"Poppy… it's been who knows how long and… and I reek of sweat and Bilgewater. I thought you said you knew a shortcut to Piltover!"Yasuo laid flat on his back as his arm was pulled along in the ocean water as the Yordle grumbled, continuing to row the boat to who knows were in the middle of sea far off from Bilgewater.

"... Hey shut up! I-I… I thought we'd make it soon. It's not my fault! Blame the.. the map! I was simply following it!"In an angry fit the Demacian Yordle amped up her rowing speed as they drifted through the shaky water, knocking Yasuo right up as he groaned loudly and covered his mouth, feeling his days out lunch coming up as the shaking continued and the smell of Blood Harbor was still ever so present.

"Ergh! Poppy… s-slow down now you know I get seasick…"Yasuo instinctively placed his head over the water. He wouldn't throw up on their boat: Well, not this time at least. Poppy sighed and slowed her rowing down as the finally stopped, letting the waves carry them forward for a bit as she stretched, pulling out her small satchel and bringing out some stale cookies.

"Here. Take a cookie. Least I can do for you not hurling on the boat again."Yasuo face flushed as he turned away from her judgemental eyes but not before taking a cookie from her and eating it in silence."Not my fault you suck at rowing…"He grumbled inchorently as she narrowed his eyes at him. She took a bite from her cookie as she looked out to the sea with a frown, continuing to snack on their dwindling supplies of Kraken Cookies they got before leaving Bilgewater.

"At this rate we'll never find the hero! We still gotta look… well, everywhere!"Poppy yelled out as Yasuo grabbed another cookie in her bout of anger as he shrugged his shoulders.."It'd help if Mr. Orlon gave you a clue as to what kind of features to look out for. That hero could be anyone you know. Could even be me."Yasuo smirked but was only met with Poppy's deadpan frown as she shook her head."Hmm… after that night in Bilgewater with you running away from loan sharks with Twisted Fate and Malcolm? There's no way. The hero would've used this hammer and saved the day!"Poppy stood up triumptly as she imitated the hero, holding her hammer high above her head as Yasuo rolled his eyes.

"Yeah yeah-Wait actually what are you trying to sa-"

"Yasuo! Look! Land!"Yasuo quickly turned around as Poppy dropped her hammer once more, the boat nearly capsizing instantaneously from its sheer force as Yasuo hanged off the boat's edge, turning back to Poppy who simply whistled and chuckled, using her Yordle magic to make her hammer disappear to who knows where as she redirected her attention once more to what was in front of them.

"That's Piltover right?! I can see tall buildings from here even if it's far off in the distance! If so then over on the right must be…"Poppy rummaged through her small satchel once more before taking out a map as she laid it out on the floor of the boat, swirling her fingers around before finally pointing at Holdrum on the map.

"Holdrum! We're only a couple of days off then. Should we stop there and rest up?"Yasuo scratched his scruffy beard before nodding after quickly noticing he reeked of sweat."Urgh. Yes for sure. Can at least get a wash off. Oh, and make sure you're using your glamour. We're not in Ionia. You know how people are with Yordles."Yasuo picked up her map and folded it up, placing it into his bag as nodded.

"Yeah yeah."Though Yasuo couldn't tell, Poppy used her innate ability to glamour herself to not appear as Yordle but rather simply a small Human as Yasuo, who now took helm and rowing duty, continued to row them to what appeared to be the harbor of Holdrum."Wait. How much money do we have?"A wave of fear washed over Poppy as she looked at Yasuo who instantly could read his traveling buddy's face: They didn't have a coin to their names.

"... Just once Poppy we steal the food and water, you throw me in that magical little Yordle portal and-"Poppy instantly shook her head."Nope! No can do. I may call myself a Demacian but I cannot simply betray a legendary code of my people."Yasuo sighed as ringing could be heard and a man on the docks called out:

"We got a vessel coming in! Small boat: appears to be an Ionian man and some little girl on it!"Yasuo meekly waved at the man as Poppy mumbled in anger at being called a "Little girl. They closed in on the small coastal town. Nothing appeared too out of place: Trade was happening on the edge of the docks, people going in and out of inns and houses as kids played around in the fields slightly on the outskirts. Some eyes were obviously placed on them considering they've just been called out by a dockhand.

Yasuo took the rope the dockhand gave him and tied it from the harbor post to their boat as they climbed up to the docks, walking to the man who just called them out.

"Nation?"The man asked as Yasuo nodded."Err. Ionian and Demacian. We'll be staying for a few days. That's all."He inspected Yasuo and Poppy for a few brief moments before nodding."Alright. Make sure you pay the dockmaster for allowing your boat to stay at the harbor. Inn's to your left just off the docks. Oh… and don't go out after nightfall."After his oddly ominous message he went back to looking out for anything within the sea.

"Of course..."Yasuo lied as he turned to Poppy, placing a finger on his lip as she rolled her eyes.

"Did you see it? Up in the mountain tops?"

"Of course not. Laxian keeps telling us to go in before nightfall."Two men passed by Poppy and Yasuo as they made their way towards the inn: specifically the back of it to take a quick bath.

"Did you hear what they said Yasuo? Something's happening here. That man said not to go out after Nightfall either."Yasuo frowned slightly as he nodded."Yeah… I heard them unfortunately. What do you think it can be? A wild bear? A shade from the shadow isles? Or perhaps it's that oh-so-scary Fiddlesticks monster you tell me abo-"Poppy quickly punched him in the gut as he bent forward and groaned."I-I was just kidding! Of course I believe your delusi-stories, your stories."He cleared his throat and recovered from her gut punch as he looked around whilst passing by the side of the inn to the back. Seemingly all their guards didn't bother with watching the surroundings of the inn and overhanging trees blocked any random eyes as Yasuo noticed a large barrel sitting just outside with water leaking out of it a bit.

"Bingo. You watch me flank I'ma rinse all this sweat and really odd Bilgewater smell off" Yasuo didn't even wait for Poppy to turn around as he dropped his trousers and took off his poncho. Poppy's face turned bright red as she quickly turned away before he could further expose his Needlessly Large Rod to her."Y-you idiot!"She stammered."I'm still a girl you know! Opposite gender! You can't just be showing me that all that without warning!"She covered her beet red face with her paws as he grunted slightly.

"Oh. Right honestly I forget you're a girl considering you're a yordle and swing that gigantic hammer around. Oopsies." He bluntly stated as the sound of water crashing against the grass could be heard. He continued to rhythmically wash himself as he whistled a short tone before finally stopping and letting himself dry off a bit before putting his clothing back on."Well, this breeze is pretty relaxing-"

"Where did those two new ones go? Saw them heading this way. The dockmaster is looking for them. Apparently that didn't pay him yet after stopping here. Damn outlanders."Poppy turned around to see Yasuo hurriedly putting his trousers and poncho back on and grabbing his sword resting against the wall."Damn. Didn't think they'd catch on so quick. W-what do we do?"He asked as he crept along the walls of the inn as the voices of their lookers became ever more closer.

"I-I don't k-wait! I do! Follow my lead."Much like Poppy: Fear washed over him. Both of them over their time traveling together realized they cover up each other's weaknesses quite well… and one of Poppy's many weaknesses is her plans. Nonetheless, she thought quicker than him so Yasuo conceded and nodded."Alright. All you Captain."She smiled and suddenly turned back around."We're over here behind the inn!"Yasuo almost screamed as he reached for Poppy's ear to quickly yank it but the footsteps grew louder as two Piltover cops came from behind the corner, inspecting them with curious eyes.

"You two! What are you doing behind the inn after not paying for your docking fares! Speak now or you shall be promptly prosecuted!"The brunette and tanned female cop, hand on her hextech cuffs as she spoke sharply. Poppy nodded her head."Sorry officers. Truth is we don't have a coin to our name. But for what we lack in money we have strength to compensate. We heard about something far up in the mountains? Think we can handle that for you people at Holdrum?"The two cops looked at each other for a moment, contemplating before finally nodding as the tanned cop once again spoke, moving her hand from her cuffs."Well. If some ionian swordsman and little girl can handle a shade infused gigantic bear then you are free to stay here for as long as you need! Hell, we'll even throw you a lil' party! Truth is though, we can't bring back lumber and hunt so our food supply has been dwindling because of it. On top of that we've been getting more people moving out so we wanted to expand the town slightly up but we can't because of this beast. Help from Piltover was supposed to come but it's been months so we've been holed in here. Thankfully it seems like it can't leave that forest… though I must warn you two: Though I can't say I care too much about strangers I just met I must warn you: Everyone that was sent has died. Hextech weapons and all: nothing worked. Nothing."

If you agree to attempt to kill this monstrosity, then we can pay for your docking fee and give you a stay at the inn until you're ready to hunt this monster. Sounds good?"Yasuo smiled and nodded his head."Of course officer that'd b-"

"No need. Just give us some food and supplies and we'll be on our way to hunt it immediately. We'll have this bear done in by tomorrow morning officers."Yasuo almost acted out on impulse again before swiftly catching his hand. The two officers looked at each other and slowly nodded."Uh…. Ok then. We shall go get them ready. Stay here. We'll bring the supplies to you two."As they passed the corner one of them burst into laughter as Yasuo finally yanked her by her ear.

"Ow ow ow! What?! What did I do wrong!?"

"What did you do wrong!?"He screamed."Everything! From the plan to you saying we'll deal with it! And by tomorrow morning at that!"Poppy kicked him in the stomach as he finally let go of her ear and fell down on his knees in pain."d-damn it should've expected that… still! That doesn't make your plan any less insane. Who knows how big that bear is Poppy!"

"The hero would never back down from some bear! Besides, I've seen you wave that sword around with your lil' three wind strikes stuff. I think we got this! Come on, we've handled bigger things than some mere bear!

Yasuo was swift to disagree."No no. Incapacite many people? Sure. But killing a gigantic shade infused bear? We have yet to do that!"Poppy frowned."You complain a lot. Come on idiot, we got this. Aren't you trying to atone? Here's a good start."Yasuo flinched slightly at his reason for tagging along with Poppy. Truth is though, he long since put that plan on the hextech burner: He simply wants to see his now good friend's goal to its end."Urgh… right right. Fine. You do swing that hammer pretty well. I'm surprised you know how to even control the force you output with it. Knowing you, you can probably level this entire mountain with that thing."Poppy giggled slightly as she waved her hand at him and covered her face."Hey now… flattery will get you nowhere."He smirked at her and he gave he ruffled her pigtails a bit.

"Ahem. If you're done with your mildly obscene flirting in broad daylight that we will try to forget about then we've got your supplies here."The man now spoke as he removed his monocle and dropped two large backpacks as the duo jumped slightly from not realizing they returned. Though they couldn't make out anything aside from some wood, small hextech revolvers, and unlit torches, they could smell baked goods coming from the backpack.

"Oh hey! This will work well. Thank you officers. We'll save this town in no time!"The male officer snorted as he offered a small smile."Well. Suppose can't blame you for attempting. Make your way south and they'll be a paved path up the mountain to a small forest. He was last spotted in the middle of it. Nightfall is when he's obviously most active. We hear him roaring and groaning from all the way down here. Can't barely sleep with all that noise he makes. Anyways, good luck you two. We'll know if you make it out alive or not. You not showing up will be an indicator. Aspects guide you"The two officers waved their goodbyes as Poppy returned a wave and looked back up at Yasuo."Good people huh?"Yasuo tilted his head slightly at her mention of 'Good people'.

"Err… Poppy… they think they just sent us off to our deathbeds. Just because they gave us fresh bread and cheese and some water doesn't mean they're good people."

"Well. Better than how Twisted Fate and Malcolm treated us at least."Yasuo stopped and thought for a moment before instantly nodding."You know what you're right: Good people if you put them up against those bilgerats. Now, let's get going. Get to this accursed forest before midnight at least."Poppy nodded her head in agreement as they made their way from behind the inn and back onto the docks which were almost vacant aside from a few helping hands as the sun slowly but surely was going down.

"Guess it's pretty serious. Everyone went rushing in their homes."Yauso muttered as he continued to see everyone closing down their shops and going back to their homes as they exited Holdrum.

"Be safe out there ya' two. Night's dangerous and I wouldn't want a lil' one being hurt and not returning."Yasuo and Poppy turned to an old man who smiled at them as he slowly made his way back into the town.

"Well ya' here the old man. Don't let me down Yasuo."Yasuo bent down and petted the Yordle as he dashed forward before she could kick him as she grinned."Well. I know you're prepared at least. Now pick me up!"Yasuo sighed and bent down for the armored Yordle to hop onto his shoulders as she moved his hair out of her way, pointing forward."Onwards my mighty steed!"

"I'm not a horse y'know."He grumbled as they made their way up the mountain and away from the town as the night seemingly got darker even faster as they got closer to the forest. Yasuo dared not comment on Poppy shaking slightly as the sound of owls hooting could be heard throughout the forest as yellow eyes watched them from treetops and within the canopies."W-we'll stop over there. Behind that tall rock in between the trees. I can get the fire started.."Yasuo nodded his head the best he could with her now tight grip on it as he made his way to the location she scouted out, bending down for her to get off as she pulled out her backpack, dropping some of her firewood and taking out the Hextech Flame Starter, instantly lighting the firewood as she sat down on the ground, bringing out some of her bread and cheese as Yasuo sat down next to her, doing the same.

"Well. Guess it's the waiting game huh?"Poppy meekly nodded as Yasuo looked around awkwardly before scooting in closer to her, trying to make her slightly less scared as the fire began to intensify and warm them up."I guess.. We'll look out until we spot him right?"She once again simply nodded as Yasuo sighed, pulling out his flute. He hated playing it considering he considered him not the best at it but nonetheless he began to play the only piece he knew, Hasiv, as Poppy watched him while slowly eating her food. She begin to rock to it rhythmically as Yasuo amped up the intensity.

"And the calming waves crash upon the hills-"The fire flickered out the moment Poppy began to sing and get into the song as Yasuo put away his flute."P-Poppy...d-did you do that?"Yasuo knew she didn't do that. She was to the side of him and he clearly saw it go out within a gust of dark wind.

"Y-Yasuo no!"She instantly latched onto him whilst shaking violently as he slowly stood up, finishing his piece of bread as the Yordle quickly climbed back to her original spot on his shoulders as he stomped out the fire, looking around while he pulled his sword out of its sheath. He thrusted it against the wind and once more as the wind sharply moved around his blade as he peered around."Winds of change.."He muttered quietly as the wind intensified in speed."Poppy. Watch my back. Ok? I'm going to move deeper in this forest. We're not gonna let some bear scare us right? We'll be the hero you're looking for today."He tried to hype them up as she nodded his head."O-okay. Got it. I'll look out for us."

"We should be fine. No doubt he-"

"Yasuo."

"No Poppy I was saying we should be fine if it's a black bear and depending on its size we can-

"No Yasuo."Poppy repeated once more.

"Poppy I'm trying to help you! It depends on the type of b-"

"NO YASUO BEHIND US!" Poppy jumped off his neck as she opened up a portal, pulling out her hammer and shield as Yasuo slowly turned around…. And looked up, waaay up. The bear was on its hind legs as he stood tall above them: A dark black bear with red eyes and misty black shade flowing off his fur as he roared loudly, owls screeching and birds flying away. No doubt everyone within Holdrum was wide awake after that one.

"Well. Time to be the hero you're looking for Poppy."Yasuo said, gulping down.

Trying to get back into writing with something a bit more lighthearted. AU(Obviously) so their personalities aren't completely the same. Will try to update sorta often as I enjoy the concept with these two.