Hey guys!

First of all let me say wow! Lots of feedback last chapter.

BatmanBeliever0027- Blossom definitely is weak! Hopefully we'll see her get stronger soon!

KL- I feel honored! Hopefully you'll like what you see and continue reading!

Guest- Blossom still has feelings for her sisters so she kinda gets pushed around by that. It's her weak spot really.

SnowSongX347- Thank you! Maybe this chapter will shed some light on their behavior!

Also thanks to lameassprincess, .161, misscosmo16, musicrocks1801, and cinnamoncoke for all the favorites and follows!

Also a few things I felt should be mentioned. One is I'm looking for an editor. I'm noticing more grammar and spelling errors in my writing and would like someone to make sure that and the plot makes sense. Pm me if you're interested! Second, this is not strictly color coded for those who are interested in other pairings. Lastly, I intend for this story to be apart of a trio. So, I'm taking things slow with character developments and relationships. That's all!

Enjoy,

-RetroTunes

The Art of War

Chapter 13

Bubbles

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected."
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

"Bubbles? Bubbles! Are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah Ella. Baby blue not light blue…"

"Ugh! You weren't listening at all!"

Nope. To be honest I could really care less about which dress Ella planned on buting for the Winter Ball. She didn't have the hard task of planning it like me. I wish I could sit back and enjoy it like her. Sigh…

Tiredly, I poked around my fruit platter for something I could consider eating. Even though I was a vegetarian, fruit does get boring after a couple of centuries. Today, we had breakfast inside. Way to windy and cold in the garden. This morning I delievered invitations too all the dorms and then ran to use the Magical Messenging Network. No we didn't have internet. The MMN was a means of sending letters and messages via Magic. Quite convient if you ask me. Back when I lived in France, it took forever to recieve his messages. I miss him so much these days… Even though its been a little more than 300 years, I haven't forgotten him. The first human I ever loved…

Flashback

200 Years Ago in France

Summer

"Bubbles? Bubbles? Dear child, please tell me you're dressed already."

Bubbles put down the hairbrush she was using. Her head was a wild mess of curls and she struggled to untangle it. When she heard her caretaker, Madame Bellum, call she dropped it and hurried over to her wardrobe.

"Just a second Madame!"

As fast as she could she squeezed her small frame into a beautiful pale blue dress. The sleeves were edged with white lace and the corset had a small, white ribbon above the chest.

Bubbles called out to Madame Bellum, "Madam I need you!"

Madame Bellum hurried in and helped her lace the back of the dress.

"Bubbles, child, you should've been ready an hour ago! You're sister Blossom's already ready!"

"That's becuase she's perfect! You know I could only dream to be her. Anyways, my hair is tangled from my midday rest."

"Oh mon petite chouchou! You and your sister are equal in my eyes!"

Bubbles turned around to hug her caretaker and kiss her cheeks. Madame Bellum was the closest thing she had ever had to a mother or a parent.

"Madam I going to be late for the ball!"

Together they rushed to get ready for the ball. When Bubbles was ready she hurried to meet her sister at the top of the stairs. Blossom looked beautiful in a red, silk dress. She looked to be about fifteen while Bubbles looked maybe thirteen or forteen. Despite this, mentally they were the same. The sisters smiled at each other and squeezed each other's hands.

"Ma soeur! Tonight may be the night!" Blossom exclaimed.

"To do what?" Bubbles innocently questioned.

Blossom giggled. "To find a husband silly! Don't you want to get married one day?"

Bubbles frowned at her older sister. "Why would I want to get married? I want to stay with you and Madame Bellum forever!"

Blossom patted her younger sister's head knowingly. "You know Bubbles, that's what I want too, but father wouldn't agree would he?"

Slowly, they descended the stairs as their names were announced.

As soon as they reached the bottom, the two sisters were swarmed with possible suitors. Blossom avoided them with ease but Bubbles had always been too kind to decline. All night she danced with boys who either wanted her family's wealth or her beauty.

After hours of dancing Bubbles finally got to relax. She was able to escape outside for some fresh air. Alone, she gazed up at the stars.

"Beautiful night for star gazing, don't you agree?"

Turning her head, she saw a yound boy approach her. He was a few inches taller than her and had sandy, brown hair. He was handsome and had graceful air about him. He kissed her hand in greeting and sat down next to her.

"Who are you monsieur?"

"Forgive me mademoiselle. My name is Louis. And you must be Barbelo? First angel I've ever met."

"You… You're human!" She quickly backed away from him. "What are you doing here and how do you know what I am?!"

He chuckled slightly. "Sorry to frighten you. I am here accompanying my friend who is a Warlock. You're family has become a point of interest in Paris these days. Everyone in the city has heard about your sister and your's beauty and power."

Bubbles sighed in relief. "Thank the lord!"

All night the two of them talked. By the end of the night, they knew everything about each other. One might even dare call it love at first sight.

"Louis, I offically give you permission to call me Bubbles, just as my family does."

"Does that mean I get to see you again?"

"Maybe," she smiled.

Fall

"Louis wait up!" Bubbles called as they weaved through the town market. It had been 3 months since they first met. As the leaves turned brown their love grew stronger and stronger. They didn't see each other as human and angel, but as equals.

"Ma amour, you are too slow!" Louis smiled as he took her hand in his.

"You run too fast!" She huffed.

Last night they had snuck out to be together at a ball. Bubbles knew if her father found out, they would both suffer. The magical could never interact with the human world. Louis knew but, he didn't care anyways. Accidentally, they had fallen asleep in the garden and now they had to race back before anyone knew Bubbles was missing.

"Sory my love, we're here."

"Louis, I can fly in from here." They kissed goodbye.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Louis."

Winter

Bubbles raced back to the manor as fast as she could. Louis had promised today would be the day they finally ran away together. He had never been late for anything so where was he now? Deep in heart, Bubbles knew it had something to do with her family.

"Father? Blossom? Madame?!" She called out into the seemingly empty house.

"Bubbles!" She heard Louis's voice call out.

"Louis! Oh, my love where are you?" She ran into the living room.

There Louis was lying across the floor, beaten and bruised with her father and sister standing standing above him.

"Louis!" She tried to run to him but Blossom blocked her path.

"You foolish child! Her father's voice boomed. One of his tentacles reached out to strike her in the face. Bubbles cried out in pain as she fell of the floor.

"Don't hurt her!" Louis called.

"Silence you human! You dare enter this house and try to run off with my property!"

"She's not your property! She can think for herself!"

"Louis please don't," Bubbles weakly cried out.

"Blossom, kill him."

"No! No! Blossom please don't! Please father! I love him! No!" Bubbles begged as she sobbed.

"I'm sorry Bubbles. I couldn't let you leave with him." Blossom said without any signs of emotion. Where was the sister Bubbles once loved and trusted.

"You! You knew all this time and you betrayed me! I swear, Blossom, if you lay a finger on him, I will hate you for all of enternity!"

Blossom shook her head. "I think that's a fair deal if it means you're safe."

Her hand shot out and her ice magic struck Louis right in the heart. Bubbles screamed out as she watched his heart freeze and body slowly die.

"Her too." Her father told Blossom.

"Please kill me!" Bubbles begged Blossom. At this point she rather die.

Next thing she felt was a chill wash over her and she faded into the darkness."

Present Day

"Bubbles, who are you going with to the Ball?" Little Florence asked beside me.

I snapped my attention back to the real world. "What?"

"Who. Are. You. Going. With. To. The. Ball?" Ella spelled out slowly.

"Um no one. I have way to much too much to do."

"Oh c'mon! There's like fifteen boys waiting to ask you! And what about Boomer?"

"That's an exaggeration and plus it's a masquerade ball. It's more fun to go alone instead of spending the entire night searching for someone. We're enchanting the masks so it's impossible to tell who's who until midnight."

"You're so not fun, Bubbles." Ella whined. "Anyways, as I was saying. We need to go dress shopping asap. I need to make sure that I get a dress no one else has."

"Then why aren't you online to get your pass?" I questioned knowing she didn't have hers. About an hours drive away was a small village for the magical. It was completely cut off from the outside world and the only place the school deemed "safe" for the students. Anyone going to the ball was rushing to get a pass to go shopping there.

Ella's face drained of color. "Are you serious?! They already started giving out passes?!"

"Yep!" Florence giggled and showed her the pass. I also had mine already in my bag. Longests line of my life! Everyone sure was eager to be among the first to the village.

Ella bolted out, nearly knocking over a poor sophmore angel.

One cup of orange juice later, I said bye to Florence and headed off to class. I always enjoyed taking the long walks so I didn't mind leaving early.

The cold wind rustled around me as I drew my jacket closer around me. I really do need to start dressing a bit warmer I though to myself. Winter break was approaching rapidly. I was excited for a week of hot springs, skiing, and socializing. Lasdiem, the village in the city was a popular spot in our world so my chances of seeing friends outside of school were high. I cannot wait for the ball to be over!

Lost in my own little bubble, I didn't notice someone in front of me. Next thing I know, in lying on my back with the contents of my bag sprawled all over the place.

I look up into a pair of pink eyes. Of course it's the Jojo brothers and Blossom. I just can't get away from them can I?

Boomer

"Oh my god! We're so sorry– oh it's just you Bubbles." Blossom offered a hand to to help to help her up, but she ignored it.

"…My stuff." She whispered.

"What?" I questioned confused. "Oh right! Sorry." I began racing around to pick everything.

"Here ya go!" I handed her bag over to her. I noticed it had a little purple octopus keychain attached. Note to self, she likes octopuses.

"Thanks…. You weren't with us this morning."

"Oh yeah! Um today I was with them," gesturing to Blossom and my brother, "Sorry".

She pulled her jacket tightly aroumd her small frame. "It's okay, we were crowded inside anyways. Plus, your in Sol for now so it's okay."

Trust me, I'd rather be with you is what I wamted to say. Although, I don't think Blossom or Brick would apperciate that anyways.

"Um aren't you cold?"

"A little, I didn't know it would be so cold. My uniform isn't the warmest either."

"Because it's barely there!" I heard Blossom mutter under her breath.

"Just becuase I feel comfortable in my body, doesn't mean I have to cover up like you Blossom." Bubbles glared.

Quickly I took off my scarf and handed it out to her. "Here, I don't really need it."

She blushed pretty hard. "Thanks Boomer." She looked pretty cute with it wrapped around her.

"I have to go now, but I'll try to find you later. Bye!"

Brick and Blossom were already ahead so I had to jog to catch up. Even then my mind was still on the girl standing behind me.

Butch

"Dude…Dude! Yo Butch wake up!"

"Ughfuck. WhatisitMitch?"

"Bro, class. Lilith almost fried our asses the last time we tried to cut remember?"

"Ugh fuck it!"

I rolled out of hed and straight onto the floor. Shit.

"If you don't get the frick up now, I'm taking your share of blood."

"C'mon dude." I finally got up off the floor and walked into the bathroom.

Looking into the mirror, I noticed how much I have changed these past few days. I was paler, my hair was slightly longer, and my green eyes had the same glow the other vampires had.

After getting dressed, I took a water bottle with blood from Mitch. Apparently, frequent visits to the blood donor's room would result in me becoming a crazed vampire, addicted to blood.

"C'mon man, Lils wanted to see us before class."

"Whatever man."

Before we could leave the dorm, there was a knock. That was a first. Mitch opened the door only to find Lilith and Aya behind it. Shit.

Lilith held up a hand before we could even open our mouths. "Save it. I had a feeling this would happen anyways. So, good morning and let's get down to business."

"We have a task for you." Aya piped in.

"To put it simple: your brother, Butch. I want him."

Wait what? My brothers? Now that I think about it, I haven't seen them at all since we first got here. Where the hell were they?

"What about them?" I questioned.

"Well one of them has seduced by that witch Blososm. Turns out he was a fire elemental. The other, however, remains human for now.

"Boomer?" Woah, woah, was in on this too?

"Yes, find him and bring him to me. You have until midnight. That's six hours. Don't fail me."

Oh great.

Longest chapter in awhile!

So how do you guys feel about that flashback? Leave your opinion in the reveiws!

-Retro