"Okay, enlighten me: why can Poppy and only Poppy do this?"
"Because she is actually the oldest out of us four girls, Mei...and by far the least likely to die."
"Really? I just assumed she was my age or your age, Raya."
"And why did you? You know her more than us, Mirabel."
"Not nearly enough, apparently."
"Um, guys? I'm literally standing right here."
Raya, Mirabel, and Mei looked up from their conversation to find Poppy standing a few inches from where they stood. The latter two immediately smiled and blushed in such an awkward manner that the former could not help but roll her eyes and offering a halfhearted apology on their behalf.
"Our bad. I was just relaying the facts to them. There's only a slight chance that you may survive or die during the process."
"And what exactly is this process again?"
"Because the impending battle you speak may arrive much sooner than later," Wai Lin explained as she approached with Emperor Long Wei and Empress Ying Wei, "The Emperor, the Empress, and I have decided to transfer our knowledge of martial arts and combat tactics to you."
"By the way of a physic connection and ritual, of course," Long Wei clarified.
"And is this safe?"
"You are the first person to receive this treatment from us," Ying Wei responded, "so even we are not sure."
"But you are certainly far from the first person to receive this treatment," Wai Lin clasped her hands to work up the necessary energy.
"As one of my closest friends," Peony smiled, "Wai Lin is capable of very powerful spells, enchantments, and rituals that rival that of Paul's. I trust her judgment."
"It's not her judgment that I don't trust..." Poppy muttered under her breath.
"Hey, don't worry, Poppy," Mirabel patted her shoulder, "We've all had our fair share of near-death experiences. From what I've seen so far, Master Wai Lin is very powerful and very skilled. You got this."
"Thanks, Mirabel...but were some of those parts supposed to make me feel better?"
"Um..." Mirabel smiled awkwardly in response to Poppy's uncertain smirk, "Yes?"
Eventually, Poppy was summoned over to a circle comprised of the village elders, the Emperor, the Empress, and Wai Lin. It vaguely resembled a ritual, which gave Mei-Mei vague memories about exactly that: a past ritual of hers, even if the thought never fully hit her directly. She, along with Raya, Mirabel, and the rest of the young pupils, watched attentively as the hands of the village elders glowed in accordance to the robes they wore. Red, blue, yellow, green, white, and cream-colored energy swirled around and created a secondary circle above the main one.
Standing in the middle, Poppy closed her eyes a few minutes after the village elders, wanting to witness the process herself. However, it was not until she actually closed her eyes that the process itself commenced.
"Close your eyes...and open your mind..."
. . .
BOOM!
For a fleeting moments, several different Dragon Troll martial arts and combat techniques flashed before her eyes. From an unarmed focus, many of them concerned strikes (punches, kicks, and headbutts) and grappling (throwing, chokeholds, and pinning). From an armed focus, a wide spectrum of melee weapons would be encompassed, including swords, staffs, spears, shields, sticks, knives, daggers, axes, batons, bows, war hammers, and even firearms to name a few. Many of the Dragon Troll martial arts differentiated greatly from one another: one section was distinguished by its beauty and elegance in combat, the other was distinguished by its rawness and aggressiveness towards self-defense. When given a visual presentation of their demonstration, the techniques themselves delivered exactly what they were on the tin.
Violence...
Grace...
Violent grace permeated her entire thoughts as she felt the energy course through her veins.
When the last of the energy was exerted, Poppy opened up her eyes, which glowed blue and purple on the left and orange and gold on the right. Taking a deep breath in and out, she eventually breathed out:
"I... I... I know Kung-Fu."
Wai Lin smiled in "pride"...before drawing a sword she seemingly materialized out of thin air, "Show me."
To Poppy's (and, by extension, the rest of the outsiders) surprise, she herself materialized a sword out of thin air to mirror Wai Lin. The Pop Queen immediately noticed the difference in the choice of bladed weapon the both of them chose for the sparring match. Wai Lin wielded a double-edged straight sword with a disc-shaped hilt while she wielded a single-edged curved sword with a square-shaped hilt. She had no idea how, but she knew right away that the sword Wai Lin wielded was called a Jian and the sword she wielded was called a Katana. She also noticed the different manners in which they wielded their sword of choice. She positioned both her hands at the top and bottom of the Katana's handle, Wai Lin used initially only one to hold her Jian; specifically, her thumb, middle finger, and ring finger was holding the handle while her index finger and little finger were both relaxed and separated, making the shape of the palm like...a container that could hold something within. It no doubt confused her until she reached a realization: she would get a free pass because, out of the two, she was the far more experienced Troll due to having more time to practice and perfect her training.
Poppy had to made sure then, with her newfound knowledge of martial arts and combat tactics, that the sparring match would not become one-sided.
Wai Lin was the first to strike, lunging forward and performing swift slashes at Poppy, who effortlessly dodged out of the way while marveling at the gracefulness which her current trainer brandished through her fast movements. She was barely moving. She balanced her blocks and she stabilized her strikes. She wielded her Jian with aplomb. Despite the minimum amount overall, said movements would have been highly effective regardless had she placed her focus exclusively on dispatching her opponent in an actual battle. Even so, she had to make her move and strike back; otherwise, she would look like a helpless fool.
Poppy, when she was far back enough, held her blade above her head so it was near parallel to the ground. Pushing the top of the handle forward, she then stepped forward as she brought the blade down toward the target. She knew Wai Lin was impressed, knowing the Pop Queen was beginning to step up her game. Knowing this, she smirked as she blocked a strike from her new protégée, who in turn blocked her own strikes with the back and side of her katana. Though perhaps not quite there to that particular level, the young royal was on par with a fellow member, the best student she had trained up to that point.
Raya herself could not help but be impressed at Poppy.
After a few grueling moments, Poppy and Wai Lin were disarmed of their respective swords, which landed in the tall grass a few feet from where they stood. Staring each other down, the latter knew from the get-go the former was holding back out of fear of injuring her or anyone. She also knew some risks had to be taken in order to get some actual results.
"Come now, dear Poppy...stop trying to fight me...and fight me."
A flame was lit within Poppy's pit as those words were spoken. It was as if she concurred with her orders. Closing her eyes and channeling the necessary energy within, she reopened them...
("Run It" by DJ Snake, Rick Ross & Rich Brian)
...and flashes of red and gold became her aura as she charged forward.
Uh, rollin' in impalas but you too tame
I ain't from the South, but I appreciate the wood grain
Neighbor callin' me about the noise it's only two, man
Now I'm in the same building but the floors and view changed
I ain't for the waitin' now
Poppy land in front of Wai Lin and threw rapid-fire punches as she effortlessly blocked the ones thrown at her. She then swept her legs to try to throw her off balance. The Dragon Troll was undeniably impressed, but also simultaneously concerned, as if she had just awoken the sleeping beast.
I bought a 'Rari and I did it just to hear the sound
Drive safe really 'boutta lose all it's meaning now
Guess you love to travel when I pull up man you're leaving town
Say you're married to the game, and I'm just here to burn the gown
Poppy was surprised herself as she not only threw a series of rapid-fire punches and kicks, but simultaneously perform effortless blocks and dodges towards the blows that would have been landed by Wai Lin, in conjunction with her graceful leg sweeps. But there was something else, she noticed eventually, to her enhanced fighting style.
I got a flight in the morning
I see what you been tryna do and I'ma mission abort it
You think I never pay attention in my mind I'm recording
I'm 'bout to win and ruin all your goals and dreams out of boredom
Every time a punch was thrown...
Ridin' around with homies like we run the city (Done it)
Every time a kick was launched...
Lookin' fresh and feelin' like a milli (Money)
Every time a hit or blow was landed...
Move in silence, you can never hear me (Comin')
A new type of energy flowed through her and sent a new type of signal every time...
If you got a problem when you see me (Run it)
Telling her...
Telling her to run it...
Run it
What followed was a complete choreography to capture control of the combat. The moves were repeated, but with far more fury than either of them expected. Even so, despite the power wielded and information obtained, Poppy only managed a few good blows to land than Wai Lin.
DJ Snake
Spotting her Katana a few feet from where she stood, Poppy broke away and sprinted toward her sword. Noticing this, Wai Lin followed behind and grabbed her Jian as soon as she grabbed hers.
Rozay, woah
Taking brief fighting stances once again, Poppy and Wai Lin began to bounce their blades against each other once again. This time, the combined forces of red and gold energy channeled through her katana and created sparks with each collision. In addition, with each blows landed, the impact sent Wai Lin stumbling back, if not outwardly flying. It not only intimidated her, but also impressed her to where she could not help but elicit a small smirk of satisfaction.
Bang, tryna show you what we came to do (Huh)
Boss, only talkin' makin' major moves
Rolls Royce, no top, me
No one will ever stop me
Me against the world, I got my back against the wall (Woah)
Know I'm hell bound (Woah)
But I'm well now (Woah)
On the road to riches I could never lay around (Woah)
Told her don't make a sound unless she make it loud (Ah)
The spectators not only watched attentively, but instinctively felt their eyes widen and their jaws drop at the spectacle before them. Those who were not the students of Wai Lin admired the Dragon Troll's combat skills, and those who were not with Poppy's group were impressed with the Pop Queen's ability to adapt to said combat skills.
Everybody scream (Everybody scream)
Everybody scream (Everybody scream)
Everybody scream (Everybody scream)
That's my only thing (Yes)
I'm a born winner
A Jordan 23 (Woo)
All my people G's until the party ceased
Poppy and Wai Lin stared each other down as they tooking fighting stances for the last time. Deciding to try something different, Poppy closed her eyes and wielded her Katana with one hand while beginning to charge up energy in the other. As she interlocked both hands together, Wai Lin and the spectators watched the entire sword began to glow red and gold.
The Pop Queen closed her eyes...and opened her mind.
Run it!
Poppy opened fire with her charged-up Katana on Wai Lin, who effortlessly dodged every blast before lunging at her with her Jian.
Run it!
The Pop Queen was prepared this time and leaned back as the Dragon Troll swung and narrowly sliced off a piece or too. Blocking the subsequent slash with a well-timed parry, Poppy locked blades with Wai Lin again as they began to fire non-lethal but no less dangerous energy blasts at each other.
Run it!
Eventually managing to grab her wrist, Poppy spun Wai Lin to her front and blasted her back with a charged-up palm to the chest. The master managed to land on her feet and stagger back only a few feet from her protégée.
The spectators could only watch in awe, shock, and wonder as Poppy began to power down and the Katana in her hands began to dissipate. Breathing heavily as she tried to process the ensuing fight, she caught notice of the considerable amount of damage dealt to the field around her.
"Did...did I do this?"
"And that," Raya pointed at the shredded tall grass.
"And these," Mirabel gestured to the bubbling lakes of water.
"And those," Mei motioned to the totaled houses...far from Dragon Hollow.
"And I've never been proud," Wai Lin regained her posture as she walked back to her, her hands clasped together, "Poppy, I must say your combat skills have been improved as a result of this sparring section."
"But this is just my first day of training," Poppy noted.
"And it certainly won't be the last," Wai Lin continued, "We still have a long way to go until you can find a healthy balance between your powers and combat skills. Case in point..."
Sparing a second glance at the damage dealt, Poppy winced and nodded in agreement.
"Touché. Well, I'm game! I'm up for the challenge! I'm Queen Poppy!"
"That's the spirit, young one. Now come! Let us feast!"
Poppy's group cheered audibly while Wai Lin's group clapped amicably as they followed the leaders back to the dining room for a recuperating period.
"Not bad for your first day of training, huh?" Mirabel smiled toothly at Poppy, who giggled and nodded.
"Not bad at all. But it'd be better once you joined in."
"What?"
"Did you forget? You'll be joining me in training...and Raya's your sparring partner."
. . .
. . .
. . .
"WHAT! When did we agree on that?"
"A week ago," Poppy shrugged as Volpina leaped into her arms, "You know, after the waiting period party, my mom said—"
"I KNOW WHAT YOUR MOM SAID!" Mirabel shrieked hysterically, her glasses nearly knocked off her face, "But when did I agree on Raya being my sparring partner?"
"Who knows?" Poppy smirked as she stroked Volpina's fur, "Fate, luck, destiny... It's kinda cute that you think you actually have a say on the matter. One that should be decided by the Goddess of Love."
Mirabel (and a trailing-behind Mei, who had listened in on their conversation) could only shoot Poppy a look of complete and utter disbelief. She then glanced over at Raya, who was listening in on a conversation herself between Peony and Wai Lin, content on eavesdropping rather voicing her opinion.
Then she laughed.
Lord, her laugh...
Mirabel's nose wrinkled before she shook her head.
"Why am I friends with you?"
"I asked myself that very same question," Ramona chuckled as she draped an arm over Poppy's shoulder, "but I don't push it any further. Now look at me. I'm friends with a Popsqueak."
Poppy scoffed as Mei giggled and Mirabel cackled in mirth. Raya glanced behind her and raised an eyebrow at her friend's presumed loss of sanity. Of course, even she could not but laugh along when the Latin Troll caught her staring and choked on her own saliva. Now, it was Poppy's turn to laugh with Mei and Ramona as Mirabel sulked in barely-contained misery.
Friends with a Popsqueak. No better way...