The ranch

by Whiplash_thunderstorm

Summary:

A request from Raymundo!

What if the country trolls liked Branch?

Notes:

• For Raymundo.

Chapter 1

Branch trailed behind his friends as they traveled down the winding road. The sun burned brightly over the tanned sunburnt land. The heat wasn't like any he had ever experienced before. He didn't really feel at ease with the number of skulls that passed them. With the classical ruins behind them he trailed his best friends. New lands, new trolls, and new anything was bound to spell disaster for him. He stuck with what he knew he'll admit that. But it kept him out of trouble and he was thankful for that! Right now at this pace he and his friends were bound for it. Heat stroke, sun burn, dehydration, predator attack... The list goes on. He was surprised that he hadn't burned his feet on the hot pavement yet! When the home of the country trolls came into view it looked deserted.

"Oh well we tried let's go home!" Branch made a quick U turn as he tried to get away.

"There is no 'I quite in team!'" Poppy called to him over her shoulder.

The town looked desolate and hopeless. A proud looking rooster even gave up with its crow! He thought he was depressing but that was sad... He felt his ears twitch to the sound of a foreign instrument. It echoed across the town as a loud bell tower rung.

"We don't hope for... Making things better... All we want is ta keep it together."

Branch was in awe when he saw the one behind the music come into view. She came from a screen door strumming an odd guitar. Her voice rung through his head as he listened to her play. His focus soon her voice however was borrowed from as he studied her.
She had a bottom half portion of a hoarse! She had a gorgeous orange color he had never seen before! Her hair was even more stunning as long red hot locks of hair. Her stunning appearance took him by surprise yes but that soon died down. He watch as the country trolls got together and started dancing. That was when Branch really took in the country tribe as a whole. He saw just how hard working these trolls were. They were strong and enduring as they worked harder and harder. They were a tight nit community and it looked like they got over mountains together.

He really underestimated them at just a glance..

Chapter 2: Little buddy

Branch looked around the town abit closely more once the song continued to play. He took in the lyrics one word at a time. It reminded him just hoe helpless he had felt back in the bergen tree. Just waiting to be picked off and eaten like nothing.. He never knew music could have such an emotion before.. Sure there were some sad song's back home but they were about moving on. This song talked about exactly that feeling and that stuck with him.

"This song is so... Sad." Poppy said as they watched from a distance.

"Yeah but.... life is sad sometimes poppy..... And I kinda like it?" Branch questioned himself about it as he spoke.

"But it's just so... different!" She spoke with a tone of disgust that had Branch reeling..

"Oh they must not know music is supposed to make you happy! That's awful.." Poppy declared as they got closer.

Branch sat there dumfounded as he watched the number finished with the slamming of a coffin. Had someone died recently? Was that why they were singing this particular song? It would make sense seeing it had to do with death.. Branch was pulled to the side by poppy to a not so private area. They were dead center of the road and trolls were already staring at them.

"All right you guys these trolls need some serious cheering up!..... And we need to go top shelf." Poppy was nothing but dead serious for a pop troll.

"...by top shelf you can't mean." Branch could feel iron form in his gut as he spoke.

"That's right we need to sing these trolls the most important song's in the history of music!" Poppy got ready for what was gonna be a disaster.

Branch quickly left the group huddle with a rapid shake of his head.

"I'm not gonna be caught dead singing that poppy!" Branch spoke with finality as he walked away.

"Wait! what! why!" Poppy called to him..

"They literally just put a whole man into a coffin! Im not gonna be killed by coming to there home singing who let the dog's out!" Branch called over his shoulder.

Branch walked away as he looked around the home of the country trolls. The second he heard a boom box he quickly moved to the side. The cringe level was bound to reach an all time high.

"Excuse me mister! But you don't belong here.." A little trolling looked up at branch with a slightly upset look.

"Oh hello.. Yeah I know I'm not supposed to be here but when you see those two... Run and cover your ear's." Branch told the trolling with a 100% serious look.

That had the trolling laughing as she ran up beside him giggling.

"Say your funny! What's ya name sir?" The trolling looked up to the troll with a smile.

"My name is Branch... What's yours?" Branch asked the trolling as they walked away.

"My name is clampers! My aunt Delta is the mayor of lonesome flats!" Clampers cheered beside him.

Branch nodded his head as he reached into his hair and gave Clampers two things. One was a wooden toy frog with a pull string and the other was something new. Branch saw the confusion on Clampers face and it concerned him. He did this back home allot yet all the children already knew what they were. It was just that this was a different settings.

""Here let me show you..." Branch took the little toy from her first.

He gently placed it on the ground and took the pull string. It looked like a frog was all Clamper really new about it. So when it started moving into a crouch position she was confused. That's when it let out a loud croak and it leaped into the air. It didn't stop there as it started jumping around.

"It's a toy you chase untill the pull string returns completely." Branch pointed out as Clampers stared at all.

Branch watched her with a smile as she came close to it. Her first attempt at a catch had the frog leaping off of her. As she tried tried again she found herself laughing as she played. When the frog stopped she picked it up and ran back over to Branch.

"What's the other thing!" Clampers asked as she put the toy down.

Branch unwrapped the multicolored disk on a stick.

"This is a lollipop or a sucker... It's a type of candy you suck on." Branch explained as he handed it to her.

Clampers took it into her mouth and smiled eagerly as she galloped in place. It tasted like strawberries and sugar! She couldn't tell witch one she liked more the toy or the sweet!

Chapter 3: Southern lovers?

Gust didn't know what to think when the pop troll gave the items to Clampers. He was however impressed with the gifts once Branch showed Clampers what they were. The little girl was haven a blast with the stranger as she played. Soon the other children came over to play with her and the toy.

Holly was looking for Clampers when she saw him. He was nothing but Angel as he played with the children. He helped some of the kids paint some of the wooden toys as he showed them how certain toys worked. She watched with a smile as he explained to them how he made the toys. He even fixed some of the older broken toys when they asked him. Heck he even showed them how to fix them there selves!

"Holly! Holly come meet Branch!" Clampers wasted no time to grab Holly.

Holly allowed her to drag her to the totally not handsome stranger. Branch as she now knew saw her coming as he gave another child a newly prepared toy.

"Branch this is my other aunt Holly Darling!" Clampers excitedly introduced the too.

Holly felt her face burn at the sight of his gentle smile as he turned to her.

"Hello Ms Darling! It's nice to meet you my name is Branch." His voice was sweet as he held out his hand.

Holly was stunned abit as she accepted his hand only for a new contender to enter.

"Gust tumbleweed... I don't think we've had the pleasure to meet just yet..." Gust strolled up to the pair tilting his hat back up.

Branch offered his hand to the newcomer with a smile that had Gust hooked.

"I'm deputy around these parts... Holly how've ya been?" Gust asked Holly with a smug look.

Did he really just prance his little flank over here and steal her thunder?

"Nice to meet you deputy! Oh actually I was hoping to run into you!" Branch lit up when he heard he was deputy.

"You were?" The two asked surprised as Branch ran a hand into his hair.

"Yes, me and my friends were hoping to run into some law enforcement or your leader. We recently received Barbs world tour message and came out here to form an alliance against her!" Branch pulled out a letter from his hair as one country troll deflated in favor of the other.

Gust felt that swell of hope drain faster than a jack rabbit. Holly took a turn of looking smug as Branch held out the letter.

"Well sugar our leader or Mayor as we call them is Delta Dawn. I can take ya too her if ya like?" Holly offered swelling up in that smile.

"Really? thank you!" Branch said as he quickly went to catch up to the country troll.

Holly smile soon vanished as another set of hooves joined hers.

"Can't have ya two go alone now... Who knows what could happen to ya." Gust said as he shot Holly a look.

Chapter 4: Delta Dawn

Delta clapped her hands together once she locked the cell door. And to think she had felt bad for them when they first walked in. She had thought the poor things were beaten by a rainbow! But to prance into her town and violate her ears like that! That was a crime against all music! She shuddered at the thought as she turned from the cell. Her eyes landed on a peculiar sight that had Pete chuckling. Holly and gust glaring each other down as they walked beside the missing third. Upon gazing upon the cell the blue two legged troll quickly ran up to her.

"Oh my god! Poppy! Biggie! What did you do?" The troll ran right up to the cell door by Delta.

"They sugar are in trouble for their 'performance' today!" Delta told him seeing he was acquainted with the two.

He turned over and looked at her in the eye's as she told him.

"I'm so sorry! Is there anyway I can get them out of jail? I wont make any excuses for them but I do deeply apologize!" He meet her in the eye's as he sincerely apologized.

At least this one had a lick of common sense to apologize. She raised a brow at him as she went to speak. However her niece darted into her sight as she ran up to them.

"Aunt Delta look at what Branchie gave me!" Her niece clearly excited as she held up the toy.

Delta looked at her niece's hands before scooping up the child into her hair.

"Alright... If you really want your friends out ya gotta work for it!" Delta said sternly meeting his eyes.

She smirked as she was then met with a determined look in his eyes. He nodded to her as he casted a final look to his friends.

Holly and Gust watched him work as much as they could. He expertly worked on whatever task they gave him. At first they would show him and then he would try to copy. At times he would have to use his hair as a tool or to make up for what he lacked as a pop troll. He was currently helping with raising a barn. He was sweating heavily as he worked with the other trolls. Apologising along the way for his friends to any who mentioned it. Delta had to admit he was as hard working, strong, and as stubborn as any country troll. He's proven to also be quite reliable and honest with them. The children would also come around him eagerly. He would multitask his hair to help play or mend toys as He worked. On breaks he showed Pete a few tricks to practice with his own hair. Pete seemed quite happy with that as the time flew.

Chapter 5: Sunset

Branch laughed at a joke from one of the country trolls as the sun began to set. Holly and Gust smiled as the saw his face light up. The densely packed forest he called home couldn't hold a candle to this! The sun was saying it's good byes as it gave the sky one final kiss. The sky seemingly flushed as it turned colors at the goodbye. Holly and Gust watched his awe as he bathed in the light. A beautiful glow casted over him as he watched it set. Catching the other staring the two threw each other a glance before prancing up to him. Delta beat them to it however as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"That was some mighty fine work there, come on you'll be staying with me tonight. Now hurry up it gets dangerous after dark!" She spoke kindly as she turned away.

She settled on a slow trot as Branch casted one last Glance to the sun. Delta smiled as she was soon accompanied by her sister. Doin a quick head count she froze as she realized it. Her hair empty as she looked around for her. No matter where she looked she couldn't find the small trolling of Orange braids. Seeing her panic everyone started looking and calling out her name. Branch took a wif out of the air hoping it would work. A long time ago his tribe could track others sent and find them. It was an old trick that went out of practice but they could still use. They just had to focus and in heightened their sentences. It sparked in his mind as picked up a trail that was ingrained into his mind. He took off seeing she was a bit far off from them unnoticed by the other's.

Clampers was playing with some of the other kids and trailed off a bit far. They were making their way back when they heard it. They were now huddled together in fear as it circled them. A dangerous rattle and hiss had them crying in fear as it got closer.

"Look!" One of the other kid's pointed out to the distance.

The group erupted into gasp as they saw him run to them. They weren't the only ones that saw him as a head poked out of the grass. It's long slender and slick body lunged to him as several other's joined it. Branch saw them and his hair sprung to life as he grabbed out his hunting knife. The first one sprung at him only to be swatted like a bug from a tendril of hair. Two came at him and he dove to the ground as the two crashed into each other. One then loomed over him ready to bite him when he caught it's attack. Quickly with his blade he pressed hard into it's scales to give it a bloody throat. Clampers cheered him on as the children were torn between running and watching. One out of four devilish creatures laid dead as the fight continued. Branch cried out as he narrowly dodged another as it's body left a cut on his arm. The cut stung allot more than it should have as the flesh around the cut darkened. Another lunged at him twice only to be met with a knife in it's head.

"Get out of here now!" Branch yelled as he dodged another attack.

Clampers was the first to lead the herd away as she ran as fast as she could. She need to get Branch help as soon as possible! Branch pulled out a bo-staff as he started to swing it around. The two remaining creatures roared as they lunged once more. He batted them with the bo-staff and his hair trying to keep up. They moved quickly this way and that only as quick blurs. The fight raged on as the two were beaten with the staff and Branch was cut to ribbons. The cuts bleed out onto him as the burned in agony. A powerful tail threw his bo-staff and a strong jaw tore it in half. He pulled out two carving knives as a last resort as his breathe became laboured. His hair stopped one of the blurs only to be tackled by the one he didn't stop. The res of his hair wrung the neck of the creature and to protect his neck. The creature that he caught fought his hair as it weakened. The carving knives could barely make a scratch the creature. Once he felt it go limp he was met with the other devil in scales.

Delta arrived with Gust and Holly, Clampers have been sent home. The trio gasped in horror as Branch was laid out on the ground. He was on hus side bleeding from numerous cuts and wounds. Four dead venomous dusk laid around him. By discarded weapons or broken weapons along with spilt blood covered the ground. Holly and Gust then quickly dove to him checking him.

"He needs to see the clinic now!"

Chapter 6: Healing

Branch groaned as he woke up as he tried to prop himself up on his elbows. Branch looked around in a daze. He didn't recognize the room and couldn't remember where he was. He couldn't recall what happened last night quite well either. His body was rapped tightly in bandages. Some were that were clean while others had red seep through. He tried to sit up only to have to immediately lay back down. His head throbbing as a pain burned through him. The door opened to be followed by the sound of hoofs. He heard as gasp as he tries to sit back up again.
I
"Delta he's up!" Holly called to the mayor as Clampers zoomed by.

Clampers rushed to Branch's bed side to look at him. He surely seen better day's as his face was flushed and littered with bandages.

"Clampers? What happened?" Branch groaned as he then forced himself up.

"Lay back down! Your sick!" Clampers screeched as he tried to stand back up.

Holly rushed over to him to set him back down on the bed. Gust galloped over as well to check on the little troll. Branch had survived and fought 4 venomous dusk! The venom in the cuts have gave him a high fever. Each cut needed not only an antidote but stitches.

"Branch your a hero!" Gust said as he walked up beside Holly.

Branch could only look at him groggily with a confused hum. He looked so cute even now as he could barely keep his eye's open. The small troll took allot of hits and venom from the fight. He was gonna be on bed rest for awhile!

"Branchie! Guess what! You officially became one of the coolest trolls ever!" Clampers exclaimed excitedly throwing her hands up.

All of the other kids parents wanted to come and meet Branch too! They all wanted to thank him for saving them!

"Well he ain't outta the woods just yet! He still gotta make a full recovery." Delta's voice got all of there attentions as she stood at the doorway.

She quietly walked up beside branch with a shake of the head. Branch met her eye's as she looked at him. Her eye's were strong and powerful as she met his gaze.

"For starters... The venom will slow down your ability to heal from the cuts. Not to mention will cause you to have high fever and be sick for a few days.." Delta explained with a sigh as Branch took it in.

"Oh! And yer friends ran off." Delta finished calmly with a roll of her eye's.

Branch was dumbfounded as the word's left her. Before he could try to get up her eye's narrowed at him.

"If you wanna get better you best lay right there or ill personally break my hoof off ya head!" Delta promised him with a challenging glare.

Branch started to sweat before he lay back down. Delta smiled in triumph as he complied with her order.

"Now I'll see about tracking em down sugar but untill then you best not even move!" Delta said as she then turn to leave.

Gust gave him a look before shooting one at Holly. He then Quickly took off to follow Delta. As Deputy he and the sheriff were needed in the investigation.

Chapter 7: Visitors!

Branch laid in the clinic bed still as he woke up a bit more now. Holly had some work to do so now he was just laying there. Clampers was talking to him about her day at school until the door opened.

"Howdy there partner! My name is Butterscotch Pie darling and this is Pecan." A country troll lady with a ginger lower half introduced herself.

Holding her hand was a little boy that he remembered seeing the day before.

"Hello Mrs Pie my name is Branch it's a pleasure to meet you both." Branch said although a bit tiredly.

For some reason she blushed at his word's as she let her son go. The boy than ran up to Clampers as he then joined her at his bedside.

"Dude you were so cool! Those dusk didn't stand a chance!" Pecan started to gush about his fight waving his hands this way and that.

Branch blushed as the boy went on excitedly another thing he wasn't quite used to.

"Thank you....." Branch said shyly as the two children giggled as they continue.

Butterscotch smiled at the sight as she pulled out her gift from her hair.

"We wanted to say thank you personally for saving my son....so we baked you a pie!" She held out for him to see it.

"Oh! Thank you! It looks really good!" Branch said once again leaving the poor mother blushing.

"We would have given ya ten pies if not for the drought!" Pecan said bitterly as his mother put aside the pie for later.

"Drought?" Branch asked curiosity peeking through.

"....yeah all the rivers and wells been drying up!" Clampers said sadly as she rested her head on her arms.

So that's why the town look so depressed lately! Without the water supply they needed they were running low. That probably ment their losing farm land and crops. That worried Branch deeply as to what that would lead too.

As the day went on more trolls came in to come visit them. Branch leaving more than a few of them blushing as they left. Branch couldn't help but think back to earlier however as the drought. That all stoped however as the door opened up.

Chapter 8

Branch stood up from the bed onto wobbly legs with a grunt. He's been in bed to dang long and if he rested a moment further he'll forget how to walk! Branch However didn't want to alarm any one or want to get ahead of himself.

"I'll just walk around the room for a bit...." Branch thought to himself now standing.

At that very moment the door busted opened. Branch flinched as a new troll he's never met before came into the room. They were tall broad and worn down by years.

"Sit down boy!" The troll barked the demand with sharp eye's.

Branch sat back down on the bed quickly to flinch at the sudden movement.

"Now listen here.... Im sheriff rooster and I have a question for you." The sheriff said as he came up beside him.

"How'd ya find Clampers when she had ran off?" Rooster made him hold his gaze as he searched his eyes.

"I tracked her down by scent! Sir..." Branch said a little rushed slightly intimidated.

Rooster smirked inwardly seeing he intimidated the smaller man. He reached into his bag to pull something out. It was a black leather band with sharp silver spikes. It was an odd accessory of an odd taste to branch.

"Imma need ya to sniff this..." Rooster said as a more familiar troll came in.

"If you can! Please..." Gust said the last part quietly as Rooster turned to him.

Branch gently took the cuff bracelet and held it to his nose. Branch flung his head back as he gagged a bit catching both their attention.

"Smells like...  Sweat, leather and something bitter...." Branch said handing it back to the sheriff.

Rooster nodded slightly confirming that the bracelet belonged to a rock troll. Gust chuckled abit at Branch's face as it scrunched up. Amongst the smells were something metallic and dirt? Branch wasn't sure but his mind got the gist of it. He could already picture the trail in his head down winding hills and upstream.

"Can you tell us where they are?" Gust asked the pop troll as their nose wiggled.

 

Rooster relaxed abit trusting Branch's ability a tad bit more when he found the dried river bed. It was the exact same spot he found the band witch he hadn't told Branch. If he could trace the item to the spot where he found it there's a chance he'd find who it belong to.

"The scent is faint.... It must've came down stream when the river was here... I think our best but would be to head up stream." Branch said pointing the way up stream.

The wind carried little scraps and wisps of the scent. Not to long ago...

"Aight we'll look over yander, lead the way." Rooster motioned him on ward with an almost bored tone.

Branch nodded and continued to limp on his way. He was trying not to let it show to much as he went as fast as he could. Branch felt his ear flick at the sound of hooves as Gust came up to him.

"Ya alright?" Gust asked gently as Branch continued.

"Mhm" branch hummed praying the deputy didn't see through it.

Branch yelped as He was picked up off the ground. Gust smiled slyly as he carried the blue troll.

"Sorry but if you fell and busted ya head open Delta would have us both!" Gust said as he happily carried the shorter.

Branch weighed the same as a sack of potatoes! He kind of was a small potato.. Better yet a little blueberry!

Branch pouted but didn't protest as he blushed silent. Eventually they came across an obstacle in their path.

A large steep wall of a canyon loomed over them. This was as far as any country troll had gotten. There body's simply couldn't get over the steep incline. Branch could.

Branch hoped out of gust's hold and began to scale the wall.

"What's he doin?" Rooster said after spitting on the ground.

"Hey guys ya might want to look at this..." Branch said lookin over the edge.

Chapter 9

Gust gasped as hair wrapped across his body and hoisted him up. He was quickly hushed however when he was placed down beside Branch who was crouching behind a rock.

Rooster held up his binoculars as he looked up at the structure. The massive Damn was overrun by rock trolls.

"What are they doing here?" Gust asked the sheriff as he loaded his gun.

Branch looked at in confusion never seeing it before.

"They built the damn to cut off our water so they can take our string most likely." Rooster graveled whisper met their ears in shock.

Branch looked up to the trolls on the canyon ridge. How could a tribe risk another's home like that? They were cutting off the water, crops, and damaging precious land! Branch was nudge on the shoulder as Rooster handed him something.

"This is a revolver, this is the trigger. Aim and press the trigger." Rooster vaguely explained before giving him the weapon.

It was heavier than any weapon he had experienced with. The metal felt odd in his hands as it gleamed in the sun. So Branch put it in his hair and got something he knew how to use.

Gust watched as Branch pulled out a bow and arrow. Quickly and low to the ground he ducked behind another rock. Gust was gonna call him back when he saw him draw the string back. He drew it up to his cheekbone wincing before releasing it. The arrow soared through the air and landed somewhere with a loud thwack. The rock trolls visible heard the noise as their head's turned up. Rooster picking up on Branch's lead followed closely behind getting closer to the damn. When the couldn't get any closer without cover did something amazing. His hair came to life but it morphed and changed to match the colors of the area. Didn't take long before they lost sight of him. Now closer to a canyon wall it's shadow hiding his own.

Rooster nudged Gust to go with him. Gust hesitant walked straight untill he broke through Branch's disguise.

"Is rooster coming? I think I saw a staircase up ahead." Branch said parting his hair just a bit.

Sure enough hidden from view was a wooden staircase. Poorly constructed but one nonetheless.

"Can you go up it?" Branch asked looking up at the deputy.

Gust nodded as they went for it. Gust stopped at the first step however when he felt it. He took off his hat and dug out his walkie talkie.

"Alright now..... Were going to blow the damn up. Theirs tons of dynamite and explosives up their. Why they had it I don't know. But get ready to swim on my signal." Rooster's voice although slightly altered came over the device.

This wasn't rooster's actual plan was it? And Why would they cary explosive items near a damn? Branch quickly undid his hair and began to climb up the stair case. Gust close behind careful with all four legs not to get stuck. Branch reached the top to see them returning from their investigation. Branch Quickly readied his bow from the steps and was about to fire.

"I don't think so!" A voice boomed from above him as a hand grabbed the back of his neck.

Gust's blood began to boil as Branch was lifted off the ground by the rock troll. Branch had never seen a rock troll before but he was terrified right now. The troll could hold him up in ease with one hand. They were even bigger than the country trolls!

"A little pop troll.... How cute." The troll said before tossing branch down.

Branch landed on top of a table that surprisingly didn't break. The blow made him hiss in pain as it aggravated his wounds. A large hand came down onto his chest with a crushing force. The air left his lungs and he struggled to get any back.

When Branch could breathe the air hit him like a brick. There was a ringing in his ear as he pulled off the table. His head hurt but he knew who it was for his rescue. Gust pulled him into his side as the other rock trolls began to run back. By chance he saw the rock troll get ready to fire the gun. And by a hair he dodged it but the tank of petrol next to a crate of dynamite couldn't.

 

Rooster just got out of dangers way when a stampede of smoke and flames went off. The smoke billowing into the sky as the flames died by the freed water. And for a split second he saw his deputy screaming as he was taken down stream.  Then following a short second after a blue mess coming after him...

 

Gust woke up coughing up both lungs as he was helped to his feet. Rooster and Mayor Dawn on either side of him.

"W-what happened?" Gust asked as he looked around.

The sun was setting and the towns folk were gathered by the river bed.

"You and Branch got the water back although done a bit stupidly ya got it back." Rooster explained as he checked him for injury.

Some times Gust was like a son to him that he never got. But most of the time he cant help think he was looking at an idiot sometimes.

"Where's Branch?" Gust asked as he steadied himself.

 

Branch shivered in bed as he coughed into his arm.

"You may be the towns hero yet again but if you go on one more adventure you might not come back!" Holly said as she handed him some tea.

"T-thank you." Branch said taking the tea inti his hands.

He got abit banged up back there but at least he was gonna be okay.

"Any news on Gust yet?" He asked after a sip.

The tea was still hot and it burned them abit.

"Yeah they found him farther down the river." Holly said as Branch sighed in relief.

Holly smiled as she savoured the moment of peace for just a bit longer. The rock trolls lost round number two thanks to Branch and Gust. If they come back for a third time hopefully it'll be for the last....

Chapter 10

Branch was determined to get out of bed again today. Holly may be stubborn but Branch surely could get past her! Branch waited by the door having heard his cue as hoofs came across the floor. The door knob jiggled as he flatten himself against the wall where the door open.

Holly was baffled seeing an empty bed but turned to see just in time a blur head out the room.

"Oh no you don't!" Holly called out as she followed.

Branch chuckled as he slid down the stair rail. Coming to a stop he looked up to see holly at the top of the stairs.

"You better run Cutie! When i get you its over! Ya hear me?!" Holly called to him coming down the stairs.

Branch quickly then took his leave giggling abit. Coming out the front door he did a quick look around. The town was still quiet as the sun slowly rose into the sky. Branch hopped down the porch and ran to the side of the house as holly came out.

She laughed as she went in for the chase.  The towns early risers snickered and smirked at the show. The little pop troll ducked and covered as Holly ran past him. He'd then run with a laugh letting holly know he had moved.

Holly was laughing with a determined attitude as she chased him. Finally catching him looking for a place to hide she wrapped her arms around him.

Branch began to bawl out laughing as she gently tickled his sides.

"I win you little trouble maker!" She told him in his ears as she picked him up.

Branch was Still laughing as to how his escape attempt lead to a game.

Delta smirked from the porch shaking her head as she rolled her eyes.

"If you too are done. Get your flanks inside. We got some work." Delta called to the giggling duo.

 

Branch help holly work in the fields listening intently to her instructions. He helped her carefully harvest there crops. Holly look to her side to her partner before getting a giddy smile. W

"Hey branch! What do you call an everyday potato?" She asked him tossing up a single spud.

Branch looked at her with a small smile with a raised brow.

"Well i don't know... What?" Branch stumbled into her trap.

"A common-Tater!" She smiled as she finished it off.

Branch chuckled abit as he rolled his eye's.

"That's a good pun there holly... It was Spud- Tackular!" Branch fired back with his own pun.

Holly looked stunned for a moment before smiling. She laughed lightly as branch chuckled.

 

"Wow! You won 7 cutie contest in a row?"
Branch asked in awe.

That was quite an impressive winning streak! He looked at all the trophies and crowns on the display case.

"Mhm. And this summer it would have been The 8th. To bad them no good rotten yellow bellied rockers rolled into town...." Holly grumbled still sour over the cancellation of the contest.

Branch frowned at that. It seemed like holly loved these little contest. Now he had no idea what a cutie pageant was but holly seems to adore them.

"Say sugar? What kinda contest take place in pop village?" Holly asked her interest peaked.

Branch thought for a moment trying to list a few. They had allot of things to keep themselves entertained. Most of them were pretty small as they preferred to party.

"Um... We got some Scrapbooking, rap battles, and some bake offs." Branch listed off to her.

Holly nodded although rap not a popular thing here she's heard of it.

"Sounds kinda boring. Well till yer winning!" She joked with him ruffling his hair.

Branch chuckled as he finished his lunch with holly.

 

The day was really fun for branch as Holly fully showed him around. Telling him about the towns history and introducing him to others.

Branch also helped get some work done pulling in his own weight. Holly with him seemed to make the day all the more sweet. She'd joke with him and talked. Even though she was more of a chatterbox branch was happy to listen.

He could get used to all this...

 

That night as he helped delta clean up the house his ears began to flick.

"Delta... Whats that noise?" Branch asked her looking around trying to find its source.

"Hmm? What noise? Describe it." The mayor came to his side listening in.

The faint sounds of paws could be heard through strained ears.

"....a pack of wicker wolves... Good ears there boy. There the quiet sort of Hunter's. Now that the droughts over... They may go back to hunting mice." The mayor said thoughtful as she went back to work.

Branch went to the window slowly to peer outside. Outside a group of 5-6 creatures were gathered trotting in the roads. All were very scruffy and dirty. One met his eyes before letting out a bark before leading the rest away.

Chapter 11

Branch covered his ears as a whistle blew loud as the large heavy machine rolled in. The train rattled with a rattle and a clacking as it came to a stop. Lonesome flats train station was lively with refugees.

Hearing the escape captures from Barb not once but twice got the attention of the entire nation. So fleeing from their home town scattered across the flat and prairies or even the burnt terrains people were coming. Almost guaranteed safety rather than waiting for whatever happened. Delta was at the station welcoming the refugees with hotel and inn keepers who agreed to open their doors for free until this could be settled.

Branch was watching the hustle and chaos beside Rooster and Gust. Holly was working her tail off helping make sure families and luggage all go to the same place. A few of the wives even got together to bake and cook food for them all after such long travels.

The train wasn't the only busy place either. Campers and buses galore were rolling into town. Taking residence in approved for and designated spots. And if that wasn't a surprise in itself Branch almost broke his neck seeing a barber lean in and give Rooster a kiss on the cheek. Rooster had a husband! One who patted Branch's head and offered to take him into his chair. That long hair had caught his attention. It's typically women that spotted such long hair but he'd love a challenge.

Rooster sent Branch along as he probably wouldn't be much help here. He didn't know a lot of these folks after all.

Sanchez washed and dried Branch’s hair asking questions. He was curious about what to do with hair that sat straight up. So for simplicity Branch decided he'd let his hair fall.
Sanchez admired the thick yet glassy-like hair.
Soft with such shiny color with such free movement.

“How do you feel about cutting?” Sanchess asked curiously, making Branch pause.

He hadn't thought about cutting his hair. Hardly anyone does back home. He needed his hair to behave as an extra limb in a pinch too.

“Maybe not today.” Branch said softly.

So Sanchez started to braid his hair. Humming softly as he worked, going for a long relaxed braid. Adding flower-like clips alongside the back. Tying it all off with white ribbon that made Branch go wow. This was amazing!!

Sanchez took photos for his photo wall. He was about to start another design when he had to go tend to another client. He sent Branch off with a lollipop as he prepared.

Branch walked out pretty happy with his braids but went on to look around. There's so many people out today. He noticed the difference in lower halves. He tilted his head as he studied them curiously. Some had more slim builds and lanky long legs. Others had thicker bodies with thicker coats of hair and fancy fur around their hooves. Some looked more like deer or moose. He spotted some with horns as big as him!

Was this because of the different places they came from? But they all came from the same nation and genre. But to be fair now that he thought of it. There were several different types of different trolls in Pop village too.

Something was placed on his head surprising him. Delta chuckled patting him in the back as Growly Pete nodded approvingly. He needs a hat if he's gonna be sticking with them. They chose a tan brown leather hat with dark brown detailing around the brim and center of the hat.

Holly caught a picture of his shock and joy of his new and very own hat. She cooed as Gust came over and added his own lil touch to Branch's hat. Branch chuckled seeing the gold safety pin in his hat. Clampers giggling having been the one to suggest it. A little personal joke to the troll who helped keep the town safe.

As everyone started to settle in and find somewhere to be Rooster called Gust and Branch over. Growley Pete loading up a wagon with supplies.

For what? Putting up more defenses and safety measures in case of Barb attempts again. She's proven she's willing to do some underhanded things to win.

He couldn't quite understand what Growly was saying but he saw him gesturing to the horizon. He wasn't sure what he said but they weren't going alone. Several others were joining and judging by the supplies he'd say a fence. Gust put him on the wagon as Rooster called for teams. One team is to build a fence along cliffs and a walkway down an escape path in case things get ugly. Another was to go block off death canyon to prevent any wandering town folks or Barb from going in. The third was to start getting supplies ready to last if the final stand comes.

They can't keep up their defense forever. The next time she shows they're fighting head on. They gotta for the sake of trolls and music.

“I want you as far away from death canyon as possible Bluebell.” Holly said sternly, making sure he was going with Growly Pete.

“Death canyon?” Branch repeated curious as Gust pulled him close.

“The canyon has been cursed since its making. Anyone who goes in will never come out the same. That is if they come out at all.” Gust said softly as if he'd trigger something.

Holly and he then go on to talk about stories and myths of the canyon and every horrid thing inside of it. Even if there's no ghost or creation's of the damn in ever nook. The canyon can be a dangerous place with the outlaws who crawl in and hide.

Barb could be one and if that's the case she and her legion of dooms closest exits to the town from the canyon will be barricaded.

Chapter 12

Branch was helping Delta even after the sun long since set. She and the kitchen were busy making jams, canning vegetables, and drying meats. They got more mouths to feed as of now and they won't know how long this will drag out.

“How's this?” Branch asked her after testing a bit of jam.

“Lil more sugar honey.” Delta said softly as she rolled up some meats into parchment.

The two worked well in tandem and silence. Though the radio played behind him and he'd often pause. He would pause and blink as he tilted his head and seemed to be in though. Delta thought it was because the music on the radio was country and not Pop. It's probably so odd to him to hear this and not the songs he knows. It's as odd as it is to her to try and understand what pop must sound like. She asked him what he thought of it but he chuckled and shrugged.

“It's nice…. It just feels peaceful oddly. Back home it typically wasn't even at this time.” Branch said softly, smiling a bit.

The sounds, even from the bunker, of the parties late at night were loud and wild. Flashing lights and screaming cheers of music were common. And that's if there's a party as a single shenanigan alone could fill the late night air with sound.

Delta was surprised but nodded before turning to ask him more about the bunker. She felt like that needed some clarification. He nodded as he spoke, he figured he'd be asked about it eventually. So he told her all about his bunker as he worked with her. He doesn't know why he did but she felt like someone he could tell.

Delta was stunned and worried. Listening to years of trauma building up as he constructed a home that was essentially a tomb and totem to his despair. He missed her look of astonishment learning about the Bergen's they befriended after centuries of being eaten by them. And that one top of that he was abandoned by any family besides an elderly grandmother who was essentially murdered in front of him.

“....Have ya ever thought of moving into Lonesome flats?” Delta asked as they were finishing up.

Branch was quiet considering it. He was surprised he was as after all he didn't belong here did he? He didn't think much of it hearing something outside. He peered out of Delta's porch to spot Dusk dogs on the prowl. Not interested but on the move. They noticed him and only growled, keeping a distance.

He almost shut the door before seeing a straggler in the back of the line. They were limping, they must be wounded. The fact made him feel a pang of pity as he shut the door.

In the morning they were up early again. Delta showing Branch how to make the better pancakes. Clampers playing happily with her wooden jumping frog. Delta making sure to comment to him about a shop. He'd make good money out here with how good his toys were.

Once more Branch found himself considering it. He had stock in the bunker from practice or experimenting with some wood. Again why was he actually considering this? He did feel kinda at home here. He'd definitely would miss it if he left one day. He'd definitely miss Delta, Clampers and those two silly faces he could see out the window. Holly and Gust teasing and playing with each other after racing to the porch. After pancakes they were off to work to prepare for Barb’s return.

The fence was coming along great though the path they were still working on. Clearing a path wide enough was a challenge. Some were already talking however about what happens afterwards once you reach the gulch down below. Where were you supposed to go? If you run through the ravine under the two cliffs you could get to a smaller town straight ahead but that's a long ways away. Boats or if you can swim you can head down river to the funk nation or up stream to a cave to hide in.

Sanchez stopped Branch momentarily to take his hair and put it up. Didn't want that long braid to snag on anything and be pulled on.

“What will you and Rooster do if we have to flee?” Branch asked gently shaking his head to make sure it staid in place.

“We won't. Rooster will be helping and standing by Delta till the end.” Sanchez said softly as Branch slowly realized it.

Rooster, Growley Pete and Delta would be the first and final wave of defense. Sanchez didn't plan to leave his husband's side if things went south. Not in life and not in death if that was to come. Branch was not lost on how strangely romantic and poetic that was. Especially how you could tell in the eyes how Sanchez actually meant it.

Holly came over with a box setting it down to come tickle and nuzzle him. He giggled and tried to squirm away. He was asking her the same question as he did Sanchez and she honestly didn't know. All three sounded pretty risky in her opinion. They were talking about the path and what if Barb came back.

An explosion in the far distance rattled and surprised him. It rattled them all as they clamored to go see for themselves. The large bout of dust came from the horizon where Death Canyon laid.

Gust was over there with Rooster. Holly and Branch were horrified as Sanchez hung his head and shook it. What did those idiots do now? His poor husband must be having an aneurysm with those folks.

“GOD DAMNIT! WHAT DID YOU DO?!” Rooster coughed angrily as he fanned the smile with his hat.

Gust was coughing as well, just as startled and had a ringing in his ears. The ideas to cause an explosion to burst rubble to create a collapsed exit didn't go as planned as Rooster said it wouldn't. But another sheriff from another town said it would and Gust was only supervising it just in case. They hadn't even set the dynamite off, they just dropped one and it set off a couple more.