BroZone's return to Pop Village was a journey painted in sunlight and shadow.  JD, Clay, Bruce, and Floyd emerged from the dense emerald-hued forest and the world around them seemed to grow brighter. Tall, ancient trees gave way to a clearing, the thick canopy above thinning as if to welcome them back to a place they had long left behind. A new place really, since when they left as kids the trolls were still residing in the old troll tree. The village laid just ahead nestled into the heart of a lush valley, a tapestry of colors set against the endless green of the woods. Pop Village was as vibrant as anything they had seen. Every leaf seemed to shimmer with a surreal brightness, each flower a burst of pinks blues and yellows, dotting the landscape like gemstones set in soft grass. Seed pods hung from almost every tree branch. Music filled the air, a subtle hum of harmony that came not from any instrument but from the voices of the trolls who called this place home.

As the brothers strolled through the village square every sound and every sight was a painful reminder of the life they'd once known. JD took a deep breath, inhaling the earthy aroma of blooming wildflowers mixed with the familiar scent of pine resin and damp soil. Clay let out a quiet laugh while gesturing to a group of trolls who gawked at them, wide-eyed. "Guess they never thought we'd come back, huh?" The others chuckled softly, but there was a strain beneath the laughter. They all knew why they were here. This was more than a homecoming; it was a quest. They had returned not just to reconnect but to find the missing piece of their family. JD turned to his brothers, his expression resolute. "Alright, let's split up. Someone here must know something about Branch. Someone has to remember him."

They spread out, moving through the village in pairs. As they spoke to old friends and familiar faces, they realized how much time had truly passed. They received warm greetings, curious questions and heartfelt smiles but every conversation eventually came to the same end—a puzzled look, a shake of the head and a vague recollection of a quiet blue-haired boy who had once followed his grandmother around. An hour passed. The sun had begun to dip lower, casting long slanted rays of light through the trees when a figure appeared at the edge of the square. It was former King Peppy, his usual lively demeanor subdued and now replaced with a somber expression that softened his weathered face.

"You four have returned I see. I think it's best we talk somewhere private," he said, his voice barely more than a murmur.

The brothers exchanged glances, a ripple of unease passing between them. Silently they followed Peppy across the square, past the vibrant pop of colors and noise into the old Council Chamber. Here the sunlight filtered in dimly through stained glass windows, casting a muted kaleidoscope of color across the room. Dust motes floated through the air, caught in the narrow beams of light adding a sense of quiet reverence. Peppy shut the door, turning to face them. The room held an almost sacred silence as though it could feel the gravity of the words about to be spoken. The former king's gaze softened as he looked at each of them, his eyes a mix of sympathy and regret. "Boys," he began, his voice low, burdened with years of unspoken sorrow. "I know why you're here, and I want you to know that this... this isn't easy for me to say."

Bruce tensed, sensing the gravity in Peppy's tone. "What happened?"

Peppy's shoulders sagged, his gaze distant. "What I'm about to tell you goes back to a dark time... shortly after you left. Your grandmother was a beloved figure in this village. She was strong, caring, and an amazing mother figure. She looked after Branch as best as she could. Rosiepuff raised him to be a great man like you boys." He paused, his voice trembling. "But one afternoon... she was taken. The Chef bergen from the castle—she came swiftly. We believe her original target was your brother because his singing attracted her but your grandma knocked him out the way."

The words struck like blows and left each brother reeling from the horror of the image Peppy painted. Floyd reached for Clay's shoulder, grounding himself as his face went pale with shock.

Peppy's gaze turned pained, and he seemed to look past them as if reliving that dark afternoon. "Branch was there. He saw it happen but when dawn came he was gone. No one saw him leave; it was as if he'd vanished into the forest. I sent search parties. God so many...five at once each day and night. But we ran out of resources and hope. There was nothing else we could do."

 The brothers fell into a stunned silence, the revelation settling over them like a heavy cloak. Their sweet little brother had been left alone in a moment of unimaginable pain. A child, grieving and scared lost to the wilderness. All because of their selfish decision to break up the band and leave Branch behind. Floyd's immediately collapsed to the floor in tears, "If we'd been here. If only we stayed. GOD WHY DID WE LEAVE HIM BEHIND? THIS IS ALL OUR FAULT." Peppy held up a hand, his tone firm but gentle. "Don't let regret poison your minds. This was beyond any of us. You were following your own paths as you should have been. None of you could have known."

Bruce, who had been standing slightly apart from the others, let out a heavy sigh as his brows furrowed. He hadn't wanted to let his emotions show, but now his voice broke, the pain clear in every word. "So we just left him. After everything he went through..." He swallowed hard, blinking back the tears that pricked at his eyes. "I don't blame him if he hates us. If he thinks we abandoned him."

Peppy managed a faint nod, though his expression was sorrowful. "I wish I could give you more to go on. I wish I had answers. But if he's out there... then maybe he's waiting for you too. The forest is vast and full of dangers but he's a clever troll. He'll have survived." JD squared his shoulders, turning to his brothers with a fierce determination in his eyes. "This is our family we're talking about. We've come back to bring Branch home and that's what we're going to do. No matter how long it takes." 

The brothers shared a look, a silent pact formed between them. Clay's anger simmered down, his expression shifting to a steely determination while Bruce's calm resolve grounded the group. Floyd took a deep breath, the reality settling in but the spark of hope reigniting. Together they turned back to Peppy, ready to face the unknown. In that moment the room seemed to grow brighter, as though the flickering resolve of each brother had lit a fire in the dim light. Whatever lay beyond the forest's edge they would face it.

As they walked toward the edge of the village, Floyd nudged Clay with a grin. "You ready to go bro? Think you've still got it in you for some adventuring?" Clay smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Please. If Bitty B is out there somewhere there's no place in this forest we won't get to." They reached the clearing where Rhonda, JD's faithful armadillo bus waited for them. The sight of her made each brother smile as the rounded familiar shape was a reminder of the countless memories they would be able to share as a family once they found their brother. JD climbed into the driver's seat and the others hopping into their usual spots, a feeling of camaraderie and confidence settling among them.

 JD pressed a button and Rhonda rumbled to life, the ground vibrating as her engine purred with an eagerness that matched their own. Bruce adjusted his seat, peering ahead into the thick line of trees they were about to enter. "Well," he murmured, "we've never been afraid of a little darkness." The armadillo bus jolted forward, rolling smoothly into the forest as the shadows of night settled around them. Overhead, the first stars appeared, casting soft light through the dense canopy of leaves. The narrow path ahead was just wide enough for Rhonda, but the brothers weren't worried—she'd seen them through far worse. They each leaned back in their seats, letting the rhythm of the road and the fresh forest air fuel their determination.

As they drove deeper, the sounds of Pop Village faded, replaced by the rustling of trees, the calls of distant creatures, and the occasional creak of Rhonda's wheels on the uneven terrain. Each brother felt the magnitude of their mission weigh on him, but they also felt the thrill of adventure. They were BroZone—together, there was nothing they couldn't face. Ahead the forest stretched into shadow and mystery, but the brothers sat with eyes forward and hearts strong, ready for whatever lay beyond the next bend. Somewhere in the depths of this vast wilderness was Branch. And BroZone would find him no matter what.