Bat-Troll Rises

Branch Walks Out On His Brothers

In Rhonda, Branch, Poppy, and his brothers practice on hitting the perfect family harmony.

Branch:

♪ There ain't no stoppin' us Stoppin' us ♪

♪ We ain't pressin' rewind ♪

Spruce:

♪ Rewind ♪

Clay:

♪ Rewind ♪

Poppy:

♪ Rewind ♪

Branch:

♪ 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 ♪

BroZone and Poppy:

♪ It's so perfect Perfect, perfect ♪

♪ Harmony so cold ♪

♪ Perfect, perfect, perfect ♪

♪ Let it go ♪

John Dory: Stop. Stop. Timeout. Let's do it again from the top. Spruce, I want some smolder in those eyes. Clay, you're being too stiff. We need some sillier robot. Bitty B, maybe a smaller diaper.

Branch: If this diaper was any smaller, I could taste it.

Tiny Diamond: That's why I don't wear one of those. It's a hard fit to pull off.

Clay: Really great note, John Dory. Super helpful. Thanks. Thanks. Now I have a creative note for you. Stop being bossy!

John Dory: What? I'm not being bossy. I'm helping us be better.

Clay: No. No, dude. You're forcing us to be perfect, just like you always have, so we can hit the perfect family harmony.

John Dory: Yeah. For Floyd.

Spruce: Is it? Or is this all just so you can tell people what to do again?

John Dory: Wha What?

Poppy: Guys, guys. This isn't helpful right now. Let's all maybe take five, huh?

Spruce: This isn't gonna work if you keep on being the same old John Dory.

Clay: Yeah. We've all changed. Bruce settled down. Branch is slightly taller, with zero glasses and is also a vigilante. And I'm a licensed CPA. Put some respect on my name, fool!

John Dory: Well, I'm not allowed to change. I'm the oldest. I had to be the leader.

Spruce: (scoffs) You love bossing us around. Just admit it.

John Dory: Why do you think I moved to the middle of nowhere? So I didn't have to be in charge of anyone. Four little brothers is a lot of responsibility.

Spruce: (stammers) Why do you think I left? So no one would treat me like you did.

John Dory: You know what, Spruce.

Clay: It's Bruce!

Spruce: Thank you, Clay.

Branch: Guys. We can't forget about Floyd.

John Dory: Look, Branch is right. We're here for Floyd. Let's just get this done and we can go our separate ways.

Spruce: Fine.

Branch: Wait. What?

John Dory: What? The mission's the mission. (chuckles) You didn't think we'd all live together when this was all over, did you? Singing songs and roasting marshmallows?

Branch: (scoffs) Oh, I'm sorry. Is that funny to you? That I might want us to actually be a family again? Tiny Diamond, pull over. Now.

Tiny Diamond stops Rhonda.

Spruce: (scoffs) Don't be a baby, Branch. And don't think you'll go after this Bane again.

Branch: Why should I care about what you say?

Clay: Because like he says, one more back injury and it's over.

Branch: My life is not yours to make!

John Dory: You keep telling yourself you can do this even though you can't!

Branch: So that's what you think?

Spruce: Why can't you be like us and settle down instead of doing something pointless that'll end up getting you killed?

Branch: You're mad at him, but you guys do the exact same thing to me. You all still treat me like the baby of the family. But guess what? I stopped being a baby the day you guys walked out on me, 'cause I had to. Then Grandma got eaten, and there was no one else to take care of me. She's the reason I became Bat-Troll. I made a promise that I would avenge her by fighting all the criminals out there. Now, my anger outweighs my guilt. This time, I'm walking out on you.

Branch throws a crumpled up piece of paper on the floor and leaves heartbroken. Poppy un-crumples the paper.

Poppy: This is Branch's bunker. He built this for you guys.

John Dory: I didn't know.

Poppy: I guess you never asked.

The brothers are now filled with guilt.

Clay: Wait. Grandma got eaten?

Poppy: Branch, wait! Branch! (panting) Where are you going?

Branch: To save Floyd. Alone. I didn't need them growing up, and I don't need them now. What are you doing?

Poppy: What do you mean? I'm coming with you.

Branch: (scoffs) Why bother? (stammers) Aren't you gonna leave me eventually anyway? Everyone else does.

Poppy grabs Branch's hand.

Poppy: I have been by your side from the moment we met. And you've been by mine. Let's give each other some credit here.

Branch: (sighs) Right. Uh, I'm sorry. Thank you.

Poppy: You're welcome. And I'm not going anywhere. Unless it's with you. To save Floyd.

They hug each other and hear a bell.

Poppy: Tiny! You're coming too?

Tiny Diamond: Hey, what can I say? I was moved by Branch's speech and his sad, sad drawing. Guess what, Branch? Your new sidekick has arrived.

Tiny is wearing a red and green suit with a yellow cape.

Branch: Tiny, I know you want to help, but... Wait? What does the "R" stand for?

Tiny Diamond: Robin.

Branch: As in the frail midwestern Bird?

Tiny Diamond: Yeah, I know it's not Bat themed... But I thought it looks cool.

Branch: Tiny, I'm sorry but you can't be my sidekick.

Poppy: Branch. Tiny's right. Bane was able to defeat you because you were tired.

Branch: But, I can't just put a kid in harm's way. Why do you want to be a sidekick?

Tiny Diamond: Unlike you, it's not for vengeance. It's to one day be like my hero one day.

Poppy: You know he's not going to stop offering if you let him.

Branch: (sighs) Alright. Show me what you got and maybe I'll consider making you my sidekick.

Tiny Diamond: Alright! Now, let's roll.

They rode the bicycle to Mount Rageous.