I realised how short the first chapter was, so I am writing this next chapter as an add-on to it, I suppose. Like I said before, I don't think my updating will be too much of a pattern. It depends on my schedule. Some days, I may update several times, and I might not get an update in for a week!

"Why would he have gone in sooner, doc? I don't really understand." Poppy broke the awkward silence with yet another question Branch could not answer.

"Lay down, Branch. I must take a few x-rays and check down your throat, but I am pretty sure of what has happened." The doctor said. Branch laid down, the white paper crinkling under his weight. He hated the doctors. He had only been there once before, but that had just been because he had been staring at Poppy from a tree (so embarrassing to admit this, even to himself, so had just told the doctor he was scared and climbed the tree, which she didn't believe) and fell off when she got hit in the head with a dodgeball. He had broken his arm, putting a halt on his bunker work.

The doctor did her work, angering his burning throat even more. He wished she might be a little more gentle, since she knew of the pain, or at least some amounts of it, and might take that into concern, but that didn't seem to be the case.

After a series of tests, x-rays, and cameras shoved up his nose and down his throat (not pleasant), while making Poppy leave, which was a problem in itself, the doctor cleared her throat and allowed a storming Poppy back in.

"Yes, just as I was concerned. I am sorry, but what is happening to you is a Trolls worst nightmare." Real way to sugarcoat it, doc! "You have Vocal Strain." Branch's confused look met a horrified Poppy, who kept muttering "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry." over and over under her breath to him.

He cocked his head to show that he didn't understand, so Dr. Plum continued.

"Basically, your vocal cords snapped." He lurched back in both horror and disgust at the thought. Unluckily, 'back' meant off the bed. His face showed pain, but no sound came when he simply wanted an 'ow'.

"Branch," she continued. "I am sorry, but you can never get your voice back. We have tried for so many decades, but have yet to learn of a cure. You cannot talk for the rest of your life, let alone sing."

Branch bit his lip to stop from crying as they walked slowly back towards the Bergan castle. Poppy reached out and took his hand, squeezing it to show comfort.

"Branch," she whispered. "I love you and am here for you." She kissed his cheek gently.

Branch felt numb as the words bounded back and forth between his brain. His legs felt like Jell-O. His head spun until he saw three Poppys instead of one.

When they reached the ballroom again, Branch got surrounded, questions dumped onto him, none of which he could respond to.

"Branch, you okay?"

"What happened out there?"

"Why was your voice all pitchy?"

"Can you please sing at my wedding?"

He couldn't locate every question to every face, or else he would have a thing or two to say to the person who had asked about the wedding: except the fact he couldn't say anything.

After about five minutes of awkward silence, Poppy broke in the news.

"Branch, you see, he had.. Vocal Strain." Hundreds of strangled gasps came from everybody, the Queen's voice ringing throughout the entire ballroom. DJ Suki's tunes had stopped, dying down like a scratched record. Gristle and Bridget pushed up to the front with them, and Bridget got down on her hands and knees, extremely worried for her close friend.

"Really? What had happened?" She asked, her voice low and barely audible. Now people understood why his voice had shrieked up, and left him alone, but Bridget wanted answers.

"The doctor explained that for the years he was grey, he had never sang, not once. And now, he had been singing enough to give anyone a minor case, the more curable case, of Vocal Strain. But, from years of hardle use, his vocal cords couldn't take the strain, and snapped, hence the name. He cannot sing nor talk ever again, according to the doctor, but I say otherwise! Who's with me?" A loud arouse of cheering came from everyone who had not gone back to dancing yet.

A slow song began, and Branch held his hand out to Poppy, who took this as asking her to dance. They stayed away from the middle of the floor, so 1. Dancing Bergans didn't accidentally step on them and 2. Branch felt like he had had too much attention for one day.

"Branch." Poppy whispered as they slowly swayed to the music. "Don't worry. We will get through this together. I am so sorry, you don't deserve this, but I am here for you every step of the way." She pressed her lips against his, which he gladly returned. He mouthed 'love you' when they leaned their foreheads towards each other. They both had broad grins on their lips, because this was their first kiss.

"Love you too." Poppy whispered, her voice soothing. He wanted so badly to be able to comfort her, because she seemed as upset as him.

His heart ached as he realised never again could he tell Poppy he loved her. Never again.

When they ended, the next song was their song. Can't Stop The Feeling (1). Poppy began singing to her parts and dancing to the beat, so while she was distracted, he stalked over to a corner to hide, when he almost sat on someone, hiding behind a plant.

He wanted to shout, start yelling at them, but his mouth moved without words.

"Hey, mate!"

1) Can't Stop The Feeling belongs to Justin Timberlake, I do not own it.

Hope you have enjoyed this chapter, please be sure to follow, favourite, and review! I have major plans for this story, and may be able to update today one or two more times. I will try to write longer chapters in the future, but I just wanted to end here, on a cliffhanger, to reel you guys in :). Don't be mad! XD

~ GalaxyMegaGirl

Peace!