TROLLS: what if branch's brothers never left

Brozone in: infected

Back at Brozone's Trollpod...

The morning was quiet, filled with the gentle clinking of puzzle pieces.

Branch sat at the table with Spruce, his arm still wrapped in a white bandage. A half-finished puzzle of bright, colorful landscapes lay before them.

"Okay, so this piece—goes right... there!" Spruce grinned, clicking a piece into place.

Branch smiled faintly. "Nice. We're actually almost done."

"Yeah," Spruce said proudly. "We make a good team, huh?"

Branch nodded, feeling a rare moment of calm. His wrist still ached faintly, but being home—with his brothers—felt like a relief.

That is, until a hesitant voice spoke from the doorway.

"Hey, Branch."

Both of them looked up. Clay stood there, shifting nervously, hands in his pockets. His eyes were tired, uncertain.

Branch's expression changed instantly. The warmth vanished. He turned his attention back to the puzzle, pretending not to hear.

Clay took a breath. "Can we talk?" he asked, rubbing his arm.

"I'm a little busy here, Clay," Branch said quietly, his tone sharp. "I'm doing something with Spruce."

An awkward silence fell.

Spruce cleared his throat and glanced between them. "Uh... actually, why don't I give you guys some space," he said, standing up and backing away slowly. "You know, you probably... need the time to... catch up."

Branch shot him a small glare, but Spruce just shrugged apologetically and slipped out of the room, watching from a short distance.

Clay sat down beside Branch carefully. "Branch, I get that you're upset with me, but please," he said softly. "You were hurt. I just... I don't want to leave things like this. I don't want us fighting when I go."

Branch froze, still not looking at him. He picked up another puzzle piece, his fingers trembling slightly.

"Please, just talk to me," Clay said, his voice breaking a little. "I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Branch hesitated, the edge of his anger softening. He sighed, finally turning his head toward Clay, about to say something—

—but then a loud scream echoed from outside.

Both brothers froze.

"What was that?" Branch said, standing quickly—his balance still a little shaky.

They ran out of the pod, following the sound of panicked voices.

Outside, several trolls were gathered in the village square, all looking in one direction, worried and afraid.

Then they saw John Dory, standing stiffly near the crowd, his face pale and serious.

"John Dory!" Clay called, running up. "What's going on?"

John turned to them slowly. His voice was grim.

"It's Poppy."

Branch's heart dropped. "What? What about Poppy?"

John swallowed hard, his tone heavy. "She was bitten."

Branch's breath caught. "No... no, that's not—"

John nodded. "Yeah. Same kind of bite, Clay. Same kind of bug." He looked at Branch, his voice low. "And it happened in the same cave you were in."

The world seemed to go still for a moment.