Trolls: Across the Galaxy

Chapter 5

While the other trolls were still trying to process what happened, Viva sat next to Branch rubbing his back. She was just as upset as he was, but she didn't like to see anyone so...broken.

Viva: Branch...?

Branch: She's gone...she's gone...I wanted her to have the best day of her life...now it's ruined...and who knows where she's being taken...

King Peppy: Well...

King Peppy appeared to be rather nervous, fiddling with his hair and his knees slightly trembling.

Viva: ...Dad? Is there something you wanna tell us?

King Peppy: Well...I was afraid this day would come.

Branch: Wait...what?

The former king pulled his older daughter and son in law aside to speak with them privately.

Viva: ¿Qué pasa, Papá? What's this about?

King Peppy: Those ships, sweetie, they belong to creatures known as the Nebulon.

Branch: The what?

King Peppy: It's a complicated story but...

(Flashback)

King Peppy (voice over): When I was king, this was before you were born, Viva, we were invaded by the Nebulon.

The young King Peppy lead his people back to their pods while the UFOs were invading the Troll Tree.

Branch (voice over): I don't remember any of that.

King Peppy (voice over): You were probably too young, Branch, our biggest threat was the Bergens at the time. However, seeing these mysterious ships, I didn't know what to expect. Next thing I knew, they were draining color from the Troll Tree.

The king witnessed color draining from the Troll Tree and started rushing the trolls to safety.

Young Peppy: Go go go!

Branch (voice over): Why would they do that?

King Peppy (voice over): I don't know, but they were onto something for sure. I faced their king head on and demanded that they leave and never come back.

Viva (voice over): But they didn't promise, did they?

King Peppy (voice over): I guess not. He did reluctantly agree to leave, but the last thing he told me was that he would be back. I didn't think it would be this soon.

(Flashback ends)

Viva and Branch both glanced at each other in shock. They now knew who it was they were dealing with, but what did this have to do with Poppy?

Viva: Papá, what does this have to do with Poppy? Why would they take her?

King Peppy: I'm not sure, Viva. But I imagine they want something to do with your sister, I just don't know what. All I know is that the other thing their king said to me was that he would come back...and take something of great value.

Great value...what better value than his younger daughter? The young queen he was trying to protect his whole life. The former king fell to his knees dropping his cane.

King Peppy: This is all my fault...I should've been more prepared...now Poppy's gone...

Viva: Dad, no! No one's to blame, none of us knew this would happen. But right now...I'm just worried about Poppy's wellbeing.

Branch: Me too...

Branch glanced down at the ring in his box, he would give anything to have Poppy back in his warm arms. Even if it meant facing those monsters head on.

John Dory: Yo, Bitty B.

Branch was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard his brothers.

John Dory: I wasn't eavesdropping or anything...but I think I got the solution.

John Dory whistled, and out of nowhere came Rhonda. That gave Branch déjà vu and not in a good way.

Branch: Oh no, no! I'm not getting on that thing again!

John Dory: Look, do you wanna save your girl or not?

Branch: Of course I do, but-

John Dory: Then get in!

Branch groaned in frustration and got into Rhonda with Viva and his brothers.

Branch: You do know that she runs on the road, right?

John Dory: Not for long!

John Dory directed his attention to the hustle button.

Branch: No! Absolutely not! That's gonna scramble my organs again!

Viva: Branch, do you have a better idea?! 'Cause I'd love to hear it!

Branch went silent and sighed, he knew this was probably their only chance to reach Poppy.

Branch: Fine, but I won't like it.

Viva and Branch looked outside a window and saw the Snack Pack seeing them off.

Satin: Good luck!

Cooper: Don't die out there!

Branch gulped nervously.

Guy Diamond: Bring Poppy back safely!

Biggie: And be safe!

Mr. Dinkles: Mew

Viva turned to King Peppy and he nodded in approval.

King Peppy: Please be careful.

Viva: We will, Dad.

Viva smiled at Branch and put a hand on his shoulder.

John Dory: Alright, let's bro!

John Dory pressed the hustle button and Rhonda zoomed off immediately, Branch was screaming like a girl in the back. Just before the hustle took effect, everyone heard rustling in the cabinet, when they opened it, they saw an unexpected volunteer.

All: TINY?!?!
___________________

Hours...4 long hours before Poppy started to regain consciousness. She moaned weakly and sat up, her eyes half open. When she looked down at herself, she saw that she wasn't wearing her birthday dress, but a silver sparkly dress. She put her hands on her head, a silver tiara was resting on her head, where did these come from? But that was the least of her problems. She glanced at her surroundings and saw a high tech prison cell completely black with some white.

Poppy: Where...am I?

?: Good Morning, Your Highness.

Poppy gasped when she heard a sinister voice, she scrambled backwards when she saw a strange creature approach her cell. It was the Nebulan king. He gave her a wicked smile as if to gloat at her situation.

Zarynx: We've been expecting you...