The next day, Poppy has been skipping about excitedly around the village. She looked towards the giant mushroom stage where DJ Suki was setting up her set. The party was gonna be awesome tonight! Everyone was excited to attend.

It's...a shame Branch didn't want to go. She really thought he would have fun at a party. He just never tried it. The parties were always too loud or whatever. Hmm...

Princess Poppy hummed in thought. Branch had to break out of his shell eventually. But how...? She looked towards the forest. Without thinking, she wandered towards it and started walking in the direction of Branch's bunker. Even if he'd rejected her invitation, it'd never hurt to say hello or try again.

Before she even reached the bunker, she saw Branch setting up a trap on the ground. Hehe, typical Branch.

"Hey, Branch!" she greeted cheerfully. The grey troll turned his gaze to her. He rolled his eyes and focused on his task again.

"Hey, Poppy," he lazily replied, not looking at her. Poppy didn't seem fazed, she just merely smiled.

"Whatcha' doin?" the princess asked him, approaching Branch. Branch sighed in exasperation. Why can't she just leave him alone in peace?

"Setting up more traps around the bunker. Which, by the way, I implore you to watch out for. What are you doing here, anyway?" he grumpily asked her, standing up. "Aren't you throwing a stupid death trap tonight?"

"If...you mean the party, then yes! I was just going to double check of you were going or not."

"No. I literally can't be anymore clear."

"Why not! You can si-...you can dance along to the beats!"

"I don't dance," Branch said, leering at her before walking away. Poppy frowned.

Quit lying. I've seen your moves, she thought.

"C'mon Branch! Dance! Don't hold the wall," she called out to him. Then, he was gone. Back to the bunker. Awh...

Well, that was another attempt failed. Meh. He may not go to the party, buuuut it's possible he'll sing again soon! And she really didn't want to miss that. His voice is just...soooo good...

His grumpy facade can't fool Poppy. Nope! But she and her friends were willing to keep it a secret. She doesn't think all the trolls are quite ready for this new information. I mean, Branch probably wouldn't appreciate it if word got out about his hidden talent. And his voice is something that people just aren't ready for. No doubt people will go crazy over it. It's beautiful and attractive.

...

That's not a personal opinion on Poppy's part. Honestly. She could ask her friends and they would agree! So yeah, out of respect for Branch, she won't say anything about it. He can keep up his facade for now. Poppy knows what's up, anyway.

The party was amazing. Suki was on stage spinning her records, showing off her sick beats. Lights shown everywhere in the night. It wasn't the biggest, loudest, craziest party ever, but it was an awesome one. Trolls everywhere danced to the beat, showing off their moves. Guy Diamond and other glitter trolls let glitter bombs loose. Poppy was onstage as well, dancing next to Suki happily.

"You guys having fun tonight?!" Suki called to the large and colourful crowd. They all replied with loud cheers of joy. DJ Suki turned the music up and the party got crazier.

Poppy beamed as she danced. She stole a glance to look at the edge of the forest. For a second, she saw Branch looking disprovingly at the party. He shook his head, holding a bundle of sticks, and walked onto the forest of trees. He was missing out on the fun...but what if he...

After the party ended, all the trolls started packing up and heading to their pods, laughing and chatting happily. The Snack Pack all gathered together to congratulate Suki.

"That was AMAZING, Suki!" Chenille exclaimed.

"I know right? So much fun!" Satin exclaimed.

"You never fail to impress us, Sooks," Guy Diamond told her beaming. DJ smiled at her friends.

"Thank guys!"

Poppy's mind was wandering slightly. She had this...feeling...that they should...

"Guys, follow me," Poppy told them, speed off towards the forest in the night.

"Poppy?" Creek called after her before they all shrugged and followed her. What was up with her?

They entered through the trees, trying to keep up with the pink troll. Poppy paused slightly, trying to make out which direction she needed to go. It was left from here, right?

Poppy turned her head towards her friends and brought her finger to her mouth, indicating to keep quiet. She then proceeded to quietly run to the left, them close behind. It was a little harder to make out where they were going in the dark night, but luckily some small mushrooms in the forest glowed a brilliant bright blue, purple or pink, lighting the path slightly.

Finally, they made it to the edge of a familiar clearing. Poppy quickly used her hair to covere and camouflage her friends with the bushes again. They saw it. The familiar large mushroom in the middle of the clearing with a familiar figure sitting cross-legged on it. Yup. Branch was there.

He seemed to be writing something in a...book? A flying glow bug was hovering, close to him, seemingly being the light source so he can see the pages. It glowed a bright blue like some mushrooms.

"I knew he'd be here," Poppy whispered. Call it intuition.

"Hmph, sounds like they're done," Branch mumbled to the bug, referring to the trolls' party. He read the pages on the book, nodded to himself, then stood up.

They heard music play. Or rather, he started harmonising with other voices, probably with other critters and creatures who could sing.

It sounded lovely. Poppy sighed. Creek looked on, mildly surprised. Okay, so how is his real singing?

Then they heard real music start to play.

"Dance, don't hold the wall

Dance, don't, don't, don't hold the wall

Dance, dance, don't hold the wall

Da-da-dance, don't hold the wall" they heard a deeper voice sing in the background.

"C'mon, on the floor with them legs,

Was getting down but now I get up,

Cause I heard you tell your girlfriend that I deserve better," Branch sang smoothly and quietly into the night. It was loud enough to be heard, but only to those around him. It almost sounded like a whisper.

Creek widened his eyes. That was Branch's singing voice?! No way! He glanced at Poppy. She had a large but warm smile on her face as she watched Branch sing. Oh boy.

"Well, I think you look better

But you're so far, I had to come get ya'" he continued the verse. In the night, glow bugs flew through the dark sky, creating a beautiful display around Branch. The Snack Pack watched in awe.

"Take you to the light,

It's dark in the back

You started moving,

You put an arch in your back

Closer to me, closer to me

Sippin' your drink,

And you're getting closer to me

Dance in the light,

Starting to see,

You started moving,

You're getting closer to me

And now you won't even let me go."

You have no idea how much Poppy wanted to sing along, or dance with him or something. He was so good! And he didn't tell anyone! The day she'll get to sing with him would be the happiest day of her life. Well, maybe.

"So baby hold up,

Dance, don't hold the wall

Let it go,

Dance, don't, don't, don't hold the wall

Baby hold up,

Da-da-dance, don't hold the wall"

Once again, he started dancing subtly to the music.

"I think I heard what you said

He's not what you thought and you're fed up

I heard your girlfriend tell you, you could do better,

Well, heh, I'm the best ever

But you're so far, I had to come get ya'"

"Who's he singing about?" Satin whispered. The others shrugged.

"Take you to the light,

It's dark in the back

You started moving,

You put an arch in your back

Closer to me, closer to me

Sippin' your drink,

And you're getting closer to me

Dance in the light,

Starting to see,

You started moving,

You're getting closer to me

And now you won't even let me go."

Creek is now full aware of how Branch sounds. This...is great. Yes. He has finally embraced his inner troll. He was just as good as singing as everyone. Mhm.

"So baby hold up,

Dance, don't hold the wall

Let it go,

Dance, don't, don't, don't hold the wall

Baby hold up,

Da-da-dance, don't hold the wall"

After singing another round of the hook and bridge, only the music played for a while. Then Branch sang again.

"C'mon and dance,

C'mon baby dance with me

Take my hand,

Get on the floor

C'mon baby dance with me

Please don't hold the wall

Please don't hold the wall tonight

We're gonna do it all,

So please don't hold the wall"

He repeated it again. Then they heard the music slowly become quieter.

"Dance, don't hold the wall

Dance, don't hold the wall" he finished as the music died down. The bugs and critters finished the song, then became silent. They all resumed to their lives and walked away, except for the one blue glow bug that was with Branch prior to the song.

"That's all I got so far. Pretty rich of me to sing about dancing when I'm usually the one holding the wall, huh?" he said, picking up his book and storing it in his hair. The bug tilted its head, confused. Branch chuckled and shook his head.

"Heh, nevermind, you don't get it. Anyway, it's pretty late," Branch said, climbing down the mushroom and walking in the direction of his bunker. The bug followed him. Seems like Branch made a new friend. Cute.

Once they were sure he was gone, Poppy retracted her hair, a soft smile on her face. The Snack Pack looked at each other, smiling.

"Once again, that was great," Suki commented. The others nodded. Creek was speechless. Poppy beamed, her cheeks glowing.

"I know right? Creek, what do you think?" Poppy asked him, turning towards the purple troll. Creek composed himself before answering.

"It...was impressive," he replied, giving Poppy the answer she wanted to hear. Nothing more, nothing less. Poppy giggled and hopped in place. The others commented excitedly on this new performance.

"However, it is indeed getting late. We should probably head back to Troll Village," he added.

"You're right Creek. Let's go!" Poppy said skipping back to the village with the others following behind her. She kept singing quietly along the way.

"So baby hold up, Dance, don't hold the wall..."


There's the third chapter of Lone Concert! The song used in this chapter is called "Don't hold the Wall" by Justin Timberlake. Yeah, have you caught on? This fics going to be "Branch Timberlake: The Songfic" :D

The Snack Pack witness ANOTHER private performance from Branch and this time Creek is there! You don't seem as enthusiastic, Creek.

Another chapter of this and Aftermath should be out soon, so keep and eye out for those.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed :D

bye!