#chrystelle

💙🥪💖 it’s dinner time

This story is a sequel to “The Queen and the Butterfly”.

The story: Poppy offers Branch some cupcakes with butterflies in it which turns out to be mysterious. When the two Trolls eat them, they got transformed into butterflies themselves and realize that the cupcakes were actually cursed by an evil witch! Now they must try to find the witch who made those cupcakes and get a cure to get themselves back to normal, while encountering obstacles in the process along the way.

You already seen what had happened in Part 19. Now get ready for the final part of the story - Part 20!:

A few minutes later, Poppy and Branch were now in the banquet room, waiting for Chrystelle to finish her latest creation. Poppy’s face is filled with hope and concern at the same time while she waited.

She was also sitting on the wrapper of the eaten butterfly cupcake that she and Branch have found when they first entered the mansion. She decided to study it closely to see if there are any answers about the victimized Troll who ate this. Unfortunately, she is unable to think due to trying to get Chrystelle or Branch to help her explain this.

Poppy tried to talk to Branch for help, but he was too busy flying around the mansion in order to pass the time.

But only this time, he looked happy instead of grumbling to himself. He appeared from just right above her, fluttering upside down like the way she did when he was stuck in a spiderweb two days ago. He called out to her happily “Hey, Poppy! How’s it going?”

“Hey, Branch,” said Poppy, giggling when she saw him. “You look funny. Why are you upside down?”

Branch laughed. “No, why aren’t you?!”

"Okay! I get it, Branch. You’re being upside for the next whole three hours and you’re enjoying it right now?!”

“Sorry, Poppy,” said Branch, fluttering in circles. “I just can’t help it but it’s so much fun to be flying upside!” He began to fly around in a little loop, hollering “Whooooooo!!”

Poppy giggled. “You’re adorable!”

“Yes!” Branch said. “Wow! So this is what it feels like!”

“I never knew you acted just like me before!” said Poppy.

“Thanks!” Branch replied. “Maybe someday when I’m now a Troll, I wish I have wings so I can fly around and defend Trolls from danger!”

He sped around in a circle with expert form. Flying like a butterfly was entirely different from walking like a Troll, but he could tell it was just as awesome. He zoomed back to Poppy, calling out “Hey, shall we chase each other? I'll race you to that plant over there!”

He gestured to a nearby plant pot in a corner and fluttered away. Poppy called back “You’re on, my boyfriend!” and zipped after him, flapping her wings and trying to catch up to him.

But ironically, Poppy was even more faster than Branch. She twirled around like an expert flyer and came right in front of Branch, much to his surprise.

“Race me there!” she laughed as she fluttered away. “You can’t catch me!”

“Come on, Poppy!” Branch said, laughing back at her. “Not this again! This time, I’m gonna get you now!”

The two of them are having the best time of their life, fluttering and twirling around the banquet room and laughing. For Poppy, it was great to pass the time when she and Branch were still butterflies. But she thought about Chrystelle’s plan of changing them back and wondered when she’ll be coming for them.

She wanted to think about this later, as she tried catching up to Branch once he flew past her.

Branch fluttered just above Poppy, trying to keep up with her as she instantly flew past him. He called down to her “Watch me do a loop, Poppy! It’s gonna be so cool and I’m totally gonna win!”

“Okay!” Poppy agreed. “If you say so!”

Branch narrowed his eyes, and he bolted downwards like a zipping missile.

Then he flew upwards before becoming upside down above Poppy.

She watched with awed amazement as Branch twirled and fluttered downwards again.

“WHOOOOOO!!!” Branch hollered happily as he twirled.

Finally, he zoomed past Poppy before smacking straight into a giant green Troll ear! It was Chrystelle’s ear.

“Hey there, little butterfly Troll!” she greeted him happily. “Wow! Aren’t you excited?”

“I am!” Branch said, grinning. “Sorry to run over to you, Chrystelle! I was starting to get the hang of it learning how to be a butterfly!”

“I see. That’s adorable!” Chrystelle said, pinching Branch’s cheek with her fingers and making him giggle. Then she pulled out two cupcakes from her pocket and presented them to Poppy and Branch. One was frosted like a rainbow, and the other was frosted in pink adorned with candies shaped like a ribbon bow.

“What’s that beautiful smell?” Poppy said, sniffing around the room. Her nose caught the delicious scent of Chrystelle’s new cupcakes. “Whoa!”

“Hey, Poppy,” she said. “Check out what I baked for you so far! Cupcakes with frosting shaped like Troll hair!”

She moved the cupcakes closer for Poppy and Branch to see. They reluctantly flutter to each cupcake and glanced at the frosting. They do indeed look like Troll hair. Chrystelle had put up every single idea to recap what Troll hair does look like.

“Oh, these look fantastic!” Poppy squealed, gazing at the pink-frosted cupcake with the candy ribbon. “I’ve never seen cupcakes decorated like Troll hair before!”

Chrystelle smiled. “Thanks, Poppy,” she said. “I made them myself! But I added some secret ingredients into it.” Then she decreased the volume of her voice to an audible whisper. “Don’t tell anyone about them! It’s secret!”

“Well, since you just mentioned 'secret ingredients',” Branch said. “How can we tell if these cupcakes can help us turn back to normal?”

“You have to eat them to see if they can really take effect,” Chrystelle explained. “Don’t depend how much they really take effect. Just wait a moment until you see what happens.”

Branch wasn’t so sure about this idea. He fluttered up to her face and asked “Are you sure that this is really going to work because what if these cupcakes change us randomly? What if I become a snail, or a peacock, or a unicorn....?”

Chrystelle giggled at this statement. “No, you won’t become anything else once you eat these cupcakes,” she told him. “It will definitely work! I’ve made a lot of experiments recently until you guys needed my help to change you back to Trolls. Hopefully the rest of the Trolls will know who I really am and I’ll prove that I’m a bit different.”

Poppy hovered forward and said “Chrystelle, it’d be our honor to help manage your feelings. Besides, what could go wrong if we ate the wrong cupcake?”

“I’m sure you’ll never want to hope for that,” Chrystelle replied. Then she held up her cupcakes for Poppy and Branch to eat. “Now eat these up. I promise they will work like success! Trust me.”

“Excuse me? Trust you?” Branch asked curiously. “I’m not so sure about this.”

“It’ll be fine. Just eat them!” Chrystelle told him, gesturing to her cupcakes. “Come on. Don’t be shy.”

But Branch pulled Poppy aside, and the two slinked into a fluttering huddle to speak privately.

“Uh, Poppy,” he said. “I’m starting to get a little worried right now about what would happen if we eat these new mysterious cupcakes. I mean, look at them! Do you think it looks dangerous than the ones decorated with candy butterflies?”

Poppy smiled with encouragement. “Cheer up, Branch! It will be fine!” she told him. “Chrystelle is counting on us!”

“Yeah, I was also hoping to just say goodbye to my antennae and butterfly wings before I possess arms and legs again,” Branch explained, flapping his wings. “And you know what? I am starting to feel a little more comfortable fluttering around and I’m gonna miss all of this adventure.”

“Me too!” said Poppy. “I've been flying around without two legs for days and picking things up with these!” She put her wings in the air with triumph, and finally, she fluttered towards the pink cupcake, concluding “Butterfly wings? I'm thrilled that's all I'll be dealing with back when I’ll eat these!”

“You better get eating right now,” said Chrystelle, shaking her cupcakes. “What are you waiting for?”

“You know, we’ve only been butterflies for a short time,” Branch said to her as he cautiously approached the rainbow cupcake; the only cupcake he must eat to regain his Troll form. “But I think it’s time I want to stop flying like this right away.”

Branch and Poppy went nearer to the cupcakes, sniffing at them. They try to understand what it smells like and what Chrystelle actually put in there.

I hope it isn’t poison, Branch thought anxiously. But let’s eat them anyway.

Then he took a bite on his cupcake. Poppy did the same with the other one. CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!!

They chewed and swallowed as chunks of the cakes went through their mouths. Smiling, they dipped themselves into the colorful frosting and munched happily on their final dessert of their lifetime.

CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!!!

They peeked out of the bite-marked hole of the cupcakes for a moment and glance at each other, eating heartily. Then they resumed their eating, wiggling their little bean-shaped bodies back and forth like worms.

Chrystelle began to giggle. It was just too much to watch that she clearly got amused even more! “I like the way you are eating!” she exclaimed through laughter.

Suddenly, bright balls of light emitted from inside the cupcakes with Poppy and Branch still eating in them. Shining and shimmering, they now looked like glowing balls of magic!

Horrified, Chrystelle stared at the glowing cupcakes. Then she quickly placed them on the table. They began to shake, as well as the table and the leftover eaten butterfly cupcake, once swirls of purple and pink surrounded the room.

“What’s happening?!” Chrystelle cried, totally losing her pressure. “What have I done? I think this experiment is not working so well!”

Indeed she was right. There were no more than a few seconds later as the cupcakes exploded with a burst of magic and a splatter of rainbow frosting all over the room! She closed her eyes as everything around her went...

POOOOOOOOOFFFF!!!

When everything came to clear, Chrystelle looked around, calling out in anguish “Poppy? Poppy! Queen Poppy! Where are you?!”

A hush fell over the large cloud of magic as it faded from view. Everything was still and in a mess of rainbow cupcake frosting, but Chrystelle couldn’t tear her eyes away from the spot where Poppy, Branch and her Troll hair cupcakes have disappeared.

Chrystelle’s eyes were wet with tears. She couldn’t believe the queen of Troll Village has been gone. But she couldn’t be gone forever.....could she? The idea was almost too much to bear.

Then the magic cloud had vanished, revealing Poppy and Branch, back in their restored Troll forms, coated with rainbow frosting from the magic blast and lying on the table, groaning. The Troll hair cupcakes they’ve been eating were lopsided on the edge, dripping some frosting onto the floor.

“Where are we?” asked Branch, rubbing his eyes. “W-w-what happened to us? We were eating just now!”

“Yeah,” Poppy said. “I felt strange!”

Chrystelle gasped with excitement and cheered as she rushed to Poppy and enveloped her in a big hug. “Poppy! Thank god! It worked!” she squealed happily. “I’m so glad you’re back to normal! Look at you! You’re a pretty beautiful queen again!”

“What?” asked Poppy. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re now a Troll again!” she told her as she pointed at her light blue dress. “Look!”

Poppy looked at her arms, then at her legs and finally, she felt her dress. She whooped with pride. “Yaaaaaay! I can feel my arms again! I’m totally back! I’m a Troll again! The queen’s finally back in town! Woooo-hoooo!!!”

Then Branch stood up, celebrating as well. He felt his arms, legs and his clothes as he danced along with Poppy. “I can feel them too! Especially my legs!” He looked up as his head for his butterfly antennae. Realizing they were no longer there anymore, he added “And I don’t have antennae in my head anymore! Oh, man! This is great! It’s so good to be back as a Troll once more! I am never eating anything like this anymore!”

Poppy jumped out of the table and embraced Chrystelle. “Thank you so much for your help, Chrystelle!” she said gratefully. “What you did was so amazing and inspiring! Your cupcakes you made taste very good than the other ones you give us!”

“You’re welcome, Poppy,” Chrystelle said kindly, wiping some cupcake frosting off Poppy’s dress with her hand. “I’m glad you like the cupcakes, especially that Troll beside you.” She pointed at Branch, who was checking to see if he still has his butterfly wings. But all he can see is nothing but his blue-skinned arms.

“Great,” he said sarcastically, waving his arms as if those are his own “butterfly wings”. “I don’t even have wings anymore. Let me see if I can try to fly.”

He flapped his arms and tried to take off, but instead, he fell facedown to the ground. SPLAT!!!

He landed on a smudge of pink cupcake frosting on the floor. Sitting up, he wiped some away from his face and concluded “My ability to fly is gone. What a pity.”

Deep down, he knew flying like a butterfly feels exciting for him, but for becoming a Troll again, that was a little hard to expect.

Chrystelle knelt down and helped him get up to his feet and asked “What’s your name? I don’t even know you since the cupcakes took effect!”

“Now you want me to introduce myself?” Branch retorted, dusting away the mess from his clothes with his hands. He stomped his foot and said “Fine! Here goes!” He cleared his throat before beginning to say his name. “The name’s Branch. I’m with Poppy the whole time. And you’re the one who fed me a cookie?”

“Yes,” Chrystelle answered awkwardly, trying not to feel the tone of his sarcasm. “Explain why you are here?”

“I was turned into a butterfly with her as well!” Branch went on. “I even ate that butterfly cupcake of yours and we had to spend the day flying around Troll Town in search of you after you left town 300 years ago!”

Chrystelle stared at him in upright shock for a moment. Then her frown faded as she said “After all these 300 years of isolation, you’re the only Troll who do even know who I am!” She held up her hand to shake hands with Branch. "Nice to meet you, Branch! Nice of you to support the queen!”

Branch shook her hand, replying “Thanks. It was my honor. Now is there anything else to explain for Poppy giving me that cupcake?!” He angrily pointed to the leftover butterfly cupcake on the table, smeared with pink frosting from the magical blast earlier. He turned to Poppy and gave her his infamous glare. “Poppy?!”

Poppy was so surprised that her voice quavered as she spoke to Branch “I swear I won’t be giving you any of those anymore, and it was official.”

Chrystelle glanced at their conversation. So far, she’d been very helpful to them, but now, she wanted to turn away from them and isolate in her beautiful yet creepy house once again so nobody will be able to see her true colors.

She looked at Poppy and Branch with sadness in her eyes. “Now that you two are back to normal, I think you just need to leave now,” she said.

“Why?” asked Poppy. “Don’t you want to stay? The rest of Troll Village will be excited for your reformation!”

“I know they would be,” Chrystelle said, sighing. “But I’m not coming with you. I’m just so nervous if the rest of the Trolls will think I’m like a witch to them right now when I claimed I managed to change my habit.”

She glanced up to space. Thinking of the citizens of Troll Village made her stomach lurch. She took a deep breath and turned on her feet to leave. She had no choice. If everyone believes her tendencies since the day she got fired from her own bakery, she would just have to go it alone.

Poppy stepped forward and pleaded “Please come with us, Chrystelle. You’ll be one of us if you change.” She put an arm on Chrystelle’s shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile.

“Really?” she asked hopefully. I don’t think so. Do you think there is a way you can do to prevent me from coming to Troll Town?”

“Branch and I can show you how to live positively,” Poppy explained. “Just try to come outside with us. We’ll try to look for a new job for you once we get there.” She turned to Branch and he nodded with agreement, folding his arms bravely.

The green yellow-haired Troll felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized the Troll queen will be helping her to live in the village once again. She hadn’t let herself admit that she had been scared to cause trouble again. Now all she needs to do was to prove that she’s changed.

“Um, okay,” she said, not feeling so sure. “It’s worth a try.”

Moments later, Poppy, Branch and Chrystelle are walking together around the forest, heading back to town.

Chrystelle felt a little better as they walked on. “It’s a good thing you brought me here, Poppy,” she told her. “Everything looks so peaceful in the meantime.”

“Yes!” the queen agreed. “And in Troll Village, you’re gonna love the most awesome changes ever since you left and everyone will love you once again!”

“Will they?” asked Chrystelle hopefully. “I still don’t know about this.”

“Just trust me,” Poppy reassured her. “Everytroll will!” Until her voice faltered with confusion as she concluded “Except...”

She thought about the leftover eaten butterfly cupcake back in the mansion. She had a moment of realization that she haven’t tell her what happened to the Troll who have been implied to come there and eat it before ending up as a butterfly in the first place since she and Branch came to her house! Stroking her chin with her finger, Poppy turned to Chrystelle with a worried-stricken look on her face and asked her “Can you tell me what happened to that Troll who came to your mansion before we even came? We saw an eaten butterfly cupcake in your banquet room!”

Chrystelle thought about this. Before knowing what is going on, she gasped after realizing what is the truth behind all of this. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” she explained. “A few days ago, a Troll named William went to my mansion and ate my butterfly cupcake sitting there. After turning into a butterfly, my cat Winkles saw him and accidentally ate him alive!”

Poppy and Branch were mortified! “Oh my god,” Poppy gasped, putting her hand to her mouth. “Why did your cat eat him?”

“It’s because of his habit of chasing butterflies, Poppy!” Branch complained. “It’s a relief that your cat didn’t even eat me alive as well! Otherwise I could end up in his stomach being digested…like a Bergen’s stomach!”

“You know, sometimes being eaten by Bergens when you guys are butterflies would be as better as being eaten by Winkles,” Chrystelle replied.

“Yeah,” Branch said. “Good point. I felt bad for William, but he needs to know being eaten by Bergens more than that!”

“But speaking of that, what happened to the Bergens?” asked Chrystelle. “Back when I was in my job, they are still mean to us. Do they still eat you?”

“No, not anymore,” Poppy explained. “When my friends got captured, Branch and I went to Bergen Town to rescue them. After we end up in a cooking pot, Branch sang to me gently and he has his colors restored. Finally, we showed the Bergens about true happiness rather than eating Trolls to be happy!”

“And then Poppy became the queen after that!” Branch finished, blushing at the statement that she said he had sung to her while comforting her before. “Then I hugged her, knowing I had to be social to everyone from now on.”

“Wow, that’s amazing,” Chrystelle said, mystified by the story of how Poppy and Branch changed the lives of Bergens. “At least you don’t have to worry about them being evil anymore.” She looked at the ground, sighing. “But about what I did to William....was just an accident.”

Poppy nodded and put a hand to her shoulder. “I understand what happened with William but I hope your experiments won’t do anything dangerous to everyone anymore.”

“It’s okay,” Chrystelle said. “I just felt nervous about being back in the town and trying something different…after all what I did to you, William and Branch.”

“Don’t be nervous,” Poppy told her gently. “Starting today, you will be able to try something new in this world so you would start a new business here from now on. But for now, you must let go of the past and think positive!”

Chrystelle smiled weakly at her, trying to mean it.

Suddenly, Satin and Chenille appeared in front of them, calling out in unison “Poppy! There you are!”

“What took you so long?” Chenille cried. “The fashion show’s gonna begin after one hour and we need you there!”

“Oh, sorry I’m late for the preparations, girls!” Poppy apologized. “I was so busy helping my people that I forgot about your fashion show?”

“Yes, you did!” Satin answered. “It looks like you’ve overslept for too long!”

“Sorry about that,” Poppy said. “But don’t worry. I’ll be present with these festivities right now!”

Chrystelle whispered to Branch “Who are those Trolls with joined hair stuck to each other?”

“Those are Satin and Chenille,” Branch explained. “They are the fashion twins of Troll Village. I think they’re planning a fashion show today.”

“Really? Since when did you know them so well?”

“Because one time when we were butterflies, I had to save Poppy from being a decoration for their plan!” he hissed through gritted teeth. Satin and Chenille pulled out their dress adorned with butterfly-shaped clips. In between the clips laid a red ribbon on the left side. Branch gasped, suddenly remembering about what happened before this day happened. “Okay, that’s not what I meant!”

“Who’s responsible for pasting this piece of ribbon to this?!” Satin bellowed.

Branch stepped forward and puts his hands up with concern, saying “Uh, can I just discuss this ribbon came out of nowhere while it got prepared already? I didn’t mean for you to accuse us of this particular situation!”

“What do you mean? I don’t like the way it looks!” Chenille explained. “This dress is made especially for Poppy because she’s gonna wear this in the show!”

“I like it so far,” Poppy said, putting a finger to her chin. “What’s the point of disliking it?”

“It now looks like a dress made from a disgusting village right now!” said Satin. “We could totally use a makeover for this right now! Nova Swift will be disappointed with our result!”

Chrystelle felt terrible to see the fashion sisters arguing this way. Besides, she hated to see Trolls complaining in this manner as well. She put a finger on her chin to think of a way to resolve this.

“Did I remember pasting that ribbon there when we need to get past Satin and Chenille?” Branch whispered to Poppy, trying not to blow their cover.

“Well, how do you even know that?” Poppy asked.

But before Branch can explain everything, Chrystelle perked up “I think I have just the solution for this dilemma!”

Poppy, Branch, Satin and Chenille turned to her in confusion as they stopped talking for a moment.

“What is this Troll up to?” Satin whispered to her sister.

Moments later, that evening, the rest of the Trolls were crowding around a stage with purple curtains.

Bright shining spotlights moved around the area, creating an immense scenery of uncertain audience. They were waiting to see if any Troll would show up on the stage any second now. Nova Swift, the fashionable Troll, appeared before the audience, anticipating as well.

From behind the curtains, Chrystelle, Satin and Chenille are proudly looking at Poppy and Branch. The fashion twins were ready for Nova Swift’s next fashion show tonight.

“Wow, do you think they look beautiful in these costumes you helped for us?” Satin asked, softly chuckling.

“Yep!” Chrystelle answered proudly. She turned to Branch and Poppy and asked “What do you think, guys? I think I would work as a fashion designer like these girls!”

“This isn’t funny,” Branch complained, staring at Satin and Chenille giggling at them. “Why should we wear these?”

“Don’t worry about that, Branch,” Chrystelle told him. “Besides, I was inspired how you and Poppy dance to me like that back in the mansion earlier!”

It is true. Chrystelle gave Poppy and Branch matching butterfly costumes that resembled their butterfly forms. They were wearing jumpsuits that were colored like a butterfly’s bean-shaped body, headbands with fake insect antennae on their heads and stitched fabric wings on the back of the costumes.

Poppy looks amazed at what has been done so far. “These are amazing!” she said, straightening her antennae headband. “I really like these! I think you’d be working for them as your new job, Chrystelle!”

“Thank you!” she said gratefully. “But I’d rather be sticking to helping people in the village like a security officer right now. Would you agree?”

“Seriously?” Branch asked in confusion. “I don’t like this idea, especially the way your cat is looking at me right now.” He looked down at his feet, where Winkles the cat is snuggling beside them. He mewed “Meow!”

Everyone erupted into giggles and nodded with agreement. For the first time in forever, Chrystelle joined in, too. She may have forgotten how being social in Troll Village feels like, but she never would again.

Later, by the time the fashion show is over, Branch went back home, still wearing his butterfly costume after having Chrystelle’s permission of deciding to keep it. He exited his elevator, cheering “Hello! I’m home from Satin and Chenille’s fashion show!”

But as he took a step forward to the table, where Poppy’s picnic basket and the butterfly cupcakes are remaining there, he heard barking “Arf! Arf! Arf!”

It was coming from Binkie, his worm neighbor. He showed up from behind the basket....in the form of a pink butterfly with big purple wings! Branch’s smile faded when he saw him.

“Binkie?!” he asked in shock, gaping at his transformed neighbor. “You’re a butterfly now?”

“Arf!” Binkie barked as he fluttered to Branch. “Arf! Arf, arf!”

Branch couldn’t believe he has eaten one of the butterfly cupcakes left on the table! He sighed in dismay as Binkie fluttered to his cheek and cuddled beside it, whining happily.

“Oh boy,” Branch muttered, rolling his eyes and expecting the worse to come again. “Here we go again...”

                                                    THE END!

                                        Hope you enjoy this fanfiction!

Note: Hey, guys! This is the final part of this story and I just want to say, it took me forever to make it due to the length of parts required. But thank god, it was finished at last so I hope you like it! Please be glad that Poppy and Branch are finally back to normal at the end of the story and leave a comment if you like it! :)

Hey, guys. Today I’m making another OC for my fanfiction, The Queen and the Butterfly II: The Witch’s Curse! 

As you can see, my new OC I made was named Chrystelle and she’s a Troll who is like a young scientist (and known to Branch and his magic research guide on witches as a witch) with a mental anti-social personality and makes mysterious magical food, as well as the butterfly cupcakes!

This story is a sequel to “The Queen and the Butterfly”.

The story: Poppy offers Branch some cupcakes with butterflies in it which turns out to be mysterious. When the two Trolls eat them, they got transformed into butterflies themselves and realize that the cupcakes were actually cursed by an evil witch! Now they must try to find the witch who made those cupcakes and get a cure to get themselves back to normal, while encountering obstacles in the process along the way.

Getting close to finish, friends! You already seen what had happened in Part 18. Now get ready for Part 19!:

Meanwhile, in the lab, Branch was still trapped in the jar that the female Troll put over him. He desperately wanted to get out of here. He kept fluttering around the glass and knocking it with his hair as hard as he could but to no avail.

Then he tried charging into the glass like a bull. But instead, he smacked into it and was flown backwards before tumbling onto the ground.

Frustrated, Branch tried pushing the jar and it moved a bit. It seemed like it was working. If he pushed it hard enough, the glass might break and he would be free. He continued pushing the jar forward with all his strength, not long until the Troll arrived back in the lab, just in time to see Branch trying to escape.

When she walked closer to the jar, Branch stopped pushing it and gasped at the sight of an enormous person suddenly bending over him. He darted to the left side of the glass and tried to knock it as the Troll put a hand over the jar to take a closer look at him.

“Oh, what a darling little butterfly!” she said, looking at Branch, who was desperately flapping his wings and flying up and down. He continued looking for a way out of the jar, ignoring her and screaming for help in his high-pitched butterfly voice.

“Let me out!” he was yelling while doing this so. “Help me!”

The Troll made a face as she watched Branch. He looked so scared and helpless....just like a butterfly. Apparently, butterflies are just extremely shy to go near big Trolls.

Branch frantically kept sliding up and down the glass, flapping his wings and panicking. The Troll moved her face closer to the jar, trying as much as she could to comfort him. But Branch thought she was going to shout angrily at him once more and cowered in fear.

“Come on, little butterfly,” she said gently. “You don't have to be scared. I’m not going to hurt you. I'm very nice.”

This made Branch stop immediately. He perched still on the glass, facing the back and moving his wings slowly. Then he faced the Troll, his eyes wide with fear and worry. To him, it looked as if she did wanted to hurt him after all and since he was now a butterfly, he has no point whether he would like this or not. She seems so big and he was so tiny, and he was afraid to speak to her that he was a Troll too. He just perched in the jar, trying not to move as the Troll observed him very carefully.

“Look at you! You poor thing,” she said. “You look so tiny and cute! Stop breaking the glass too hard and look at me, please?”

Branch stared at her, confused. What is she talking about? I want to get out of here now!

The Troll twisted the jar for a bit and pulled out her magnifying glass to inspect him closely. Branch looked frightened and shuffled upwards. His wings glistened as he flapped them again.

The Troll giggled as she inspected them. “I like your wings,” she said. “They're so sparkly and pretty.”

Branch made a face. No, they’re not! he thought as he glanced at his wings for a second. I mean, just look at them! Do you think it’s useless?

His wings flapped in response, shining like glitter. Branch scowled and groaned.

"Your hair must be so soft,” the Troll added, inspecting his blue hair. Finally, she looked closely at his face and concluded “I think your face looks just like me, but I can’t tell what your face actually looks like.”

Branch stared at her for a moment, puzzled. Then he looked back at the glass and started squirming again, still trying to get out.

The Troll stroked her chin as she observed her discovery. How was she able to get this little butterfly look at her again? She moved the jar closer to her face and told Branch gently “I want to know what your face looks like. Come on.”

She motioned her finger to the jar and wiggled it back and forth, as a way of signalling Branch to fly closer to her. But he didn’t like the sound of that. He cringed and continued squirming around the glass.

He fluttered to the right and perched himself upside down on it, pushing the jar with his face. His wings moved slowly as he kept still for a moment. Then he fluttered the other way and did the same.

The Troll watched as he fluttered around the jar and back. What an exciting discovery she had come to. But Branch still couldn’t get out of the jar. He fluttered here and he fluttered there to see if there is any other way to escape.

But there was no way out at all. His antennae twitched and he just blinked, his wings moved slowly when he kept still again. Then after that, he fluttered to the left and perched himself in his regular position there.

Branch was starting to grow worried as he frantically kept looking for a way out. But he knew he would never, never find the way. His antennae twitched again and he looked back at the Troll, who was still observing him. She motioned her finger again and told him gently “Come on. Don’t be afraid. Please come closer to me so I can see your little face.”

Branch calmed down for a moment when he turned to her. He looked concerned, wondering if she has any other way to release him. He fluttered to the other side where she is looking at him and perched himself on it.

Once he landed there, his wings moved up and down slowly and his antennae jerked a bit. The Troll lifted the jar so she can take a closer look at Branch’s face.

Branch started moaning and shivering with fear when he stared up at her, making his eyes as big as he could. His antennae twitched at once and his ears drooped with sadness, making him look lovably pathetic.

“Awwww!” the Troll girl said with sympathy as she looked at his begging expression on his face. This butterfly in her jar was really a Troll after all! “Aren’t you sweet? What have I done with to you? You certainly look like me!”

The look on Branch’s face seemed to tell her to get him out of the jar. He whined like a puppy and puts his nose to the glass, still making his eyes wide and pathetic. He looked very cute, way beyond cuter, like every small creature would ever always be. His wings fidgeted behind him as he continued moaning sadly.

The Troll wanted to do something to make him happy. She put a finger to him and started tapping at the glass.

TAP! TAP! TAP!

In a flash, Branch flew away, startled by this. He didn’t like how she was doing it.

Then she put her hand away from the glass and he perched back to her again, glaring at her.

“What’s the matter with you?” the Troll said, giggling playfully. “You don’t like to be touched?”

Branch simply glared at her, feeling uncomfortable with the thought of being poked by a giant Troll. He moved his wings for a second to show disapproval.

“I see,” the Troll said, nodding and understanding how he felt. Then she gently put down the jar and rushed to one of her shelves in her lab, finding something to comfort him.

There, she picked up a leftover of an eaten cookie beside a replica of a bone ribcage and walked back to the jar. She picked it up and showed the cookie to Branch. He looked puzzled when she held it up towards him.

Was it cursed too? He can’t simply even tell!

“Are you hungry?” the Troll asked him, moving the cookie nearer to him so he can see it. “You want this?”

Branch stared up at her in confusion. He feels uncertain about this. He knew that everywhere in this mansion, there are plenty of cursed food in here, including the butterfly cupcakes. And now, this Troll was about to give him this cookie kept in this place. He was worried if this Troll eat this, then she would become under a spell as well!

“Don’t worry,” she said to him, ignoring the expression on his face. “I’ll give you a bit for you so you can eat it. I’ll eat the other half of this cookie.”

Then without warning, she puts the cookie into her mouth and took a bite. CRUNCH!

Branch watched in state of confusion as she gobbled up only just half of it. Crumbs scatter onto the floor as she ate. So far, it looks more like an ordinary cookie.

Once she stopped eating some of it, she offered a chunk of what’s left of it to Branch and said “It’s so good! Now it’s your turn!”

She moved the chunk closer for him to eat. Afraid, he fluttered back to the left side and tried desperately escaping the jar himself once again.

But this Troll already has one capable chance of getting him out. She poked the cookie chunk a few times on the glass to give him attention. Branch turned around, looking up at her, and at the cookie.

He thinks that the cookie has magical effects and was sure to transform him and this Troll. He prayed she would choose the right cookie. But alas, she wasn’t going to do it. He was about to turn away when she told him gently “Don’t worry, little fella. It has no magic effect when I eat it.”

Branch raised an eyebrow. Was this true? It looked like a normal cookie to her.

“Trust me. I didn’t transform when I eat this,” she continued. “And you wouldn’t too! Eat this. Come on.” She motioned the cookie back and forth, trying to get Branch to flutter to her view again. “Come closer. Don’t be shy. You got to try this.”

She tapped at the glass again. Only this time, it was more gentle than startling. Branch carefully flapped his wings and hovered towards the cookie, taking a sniff at it.

The Troll moved the cookie up and down, making Branch follow it. He was still sniffing at it, trying to figure out what did it taste like. Then he charged at the glass again and tumbled backwards. He was indeed still trapped in the jar and wants to eat the cookie right now. He got angry as he tried breaking it to get the cookie while inside it to no avail. The Troll saw how distressed he is and realizes that she forgot about releasing him.

“Oh, I’m so sorry” she apologized. “Where are my manners?”

Then she gently dropped the jar and placed the cookie piece on the floor near her feet.

Finally, she lifted the jar up and Branch fluttered out of it. He was glad to have been saved by her, but he was now getting hungry.

He continued sniffing for the cookie as he fluttered towards it. It was starting to smell so chocolately and delicious to his nose right now. But is it really true this Troll is certain that it’s just a normal cookie? He would really need to know about it.

Just pretend it’s a normal cookie, he thought as he examined it, trying to remain calm. Just pretend it’s normal.

Next, he closed his eyes and opened his mouth wide. Then he took a bite on the cookie. CHOMP!!!

He chewed, feeling the yummy taste of chocolate chips inside his mouth. He even tried feeling the taste of unnecessary side effects from the cookie as he swallowed the chunk.

“Mmmm? Mmmm!” Branch mumbled through what he was eating right now. In fact, it tasted just like a regular cookie should be! Smiling to himself, he helped himself to eating the rest of this delicious biscuit.

CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!!!

Branch gobbled up every last chunk of the cookie, scattering some pieces of crumbs around the floor. The Troll watched happily and playfully stroked his hair with her finger as he ate. It is quite adorable to see butterflies eating food in this type of way.

Just then, Poppy fluttered out of her hiding place to see what is going on right now. She looked around and saw the Troll fawning over Branch eating the cookie piece. “Awwww!” she said with a smile as she looked at Branch. “So cute!”

Then she fluttered down to him and began to share a piece with him, taking the right edge of the cookie and chomping at it.

CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!! CHOMP!!!!

Now Branch and Poppy are eating and sharing one cookie together. They chomped and munched on the chunks happily, not long before Branch noticed that she was eating with him too. They stopped eating and stare at each other for a moment, holding the now-smaller cookie piece in their mouths.

Then Branch took the last piece away from her mouth and held it proudly, glad to see that Poppy is alright. Seeing her boyfriend being so happy to have eaten something sweet again, she laughed as he swallowed the last piece.

“I love you so much!” Poppy said happily.

Suddenly, upon hearing her high-pitched voice from below, the yellow-haired Troll gasped in shock. “Hey! Did I know you?!”

Branch stared up at her. “Know ‘who’?” he asked, speaking up. “You didn’t even know who I am!”

“No! Not you!” the Troll corrected him. She pointed at Poppy. “Her!”

Poppy looked up at her, looking utterly confused. “You know who I am? Who are you?”

“I’m Chrystelle,” the Troll said. “And I know everything about you, Poppy! You’re the queen of Troll Village! I haven’t seen you around for 300 years since you’ve escaped Bergen Town!”

Poppy and Branch looked at each other, and then at this Troll. It is actually Chrystelle.

“So, it’s really you!” Branch said in amazement. After all this time, he knew this is the kind of Troll they were actually looking for; the one who had made the cursed butterfly cupcakes!

“What happened to you and this Troll, Poppy?” Chrystelle asked, bending down to them. “It looks like you’ve eaten my magical cupcakes!”

“We actually did,” said Poppy, fluttering up to her. “I didn’t realize at the next moment they were cursed! That’s why we’re here to get your help on changing us back!”

“Yeah, because Cloud Guy thinks I’m too tiny to play video games right now!” Branch said.

“Look,” Chrystelle began, her voice faltering as she spoke. “I know you needed my help now but I’m not really the social-kind-of Troll that I used to be. Everyone thinks my food taste bad because my cooking skills are becoming as bad as I’ve observed over a year!”

“Yes,” Poppy told her, perching herself on her ear. “But ever since you decided to exile yourself in this old house, all what you’re doing to the Trolls is far worse than expected!”

"I did. I was so worried to see what would happen if you and your friends eat my food I was making that I don’t want to look.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Branch. “I think you had the right to look.”

“But why are you refusing to look at the effects of your magic food?” Poppy’s eyes searched Chrystelle’s as she spoke gently to her. “I don’t understand....”

Maybe it was the time Poppy learned a lesson and got some perspective on what it was like for somebody who hadn’t had a perfect life like hers. She was just a little, pretty queen with every chance handed to her on a silver platter with cupcakes next to it.

“Remember that early morning when you first saw my cupcakes?” Chrystelle took a deep breath as she began her flashback. “I saw you walking towards my shop and you were asking for my food. But you decided that you want them all.”

Poppy suddenly remembered that day she went to the hooded hermit’s little shop, which was selling butterfly cupcakes. She walked straight to it and asked “Are those chocolate cupcakes with butterfly candies in some vanilla frosting?!”

“Yes,” the hooded figure said. “They’re for sale today! Would you like to buy one?”

“Yes, please!” Poppy said proudly. “I want them all!”

Chrystelle went on with her story. “Moments later, you took every last cupcake from my counter...until no smudge of frosting was left.”

The flashback shows that Poppy had put all the butterfly cupcakes in her basket. The figure was so surprised that she said “Wow! I can’t believe you took all of them! Is there anything to pay more because they’re so expensive to buy!”

“Maybe some stacks of cash would be helpful when it comes to buying a lot!!” Poppy told the hermit as she pulled out a stack of cash from her pocket and placing them on the counter. “Here ya go!”

“Ooh! Thank you,” the hermit said awkwardly. “Have a nice day and enjoy your meal.”

“And after that, you left with my cupcakes,” Chrystelle replied as she continued her story. “I watched from my hood as you go. But deep down, I’m quite worried.”

From her little shop, the hooded person revealed her own eyes. It was Chrystelle in disguise. Since knowing everything about true natures of different creatures in this world, Poppy has realized the truth. Her eyes grew large as she asked “So you were selling those cupcakes I bought two days ago?”

“It’s true,” Chrystelle answered. “Trolls don’t start out this way. But they certainly don’t want to be around one who casts spells like a witch. Even if I accidentally make a deformed cake that turns you into rabid raccoons as well.”

She hung her head low, concluding her flashback. “It wasn’t so hard to watch Trolls enjoying my food in the past. I ended up selling all of these to everyone in secret so I won’t show up to tell you the truth. Every day, I would feel disappointed in my own shop, just wearing black, and anticipate if any curse is working on you once you eat my food. Since then, everyone still doesn’t care about me after I got fired from work at the bakery. I was too revolting, and I couldn’t sell anything but these kind of food ever since.”

She sighed and stared into space, feeling in low spirits. Poppy fluttered close to her and decided to comfort her.

"I’m so sorry to hear how you felt about those cupcakes,” she said tenderly. “But it looks like it was just only a mistake to sell your food to everyone.” She put her butterfly wing up to reach out for Chrystelle’s ear, but she turned away with guilt.

“You’re right. It’s just a stupid mistake I’ve made and nobody will deny what I deserved!” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’m very sorry, Poppy. I wish you should have not come to my shop in the first place.”

Poppy hesitated. She felt sorry for this Troll, but deep down, she knew she wanted to change her attitude just like Branch had done it before. “Chrystelle, it wasn’t my fault I buy those cupcakes and then Branch and I ate them and become butterflies!” she explained. “I understand how anti-social you’ve been and why you were afraid to try something new. But Branch and I came here to change ourselves back to normal, right?”

“Well, I’m no use for this world!” Chrystelle complained. “I don’t know a way how to reverse the curse I put into you.”

“Sometimes you gotta think of the positive side so you can do better things for your life.” Poppy said, fluttering towards her face. “No matter how many times you would mess up, just start over and achieve a better life!”

“Really?” asked Chrystelle. “How will I start?”

“By singing a song?” Branch asked absentmindedly, thinking no more than a few plans in what is supposed to be true.

Poppy’s eyes widened with intrigue. “Excellent idea, Branch!” she cried happily. “Why didn’t I think of this sooner?”

“Sometimes there’s always a way to cheer people up! Don’t fight it,” Branch hissed. “But how can we dance if we’re still butterflies?”

Poppy looked at her butterfly form, and then at Branch’s. They were still not Trolls yet...unless they have to keep Chrystelle in high spirits so she can help them. She answered to Branch “Come on. Butterflies can really dance! I’m sure you’re gonna love how to do that! Let’s get to it!”

Then she fluttered closer to Chrystelle’s face and began to sing to her in her high, clear voice:

🎶  Clearly you need music, to make you happy again 🎶

🎶  So listen to this song-type thing, about the greater good. 🎶

She spun around and around as she sang. Branch joined her in, fluttering alongside her.

🎶 There are times that you feel glad and times that you feel sad 🎶

🎶  But d-don’t ever fear because you got company to look after right here 🎶

Next, Poppy was now fluttering around Chrystelle’s head. She watched in amazement as she kept singing to her, getting her to motivate her own feelings.

🎶  Whoooah, yeah! Don’t feel down in the dumps and think positive! 🎶

🎶  And someday, you’ll have the freedom you’ll need! 🎶

🎶  Oh yeah! Whoooah! You’ll have positive freedom! Whoooah! Whoaaah! 🎶

Then Branch fluttered right beside her, flying in circles. He took a deep breath and started to sing in his clear, angelic and handsome voice:

🎶  Now look at me now! 🎶

🎶  I’m soarin’ to my freedom! 🎶

🎶  There’s no catching on me ‘cause I’m happy to be there for you! 🎶

Poppy sang back to him:

🎶  I’m lookin’ at ya! 🎶  

🎶  I’m happy that you’re singing for me! 🎶

🎶  Now we’ll fly to our destiny and feel free like we’ll always be! 🎶

Poppy and Branch were now flying around the lab, singing together. They spun around each other as the song kept going.

🎶  We’re butterflies and we long to be free ‘til the end! 🎶

🎶  But now our time has come ‘cause we long to be people again! 🎶

They flew under a ceiling lamp and started dancing, swaying back and forth and flapping their wings.

🎶  Stop being so sad and live happy for now! 🎶  

🎶  The pressure was getting into your head so you no need to worry about! 🎶

🎶  Whoooah, yeah! Don’t feel down in the dumps and think positive! 🎶

🎶  And someday, you’ll have the freedom you’ll need! 🎶

🎶  Oh yeah! Whoooah! 🎶 (🎶  Aw, yeah! 🎶)

Poppy was now fluttering around Chrystelle’s head again, singing the chorus to her. Branch joined in as well, providing a steady beat for Poppy’s song.

🎶  You’ll have positive freedom! 🎶 (🎶 That’s right! 🎶 )

🎶  Whoooah! Whoaaah!  🎶 (🎶  Come on! 🎶 )

🎶  Positive freedom! 🎶

Next, Branch turned himself upside down and hovered in a spot, trying to amuse Chrystelle. While he is doing this, he sang:

🎶  Now look at me now! 🎶

🎶  I’m upside down! 🎶  

🎶  There’s no reason to frown ‘cause now’s the time to smile! 🎶

Poppy and Chrystelle giggled at him, amused by what they’re seeing. Then Poppy sang back to Branch:

🎶  Whoaah, yeah! I’m lookin’ at ya! 🎶  

🎶  I’m happy that I’ll always love you! 🎶

🎶  Now we’ll fly to our destiny and feel free like we’ll always be! 🎶

🎶  Let’s go! 🎶

Now Poppy and Branch are spinning around in circles while singing their song. They sang in perfect harmony, as their voices nearly sync together as one.

🎶  Whoooah! Whoaaah!  🎶

🎶 How I wish to be free?  🎶

🎶  It’s like the golden age of happiness! 🎶

🎶  I wouldn’t want to fly after you until I shout out “Whee!” 🎶

🎶  I want to live like a man! 🎶

🎶  But deep down I’m in love with you! 🎶

🎶  I wish I can have more strength to carry a frying pan! 🎶

They stopped singing for a moment at the point Branch sang this. Chrystelle asked “A frying pan?”

“What?” Branch said to her. “All I could think is saving you from spiders with that weapon!”

“Oh, okay,” Chrystelle said with a nod. “You can carry on.”

The song continued as Poppy perched on her face for a moment before soaring again.

🎶   I wish there’s some way to help you 🎶

🎶  But it’s very disappointing that you very insecure 🎶

🎶  Now all is left to do is drop your insecurities and be just the way you ARE!!! 🎶

Branch sang: 🎶  WHOOO!!! COME ON!!! 🎶

Then he fluttered beside Poppy once more, and the two of them formed a big circle and danced as they sung the chorus one last time.

🎶  Whoooah, yeah! Don’t feel down in the dumps and think positive! 🎶

🎶  And someday, you’ll have the freedom you’ll need! 🎶

🎶  And once you gain what you need 🎶

🎶  You can prove to everyone that you’ve changed! 🎶  

🎶  So others will be happy to understand! 🎶

🎶  Oh yeah! Whoooah! 🎶 (🎶  Aw, yeah! 🎶)

🎶  You’ll have positive freedom! 🎶 (🎶 That’s right! 🎶 )

🎶  Whoooah! Whoaaah!  🎶 (🎶  Come on! 🎶 )

🎶  Positive freedom! 🎶

At the grand finale, Poppy and Branch put their wings in the air, singing that last word of the song. Once it finished, Chrystelle clapped her hands and cheered.

"Wow! That’s such a great song!” she said happily. “I didn’t know you can sing very well!”

"Thanks! I hope you like the song!” said Poppy. “Does this make you feel better now?”

“Yes!” Chrystelle answered proudly. “I’m starting to think positive once again!”

Then she stared up into space and put her left hand to her cheek, while her right hand held her left elbow. She began to think. “Hmmm?”

“Now what?” asked Branch. “Are you thinking of a way how to change us back now?”

“I think she is, Branch!” Poppy chirped. “It really worked!”

Moments later, Chrystelle cried out triumphantly “I got it!”

Branch was so startled he nearly lost his balance from flying. “Whoa! What?!” he asked. “Don’t tell me you did find a way…and now you did!”

“I do!” Chrystelle said as she put up a hand, motioning Poppy and Branch to perch on it. They listened as she told them “I’ve found a way how to reverse the curse! I will make two Troll-shaped cupcakes for you to eat and you will be back to normal as I’d promised!”

“But you’re a witch!” Branch said skeptically. “Witches are not supposed to-”

“Don’t worry. I may look like a witch, but I’m very friendly to all creatures big and small!” Chrystelle explained. “I’ll make some cupcakes that will help you restore your normal forms!”

“That sounds great! I’d love to try that new special cupcake of yours, Chrystelle!” Poppy said sweetly. “That’s so nice of you!”

“Thanks,” Chrystelle replied. “But for your safety, I need you guys to stay in the banquet room while I’ll get started making the cupcakes for you in the lab. Things might get crazy in here!”

“For real?” Branch moaned. “That’s one way of being attacked by witches!”

“Branch, let’s not be skeptical,” Poppy told him, putting a wing to her shoulder. “This Troll is going to help us get back to normal in a few minutes until she’s done! Right, Chrystelle?” She turned to the green Troll and gave her a wink.

“Right on it, Poppy!” she answered, winking back at her.

Branch groaned, not wanting to know what was the plan right now. But this is already their plan and they were doing this so this witch can help change them back to normal. And now, he and Poppy must wait until what she have made for them in store.

                                                  To Be Continued...

                           Stay tuned for the last part of the story: Part 20!

This story is a sequel to “The Queen and the Butterfly”.

The story: Poppy offers Branch some cupcakes with butterflies in it which turns out to be mysterious. When the two Trolls eat them, they got transformed into butterflies themselves and realize that the cupcakes were actually cursed by an evil witch! Now they must try to find the witch who made those cupcakes and get a cure to get themselves back to normal, while encountering obstacles in the process along the way.

You already seen what had happened in Part 17. Now get ready for Part 18!:

Branch and Poppy fluttered down to what seemed to look like basement stairs. Then they fluttered to the right and hid behind a wooden pole nearby.

They peeked from it and Branch squinted his eyes a little so he can be able to see what is going on in the basement clearly.

The bubbling continued from the basement just as Branch realized what he is actually seeing. “Poppy, look!” he said.

Poppy looked with him. Then she gasped in wide amazement. “No way!”

She and Branch flew out of their hiding spot to take a look around at the place they were now in. It turns out the basement was actually a scientific laboratory, complete with brewing potions and cauldrons, shelves of sorcery, haunting display stands of skulls, skeleton bones and other gruesome equipment and books of magic spells galore! At the sight of seeing the skeleton bones on a shelf, Branch shuddered.

“Wow!” Poppy said. “This must be Chrystelle’s lab!”

“It sure is,” Branch replied. “This is the place where she makes all of the cursed food. She’d been working here as long as she lived by herself.”

“But it’s a good thing this needs some guests to come over!” Poppy said, grinning. “I bet we can just fly around here for a while until we can find anything suspicious! Come on, Branch!”

She began to flutter around but Branch blocked her way, putting his wings up in protest and shushing quietly “Sssssh!!! Stop right there!”

Poppy sighed with frustration. “What is your problem, Mr. Shushypants?!” she asked while teasingly calling Branch one of his many embarrassing nicknames.

“We need to be very quiet!” he whispered. “A cat is in this room!”

He pointed his wing to a corner, where a large cat with grey fur is sleeping there. It moved its tail back and forth slowly as it snored. Its six thin whiskers and its pointy ears twitched a bit. It curled up here, just like how every pet would always obey one’s owner.

Poppy and Branch shuddered as they saw the cat. “Who’s that?” asked Poppy.

“That’s Chrystelle’s pet cat, Winkles!” Branch explained. “I also know him. He’s usually just an ordinary pet but he always likes to chase butterflies like us!”

Poppy gasped, understanding his statement. “What will happen if we wake him up?”

“He’ll chase us like every cat would always do!” Branch said. “Don’t ever make a sound or else this will trigger him anyway!” Then he fluttered away from the cat and added “Come on! Let’s explore this lab and find some clues!”

Poppy nodded. Then she followed Branch to explore the laboratory. They fluttered around from every area they can investigate from tables to stools to shelves. As butterflies, they tried to keep their wings flapping as gently as possible so they won’t wake up Winkles.

Poppy flew to a table with magical spell books and bottles of magic potions. She flew behind one potion bottle with pink liquid and decided to take a peek at it closely. From in front of the glass, Poppy’s reflection seemed to look like her head grew large in size. She giggled quietly, as if she saw her face becoming funny. Then she played around this bottle and started making some weirdly funny expressions to it.

Branch heard her making some sounds while she is doing this and called out “Poppy? What are you doing?”

Hearing the sound of his voice, Poppy stopped immediately to look at him, then at the cat. Winkles tossed and turned for a moment as she watched in horror, thinking it was going to wake up now.

But thank goodness, the cat is still asleep. She heaved a quiet sigh of relief and told Branch with a wide grin on her face “Nothing! Can we just carry on?”

Meanwhile, Branch has no idea what is Poppy up to right now. Since she’s been usually around trying to annoy him, it felt that he wanted to search alone. But being aware of danger was his responsibility to look out for and this is what troubled him at times. Still, with a heart of gold, he always wanted Poppy to be on his side and need her assistance nowadays.

And now he wants to find this mansion for a long time and seek help from the witch who had put a curse on them. He continued fluttering around the lab, searching for more clues to examine. He began twitching his butterfly antennae around the area as a sensing device.

“Branch!” Poppy called out to him. “You found anything yet?” “Not quite, Poppy,” he said, his antennae still wiggling in his head as he fluttered about. “I’m trying to sense stuff with my antennae so I can easily find what I’m trying to look for.”

That is when his antennae pointed upwards and Branch followed to where he has been sensing the whole time. He fluttered up to the third level of a shelf where some jars of magic potions were standing there.

His antennae pointed to what looked like a butterfly cupcake and a mysterious scroll in front of it. Branch fluttered closer to them. Then he picked up the scroll with his mouth and carried it all the way to Poppy.

Poppy is still trying to make some faces in the reflection of the pink liquid potion bottle when Branch came with the scroll. She stopped quickly once again when he arrived.

“What’s this, Branch?” she asked, staring at the rolled-up piece of paper dangling from his teeth.

“It’s a scroll!” he said. “It was on a shelf beside another butterfly cupcake!”

Then he dropped it on the table and landed on it. With his wings moving up and down slowly, he turned to Poppy and said “Let’s try to open this so we can see what it reads.”

“Great idea, Branch!” Poppy said with a grin. And together, on the count of three, she and Branch stuck their teeth into the edge of the paper, pulling it open.

They steadied the paper for a moment so that it would stand properly. Then as Branch landed on the top of it, Poppy gazed up and down at what is written all over it and asked “What’s with all this stuff?”

“It must be a recipe for baking butterfly cupcakes,” Branch said, studying the title of the paper. “But this isn’t an ordinary recipe! It looks really strange!”

It is true. Branch was now staring down at a small piece of paper stuck in the right corner with sticky tape. It read:

                                        Don’t read this part! :(

The sentence completes with a drawing of a sad face beside it. Poppy and Branch looked at the recipe suspiciously.

“It looks ordinary to me,” Poppy said with a shrug. “What’s the point of reading this?”

Branch gently took out the small paper with his mouth. The tape started to make sounds as it was removed from the bigger one.

SHLANK!!! SHLANK!!!

Once the note was already out of the recipe paper, Branch looked back at Winkles, who was still asleep in a corner. He hoped the sounds of tape being pulled out quietly won’t wake him up.

Thankfully it didn’t. Then he turned back at the recipe, still holding the small note in his mouth. Hiding behind the small note stuck there was a list of secret ingredients being put into the cupcakes!

The list reads as it follows:

4 Four-leaf clovers

200ml of mermaid tears

150ml of butterfly wing cells

23ml of Troll hair

150ml of spider silk

A pinch of pepper

Poppy gasped in horror at the sight of what they’ve actually being reading. “Oh dear!” she said. “What’s with all these things?” She is clearly disgusted to the fact that these ingredients look gross!

Branch has been searching high and low for what Chrystelle has done to know the answer. He fluttered up and down, looking at the list of the secret ingredients of the butterfly cupcakes and explained to Poppy “I figured out why this note has been stuck in every recipe the entire time! Chrystelle must have hid these contents so no one will know its secret side effects unless they have to be aware of this!”

“Oh my god,” Poppy said, mortified that she fluttered beside Branch. “Why would she put all these ingredients into the cupcakes?!”

“She’s only doing this to hide away her guilt of hurting us!” Branch said. “That explains why she got fired from her job as a baker before!”

“Can she use something to change us back now?” Poppy asked hopefully.

“Not yet, Poppy,” Branch said. “We still need to find her first! It looks like she’s not really busy in her lab for now.”

This made Poppy feel distraught. She stared at the ground as a tear rolled down her cheek and said “But she could be anywhere! If she’s really not in this mansion, we’ll remain as butterflies forever! Oh, what are we going to do, Branch?”

Branch let go of the “Don’t read this part!” note from his mouth and fluttered closer to Poppy, putting a butterfly wing on her shoulder and telling her gently “Don’t worry, Poppy. It will be okay. We will find her anyway.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, we will,” he said with a smile. Then he began to fly to the exit of the basement and said “Now let’s get out of here.”

Meanwhile, the small note was flying around the breeze of the lab. It made its way to Winkles, who was still asleep there.

Finally, it turned over and pasted itself in front of his face! PLFFFTT!!!

“Meow!”

That got this drowsy feline over the edge! His eyes snapped open when the paper was on his face. He saw the note before him, stood up and tried to shake it off, meowing frantically. Poppy and Branch suddenly heard him from the table of the lab.

“Branch? What’s that?” Poppy asked anxiously. “I heard meowing! Is that from you?”

“I’m not meowing, Poppy!” Branch protested. Then he saw what has happened to the “Don’t read this part!” paper and frantically looked around for it. “Oh god! Where’s the note?! I was holding it just now!”

“Meow!”

“Branch, look!” Poppy said, looking afraid and pointing her wing at where the meowing sound is coming from.

Winkles! He was holding the note with his mouth and looking up at Poppy and Branch. To the tiny butterflies, he was a giant.

Branch gasped when he saw his cat face staring at him. “What?! How is he awake?!”

“I think you accidentally dropped the note and it flew towards him!” Poppy told him, pointing at the note.

“But I didn’t drop it to this kitty!” Branch argued. “It was supposed to be at the ground!”

“Meow! Meow!” Winkles mewed. He just wanted the note to be put back into the recipe. But Branch didn’t want this to happen because if they put the note back on, they wouldn’t be able to show this to Chrystelle and they’ll never be able to turn back to normal.

He fluttered to Winkles’ face and said “Okay, little kitty! Thanks-a-lot for bringing that back! But please go to sleep now so we can get out of here quickly!”

“Meow! Meow! Meow!” Winkles mewed, staring up at Branch. Then he lifted a paw towards him.

“Seriously, no!” Branch said angrily. “Playtime’s over! Please listen to me! Go to bed! Now!”

But instead of obeying what he is saying, Winkles reached a paw to him and almost swiped it at him! Startled, he fluttered up and down to avoid every paw he tried to miss.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Branch protested. “No swiping with that claw! No swiping! Please go to bed!”

But the cat didn’t listen and was now looking so stubborn. “Meow! Meoooww!!!”

He swiped another paw at Branch. This time, he fluttered backwards. But Winkles swiped his paws at him again, even Poppy. Moving his paws around the table, Winkles tried every which way he can to catch two butterflies in the lab!

Branch fluttered away from Winkles, screaming “This isn’t helping at all, Poppy! Let’s get out of here NOW!!!”

“You’re right! Wait for me!” Poppy shouted as she followed Branch out to the exit. But Winkles puts a paw in front of them, blocking their way and swiping it at them. Poppy and Branch flew from one corner of the lab to the other, searching for places to hide. The cat hissed. HISSSS!!!

It started wrecking up all the potions and books in the table as he chased Branch and Poppy around the table. Branch led Poppy to the shelf where he’d first seen the recipe of the butterfly cupcake and they tried to hide below the second level of it.

“Meeeeeeoowwrrr!!” Winkles made his way to the shelf before they can hide behind the jars. They shuddered and huddled together as the cat drew his face closer to them.

The cat purred as he pulled out a paw. “PURRRRRRRRR!!!”

But in the next instant, Branch went closer and shielded Poppy with his wings as a way of defending her.

“Hyah!” he yelled. “Get back!”

But that didn’t work. He swiped his paw at Poppy and Branch again and they fluttered away again! They screamed!

While chasing them, Winkles was clearly wrecking havoc around the lab as he went. His paws flail around as he knocked over jars and books and bottles around the room, trying to get Branch and Poppy.

Soon Poppy and Branch managed to hide under a fallen book. The cat searched around the room, meowing for them to come out of hiding. “Meow!”

The two friends panted underneath the pages of the book like they were in a tent, hoping he will never come for them if they hide here, until Branch saw the butterfly cupcake recipe paper still lying on the table.

He flew towards it but Poppy warned him to be careful of Winkles. “I have to get that somehow, Poppy!” he told her. “There’s no way that cat is ruining this piece of paper!”

“Branch, no!” Poppy protested, shivering under the pages of the book. “It’s too dangerous! I’m coming with you!”

“Sorry, Poppy,” Branch said, pushing her back. “But I can’t let you get hurt again. I’m worried this might happen like the time with those bees!”

Poppy gave him a worried look. “Please be careful, Branch,” she whined. “I can’t lose you too!” Then she gave him a hug. Touched by this, Branch hugged her back and said “Don’t worry. I will be careful!”

Their wings wrapped around each other’s shoulders as they hugged harder, comforting Poppy in the process. Staring at Branch with confidence, she watched as he fluttered to the table to retrieve the recipe.

Once Branch made his way to the table, he grabbed the edge of the paper with his mouth and tried to lift it up. “Rrrrrrf, mrrrffff!”

Unfortunately, Winkles has heard his grunts. He made his way to the chair and saw Branch holding the recipe and flying away.

But before he can completely fly away from the table, the cat grabbed the recipe with his paw! TWING!!

“MEEEEEEEEEEOOOOWWWWRR!!!”

Branch screamed as he saw the recipe he was holding was getting pulled back by this cat. He struggled to fly away and drag the paper backward as fast as he could. He flapped his wings harder and harder and tried holding the paper tightly with his teeth clenched harder on it.

But it was no use. Winkles continued pulling the paper away from him and hissed. HISSSS!!!

“Branch!” Poppy cried out from under the book, looking up at the disaster happening here.

Meanwhile, Branch quickly flew to the left corner of the recipe and held it with his mouth. He tried to pull it forward with all his might. But the cat hissed angrily and pulled the paper to himself. HISSSS!!!

Branch pulled the paper harder. His little round teeth was clenched to the edge for dear life as he pulled it. If he let go of it, it would be torn into shreds for no good!

He took a deep breath and pulled it harder. For extra effort, he used his hair. He was grunting and groaning as he and Winkles pulled the paper back and forth, hogging over it. Soon it was all like a “Tug-o-War” competition to see who gets this piece of paper first.

Poppy was watching anxiously from under the book, muttering “Come on, Branch. You can do it.”

Poppy’s words made Branch gain confidence. He continued pulling the paper backwards as hard as he can. His face was sweating violently and his heart was pumping like crazy. He began moving backwards, his teeth still clutching the paper. Once they miss their grip and the paper would slip...like he would’ve predicted.

“Ugh, rmmmmfff!!” Branch grunted while pulling the paper. “I....can’t....hold....it...much....LONGER!!!”

Hearing him say this, the cat had won the “Tug-o-War”. He held the paper with Branch dangling on the edge of it and tossed it aside.

SWIPE!!!

Branch and the recipe paper were being thrown into the air! He screamed.

“No!” Poppy cried, seeing him falling away. “Branch!”

He tried flapping his wings to resist the fall. But he and the paper collided with a wall and they smacked it with a....

BONK!!!

“Ooooof!”

Just like that, Branch and the paper fell to the ground.

THUNK!!!

While Branch is groaning and recovering from the impact, he didn’t notice in the next moment, Winkles was sneaking up behind him and holding up a paw towards him, purring “PURRRRRRRRR!!!”

Branch sat up in a flash and heard the cat’s constant purring behind him. He turned around and saw him! He screamed.

“PURRRRRRRRR!!!”

“Branch!” Poppy called out to him. “Fly away!”

Branch opened his wings and took off just before the cat can flatten him down with his paw!

Winkles pounced around as he chased Branch. His paw slashed at him. It missed his head by inches.

He raced from one corner to the other. He panted as he flapped his wings and continued flying around, looking for a place to escape.

Each and every time he tried to fly away, the cat blocked his way and he fluttered the other way.

But Winkles blocked this way too. Branch tried everything he can to search for a way out. But there is no other way he can do. This cat would not listen to him because he didn’t recognize who he really is. Winkles continued blocking all his way out, forcing Branch to keep avoiding him for a time.

Finally, Branch went to a corner, looking defeated as Winkles crawled closer to him, meowing “Meeeeoww!!!”

He stomped a paw to the floor. He sniffed at Branch, who was shivering and panting.

“Get away from me!” he cried. “No, please!”

Suddenly, a female voice called from out of the basement. “Hey, what’s going on down there? Winkles, is that you?”

But the cat didn’t hear it. Instead, he focused on playing with the butterfly he had found. He held up a paw and advanced it down towards Branch, ready to grab hold of him.

Branch was preparing to meet his end with this giant cat. He curled up and covered himself with his wings, whimpering in fear. His antennae drooped.

“Oh no!” Poppy shouted from the book, seeing her boyfriend in danger. “Branch! Oh, please don’t give up!”

But Branch didn’t hear her. As a butterfly, it was too useless to fend off a large cat than fighting against bees. In fact, cats have a strong desire of chasing butterflies that they could not pay attention to one who has an ability to speak.

He continued shivering as Winkles’ paw is getting closer to him. This was it...he thought he was going to die...as a butterfly...for real. “NO!!! NO!! NO!! NO!! NO!!!” pleaded Branch.

When suddenly...

CLUNK!

“Huh?”

Branch found himself encased inside another glass jar! Startled by the jar coming down at him, Winkles puts his paw away from it!

Branch tried to get his bearings and see who trapped him in. He looked up and saw...a Troll!

Yes. It is definitely a Troll indeed! This Troll was a female and has straight blonde hair and darker green skin. She wore a dark blue hoodie with a purple bandana around her neck and a dark blue skirt. Her purple eyes narrowed at Branch as she held the jar tightly. He couldn’t believe this Troll has saved his life!

When Branch tried to go near her, Winkles held up his paws and shook the jar away from the Troll’s grasp!

“Meeeeeeeeeeoowwwrrr!!!” he screeched, trying to hold it steady himself. Branch panicked and flew to the left side of the jar, trying desperately to escape.

“Winkles, no!” the Troll shouted, trying to stop her pet cat. “Out! Out with you!”

But Winkles didn’t care. He continued shaking the jar violently, scaring poor Branch.

“Help!” he wailed from inside the jar. “HELP ME!!!”

“STOP!!” the Troll yelled. She picked up Winkles and held him tightly. It stopped advancing to Branch, who was panting with fright.

“Meow!” the cat meowed with protest.

The Troll spanked him. “Bad cat!” she scolded. “No more ruining what I’ve created!”

While she is talking to Winkles, Branch looked up at the Troll. Has he recognized this one before? He sure did! He was hoping that she was Chrystelle and she was the one who had kept this cat.

The Troll turned to face him, speaking to him gently “It’s okay, little one. Don’t panic. Winkles won’t bother you as long as you’re in there.”

As long as I’m in this stupid jar?! Branch thought, frowning. He went closer to her, as if to protest. But how long will I be in here?!

“Meeow!!!”

Winkles stretched out a paw and tried clawing at the jar. Branch didn’t like that. He shielded himself with his wings and yelped.

The Troll has gotten enough of what this cat is doing right now. She grabbed Winkles tightly and shouted at him “Naughty cat! You’re going outside! Don’t ever hurt it anymore!”

Winkles meowed and flailed his paws around as the Troll made her way to the entrance of the mansion. Then she threw her cat out into the grass.

“Out you go, bad kitty!” she yelled.

THUNK!!!

“Meow!”

Finally, she slammed the door in front of him.

SLAM!!!

“Meow?!” After recovering from the throw, Winkles looked back to see the door being closed shut. Panicking, he made his way to it and clawed it helplessly, pleading for his owner to let him in.

“Meeeeoowwwrrr!!! Meow! Meow! Meow! Meow!” Winkles mewed several times as he continued clawing at the door. But it was no use. His owner is unable to answer the door. He gazed up sadly at it, mewing sadly.

But right now, this Troll wanted to help Poppy and Branch so that he won’t get in to wreck havoc once more.

                                                  To Be Continued...

                                              Stay tuned for Part 19!