Chapter 12

Poppy and branch once again made their way to the outskirts of troll village, continuing their planting of the firebell bulbs. It had been a week that they began the plan that king peppy had commissioned branch with. So far more than half of the work had been done. The search party king peppy rounded together managed to find several more firebell's in the area of the kingdom. Obtaining enough to keep the frostmouth snakes at bay. Branch decided to only take what would be needed for the area, leaving the rest to bloom and add an extra punch. Branch taught poppy all he knew about the forest and its dangers, as well as its benefits. Learning how to make an anti-toxin, skin salve's and fever reducer, she surprised branch on how well she memorized them all. He truly thought she was a natural. In poppy's view, branch was a good teacher. His knowledge of plants, flowers and creatures was indispensable. With another satchel full of bulbs, the two trolls travel to the southern outskirt of troll kingdom for their last planting session. Passing by many trolls thanking them for their hard work, while simultaneously congratulating them for having done so well thus far. It made branch proud that he was beginning to be accepted by the rest of troll village so quickly. All but one had fully accepted branch. Creek. They had merely glanced and glared at one another since the day creek had seen branch with his colors. Neither had any desire to speak to one another in any way, however, branch kept a close eye on the purple troll whenever he was nearby. And creek, made sure to keep his distance until he knew poppy was alone. Which was rare anymore. 

The princess and blue troll finally reached the edge of the forest in the southern border of troll village. Placing down his satchel, he hands poppy a cloth bag full of bulbs and digging tools. "Alright pop, here's some bulbs for you to plant, I'll keep some with me. Now, I'll go around to the right side of the border where it's more open, I would much rather you be able to keep cover by camouflaging yourself in the brush if you need to. So, you should take the trails to the left. But, Remember what I told you to do if you're in trouble or see a snake"? He asked strongly. "Yes branch, I yell as loud as I can if my camouflage doesn't work and stay close to the flowers in bloom, should they be near". She sighed with a smile. She didn't expect to run into any snakes since they haven't seen any yet at all. "Exactly, just please promise me-" He stopped when he heard bushes rustle and movement continuing in the woods around them. Pushing poppy behind him protectively, he quickly armed himself with a lance he had made from bamboo and sharpened razor clam shell he kept. Poppy's heart began to pound, wondering if there was a snake nearby, were they in danger? She was afraid, but not too afraid, branch was a well known survivalist, so he knew how to protect himself from any dangers when needed. So, naturally, he knew how to fight. She was quite surprised how defensive branch was becoming, she had never seen him in this type of protective mode before. 

More rustling could be heard, only closer and closer to them. Branch braced his body for whatever was to come, body tense and face strong and fierce. As the branches closest to them began to move with the sound of wood breaking and strange sounds accompanying them, poppy held onto branch from behind him, fully afraid. Out pops a puffer squirrel. Its little round rainbow body, and long fluffy tail hopped out from the brush, squeaking with a chipper whistle like chirp. Both branch and poppy sigh in relief, thankful it was just a little critter. Poppy was genuinely afraid for a few hard moments, but ended up laughing at herself over a silly puffer squirrel. Branch lowered his lance at the squirrel, making a jab motion at the little puff ball with a light growl. "Rah"! Instantly frightened, it scampered away up a nearby tree trunk into the treetop canopies. Branch noticed that poppy was giggling to herself. "What on earth are you laughing about"? He asked her with a puzzled look on his face. "I, I'm sorry branch. It's just that I was actually really scared that something dangerous was nearby, but it was just a silly puffer squirrel! I feel so silly"! She laughed to herself, almost holding her stomach in pain, she was laughing so hard. Branch, seeing her point, began to laugh as well. After a few moments of laughter, the two trolls pick up where they left off. "ok pop, what I was saying before. Please promise me, that you won't go off too far? And yell for me if you need help, alright"? He asked her sincerely as he held her face by her chin, with a face full of worry. She smiled at him, holding herself up proudly. "Yes branch, I promise. You've taught me well, and since we haven't seen any of them yet, I think I should be ok, but we'd better hurry. The southern border is the biggest one we have, so we don't have time to waste. Alright? Let's DO THIS"!. She says as she scoops up her bag of bulbs and supplies. 

Branch chuckles to himself, poppy noticed. "What"? She asked him with a giggle in her voice. "You. You make me laugh. It's almost as if you have no real fear at all. Perfect quality for a worthy queen". He finished with a soft, admiring smile. She was happy he felt she would be a worthy queen. She felt her face become warm, walking over to branch, she reached up to his face and cupped his cheek, leaning in to kiss it gently. "Thank you branch, it's refreshing to know that I am doing a good job in my role as princess. In my opinion, you'd make a fine king yourself, you have great qualities too". She giggled as she walked towards the path to her section of the border. Branch stood, shocked that poppy actually believed he would make a good king. How would he? He isn't of royal blood and doesn't know the first thing about ruling an entire kingdom. But, yet, he felt his heart become a pumping flurry at the thought of what she had said. His thoughts were overlapped by poppy's voice. "Alright then, we'd better get to it"! She chirped happily. Looking at her eager face, he sighed in defeat. Walking over to her, he held her chin, bringing her lips up to his planting a soft but long kiss.

 The kiss was broken when the two heard the bush branches moving again. Only to die down instantly afterwards, they shrugged assuming it was the squirrel again.  "Remember your promise pop. If ANYTHING happens, You hide, or yell for me. Please don't go too far". His face had worry written all over it. Poppy thought this was actually rather cute. "Don't worry, I will". She replied as she slowly left for her pathway. He watched her as she slowly disappeared into the outskirts of the border. When she was no longer in sight, he left for his direction. Hoping he would finish his side before she did hers. He didn't like the thought of her being alone. But in this case, they had no choice with how large the area was. His only plan was to plant them quickly so he could meet up with poppy again. 

A few hours had gone by since the two trolls had last seen one another. Poppy had planted several bulbs in a wide area surrounding the forest lining. She enjoyed being in the forest, the sounds and smells were pleasant to her, but, she kept on her guard for anything that may happen. Just as branch had taught her. Poppy kneel in the forest lining that lay opposite of a small clearing with large stones and a few trees. Close to finishing her last bulb, she heard leaves and branches sway with movement. Instantly gripping her spade shovel tightly, she braced herself. Slowly standing to hold her ground, she would freely admit she was scared, but she needed to protect herself since branch wasn't with her. She could see a figure coming towards her in the bushes, and began backing away slowly, preparing to brace for an attack. Soon, she saw the figure fully emerge. Purple skinned, and bluish green haired. 

"C-creek"? She whispered. "Creek, what are you doing here"? She asked the purple troll with the spade still in her hand. "I have been keeping a close eye on you, love. And let me tell you. I am VERY unhappy". Creek sighed with a sour face. "What is it creek"? Being sure to keep her distance. "Well darlin' for starters, I Don't want you near branch. He's a toxic troll and is no good for you. I mean come on, he left you in the wilderness with no real way to defend yourself. Secondly, I have come across rumors....that you and branch were...an item.". She was annoyed at him immediately. "Creek, I CHOSE  to do this. The safety of troll village is at stake and as princess I needed to keep my people safe. Branch is not toxic. He's very kind and is thoughtful, he knows more about the forest and what's in it than anyone else in the village put together. And since you asked, yes, branch and I are a couple. And I would appreciate it if you would stop with the verbal hazing about him". Poppy said as she walked over to her tool bag placing her spade inside, creek gave an annoyed scowl. "I SAW you two poppy. I already knew. I just needed to hear you say that. How could you do this to me"?! Confused, she zipped her head to face him. "What do you mean? I haven't done anything to you". Creek began to slowly walk towards her. "Oh yes you did, you rejected me, twice. For...HIM! Everyone knows that he was the most miserable being in troll village, yet you chose him over me? And even worse yet, he got his colors back"?! He paused for a few moments, with a slightly blank face. "How did his colors return, poppy"? He asked sternly. Her face began to blush at the thought of their first night together. She didn't think it was wise to tell him they had sex. Unfortunately, her reluctance and facial expression made creek solve his own question almost instantly. "........You didn't....". He said in an almost angry tone and shocked face. Poppy couldn't hide the truth anymore. It was painfully obvious he knew. "Yes. Branch and I...had made love. And it was incredible. He is sweet, loving, clever and talented. And I.....". She paused, gathering the courage to say her next words. "...I love him". 

For a few brief moments, it was completely silent. Creek's face was emotionless, mouth jarred slightly. Suddenly, his facial expression changed. Angry, and hurt. "How could you poppy! You were supposed to be with ME! I love you too poppy! I was the good troll! Well loved by everyone! Always peaceful! It made me sick the way he looked at you with that party you threw for him, showing off his little love spot when he took you to the pond, and then actually witnessing him put his filthy lips against yours?! My aura has never felt so defiled"! Poppy was confused, how would he know any of this? She never seen him anywhere near them, even when they were in the village. "Wait, how would you know any of that"? Creek scoffed at her question. "I told you haven't I? I've been keeping an eye on you. I watched over you when you threw that party for the freak, it sickened me with the way he looked at you. I followed you both to the lagoon. I couldn't stand seeing him wrapping his arms around you, when it should have been me! Seeing him the next day as a bright blue troll? SOMETHING happened! And I needed to know what. When I saw him kiss you in the clearing before you parted ways earlier, that was my limit. I had enough. I needed to hear you say it. But it doesn't matter, I'm stepping up. He can't have you". Poppy began to slowly back up from creek as he crept towards her. "Creek you don't understand, Listen I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but I just don't have those kind of feelings for you. You're my friend, but I love branch. Not you. He wants me too, you know. And I want him". Poppy was starting to feel real fear, mixed with anger. How many times did she have to make him understand?

Meanwhile.......

Branch Sighed in a tired huff as he finished planting his last bulb, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Phew, finally done! Thank goodness. Now the kingdom grounds will be much safer when these bloom in a few weeks". Branch was worried since he hasn't seen or heard from poppy in quite a while, he got a chill up his spine. Something didn't feel right to him. He decided to go looking for poppy. Quickly gathering his tools, he swiftly made his way towards the clearing where he had left poppy. 

Creek stood, anger and hurt painted on his face. Silence made the air stand still. Suddenly, his expression changed. A hungry smile crept across his lips, which in turn worried poppy deeply. "Well then, since he got to have a taste of you, I think it's only fair that I take you too, here, now! He won't want you anymore afterwards, knowing that you've been with someone else". He said lustfully as he slowly walked towards her. She felt her heart pound in fear, she had to run, Did creek really mean to....She didn't want to wait to find out, she turned and tried to run. "Oh no, no, no my dear, STAY won't you"?! He hollered as he used his hair to catch her ankle, bringing her towards him. Falling down hard onto her face, poppy spit the dirt and grass from her mouth. "Oh, look at that. You got your pretty face all dirty! Don't worry, I'll clean it up for you". He growled as he grabbed her face, forcing his lips on hers. He pressed his body against hers, she could feel his hard member against her stomach. Even though it was hard, it was significantly smaller than branch's.  Poppy was legitimately terrified, she tried to struggle, but his grip was too firm. Poppy pushed his face away and slapped creek so hard across the face it made her own hand sting. With a loud smack, creek stumbled backwards, moaning in pain. Holding his cheek, he turned to poppy, glaring harshly. "So, THAT'S how you want to play eh"? He growled deeply. Feeling a pit form in her stomach, she attempted to run as fast as she could, creek caught her by her hair, slamming her hard against a tree forcing her to face him. "N-no, creek, please"! Poppy whimpered. 

"You should have thought twice before you decided to choose the mole over me"! Creek hissed  as he ripped her dress from her body, slithering his hands over her curves and tightly cupping her breasts. "BRAAAN-" Poppy tried to yell branch's name but creek gripped his hand over her mouth, causing her to begin to cry. "Don't even try it poppy, I want my turn with you first! Better yet, let him come, I'l kill him in front of you, then you will have to watch him suffer, just like I did while watching you two". She shook her head while whimpering, leaning her head backward to look into the trees, attempting to scream. She noticed a strange formation on the branches, only, they were moving. Suddenly, two piercing blue eyes stared at her. Poppy's heart sank. Quickly looking to creek, she tried talking with her mouth covered, frantically trying to get away. Creek's grip was too strong, using his free hand to slide his trousers partly down. "It's no use poppy, I'll be done before he ever finds yo-". Creek stopped when he noticed the sound of hissing, but couldn't see anything around him. Slowly looking upward into the tree, he sees the misshapen tree branch change color. The brown, easily mistaken tree branch, changed into a bright and vibrant orange color to reveal a large coiling mass of sharp scales. Both creek and poppy gaze into the snakes icy blue eyes with dagger like slits for pupils. Three jagged, horn like scales rest atop each eye lid, presenting a menacing, demonic look. Flickering its bright, sky blue tongue, taking in their smell. It slightly opened its long funnel like mouth as it hisses loudly, showing its ice blue mouth and snow white fangs. Poppy could feel nothing but pure terror at this moment, absolutely paralyzed by the sight before her. She managed to get her face free from creek's clutch, but he quickly caught her by the wrist, holding tight.

"BRAAAAAANCH"!!! Poppy screamed a shrill scream as she shivered in her spot. The sudden outburst made the snake strike. Creek, giving out a frightened shout, picked up poppy, shielding himself from the fangs of the snake. 

Meanwhile, Branch had already made it past the point where they had separated, making his way through the tail that poppy had taken into the forest quickly. "Braaan-" He stopped immediately, he stopped, waited, and listened. He could have sworn he heard poppy. Using his ears to pinpoint direction, he waited for another sound. Feeling his heart pound against his ribs, he was frightened, he KNEW that was her voice, but WHERE was it? Finally, he heard it again. "BRAAAAAANCH"! He heard his name echo through the trees. This time, it was shrill, and terrified. He quickly pinpointed the sound and bolted in her direction.  

Creek held poppy in front of him, poppy still trying her hardest to break free. The first time the snake attempted a strike, it missed the two trolls, recoiling easily. It focused on the movement, then attempted another strike. This time, the bite was successful. The beasts thick fangs sank into poppy's flesh in the side of her leg, pumping venom each second they were inside. Poppy screamed in pain from the bite, like she was stabbed with an icicle. Creek tossed her aside, running for his life through the brush as the snake focused on her. Feeling her veins feel the effect of the venom, her body began to feel as cold as snow. Shivering from the feel of the cold seeping into her blood. The snake lowered itself to her, widening its mouth, preparing to swallow her whole. Suddenly, she heard rustling of leaves again, she held her breath, praying it wasn't another snake. Branch then jumped out from the branched of some bushes, Fear clutched his chest with the sight he was just subjected to. "POPPY"!! He yelled. Immediately, he charged forward with his lance, slicing the snakes face and lips, blood dripping to the ground. The snake coiled and hissed in pain, writhing on the ground covering its mouth. Stabbing it on the side, the snake smacked branch against a tree trunk, quickly returning to his feet, he ran against the tree trunk and kicked off, jumping onto the back of the snake, close to the base of the head. The snake bucked and writhed along the ground, holding on tightly, branch clung to its back so he wouldn't be flung off. Taking his chance, branch stabbed the snake square in the back of the neck. Yelling harshly as he jabbed the sharpened shell blade deep into the beasts neck. Slowly, the snake lowered to the ground, finally, plopped down hard. Dead, blood pooling at the base of its head, with the last breath of air escaping its lungs as the light left its eyes. 

Gasping for air, branch looked around for poppy. He found her around the tail of the snake on the grass, breathing slowly. "POPPY"!! Branch gasped. Running over to her, he rolled her body over to see two fang marks embedded in her thigh. "Oh no"! He whispered to himself. "B-branch" Poppy could hardly whisper. Her voice shaking. "Hold on pop, hold on"!! Without a second passing, He knelt down to her leg, sucking out the venom, spitting it out onto the grass. The taste was awful, like rotten avocados, soiled mint leaves and burnt cabbage. He knew this was the venom in her blood. He had to suck faster, her life depended on it. While sucking the venom out, he glanced to the ground in front of him, seeing her torn dress. After several minutes of this action repeated, he finally got the flavor out of his mouth, leaving the normal taste of blood, he got as much of the venom out as was possible. 

"Poppy?! POPPY?! Look at me! What happened"?! Branch demanded. His heart feeling like it will explode from fear and confusion. Poppy lay gasping, hardly able to hold a single breath. "Cr...creek.....h......he.....he tried to.....tried to...." Poppy could barely finish her sentence. Tears steadily poured from her eyes. Intense anger filled branch. His very soul was on fire with rage. He knew what poppy was trying to say. The ripped dress and dirt on her face, he knew. Creek tried to rape her. Fueled by rage, he scooped up poppy and ran as fast as his feet could carry him. "Don't worry poppy, I got you, you're safe. You're safe. I'll get you fixed up, we're almost home, we're almost home". Trying his hardest to reassure her along the way. She weakly lifted her hand to hold onto his vest, burying her face into his chest. Branch ran until his calves burned. She needed medicine and she needed it fast. He could see the square in the distance, hearing the light chatter of the trolls in the village. 

Running into the square, he ran directly for his bunker, passing by the pack as he ran. "Guys follow me! NOW! I NEED YOUR HELP"! He yelled. Seeing their friend in his arms, they all gasped, immediately the pack chased after him. After a few minutes of intense running, they finally reached his bunker. Wasting no time, he opened the doorway and ran directly for the bedroom. The pack followed him inside. Branch hurried into the bedroom, softly laying her down into the soft bed. The whole pack flooded into the room, watching over their friend. "What happened branch? Why is she naked? What is wrong with her"?! The pack kept asking him. Not having enough time to respond, he left the room, biggie covered her with a soft blanket. Cooper noticed she was sweating profusely, he found a small stack of papers on the nightstand, fanning her softly. Running to the medicine store room, branch grabs the jars of toadtongue mushrooms, bramble berries and yggdrasil leaves. Scurrying back the the bedroom. In a large mortar and pestle, branch mixed a few of each ingredient together, adding water gradually. "DJ hold her head up, she needs to drink this"! instantly doing as she was told, she gently held up her best friends' head, tears streaming down her face. "Poppy, honey, I know you can hear me still, I made a potion for you, It'll help stall the poison. Please, you need drink it all". Branch waited the longest three seconds of his life. Poppy finally, weakly nodded, DJ slowly brought her friends head up, so branch could give her the potion. The flavor was awful, like rancid carrots and burnt mushroom. Eventually, she finally choked down the last few drops. Coughing for a brief few moments. 

Branch sighed in relief. The potion he made her will stave off the effect of the venom remaining in her blood long enough to find gloom blossoms. But there was one thing to attend to first. The rage and anger that burned withing branch, leaked into his face. A terrifying, menacing glare. The entire pack was scared beyond their wits with this expression on his face. But DJ bravely spoke up. "Branch, WHAT. HAPPENED"?! The rest of the pack held their breath, anxious to know what on earth was happening. Turning his glare to the pack, he growled. "Creek, He let poppy get bit by a frostmouth and left her to die. He tried to RAPE POPPY"!! His voice was almost like thunder. Cracking across the room with a fierce power. 

The entire pack gasped in horror. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. Almost immediately, DJ had more tears streak down her face, as did the twins and smidge. Biggie and cooper had looks of anger and sorrow. Covering his love with the rest of the blanket, branch lay her head on a pillow gently, before cupping her face gently. Tears falling from his eyes directly onto her face. He kissed her lips tenderly. Standing for a brief moment, all of the pack were looking to branch, they had never seen him cry before. That he was crying over poppy, made them realized he truly loved poppy with every ounce of his soul. Branch began to leave to room before he stopped, turning to biggie. "Big, don't let anyone but me or her father enter here. DJ, you keep her hydrated and warm, the rest of you, keep her safe until I get back". He said as he started off again. "Wait branch, where are you goin' "? Asked cooper. 

Branch turned to cooper, the horrifying look had returned to branch's face. 

"To find creek" He growled deeply.

End Of Chapter 12