Caeruleus Flamma: Thanks! Spooky is what I'm going for. :D I actually came up with the idea before I saw Power-noia, so yeah, but I did a little cop-out to fit it in. As for the fight, Blossom says in the last chapter that it was violent, even by BC's normal standards.
Pilfered Sympathy: You'll see.
Raskolin Phoenix: I don't know if you're still reading PPG… but I believe you about the tiredness thing, I was just teasing you- no hard feelings. I don't really like the whole RRB overload thing either. Good RRB fics are rare.
Hairy Gregory: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know BC does get scared and stuff, but perhaps I didn't communicate well, but this is unlike anything they've seen. Anyway, again I've put in a little cop-out for the inconsistencies with the show.
D*A*W*N*A*T*E*L*L*A: Um, I think you mean Buttercup, not Bubbles. Anyway, thank you so much for the review!
OK, a major and (in my opinion) obvious clue in this chapter! Please R&R! Hope you like!
Chapter Three: Seeing Things
Later that day while the girls were watching TV Professor Utonium handed Buttercup the book she tossed aside earlier that morning. "Buttercup," he said, "Remember to pick up your things. This is the third time this week I saw your comic book lying around. This is your last warning. The next time I see this lying on the floor it's going in the garbage."
"It's not a comic, it's a graphic novel," Buttercup corrected him with a frown. She took the book and stared at it for a moment. It was "Spore" volume 3, her favorite. She growled and tossed it aside. "Spore" landed at the Professor's feet.
"Now Buttercup, what was that for?" the Professor asked, picking it up. "Didn't you hear what I said?"
"Yeah, I did," Buttercup said defiantly. This caught the attention of Blossom and Bubbles.
"I don't like your attitude," he frowned, "What's gotten into you? Do you want me to throw this out?"
"Why not? Tear it up. I don't care. I don't like "Spore" anymore," Buttercup said, jumping out of her seat on the couch and floating next to the TV with her arms folded.
"I thought this was your favorite book," Professor Utonium wrinkled a brow, "If I recall correctly you begged me to get this for you."
"That was then, this is now," Buttercup shrugged.
"Is this how you show respect?" Professor Utonium asked, getting frustrated because Buttercup seemed to be rebelling just to put on a show and get attention. It wasn't the first time. "You don't seem to have any respect for your things. I'm putting this away until you learn to respect your belongings and me."
"I thought you were throwing it in the garbage," Buttercup snorted smugly.
"Buttercup, why are you being such a brat?" Blossom asked.
"Blossom stay out of this," The Professor sighed, closing his eyes.
"You should be thankful he's cutting you some slack," Blossom frowned.
Buttercup glared at them, her eyes shifting between her sisters and the Professor several times before she quietly gasped and her eyes momentarily fixed on the wall directly in front of her. She closed her eyes and shook her head while Blossom and Bubbles turned and strained to see what she was looking at. They saw nothing. Buttercup gritted her teeth, "Don't you get it? I don't like 'Spore'!" she hissed. She floated over to the Professor, "If you won't throw it away, I'll do it for you!" she took a quick glance at the spot on the wall and then tore the book in half, throwing it on the floor.
"Buttercup, go to your room!" Professor Utonium pointed her in the direction; his patience was obviously waning.
"F-fine," Buttercup frowned floating upstairs.
"Man!" Blossom growled, picking up the torn pieces, "What is with that girl?"
"What was she looking at?" Bubbles asked softly.
"Who knows?" Blossom shook her head, "If you ask me she's gone loopy. Either that or she's just being a brat who's craving the spotlight."
"Now Blossom," Professor Utonium sighed, "Let's not start that. I'll deal with her."
"But it's true," Bubbles piped up, "She's been acting strangely lately. I think that's why she's been having more attitude than usual. I think something is wrong."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's subtle, but she really hasn't been herself," Blossom replied.
Meanwhile Buttercup slammed her bedroom door behind her and frowned, taking heavy breaths avoiding a nervous breakdown. "Why can't you leave me alone?" she whispered. She sank to the floor and buried her face in her hands, "What's gotten into me? Am I going crazy?" she demanded, glad to be by herself in the privacy of their room again, despite the fact she was afraid to be alone. It was getting harder and harder to hide the fact that she felt that she was beginning losing her sanity.
For the past few days she had been seeing things in the corner of her eye, causing her to do several double takes, only to find there was nothing there. She had the feeling that she was being watched, and it grew stronger every day. Then she began hearing voices. Softly at first, but that day they were getting to be more frequent and louder and more and more coherent. Normal people do not hear voices. Normal people don't start seeing things. While fighting with the Professor she saw something again, only it wasn't merely in the corner of her eye. For the first time she was able to look right at it. She didn't know what it was and it didn't disappear until she closed her eyes and looked away. It didn't seem to have any particular form, just a bizarre shadow like…thing. She didn't know what it was. It was driving her crazy.
She didn't know why "Spore" all of a sudden frightened her and reminded her of her tormentor who was surely a figment of her imagination. She didn't know why she felt an urgent need to prove herself. To prove that she didn't need a special power. She didn't have a special power. She used to desire one. She used to wish for a special power every night. For a time her desire for a special power burned so deep it for a while secretly consumed her. For a while she was secretly obsessed with getting one. But then her need for a power ceased, she realized she didn't need one to be special, and being the best and toughest fighter certainly made up for it. She lost the drive and the desire, so why did she have such a need to prove herself all of a sudden. She didn't even want one anymore. It didn't make sense.
Buttercup.
She quickly looked up and looked around her room. Nothing.
Time is almost up. Come to me.
"Go away," she hissed, putting her hands to her ears.
You can come willingly, or by force. The choice is yours. You have three days.
Buttercup closed her eyes and shook her head with a frustrated cry. What was the voice talking about?!
"Buttercup!"
"Go away and leave me alone!" Buttercup cried, startled by how real the voice sounded. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and she jumped, startled. She quickly got away and jumped into fighting position only to look to see the Professor. She sighed with relief and despair at the sight of him. She flew into his arms, unable to hide her anxiety anymore, as much as she wanted to. "Professor, you startled me."
"Buttercup, what's going on?" he demanded, holding her tightly and lovingly in his arms. She was shaking. "Are you OK? Is someone here?"
"No," Buttercup replied. "No there is not. You just startled me."
"I see," he nodded, although he knew that while she was capable of being frightened now and then, she wasn't one to startle easily or without reason.
"Don't startle me like that," she frowned, growing defensive again. "You could've knocked!"
"What's going on?" he asked, sitting down on the bed and placing her on his lap.
"Nothing," Buttercup replied.
"Your sisters are becoming concerned," he said.
"Why?" Buttercup asked. "What do they have to be concerned about? Everything's fine, remember?"
"They say you haven't been yourself, and I'm beginning to agree with them. What are you afraid of?" he asked, seeing no reason to beat around the bush. For a moment after he came in she looked terrified.
Buttercup seemed offended by that question, "Nothing! I'm the fearless one! I'm not afraid of anything! I don't get scared!"
He looked at her sceptically, "Now it's perfectly all right to be afraid once in a while. You know that, and I happen to know that you do get scared, maybe not very often, but you're more than capable. It's what makes us human."
"It's what makes us weak," Buttercup snorted.
"Are you saying I'm weak?" Professor Utonium asked, "Because I get scared."
Buttercup didn't say anything for a long time until she said, "I'm not afraid. There's nothing wrong. I'm sorry if I've been a jerk lately. It's not cuz I'm scared."
"You sure?" he asked, looking her in the eye.
"Yes."
"Then what's on your mind?" he asked.
"Nothing," Buttercup replied, "I'm just… I don't know. I guess maybe I am kinda upset about not having a special power, but it's no big deal. I'll get over it. Like you said, I just have to be patient, right?" She wasn't entirely truthful, but it was they answer they had been expecting lately. Maybe it was true. Maybe deep down she still wished she had one. She shook her head, she didn't need any stupid special power dammit! "I don't mean to be weird. I'll try to behave from now on," Buttercup added. "And I'll try harder to show more respect to my things and you, and my sisters."
"I know you will," he kissed the top of her head, "We're just starting to get concerned."
"Thanks, but it's not necessary," Buttercup smiled.
"All right," Professor Utonium nodded, "And you're forgiven for that little display of rebellion of yours. So you don't have to stay here, are you coming down?"
"Um…" she looked around their room and shivered, "Yeah, in a minute."
"OK," he nodded, putting her down on the bed, "I'll see you in a bit."
"Sure," she said. He gave a strange look and left her alone. She looked around and took a deep breath, "Whoever you are, whatever you are, leave me alone or else I'll… just go away." She left her room ignoring the low distorted laughter that rang through her ears.
****
The rest of the evening Buttercup was unusually quiet. Everyone, while concerned, figured maybe it was because she was embarrassed because of her strange display and her odd behaviour. She hardly said anything until the Professor announced it was bedtime. "Do we have to?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, "I actually let you three stay up longer than usual."
"Hmph," Buttercup frowned, "Mitch Mitchellson doesn't have to go to bed this early. It's ridiculous."
"Good for him," he replied dryly, "Buttercup, I don't want to get into this tonight. I'm tired of arguing about bedtime. When you're older, I'll let you stay up later, OK? But right now, don't count on it."
"But… I don't want to go to bed, I'm not sleepy!" she frowned.
"Then lie in bed until you are," Professor Utonium sighed, "Go on now, get ready."
Grudgingly Buttercup followed her sisters into the bathroom to brush their teeth. Buttercup rinsed her mouth and when she looked up in the mirror, she gasped, backing up into the wall. "What is it?" Bubbles asked.
"Uh…" Buttercup muttered, "I thought I saw something." she said, which was true because for a moment she did. For a brief instant when she looked in the mirror, her reflection was weird, like she was shrouded in shadows while her sister's reflections looked normal. "A spider I think, but it was just a speck of…uh… dirt?"
"Where?" Blossom asked looking around.
"I must've imagined it," Buttercup gave a nervous laugh.
"Buttercup you're getting weirder and weirder lately," Blossom rolled her eyes.
"Well excuse me," Buttercup huffed, she floated out of the bathroom and into her bedroom, snuggling into bed with a frown. Blossom and Bubbles followed, but Blossom stopped and put her hands on her hips when she saw where her raven-haired sister was resting her head.
"Buttercup, scoot over, you're in my spot."
"Hmph," Buttercup muttered, "I don't see why you always get to sleep in the middle you know."
"But it's my spot," Blossom rolled her eyes, "See the blanket is pink, it means it's my spot!"
"Professor," Buttercup frowned, "Why must everything be colour-coded? Don't you think it's kinda corny and we've grown out of it?"
"Oh fine!" Blossom hissed, "If you insist, have the middle! What's the big deal anyway?"
"Uh, you hog the covers," Buttercup shrugged, making up an excuse that would cover up the fact she somehow felt like she'd be safer in the middle.
"I do not!" Blossom snapped.
"Girls!" Professor Utonium intervened; he gave Buttercup a quizzical look, "Will you stop? Quit arguing about something so trivial. Good night." he gave them each a kiss, but he was obviously getting irritated. "I love you girls and I'll see you in the morning."
"Uh, Professor?" Bubbles whispered.
"Don't worry Bubbles, I'll leave the hall light on," he sighed.
Blossom and Bubbles turned to Buttercup once the Professor was gone, "OK Buttercup, fess up," Blossom said, "What is going on?"
"Nothing," Buttercup frowned.
"Why are you acting so strange?" Blossom asked. "First there's the weird manic way you fought that monster and the odd thing you said after, you're acting paranoid and…"
"I am not!" Buttercup lied.
"Are you afraid of getting another nightmare?" Bubbles asked.
"No!" Buttercup hissed then she stopped, "Wait, how do you know about that?"
"The last three nights you've been waking me up," Blossom sighed, toning down her frustration. "I haven't said anything before, knowing you'd get embarrassed, but we're worried about you."
Buttercup sighed, "Well, thanks, but… it's no big deal."
"What worries me is that we can't wake you up at night," Blossom replied, "You get into such a state that I've never seen you in before. It's like the time Him invaded our dreams, but… worse."
"How would you know?" Buttercup demanded. "We were all asleep at the time."
"I know. And look, I didn't want to say anything or let on, but last night, when I couldn't wake you I… well I tried to enter your dream, but I couldn't, and that worries me. There was this bizarre barrier or something," Blossom confessed. "I couldn't break through no matter how hard I tried. It… well it frightened me." Bubbles looked at Blossom surprised as did Buttercup, but her expression quickly turned to a scowl.
"Wait a sec, you tried to get into my dream?!" Buttercup snapped, "How dare you! My dreams are private! Dreams are private! Remember, that's why we don't do that unless it's necessary!"
"I felt it was necessary," Blossom replied, "It's not like you to get nightmares. Certainly not three nights in a row. You are definitely not the type to get paranoid like you have been. I'm beginning to wonder if it's something more than your anxiety over a lack of a special power. Your nightmares seem to affect you when you're awake, it's subtle, but we can see it, and that is not normal. That's what really worries me."
"Oh quit being such a busybody!" Buttercup folded her arms. "Every thing is fine, all right?"
"If you say so," Blossom frowned, "I'm frankly getting tired of your attitude. We're only trying to help."
"Well don't OK. There's nothing you can do," Buttercup said.
"So you admit there's something?" Blossom asked.
"Quit reading into things," Buttercup hissed through her teeth. "Good night!" She rolled over, away from Blossom and facing Bubbles who looked at her worriedly.
"Whatever it is," Bubbles said gently, "we're here for you."
"Don't you start," Buttercup frowned, closing her eyes and pretending to fall asleep. Once she was sure her sisters had dozed off, Buttercup opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Out of the corner of her eye she saw strange shadows, but she ignored them, eventually hiding under the covers. "It's all just my imagination," she told herself over and over, until sleep finally took over.