~ In the Village ~

The sun was quick to rise. Though, it had rained that night all the dogs who lived in the village didn't mind the puddles. In fact they didn't seem to mind anything.

Queen Aster woke up, feeling a little better about what happened previously. 

"Pfft! It's just a friend! I can tottaly make more! I'm the queen!" She said to herself in the mirror. 

"I know everybody here! Now in the mean time, I should get going!" She smiled, knowing deep inside she was missing something. 

She turned around to walk to the door of her small home. But before she could raise her paw to open it, she stopped. 

"OK am I missing something? I'm sick and tired of feeling like I am." she rolled her eyes. 

She decided it was just best to go, and greet her village. 

She used her paw and pushed the door open, with a smile on her face. 

"GOODMORNING MY LOVELY VILLAGE! HOW ARE YOU GUYS?! 😁" She yelled

The dogs walking past didn't look up or smile. Or even pay any attention to her. 

She smiled and trotted by their side. It was two dogs, who seemed bland and tired. 

"Heyyyy Cocoa! How you been? I'm your Queen, and anything you may have an issue with I will help!" She told the brown dog. 

The dog hesitated to respond,"...Im good. Thanks." 

Queen Aster thought for a moment. "oh right... The spell. Welp, Have a lovely day Cocoa and Destiny!" she waved to the two dogs as they walked away. 

"Sure." Destiny said. 

"Jeez. Tough crowd. That spell has really put a toll on them. Not my issue though. I'm doing fine!" Queen Aster stuck her nose into the air. 

She spotted another dog she seemed to recognize walking by. 

"HEY CRYSTAL!" She ran to go meet with her. 

~ In the caves ~

"OK final check. Are you absolutely positive you want to go without us? It might be slightly more difficult." Striped asked them one last time. 

"110%!" Poppy cheered. 

"Also. If you guys come Queen Aster might see what we're trying to do right away. It's best for you to not." Branch explained. 

"Yeaaa that's true! But it's gonna be so boring hereeeee." Lizie whined. 

"At least your not starving. OO DOES YOUR VILLAGE HAVE FOOD?!" Barb asked. 

"Hopefully-" Branch rolled his eyes. 

"How long will we even be there?" Cooper asked. 

Poppy nervously laughed when they all glanced at her for an answer 

"... Not longgg?" she hesitated 

"Good! Now, we need to set some rules into place that will help you blend in...." Stripe thought. 

"No singing, no dancing, no hugging, no laughing, no arguing... Am I missing anything?" Lizie looked a Zoie. 

"WAIT. NO SINGING?!" Poppy looked scared. 

"Yep." Zoie sighed, "Nobody in our village really can sing." 

"AND NO HUGS?" Cooper  shouted. 

"Yep! Pretty easy!" Lizie said. 

"not for them." Barb pointed

Poppy and Cooper were freaking out

"... Saw that coming." Branch said.

"GUYS. CHILL OUT." Stripe yelled. 

They immediately stopped freaking out and looked at Stripe. 

"If you want to get home, this is what you must do! Now, are you guys ready to go?" Zoie asked. 

"I guess." Poppy hung her head low. 

"PERFECT! That's exactly how you need to act!" Lizie smiled. 

Poppy lifted her head up, "Really?! That's, easy!"

"Told ya! Now yall should get going. Can't waste anymore time!" Lizie pushed them out if the cave entrance. 

"Wait! Where is the village?" Branch said. 

"Behind that bush." Zoie pointed at a fairly sized bush directly in front of them.

Copper stepped inside the book and surely enough on the other side was the village. 

"Huh. Well that's practicall." The Chips said. 

"Wait when did you come?" Branch looked at the chips. 

"I was asleep! But I'm awake now!" The Chips stood proudly. 

"Chips. Listen. You CANT misbehave. This is serious! You must remain quiet and calm. Understood?" Poppy tried to explain. 

"Yep! Quiet and calm!" he layed back down on Barb

"Uh I dunno if the.. Chips can go" Zoie slowly said. 

"HEYYYY! Why not?!" the Chips looked at her. 

"I mean you can try but... If you misbehave, you could spoil it." Zoie responded. 

"I promise I'll be good! No misbehaving here!" The Chips pointed at themself. 

"Okkkkaaaayyy." Zoie nodded, doubtfully. 

"Let's go guys! Remember, act 'dull'" Poppy looked back at them. 

Everyone nodded except Branch. 

Branch was kinda worried about this, but he had to follow along. 

"Poppy? Why don't you and I stick together? So, you know, we don't get lost or anything!" Branch explained. 

"Not a bad idea! You guys can go in groups!" Lizie said. 

"Yea! Good idea Branchie!" Poppy thought aloud. 

"and it seems everyone else is in their groups!" Stripe gestured to Prince D. And Cooper who were standing next to each other. 

"Yea! We already planned on sticking together anyway!" Cooper shrugged, with Prince D. Nodding. 

"And obviously Barb and the Chips were gonna go together." Lizie laughed to herself. 

"Anyway, are we ready guys?" Poppy turned around for the final time to ask them. 

They all nodded. 

"Finnaly." Barb said. 

Poppy took a step into the leaves of the Bush. And after that step, followed another. And eventually, she was on the other side. The others followed behind her. 

When they all stepped out they stared at the village in awe. It was larger than they thought it would be. But, it wasn't livid. It was very... Quiet. 

"... Split up!" Poppy whispered, "we'll be too loud if we're all together!"

They nodded their heads and went separate directions, leaving Branch and Poppy standing there by themselves. 

"OK now, what?" Branch looked at Poppy for a plan. 

Poppy stood there and didn't look at Branch. She stared at the village in front of them. 

"Uhh Poppy?" Branch asked. 

"I-I don't know. This place is so different from Trollstopia..." she managed to say. 

"Poppy." Branch said again. 

Poppy turned to make eye contact. Branch could see she looked nervous. 

"don't be worried! We can hopefully due it. I mean, when have we not?" He smiled

"True... But I still have no plan!" Poppy hung her head. 

"what if we just look around? Maybe we can find Queen Aster." Branch asked. 

Poppy nodded hopefully. Then they both began to walk toward the village, trying to stay in character. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~