AU: I do not own trolls – this is owned by dreamworks.

Chapter one

Branch woke up to the sound of soft, sweet singing.

'Almost like a lullaby' he thought to himself, a small smile pulled at his lips. He sat up slowly, eyeing the empty space beside him.

"Still warm," he breathed to himself quietly, his hand caressing the warm blue sheets where Poppy had slept beside him. Satisfied she was still nearby he laid back down and closed his eyes, enjoying the sweet music stroking his ears.

Then it stopped.

He pricked his ear up, trying to locate her. She was up to something.

"Morning, Branch!" Poppy almost squealed.

"Aah!" Branch screamed out, flinging himself out of the bed and landing on the floor. With a pounding starting in his head from the impact, he groaned and tried to sit up slowly.

"Poppy…" he muttered, drawing out her name. He peered over the bed from the floor and saw her grinning back at him. He rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips as he managed to pull himself up onto his feet. His eyes soon landed on the tray of food before him on the bed. He nodded in appreciation as he admired the perfectly cooked scrambled eggs and the aubergines shaped like stars on his plate. Not to mention the freshly squeezed blueberry juice. She had an eye for detail and a heart that reflected onto her work. However, he knew she was after something.

"Now eat up, we have lots to do," Poppy decreed. Branch sighed. Another one of her crazy ideas no doubt. He stared at her, one eyebrow lifted, just waiting for her to explain. He knew she was up to something and no doubt it'll be something he doesn't agree with.

"Branch, before you start, its just a little hike into the woods…" she tried to convince him. Branch just stared at her like she was from out of space. His survivalist instincts were playing up. He felt himself shift uncomfortably, unsure of why Poppy would want to venture out there for. He knew what was out there, he knew how dangerous it could be and he certainly didn't like the idea of Poppy being out there.

"Poppy…" he drawled out, trying to encourage her to carry on and tell him why they were venturing out into the wilderness for.

"A few of the other trolls have mentioned something being… strange out there. They said they went camping out there and heard noises. Like screams and then howling and it scared them. Others have reported shadows moving along the outskirts of the forest near the village. I feel as Queen I should investigate and soothe their anxiety,"

"No," Branch finalised, crossing his arms. Her eyes soon caught his, both of them locked in a battle of will.

"Branch…" He almost laughed at her. She was trying to be stern with him, like a mother with a naughty child. He scoffed, still firmly in the belief he was in control.

"Fine, you stay here, but I am going, Branch." She nodded, determined, before spinning around and making her way towards the exit. He sighed. She'd won.

"Fine, I'll go put on some pants…"

"Right, is everyone ready?" Poppy questioned her friends, each one nodding in turn before her eyes fell on Branch. She knew he was prepared. He was always prepared for everything. He, however, stood there, arms crossed defiantly, his eyes trying to stare her down.

"Pop-"

"Branch, stop! We are going. Our people are scared, and we need to reassure them," He sighed. He knew she was right but that didn't mean he had to like it.

"Does anyone here even have any equipment? I think I can make out, maybe… 2 tents between the lot of you judging from your backpacks, and if any of you say you have a music player I will scream," Branch warned, feeling frustrated with them already.

"Good guess, we do have 2 tents, Branch, one for the boys and one for the girls," Biggie confirmed.

"Gonna be like a sleep over!" Cooper shouted excitedly, causing the other trolls in the group to cheer excitedly. Branch rolled his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Anyway," intervened Satin, "That's why we brought you!" Chenille finished, a joint smiled shared between the twins.

Branch glared at them. His teeth clenched together in frustration. He might have his colours back, he might even enjoy the odd sing song here and there now, but his attitude was very much still intact, prominent in his being. The only thing that calmed him in that moment was Poppy's hand on his arm, her eyes pleading, begging him to agree and just chill. He took a deep breath and relaxed.

"I'm going in my own tent, and lucky for you guys, I'm a survivalist. I have all the stuff we could possibly need," He smiled triumphantly.

The others rolled their eyes but smiled at their new friend. They knew he meant well really, even if sometimes his concept of concern was distorted. Poppy smiled at her friends, feeling thankful they were trying with Branch. She knew it was a lot of adjusting for Branch, trying to move from a life of solitude to a life of singing, dancing and friendship.

The troll friends soon set off together and while the others were chatting and messing around, Poppy fell back slowly, easing her way to the back of the group where Branch was on high alert. She slipped her hand into his, his eyes moving to look at her. He could feel her anxiousness.

"Hey, there won't be anything out here, nothing scary anyway," He tried to soothe her. She tried to give him a confident smile but faulted.

"Branch, I believe these trolls. They were genuinely terrified. You could see the fear in their eyes, and for a troll that's crazy. Trolls are usually full of happiness and even when we are scared we try to think positive, but they couldn't see anything positive in this." She looked around, her mind racing with all the possibilities. Branch wanted to tell her it was nothing, that it was all probably just a misunderstanding, but he couldn't tell her that. He got lost in this forest a long time ago, he was only a boy, he'd run off, his deep depression had taken over him and he couldn't cope being around the happy bright trolls. Not so soon after losing his grandma. He thought he was going for a wander but ended up lost and scared. He remembered seeing something then. He wasn't sure what, but he never felt the need to know what it was… until now. He wanted to know now, he needed to know, not just for himself, but for Poppy and for the people of Troll Village. They needed answers and so did he.

They hiked through the wooded area for a good few miles before Branch called it. They needed to set up camp before the sun fully set. The space he'd chosen was open enough that they could locate the campsite if they ventured away and open enough that nothing could creep up on them without them knowing. With the satisfaction of the safety the camp area gave him, Branch set off helping to set up the three tents they had brought along with Biggie and Cooper, which left the girls to collect firewood and set up the fire. By their insistence on that job of course. Soon enough they were all set up and gathered around the fire, the moonlight shining on them. Branch was staring up at the stars, a sense of déjà vu hitting him. He shook it off. He needed to stay focussed.

Poppy was giggling with the girls as they gossiped amongst themselves, the boys chatting away about random things, but she couldn't help but notice Branch was separated off. He was gazing at the stars, but she could see the unease in his body.

"Branch, fancy a walk?" Poppy asked, wanting to ease her boyfriend. He looked up, a little shocked. He wasn't expecting her voice.

"Yeah, sure," He nodded. Together they wandered into the woods while their friend sang out.

"Branch and Poppy sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G," The group of friends sang out. Branch glared at them, hating the tormenting, while Poppy just grinned and laughed at them. They ventured further through and stopped at a nearby old oak tree, far enough for privacy but close enough they could still see the shimmering flame of the camp fire.

"Are you alright?" Branch raised his eyebrow in concern, his hands taking hold of Poppy's.

"Yeah, it's just I know you felt uncomfortable, I know they can be a l-"

"Poppy, it's not them making me uncomfortable. I've been having…flashbacks…déjà vu… whatever you want to call it,"

"Why?" She asked sitting down, pulling him with her.

"When I was younger, a lot younger, I got lost in here. I was scared and grieving, I'd just lost my grandma and my head was dark and bleary. I remember being sat under a tree, crying, when I heard a noise, saw a shadow. I couldn't make out what it was, but I did see…" Branch stopped, his words drifting away as he stared out passed Poppy, his eyes focused on the deeper parts of the woods.

"Branch?" Poppy encouraged. Branch shushed her, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. They both crawled towards a tree root that had a small gap under it. Branch pulled her under there, hiding her more than himself as he stared out, trying to look around. She looked at him questioningly, unsure as to what he was doing. What she could make out though was the words 'red eyes' that he muttered to himself…