"Umm..." Branch said, quietly, standing at the edge of the cliff, not knowing what to do.

"Come with us now, or we'll bring you back to the Chief in pieces," one of the trolls said, menacingly.

Branch looked back at them, slowly raising his fists.

"Stay back," he warned, his voice trembling.

"Ha! What are you gonna do? Your out numbered," one of them chuckled, all of them stepping closer to Branch.

He gulped, and then took a deep breath, glaring at them.

"I said... STAY BACK!" he yelled, aggressively, ready to start punching.

The trolls all stopped, staring at him in fear.

Their eyes widened, as they began to whimper.

Branch looked at them, slightly confused. Where they really afraid of him?

"Uh... boo?" he said.

Suddenly, they all dropped their spears, screaming, as they ran away in fear.

Branch smiled, laughing quietly.

"Yeah! That's right!" he yelled after them, stepping forewords confidently. "You better run! Cuz when you mess with the Branch... you gotta leaf! Ha!"

He laughed, loudly in victory, water suddenly dripping down onto his shoulder.

His laughing got quieter, and slower, as he began to get nervous again, slowly turning around.

"Oh, Frosting..." he muttered, quietly, his eyes widening, as he saw a giant water like dragon flying behind him.

"Um... hi?" he said, nervously, faking a smile, as he waved.

The water dragon roared, Branch's smile instantly vanishing.

"AHHHHH!" he screamed, turning to run, but the dragon quickly flew up ahead, landing in front of him.

"Ughh!" he gasped in fear, skittering to a stop, as he stumbled backwards, falling to his butt.

He looked up at the water dragon, as it slowly walked closer.

It lowered its head, putting it's face right in Branch's face.

Branch looked at it, his eyes wide, as he breathed heavily, whimpering quietly in fear.

Suddenly, the dragon smiled, transforming into a dog, to jump on Branch and lick his face.

"AHHH! No! What are you doing!?" Branch yelled, trying to push it off of him, but it was made of water, so his hands just went right through it.

"Off! Get off!" he shouted, wiggling free, and standing up.

He panted, looking down at it, in fear, as it looked up at him, smiling and wagging it's tail.

"Wh... what are you?" he asked, his heart still racing.

It turned into a cat, walking over to rub it's body against Branch's leg, and he quickly backed away.

The cat looked at him, confused, and then transformed back into a dog.

Branch looked at it, suddenly remembering back to when he was a kid. He's seen this thing before.

Flashback
————————

Ten year old Branch was sitting at the edge of a pond, his head resting on his hand, as he threw a stone into the water.

The water grabbed the stone, handing it back to him, so he could throw it again.

"You ok, Branch?" Poppy asked, walking over to sit next to him.
"Yeah..." he replied with a slight sigh. "I'm fine."

"Why aren't you over at the fire?"
"I just... prefer to be alone."

He threw the stone into the water again, and the water picked it up, handing it back to him.

It formed into the shape of a dog, dancing on top of the pond, it's tongue hanging out, and tail wagging, waiting for Branch to throw the stone again.

Poppy chuckled at the sight.

"The water really likes you," she said.
"Yeah... not sure why. No one else does," Branch replied with a sigh, throwing the stone again.

Poppy's smile faded, as she looked at Branch, sadly.

"Don't say that... of course people like you."
"Oh yeah... name one," Branch replied.

The water handed the stone back to Branch, and he threw it again.

"Me," Poppy said, suddenly.

Branch looked at her, confused.

"What?"

"You said to name one person who likes you. Well... I like you."

He smiled slightly, and then looked away.

"You're probably just saying that to make me feel better," he said, throwing the stone again, the water instantly retrieving it, and handing it back.

"Nugh-ugh," she said, shaking her head, as she smiled, nudging him with her elbow. "I mean it, Branch. You're one of my best friends. I mean... you risked your life today... for me."

"Psh..." Branch chuckled. "I didn't risk my life."
"You did. You had no idea what that troll was gonna do, but you let him take you anyways. Just so he wouldn't take me."

Branch smiled at her again.

"Thanks, Poppy," he said, softly.

She really was making him feel happier. Happier than he's been in a long time.

Stealthily, the water came over in its snake like form, nudging Branch closer to Poppy.

"Hey! Cut that out," Branch laughed, throwing the stone again.

The water retrieved it, but instead of handing it to Branch, it put it on the ground between him, and Poppy.

He and Poppy reached for it at the same time, their hands accidentally touching.

They looked at each other, shocked.

Branch blushed, pulling his hand away, as he turned his head.

Poppy smiled, and then took his hand back, holding it gently.

He looked at their hands together, and then up at Poppy.

She smiled at him, and he smiled back, both of them turning their heads to gaze up at the stars.

—————————

     It was the first time since he'd turned grey that anyone was nice to him. It was also the moment he knew he loved Poppy, even if he never admitted it until recently.

     He looked at the water dog, as it wagged it's tail.

     "You saved me... didn't you?" he said, referring to how it scared away the other trolls.

     It nodded, letting it's tongue hang out, as it panted with joy.

     "Thank you," he said. "Could you... help me find my friends? You remember Poppy, right?"

     It nodded again, transforming back into a dragon.

     Then it looked at Branch, as if telling him to climb on.

     Branch's eyes widened, as he shook his head, backing up.

     "Umm... no thanks... I'm good," he said, nervous to ride on a blob of water. What if he fell right through it? It was water after all.

     The water thought he just didn't like the dragon shape, so it turned into a bird instead.

     Branch sighed, seeing the bird.

     "Great... a bird," he grumbled, sarcastically. "So much better."

     The water didn't understand the sarcasm, and thought that Branch actually liked the bird shape, so it picked him up with it's beak.

     "Wait... no..." Branch said, scared, but the water just flung him onto it's back, taking off into the sky.

     "AHHHHH! No! No! No!" he screamed, riding on the back of the water bird.