Chapter 2: Visitors
Disclaimer: I do not own the Powerpuffs or any figures from Norse Mythology.
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"Stupid snow. Stupid ice. Stupid wind. Stupid cold!" Within the confines of a small wooden room was a tall figure piled beneath several layers of cloth and blankets, seated upon a long cushioned bench.
'Grumbling about it won't make it any better. Besides, we both know you can't actually get that cold'
"Shut up feather brains!" A pair of crimson eyes appeared from beneath the cloth to glare at the large orange-red bird standing on the bench across the room. "Just because I can't get cold enough to freeze docent mean it ain't cold damn it!"
The bird simply lay down upon the cushion before tucking it's head beneath it's wing, completely ignoring the low growl. 'Some familiar you are.' A small panel above the bird opened then allowing wind and snow to enter the somewhat warm room. "Milord were going to be passing through the barrier any moment now." A deep throaty voice shouted trying to be heard over the howling wind. Not waiting for a reply the panel slid shut once more.
"Its about time." Muttered the figure as he readjusted the cloth, dusting off stray snowflakes that had settled. Moments later a sharp chill ran through his body threatening to freeze the very blood in his veins. "Damn I hate that."
'Admit ably not something one grows accustom to.' The large bird stood up ruffling it's feathers before stretching out a wing to preen at it. 'It seems to get colder each time we pass through.'
"If I know Pink, it's probably on purpose too." Grumbling quietly the figure began to remove the cloth, piling it on the bench. The teen then turned to open a panel in the wall beside him before peering out at the misty white world, displeasure etched across his face.
For any that looked upon this eternally white world it would immediately strike them as a dangerously beautiful place. Outside the barrier the wind would scream like banshees, buffeting the land until it shone like polished crystal. The snow would twist and turn, twirling upon the winds vicious current in breathtaking displays of aerial dynamics. Once within the barrier the formations of ice and rock transformed into perfectly sculpted figures and architect. Before long the mist would take over though, stealing the well trodden path. For any that didn't know the way through it would be like trying to escape the Minotaurs labyrinth blindfolded. But the carriage steeds were well accustom to the blinding mists by now. With sure steps and the echoing clop of hooves they continued on.
"I don't know how they can live here."
'I seem to remember you liking this place well enough the first time you came.' Fluttering to the small windowsill the bird perched, looking out as far as it could. 'I also remember you rolling around in every snowdrift you could find until it actually melted.'
"Shut up Accendo." Growling quietly the teen slumped back into the soft cushions. "Theres only so much one can handle of this colorless place. Nothing but white, grey, blue, and more white. It's damn depressing if you ask me."
'Yet you never refuse to come.'
"You know damn well why I come!" A menacing glint appeared in the teens crimson eyes as he snapped at the bird who screeched defiantly in turn.
'Yet you act like a fledgling each time you do!'
"It's not my fault she acts like a snarky stoic every time I'm here!"
'How many times must I repeat myself.' With an irate squawk, Accendo did exactly as his name implies and lit himself aflame. 'It IS your fault!'
A sharp rap stopped any retort the teen had before it could leave his mouth. "Milord we have arrived." an almost unnoticeable door opened to the left, stopping the argument before it could escalate. Patting his bulky clothing into place the tall youth stepped out onto the frozen path leading to the castle. With a burst of feathers Accendo extinguished the flame before landing upon his companions shoulder.
"Well, I see you haven't changed at all Brick." The sheer lack of emotion in the voice brought the pair up short. A glance to the balcony above confirmed his suspicions. A blur of pink, and there before them stood the princess of Niflheim. He had to admit she had grown a bit since last they met. The neon pink of her clothes wrapped snuggly around her arms before sharply cutting down into a v necked clasp. Beneath it in a slightly lighter shade, was a fitted tube top like shirt that covered down to her hips. From there the previous neon pink took over again, the tight fabric accentuating her long legs. Her hair, now almost ankle length, blew in the soft breeze along with the cherry red strips of fabric dangling from her waist.
A sharp huff had Brick's eyes snapping up to meet her emotionless face, ice pink eyes glaring back at him. The teen mentally cursed himself for he honestly hadn't realized he had been starring at her. Crimson eyes quickly took on a darker tone as he glared, trying to cover his momentary laps. Wether or not she noticed he wasn't really sure for she quickly turned around breezing away. With an effortless tug she opened the enormous sculpted doors. "You coming or not?" Her voice sounded like crystal chimes as she spoke to him. "Well you better hurry up if you are. I'm not gonna stand here waiting."
'Brick! Stop daydreaming!' Accendo dug his talons into Brick's shoulder, the boy barley managing to stifle a yelp of surprise. Though he wanted nothing more than to throttle the bird right there, Brick immediately began following Blossom through the white maze she called home. Though he'd never admit it, the teen was impressed that she could navigate the corridors at all. He had tried to find his way around on his own before only to end up horribly lost on several occasions. In Brick's point of view everything looked exactly the same. How the red head in front of him could tell the difference he'd never know.
An erie silence settled over the three, the only sound being the soft slap of shoes against the hard floor. As they continued down the corridors Brick found himself focusing on the girl before him more and more. Quickly scolding himself he tried to look anywhere but at her. Unfortunately for him she was the brightest color in any direction besides himself, therefore his attention would automatically return to her once more. His eyes had settled on Blossom's long legs before he realized what he was doing. 'Damn it Brick! Stop staring at her you idiot!' he mentally cursed.
A few more mental reprimands and Brick was silently fuming. He hated the girl before him with a burning passion. She was his opposite in every way. Her attitude made him want to scream. The stoic look on her face had him pulling at his hair in frustration. And worse yet, she was the only thing in this entire freaking castle that could remotely gain his attention. It took everything he had not to yell at her. But he wanted her to be angry or to scream at him. Hel he'd take any emotion he could get if it meant he wouldn't have to put up with her "Ice Queen" attitude, as he liked to call it. His blood was boiling by now as he plotted ways to make her snap.
Completely lost in thought, Brick didn't notice a thing until he ran into her. "Hey! What was that for?" the teen snapped. "What you forget how to walk or something?" When he got no reaction out of the girl he grew suspicious. Stepping in front of Blossom he waved a hand in front of her face. She didn't even blink and he was getting uncomfortable. Brick tried snapping his fingers in front of her, when he still got no reaction he turned around. Maybe she was looking at something? Standing beside her he looked down the hall... still nothing.
His lips turned up in a devilish smirk then. He'd get a reaction out of her one way or another. 'Brick! What do you think your doing!' Accendo squawked, shifting unhappily as the teen produced a small flame in his palm. "What, it won't hurt her…much." he replied, reaching out towards the girl.
Wanting the funniest reaction he could get, Brick redirected his hand from her shoulder towards her flank. Fingers just barley touching the fabric he closed his palm around the silk…nothing? She was gone. Jumping back in shock, Brick looked up and down the hallways. 'She couldn't have just disappeared? Could she?'
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IM SORRY It took me forever to post this chapter. I was writing it in my notes and noticed it kept trying to use my Internet whenever I wrote anything down. I found out that my stupid phone was copying the work on my yahoo page instead. So I tried to send the work back to my cell phone and deleted the entire chapter by accident. So I had to re-write the whole thing, which I very much dislike. So if the chapter seems sort of rushed and not quite like my last two it was because I hate having to do things over, knowing it can't compare to my previous work.
Also I'd like to thank my very first reviewers Polska and Dreams. It's nice to know someone actually read my work and could enjoy it.
Please leave a review. I'd love to hear opinions on things. And I'd like to know how the characters turned out… I felt like I wrote Brick too OC.