CHAPTER 1: AN ANGEL'S VOICE
ME: So...yeah, I'm back. Do I hear any "welcome back"'s, hmm...? *cups ear*
BRICK: *flips card, mutters* Welcome back... *pauses, holds up card* Ha! I win!
BUTCH: *bangs head on table, drops deck of cards* Dammit! *looks up* Oh and yeah, welcome back.
ME: *sweat-drop* Um...okay...?
Chapter 1: An Angel's Voice
"Boomer...! Wake up!"
Boomer's eyes snapped open as he looked up groggily. "Huh...what...?" he mumbled, yawning before stretching.
Two concerned brown eyes stared into his own blue ones. "Are you okay, Boomer? You were mumbling in your sleep again. It sounded like you were saying 'Bubbles' and 'B—"
"I'm fine," Boomer said quickly, interrupting his companion. "I...I just dreamed of the day I...died. But I'm fine, Joseph."
The older angel looked unconvinced. "If you say so, Boomer." He sighed. "Your brothers will be either waiting for you or still sleeping. I'll be fetching them."
"Bye, Joe," Boomer called. He paused, hesitating slightly before saying, "And thanks."
Joseph glanced back, offering a smile, nod, and wave. "No problem, Boomer. You know how I am." A light chuckle.
Boomer laughed too, smiling after he was done. "But really; thank you for everything."
Joseph smiled, flapping his large, feathery wings. "Glad to be of service."
Boomer smiled back. When Joe had gone, he checked his own wings. They were tinted an ocean-blue hue. His halo wasn't all that fancy, but he'd earned it and he was proud of it.
"Boomer, you lazy bum! There you are!"
Boomer looked up to see his brother's fiery red hair. "Where's your cap?" he asked.
His brother flapped his wings, which were tinted red. He was floating, a pan in one hand as he patted his head, grumbling. "I was so busy I didn't have time to put it on." Then he blinked and said in slight frustration, "But that isn't exactly the most important thing right now. What IS important is that we have another job and then there's the ceremony and—"
"I got it, Brick. I remember; don't worry so much. The way you're freaking out and ranting makes you sound like Mojo, y'know?"
Brick frowned, sticking his tongue out at his blond brother. Not the most mature thing to do, but ah well. "Well excuse me for being concerned."
Boomer rolled his eyes, unable to hide his small smile.
"AHHHHH!"
Both brothers looked up at the shout, incredulous looks on their faces. Boomer hopped out of bed and threw on his slippers. He glanced at Brick. "What do you think that was about?"
Brick shrugged. "It sounded like Butch."
"Yeah," Boomer agreed. He then hurried to his door, Brick right behind him.
There was a quick tangled mess as the two brothers kinda got stuck in the doorway and Boomer's slipper got caught.
Brick grunted. "Move over, Boomer!"
"You move over!" Boomer shot back, trying to shove his way out as he squeezed through beneath his brother.
"Ow!" Brick shouted, hitting his brother.
"Hey!" Boomer cried back, tumbling onto the floor. His slipper flew out from behind him.
Brick let out a loud breath as he collapsed onto the floor before seeing Boomer's feet. He looked up.
The two brothers just stared at each other for awhile, before another shout reminded them what they were doing on the floor anyway.
"BRAKER, YOU ASS!"
They could both hear Braker laughing his head off from further up ahead. Boomer and Brick leapt up before flying over to Butch's room.
Slamming open the door, Boomer poked his head in. "What's going—pffft!"
Butch looked startled that Boomer had just burst into his room. But he quickly recovered as his face turned red. "Sh-Shut up!" he shouted.
"What's the matter in here?" Brick called, peeking in from over Boomer's shoulder. His eyes widened before he smirked. "Oh hi"—Butch flushed at the inevitable—"...m'lady."
Braker laughed even harder from his seat on the floor, a rectangular black case in his hand.
Butch just growled as he rubbed at his face. "I hate you so much," he said, mostly to Braker.
Braker just smirked. "Aww, I love you too, honey."
Butch grumbled some unintelligent words under his breath as he wiped his mouth with the back of his arm.
"Stop!" Brick called, pulling out his phone (yes, they had phones in Heaven), and snapped a picture before laughing.
"H-Hey!" Butch shouted, eyes widening as he jumped up.
Brick just continued to laugh.
Braker shoved a mirror into Butch's face. "Don't you look pretty?" he cooed, looking proud of his work. He turned to Boomer and Brick and grinned. "I caught some snapshots too."
Butch flushed even more, glaring at his reflection. It was the usual him, but with a minor change...:
...He was wearing make-up.
Braker had decided to put purple and orange glittery mascara on Butch's face, and he had applied yellow lipstick. There was pink blush on Butch's face too. He'd even gone as far as tying Butch's messy, spiky black hair into pigtails.
"...I hate you so much right now," Butch repeated bitterly. "I want to kill you so badly."
"You can't; I'm already dead," Braker smirked, grinning.
Nobody liked talking about death, but sometimes it could be used in a comedic or casual way.
Butch just growled at his orange-eyed brother's smart-aleck remark. Braker used this excuse now whenever someone (usually Butch), said that kind of thing to him.
...It proved to be effective, since Butch didn't seem to know what to do...
...—Or at least say back.
So Braker pretty much always automatically won those arguments, and they all knew Butch hated it. He hated losing, and he hated being wrong.
Brick and Boomer just both smirked as they all poked fun at their hot-headed brother.
"Who you dressing up for?" Brick cooed.
"Do you have a dress to go with that look?" Boomer added, snickering.
"I heard that shorter skirts are in season this time of year," Braker added teasingly.
"...And I heard that angel cake will be delicious," Butch said after a few moments of sulking silence.
"...And why's that?" Brick questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Butch smirked, which he hadn't done since he'd woken up with the make-up on his face. Boomer had to admit his brother looked a little scary grinning with all that mismatched make-up on his face.
"I think I need to beat some angels into my angel cake," he said casually, thumping his fist into his hand. "...It's...the 'missing' ingredient," he smirked.
Brick frowned. "I see where you're going with this, and I don't necessarily agree—"
Butch just smirked, interrupting him. "Oh no, no; I owe you guys one." His face turned darker and his grin more twisted with each word. He kept smashing his fist into his hand. And then...:
He finally lunged.
Shouting and laughing at the same time, Braker flew out while teasing Butch with raspberries.
Brick and Boomer flew after their cocky brown-haired brother, eyes wide as they glanced back.
Butch was right behind them, shouting, "GET BACK HERE, YOU ASSHOLES!"
"Hell no!" Brick shouted back, doing a loop-de-loop.
Chaos quickly ensued.
"Where's the fire!?" Blaster shouted, jumping out of his room, and only half-dressed. So imagine his surprise as an orange streak flew past his face.
"Hey, Blaster!" Braker called loudly, waving.
Blaster blinked, surprised. "...B-Braker!? What the hell is going on!?"
"Don't ask, just RUN!" Braker shouted as he disappeared around a corner.
Blaster blinked, confused. Then Boomer zoomed past, who apologized. "Sorry, man," he said sheepishly, waving.
Brick flew past after him, shrugging. "Hey, man. You better be prepared."
"...For what?" Blaster called, but Brick was already gone.
Just as that happened, Blaster barely had time to turn his head before he saw Butch flying through the air.
He jumped, startled. Butch looked really creepy with all that crappy make-up applied. Whoever did it (obviously not Butch himself), had actually done a rather good job, albeit a little messy...and a lot ugly. Still, Blaster could tell it wasn't hideously bad. Blaster wasn't all that bad at make-up himself...
Butch glared at him as he passed when Blaster raised a questioning finger and opened his mouth to speak. "Don't. Ask." Then he added threateningly, "Or I'll tear your throat out."
And Blaster's mouth clamped back shut again.
Then Butch disappeared too, and Blaster sighed before walking back into his room. He shut the door and shrugged.
Hey, he shouldn't question it...right...?
Meanwhile, Butch had caught Brick and Boomer. He was gripping them both by the backs of their collars, and he was scanning for Braker. "Where is he!?"
Brick and Boomer exchanged glances, both shrugging.
Suddenly, his eyes landed on the wall, where Braker was peeking out and blowing a raspberry at him.
Getting angry, Butch dropped the two brothers and chased after Braker. "BRAAAKER! GET BACK HERE!"
"Ow," Brick said, sitting up and rubbing his back. "He didn't have to drop us."
"I know what you mean," Boomer agreed, rubbing his own butt.
"BOYS!"
Freezing, Brick and Boomer exchanged looks before jumping up. They raced to the noise.
They skidded to a stop at the kitchen, and found Joseph scolding both Butch and Braker.
"Braker, you should know better than to do such a prank on such an important day!"
Butch stuck his tongue out at Braker in agreement, and Braker growled.
Then Joseph turned on Butch. "And you! You can't just go around threatening and chasing your brothers while disturbing the peace of others!"
Both Braker and Butch shrugged sheepishly.
"I was just trying to erase some of the tension," Braker said meekly.
Joseph looked surprised for a second, and then he sighed. "I can get that, Braker, but you should've thought twice before pulling this type of prank on such an important day."
Braker stared at the floor.
Joseph sighed again, shaking his head. "Come on, Butch. Let's get you cleaned up before the meeting starts."
Silence followed as Braker, Joe, and Butch disappeared.
Then Brick sighed and turned. "...I'm going to get my cap." He paused. "It was fun...while it lasted."
Boomer nodded.
"You coming, bro?" Brick called over his shoulder.
"I'll stay and make breakfast," Boomer called back, studying the coffee table.
"...Alright; if you say so."
Boomer waited as Brick's steps vanished before sighing and flopping onto the couch. He thought back to his dream—nightmare; whatever—and couldn't help but wonder...:
How was Bubbles doing...?
"Bubbles, we're going to be late!"
The redheaded girl was waving wildly as a blond girl raced over to them. "Sorry! I overslept!"
"I can see that," a dark raven-haired teen responded, yawning and stretching. "You waking up later than me? What a shock."
"Buttercup! You shouldn't be so mean to Bubbles," the redhead protested.
"I'm not being mean, Blossom," Buttercup shot back. She turned to Bubbles. "Right...?"
"Oh! Umm...right," Bubbles agreed sheepishly.
Blossom sighed as she shook her head at her sisters. "Come on; let's just get going, shall we?"
"Finally!" an orange-eyed girl called, flipping her hair impatiently. "I was getting bored just standing around!"
"You'll be even more bored when we get to school," Buttercup replied, knocking her sister on the head. "Jeez, Bliss!"
"I know that!" Bliss responded. "I just don't wanna stand here."
"S-Sorry," Bubbles apologized sheepishly. It was well-known that Bliss could hardly stand still in one spot.
A girl with low pigtails nodded. "C'mon, you guys!"
"H-Hey! Banana, wait up!" Blossom called, following her blond sister.
A brown-haired girl called after them, "Y-You guys!"
"Now's not the time to talk, Bunny," Buttercup called, grabbing her sister's arm. "Let's go!"
"W-Wait for us!" Bubbles called, racing after her sisters.
Bliss followed suit. "Well now you're all excited for school!" she called to Buttercup teasingly.
Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Whatever! I just don't wanna get in trouble...again. Mr. Fickleson is being really annoying."
"That's because you hit a guy during lunch the other day!" Blossom shot back. "It's not Mr. Fickleson's fault he has to deal with such unruly students."
"Oh please," Buttercup said with a roll of her eyes, "he's the one who threatened me and told me to show him what I could do. He practically asked for it!"
Blossom huffed. "You've become even more reckless after Butch—" A glare from Buttercup sent her mouth closed.
Bliss sighed, catching up to them. "We all miss them, BC. ...You're not the only one."
Bubbles felt her heart suddenly ache. All those years ago and she still couldn't forget...:
The honk, her scream, the glaring lights, Boomer pushing her off the road...
She looked up at the sky. "...Where are you now, Boomer...?" she whispered into the wind.
Boomer tugged at his tie. He was seated with his brothers as Joseph was making his speech to some higher-up angels.
"...And they've grown and matured over the years, all passing the test with flying colours. Brick is extremely smart and intelligent, although sometimes hotheaded. However, this hardly hinders his capability to lead his brothers, both in life and now. I believe he'll be a strong leader.
"Butch is strong and loyal, although impatient and violent, and often reckless. However, he will not stray far from his duties, and I'm sure he'll remain on the right path. He will protect others and fight for all he's worth, so there will be no problem trusting him.
"Braker is keen and quick, although he often goofs around. But he'll keep others laughing and smiling, and that's an important trait among us angels. I'm sure he'll work hard, both to have fun and spread laughter, and in his duty as an angel.
"Blaster is smart and calm, even if he sometimes snaps under pressure. However, he often remains cheery like a shining sun, and will not hesitate to help others. I do not expect this sun to be eclipsing anytime soon.
"Bandit is calm and level-headed, and will keep his brothers from getting too angry too fast. Even then, he himself has a dark temper... But I'm sure he'll make up for that in other areas with his wise judgement. Bandit has many talents, and all are useful. I think he'll continue on as so."
Brick nudged Boomer. "Wake up, man," he hissed. "He's getting to you."
Boomer shot him a look. "I am awake!" he hissed back.
Then at the mention of his name, he sat straighter and listened closely to what Joseph had to say.
"Boomer..." Joseph paused before continuing. "Boomer is a calm and well-meaning kid, with very pure innocence. Despite this, he sometimes gets distracted and may not understand the situation. Still, because his heart is in the right place, I believe he'll remain on the right path, with his brothers to guide him."
Boomer paused. That's it? His mind started slowly assessing what Joseph had said about him. "Calm and well-meaning kid"...? "Pure innocence"...? "Easily distracted"...? "May not understand"...? "Heart in the right place, so he'll stay on the right path"...? "With his brothers to guide him"...!?
His mind was a storm: That's it?
What happened to all the praise he had to offer for his brothers!?
Okay, sure; this was praise, but he made Boomer sound like he was still a kid!
"...Thank you," one of the angels said, tapping the arm of their seat. "We will now make our decision if these six brothers shall pass on to becoming Guardian Angels."
"If they do," another angel piped up, "then the ceremony shall commence soon. In the meantime, I suggest you all get some rest before then."
Joseph bowed his head, as did the boys. "Of course; and thank you," Joseph said respectfully.
"Bubbles!" a voice sounded, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She turned and smiled brightly. It was Mike! "Oh hi, Mike!" she greeted cheerfully.
"How have you been?" Mike asked, grinning. "Anything exciting happen?"
"I'm fine!" she laughed. "And no; same old, same old! I mean, how many things do you think could happen in only one day, silly?"
"A lot," he said with a wink.
She giggled. "I don't think so; each day just passes by like the last!" She turned around. "It's not like something eventful will just happen so quickly!"
However, she would very soon be proven wrong...
Boomer sat, kneeling, with clenched fists on his lap. His brothers were gathered around them, all looking equally tense.
"...Do not feel so tense, young ones," one of the higher-up angels said slowly, placing his hand on the arm of his chair. "There is nothing to fear here but yourself."
"The ceremony will now proceed tomorrow, and the test will occur next week. If you pass, there will be another ceremony and you can continue on to becoming Guardian Angels in your next level," another angel added. "However, should you fail, you will remain as you are... And we will strip you of your powers for a week."
Boomer gulped. This was serious.
"Stop scaring them, David," another angel said lightly, turning to smile at the boys before them. "If you pass, you will resume both your current job and the job of a Guardian Angel."
Boomer swallowed. His brothers and he were currently working as angels who led the deceased to Heaven, or found lost souls. Normally, they would pass the job on to beginners if they became Guardian Angels, but there had recently been a shortage of new angels-in-training.
"...We understand," Brick said suddenly with a bow.
"...Very well," the first angel who had spoken, spoke up again. "You may leave now."
Boomer and his brothers got up and began to leave. However, the higher-ups' voices remained echoing in their heads...:
"Remember, sons of God; the ceremony will commence tomorrow."
ME: I am so sorry. I began writing this a long time ago and I just couldn't seem to continue. I've recently gotten motivation to keep going, and I'll do my best...
BRICK: Dammit! You take too long to do anything!
ME: Sorreeeee! *ducks*
BANDIT: Stop scaring her, Brick.
BRICK: I'm not scaring anybody!
BOOMER: Bye~! See you next time~! *waves*
BUTCH: Ha! I win this time! How does it feel, Brick!?
BRICK: H-Hey! You cheated—!
