Lenol himself was also a newcomer to this planet. Having been tipped off that there was a quantity of untapped Star Power somewhere around here, the puffball had been searching high and low for it along its surface. He had gone into the search with the intent of maintaining a low profile, but that didnât look like it would be much of a problem, since he had yet to even see another soul.
As Lenol delved deep into yet another one of this planetâs many forests, he came upon the dark blue puffâs training session by complete chance. Crouching down behind a bush for cover, he stealthily observed the spear-wielding puffball.
That mask rang a few bells. While he didnât personally know the mysterious batamon, obviously, he was fairly certain that they had to be a Star Warrior. Those metal visors seemed to almost always belong to one.
Maybe they could be of some help, then?
âŚOr maybe not. Asking him for assistance in summoning a Galactic Nova to overthrow his corrupt, militarism government would probably make the other worried for his sanity. Besides, he was clearly proficient with that spear of his, and Lenol would rather not see it in action.
Speaking of which, the Star Warrior had unknowingly been putting on quite the show for Lenol with his training. He struck those faux targets with such power and precision that it was hard for his spectator to look away. The lighter blue puff had almost become as engrossed with Phozâs training as Phoz himself was at this point. After a minute or two, Lenol finally decided that it was time to move along; every second longer that he stayed and watched was an unnecessary risk. Slowly, he crept back, further and further from the clearing until-
Lenolâs eyes went wide as he slowly looked down at his feet, seeing the splintered branch below him.
He knew there was no way that the navy puff couldnât have heard that.
Quickly, Lenol ducked into the foliage, hoping that he hadnât already been seen. Reaching into his coat pockets, he unsheathed two daggers, one in each nub. Should this unfamiliar puffball be a foe, he would not be afraid to use them. For now, however, he would rather just bounce without getting into a skirmish.
All but one of the dummies had been battered down by Phozâs ruthless handling of his weapon. He was breathing heavily, adrenaline rushing from the performance. Invisibly, he smirked. This was so much better than sitting around doing nothing all day. Turning to the last dummy, he raised his spear up high, poised to stab. With intense focus, he locked onto the general area where oneâs heart would be and narrowed his eyes. He swung down hard.
The point of the weapon stopped dead in its tracks when a loud snap broke his concentration. Sweat trickled down his forehead at the realization that someone had been close by. âWhat the fuckâŚ?â He muttered in disbelief.
Swiftly, he turned in the direction of the bushes and glared. âAlright, whoeverâs out there better show themselves in three seconds or thereâs gonna be some major trouble.â He held out his hand and started lifting his fingers to the countdown. âOneâŚâ The markings on his hands lit up. âTwoâŚâ The pads on his gloves followed. âThr- SYKE IâM DONE COUNTING!â
As soon as he shouted those words, the bushes were lifted by the roots due to an unseen force and were chucked to the side, revealing a dagger-wielding puff from behind. Phoz clenched his fists at the sight of the blades and growled. âSo, planning an ambush, were we?â He stalked forwards. âThatâs a pretty cowardly move if ya ask me. If ya wanted me dead so badly, ya couldâve attacked me out in the open without a problem. Nobodyâs here but us, bub.â
His spear gleamed in the sunlight. He had closed half of the distance between them. âMaybe if you start explaining yourself I wonât be bothered to kick your ass into next year. Tell me, who sent ya? I bet youâre working for somebody who wants to hurt my family, huh?â
