𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓐𝓻𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓼 | 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓼 | 𝓑𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓱 𝔁 𝓯𝓮𝓶 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓵 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 {𝓢𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴}

❄️𝓟𝓱𝓪𝓼𝓮 𝓞𝓷𝓮❄️

𝓙𝓾𝓷𝓲𝓹𝓮𝓻'𝓼 𝓟𝓞𝓥:
We've somehow pulled an accidental all-nighter. Neither of us put notice into the returning sun, which is now shining down on TrollVillage. It's golden light pouring through the window and across the mess we've made. Finishing the last touches, eyelids wide and sleep-deprived, we shuffle out the door to begin, and hopefully finish, phase one of our grand plan. We arrive at our target: the familiar "Go Away" doormat outside a certain grumpy Troll's rock. Sneaking in through one of the many secret entrances (which I know well, though I'm still not sure if he knows I know them), we descend into Branch's bunker. Based on his obsessively scheduled life, every minute from lights out to morning coffee is planned. He should still be asleep.
Poppy is right at my heels as we stop in the shadows, hiding ourselves just in case he's up early. We crouch, quiet and barely breathing, waiting.
🎵Just call me angel, Of the morning, Angel.🎵 Then we hear it - a tired mumble, followed by a yawn. He's up. 🎵Just touch my cheek before you leave me, Baby.🎵 The platform begins to lower from the ceiling, and soon we see him: leaning lazily on the lever with one elbow, coffee mug in the other hand, his bedhead still present. 🎵I'm going down into the bunker, Angel. And I'll be sippin' on coffee in the morning, baby-🎵 He stops at the bottom, his back to us, completely unaware of our presence. He raises the cup, takes a sip, and that's when Poppy strikes.
"GOOD MORNING BRANCH!" She lets out a dramatic wail from the depths of her lungs. Branch launches upward within a startle, and somehow manages to fling himself a few feet off the platform. His cup goes flying. Coffee splashing across the floor. I double over, laughter ripping from my chest, hands braced on my knees, breathless. I can't stop - my stomach hurts from it. The sight was just too good.
"Girls..." Branch sighs, the rumble going deep through his throat. "You didn't sleep on it." He slowly approaches the fallen mug, bends down, and retrieves it, looking completely unamused. "Not a wink!" I finally manage to choke out a response between breaths. "And you probably got a crazy plan-" 
"And, yes we do!" Poppy cuts in, jumping back into our plan. We follow him around, keeping a respectful distance as I begin to explain. "We've decided the Bergens need a new Holiday, and nobody knows Holidays better than we do. We'll just give them one of ours!" With my arms out wide and knees bent, I do jazz hands in full effect. Poppy joins me mid-performance, copying every exaggerated move. Judging by Branch's face, he's not thrilled. Maybe it's the plan. Maybe it's the glitter. Or maybe it's just the fact that we're standing in his private bunker at sunrise. He sets the mug down beside his coffee percolator, brushing his hands down the front of his now coffee-stained blue dressing gown. "And why are we doing this?"
"Bridget is our best friend." Poppy offers a sentence. "And they all deserve to have a day of dancing.. and singing!" I finish it, watching him refill his cup. Just as the coffee hits the brim, I lunge forward and snatch it from his hands. One big gulp, and I hand it to Poppy, who downs the rest. "And costumes." Branch blinks, stunned, then stumbles back as Poppy tosses the empty cup at him. He catches it, barely. "Uh! And presents and Glitter!"
His eyes are tired, looking heavy from sleep. But even though we've come to ruin his morning, basically, he still - without a comment, not even a complaint - he places the mug back under the machine and resets the brew cycle. "Are you two certain this is a good idea?"
"Absolutely! This is what I do as the Queen of TrollVillage, and Juniper being the Princess. It is our responsibility to take care of our friends!" We hand him the notebook we've worked on all night. "And this is how we're gonna do it!" She flips the cover over, showing him every page filled with sketches, glitter glue, and post-midnight energy. "Step one. Break into Branch's bunker and get him on board!" Poppy flips the page, showing a scene that just happened. "What?" He stares, eyebrows slowly rising.
"Step two. We set off to BergenTown and arrive with as much dramatic flair as possible!" Next page: us popping out again, but this time joined by Biggie and Mr. Dinkles, Cooper, Satin, Chenille, Guy Diamond, and Smidge. "And then we do some hugging... Step three. We pitch them our Holidays - their minds are blown!" Poppy lifts a fist to her temple and flicks her fingers out - mind blown. "And that's how we're going to give Bridget and all the Bergens a new Holiday!" A spring-loaded pop-up of the word "HOLIDAY" bursts from the centerfold with a musical "Holiday!" jingle. A hidden glitter tube explodes, showering Branch in sparkles. That part? Totally my idea.
He doesn't flinch. Just shakes his head, slowly, almost like he's done this exact thing a hundred times before. Then he bends down, takes a sip of his (now cold) coffee - right as a curtain opens and the rest of the gang leaps out with surprise. "HOLIDAY!"
Startled again, he jerks and tosses the cup into the air. It flips, lands upside-down, and drenches him in cold coffee from head to toe.
I'm vibrating. Every part of me is fighting not to laugh again. My eyes tear up from the effort. Branch looks down at himself, soaked and sparkling. Another groan escapes, followed by a long, deep sigh. "I'm'a go put on some pants..." He turns and slumps back toward his room, drenched, defeated, and totally unimpressed.
———
One by one, the others file out of the bunker, still laughing and brushing glitter from their hair. I let Poppy know I'd stay behind, wanting to wait for Branch before the two of us will join them on the surface. She gave a simple nod, then turned back toward the platform, stepping onto it as it rose, carrying her and the others up into the light.
A moment later, the platform descended again with a soft whirr. I step onto it, leaning casually against the lever, only left to wait. The quiet splinters by the creak of a door opening, then a soft click as it closes again. From around the corner, my boyfriend appears - back in his regular outfit: patched brown shorts and that green vest I adore more than I'd ever admit aloud. I straightened up from leaning on the lever as he approach, he steps in between me and it, taking the handle in his grip. With a pull, the platform starts to rise, slowly lifting us toward the surface where it has just descended from.
"Are you ready to blow some minds?" I asks him something simple, just a gentle check-in. "Mhm." His response comes in the form of a low hum, more vibration than sound. I watch him, searching for his eyes, but he keeps them averted, resisting my gaze. "What? What's the matter?"
"I would've been. If i have gotten my coffee." snort of laughter escapes me as he mumbles his quiet complaint, and I instantly understand the mood he is currently in. "Well, I'm glad you're coming anyway." Closing the gap between us, I step closer to tilt my head to the side, letting it the weight of it, rest against his shoulder. A heartbeat later, I feel his lips plant a soft kiss to my forehead, just as sunlight from above spills over us, signaling our arrival at the surface. His hand reaches for mine, our palms meeting with a warm, steady squeeze. I lift my head, carrying the weight of with my own body again. As we walk forward together, nearing the others who are waiting in the distance, our hands remain joined between us. "I knew you wouldn't be able to stay grumpy all day." I make a quiet comment, something teasing, something honest. But when I did, his head approaches, voice low and rough as he whispers his reply into my ear.
"The Coffee, Angel. The Coffee." The hoarse chuckle that follows causes a warm shiver through me, his happiness vibrating in my very bones. His voice was barely a whisper, but the rasp in it is enough to make my knees go weak.
I love that sound.
———
Branch and I arrive at the designated meeting spot at the same time. Now, standing side by side, we're waiting for Poppy to return with our ride. The morning sun warming our faces as the cold breeze carries the scent of the forest around us. My gaze lands on Biggie, who is, as always, gently cradling Mr. Dinkles in his arms. We're mid-conversation when I notice a shift, Branch turning his head toward us, his eyes bouncing between Biggie and me. His lips are pulled into a tense, uneven stretch. An attempted smile. Biggie's eyes go wide, before they meet mine, which is mirroring his. I can sense, he is silently asking for help, unsure on what kind of reaction Branch is hoping to earn.
Reading the uncertainty in both their expressions, I step closer to my boyfriend, lifting my hands to cup his cheeks with care. My touch guides him to relax, the muscles in his face slowly softening until the forced smile melts into a subtle frown. The disappointment glimmers in his eyes, the frustration of not being able to smile naturally gnawing at him. With a soft motion, my thumb strokes along his cheekbone. He lifts one of his hands, his fingers curling gently around mine, the warmth in his touch grounding us both in the moment. Suddenly, everyone's attention turns to the sound of something fast approaching. A massive caterpillar barrels toward us with surprising speed, screeching to a halt directly in front of our group. Its deep voice bellows the word BUS, the sheer power of its breath sending us all leaning backward. Its mouth opens wide, revealing Poppy gripping the dangling uvula at the back of its throat like she's on a rope swing. "All on board! Fut fut!" She beams with pride. Mission Holiday is underway, and she's arranged transportation via the Caterbus Express. The insect's tongue unrolls and flattens, creating a staircase that leads into its mouth. None of us fully understand how a Caterbus works, but that doesn't stop us. One by one, we climb aboard.
Inside, the seats are squishy and warm, like plushy pods. Branch and I settle into the front row, with Poppy directly beside us in the next. I smooth the skirt of my baby blue dress with careful strokes, just as a voice echoes over the internal speakers, asking for our attention. "Welcome to the Catarbus Express- Ess, Ess, Ess." The voice is oddly familiar. But by the repeating echo, it suddenly became unmistakable. It's Cloud Guy. He's our driver.
"Oh, no..." The realisation lands with a groan from Branch. He crosses his arms, already exhausted before we have gotten out of TrollVillage.
"Hey guys. Captain No-Slappy." Cloud Guy spots him through the rearview mirror and turns to face him for real. Two of his fingers rise in greeting, his grin stretching wider. While Branch's expression sinks further.
"Princess Juniper!" His two fingers now shift to point in my direction, followed by a flirtatious wink. My cheeks heat up by his greeting. "Cloud Guy!"
"Queen Poppy! Long time no see." Then his attention shifts to Poppy, who grins and wiggles her fingers in return. "Please put away all electronics, safely stow your carry-ons, and hold on to your Dinkles." Cloud Guy clears his throat and attempts to resume the scheduled safety speech, but my eyes catch something else. Cooper has somehow stuffed Smidge into the carry-on compartment overhead. Her muffled protest echoes inside the bin. Cooper shrugs and turns back to his seat, completely unfazed. Despite the bizarre scene, Cloud Guy gives no response, ignoring the incident entirely. "Thank you for choosing the Catarbus, the safest way to travel - unless we go into a wormhole." With his shoulders raising in a shrug, he turns back to face the steering wheel. His words not sounding warning, awakens something in Branch. "I'm sorry. Did-did you just say, wormhole?" Cloud Guy never gives an answer, simply ignoring the question has ever been brought up. "Now sit back, relax, and feel the love." He puts the Caterbus in gear, the engine humming as we pull into motion, winding through the forest trails toward BergenTown.
🎵People all over the world. Join hands. Start a Love Train, a Love Train.🎵 Poppy is the first to leap from her seat, standing tall upon it with her arms swaying and her voice rising in song. Her hips move to the rhythm like she was born for the stage. Caught in her infectious energy, I rise and pull Branch up with me, locking onto his arm as I dance. My hips bump against his, my finger boops the tip of his nose. He sighs, but finally gives in, joining the vocals with a low, reluctant smile. 🎵People all over the world. Join hands. Start a Love Train, a Love Train.🎵
🎵The next stop, that we make, will be soon.🎵 I climb up onto the backrest of our shared seat, turning to face the rest of the Trolls. The whole group is already rolling with the beat, shoulders swaying, feet tapping. 🎵And tell all the folks in BergenTown, we're bringin' it all to you.🎵 Branch joins in with a grin, calling out for Biggie to keep it going. 🎵Now please don't miss the Train, at the station.🎵 Biggie lifts Mr. Dinkles, who is now dressed in a full locomotive driver outfit, complete with a matching cap. With a proud declaration, Biggie offers the next line of the song in Dinkles' unique vocal style. "Mew."
Satin and Chenille take the verse after, harmonizing flawlessly. 🎵'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you!🎵 Guy Diamond hangs upside down, suspended by his glittery hair from the ceiling, his body curled into a spinning disco ball, lighting the Caterbus with sparkles. The center aisle becomes our makeshift runway. 🎵People all over the world!🎵 Poppy and I strut through it, dancing in sync, twirling and swaying with the momentum of the bus. 🎵Sisters and Brothers!🎵 Branch follows closely behind, moving with surprising grace. 🎵Join hands!🎵 Cooper jumps in, tap-dancing enthusiastically, his feet clacking against the floor.
🎵Start a Love Train, a Love Train.🎵 Even Cloud Guy joins the chaos. He props one foot on a seat, swinging his body into the rhythm, fist raised above his head like a rockstar mid-solo. But then - everything shifts. It hits all of us at once. Our movements slow. Cloud Guy is the only one still dancing. 🎵Come on ride it, ride it!🎵
"Uh.. Who's driving the bus?" Every gaze shifts toward the front. The steering wheel is spinning wildly on its own. Then we see it. Through the front window, a cliff. We're headed straight for it. Terror grips the bus. Screams fill the air as the Caterbus launches over the edge, hurtling downward into a dark, gaping hole. A giant worm emerges from the ground below. Its mouth opens, flashing rows of glistening awls. "Wormhole!" We plummet straight into its throat. Cloud Guy is pinned to the ceiling, limbs splayed out from the impact. We're airborne. Branch catches my hand mid-fall, gripping it tightly as gravity disappears. Laughter - loud, unhinged - erupts from Cloud Guy. Time seems to stretch.
"You guys? I don't feel so good." Cooper's voice breaks the madness. He stares down at his hands, horrified, his skin pale. No one knows what he's imagining, but the panic in his face spreads like wildfire. "What's wrong Cooper?" Biggie and the others look at each other in confusion as the Caterbus jolts. Guy Diamond mumbles something about a weird sensation crawling up his spine. I feel it too - a pounding in my head, a pressure behind my eyes. My palm presses to my forehead as I squeeze my eyes shut.
When I open them again, everything is different. Everyone looks... off. Our appearances have changed, distorted somehow. A chorus of renewed screams erupts as each Troll catches sight of their own transformed reflection in one another.
Cloud Guy remains the only one still cackling.
But the worm doesn't keep us long. With a powerful belch, it spits the bus upward, hurling us back through its throat and out into the daylight. Gravity returns. We drop like stones, landing with jarring thuds in our seats. Everything slams back into place.
A heavy silence settles over the Caterbus.
🎵People all over the world, join hands.🎵 Then Poppy bursts up from her seat again, resuming the song as if nothing happened. 🎵Start a Love Train, a Love Train.🎵 One by one, the others fall back into rhythm, dancing, singing, laughing. Only Branch and I remain seated, staring blankly ahead, the lingering shock from the chaos still coursing through us. The Caterbus rolls into BergenTown, slowing to a halt at the foot of the enormous stone castle in the city's center. 🎵Start a love Train.🎵
The other Trolls leap from their seats, filing down the aisle and out the door in a flurry of colours and chatter. Branch rises with a silent bounce, then turns back to offer me his hand. "Are you alright, Sunshine?" I take it without hesitation, our fingers intertwining. With a responding nod, we then step off the Caterbus, hand in hand.