Poppy tried to help Branch up, but he just fell right back down, wincing in pain.

     "Branch! What's wrong!?" Poppy asked, concerned.

     "I don't... know," Branch struggled to say through his pain.

     "Move back," Chief Tula said to Poppy and Barb, as she knelt down next to Branch.

     "No! Leave him alone!" Poppy yelled, hugging Branch tight, which made him gasp in pain.

     "I'm gonna help him," Tula assured, reaching into her bag. She pulled out some kind of root, holding it over Branch's face, snapping it in half, so that a powder fell out, covering Branch.

     His eyes became heavy, as the powder absorbed into his skin.

     He looked up at Poppy, weakly, as his eyes slowly blinked shut, leaving him unconscious on the ground.

     "Branch? Branch! What did you do to him!?" Poppy demanded, looking up at Chief Tula in fear, and anger.

     "Relax. He's just sleeping. Helps with the pain," she assured, calmly, as she reached to pick up Branch.

     "No! Don't touch him!" Poppy yelled, pulling Branch close to her, not taking her eyes off Tula.

     "Do you want him to live... or not?" Tula asked, firmly.

     Poppy looked down at Branch, tears in her eyes, as she slowly nodded.

     "Then he has to come with me," Tula said, reaching for Branch again, but Poppy pulled him away again.

     "I'll take him..." Poppy said, calmly. "We'll go with you... but I'm taking him..."

     Tula looked at her for a moment, and then nodded, seeing how much she cared about his safety.

     "Very well," Tula said, slowly rising to her feet. "Follow me."

     She began to walk, Poppy looking back down at Branch.

     "You're gonna be ok, Branch," she said, quietly, gently rubbing her fingers down his cheek. "You're gonna be ok."

     Slowly, she stood, begging to follow Tula, as she carried Branch in her arms.

     "You sure about this, Popsqueek?" Barb asked, quietly, following behind.

     Poppy looked at her, and then back at Branch.

     "If it means saving Branch..." she said, softly. "Then yes. I'm sure..."