Poppy was reading a book to the young Trolls, along with the other leaders.
"In Trollstopia, we celebrate Trolls of all different shapes and sizes. But, there's one Troll that's a bit more different than most. His name...is Fuzzbert! This is his story. And, as you're about to see, it's the most fun, thrilling, and truly moving tale any Troll has ever told. You see, Fuzzbert came from-"
"Poppy!"
Smidge popped through the book.
Trollex said, "Oh, Chapter Smidge."
Everyone chuckled.
Barb said to Smidge, "Dude, we were in the middle of a good book."
Smidge replied, "It'll have to wait. Come quick. It's Cooper."
Everyone, the Funk Family especially, got nervous and quickly followed her.
***
They were in the Fun Dungeon with a few Trolls.
Smidge led them into an area cut off by streamers, like police tape.
Delta asked, "So, what happened?"
Trollzart asked, "Why is this area streamered off?"
Smidge explained, "Because when I was here earlier, I found something."
Smidge shined her flashlight.
It was a drawn outline of Cooper on the ground, like corpse lines.
Everyone gasped with horror.
King Quincy shouted, "Son!"
Queen Essence yelled out, "Oh, my goodness!"
Prince D shouted, "No!"
However, Smidge moved the flashlight up, "It was Biggie doing chalk drawings."
Everyone sighed with relief.
Smidge continued, "But then, I found this."
Cooper was frozen solid.
Everyone screamed.
Barb said, "Gnarly."
The Funk Family checked him out.
Prince D asked, "Is it what I think it is?"
Delta said, "Looks like it. See the surprised look on his face? The way his feet are turned as if to run?"
Poppy said, "Textbook...Someone's started a new game of Freeze Tag!"
Everyone got excited.
Trollex then shouted, "So, who's It?"
However, nobody raised their hand.
Trollzart said, "We don't know who It is?"
"Nope!"
Branch stepped out of the shadows, "And you're never gonna know. That's the point."
Barb asked, "What do you mean?"
Branch showed them, "Just look at the evidence. Cooper's been wiped clean. No fingerprints, no stray hairs, no glitter-fart residue. Whoever It is wants to remain...anonymous."
Barb then asked, "And...you know this how?"
Branch answered, "Because...Cooper is not the only Troll who got tagged."
***
Branch showed the leaders a huge amount of frozen Trolls in the marketplace.
Poppy said, "I-I can't believe it. It-It's gotten so many so fast."
Branch said, "Yep. And see how they're all running in random directions? They couldn't tell where It was coming from."
Barb said, "Whoa. This is so...awesome! This guy is a master of sneak attacks! Maybe when this game is over, he could teach me some tactics."
Poppy said, "But, we don't know who It is, so we don't know who to avoid."
Trollex then said, "And It could be anyone."
Branch said, "We'd better get moving then, preferably in erratic patterns. Hard to get tagged if you don't stand still. Side step!"
He then started side-stepping with the leaders watching with confusion.
Then, Delta said, "No, tactics like that won't help this time. It has too much of an advantage."
Prince D then said, "Our only chance at winning this game is to figure out who It is, before It gets us."
King Quincy said, "That sounds like a great idea. But...where do we start looking?"
Poppy said, "Well, I do have one idea..."
