Branch stood in front of Poppy and Barb, as the trolls approached, spears out.

Quickly, the water transformed into a lion, getting in front of the three trolls, growling defensively, ready to defend Branch and his friends.

"Back down!" Chief Tula commanded.

The trolls stopped approaching, lowering their spears.

Slowly, Chief Tula began to approach the water lion.

"You shouldn't be here," she said, calmly, holding out her hand. "You should be in the river, with what little water we have left."

It growled, showing it's sharp teeth.

"You will evaporate if you don't get back in the river," she informed, softly. It growled again, backing up closer to Branch.

     "Come on, Aqua... you know me."

     The water calmed down a bit, but didn't move from in front of Branch.

     "The afternoon sun will be rising soon," Chief Tula said. "You need to get back to the river. Before it's too later."

     She reached her hand out to touch it, but it pulled away, showing it's teeth again.

     Branch looked at Tula, and then the water.

     He took a deep breath, stepping forewords.

     "Branch..." Poppy said, quietly. "What are you doing?"

     He walked up in front of the water lion, stopping to look at Tula.

     "I will go with you..." he said, softly.

     "What!? Branch, no!" Poppy yelled, trying to run over to him, but Barb held her back.

     "On one condition..." he added.

     Tula looked at him, intrigued.

     "Go on," she said, crossing her arms.

     "I will go with you..." he said again. "But you have to leave my friends alone."

     "Branch! No! Don't do this!" Poppy cried. Branch didn't react, he just kept glaring at Tula.

     "Let them go home," he said. "And stop sending your monsters to attack them."

     She looked at him, confused.

     "Monsters?" she questioned.

     "Yeah... earth, wind, and fire. That's the only reason we came here. They attacked our village."

     Chief Tula seemed confused, but then smirked at Branch.

     "Ok... it's a deal," she said, holding her hand out for Branch to shake.

     "Branch!" Poppy yelled out.

     He turned to her, sadly.

     "Please... don't do this..."
"I'm sorry, Poppy... I have to... to protect you..."

     Slowly, he turned back to Tula, reaching out to shake her hand.

     Suddenly, the sun began beaming down, the rays of light hitting the water.

     It coiled away in pain, Branch suddenly falling to the ground, as he clutched his stomach.

     "Ughh..." he groaned in pain, shutting his eyes tight.

     "Branch!" Poppy and Barb both yelled, running over to him.

     "Get Aqua to the river! Hurry!" Chef Tula demanded.

     The other trolls ran over to the water, gently escorting it towards the river.

     It looked at Branch, as it was lead away, not wanting to leave his side, but it knew it needed to get back to the river before it was too late.