I do not own the Power Puff Girls or the Rowdy Ruff Boys.
Chapter Two: At First Kiss We Meet
The following day, the entire kingdom was in mourning for the young prince. However, as callous as it may be, not many were truly that surprised. There wasn't an actual king and wouldn't be for another six years. It wasn't much of a surprise that there was an assassination attempt of them. Still, it was tragic that the youngest prince was killed.
As was tradition, everyone dressed in black to signify the funeral set to start soon. Butch and Boomer were dressed in black with their family's crest—a shield of silver and black with a blue stripe going diagonally across it with a red rose and a black wolf—adorning the ring upon their right index finger. Butch detested dressing so stiffly—prince or no prince. He pulled at the collar of his shirt in an attempt to loosen it.
Boomer couldn't say that he disagreed with Butch, but he was trying hard to ignore the familiarity of his mourning clothes. This was the third time he wore them in his life. Three times too frequently if anyone bothered to ask him. The two brothers left their rooms, making their way to Brick's which was further down the hall. They entered without knocking as per their norm and found their elder brother to be getting dressed. The maid carefully helped him to dress in his formal clothes as there were stitches sewn into his right shoulder. He wore his hair out of its ponytail and let it hang loosely about his face.
"Brother." Butch called out to Brick who stood with his back turned to them. "It's almost time."
The maid finished dressing Brick and bowed her head before leaving. She passed by the other two princes quickly and quietly. "Brick."
"Don't." Brick threw over his shoulder. "Don't say anything."
Butch and Boomer nodded her heads, even though Brick didn't see the motion. Taking a moment to inhale a cleansing breath and then exhale, Brick slowly turning around to face his brothers. His body was still in recovery; therefore, his skin still held a green tinted pallor. He clearly was not physically up to this, but his position required he be there.
Boomer looked at his brothers and frowned uncertainly. "Brick, I don't think this is a good idea. You're not well."
Brick shot Boomer a glare and slowly made his way out of his room with his brothers following him.
"Brick, please." Boomer started.
"Shut it, Boomer." Brick ordered. "I may not be at optimal health, but I am not going to let my subjects or anyone else think me incapable."
"No one is suggesting that you are." Butch told him. "However, you have only been awake for less than a day."
"I said I was fine!" Brick snapped at his brothers, turning sharply. The action pulled at his wound and had him hissing in pain. When his brothers moved to assist him, he raised a hand up to stop then. "Don't touch me." He then held his shoulder with his opposite hand and groaned in frustration.
"You push yourself too hard." Butch said. "A least give yourself a day for recovery."
"If I need your opinion, I'll ask."
Boomer looked between his brothers and felt his heart clench with worry. "Brick, what if who tried to kill you is there today?"
Turning away from his brothers, Brick walked as purposefully as his weak body would allow down the hall. "Then they will see that I am not just a pampered, simpering prince with a silver spoon up his ass."
"Do you think it wise to taunt them?" Boomer asked.
"Taunt?" Brick didn't pause in his stride. "I am showing those that hide in the shadows that I am not a force to reckoned with. I will be king, and I will rule this kingdom just as if not better than our father did." He declared. "Now, you two can allow them to make you prisoners in our own castle, or you can stand beside me and get stronger."
As the red stare of their elder brother touched them, blue and green eyes met. Butch didn't need much to convince him to be stronger. Boomer was warier, but only because he didn't want to lose his remaining family. Still, if he wanted to protect his brothers he was going to have to be stronger. Butch rose his fist to eye level, smirking when his brothers did the same before joining them in the middle of them. A pact between brothers was made.
Waiting in the corridor for the princes to make their appearance was the prime minister. He wore his black mourning clothes with a single red ruby necklace. When he heard their slow precession down the hall, he was surprised to see Brick walking without assistance. "My princes." He took in Brick's appearance with positive appraisal. "I see a little poison won't keep you down."
"I do not need your snide compliments." Brick snapped as he walked past him.
Henry bowed his head in respect. "I only meant that you appear well after being bedridden for three days."
Brick didn't acknowledge that with a response as he looked out into the crowd that gathered below. In the front were friends, or rather acquaintances from cities about their kingdom. Nobles that have known the royal family for years. At the forefront was their best friend, from the eastern region of the kingdom, Jack. His father was the ambassador for the countries along the east border. Being descendants that moved from the eastern country and understood their traditional culture. He remembered his father acknowledged his influence in that area greatly. Jack was three years their senior than them, but they looked up to him—especially Brick. His presence was a much appreciated.
"Your highness." The newest squire, Mac said with a deep bow. "We are ready to begin when you are." He was a year younger than the princes, with tanned skin and a mess of shaggy brown hair. He was lean for his age but determined to be a knight.
Butch and Boomer stood beside Brick, waiting for him to proceed first. Looking to the left, Boomer noticed Princess Ilana, a short haired blond with an eccentric personality that one couldn't help but love. However, her cheery personality was mellowed by the sad occasion. Her closest friend Lance stood beside her with arms folded, stern and jaded—a strange disposition for one that was barely sixteen. However, he too had known lost at a young age. Ilana hoped that he could bring some comfort to her distant friends.
Brick rose his head and walked forward, watching at the crowd before him bow. His brothers flanked his sides, showing a united front. Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood in the back of the crowd wearing a black hooded cloak, which didn't appear out of place at the funeral. A hint of a green tattoo showing from underneath when his collar moved.
As the crowd looked up to their future king, Brick's bravado wavered but for a moment. He met Jack's eye and when the older boy gave him a barely noticeable nod, he took a deep breath. "People of Tartonia. It pains me to say this, but our brother is dead."
A low murmuring rang throughout the crowd at Brick's straight forward opening.
"Bear was but a child. His life shouldn't have been taken so violently nor abruptly." He began. "That arrow was meant for me, and it nearly took my life. Yet here I stand before you now! I will not be bested by cowards working from the shadows. My remaining brothers and I will fight and live for this kingdom that our parents left behind."
Jack smiled proudly at the determination in his young friends. He'd never know the burden of having to rule a kingdom, but he understood responsibility. They'd be all right.
Ilana looked to Lance and saw the faint smile come across his face as he recognized a strength similar to his own after being put through hardship. The young princes were going to be fine. They'd succeed no matter what obstacles were in their way.
Mac stood proudly beside the prime minister and their tutor, who'd arrived just in time for the beginning of the procession. He'd gladly lay down his life for his princes. He only hoped he could be of considerable service to them.
Standing beside their brother, Butch and Boomer kept their gazes facing the front as they wanted to show that they were being just as strong at Brick. They were a united front in this.
"Today we will mourn our loss. Come first light tomorrow we will be working to strengthen this kingdom. Nothing is going to stand in our way." Brick said as the high priest came to begin the sermon for Bear's funeral. While Brick was standing he appeared strong and capable, yet the moment he sat down the fatigue fell upon him. He slumped into his seat beside the stage as much as he could without slouching before the procession.
Henry commended Brick for standing strong. The boy would make for a great king. Seeing him push himself one shows that he can be pushed harder in his training. All the princes can. He hid a smile as he thought about how much this kingdom would gain once the young princes too charge. Brick as the king. Butch would make for a great knight. Boomer when properly trained an ambassador for their country. He'd enjoy sitting back and watching the kingdom flourish, reaping the benefits of his retirement from regent. Still, it was a bittersweet thing to know that the boys had to be put through so much to come out as strong as they will be. If there were another way to achieve greatness, he'd gladly choose that path.
After the sermon by the high priest, the guests and the princes filed into the great hall where a meal had been placed out. Brick sat at the head of the table with his brothers on either side of him. Moses and Henry sat on either side of Butch and Boomer. After that their closest friends sat down, leaving the rest of the guests to fend for their themselves.
Jack and Lance sat across from each other with Ilana to the right of him. She was almost vibrating with the need to speak with her friends. Her father sitting to her left, placed a hand to her shoulder to calm her. "Ilana, patience."
"But father," Ilana began.
"Now is not the time." He spoke firmly but softly.
She slumped slightly in her seat but conceded to her father's wishes. "Yes father."
Jack kept his eyes moving as he felt something wasn't right. With everyone so on edge, it was easy to not see things as they were before. His friends were too wracked with grief to be aware of more than what was before them. Things could go unnoticed until it was too late. While he was keeping watch, he nodded for the squire he saw speaking with the princes. The young lad quickly made his way over to him and bowed.
"Yes, Master Jack?" He said with a bow.
Jack gestured for him to lean down and whispered into his ear. "I want you to keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. Is that clear?"
"But master, it's the funeral of their brother. Who would dare—?" he was silenced by a severe look that Jack gave him, garnering no doubt. "Yes master."
Jack nodded and sent the boy off. He noticed Brick looking his way but didn't say anything. He'd wait until there was a less conspicuous time to speak with his future king.
"How are you holding up, your highness?" he asked Brick. "You aren't fatigued, are you?"
"I'm not a child, Mojo." Brick snapped at him as he drunk the last of the cider from his chalice.
Moses could see the dark circles under the boy's eyes and the paleness of his skin. He wasn't fully recovered and needed to rest. Hopefully after all the guest left he would do so.
Butch made a show of eating everything that was put before him, despite there not being any perceptible taste. His mind was elsewhere, but he couldn't let that distract him from his baser needs. Boomer couldn't find the stomach at all to eat. His insides were twisted up with worry and grief. It made him feel weak in comparison to his brothers but knew they wouldn't concur with him. Well, the Brick before this day might not have. At the moment, he wasn't sure he knew the kind of person his brother was.
All around then, the hushed sounds of condolences and thoughts about who could've been responsible for the attack hung in the air. One particular whisper that caught the ear of the prime minister and the tutor was that about the assassination band, the Gang Green Gang. Henry quickly excused himself from the dining table and gestured for Moses to follow after him. The two left the hall and found a secluded spot in the corridors leading outside to speak.
"The Gang Green Gang?" Moses whispered, wary of being overheard.
"I wouldn't be surprised as poison was used on that arrow." Henry said as he stroked his beard. "However, for someone to employ them, they must truly want the throne."
Moses sighed heavily as he tried to think of who could be so desperate as to try to assassinate a child.
Back in the feasting hall, Mac was keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Unfortunately for him, a member of the Gang Green gang hid in plain sight, with his black cloak matching the rest of the mourners his telltale tattoo hidden. It was nearing the end of the feat when he took out a small pouch with a small bit of powder, handled with extreme care. A young apprentice from the physicians was carrying a tray with beverage to serve the prince his medicine. As he walked past the hooded figure, he failed to notice the sprinkling of powder into the cup intended for the king to be.
The servant walked to the king, ignorant of the impending danger towards the eldest prince. He walked up to him with his head bowed, before reaching the prince. "Your highness."
Brick glanced at the cup and turned his eyes forward. He waved his hand dismissively. "I don't need it."
The boy not much older than he fumbled over his words before he composed himself. "Your highness, the head physician says this will help you regain your strength."
Again, Brick looked at the apprentice physician this time with a glare. "I don't need it."
"Please, your highness." The apprentice implored softly.
Butch sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "Brick, just take the damn medicine."
Brick glared at his younger brother before taking the cup from the tray. The apprentice stood back with a relieved smile and bowed his head.
Mac who'd watched the spectacle turned just in time to see a figure pull a hood over his head and start to leave the room. A sinister smirk had crossed his face, and he acted without thinking. Running to the prince and violently slapping the cup from his hand. The motion and the sudden clatter had everyone turning to see what was going on. Boomer and Butch stood at the ready, wondering what had gotten into the squire.
"Your highness, please forgive me." Mac spoke lowly and quickly, before moving to the spilled beverage. He called the apprentice over and had him take a second look. The physician ran his finger in the beverage and felt the grainy texture of the spilled beverage. Upon the puzzled look on his face, Mac felt his suspicions were confirmed.
"There was something added to this." The apprentice said. He lifted his fingers to his nose and sniffed. "Poison." He looked up to his princes and saw their grave expressions. Brick's eyes blazed with a fire that threatened to turn anyone to ash. The apprentice bowed his head deeply in fear. "My princes, I had nothing to do with this. I swear to you. It was only medicine."
Mac placed his hand on his shoulder. "I know it wasn't you. Your highness, if I may." Mac stood and bowed. "I saw a suspicious person left right before this was brought to you. With your permission I'd—."
"Brick!" Boomer called after his brother as he stormed out of the feasting hall. His brothers were right on his tail.
Brick ran down the hall, going in the direction he saw the cloaked figure moving. His pursuit led him outside where he saw the cloaked figure mounting a horse. The bastard had the nerve to smile at him, before kicking his horse in the sides and taking off at a gallop.
Brick reached for the nearest horse and mounted him. With a hard kick he sent the horse after his would-be assassin. Butch and Boomer followed suit and rode after Brick. Many of their people exclaimed in shock at seeing the young princes dashing after a cloaked figure on horseback. The left the gates of the castle and raced through the city, either crashing through or jumping over anything that got in their way.
"Don't let him out of your sight!" Brick commanded his brothers.
Butch and Boomer had a bit of a time trying to keep up with Brick as he rode his horse with a fury like no other. There was no way, he'd catch an assassin by horseback, unarmed, and without a clue as to how to bring him down. This was a completely impulsive and rush decision, which was no doubt fuel by grief and anger. They raced through the city until they got to the edge of the forest where any chance of catching him would be futile.
"Brick!" Boomer called out, his voice lost in the wind. "Brick!
Brick was deaf to his brother calling his name as he tried not to lose sight of his brother's murderer.
Three days the girls traveled without so much as seeing another human soul. The animals were curious to know the strange presence in the forest but were wary enough to not approach something more powerful than themselves. They found it easier to travel during the night and off the trail under the cover of the large oak trees. They weren't used to the sun shining so brightly. Their realm was covered with lilac skies dotted with pale lavender stars. The nights were a majestic black with a blue moon that out shown all the stars. The colors and light of this earthly realm staggered and amazed them.
However, they couldn't linger to appreciate the beauty around them. Having roughed it for the past three days, the girls were mentally exhausted. When combined with the excess amount of magic, little to no food to eat, and even less sleep the girls were beginning to fray at the edges.
It was mid afternoon when the girls stopped to take a rest. The trees thankfully provided enough shade to give them cover from the sun. Still, they wore their hoods to protect their faces from the sun. Blossom rubbed her eyes tiredly as she leaned against the tree. "Stars above."
Buttercup sat heavily on the ground, her legs bent at the knees as she lounged against a large rock the moss was thankfully cool. Bubbles wiped her hair from her face, that had become stuck with sweat. "How long must we travel?"
"Until we find shelter and then three vessels." Blossom said. "Still, I must apologize, for I had no idea we'd be walking for so long." Her stomach then growled loudly, causing her to sigh. "We must find something decent to eat."
"Do you even know where we are. Or what direction we've been traveling?" Buttercup asked.
Blossom looked up at the sky and felt around for their magic, as it left a trail only discernable to their kind. "West. We've been west."
"To where?" Bubbles asked. "We could be in the middle of no where for all we know."
Before Blossom could respond, the sound of something approaching startled the girls. It was a thundering sound with a rapid repetition that grew louder until it passed the three girls hiding on the cover of green flora.
The figure wore a cloak about his shoulders, with the fallen hood revealing the green snake tattoo on his neck. He wore a taunting smile as he rode his horse into the forest. He saw a fork in the road coming up and smiled triumphantly knowing that he'd be able to attack the young princes. While he hadn't planned on it, the elder prince had given chase and thus the perfect opportunity to get rid of them. Maybe he'd be able to get that extra five pounds of gold. He dismounted his horse and hid himself in the trees. Quickly he prepared a burnable poison that his group always carried with them for fast kills. He checked which way the wind blew, before hiding in the trees that were upwind. There he took his poison in hand and waited.
The girls looked between each other before turning their attention back to the road as three more horses with boys, probably no older than they rode past. They were dressed in black with crests on their chests. Blossom watched with keen interest as they rode past. The one that caught her attention the most was the red haired one in front. He looked sick, but there was a fire in him that she found…promising. She didn't want to the vessels to be just anyone. The responsibility was too much to pass off lightly. She looked to her sisters and hope shining in her eyes.
She wasn't the only one impressed with what she saw. Bubbles found that the blond boy though wary, could benefit from the magic she possessed. He appeared to have a good heart. Something that she found endearing. Buttercup's gaze was focused on the dark-haired boy that had one past. He looked fierce. A warrior. Someone strong. She immediately felt regret that she'd have to burden someone unknown with her woes, no matter how capable he seemed to be.
"Girls." Blossom needn't say more as she knew her sisters would agree with her about those boys. Standing up from their place, they ran along the path, using a bit of their magic to keep up with them. When the boys stopped, so did the girls and were about to approach when Buttercup turned her forward.
"Wait."
Blossom and Bubbles glanced at their sister, before looking forward, wondering what she could possible sense. Reaching out, with their magic the girls felt the man from earlier. They weren't sure what he was up to but knew it couldn't be good. Also, it wouldn't do to have witnesses to their hiding the magic.
Buttercup's eyes glowed green as she stalked forward, with the intention of getting rid of the spare. Bubbles readily followed after Buttercup, not sure how what exactly she'd do if left unchecked. Blossom turned her attention back to the boys unaware they were being now the ones being pursued.
The princes unaware of the change of the chase, paused at the fork. Brick groaned out in frustration as he looked between the two directions. Luckily for him, or so he thought, the horse of the man was standing in the middle of the road to the left. "This way."
Butch and Boomer followed their brother cautiously, keeping their eyes open for anything strange. They stopped at the abandoned horse and looked around. It was much too odd and too quiet. Soon they smelled something burning. The horses fidgeted anxiously, while the boys tried to keep them calm. When the horses became more frantic and attempting to buck them off, they knew something was wrong. Suddenly, the boys found themselves coughing when a cloud of smoke blew in their direction. The smoke was thick and black and left their lungs burning as they tried to breath. Brick not fully recovered from his last poisoning slumped against the back of his horse, before falling off completely. Butch and Boomer moved as quickly as they could to help their brother. Unfortunately, they were beginning to feel the effects of the poison and stumbled as best they could to their brother. Brick struggled to keep his eyes open and to push himself up from the ground. "Butch. Boomer." He gasped, before slumping against the ground. Before he lost consciousness, he saw three figures walking toward them. The one that stood out the most being one with brilliant, fiery red hair.
Bubbles followed Buttercup to where she sensed the man from earlier hiding out. He was crouched in the bushes, with a black cover over his mouth and nose. He held a pot in his gloved hand and was fanning the flames with another. Buttercup didn't blink or hesitate as she walked up to the man and with a whispered memory spell. While it required a simple touch for it to take effect, she couldn't resist bringing her fist down on the man's head as hard as she could.
The spell and the blow worked quickly to knock the mysterious man unconscious. Using a whip of green magic, she caught the pot before it could fall to the ground. Lifting it up to her face, she caught a whiff of the poison. She turned her head away and coughed, as the effects were almost immediate.
Bubbles took the poison then and used to magic to get rid of it. Speeding up the burning process but keeping it surrounded in a tight ball of magic so it wouldn't spread. Once it completely burned out, she released the ball of magic to drop the ashes to the ground. When she looked out into the road, she saw that Blossom was using her magic to clear the air. As she did so, the horses calmed and laid down away from their masters.
Once the air was clear, Bubbles and Buttercup stepped out from the trees to stand beside her. Using their magic, they lifted the boys so that they were positioned in a triangle. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup walked to stand to the right side of the boys. They linked hands and sat beside them.
"Ancient mages, we call on you to grant our wish." Blossom started.
"We ask the stars above to come down and give us their blessing." Bubbles continued, feeling the magic flow through their bodies.
"Humbled, we ask the moon and sun to grace us with their presence." Buttercup finished, her eyes falling closed.
The wind blew around them gently before a stillness settled. Together the three of them began the spell that would transfer half the magic they held in their bodies to the three vessels before them. Young adolescents like themselves, unknowing of the burden about to be placed upon them.
"Body of my body. Energy flows from one to another. We create this bond with you." Unlinking hands the girls leaned over the boys, their mouths almost touching. "Body of my body. Energy flows from one to another. We create this bond with you." Placing their hands on the boys' faces, they held them in place.
While the spell was being casted, the poison in the boys' bodies dissipated. An internal change was occurring that, that left their bodies in a more balanced state than they've ever felt them. Brick felt the most significant change as his shoulder tingled and healed around the stitches in his shoulder. When their bodies had reached that moment of equilibrium their eyes sprang open glowing darker shades of the girls' eyes. Their breath escaped in a deep exhale that brushed heavily across the girls' faces. Staring up into beautiful, unknown faces their brows furrowed, wondering what was happening to them.
"We seal this bond with a binding kiss." They whispered gently.
Blossom stared in glowing red eyes with a soft yet stern look in her eyes. "Use this power wisely." She whispered before pressing her lips to the unknown, but strong boy under her. The moment their lips touched, Brick felt a fired begin to burn within him as the sweetest taste filled his mouth, like honey and the ripest of fruits. This fiery haired girl with bizarre pink eyes knocked his emotional defenses of the last half day aside easily. It was a paradox of the cool soothing touch she'd graced him with. He inhaled sharply, unsure if t was his body's natural response to such a jolt to the system or because he wanted to take in more of that sweet taste.
Bubbles brushed the blond hair back from the gentle face of her chosen vessel. "Be brave. Stay kind." She whispered with a smile before kissing him gently. Boomer, much like Brick felt his body jolt upon the feeling of powerful magic flowing through him. Also, he couldn't get over how beautiful the girl above him was. Cerulean eyes that were brighter than the morning sky, and golden hair that appeared a halo round her gentle face. Angel, he thought as his eyes feel closed in bliss while sweetest brushed against his tongue.
Butch's brow furrowed in confusion as he stared at the strange, yet beautiful ravenette, whose locks were a spiky disarray with sad green eyes. "I'm sorry." She whispered before laying a deep, sorrowful kiss against his lips. The sweetest taste filled his mouth while a strong energy tightened his body. The feeling going through his was like no other. Shocking Buttercup, he brought his hand up to hold her face against him as more and more of the magic filled his body. Gripping his hair tightly, Buttercup restrained Butch as she continued the transfer.
Once the transfer was complete, the boys fell unconscious. The girls stood up shakily as they fought the sudden lack of half their power. It was a strange sensation as they felt their bodies weren't overstimulated with the excess magic. However, there was a sense of loss as their senses felt dulled.
"Let us be off." Blossom said as she tried to shake off the lingering feelings of disorientation.
"What about him?" Buttercup asked as she turned her head in the direction of the man she'd left in the mysterious man.
Henry and Moses rode their horses furiously into the forest with Mac and a few other guards following behind them. The moment they heard that the boys had run off after some strange man, Henry and Moses gathered a few guards and went in search of them. Having no idea as to where exactly the boys and this man had rode off to, it took much longer than was anticipated to find them.
Henry was seething as mixed emotions ran through him. First and foremost was worry for the young princes. They were grief stricken and were acting recklessly. Then he felt anger and irritation for the short-sighted imbeciles. Blinded with emotion and foolhardy. When he found them, he wasn't sure what he'd do. Moses felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, as the worst-case scenario ran through his mind. He wasn't sure what he'd do I the case they couldn't find the boys. With the loss of the youngest prince still so fresh, he wasn't emotionally prepared. He hoped they found them soon, as the sun was beginning to set.
As they were riding along the familiar path, they saw something strange on the rode up ahead. Three horses were lying in the middle of the road. Slowing their gait, the group came to the sight of the boys lying on the ground.
Jumping off the horse, Henry and Moses went to the princes to see if they were unconscious or dead. Both prayed for the former. It was a relief to feel the warmth of their skin, before being startled as they suddenly awoke.
Eyes unfocused, the boys frantically looked around as they searched for the three mysterious girls that had saved them. "They're gone."
"What?"
Brick didn't answer as he stood up, just as suddenly as he awoke. Turning in a complete circle with no sign of the fiery haired girl or her companions. "She's gone."
"Who's gone?" Moses asked, worried for a completely different reason than before.
Brick ran a hand through his hair and exhaled deeply. "There was a girl. Beautiful girl."
Henry rose an incredulous brow. "A girl?" he turned to Mac with a narrowed gaze. "I thought you said he ran after a hooded male figure."
Mac unsure as to what was currently occurring sputtered as he tried to find an answer. "At the feast, there was a suspicious hooded figure. He left right after the attempted poisoning of his highness."
Turning back to Brick, who looked caught between confusion and awe, Henry shook his head and decided to try his luck with his brothers. "What happened?"
Butch's brow furrowed as he tried to remember what happened. As he did so, he brought a hand to his mouth and as he bit his lip, tasted a sweetness that had lingered. "A kiss."
"A kiss?" Moses questioned, growing more worried about the sanity of the princes. "What do you mean?"
"What happened to the man you were pursuing?" Henry demanded, wanting to get to the bottom of these events.
"It must've been a dream." Boomer spoke, a faraway look in his eyes. "An angel came to us."
"What in the bloody hell are you three talking about?" Henry demanded of them.
"We smelled something burning. Then we couldn't see." Brick recounted lost in his thoughts, unsure of what was reality or dream. "Couldn't breathe. Then before me there was this girl." He closed his eyes as she tried to capture the image of her hair and eyes. "The most beautiful girl."
Moses grew worried at their extended incomprehensibility. "My princes. I suggest we return to the castle."
"And call the physician. I swear they've gone mad!" Henry grumbled, before gesturing to the guards to assist the boys.
Carefully the guards guided the boys to their horses and helped them to mount. Once upon their ride, the guards held onto the reigns and guided them to their own horses. They'd lead the princes' horses at the didn't appear to be of sound mind.
Jack who'd silently watched the spectacle wondered what couldn't happened for they arrived to make them seem so different than how they were from the feast of early noon. Unlike the fatherly tutor and flamboyant prime minister, he noticed that the ground's foot patterns were strange. There were distinct marks from where the boys lie to Brick's movements. However, there was nothing to indicate that anyone had been there. It was unnaturally smooth.
Mac felt completely disappointed in himself as he had failed to protect the princes. Of course, he'd prevented Prince Brick from swallowing poison, but he didn't stop them from running after the culprit. He needed to be much more of a resource instead of a hinderance.
It was nearing dusk by the time the entourage returned to the castle. Once there, Henry demanded that the princes be quarantined until a proper idea concerning their health and sanity. "Allow no one to see them unless they are a physician."
The guards escorted the princes to their quarters. Once in their rooms the young princes began to ponder what actually occurred between them and the mysterious girls they'd met in the forest. Brick went to his window and looked out across his kingdom. That girl was real, and he'd see to it that he found her again.
Out in the forest as dark began to settle in, the girls wondered aimlessly after taking care of the cur that tried to poison the boys. They found a small hut for them to place him, where he'd awaken without a memory of the last few hours. As they walked fatigue started to settle in. Witches thrived off the magic, and any sudden decrease in their inner magic tired them out.
Bubbles collapsed first in the middle of the road they were traveling on. Buttercup and Blossom turned to their fallen sister and helped to move her off the side of the road.
"We need to find a place to stay the night. We're too exposed and vulnerable like this." Blossom said as she felt drowsiness come over her.
Buttercup agreed but couldn't fight the exhaustion. As they sat, Buttercup and Blossom found themselves falling unconscious as well. Deep sleep was the only way that they were going to replenish their power. However, it was dangerous to do so in an unfamiliar place. Unfortunately, it was involuntary.
While the girls were sleeping, a horse carriage with a middle-aged man driving came down the road. He saw the girls sleeping and stopped his carriage. Getting down, he walked over to the girls and tried to rouse them. When he couldn't, he looked to his carriage and went to make space for the three girls. He carried a lot of miscellaneous parts and pieces that he hoped to use to create things he called machines. Machines that would help make his daily life easier.
Once he'd made enough room, he carried each of the girls to his carriage and covered them with the tarp to protect them from the night cold. His village wasn't too far from where they were. He'd give them place to lay their head and something to eat when they awoke.
As the girls slept, many visions crossed their dreams. Sedusa. Bunny. Those unknown boys. They kept flashing in random, rapid procession behind their closed lids. For the moment, they were safe. For the moment, they could try to build a life and prepare for Sedusa if she ever found them. Even if she did, she'd never have all the magic they'd taken. All they had to do was make sure that they never saw those boys again. It would be the only way to keep them safe. No one else would die because of them if they could help it.
When the moon had reached its highest peak in the sky, the Gang Green Gang assassin had awoken. It was dark save for the moonlight and he couldn't for the life of him remember anything about the day. His group had to be looking for him. Gathering himself from the dirt floor, he stepped out into the night and stumbled until he found the road. Randomly choosing a direction, he walked until he got to somewhere familiar. It was a traveler's town that his gang spent time at between jobs.
He found the pub, The Kraken. Walking in, his group turned and immediately recognized that something was off with him. His eyes were unfocused, and he didn't carry himself in his usual calm, confident demeanor. His leader stood up from the table and stalked over to him, anger just barely held in check. "Snake."
"Ace, I-I-I…" he didn't get a chance to say anymore before a fist connected with his jaw. "Ace, please."
"Outside. Now." The lean and always greasy leader ordered, pushing him out the door. Once the two were outside, Ace grabbed Snake by the collar of his shirt and slammed him against the wall of the pub. "What happened? I expected you back before nightfall."
Snake shook his head as he tried to gather his thoughts. "I don't know."
"How the hell do you not know?"
"I don't know. I left to go to the funeral ceremony like we were asked. Then nothing."
"Nothing?" Ace repeated with narrowed eyes. "What do you mean, nothing?"
Snake exhaled sharply. "I don't know. I can't remember anything after the funeral ceremony until I woke up."
Something about this wasn't making sense. "Woke up? Sounds like someone got the drop on you?"
Affronted, Snake rose angry eyes to Ace. "Not possible. I'm the best at what I do."
"Apparently not." Ace snorted, as a thoughtful expression crossed his face. "This is a problem. You saw nothing before this unknown attacked you?"
Snake shook his head, now growing angry with himself for not noticing anything out of the ordinary. Something about what happened to him didn't sit right. He'd figure it out and take action against this man who bested him. More than his ego was bruised with this incident.
Until next time, my lovelies.