He he he...so I knew what all of you would guess, and I was correct. Some of you guessed it was Butch and Him, while some of you guessed it was Butch and Abaddon... However, I am not TELLING YOU who they are! xD Just me knowing what you guys would guess before you guessed shows just how awesome I am...and how sneaky. ^_^ Just kidding. Anyway, I hope you guys like this chapter! I sure am having fun writing this story...who knew it would do so well? Three chapters and twenty-five reviews...I am extremely thankful for that! :D
Time for my 'every once in a while' responses to reviews! :D
ROCeuvas - You live in TX too? That's awesome! We had some major rain the other night, and this HE-UGE thunderstorm. I think where I lived, we needed the rain though. ^_^ That probably caused the inspiration of a storm in the last chapter...lol!
Blackhearts33 - Oh you have no idea how right you just may be...and yet for all you know you could be so INCREDIBLY wrong. ;)
ToxickissesXoXo - I don't mind if you become a die-hard fan. ^_^
Animeskullgirl16 - Man you are a wicked guesser...O.O However, you are still a tad off. ;) I guess we'll just have to wait and see...rofl!
ButtercupXButchForever - I think your review made my day! :D However, since Bella is only two years old, I doubt she was reading one of my stories... ;) Unless of course she read one of my old ones (you have no idea how many stories I've written...OFF Fanfiction)...lol! Thank you though, I'm flattered. ^_^ *blushes*
Boomer-And-Bubbles - DICK! AHHHH! I actually considered him, but I hate him so much that I decided against it... xD I'm shocked someone actually guessed that though! You're awesome!
I LOVE YOU ALL MY LOVELY LITTLE LEMON DROPS!
(Blossom POV)
Sometimes when you are pregnant, you get mood swings or food cravings. This is incredibly true in many ways, and happened to me quite frequently. However, sometimes you never fully understood the consequences of pregnancy until it happened to you. Maybe it was just me, or maybe it happened to many women...but either way I had much more effects of pregnancy. My usually sharp mind dulled slightly at times, while at other times I could be found in a trance of a daydream much like Bubbles would every day. It was completely unlike me, so I blamed it on the little person growing within me. Sometimes someone would ask me a question, and I would merely stare at them...trying to figure out what it was they asked me.
However, lately I would find myself staring out the window thinking about my lost sister. I wondered what she was doing, and why she felt the need to leave. Right before she left (and I mean like the NIGHT before she left) she and I had a conversation with each other. She had seemed pretty apprehensive, and only now did I know why. The three months she stayed with us after Butch died, had been the worst I'd ever seen her. She spent almost all of her time with her children, and only came out to eat. As the weeks went by, her demeanor and attitude worsened; she began to grow extremely pale, and we did not even see her at mealtimes. Then when she left, I can not say it completely surprised me. It actually made me feel quite relieved to be frank, because now I knew that she was out somewhere, doing something, searching for whatever it is she searched for.
"I hope you find what you seek, my dear sister," I whispered to myself as I stared out at the scenery below.
The storm had gone away, but the skies remained clouded over. There were maid cleaning up the area, while men lifted heavy things and placed them where it was they belonged (such as the outhouse shed). Even Brick and Boomer began to help, seeing it as their duty. Brick believed (and I quote) 'a king shan't ever be a good king, unless he acts upon which he speaks'. In other words, if a king merely orders people around and does not do anything to help...then he is not a good ruler. If a king sends men out to war and does not go himself, then soon his kingdom will crumble (unless of course he is unable to help, because he is sick or handicapped). So Brick found it as his duty to order men to do something, then help them do it if he is able...I was rather fond of him for it actually.
I looked towards the sky once more, seeing just how gloomy it looked. Buttercup always did like this type of weather...unlike Bubbles who enjoyed sunshine. Thinking about her, brought me back to the memory of our conversation before she left.
"Blossom?" I heard a voice say behind me quietly.
I turned around to see my younger sister, Buttercup, standing there before me. She was pale, as per usual, but she did not look as upset as usual. She looked slightly nervous, as though she was about to do something terrible...or perform before many many people (been there, done that).
"Yes?" I asked with a kind smile.
"Do you..." she began slowly. "Do you believe in miracles?"
That sounded much like a question of which Bubbles would ask, but instead my raven-haired sister did. For once, she had me slightly baffled from the question, and I did not really know what to say. I pursed my lips in thought, before speaking my answer with a smile.
"Yes Buttercup, I believe I do," I said.
"Any miracle?"
I sighed, "Yes. Buttercup, where is all of this nonsense coming from?"
"I've just...been thinking rather hard lately," she said with a frown. "Some rather odd questions have entered my mind, and suddenly I find myself rather keen on discovering the answers..."
I smiled, "Welcome to my world."
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, but it did not exactly come to a full smile. Then she frowned once more, and turned her head to look out the window of my bedroom. She seemed so incredibly distant lately, that it began to bother me... I could understand her melancholy, for I would feel the same if Brick passed on...but she was not getting any better. She seemed to only become worse; with only her children as light to her world. Whenever she saw them she smiled, but they were sad smiles...ones of pity.
Ever since that day, the question she had asked me continued to wander inside my mind. Did I believe in miracles? I had told her yes, but that answer was not exactly conclusive. However, one more question pondered me greatly...and had not ever left my mind since that day.
Did she believe in miracles?
Perhaps that was why she left...in search of a miracle? A silly thing...and yet not entirely stupid. It was certainly something that a single person would receive by a long-shot, but there certainly was a chance that one could happen.
The thing was, what miracle did she wish to recieve?
(Buttercup POV)
"Alright, do you wish for some help?" I had to contain my laughter at the sight before me.
Both of my sons insisted that they carry the bed-mats, pot, bowls, spoons, and everything else we owned. I could not change their minds no matter how hard I tried, and I had to admit it was very cute. Bonnie held her book and stuffed bear, Bruce, keeping both FAR from her siblings. Basher and Breaker were both attempting not to fall over from the weight of everything... Even if they were super-powered beings, they were only two years old, and still had yet to hit puberty. When any royal person hit puberty, that person would begin to see noticeable changes. I could remember when my sisters and I hit puberty... We hit it soon before we were taken away by the thieves, and separated from each other.
Blossom hit it first, of course (being the firstborn triplet and all). Not only did she hit a slight growth spurt, but she also had a hard time controlling her ice abilities...especially when she blew on hot food. I also remembered her freaking out when her hair began to thin out...before growing back even thicker than before.
Bubbles, surprisingly, hit puberty before I did...even though she was the youngest. She grew, all that stuff, and honestly became quite pretty. What showed us completely that she was going through it, was because every time she touched something (for about a month) it automatically healed or mended itself. After a while she took control of it, but for a while she could be found trying not to touch EVERYTHING in her path and healing it... Though she did have fun in the garden...watching things bloom from her touch.
I was last, but had the most dramatic changes. I grew taller, my hair grew at extremely fast rates, and was literally a human bomb. I had absolutely no control with my abilities, especially my main one (ya know...the whole arrow controlling thing?). If I became upset in any way, then I would either end up blowing something up with some random weapon, or have things turn randomly into arrows. It was terrible... Not to mention I had crazy mood swings ALL the time...
I wondered how MY children would do during puberty... Plus, I wondered what their unique powers were. They showed all of the signs of having usual abilities, but nothing too special yet. My special ability honestly did not turn up until I was five years old, when I accidentally shot the priest's behind with an arrow (which appeared out of thin air)...
"N-no...we needn't any...h-help," Basher said through gritted teeth.
Basher was always the tough one...always saying he was strong enough to do things. He never showed any signs of weakness (at least not for a two year old...I swear he would be a rock when he got older). If I ever said anything about helping him with things such as these, he would automatically stand up straight and down-right tell me that he did not need any help.
"Y-yeah..." Breaker said with wide eyes.
Breaker was tough like his brother, but not nearly as much. You could crack him easier... If you asked to help him, he would say no at first. However, he could tell when it was too much for him, and eventually he would give in. He was actually pretty darn cute...
"You sure?" I prodded.
"Yes!" Basher groaned. "Just walk!"
"Y-yeah!" Breaker added.
I smirked, before turning around and beginning to walk forward. We weren't five feet away from the cave's entrance when Bellatrix spoke.
"Mother," she said softly. "Shouldn't we wait for Mr. Merlin?"
"Merlin can find us," I said simply. "He always has..."
She nodded, before opening her book and reading as she walked. I had no idea how she knew where she was going, but she always did. She was simply amazing...
"What exactly are you reading?" I asked curiously.
"Tis' a fairytale book," she said with a smile, apparently happy about the new subject. "It is full of many different stories..."
I nodded with a smile, "Ah, alright then. What fairytale are you reading about at this moment?"
"Rumpelstiltskin..." she said softly.
"That is a short story," I pointed out. "The girl agrees to give him her baby, but does not wish to when it comes down to it. Then she must figure out his name, and-"
"Don't spoil it!" Bellatrix exclaimed, with an angry expression.
I raised an eyebrow, before smiling, "Sorry...carry on."
Bellatrix shook her head, muttering something under her breath, before continuing to read.
We continued to walk for at least ten more minutes, before I we heard a loud yell and a crash. I frowned, and began to walk in the direction. When I arrived at my destination, I could not help but smirk.
"Well well well," I said with a smirk. "If tis' not Merlin, then I must be loony."
Bellatrix giggled, before running over to the wizard. Merlin was currently lying face-first in the ground, with his legs high up in the air on top of a large log. Bellatrix helped him up, which he thanked her for.
"Well I am indeed Merlin," Merlin said standing up. "But you are still loony."
I rolled my eyes, "I am far from it...to be honest I am probably the most sane person here."
Merlin smiled, "Well, I see you four are leaving your cave. Where are you headed now?"
"I figured we would go towards the West," I said simply. "We have not been there yet..."
"Still in search for Sir Butch, are you not?" Merlin asked.
I nodded with a sad sigh, "Indeed."
"You know, your siblings are quite worried for you," Merlin said with a pitiful smile. "Tis' quite hard for me not to reveal your whereabouts."
I smiled kindly, "I thank for not doing so...and I promise you that I do intend on returning one day."
"Yes, but when shall that day arrive?" Merlin asked with a kind smile.
I sighed, knowing that he was right. I did wish to see my family, and I wished more than anything for my children to see their family. Especially Butch... The problem, however, was that I did not exactly know when I would find Butch. I did not wish to abandon my search for him, but at the same time...who knew when I would find him? It could be in a few days, or in a few years! I missed my sisters terribly, and I can not lie and say I did not miss Brick and Boomer too. I would have to return eventually, but when would that ever be?
"Well," Merlin said happily. "I've brought you all gifts from my journey to the Under Region!"
"You've gone and went to the Under Region?" asked bewildered.
The Under Region was a place under the Great Eastern Mountains, and probably the only thing that made the East famous. Nobody knew for certain that people lived down there until my father's youth, when a few soldiers went and searched the area. Many had heard rumors of evil creatures that dwelled within the mountains, while others heard that a pack of kind fairies lived there. When the soldiers had returned from their journey, they told of amazing and terrifying things. They said that men lived there, but not just any men (including women)...no they were rather odd people. Some were large, some were small...and some were nearly impossible to see. It turned out that the sons and daughters of our kind, who had been born 'deformed' as people would say, would go live in the mountains...where nobody would see them as strange creatures. Nobody knew if they were kind or not, and most did not dare to enter the area due to fear.
"Yes," Merlin said happily. "I was even taken in by the nicest witch I've ever met...though I'm positive her husband wished to eat me..."
I raised an eyebrow with a smirk, and he added on to his last sentence.
"Her husband was a werewolf..." he said with a shudder. "Terrible smelling fellow, I must say..."
I smiled and shook my head, when Basher spoke, "What did you get us, sir?"
Merlin smiled, "Well each of you got something different...I always despised it in my youth whenever someone fetched me and my siblings ALL the EXACT same thing-"
"Hurry up will you?" I smiled.
"Alright alright..." Merlin said. "Basher, I have brought you this puzzle."
Oh no...
"Puzzle?" Basher asked.
Merlin handed him a square shaped object, and each side was a different color (Think Rubix Cube).
"Did you have to go and get him a puzzle?" I complained.
"What is wrong with a good puzzle?" Merlin demanded.
"Well you see-"
"ARGH THIS PUZZLE IS SO HARD!"
I turned to him, "You haven't even started it yet..."
"Oh," Basher said with a frown.
"Yes," Merlin said. "I'll have to show you what is rather amazing about it...for you see not only is it a rather brain-messing puzzle, but tis' also a sort of...fortune teller. Later when we find a place to set camp, I shall show you."
"Oh cool! Thank you Merlin!" Basher said with a grin.
"Well moving on," Merlin said with a cough. "I've gotten you this, Breaker."
Merlin handed Breaker a compass, to which we each eyed curiously. Breaker frowned in confusion, because usually Merlin would bring rather amazing things back from his trip.
"Um Merlin...?" Breaker prodded.
"Yes, it is a compass if that is what you are wondering," Merlin pointed out. "But tis' a special compass."
"Special?" Breaker asked with wide eyes.
"Yes," Merlin said. "It does many things... The large hand will show you where your family or friends are whenever you may get lost, and the smaller hand will show you the direction of whatever tis' you desire."
"What does the tiny hand do?" Breaker asked.
"Oh that? Where North is...boring really," Merlin shrugged.
I smirked, and watched as he handed Bellatrix something.
"Here you are Bella," he said with a smile. "I have actually brought you two items...one was actually just something I used to bring with me a lot."
He handed her a rather large book, which Bellatrix took with a wide smile.
"I managed to get that kind witch to change it into braille for me," he said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Tis' much harder to read than what you are used to, but I'm sure you'll manage."
"Thank you," Bellatrix said with a wide smile.
"Oh, and here is your gift from the Under Region," Merlin said with a smile, before handing her a small potion bottle. "I shan't tell you what it is exactly, but I'm positive if you ever come to need it you shall know."
I was confused at that, as were everyone else...but I did not dare question it.
"Do not waste it," Merlin added, before handing me something. "Here you are."
I looked down at what he handed me, and saw that it was a mirror. I frowned at it, wondering what it did. It was a very pretty mirror...with a handle made of marble stone, and a single diamond in the middle.
"Um, does it do anything?" I asked.
"It will show you whatver you wish to see, as long as it is on this earth," Merlin smiled.
My eyes widened, and nearly asked it a question...but Merlin interrupted.
"Plus, it also comes in handy if you need to pop a zit-"
"Thank you Merlin," I said with a shudder at what he said.
Such as strange man Merlin was...and yet so very intellegint.
"Well we best be off, come children!" Merlin exclaimed, walking off.
"Merlin," I called out with a smirk. "You are headed in the wrong direction..."
"Oh, righty then," Merlin said heading the other direction.
"Tis' also the wrong direction!" I called out.
I pointed forward, when he gave me a look. He nodded, and began in the direction...which we followed. We had not walked another ten feet when I heard something that made me laugh.
"M-mother...help?" Breaker whined, nearly crumbling under the weight of everything.
I laughed, and helped him.