Chapter 6: Hidden Truths.

New Chapter! We're finally getting to the good parts! They reach their goal and find hair-jitsu's home. Which also happens to be the home of a few more individuals.

Enjoy!

The adventuring trolls and tragons were following the directions of the hieroglyphs they found. Branch theorized that by what the map said and if they kept a steady pace. They'll reach their destination near the end of the day. The four came pass many places where they'd stop to rest along the way. And often decided to spar with each other, practicing their hair-jitsu. Branch and Thunder more often fought each other than the girls. Each trying to actually beat the other after their tie.

But no matter how many times they did battle, they either tired each other out or got too rough and had to be broken up by Poppy and Storm. Neither of the two seemed to be able to best the other. Much to their frustration.

The four were by the maps standards coming close to the coast. Reaching a highly tall and shaded tree populated forest. The trees surrounding them had branches draping over the ground below them, shadowing over the grass, not allowing a lot of sunlight through, giving the place an ominous atmosphere. Many critters of multiple shapes and sizes they saw were living there.

Poppy, more than once, would stop to commune and play with them. "Poppy if you stop every ten feet to play with critters we'll never get where we're going." Branch took her hand and guided her back on their path.

"Come on Branch." She pulled her hand back. "You know what they say? Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses."

"This place doesn't get enough sunlight for flowers to grow." Branch exclaimed.

"Fine. Then stop to see the amazing different critters that live here. Milton would love seeing all these guys."

"I can vouch for that." Storm agreed.

"So who is this Milton guy exactly?" Thunder asked.

"Milton? Oh you know, critternarian, gentlest troll in our village, Smidge's crush." Poppy described him.

"Yeah, I've went to him plenty of times when I was hurt or not feeling well." Storm added.

"He sounds nice." Thunder complimented. "Good to know there's someone my little sis can go to for health." Even though Thunder was rarely ever home. Concern for his sister was inevitable. Since the trolls moved into their territory, it's allow many good people to look out for her in his absence. "Though I doubt he's seen a critter as awesome as us tra…" Thunder halted. He and Storm stopped in their tracks, looking around, growling on edge.

Branch knew the most about tragons and them suddenly being on edge was a defiant cause for concern. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Are you guys okay?" Poppy worried.

"Maybe. I'm not sure." Storm kept her eyes on the trees towering over them.

"There's something there." Thunder sensed, looking up as well. Branch looked around worried by their fact. None of them could see, but in the branches there was a pair of eyes on them. They couldn't see them, but Storm and Thunder can sense them.

"Maybe it's just another critter?" Poppy guessed. "This place is full of them. Or maybe that little wisp is nearby again?"

"No way." Storm denied. "Thunder and I are acquainted with their presence. Who or what we're feeling is new." But something else was off too. "New but… familiar." That fact got Poppy more curious then worried. Whoever it was felt more familiar to Storm then they did to Thunder.

Finally Storm and Thunder started to calm down, no longer feeling anything beyond them and the critters there. Whatever creature was watching them had went away. "Well whatever it was is gone now." Thunder relaxed.

Branch stepped in. "What do you guys think it was?" He unsurprisingly was still on unnerved.

"No clue." Storm answered. "It felt wild like a critter but intelligent. Personally I think we should just continue on our way. I'm sure whatever is out here, we can handle." She resumed walking down the path.

Poppy ran to catch up with her. "So what do you think this hair-jitsu place will be like? Because I'm getting really excited to see it!"

"No clue." Storm answered. "We won't have to wait for long so only one way to find out."

"I wouldn't get hopes up." Branch walked up. "It might just be another old pile of ruins like where we got the map."

"Of course you'd say that Branch." Thunder followed behind them. "That's just another thing that's great about these adventures. You never know what you're going to get."

"Let's just not be disappointed with whatever we get." Branch looked back at the map. Unfortunately the one part the map didn't show was what the destination looked like. Since they copied the map from the glyphs. That was the one part of the ruin's map that was missing. Branch did think it was strange the one and only part that was missing was the most important part. Like someone may have taken that part out deliberately. It did give him concerns, like maybe there was something there someone didn't want anyone to find. He would've told them and protest not going. But coming this far there's no way they'd turn back now. Not when they're almost there.

"Yeah but that's just it! We just might get anything!" Poppy squealed. "Maybe it's a lake of reflection and tranquility, or a field of beautiful flowers, a tall frosty mountain, or-"

Time skip.

The four continued on while Poppy kept listing what this place might be. While Branch was a little annoyed. Him, Storm and Thunder decided to humor her and let her vent it out.

"Or maybe it'll be a-" Branch halted Poppy interrupting her. "Why did you..." Branch shushed her, pointing at a rustle in the bushes. Branch got between Poppy and the shrub, while Storm and Thunder growled and took battle stances. Usually Storm wouldn't get offensive from a rustle, but her and Thunder were sensing a dangerous presence again.

"Show yourself!" Branch demanded. They all flinched when from the bushes suddenly jumped, a bunny.

"Oh, that can't be right." Thunder eased down, looking around. "I could've sworn I sensed a-" Something behind them spooked the bunny and it ran away, alarming Thunder to a figure jumping from the tree tops going straight for the two trolls. "Branch look out!"

Branch saw in time ducking him and Poppy down from a flash of navy blue. "Hey! Attacking me is a big enough mistake, but no one goes for Po… wait what?!" Branch gasped. The four of them were surprised when they got a good look at their attacker. It's a tragon! Obviously female and she was wielding a long sword with a skull base. But she was very different. Her colors weren't even nearly as bright or vibrant as Storm and Thunder. Her fur was a very dark blue that remind them of a starless night sky. Her horns, claws, spikes and some of her wings were a more faded greyish shade of dark blue. While her hair, belly scales, rest of her wings and eye color were dim gold. She turned to face the four of them making an unnerving eye contact with the trolls. Her color wasn't the most different part that separated her from Storm and Thunder. Her wings were webbed and bat-like, had a mixture of her colors and had no glitter in them. She had larger fangs farther back in her mouth, but the look in her eyes is what truly set her off, her pupils were pierced showing even the trolls a presence of great ferocity.

"This is our territory!" The tragon growled at the trolls, saying in an Australian accent. "And you two aren't welcome here!" The dark blue tragon got down as if preparing to pounce.

"WOAH wait!" Storm yelled as her and Thunder got between Poppy, Branch and mysterious tragon. "Who are you and why are you attacking us?"

"I ain't attacking you two. It's them I'm getting'!" She pointed at the trolls. "I know a crittah when I smell one and those two are no crittah." Then she looked questionably at Storm and Thunder. "By the way, what're you two doing out this far? This is the farthest part of our patrol site." She got up and took a quick sniff of them. "And the two of you don't smell from around here at all."

"Well they're our friends and we… wait, patrol site? Territory?" Storm questioned, slightly worried. Whatever this meant, she's determined to defend Poppy and Branch. But that doesn't always mean she can handle it. Thunder by her side or not, two tragons can only do so much.

"Ack right!" The dark blue tragon face palmed. "I outta tell the others we've got company."

"Others?" Branch asked scared. Storm was more curious then worried this time.

The mystery tragon reared up and gave a loud roar. The four of them covered their ears at her roar, echoing throughout the trees of the forest. When she finished, she gave the four of them cocky smirk. After a few of seconds of silence, the foursome got confused, which she noticed "Give 'em a sec."

After a moment of waiting, rustling came from all around them. The foursome looked in every direction, incredibly surprised to see more tragons emerging! Tragons flying above them, perched on the tree branches and coming out of the bushes. Many of them were vastly different from the others. One thing was clear, they were totally surrounded.

One of the tragons stepped forward next to the dark blue tragon. "We heard your signal Mahina." This new tragon was also very different. She on the other hand from the dark blue tragon, had a much more pleasant appearance and presence. In fact she was beautiful. Her near white light blue fur sparkled like freshly fallen snow, her fangs were up front and slightly larger than Storm's, her wings a deep and inside lighter icy blue looked like flaps of icicles arched on her back, her ears were the same colors as her wings. Her claws, belly scales and horns, which seemed a bit more like antlers were all the same icy dark blue. Her ice blue hair draped over her shoulder in a French braid, she had no spines but a long strand of hair growing along her tail and her eyes were a deep blue. More mysteriously she had a mark on her left hand, a small harp shaped circle containing 6 smaller circles, each a different color. The same colors in the hair-jitsu flower symbol. She was also more alarmingly carrying an ice based, snowflake decorated sword. "Is something wrong?"

"You could say that commander Shaila." The dark blue tragon, revealed to be named Mahina replied. "Those two over there thought they could just mosey on into our land without our say so." She pointed at Poppy and Branch.

"So you say?" Shaila looked at them with a curious but stoic face. When she began approaching them, Branch, Storm and Thunder got defensive. While this Shaila may have a gentle and even calming presence. She's still a fierce tragon wielding a sword. "What is your business being here? We've never seen creatures such as you two."

Poppy stepped forward next to Storm and Thunder. "Hi there." Poppy greeted Shaila. "I'm Queen Poppy, he's Branch and these two are Storm and Thunder." She pointed at each of them to introduce. Storm stood beside her with her tail curled protectively around where Poppy was standing. "We're on a journey and the map directed us through here. We didn't know this was your guys' territory. But we're just passing through."

"A likely story." Mahina crossed her arms.

"It's true!" Poppy protested. "We don't mean any trouble, honest!"

"I can guarantee Poppy and I don't mean any." Storm added, giving Branch and Thunder offended looks.

"Nevertheless none crittahs are something we need to report in." Mahina pointed out to Shaila. "And if they wanna pass through, they'll need King Typhoon Tip's say so."

"True enough." Shaila concurred. "I'm sorry but you'll have to come with us."

"Yep that's right, come on Pinkie and Blue boy!" Mahina approached Poppy.

Branch intervened, using his hair pushing Mahina back to protect Poppy. Of course that only raised tension amongst the surrounding tragons. Some of them growled and got on edge from his action, especially Mahina. "That's okay! We're just going to continue and get out of your guys' hair." Branch still wasn't one for detours and to him this one spelled trouble.

"Branch there's no need to start anything!" Poppy yelled at his action. Although Storm didn't want Poppy and Branch in any trouble. Considering they're surrounded by tragons, it's probably better to do what they say.

"Agree to disagree wee one." Mahina growled.

Shaila signaled her to stand down. "Mahina!" She said sternly. "We don't start battles, we stop and if necessary finish them."

"I'm with Branch on this one." Thunder added. "Can't you guys just pretend you didn't see us?"

"It is our duty to protect our land, govern its peace and inform our king of any new occurrences." Shaila explained. "I'd rather we avoid any conflict."

"So we'll ask one last time." Mahina said. "Come with us-" She pointed her sword at Branch. "Or else."

"Mahina, please." Shalia calmly made her lower it.

"Can you promise nothing bad will to them?" Storm asked referring to her troll friends.

"I can't guarantee anything, it's up to the judgement of our king." Shaila answered. "But I will say King Tip might be more intrigued then upset at seeing you three specifically." She gestured to Poppy, Branch and Storm. That gave them a confused look, Thunder just looked curiously between them. What about them made them so special that Shaila, a total stranger could see? Beyond them apparently having never met a troll before.

"Alright then." Poppy agreed to going. "Lead the way."

Shaila began walking away to guide them to their home. Poppy and Storm went to follow, Thunder sighed and reluctantly followed, while Branch just stood there defiantly with his arms crossed.

"I still don't think we should-WOAH!" Branch was suddenly hoist into the air. He turned his head to see Mahina picked him up grabbing the back of his vest. "Hey!"

"Yeah I'm not asking you anymore." She followed Shaila carrying Branch against his will. Some of the surrounding tragons made their way to follow and help escort these new arrivals, while the many others went back to patrol the forest.

"Put me down!" Branch struggled. Mahina just ignored him and continued walking.

After a few minutes of walking. Branch just hung there annoyed with his arms crossed as Mahina stubbornly insisted to take him there personally. Thunder as they were following Shaila took another look at their map. He figured wherever they were going they should still know how far they are from their destination. He noticed that their surroundings were actually accurate to their given path. Could Shaila actually be leading them to…?

"Uh guys." Thunder said with surprise and disbelief, gaining Poppy, Branch and Storms attention. "I don't think we actually need the map anymore." He tossed it aside.

"What?" Branch wasn't catching on. "But after we get out of this, how are we supposed to know where to go?"

"Let's just say we're killing two birds with one stone." Thunder summarized.

"Sounds like Branch." Storm whispered to Poppy.

Poppy tried muffling her laughter. "Yeah!"

"Hey Poppy are you also ten times more interested and excited where this adventure is going?"

"Oh I know right!" She agreed eagerly. "Of all the things I thought we might find. I can't believe we found more tragons like you guys!" Poppy took a glance at both Shaila and Mahina. "And unlike you guys."

"Yeah, I've been a tragon my whole life. But I had no clue we came in such verities." Storm looked to see the few other tragons following them. Some were like her and Thunder. Brightly colored with glittery wings and while others had many colors, their wings are what really set them apart.

Shaila would every once and awhile look back and smile at the two's conversation. It seemed the communion between the young troll and tragon pleased her. She wasn't the only one. Covertly following them and the tragons was the pink wisp. It seemed every time the friendship of Poppy, Branch and Storm sparked, the wisp's pink fire would glow brighter.

"I must say." Mahina started. "I'm interested to know why the lot of you are here. We get crittahs of all shapes and sizes comin' for help and safety. But none of you seem hurt or sick in the slightest." She looked at the trolls. "You two aren't crittahs." Then at Storm and Thunder. "And you two don't smell from around here."

"It was Thunder's idea to come here" Branch pointed at him. "I just hope going through that Labyrinth and this will be worth it in the end."

Mahina and the other tragons were surprised at what he said. "Oy You four went through Clearway?!"

"Yeah, why?" Branch answered and asked.

"Most tragons would lead other critters though the secret pathway here."

"Wait there's another safe way here?!" Branch and Thunder asked together.

"The fact that you two didn't know that is curious." Mahina referred to Storm and Thunder.

"What do you mean?" Poppy asked.

"With some exceptions all tragons eithah live or came from here. While some tragons live freely out there they'd at least know how to come here for help. Others are from here sent out to seek and guide injured or sick here for us to treat and protect till they recover." She explained. "Some predatory creatures are only here cause we brought them here for special treatment. Any tryin' to come here for a meal we don't guide and try to go through Clearway. Course none of them tend to make it. Any that do or try following us through the secret way, we defenders fight and chase them away."

"Although Clearway can sometimes be seen as a test." Shaila added.

"A test? What kind of test?" Branch asked.

"Clearway is a treacherous place that only those of strong wills and determined hearts can brave." Shaila described. "Any unworthy of our guidance can sometimes be twisted or dark. Wicked hearts tend to have far less willpower then pure ones. The fact that you four went through and made it, is an accomplishment worthy of admiration."

"True." Mahina agreed. "Bet that'll also get his majesty's attention. If he doesn't decide to punish you two for trespassin', that'll at least soften the blow."

"King Tip is very just." Shaila said. "You seemed to have not known of our presence or occupation in this area, you made it through Clearway and these two young tragons seem to trust you. That one especially seemed protective of you two." Shaila referred to Storm. "With these facts he'll likely not punish you all."

"Really? That's a relief." Branch sighed a lot less scared now.

"Even if he was, I'm certain Marco would've protested for the two of you and talk him out of it." Mahina said.

"Who's Marco?" Poppy asked.

"Princess Marco is our king Tip's daughter." Shaila answered. "She's the most open-minded of any tragon and has the most insatiable curiosity. None critters or not, she's merciful to all regardless."

"Aww she sounds very nice!" Poppy complimented. "I can't wait to meet her!"

"I fear my nephew won't be as open-minded when he sees you, he never is." Mahina worried.

"Never is a blaming word Mahina." Shaila corrected. "Galveston is not as stubborn and irritable as most would grasp."

"Course you would say that Shaila." Mahina smirked, to which Shaila blushed in response. Poppy noticed this. Whoever this Galveston is, Shaila seemed to have a thing for him.

"So where are you taking us exactly?" She asked Shaila.

"To our home, Stormbrooke Tree." Shaila answered, pointing ahead. In the distance of the forest they could see a giant tree in the distance. It was definitely bigger than the Troll Tree. The fact the trees around them towered over them, and that tree was towering over them made it quite obvious.

"That's your guys' home?" Poppy was amazed. "It's huge!"

"Ack the Tree is just the capital." Mahina added. "Our lands start well around after Clearway. You should see the many different types of habitats and environments that surround the Tree. Especially me and my fellow red bloods' habitat. Scorch Rock Canyons." She had a look of fondness when she mentioned that part of their home. "Nothing beats the comfortin' feeling of those hot, rough, volatile rocks." Poppy and the others looked at her confused. Her idea of comfort are rough heat rocks? "And our hot springs are the best to unwind in." Okay hot springs make much more sense than rocks.

"Wait, red bloods?" Branch wondered. "What does that mean?" Shaila and Mahina looked at him questionably. "What?"

"Don't tell me you lot don't know a red blood when you see one?" Mahina felt slightly offended.

"Okay we won't." Thunder shrugged.

Shaila thought for a moment. "Hmm I suppose we shouldn't be surprised. You seemed to have not known of our existence and the only tragons you seem familiar with are these two." She gestured to Storm and Thunder. "We'll explain when we reach Stormbrooke."

Poppy, Branch, Storm and Thunder became more interested the farther they went. If this Stormbrooke Tree is the place they've been seeking. Had trolls actually been here before when hair-jitsu was founded? The tragons seemed a bit more indulged in it than they were. This place must hold more information of the art.

Stormbrooke Tree.

After several minutes of walking following Shaila. As they closed in on Stormbrooke Tree, the size of it became even bigger and awe catching then from a distance. They were guided along a path the lead to the tree. On both sides of the path were vastly different environment neighboring right next to each other. One looked like ridges of black rocks and they felt a lot of warmth and heat coming from them. Considering Mahina looked at that place with a fond smile. It was easy to guess that was Scorch Rock Canyon.

"I'm guessing that's Scorch Rock Canyon?" Branch asked Mahina, who was still stubbornly carrying him.

"Aye that's m' home down there." Mahina answered.

On the other side was a vast plain that consisted of a very small amount of trees and short grass. They would've asked what that part was too. But since they were already almost at the tree, that'll probably be answered later.

They passed by many tragons along the way in both bordering parts. In each, many of them in those habitats seemed similar with a few different tragons with them. Something about the ones that had a lot in common felt like they definitely belonged in that area, while the others were probably visiting. The tragons they passed paused from whatever they were doing when they caught sight of Poppy and Branch. They gave them many curious, confused or defensive looks and it made Branch feel unfordable. Some of the tragons who watched them pass by seemed curious enough to follow them.

Reaching the trunk of Stormbrooke Tree. The four could fall over raising their heads as the tree towered over them. Making the Troll Tree feel like a sapling. Shaila guided them to a handle less pathway built into the tree.

Walking up the tree there were many hanging pods kind of like their home. But not all of them were brightly colored. There were stair and pathways, platforms built on the tree's branches. The tree had more diverse tragons then those places they passed. Being the capital must make the tree mutual ground for these different tragons. There were also a large variety of critters accompanying the tree.

Some of the Platforms had tragons training, practicing hair-jitsu and others seem to be learning to sword fight. The ones doing hair-jitsu were being shown how to do moves by a teacher and meditating. While the sword fighting ones were sparring with each other. Like the previous tragons they passed, they paused their activities when they saw the trolls.

Being such a tall tree Poppy began to get tired walking up it. So Storm sat Poppy on her shoulders to carry her, having her hold on to her horn. Seeing them get tired, Shaila told them to save time and the trolls' energy they can fly to the tree pinnacle instead. To which they accepted. They walked to the edge of the path and the tragons took off flying to the top. Poppy rode on Storm, Mahina continued to carry Branch by his vest, which was nerve raking for him seeing how high they were and Thunder followed behind.

Reaching the top of the tree. The pinnacle had the biggest platform set on it. Large crowds of tragons could fill the whole place. At the center of it was a giant unlit bonfire pit with pillows and benches around it. Shaila guided them to land in front of a large thick upward growing branch with stairs leading to a throne on a platform carved into it, with a male tragon sitting on it and a young female tragon lying beside it reading a book.

Shaila stepped forward at the foot of the throne's steps, Mahina also finally put Branch down. "Your majesty." She knelt. "We found something I believe you will find intriguing." She caught the male tragon's attention.

"Is that so?" The male tragon asked, looking up to see her and the ones behind her. He gained a very surprised look seeing Poppy and Branch. The young female looked away from her book noticing his surprise, seeing what he was looking at. She gasped with excitement and curiosity.

Poppy, Branch, Storm and Thunder weren't sure what to expect from here. At the very least Poppy hoped they'll be able make friends with these tragons.

"I really hope this goes well." Branch worried.

To be continued.

Finally getting to the more detailed and interesting parts of the story! The team finally reach their final destination and come to find a large settlement populated by a large diverse number of tragons. They'll find more than hair-jitsu secrets there too. Just wait and see.

If you want to see reference of Shaila's appearance. Go to deviant and search 'Shaila the Tragon' under the profile name DaydreamShimmer2875. Mahina I'll make a reference for next chapter, along with two other upcoming important characters.

Please leave a review!

Purple-Eyes Out!