Branch

Viva's New Baby

On a stormy night, some pop rock trolls were looking for a new place to live after they had been cast out from Volcano Rock city. Their boat had been struck by lightning, so the husband got an emergency life boat for his wife and newborn son. After abandoning the sinking ship, he was pulled into the life boat by his loving wife. When they saw that both of them were alright, they embraced each other. The land they saw in front of them was inhabited by pop trolls. Hopefully, they would be more welcoming. Deep in the forest, there was a vast tree known as the Troll Tree. There, the pop trolls lived with their beloved king Peppy, and his two daughters, Viva (the oldest) and Poppy (youngest), whom they loved very much. But where there is light, there is also darkness. For there was a creature that was so evil it would eat trolls just to feel satisfied. This creature was known as... A Bergen. Then, one night, Baby Poppy saw a glow-bug and followed it, unaware there was a Bergen tracking her. Then Peppy and Viva awoke to the sound of Poppy screaming and other trolls panicking. By the time they got down the tree, it was too late. Poppy was gone, and now the trolls had to move away from their beloved tree because it was no longer safe. Although King Peppys's heart was broken, he had to push his feelings aside and put the trolls first. But Viva didn't feel the same. She longed to have someone depending on her again. It was then in that moment as if her wish had been answered. She heard the cries of a baby. She ran off into the distance away from her tribe until she found a broken pod on the ground. She cautiously stepped inside where she saw smashed items and... Blood. As soon as she saw this, she freaked out and backed up until she stepped on a picture frame. She picked it up and saw a male rock troll, his pop troll wife, and a baby who looked like a pop troll but had similar features of a rock troll. Then, she heard it again. Crying from a broken crib. There was a blue blanket over whatever was making that noise; so she reached out and took off the blanket. It was the baby she had seen in the picture! He had survived! She carefully picked up the baby and brought it close to her face for him to examine her more clearly. He touched her face gently, which she liked, and then pulled her hair.

Viva: Ouch!

But then she grabbed his hand and kissed his forehead. She saw him relax as he yawned a cute yawn. When she started to cuddle him, because she found something to love once again, she heard wood cracking up from above.

Viva: *Gasps loudly*

It was a Bergen! It reached for her and the baby, but in her efforts to protect him, she dropped him in a trench when she punched the Bergenin the face. Luckily, a spider web caught him. It was now a race as to who got to the baby first. Viva tried to reach out her hair, but it wasn't long enough. The Bergen was next, but instead of grabbing it, it bounced the baby trolling off the spider web and gotten itself caught in the trench struggling to get free. Viva ran as fast as she could away from the baby's old pod and away from the Bergen; but before heading home, she growled at the Bergen with a firm nod. The baby smiled at her as she put him in her hair for safety.

Clay: Momma, look! She's back!

Everyone saw that Princess Viva was alright and asked her billions of questions as to why she had run off without telling anyone.

Viva: I'm fine, really, I just got a little... Sidetracked.

She pulled her hair aside to show them the unusual baby blue trolling she had rescued. They had never seen features of both Pop and Rock together, so they saw the trolling as strange. But they wouldn't be so bold as to tell their princess that.

Troll #1: My... Well... Isn't he... Um...

Clay's Mom: He's just so... So...

Clay: He's strange looking, okay, that's what he is!

Clay's Mom: Clayton!

Clay: Well, he is! I mean, what kind of troll is he anyway?

Viva: What does it matter? He's a baby trolling. *hands the baby to Clay*

Clay: Ow *baby pulls Clay's hair until he finds it funny* Hey, kid... So where's his family?

Viva: Well, I'm gonna be his family now.

The others didn't like this idea, but when they saw King Peppy step inside the circle, he was the one who looked the most unpleased with this idea.

Clay: You know it's not so bad once you get used to him. *sees King Peppy and gives the baby back to Viva* That's Viva's baby now.

King Peppy looked at the baby and felt his ears. They weren't pop troll ears... They had characteristics of rock trolls' ears. However, this made the baby laugh; which made Viva smile.

Viva: Father, I saved him from a Bergen.

KP: Viva, it won't replace your sister.

Viva: I know. *smiles at the baby* But he needs me.

KP: But it-he, Viva, look at him. He's not our kind. Sorry, you have to take him back where you found him.

Viva: Take him back? But he'll die!

KP: If the Bergens want him...

Viva: I want him!

KP: Viva, I can not let you put this village in danger!

Viva: *lifts the baby in front of King Peppy* Does he look dangerous to you!

King Peppy lifted up his cane and was about to hit his daughter until he saw the looks on everyone's faces. His daughter's eyes filled with determination and seriousness.

KP: *sighs* Was he alone?

Viva: Yes, a Bergen killed his family.

KP: Are you positive?

Viva: Yes. There are no more.

KP: Then you may keep him.

Viva: Oh father, I know he'll be a good son!

KP: I said he could stay! That doesn't make him my son.

Viva looked solemn. She had never heard her father's voice with such negativity. It's been hard on them since they lost Poppy, but it has mainly been hard on her father. Some days, she has started to see him turn grey in color.

KP: Go back to your homes, everyone!

Viva looked down at her new baby. Clay came back over to see it with her.

Clay: So what are you gonna call him?

Viva: *takes baby's foot outta his mouth* I'm gonna call him... Branch.

Clay: Branch? Okay, you found him.

Clay's Mom came and picked him up so they could go home.

Clay's Mom: Come on, funny man, it's way past your bedtime.

Clay: Aw, Mom! 3 more minutes!

Clay's Mom: No.

Clay: 1 more minute.

Viva started to head back home, but then she stopped. Now that she had someone new to take care of, she needed a new place to live with enough space for Branch and her. Her old home reminded her too much of her sister, and she knew her father wouldn't allow Branch under his roof, so this was the next best option. She decided to move her things into an old pod that was supposedly Clay's grandmother's. After settling in, she placed the blue blanket she had found with Branch and laid it out on her bed. Then, taking Branch, she laid him down and began to sing a gentle song to help both of them sleep.

Viva:

Baby mine, rest your head
While you sleep in your bed
Close to my heart, baby mine

When they know sweet little you
They will end up loving you too just as I do, baby of mine
Rest your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine

Baby of mine

Viva: *whispers* Goodnight, Branch.