The trolls that surrounded them were unlike anything Trolex had seen before. Each of them was a clear mix of two different kinds of music, evident in the colors and shape of their bodies. Trollex felt relieved they had found the hybrids but unfortunately the hybrids didn't show the same welcomeness to the strangers that had trespassed on their land. A troll with yellow skin and dark purple hair stepped forward, her clothes decorated with net and ripped patches. "Who are you? How did you find us?" She demanded while crossing her arms, already suspicious of them.

"Uh, we just followed the river until we came to land." Branch answered sarcastically, brushing the sand off of his clothes.

"Don't give me that sarcastic tone stranger!" The yellow troll shouted, thrusting what looked like a spear in his face threatenly. Branch threw his hands up in surrender, his eyes fixed on the pointed end mere inches from his nose. "We don't mean any harm. We actually were looking for you hybrid trolls. We need your help." He responded quickly.

One of the other hybrids, a country and pop troll with red and gold hair and four legs, came up beside the first. "What could mono trolls need our help for?"

"Mono trolls?" Trollex asked, tilting his head confused.

"Single music trolls like you three. Opposed to mixed trolls like us, or hybrids as you seem to call us." The country and pop troll explained. The yellow troll interrupted her. "We left to avoid your single minded views and corruption. There will be no help for you here, leave now."

The yellow troll turned and began leading the group away. Branch panicked and moved to block their path, earning a growl from the yellow troll. Branch flinched but stood his ground, obviously determined to be heard whether the hybrids wanted to listen or not. "Please, all of us are in danger if you don't help us. Including you."

Trollex watched the hybrid's expressions, waiting for them to simply shove Branch aside and leave. But to his surprise, they didn't move. The yellow troll crossed her arms with interest, "alright, I'm listening."

Branch let out a sigh of relief and reached into his bag, pulling out the chaos string and holding it up for them to see. "The leader of pop stole our music and merged it together with this string. Now it only produces a chaotic sound that we don't know how to undo. You know what it's like to combine multiple music together. We want your help to unravel our music from this string."

Branch seemed more hopeful of his plan with every word but he lost it when he saw the scowl on the hybrid's faces. Trollex started to worry as well since the hybrids had been their last and only plan. The yellow troll was the one to answer. "You mono trolls never change. Always determined to stay apart. Couldn't learn to live with each other until you were forced. That way of thinking is the reason our ancestors were forced to leave and find a new home. Maybe this is what you deserve."

Trollex stared at her in shock. A small part of him saw the truth in her words but he couldn't just leave with his home in danger. Neither could Trollzart it seemed when he no longer could hold back his outburst. "We can't just leave. Our trolls are in danger and will continue to live in fear and misery if you don't help us! Can you live with that?"

"Yes. Yes we can." She simply said.

The hybridès leader pushed past Branch and the group followed her, leaving Branch looking defeated. Trollex pressed his lips together trying to come up with a plan. After a moment he hovered after the hybrids and blocked their path again. "Look, I get why you don't want to help us. You're worried about getting dragged into conflict and putting yourselves in danger. But if you help us then we will make sure no one ever bothers you again. Can you at least think about it? Barb and Poppy could come after your music next."

The yellow troll stared at him for a moment before finally nodding. "I'm not agreeing yet, but you are welcome to stay the night at least. Follow us."

Branch shot a grateful look at Trollex before picking up his bag and following the group along with Trollzart. Trollex scooped BDB into his arms and chased after them. Within the hour the hybrids had led them through the forest into a hidden village that seemed to closest resemble the pop troll village. Some of the homes hung from trees while the rest were situated on the ground or on small water islands. Trollex had never seen so many different kinds of trolls gathered in one home before. Techno mixed trolls were swimming in the streams that ran through the village. Trollex lowered BDB into the closest stream and watched him happily swim beside the fellow tailed trolls.

The yellow troll halted them. "There are spare huts over there that you can use. We also have an empty hut near the water you can use techno troll." She pointed to Trollex.

"My name is Trollex."

"I'm Branch, this is Trollzart, and the fish having fun in the water is BDB."

"I care not about your names. I will inform you of my decision in the morning." The yellow troll said before leaving them alone in the clearing. Branch sighs, "maybe we should stick together tonight. They could be a threat."

"You have trust issues." Trollex teased.

"Hmph, can't blame him." Trollzart claimed earning a growl from Branch. Trollex sensed another argument coming and quickly nudged Branch towards the hut. Sleeping separated would be the safest option tonight.