Tuesday, July 3rd, 2020 - Monday, April 17th, 2021

Nineteen year-old Zan Partizanne (Kate Higgins) meets the eye of Delta Dawn (Kelly Clarkson) after unexpectedly crashing into Lonesome Flats. So it is up to Zan Par to start to live her new life as a Country Troll as she learns how it feels to be both Country Troll and Human.

How It All Started

Let me tell you this, if you're really interested in reading one of my diary entries, I'd be glad to. So let me tell you of how I actually started my life as a Country Troll.

It's been three months and one year ago, and I was only nineteen. Today's July the 7th, so summer has already started since June 21st. I was out on a picnic with Kirby, Prince Fluff, Magolor, Taranza, Susie and I've brought my two younger sisters including myself.

Today was bright and sunny, until this happened.

We were whisked away inside a wormhole, and we've been split up.

Kirby and Prince Fluff were in Pop Village, Susie and Taranza were in Vibe City, Magolor was in Symphonyville, Francisca was in Techno Reef, Flamberge was in Volcano Rock City, and I was in Lonesome Flats.

That's all I had in the first entry, sorry if it's a short story I have to tell you. Now let me tell you how I meet a guy who is a super serious Country Troll and deputy Growley Pete and how I've also met Delta Dawn, the town's mayor.

Lonesome Flats

When I entered Lonesome Flats, I've felt a strange feeling in my body.

I looked at the new place I've landed, and a rather small looking town with large cactus shaped buildings, coated in warm colors of orange, yellow, and dashes of light red, with telephone poles lining the sides of it.

These strangers looked much different than they were before; they are Country Trolls, you can tell how they look like because they've got a lower half of a horse that makes them all centaur-like, with only four legs and hooves and a tail too, they can either walk or run on all fours. Pretty weird, right? Well, to me, it is, because I'm the only Human and what else?

I even saw a sign that says "Lonesome Flats".

"Lonesome Flats"? What the...?

I bit my lip in a very uneasy way, slowly took a deep breath, and walked right into town.

These Country Trolls were quietly loitering about, some of them are working, others are leaning against some of the establishments they have, and in the shade the others were talking to one another.

However, they acknowledged me by, a small nod, tip of a hat or wave, but it was just heavy air my face felt. I've pictured them as they were adults and children, but none of them were taller than me.

"AAH!"

I jumped at the sudden voice in front of me and staggered back a bit. "Growley growley growl..."

My eyes instinctively looked at the source of the voice up and down.

He was a dull pink-skinned Country Troll with green hair, tail, eyebrows and mustache, as well as a blue nose. He wore a plaid shirt, denim pants over his horse half and a brown cowboy hat with a rope tied around the brim. His eyebrows were knitted into a look of distrust as he looked at me suspiciously.

His growling softened after he recognized my appearance and stepped back, he cleared his throat. "Tell me your name, stranger," he said.

His tone was softer, but still stern. Nervously, I replied, "I-I'm Zan Partizanne. Even though it's really hard for you to understand my full name, I'd rather be called as Zan or Zan Par for short."

"Zan Partizanne..." the stranger said. "That name of yours just sounds very long!"

"Except that you can just call me Zan instead. And you are...?"

After a moment, he nodded and took my hand, giving it a firm shake, "They call me Growley Pete," he said.

"O-Oh, Growley Pete!" I said, finally getting his name. "Didn't mean to startle you like that. Are you mayor of this place?"

"No, I don't think so," he said, "But I do believe that the mayor of Lonesome Flats is Delta Dawn."

I raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Who's Delta Dawn?"

Who was that?

DING!

The sound of a bell chime caught my attention, and I turned to the Town Hall's large clock to see that it had struck 12:00.

My eyes then trailed down to the doors of the Town Hall, watching it open to reveal... her.

It was Mayor Delta Dawn.

Her skin was a bright orange which matched her large fluffy head of fiery red-orange hair quite nicely which was complete with a small white hat with a golden star perched atop of it. Her horse half was a sparkly white with a fluffy green tail. She wore a white and green plaid shirt and a brown belt with a large button-like buckle over her shirt.

I felt my cheeks burn, as I covered my mouth and my eyes sparkled in astonishment. "I-Is that... the mayor?" I stuttered.

"That's right," Growley Pete said, "Delta Dawn is mayor and sheriff of Lonesome Flats."

A mayor AND sheriff?

"A tough woman..." I muttered, to which Growley Pete snorted. "Oh yeah, she could take down a full grown buffalo if it's meant for protectin' this here town."

I swallowed hard, twiddling my thumbs as I watched her pulled out a banjo, and gave it a few test strums.

"Ah, just in time for the midday song," Growley Pete said.

"Really? What kind of music does Lonesome Flats has to offer?" I asked.

As I was going to say something else, a somber banjo tune sounded through the air, which made the heavy atmosphere increase in intensity, and a sudden pit dropped in my stomach.

And that's when I heard Delta's voice...

Delta Dawn: We don't hope for makin' things better

All we want is to keep it together

Every day is a rainy day, no changin' the weather

This kind of life has made our hearts as hard as leather

Oh, my God...

I could feel my pupils dilate when I heard how beautiful her soft voice was, and I clasped my hands together in awe.

I've never heard of someone with such a soft, rich voice that graced my ears before, not even the Classical Trolls could match this kind of soft tone.

At the same time, however... I've never heard such a... plaintiff tone.

And all these tears are from the dust in our eyes

And all these years just keep on passin' us by

And all this misery makes it hard to deny

We all know that we're just born to die

That's the way it goes when you're just born to die

My smile faltered slightly as sudden dullness made itself present in my heart.

And... the lyrics.

I hear the voice of a whip-poor-will singin'

She don't know all the comfort she's bringin'

We all know the sound of when the truth is ringin'

Yeah, it hurts your soul just like a bumblebee stingin'

Never before, have I heard so such sorrow...

All these tears are from the dust in our eyes

And all these years just keep on passin' us by

And all this misery makes it hard to deny

We all know that we're just born to die

That's the way it goes when you're just born to die

All these tears are from the dust in our eyes

And all these years just keep on passin' us by

And all this misery makes it hard to deny

We all know that we're just born to die

'Cause we all know that we're just born to die

That's the way it goes when you're just born to die..

Such somber... lyrics.

"Oh... Oh, my God."

Lighten Up The Town

So after the song, I decided to light up Lonesome Flats that'll make them feel better. I even have a song for the Country Trolls to make them like it.

After the midday song was finished, Growley Pete and I came out from the porch.

Well, Delta is just gonna talk to somebody else since she doesn't feel like talking to Growley Pete. Wonder what she has in mind...

"I... I don't believe it," I said, "Do these songs always have to sound so sad?"

"No, not always, but if there's a song that's related to our music, it can make folks feel a lot better," Growley Pete said.

I start to think for a moment and I had an idea. "Well, I could try to sing them a really good one... " I thought.

"Really? What's in there for ya, ol' sport?"

"Um, can I ask one of your folks to just... y'know give me something to wear that is country-related?" I asked.

"It'll work," Growley Pete said.

But get this! I'm nineteen years old. And yes, of course I could sing and dance on stage. Well, I wish I could do both of them once my friends are here to find me...

Growley Pete followed me as I walked up to the strangers, though it looks like they were actually talking to each other. That's good to know.

"Uh... excuse me, I just wanted to know that I probably needed an outfit that is related to your tribe," I said, "I just need one so I could do a song that'll give you guys some serious cheering up."

"Oh, of course! We have the right outfit just for you."

"It's gonna take a little while, so you'll have to be patient!"

Oh, okay...

So after a few minutes of searching an outfit for my rehearsal, I've chosen the right outfit.

I had a blue plaid jacket that is fully unbuttoned with a white shirt underneath. I even wore a brown skirt with black cowboy boots, though they really fit on my feet perfectly.

"Now come on! We have to start the rehearsal!" I shouted.

"Right, the rehearsal!" Growley Pete said.

We rushed outside and I saw that there was a stage for me to perform.

But I got so nervous until a male Country Troll was looking for a performer who could sing for the audience, he saw me leave and caught up with me.

"Hey you, it's open mic tonight. You should give it a try," a male Country Troll said, grabbing my arm.

"No, wait. I'm good. I mean, Mayor Delta..." I trailed off.

"Come on, it's all about havin' fun," he said, dragging me to the stage.

"No, no!" I said, he wouldn't listen.

Once he helped me get up on stage, he announced, "Looks like we got ourselves a taker."

Lots of Country Trolls are looking at me, I got really nervous and I turned to Growly Pete.

"You can do this, Zan," Growley Pete said to me, "I know you can."

I turned back to the audience and I announced, "All right, um... If you guys don't mind, I'm going to add a little hip-hop to this hoedown."

Everyone cheered for me as I announced that I'm gonna do a song for them. "Banjo, I need you to come on up here," I called out.

A male Country Troll had a banjo in his hands. "And uh, where are my girls at? Come on up," I added.

Three female Country Trolls came up onstage as my backup singers, I started a beat by clapping my hands.

Zan Partizanne: Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap

Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap

Boom boom clap, whoa-oh-oh

Here we go!

It's working! Everyone's getting in the vibe!

Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap

Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap (Whoa oh oh)

Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap

Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap

One, two, three! Everybody come on, off your seats

I'm gonna tell you about a beat that's gonna make you move your feet

I'll give the barbeque, show and tell you how to move

If you're five or 82, this is somethin' you can do

I start to show the dance moves to the Country Trolls.

Pop it, lock it, polka dot it

Country fivin', hip hop hip

Put your hawk in the sky, move side to side

Jump to the left, stick it, glide

"You got it! Okay, one more time," I said.

Pop it, lock it, polka dot it

Country fivin', hip hop hip

Put your hawk in the sky, move side to side

Jump to the left, stick it, glide

Then everyone got off from their seats and started to join in with me.

Zig zag 'cross the floor, shuffle in diagonal

When the drum hits hands on your hips, one-footed 180 twist

And then a zig zag, step'n slide, lean in left to clap three times

Shake it out, head to toe

Throw it all together, that's how we roll

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Throw it all together, that's how we roll

As I kept singing and dancing, I didn't notice that the song caught Delta's attention. She walked up to the stage to get a closer look and smiled at me for bringing up a lively vibe in Lonesome Flats.

Come on, here we go!

Zig zag 'cross the floor, shuffle in diagonal

When the drum hits hands on your hips, one-footed 180 twist

And then a zig zag, step'n slide, lean in left to clap three times

Shake it out, head to toe

Throw it all together, that's how we roll

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Throw it all together, that's how we roll

Boom de clap de clap, boom boom clap

Come on, here we go!

Pop it, lock it, polka dot it

Country fivin', hip hop hip

Put your hawk in the sky, move side to side

Jump to the left, stick it, glide

Zig zag 'cross the floor, shuffle in diagonal

When the drum hits hands on your hips, one-footed 180 twist

And then a zig zag, step'n slide, lean in left to clap three times

Shake it out, head to toe

Throw it all together, that's how we roll

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Do the hoedown (Throwdown!)

Throw it all together, that's how we roll!

Whew!

Everyone cheered and applauded for me once the song is finished, with the younger Country Trolls were jumping up and down cheerfully. I even noticed that some of them were clicking their hooves in residual excitement from a presumably new brand of country music.

"Whoo! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

I ran off and put my regular clothes, and Growley Pete approached to me with an approving smile.

"Really impressive, girl. That's very impressive," he said, his voice is much lighter than before.

"Y'know I gotta say, while music of such energy isn't really welcome here, that performance of yours is really... hip-hop and lively," he chuckled, "Ya got some spirit, ol' sport."

"Yeah, it sure was! Well..." I trailed off, smiling sheepishly while itching the back of my head.

"I'll say."

I jolted at another voice behind me, turning to the source, only to repress a squeak of alarm as my gaze meet the eyes of the mayor Delta Dawn herself.

Delta Dawn

I can't believe this is happening -- this female Country Troll thinks that I'm the one who sung Hoedown Throwdown and lit up Lonesome Flats in front of everyone, even Delta!

"I-I ah-buh... uh-!"

The words and syllables fell out of my mouth ungraciously, my body shook and then I fell on my butt as I dropped my beret in surprise at the young woman standing before me. "Uuuh..."

*gulp!*

I saw she was pretty from afar, but now she is within the arm's reach.

I saw she had vibrant green eyes with thick lashes, I even noticed the little white freckles dappled on her cheeks now that I got a good look at her.

She had an amused grin on her face, as she watched me sloppily put my beret back on my head then I got up.

With a chuckle she spoke, "Haven't seen a fella like you before." Her voice was light and friendly. It was almost like honey, but it was a bit sweeter. A new layer of heat washed over my face, as her eyes looked up and down in interest. "What's your name, sweetie?"

"Uhm-" I blinked stupidly at the question, slack jawed as my brain suddenly screeched to a halt.

My name? What does she mean?

"This here's Zan, Delta Dawn," Growley Pete affirmed, clapping a firm hand to my shoulder, startling me back into focus with a meek yelp. "She's new 'round these parts, just recently got here."

Delta lifts her eyebrows into a look of surprise. "Really? We don't get that many newcomers here in Lonesome Flats. It's good to see we have a new face livin' here."

Her eyes scanned my body again, making me blush even more. "...Not a bad lookin' one either." She had a playful edge in her voice that made me chuckle nervously, then I sighed.

Instead a dopey smile spread across my lips and I look down, dragging my foot across the ground. "Oh, D-Delta, I-uh.." Growley Pete patted my shoulder, "Welp, we better go get ya settled in, ol' sport," He turns and gestures to me, "Come on now. There's a nice little house available for ya away from the Town Hall."

After he trotted off, I jumped slightly. "R-right! Settle! Ah- em..." I tried catching up to the pink Country Troll, and I've kept my own power, to run so fast especially if I needed to, but not before offering a dopey smile and a clumsy wave. "I-I'll be seeing you around, Delta!"

With that brief farewell, I ran after Growley Pete, almost tripping over my feet while doing so.

Delta simply smiled in amusement.

Being a new resident move into her small town was good enough on its own... but for them to be so full of spirit... and cute... That's even better, in and or itself.

Moving In

So, after I've entered Lonesome Flats and people accepted me to become their new resident, I just need to get my new clothes of what the Country Trolls naturally wear.

I was inside Delta's house, and she welcomed me inside. I've noticed that she had a family, her mother Irene Dawn, her grandfather Blake Dawn, and her niece Clampers Buttonwillow are all inside the kitchen.

Inside my head, I was a bit nervous, but I took a deep breath and I went inside.

"Aunt Delta! You're home!" Clampers shouted and ran up to Delta, she noticed me, "And who's this?"

"Mom, Grandpa, Clampers, I would like you to meet my new friend I've met outside of Lonesome Flats," Delta said, introducing to me to her family. I gave a smile and friendly waved at then.

"Hi, guys," I greeted them, "I'm Zan Partizanne, but you can call me Zan."

"Zan Partizanne... that kind of name sounds pretty long!" Clampers commented.

"Except that could either call me Zan or Zan Par for short, if you like."

"Hmm... I'd rather go with Zan," My new grandfather said, "I really like that name."

"Me too," My new grandmother said.

"Then it's settled!" Delta exclaimed, "Welcome to the family, Zan!"

"You can stay here as much as you like!" Clampers added.

"Before that, I'm gonna need some new clothes of what Country Trolls actually wear," I said.

Well, that wasn't so hard! Now let's move on to when I've got myself some new clothes, and I've got some help from Delta and Clampers on how a Country Troll does outside of Lonesome Flats.

More Work... Ugh

We've went to a shop and I've got myself some new clothes, and we've went outside to do something.

"Well! Let's see how you look!" Delta exclaimed.

I looked at myself in my new clothes.

I have shoulder-length hair with an orange ombré that is worn into pigtails with magenta ribbons with leaves on it. I wore a small white cowboy hat with a sheriff star just like Delta's, except it's brass gold and also a replica, I even wore a black tank top with a rim, a brown leather skirt with pockets on both sides, yellow pants, and black cowboy boots underneath my pants that resembled hoof-like shoes.

"Ta-dah! We have the right clothes just for you, Aunt Zan!" Clampers added.

"So, will you accept this outfit?" Delta asked me. "I actually loved it. And yes, I WILL accept this outfit!" I exclaimed.

"Then, let's start off of how a Country Troll actually do outside of Lonesome Flats," Delta said.

We headed outside, and outside of town it was so hot and dry today! I couldn't really tell that apart now.

So we headed out and Delta and Clampers were carrying buckets of milk in her arms, and I was carrying a box with so much weight inside.

"Uff! This box is so heavy!" I said, struggling to carry a box, "What did he actually put in there?"

"I asked Growley Pete to deliver a box to another Country Troll's house," Delta said, "And he said that it was really heavy, so you really need to start carryin' that, though."

I noticed that we were heading straight to Growley Pete's house. "Oh, is that it?" I said, pointing to Growley Pete's house, "Has to be."

The three of us walked to a door, I knocked on the door three times. Then Growley Pete opened the door and saw us.

"Hm? Oh, Zan! We meet again!" he said, seeing me carrying a box.

"Yeah, that's right. By the way, where can I deliver this box to?" I asked.

"At the right side of my house, pretty sure there's someone waitin' for you to deliver that box," Growley Pete said as he pointed to another house that's close to his.

"Oh, okay. Thanks for the help," I called out.

"No problem, ol' sport!"

*snickers* "Ol' sport".

After a few minutes of walking to another Country Troll's house, I banged on their door and he opened it.

"Say! Is that the package Growley Pete gave ya?" He answered.

"Yep, but it was really heavy!" I answered, "But I've tried." Then I handed over the box to the male Country Troll.

"Thanks so much, new friend! Also, what's your name?"

"I'm Zan, by the way," I said.

Well, that wasn't so hard! Now then, I might not be present in writing some more diary entries, it's because I have to attend a Troll Leader Meeting with Delta and the other Leaders. I might see my friends soon.

See you later! :D

Barb's World Tour

After a couple of days of attending a Leader Meeting, we've headed back home and Delta has to talk to me for bit.

This morning, I was fast asleep, until I hear someone softly humming in the distance.

...Hm?

(Well, it's not like the morning song it was from yesterday. But I do believe that someone is humming to a country-related song I'm assuming.)

That's why I jumped out of bed, quickly got dressed and opened the door, then I continued to find out who was making that noise.

As I quietly walked through the hallway, I went to the kitchen. And that person who was humming in there, it was Delta. She was preparing breakfast for me.

While I was sleeping, I heard that Delta was talking to her mother, grandfather and Clampers that she'd probably have to look after me because they have to leave the house to get something.

"That should do it," Delta said, "Now I just need to wake up Zan..."

But before she could finish her sentence, she turned her back and noticed that I got here in the kitchen.

"Wha—? How'd you get here? I mean, I though you were actually sleepin'!" Delta exclaimed. "Well, thought I heard someone singing there, that's all," I said.

I picked up a muffin from the plate, and took a bite our of it. But it was so hard to eat, my teeth could've feel so much pain from it!

"Man, this muffin is really tough to eat!" I said, chewing uneasily on my muffin.

"Sorry, I didn't know that I made those muffins so hard to chew that mornin'," Delta said.

"It's fine, it's fine. By the way, I actually need to talk to you anyway," I said, "I'll meet you at my room."

As Delta got inside my room, we started talking about this "Queen Barb".

Queen Barb? Queen of Rock?

I asked, "So, who's Queen Barb?"

"She's the queen of the Rock Trolls who sent me this invitation about bringin' my string to the biggest party, but our Country music string was always kept on my mother's banjo. Like this one," Delta said, pulling out her mother's banjo from her hair, but I noticed that orange string wasn't there. "It's also my sworn duty to protect our music."

"I don't get it. That Country music string on your mother's banjo isn't there," I said. "What happened to it?"

"But sadly, our string and our music were stolen by Barb, and is destroyed -- and the other strings too,"

"Barb did that? Really?! I didn't remember at all!" I gasped.

"You and your friends weren't there at Volcano Rock City when Queen Barb has all six strings. Once she has all six strings, she played the Ultimate Powerchord and was turnin' us into Rock Zombies," Delta added.

"Oh my God, that was horrifying!" I gasped, "But what about the part when Queen Poppy destroyed all the six strings? Aren't you the least sad about to hear that?"

"We were upset to see that our strings were completely destroyed," Delta said, "But then we realized that we won't need them anymore. In fact, we all know that it all started with the strings, but now it comes from us."

"That was kind of unexpected to hear, and what did you guys do before Queen Barb attacked Lonesome Flats and how your string was stolen?" I asked.

"You'll see when we get there..."

After the conversation, Delta led me outside of her house and we walked straight to Town Hall.

I think I remembered that place, it was where I've met Growley Pete and encountered Delta since yesterday!

"This is where you actually started?" I asked, "But you chased them last year!"

"It was, however Growley Pete and I met the Pop Trolls," Delta replied.

"And did they sing a stupid little medley that didn't make you guys feel good about it, like, ever?"

"No, have you? I mean, I did think all the songs they've sung were pretty 'stupid'," Delta asked, then doing air quotes with her fingers.

"I actually didn't," I replied, "but it may sound disturbing. What we only do back in our world was to make Music Videos, Dance Along Videos, and more."

"Oh, I see," Delta said, "Well, after the medley ended, I threw them up in jail. Wanna go see the jailhouse, the one when I threw the Pop Trolls in there?"

What? What is she talking about?

"This here's the jailhouse," Delta sighed.

"Oh, that is the worst jailhouse ever! And you threw them in there? Why?!"

"I shamefully don't accept their music, so that's why I ended up throwin' them in jail for crimes against music," she said.

"N-No! You should shouldn't do that!" I explained, "It's like, locking up a puppy in a cage!"

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know that the jailhouse is the worst part you've seen before..." Delta assured me, "Now, let's go to the part where another Country Troll came to break the jailhouse door and saved the Pop Trolls."

Leaving Lonesome Flats

So after we went to the jailhouse, I looked at a large road we're standing on in Lonesome Flats.

I looked around at the other Country Trolls, but they didn't notice us that we're outside.

Where are we? Still in Lonesome Flats?

I was confused, "This is where you guys pursued the Pop Trolls, I don't know.."

"This is how we started chasin' the Pop Trolls," Delta stated.

"So first, you pulled out Clampers and she started chasing Branch first?"

"That's right."

"Why don't we start running to where you actually went after Lonesome Flats?"

"Sure thing."

So Delta and I quickly ran across of Lonesome Flats. I ran faster than Delta, and she's never seen me run so fast like that, usually it was because I just got warmed up, or something.

"She's so fast!" one of the Country Trolls pointed.

As we continued running, we've entered the Cacti Forest.

"Oh no, Zan!" Delta cried.

"We'll just have to slide under!" I called out.

I slid under the cacti with my feet, so did Delta.

We continued running and running, then I jumped above the mine hole, Delta did the same too. We continued running through the desert, and we passed through buffalos.

While we kept going, I noticed that we were heading straight for a cliff!

"Delta, look out!" I cried, "If one of us fall into that cliff, we'll plunge into the raging rapids, and people will worry about us!"

Delta notices that we're headed straight for that cliff. "Oh, no!" she cried.

Then, she decided to slow herself down by sliding her hooves against the dirt. It wasn't even working, so I pitched in. I grabbed onto her tail to slow myself down.

"Whew! That was close," I said. "You OK?"

"Yes?"

"That was traumatic," I said, panting. "Uh, let's go home," Delta said.

"Okay."

OK, that was freaky!

~ The End ~