NOTES: Hi there! Taking a break from Iron Empire to bring you a Lolo and Popka-centric story. Similarly to how Treason was meant to answer a plothole in Empire of Dreams, The Feather serves as not only an answer to the "If Lolo relinquished her status as Priestess and reverted back to being an Apprentice in Dream Champ Tournament, why does she have her Feather?" plothole.

This story will also serve as an imbetween for Lunatea's Veil and Iron Empire, with a bit of Dream Champ Tournament sprinkled in.

Thanks, once again, to mangogoober and rcs709 for being my proof-readers. These two are the goats fr

With that said, we hope you enjoy 'The Feather'!

CHAPTER ONE: THE PAIN

Ok. Breathe in…

…Breathe out…

…in…

…out…

She held her hands close together, shut her eyes and focused. A faint, green aura started to form between her palms. As she concentrated, it grew stronger and brighter. Brighter than ever before.

Was this the one?

Crunch, crunch

Could she do it this time?

Crunch, crunch, crunch

Was she finally going to be a-

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch

"Popka, could you please stop chewing so loud?" she asked, exasperated. "I can't concentrate!"

She glanced over her shoulder, only to witness Popka perched on a boulder, who was greedily devouring a bag of potato chips. He froze like a Moo in headlights as she looked at him, holding a chip inches away from his gaping mouth. The girl, adorned in a pink robe and hat, gave a defeated sigh.

Her name was Lolo. An Apprentice Priestess who trains at the Claire Moa Temple, located in the rural kingdom of La-Lakoosha. A couple months ago, her life changed when she embarked on a worldwide adventure alongside her childhood friend, Popka, as well as with a legendary Dream Traveller.

Her time with the traveller helped her learn a lot about herself. She learnt that she really enjoys exploring the world around her, she learnt what it means to have a genuine crush, she learnt that Lunatea had some serious issues to work through, and she learnt that deep down, despite her kind and friendly nature, she was insecure, impatient, and even a little bit selfish.

Lolo used the Dream Traveller's abilities to essentially "cheat" her way into becoming a Priestess, something she regretted after some reflection. Before they parted ways, she gave up her title and decided that she wanted to earn it back on her own. The girl handed her feather, the mark of a Priestess, back to her superior, the High Priestess, and asked her to return it once her mentor felt she was ready.

In the meantime, she was going to work her butt off to re-achieve the title the right way this time. Even if it meant studying and practising until sunrise sometimes. All she needed to do was ring the Spirit Bell, her final test, and then all her hard work would finally pay off.

Unfortunately, this was easier said than done. To ring the bell, a Priestess must concentrate their magic to a point where it'd be dense and strong enough to knock the bell back - a feat that requires strength, energy, practice and determination.

"Let's try this again." she said to herself, holding her hands close together once again. The energy between her palms grew brighter and brighter. Popka's eyes couldn't help but be drawn to the light as he slowly, but quietly, inserted another potato chip into his mouth. This time, there was nothing to distract her. She opened her eyes, a fiery determination emanating from her gaze, clapped her hands together, and thrust them towards the bell's direction.

"HAH!"

The energy she formed shot forwards, as if it were a bullet. But as it drew closer to the Spirit Bell, the concentrated light spread out and faded. The Bell only slightly nudged from the blast of air.

"I really thought I had it that time." she sighed, catching her breath. No matter how hard she studied and helped others, it felt like she could never get that bell to ring with her magic. Her energy blasts always dissolved into thin air after being sent out.

"Wanna try again?" Popka asked, placing his hand on her back for reassurance.

Lolo thought to herself, before turning her head towards Popka and smiling.

"I think I'm gonna call it in for tonight. I'm really tired." the Priestess-in-training replied. Although she had her usual friendly tone, Popka could detect a slight hint of defeat in his friend's voice.

"Ya sure?" he queried. "Besides, I still gotta get through the rest of these 'tater chips, so I can hang around a bit longer."

"I'm sure, Popka." she answered amidst a long yawn. "It's getting dark and I wanna get an early night's sleep."

She had a point. She needed as much sleep as she could get, considering how late she was usually staying up to study. So Popka didn't question any further, and the two made their way back to the Claire Moa Temple.

By the time the two returned to the Temple, the sun had disappeared from the sky and the moon was in full view. Not a cloud was in sight and not a creature was stirring. A peaceful night.

However, as Popka followed his friend up the stairs to their dorm room, they heard a sound that neither of them could stand.

Chatter. More specifically, the chatter of three particular young women.

Popka could hear a faint, but exhausted sigh come out of Lolo. They could both predict what was coming as soon as they reached their floor.

The moment they reach the top of the flight, one of the girls gestured to the others and alerted them of Lolo's presence, each one forming a devious smirk as they approached her.

Looks like there was no sneaking out of this one.

Their "leader" had short, golden hair, purple eyes and green robes. One of the two following behind her was a thin, lanky woman who had light-dark skin with wavy, bright red hair, brown eyes and a dark brown robe. The third was short and stubby, with blueish-grey hair, blue eyes, violet robes and a ponytail.

They were Priestesses, like what Lolo aspired to be, and although they earnt their positions with their skills, they were far from kind. Especially towards Lolo, bullying her relentlessly throughout her time at the temple.

"Heeey Lolo!" the blonde Priestess said in a singsong, somewhat passive aggressive tone.

"Hello Emmi." Lolo exhaled.

"Any luck on ringing the bell?" Emmi asked. "Considering how much you've been studying, it should be easy for you to do, right?"

Lolo didn't give an answer, only looking down in shame. She could tell that Emmi and her friends were trying to rile her up - they were never good at subtlety - but she felt ashamed with herself regardless.

"See? What did I tell you, girls?"

Her two lackeys started giggling to each other. Lolo took a deep breath and looked at Emmi.

"I will keep trying, I know I can do this." she eventually spoke up

"Why though?" the short Priestess butted into the conversation, "You've been doing this for ages."

"If I were you, I'd just give up." The lanky Priestess continued the sentence with a fish-eating grin. "Save myself the humiliation and stress, y'know?"

"I have to try!" Lolo raised her voice slightly, trying not to yell. "I made a promise."

"Oh yeah, to your boyfriend." Emmi chuckled.

"H-He's not my boyfriend!" Lolo could feel her cheeks going red.

"Well clearly not anymore, considering he ditched you to spend his time elsewhere. You must have really rubbed him the wrong way."

Popka started snarling at the trio in frustration. He was doing his damndest to bite his tongue and not say something that'd get both him and Lolo in trouble.

"Anyways," Emmi started slowly walking closer and closer to Lolo, causing her to start stepping backwards, "he isn't here right now, so if you quit now, he'll never know."

"But, I-"

"Quit lying to yourself, Lolo!" The blonde Priestess didn't even let Lolo get another word in - her tone growing more aggressive, "You are never gonna be a Priestess. You're just wasting everyone's time here."

She suddenly grabbed Lolo by the chest.

"You're nothing but a pathetic, weak-minded, fool. And that's all you'll ever BE!"

She threw Lolo to the ground as her cronies laughed at her, Emmi joining alongside. Lolo said nothing, she didn't bother to talk back or even get up. She just lied there and took it like every other time.

Popka, on the other hand, couldn't take it anymore. Screw biting his tongue, he was gonna bite their heads off!

"Right, you listen here, ya bunch of fu-"

"Popka." Lolo said, wearily picking herself up off the ground. "Not now...please…I just…I just can't, today."

Popka could hear the fatigue and frustration in her voice. Although he wanted to give the bitch trio what they deserved, he'd rather support his friend. After all, aside from the High Priestess, who else was gonna watch her back in this place?

Lolo slowly walked past her bullies and entered her dorm, her companion following behind, glaring daggers at Emmi's gang as he did. For his best friend, he'll hold off on them a little longer.

Lolo was quiet for the rest of that night. Popka wanted to check on her, but he knew she'd deny it and say she's fine. She'd tell Popka that those three do not phase her, and that she'll keep trying her best, but then he'd hear her quietly weeping in the bathroom when she thought nobody could hear her. But he could, and it tore him apart.

Those three Priestesses have been bullying her for years, calling her names, insulting her, laughing whenever she screwed up. Sometimes it felt like she'd eventually do what they say and give up on achieving the title of Priestess, and sometimes Popka would agree. If being a Priestess made you as much of a bitch as Emmi and her lackeys, then maybe his friend deserved better than to be amongst them.

Nevertheless, he'd stick by her side, no matter what. The two of them have practically been attached to the hip, ever since that fateful day, where a young Lolo found an abandoned puppy, freezing to death in the harsh winter snow. He never took off the bandanna she gave him to keep him warm as she took him into her home for shelter. He just wished he knew a way to give back to her all these years later.

These thoughts kept him up late at night, long after Lolo had already fallen asleep. That was, until his deep thinking was interrupted by a noise coming from downstairs - the sound of a baby crying. Since he didn't feel like sleeping, he decided to go and see what was going on. As soon as he made his way down the dorm's stairs, he could hear that the wailing came from the Temple hall.

"Hush now, my child…it's okay."

Popka peered his head around the corner to find Lolo's mentor, the High Priestess, cradling something, or someone, in her arms, humming a lullaby to them.

"The High Priestess has a kid!?" he thought to himself.

He was surprised he didn't know about this beforehand. That being said, he usually spent most of his time outside the Temple, either accompanying Lolo or getting up to his old tricks at the local market. The High Priestess was always a very secretive and elusive woman, but he never thought she had a baby. He figured he'd notice if she was pregnant or something. Did Lolo know about this? Did anyone know about this? Was he already told and he just forgot about it?

"I know you're there, Popka." the High Priestess said once the baby started to quiet down.

Popka sheepishly stepped out of the shadows; he didn't think she'd hear him tip-toeing around.

"So, uuuh…how long has this been a thing?" he queried, approaching her. He still couldn't see what the baby looked like due to his short stature. "Who's the dad? He didn't go off to get milk, did he?"

"No." the High Priestess said, dryly. She was never really one for his type of humour. "I am not sure who his parents really are."

"Wait, so they ain't yours?" the canine asked, confused.

"Well…"

She knelt down to Popka's level so that he could get a better look at 'her' baby.

"HUH!?"

He couldn't believe his eyes.

The baby had long, rabbit-like ears, was covered with green fur with white highlights and had bright, red eyes. The appearance of the child was a sight all too familiar to him.

"...This ain't who I think it is, is it?"

"I am unsure." the High Priestess responded. "But I have been caring for him for about a month."

"Well, where did ya find him? If this is who I think it is, I'm pretty sure he disappeared into thin air when Klonoa beat him."

The High Priestess stood back up, gently caressing the infant's head as he started to fall asleep.

"Please come with me, I'll explain in a moment."

The two started heading towards the High Priestess' chambers, making sure to stay quiet so as to not wake the baby. Very few people had ever set foot within her room, so Popka felt a little bit honoured. Her room was nothing special though, very simple looking. Not even a TV, just a bed, a cot for the kid, a small statue of the Goddess Claire atop the windowsill, and a bathroom. Essentially the same as an average room in the Temple. After gently placing the child in the cot, she motioned Popka to follow her outside. He promptly joined her as she quietly closed the door.

"It was about a month ago." she began. "I found him in the Terminus of Tears, when I visited there to return the Element of Sorrow to its rightful place. He was crying, alone, with nobody else there to take him in. I do not know who his parents are, but if he is who we believe him to be, I do not believe that they will show themselves. So, for now, I take care of him as if he was my own son."

"Does Lolo know about him?"

"She does." she answered. "She sometimes comes to visit him whenever she's alone. I had assumed she had disclosed this information with you prior. You two tell each other secrets all the time."

"Heh, maybe she did." Popka chuckled.

"I apologise for taking up your time, Popka. Is there anything else you needed me for? I can sense something troubling you."

Popka looked down with a concerned look of doubt. He never liked asking for help or advice, but he needed it.

"Well…yeah, kinda." he eventually admitted. "It's about Lolo. She's been workin' herself to the bone to become a Priestess, but it feels like nothing's going right. Doesn't help that those other Priestesses have been harassing the hel…er, heck out of her."

"I see." the High Priestess responded. She didn't know for certain, but she had a hunch as to who Lolo's tormentors were. "Rest assured, I will speak with Lolo about this in the morning. And those responsible will have to answer to me."

Her voice was dripping with disappointment. She thought she taught her students better. A Priestess had to be kind and supportive of others, on top of using their magic to heal those in need. This behaviour is not tolerated at her Temple.

"Thanks." Popka replied. "Just…don't tell her I told ya. She'd bite my head off for it."

Both he and the High Priestess briefly shared a small chuckle.

"Actually, there's one more thing." Popka continued, remembering something else that he wanted to bring up.

"Yes?"

"Do you have any advice in regards to motivation? I feel like there's only so much I can do with words, an' I can tell that Lolo's gettin' real sick of going through this cycle of trying an' failing, y'know? What else can either of us do to keep her pushin' forward?"

The High Priestess thought to herself, thinking back to when she was training to become a Priestess. She remembered being stuck in a similar vicious cycle, and that there was something that kept her moving forward.

"I know something that may help. Wait one moment, please." she eventually said, before retreating back into her room.

When she returned, she showed Popka what appeared to be a locket on a small chain. She opened it up to reveal a photo of a family, the daughter having hair of identical colour to the High Priestess'.

"Whenever I felt like there was no point in continuing, or that all my hard work and efforts are in vain, my mother told me to look at the photo within this locket, and remind myself of what I am striving for. Perhaps if Lolo has something similar to this, it may help boost her confidence. It doesn't have to be a locket, it can just be something that holds some sort of sentimental value."

"Sentimental value, huh?" Popka pondered to himself. "What could potentially do that for Lo?"

"Maybe a photo of her family, like what HP has? Hmm, nah. She already has some of her folks in her room."

"OH! Maybe a photo of Klonoa. That oughta…wait, we never bothered to take any pics when he was here, an' I don't think I know anyone who'd paint a pic of him. Nevermind the fact that I can't remember what he looked like well enuff to commission a painting of him. Ugh, think, Popka, thi-"

And then it hit him.

"I have an idea, but I may need your permission for it, High Priestess."

~The Next Day~

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Lolo woke up to her alarm clock blaring in her ear. She slapped the top of the machine to shut it up before dragging herself out of bed and to the bathroom sink, groaning all the way. She was never good with mornings, often dozing off back to sleep and being late for her training sessions. She's been doing her best to get better at getting out of bed, but some days are harder than others.

As she splashed her face with water to wake herself up a bit more, it was then that she realised that Popka wasn't there with her. Usually he'd be dragging himself out of bed and to the bathroom sink, groaning all the way alongside her. But today, he seemed to be absent. She assumed that he got up early to go get some breakfast as she continued with her morning routine. She brushed her teeth, put on her robes and brushed her hair before donning her hat. While walking past the mirror on her wall, she looked at her hat once more. More specifically, she looked at where her Priestess feather would be when she eventually re-earns her position.

"Today, just do what you can, Lolo." she told herself as she opened the door to begin another day of training, practising, failing, getting up again, rinse, repeat. It was tiring, but it's what needs to be done to achieve her goal.

"LOLO!"

"WAH!?"

Suddenly, Popka came charging through the door, bumping into Lolo and knocking her onto her backside. She gently picked him up and placed him to the side, before picking herself up off the ground and dusting herself off. Her friend seemed very excited about something.
"Heh, sorry, Lo." Popka said.

"Ugh…" the girl groaned, rubbing her now-sore rear end. "Morning, Popka. What's got you so giddy today?"

It was then that she noticed that Popka was holding something behind his back. She couldn't make out what it was, though.

"Ok, so…" Popka began to explain, "Remember how when you got your feather for the first time, it made you more confident? I had an idea last night, so earlier, I went out to the market to look for something."

He presented Lolo with whatever he was hiding from her. It was a small, brown, unremarkable looking box.

"I, uh… I think you'll like it, Lo."

Lolo took the box from her canine companion and opened it up. Inside was a small, green leaf-like object. It looked awfully reminiscent of the green Priestess feather she has been trying to attain.

Lolo gasped as she covered her mouth with her hand in surprise, trying her best not to get too emotional over the gift.

"Well, ya gonna try it on or ya just gonna stare at it?"

She looked again in her mirror, placing the leaf atop her hat. It definitely didn't look like the real thing, but she didn't care.

"Popka… I…" Lolo was at a loss for words. "Is this even-"

"Allowed?" Popka interrupted. "I talked with HP, s'all cool with her as long as it wasn't a feather. So I went searching and found this as a substitute. Apparently, it's some kinda good luck charm. I know life's been pretty rough for ya recently, but hopefully this might help ya stay more motivated to get the real thi-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Lolo pulled him in for a tight hug.

"Thank you, Popka!" she said, trying her best not to bawl her eyes out. "Thank you so much! I love it!"

Popka reciprocated the embrace.

"Heh, don't mention it! It's the least I can do for my best friend."

Eventually, Lolo let go and stood back up, wiping her tears and looking back in the mirror.

"I'm gonna keep trying, no matter what anyone says. I will become a Priestess!" she said to herself with determination.

With a boost in her confidence, and a gift from her friend, Lolo once again opened the door to start a new day of training, practising, learning, coming out stronger and smarter. She knew that she was going to have moments of weakness, as does everyone, and Emmi's gang is still going to be a pain in her side. But now, everytime she felt unsure of her abilities, she'd look at her "feather", and remind herself of what, and who, she's fighting for. For her family, for her peers, for her Kingdom, for her friends-

For herself

TO BE CONCLUDED IN CHAPTER 2: THE GAIN