~
As the prom was going on, the Tribe Leaders arrived at the school.
Poppy was nervous about her dad showing up. She never told him about Branch and Peppy wasn't too good with boys, especially after what happened with her and Creek.
"You ok Poppy?" Branch noticed the nervous look on her face.
She snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry Branch, I'm just thinking about something."
"You can tell me anything, I'm here for you." He took her hand and smiled.
"Alright, its best I tell you when the leaders arrive." She leaned against him and hugged his arm.
~
The Principal made his way up the stage to make an announcement. This made everyone turn their attention to him.
Branch didn't realize until now that Poppy was gone. He looked and looked around for her, but she was no where to be seen.
"If everyone would turn their attention to the doors, we will welcome our Tribe Leaders." The doors opened as the first leader stepped in, or should I say float?
~
"Down from the depths of Techno Reef, welcome the techno troll himself, King Trollex!"
Everyone cheered loudly as the mertroll went up flew around the room. "Let's get this party started!"
~
The second leader trotted into the gym. "Welcome the country mayor and sheriff of Lonesome Flats, Delta Dawn!"
Everybody cheered as Delta galloped towards the stage. "Howdy Everybody!"
~
The third leader came in with an elegant presence.
"Coming from Symphonyville, welcome the outstanding conductor, Trollzart!"
Everyone cheered as Trollzart bowed. "Thank you my kind trolls, I am honored to be here."
~
The fourth leaders came in with some funky vibes.
"Introducing the long term heirs from Vibe City, welcome King Quincy and Queen Essence!"
Cheers were heard as King Quincy came in with his wife and two sons, Cooper and Prince D. "What's poppin trolls?!"
~
The fifth leader strolled into the gym. "Introducing the rock queen from Volcano Rock City, welcome Queen Barb!"
Cheering was heard as Barb and King Thrash entered the building.
Barb played a guitar riff. "Who's ready to rock?!!" She held up a rock sign and walked with pride.
~
Branch was looking all around for Poppy. He asked his friends if they had seen her, and no one seemed to have.
"Where could she have gone?!" He had looked everywhere, and he started to give up.
"Introducing the last tribe of the night, the bustling queen from Pop Village, give it up for Queen Poppy!"
Branch immediately turned his head at the mention of her name, and he wasn't the only one shocked. Almost all of the students were shocked to see that she was a queen.
As everyone cheered, Poppy walked down the isle with her father and met Branch's eyes. He looked at her with a speechless gaze.
"You're a queen?" Those were the only words Branch managed to get out.
She giggled at his reaction, "Surprise."
~
Everyone was settled and ready to party. As the party started, everyone had a chance to meet the leaders.
Poppy was taking Branch to meet Peppy. "It'll be ok Branch, don't you worry."
She held his hand to reassure it was ok. "Hey Dad! I'd like for you to meet someone, this is Branch Timberlake, my boyfriend."
Peppy took a glance at him. Branch gulped nervously, "Nice to meet you, sir."
Poppy noticed the look her dad was giving him. "Look, I know after what happened with me and Creek, you don't trust any boy around me."
Branch looked at Poppy confusingly. Who was Creek? He figured he could ask later.
She looked at Branch and smiled widely. "He is the sweetest, most caring troll I have ever seen, and I would never change him for anything."
Poppy took his hands and turned towards him. "I love him so much dad, he's special to me."
She hugs Branch tightly as he hugged back. "So I hope you can accept him dad, I know I will."
Peppy watched the two closely and exchanged a final look. "I see something in you two that I couldn't see with Creek, if you two shall be together, so be it."
"Thank you dad, you're the best!" Poppy leaned in and gave Branch a big kiss. He blushed furiously when she stopped the kiss, making her laugh at his reaction.
~
"Come on Synth, we'll have a chance to meet him!" Laguna was dragging Synth towards the king.
Trollex noticed the couple flying towards him. "Well if it isn't Synth, how's my cousin?" The two trolls fist bumped.
Laguna was shocked at what she was hearing. "Cousin? You two are related?" (Don't blame me, I think the two would be related.)
"We sure are, and you didn't tell me you had a girlfriend Synth." Trollex elbowed him playfully.
Synth blushed at this, "It's just a friendly date Trollex, nothing too serious." Laguna felt a little sad when she heard that.
"I think you ought to pop the question then, making the lady wait won't do any good." Trollex laughed when he got elbowed by an angry but flustered Synth.
Synth started pushing him away. "Ok Trollex you should head off now, bye!"
"Just saying Synth, don't make the lady wait." He winked then continued to tease him about it.
She was giggling at their banter. "I can see where he gets his personality from."
~
Holly was chatting like crazy about Delta while Gust chuckled at her enthusiasm.
Delta heard a familiar voice and turned towards them. "Well I'll be, if it isn't Holly Darling."
Holly was confused as Delta came over to them. "You know who I am?"
"Of course I do, ever since you were a little foal." Delta smiled at the now excited troll.
"Oh wow, this makes it even better!" She noticed Gust standing by his lonesome.
He was then dragged by his arm over to them. "Miss Delta, I'd like you to meet Gust Tumbleweed."
"It's nice to meet you Gust, or should I say deputy?" She gestured to the badge he was wearing.
Gust didn't notice he was wearing his badge. "I'd like to become a deputy one day, haven't made it yet."
"Well I wish you the best of luck Gust." She smiled as they continued chatting.
~
"Can you believe it Val? Queen Barb is actually here!" Demo was excited to see her in person.
Val was sipping some punch. "Yeah, I've already met her, no biggie." Demo looked at her like she had grown two heads.
Demo started questioning her closely. "You've met Queen Barb?! How come you never told me?"
Val pushed his face away, "Cause I knew you would react like this, besides I can take you to see her if you want."
"You'd do that for me? I think someone is going soft." He grinned and somehow dodged a punch on the arm.
"You got lucky this time, and I'm not going soft!" She held up a fist to his face.
Demo didn't believe her and continued about it. They didn't notice a certain rock troll coming over.
"Hey love birds!" Barb had overheard their little banter.
Val and Demo both turned their heads to the rock queen. "Love birds?!" They both said at the same time.
"You two argue like an old couple, and I surely didn't expect to see Val over here." Val shook her head and looked away.
"It's nothing Barb, we're just friends." Barb shook her head and started walking off.
"That's what they all say, peace out dudes!" She and Thrash took off in his wheel chair.
~
Branch and Poppy were outside taking a break from the party.
"Hey Poppy, can I ask you something?" He was curious about the person she mentioned.
"Of course Branch, go ahead." She had her full attention to him.
"You mentioned a person when you were introducing me to your father, Creek was it? Who is he?" Branch watched her expression fade into sadness.
She decided it was time to tell him. "Creek is my ex boyfriend."
He felt bad for asking her about this. "I see, sorry for asking."
She leaned against him. "It's ok Branch, I moved on."
Poppy felt his arm hold her closely. "We only lasted for two weeks, I broke up with him since he only used me for fame and popularity."
"This is why I hid my title from everyone, except my friends." She rested in his arms.
"I would never do that to you Poppy, queen or not, I'll love you either way." Branch looked at her as she smiled at him.
Poppy closed her eyes and smiled, "Thank you Branch."
. . .