Trolls: Alternate Story

Chapter 5

Poppy woke up feeling queasy and lightheaded, almost as if she had just eaten something bad, but she knew that wasn't the case. She hadn't eaten in 2 days and she was starving. That was the least of her problems though, she was much more concerned about all her friends, her dad...even Branch. She was beginning to think about him much more often than before...she started believing that she was falling in love with him. No, that couldn't happen! She already had her eyes on someone else! But...he didn't seem to help her after she nearly fainted that day, did she have eyes for the wrong troll? Poppy stayed laying down on the hard metal with her eyes closed, one hand on her forehead, the other on her stomach, she was not herself.

Chef: See, he who controls the trolls controls the kingdom! And I, I am that he!

Poppy: W-What?

Chef got irritated and cut up a lemon, squeezing the juice into her eyes. Poppy shrieked in pain and covered her eyes unable to handle the pain.

Chef: By this time tomorrow, I'll be queen! And all of Bergen Town will get exactly what they deserve. True happiness!

Poppy: No...

Those were the last words Poppy heard before she closed her eyes and drifted out of consciousness.

______________________

Not far, Branch and his search party were hiding among the walls of the castle, trying to figure out where Poppy was being held captive.

Biggie: Where could she be?

Mr. Dinkles: Mew.

Branch: Shhhh!

A couple guards walked by, thankfully they didn't see the trolls. Shortly after they left, the hug time bracelets turned on.

Branch: Hug time? Really?

DJ Suki: Wait...

Another chime was heard in the distance, not far from where they were, and there was a pink light coming from the corner.

All: Poppy!!!

Branch: Shhhhh!

Branch used his hair to swing onto one of the chandeliers to the kitchen where the light was seen. Everyone else followed his lead...not as quiet as he was, but they were lucky.

Guy Diamond: Look...!

They were right, there was Poppy locked in a cage...and she was unconscious, pale, almost like she was lifeless, you could clearly see the scar on her arm as it was standing out among her pale body. Deep down, Branch's heart was aching seeing Poppy in this state, what had they done to her after she was captured? Probably weakened her so they could eat her, those monsters! They had no remorse for hurting the beautiful princess!

Gristle: This is gonna be the best Trollstice ever! Such a great idea I had.

Chef: Yes. Tomorrow is Trollstice, everyone. And it must be perfect!

Trollstice? Tomorrow?! There was only one option at this point, they've come too far to turn back now. The only option was to take Poppy and flee before dawn, or they would all be in big trouble.

DJ Suki: Branch...?

Branch: What?

Cooper: We got bigger problems, man!

Branch: Shhhhhhh! What is it?!

Branch got his answer when he saw one of the castle guards walk into the kitchen. They had...Creek?! How did they find him? Did he fall behind?

Biggie: Creek!

Mr. Dinkles: Mew.

Guard: Your Highness, look what we found.

Chef turned to the guard, sticking her knife into the table, causing the trolls to cringe.

Chef: Oh look, sire!

The nasty chef showed Gristle the terrified Creek.

Gristle: *gasps* My first troll...!

DJ Suki: We gotta help him!

Branch: No, we don't want to get into any more trouble!

Branch was right, but he also hated Creek and wanted him gone because he was getting in between him and Poppy. This was the perfect crime, but it seemed a little cruel.

Chef: Go on, eat, King Gristle. Enjoy a taste of true happiness.

Gristle brought Creek closer to his mouth and all the trolls started to panic, but he suddenly stopped.

Gristle: Shouldn't we wait for Trollstice?

The trolls all sighed in relief.

Chef: Sire, every day is Trollstice when you have Trolls.

Chef put Creek in a taco, giving him back to Gristle.

Gristle: Yeah, I guess.

The king once again proceeded to eat Creek, but he stopped again.

Gristle: But my dad said the first one should be special.

The trolls all sighed in relief again.

Chef: Well, you're the king now.

Gristle: Yeah, I am the king.

Third time around, Gristle was about to eat Creek, but once again, he stopped to have another thought.

Gristle: But I think I should share this moment with all the kingdom.

Chef was getting annoyed with the king's hesitation.

Chef: Just eat it!

Poppy on the other hand, she regained consciousness just in time to see Chef shove Creek into Gristle's mouth, a tear trickled down her cheek before she passed out again.

Smidge: Oh my guh!

Biggie: No!

Chef: Yes!

Everyone started celebrating the king finally eating a troll after 20 whole years. At the same time, the other trolls were panicking, not knowing if Creek was going to get out alive or not.

Biggie: We've got to get him out of there!

Branch: No! If we do, we're going to get eaten! Let's just focus on getting Poppy and then we're outta here!

Everyone knew that Branch was right, they still had other things to worry about, but the thought of Creek suffering a terrible fate wouldn't leave their heads...

Chef: Idget, keep an eye on the princess until Trollstice comes!

Bridget: Yes, Chef.

Bridget took Poppy's cage bringing her who knows where. Everyone followed her in stealth, hoping to free Poppy from her terrible suffering, she needed them now, more than ever.