Popuri's job at the ice rink was quiet for once although it didn't stop some fans asking for her autograph, on her break she was greeted by Dawn but she wasn't alone, with Dawn was a little girl no older than five holding Dawn's hand, the normally intense Dawn gave a much more pleasant aura. Popuri didn't know what to ask but Dawn started the conversation.
"Poppy, I want you to meet my daughter May" Popuri knelt down to greet May.
"Are you a princess?" The innocent May asked, this made Popuri blush as no one had ever called her that before.
Once all the greetings were done, Dawn explained why she needed to see Popuri.
"I owe you an explanation about Razzmatazz and why he acts the way he does, it was six years ago"
Six years ago, both Dawn and Razzmatazz were part of a video game team called Romanum, they had battled there way to the finals despite losing their team captain Lazeld to heart failure, they only had Slippy Squad to beat to qualify for the world championships, but on the decisive match day, Dawn didn't show up, that morning she found out she was pregnant, the father was Lazeld.
It was Lazeld who saved Dawn's eye sight by paying for her bionic eye implants, the two even planned to marry if they made it to the World Championships but it never happened, Romanum lost to Slippy Squad despite Razzmatazz's best efforts.
The defeat infuriated Razzmatazz, he called Dawn a traitor and never spoke to her again until Popuri showed up at Quarter Bros Arcade and kick started Bayside's tournament. Romanum disbanded two years later when Razzmatazz and Intrepid Cave Troll fell out following a failed crypto venture.
"I tried to call him after the qualifiers but he wouldn't listen and to this day, he still doesn't know about May. It's my fault he's like this and it's my fault that you're now his target for his pathetic revenge" Dawn bowed her head to Popuri.
"I have a bad habit of being caught in the spotlight, it's been happening my whole life, it happened at the Winter Olympics when I played for Canada Ice Hockey, it happened at the Summer Olympics when I was able to keep pace with the world's best marathon runners, I don't want to let people down and if Razzmatazz wants a battle, I'll battle" Popuri spoke with a maturity that had seen so much more than Dawn ever could.
"I'd be happier if I could battle you in the finals instead of Razzmatazz" Dawn's smile proved that her worries were easing but the peace was interrupted by an Ice Hockey player.
"Popuri Meadows, jersey 94 of the Canadian national squad, I never thought you'd be my first opponent" the tall girl with a strong Canadian accent approached Popuri and pointed a hockey stick at her.
"I Julia, jersey 9 of the Canadian national squad, challenge you to a one-on-one" Popuri knew Julia from the Olympics, Julia held up her phone showing the details of the match up which Popuri confirmed, a frenzy started building as the rink was setting up for their battle.