moved to lie down on the couch, turning her back in silent protest against her brother and friend.
Branch sighed, staring at her rigid form, feeling a deep sense of defeat settle over him. "Just... get some rest, alright?" When she remained silent, he turned to Poppy. "Let's go."
Poppy offered Branch an encouraging smile, her faith unwavering. "She'll be alright, Branch. Everything will get better as soon as we find Barb and Trollex."
"I hope so," Branch sighed heavily as he exited, the weight of worry following him. "I just hate seeing her like this, you know?"
Once they left, Willow lifted her head, frowning at the lingering thoughts of Branch's words. "Sorry for worrying you, big bro," she whispered to the empty room. "But I can't rest until I know Barb and Trollex are safe." Determined, she reached for her communicator and selected a contact with lingering hope. "Tresillo, do you have any news?"
After John Dory had dramatically interrupted the royal wedding in Bergen, he managed to convince Branch that they needed to leave at once to gather their other brothers and rescue Floyd. However, Branch remained adamant about making a crucial detour to the Troll Tree to fetch their sister, Willow. John Dory's frustration was palpable. "Come on," he insisted, his voice rising slightly. "We don't have time for this. We need to save Floyd now! And honestly, do we really need Willow for the Perfect Family Harmony anyway?"
Branch shot John Dory a piercing glare. "I'm going to pretend you didn't say we don't need our little sister for the Perfect 'Family' Harmony," he retorted, his voice steady but filled with conviction. "Even if you think that's true, there's no way I'm leaving her behind. If she found out I left without her, it would stress her out beyond measure. She would freak out or wind up exhausting herself trying to find me."
Poppy chimed in, her tone supportive. "Branch is right. She's already under enough pressure as it is. Leaving her behind wouldn't help anyone."
John Dory sighed, exasperated. "But Floyd and the other trolls need our help right now!" he groaned, rubbing the back of his neck as if that might relieve some of the weight of the situation.
Branch was unwavering. "This will only take a moment," he insisted, his gaze set toward the towering Troll Tree. "Hopefully, she managed to catch some rest while we were gone." He paused outside their Grandma's pod, hearing his sister's voice coming from inside. To his surprise, she was speaking in Yodeler. He rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Of course she's awake. Why did I even expect otherwise?"
With a resigned sigh, he opened the door to find Willow pacing the small living area by the couch. She was on a call, speaking in low, urgent tones. "Willow!" Branch shouted, exasperated. "You were supposed to be resting, not working."
Willow looked up from her callanch, her expression shifted from concern to mild annoyance. "(Call me the second you have any new information,)" she muttered before abruptly hanging up the phone. She shifted her attention to Branch and the unfamiliar face beside him. "Branch, you guys are early," she observed, tilting her head in curiosity. "You made a new friend?"
John Dory, eager to break the ice, asked, "Was that Yodeler you were just speaking?"
Willow nodded, confusion flickering across her face. "Yeah? What's it to you?" She turned her gaze to Branch for clarification.
Branch took a deep breath, pointing to John Dory with pride. "Right, this is John Dory. Our oldest brother. And Willow, meet your big brother."
John Dory smiled warmly. "Great to finally meet you, baby sister."
Willow's response was lukewarm at best. She offered a nonchalant, "Charmed," before immediately addressing Branch. "Hickory still hasn't heard anything about them."
Poppy stepped in to lift the mood. "Don't worry, Willow. We'll find them."
However, John Dory interrupted the moment. "In the meantime," he said firmly, "we need to go."
Willow furrowed her brow, concern washing over her. "Go? What do you mean, go? Where are you going?"
Branch took a calming breath. "We need to save Floyd. He's been captured and is being held in Mount Rageous. They're stealing his talent."
Willow raised an eyebrow, skepticism dancing in her eyes. "Our brother, Floyd? The one who left us behind with all the others? They're stealing his talent?"
"Exactly," Branch replied, determination evident in his voice. "We have to find our other brothers; performing the Perfect Family Harmony is the only way to save Floyd."
Willow's confusion turned to understanding. "And you wanted to tell me you were going before leaving?" Her tone softened slightly as she continued, "Alright, take care and be safe."
"What?" Branch exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, you're coming with us."
"I don't have time to go looking for the brothers that abandoned us, Branch," Willow replied, shaking her head defiantly. "I need to find Barb and Trollex."
"But we need you!" Branch argued, frustration creeping into his voice. "There's no way we can do the Perfect Family Harmony without the entire family."
Willow rolled her eyes, dismissing his concern. "I was never really a part of that family, remember? You almost got it last time, and that was without me. You didn't need me then, and you don't need me now."
"But our family is in danger!" John Dory protested, his voice rising, urgency creeping in.
"It's not my problem," Willow sighed, her expression hardening. "I'm really sorry about Floyd, truly. And if Barb and Trollex were not missing, maybe I'd be more concerned. But they are gone, and they are my top priority. Not some Troll I've never met, and probably wouldn't have met if this all hadn't happened. I can't stop looking for them. I won't."
Before Branch could respond, Poppy interjected, her voice steady and calm. "Willow, there's more. John Dory mentioned that Floyd was captured with two other Trolls. They're in 'Mount Rageous.' Think about it. Who else went missing after heading out for Mount Rageous?"
Willow's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "Barb and Trollex!" she exclaimed after a thoughtful pause. "But we searched Mount Rageous. The K-Pop gang and the Reggaeton Trio both checked and couldn't find anything. Then again," she mused, looking down and thinking deeply, "they did say the place was massive. It's possible they missed something. And if they were captured, it would explain why the leaders there are ignoring my letters."
Her resolve solidified, and she looked up at her brothers, determination written all over her face. "We have to leave, now!"
Branch sighed, a wave of relief flooding through him. "Finally," he said, gesturing towards the door. "John Dory has a ride waiting. Let's go!"
Poppy beamed with excitement as they stepped out of the pod, her enthusiasm palpable. "You're going to absolutely adore her, Willow! She's the cutest little critter you'll ever meet."
"Absolutely," John Dory chimed in, his face lighting up as he thought about introducing Willow to his beloved armadillo bus. "Rhonda is just fantastic! You're going to love her, baby sis."
"Not a baby, and not your sister," Willow interjected sharply, her tone firm but softened by the hint of a smile as she gazed toward Rhonda, who was lounging comfortably nearby. The sight of the charming creature warmed her heart. "She is adorable," Willow added, her voice softening further as Rhonda perked up at the sound of approaching voices.
With a playful grin, Rhonda scampered over, her feet pattering against the ground. Willow leaned forward and gently patted Rhonda on the nose, a smile spreading across her face. "Hey, pretty lady. You ready to go?" she asked, her tone tender and reassuring. In response, Rhonda purred contentedly, her side door popping open invitingly, welcoming the Trolls inside.
Willow stepped into Rhonda's cozy interior, glancing out the open door to see the others lagging, still making their way across the vibrant landscape. "Let's go, guys! Time's a-wasting!" she called out, her voice ringing with urgency and excitement.
"Coming!" Branch shouted back, a grin appearing on his face before turning to John Dory, who appeared somewhat deflated. "Now's not the right moment to try and bond with our little sister, John. She's not exactly in the mood, given everything that's happened. And then there's the whole, 'all of our brothers abandoned us when she was just an egg' thing. With Barb and Trollex gone, she's likely not open to any reunion."
"But I came back," John Dory protested, his voice laced with frustration. "I thought that would count for something."
"She doesn't know that," Poppy reminded, voice soft. "And now really isn't the time to tell her.
John Dory let out a heavy sigh as his spirits sank, while Branch and Poppy climbed into Rhonda, leaving him contemplating his place in this fractured familial bond. "Gonna be a long ride," he muttered under his breath, a touch of resignation coating his words.
Once everyone had settled into their spots inside, Rhonda took off down the road. Willow relaxed on the plush couch, looking around at her companions. "So, where are we headed first?" she asked, eager to contribute to their mission.
"We need to find our brothers," Branch replied, his expression serious yet determined.
"And I know just where we should start looking for our dear brother, Spruce," John Dory interjected with a grin, his confidence seemingly renewed as he prepared to show his little siblings what he knew about Spruce's whereabouts.