TROLLS: what if branch's brothers never left

Brozone in: infected

moments later – Village Clinic

Bright lights filled Branch's blurry vision. The world tilted and shifted as he was rolled through swinging doors. Shadows and shapes surrounded him — white coats, worried faces, movement everywhere.

An oxygen mask covered his mouth, the sound of his breathing ragged and mechanical. His eyes fluttered, catching glimpses of his brothers walking beside him, their faces pale with fear.

"Hang in there, Branch!" John's voice came through muffled, distorted — like it was underwater. "He's not breathing right! Somebody do something!"

"Pulse dropping!" a troll nurse shouted.

Clay was at his side, gripping his hand tightly. "You're gonna be okay, little bro," he whispered, voice trembling. "Just stay with us."

Branch's vision blurred again — he could barely make out the silhouettes of the doctors leaning over him, their voices a mix of urgency and confusion.

"What bit him?"
"We don't know — some kind of insect from the mountain caves."
"The venom's spreading too fast—his veins are darkening."

John slammed his hands on the counter. "Then fix it! Do something!"

"John—" Floyd grabbed him, trying to pull him back, but John's voice broke. "That's my brother in there! You have to save him!"

Clay's grip on Branch's hand tightened, his knuckles white. "Come on, Branch... don't do this. I didn't mean what I said. Just open your eyes."

Branch's gaze flickered weakly toward him — just for a moment. He could see Clay's face streaked with tears through the fog of his fading vision.

The heart monitor beeped erratically.

Beep—beep—beep—

Then the sound began to fade as everything went white.

Meanwhile, outside the village, Poppy was humming to herself, gathering a bouquet of wildflowers along the hillside. The sunset painted the sky in streaks of orange and pink, and everything felt peaceful... until a sudden rush of footsteps broke through the quiet.

"Whoa—hey!" she gasped as Guy Diamond, DJ Suki, and Biggie nearly collided with her, sprinting down the path. Biggie clutched Mr. Dinkles in his arms, eyes wide.

"Guys, what's going on?" Poppy asked, stumbling back as they skidded to a stop.

Guy Diamond's glitter was dim, his usual sparkle dulled with panic. "It's Branch," he said, breathing hard. "He's in the clinic!"

Poppy froze. "What? What happened to him?"

"We don't know," DJ Suki said, shaking her head. "Brozone brought him in a few minutes ago—he collapsed in the caves or something!"

Poppy's heart skipped. "Collapsed?!"

Biggie nodded, his voice small. "They said he got bit by... something."

Poppy dropped her flowers instantly. "Where is he now?"

"The clinic—come on!" Guy urged, and the four of them ran together toward the glowing lights of the village.

As they neared the clinic, the air was tense. Trolls were gathered outside, whispering in worried tones. Inside, through the glass windows, Poppy could see John Dory pacing and shouting at the doctors while Clay sat hunched in a chair, face in his hands.

Poppy pressed a trembling hand to her mouth. "Oh no... Branch..." she whispered.

DJ Suki put a hand on her shoulder. "He's tough, Poppy. He's gonna be okay."