Chapter Text
It had been a long time since Clay had been in a crowd of so many Trolls.
The PuttPutt’s in addition to everyone in Pop village had resulted in a huge turnout for tonight's event.
And rightly so!
Today marked the day that the last of the Putt Putts had finally been moved back to Pop village.
They were one combined tribe.
One tribe, one leader.
If he was honest with himself, Clay was the tiniest bit bittersweet about it.
Of course, he was very grateful that everyone was alive, there was no longer a Bergen threat and that they could all be together again but…
At the same time…
The PuttPutt’s didn’t need him anymore…
Poppy was Queen.
And he respected her of course.
But…
He liked being in charge.
He liked keeping track of everyone’s needs.
Keeping them safe.
Helping solve their problems.
Balancing their checkbooks.
He liked…
…being needed.
It's been years since he was ‘Fun Boy’ Clay.
And it was apparently the end of his time as ‘Serious Mr’ Clay.
Who am I now?
Everyone had been called to gather around the main stage in the village.
“I know we’re excited to get this party started. We have so many things worth celebrating tonight! Life! Love! Music! Family!”
Everyone cheered louder with each of those matters to celebrate.
“That being said, there are some things I need to celebrate as well.”
She gestured over to Viva who was standing away from her.
“Viva, come on over”
Clay watched his co-leader zip across the stage with her usual excited energy.
“Viva. To me: a wonderful sister. To all of us: our princess. To many here: a savior.”
Satin and Chenille procured a blue sash that they hung and tied over Viva’s shoulder.
Poppy cleared her throat and straightened her back.
“In recognition of your bravery and your services to Pop Village, and the Putt Putt Trolls by extension, I give you the title of General Princess Viva.”
Poppy opened a small box, revealing a beautiful gold medal.
Viva watched as Poppy pinned the medal to the sash across her chest.
Once pinned, Viva held the medal in her hand in admiration.
Poppy took one of Viva’s hands and raised it high into the air.
The audience roared with cheer for Viva.
Viva stepped forward with tappy feet. Her hand shook out excitedly as she spoke.
“Thank you all sooooo so much! I’m honored and excited to be here for you all, however you need me.”
Viva scanned the crowd and locked eyes with Clay.
“But…there is one other Troll who deserves this just as much as I do. If not more!”
The crowd mumbled in their curiosity.
“Clay. Come up here.”
Huh?
In his confusion, Clay didn’t move.
It took a shove to the back from John Dory, for Clay’s feet to finally move on their own.
Once he was up on stage with them, he was guided to stand between Viva and Poppy.
Satin and Chenille pulled out a second sash from their hair and tied it on his shoulder the same as they did with Viva's.
However, for Clay, the twins both kissed either of his cheeks.
Clay was now even more confused.
Poppy pulled out a box similar to the one that had Viva's medal in it.
“Clay. Viva has already told me soooo so many stories about the sacrifices and hard work you put into looking after the Putt Putt’s. I'm also pretty sure there's more stories where that came from. From a lot more Trolls. We both agreed that your dedication deserved its own recognition.”
Clay blinked as Poppy opened the case to pull out the gold medal inside.
Is she saying…that's… for me?
“We went back and forth a couple of times about what your title should be. Chief, Sergeant, Captain, Count ?”
My… title?!
“But in the end I think we nailed it!”
Poppy pinned the medal to the sash and lifted Clay’s hand to the crowd.
“In recognition of your bravery and your services to Pop Village, and the Putt Putt Trolls by extension, I give you the title of Sir Clay.”
Sir Clay.
The crowd jumped and screamed their cheers for Clay.
His brothers whistled and hollered over the crowd.
Poppy yelled over the crowd
“Okay, you've held it all in long enough. Let the celebration begin!”
Confetti cannons exploded and balloons seemed to appear out of nowhere as everyone ascended into party mode.
Clay held the gold medal in his hands.
He had seen this symbol a few times in old books.
Four pointed leaves surrounding a sphere.
The Troll Tree
Viva held out her medal excitedly for Clay to see.
“LOOK CLAY WE MATCH!”
Clay smiled as they held their medals beside each other's.
“Sorry, sorry! I mean… Look SIR Clay, we match!”
Clay smiled to himself.
Sir Clay, I like the sound of that.