Trollex helped Branch search for Poppy till it was almost dark but they had no luck. After Poppy had stormed out of the meeting with Barb she'd run off full of hurt and anger. She'd seemed so desperate for her plan to work out that when it once again fell apart she snapped. Her outburst worried Trollex, after what happened with Barb he was worried about what Poppy could be planning. Surely a troll with so much joy in her heart couldn't turn to dangerous ideas so easily, right? Trollex realized what he'd gathered from travelling with Poppy was that she was the kind of troll to quickly jump to conclusions and sometimes be obsessed with being right. That could be considered dangerous. Trollex found himself uneasy at the thought. Right now he just wanted to be home back in Techno Reef, far away from all that was causing him to feel so overwhelmed.

"Poppy! Come on, where are you?!" Branch called, cupping his hands around his mouth. When no answer came he dropped his arms to his side in defeat. Letting out a sigh. "Where could she be?"

"Maybe she went home back to Pop Village?" Trollex suggested with a small shrug.

Branch turned to face Trollex. "What exactly happened in there with Barb? Did she say something to Poppy?" He asked while looking ready to storm back to Rock Territory and give Barb a piece of his mind. Clearly just as protective of Poppy as always.

Trollex looked down, recalling the meeting clearly. "Yes and No. She said what we both already knew, that trusting the rock trolls is...difficult after what happened. She claimed that unity was still impossible, Poppy took it personally."

Branch frowns. "She's still finding it hard to accept that our ancestors caused the split in the first place. I think she feels responsible for fixing it. It's foolish, taking the weight of the world on her shoulders."

Trollex understood the truth in his words. Hovering closer to the ground he offered a smile of reassurance. "Who knows? Maybe one day we will all unite again, we just have to be patient and not force it."

"Yah. Maybe. Right now I just want to find her." Branch said but he wasn't paying attention to Trollex. Instead scanning the area for any signs of the pink troll.

"We will, don't worry. We still have some daylight left to keep searching" Trollex noticed how Branch tensed at the idea of not finding Poppy and leaving her alone in the night.

Trollex helped Branch search the area around Rock Territory for a few more hours before Branch finally gave in. "Maybe you're right, she probably went home. You should head back to Techno Reef, I'm going to head home as well."

"You sure."

"Your trolls need you as much as pop needs their queen. Pop will sort this out."

"Alright, but you know where to find me should you need help." Trollex replied. Branch gave him a nod and Trollex turned to head home. Trollex glanced back once before diving into the water and catching one of the stronger currents back towards Techno Reef. As much as he was worried about Poppy, he was glad to finally be going back home.

The next morning Barb lazily padded from her bed to the window, looking out at her fellow rock trolls finding new ways to waste the day. Some were practicing new beats on their drums and guitars while others wandered aimlessly through the streets. Only a few rock trolls seemed to be doing something productive as they moved the piranha vehicles to be garaged. Barb continued to watch them while leaning against the window frame when she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Enter," Barb called. The door opened and Riff came in sporting his usual jean jacket, ripped pants and oversized beanie. Barb spun around to face him and crossed her arms. "What is it Riff?"

"Uh, you've got a visitor, your rockness." He said plainly.

Barb let out an irritated sigh. "Another one? This week is just full of unwanted guests. Who is it? The funk leaders, the snippy country horse, that marshmallow classical leader?"

"Uh...no. It's actually the, uh, Pop troll back to see you."

Barb's mocking halted as her face grew serious. Why was Poppy back so soon? Did Poppy want to attack her for what she said yesterday? Barb couldn't picture the pop troll running in guns blazing. Curiosity overtook Barb and she quickly instructed Riff to take her to Poppy. They found Poppy waiting in the same meeting room from yesterday. Their eyes met and Barb could've sworn something was different about the pink troll. Like her entire tone had turned sour.

Barb leaned forwards against the round table between them. "Back so soon?"

Poppy mimicked Barb. "I've thought about what you said yesterday and you're right. No one will ever truly trust rock, or pop. Our tribes have a lot more in common than you think. So, let's work together and make them accept us."

"That's rather dark thinking for you popsqueak."

"Times have changed. I won't allow my tribe to remain isolated and shadowed by our past. So do we have a truce?"

Barb stared at Poppy and a smirk formed on her face.