Thank you all for your patience. Story parts might be a bit slower since I am not feeling well but for now enjoy the next part.

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Trollex twisted his hands in his lap, frowning at the sight of how grey his body had become since his music had been taken again. Poppy and Barb had sent all the leaders back to their tribes but under lockdown. Trollex had attempted to perform some of their techno music to lighten the mood of his subjects but the sound came out all chaotic and wrong. No matter what he tried, Trollex couldn't shake off what that new string had done to him.

BDB pushed closer to Trollex. He'd barely left Trollex's side out of fear of losing each other again. Trollex was grateful for any comfort right now.

"Why would Poppy do this?"

"I don't know BDB. Maybe she snapped. A troll can only take so much disappointment before it makes them not think clearly."

"But she was the one who wanted to stop Barb from destroying music." BDB said while swimming up to face Trollex directly, confusion plastered on his face.

Trollex watched him sadly. "I don't have the answers BDB. All we can do for now is wait for a chance to fix this."

BDB gave a small nod and resumed his place beside Trollex. Soon a pink techno troll with blue and yellow details on her tail knocked on the doorframe and swam inside without waiting for permission. "King Trollex, there's a pop troll sneaking around the net."

Trollex got up. "Poppy?"

"No, not her. It's a blue troll with dark hair."

"Branch," Trollex realized. "Find him and tell him to meet me near the coral, it'll provide more cover."

The pink techno troll nods and turns, leaving the room. Trollex followed soon after, curious at what Branch could want. BDB was right behind him as expected.

When they arrived at the coral the area seemed empty until Branch finally poked his head out from where he'd been hiding. Trollex swam as close to him as the net would allow. Branch had a bubble around his head which was keeping the oxygen in. "Branch, what are you doing here? Did Poppy send you?" Trollex asked while crossing his arms.

"What? No. After you and I separated, Poppy didn't come back but the harp went missing. I've been trying to find her and thought she might come here. What happened?" Branch gestured to the net surrounding Techno Reef.

"Poppy stole the harp. She and Barb used a blank string to steal our music and make a new one, but it's chaotic. Forcefully blended together and damaging to those who hear it."

"That can't be true. Poppy would never." Branch claimed but didn't sound too sure about it himself. "If she is in Rock territory I'll go talk to her, find out how to fix this."

"You didn't see her Branch. This was her idea."

Branch fell into his thoughts for a while. Trollex couldn't blame his disbelief, he didn't believe Poppy was capable at first either. Finally Branch spoke. "Ok. We need to steal that new string and find a way to get you all your music back. Then we will deal with Poppy and Barb."

"Alright, but I'm still trapped."

"Good thing I am always prepared." Branch said and pulled out what looked like a stick with metal attached to the end. "I am going to block the net's current. It'll only last a moment so be quick."

Trollex nodded and gripped BDB in his arms knowing he wouldn't be left behind again and swam through the net when the knots broke. He tumbled a bit on the other side but quickly caught himself and released BDB. Together they head for the surface before Branch could run out of air. Trollex was still suspicious of Branch since he was so close to Poppy but Branch seemed level headed enough to be trusted. And right now, he'd take any help he could get.