I do not own the Power Puff Girls or the Rowdy Ruff Boys.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Sundered and Undone

The carriage strolled slowly, toward the castle of Tartonia. Its occupant eagerly shoved the curtain to the window aside to catch a glimpse of her soon to be home. The smile that split her face was one of smugness, having believed that she had already won. To think that after so many brides had been sent Prince Brick's way—her being one of them—he chose her, Princess Moira of Buckus to be his queen.

A few years ago, she'd come to this very kingdom as a potential bride for the Tartonian heir. When she first laid eyes on Brick, she remembered that striking red hair that he had blowing in the breeze. She'd come across him in the gardens as he was doing one of his many sketches. As she approached and looked over his shoulder, she'd been disgruntled to see that it had been a woman that he had been drawing. The king to be was quickly forgiven as he said it was nothing. She was no one.

In an effort to show how benevolent she could pretend to be, she'd waved it off as asked him questions about his kingdom. Of course, she'd heard the rumors about their abilities and how they used them to make their kingdom flourish. Buckus was a rich kingdom in its own right, but there was less…separation between the classes in Tartonia. There were the royalty such as herself and the nobility, those who worked, and then those who were left with nothing. It couldn't be helped, and was the way of the world. At the very least, her new home would be very comfortable.

The carriage pulled through the gates, and Moira couldn't deny that she was severely disappointed in that Prince Brick wasn't there to greet her. Instead, she was greeted by their regent, Prime Minister Henry. She found him to be a bizarre man. Effeminate, and she always felt he was looking down on her. Well, he wasn't looking down at her now. How foolish, he must be to see her knowing that Brick had formally asked for her hand in marriage. So with that thought in mind, a smug smile came across her face.

Outside the carriage, Henry stood wincing slightly in the brightness of the sun. He had spent the previous few nights drowning his misery at the prince's dismissal of him in both drink and sexual debauchery. He couldn't remember much, but he could've sworn he saw the princes smirking knowingly at him. He was worried he might have done something foolish that one of his bed fellows might have gossiped about around the castle. Discretion was key to all their endeavors. If one of his lovers had broken that rule, he had no qualms about finding a replacement.

At the moment he had to focus on the greeting about to happen. The gaudy carriage came to a halt in front of the steps leading to the castle. The carriage driver came down from his seat to open the door for the Buckus Princess. When the door opened, the carriage driver reached in so that he could take her hand.

The first Henry had seen of Moira was her cuff of fur that came from her coat, then a high collar that came around her neck. When he saw her face, he was taken a bit aback by how much she'd changed from the few years ago. Then, her face had been full of freckles and round, and her hair a bit of a wild tangle of barely contained curls. Now she looked regal, with her curls managed and the winter chill reducing the freckles that covered her face.

"Welcome to the Tartonian Kingdom Princess Moira." Henry bowed, silently impressed with her, and hoped that she overtook Blossom's place at Brick's side.

"Thank you, though I must say I'm disappointed to see that Prince Brick isn't here." She said as cordially as possible.

Henry repressed a sigh of annoyance at the position his prince at left him in. As far as he knew he'd woken up late and was just now having breakfast with his brothers. The girls had woken early, had breakfast, and were being fitted for their dresses. Idly, he wondered how long Brick would be able to keep them apart. Henry hoped to be the fly on the wall for that fiasco. "He'll be joining you in the parlor later. May I show you to your room?"

Moira sniffed indelicately as she followed the prime minister into the castle. The moment she stepped in, she was immediately looking around at things she wanted to either change or to keep for when this became her home. The colors of the curtains and rugs would have to change. It would be nice to be rid of the blues and greens to make way for her kingdom's violet, or maybe gold. Gold went so much better with red. The castle needed a woman's touch, something more than a simple maid or effeminate man could provide. Weary as she was from travel she would give her full attention to the matter much later.

As they neared the royal quarters, Henry caught sight of the mousey servant girl Robin coming form the late prince's room. "Robin, come here a moment."

The young girl turned the call and approached the prime minister promptly. "Yes sir?"

"Princess Moira of the Buckus kingdom will be residing in royal wing. You will be attending her."

Big blue eyes turned to look in the princess' direction and bowed respectfully before returning to the prime minister. "Yes your grace, but what about my oth—."

"You have your orders." Henry interrupted. "Princess Moira is your priority now."

With a subdued bow, Robin turned to Moira and bowed her head. "Princess, how may I be of service to you?"

Princess glanced at the room Robin had just come from, noticing the purple that made up the design. "What's this room?"

Robin looked worriedly to Henry, who turned to the violet intrigued princess. "Princess Moira, this room is already occupied."

"By whom?" she asked turning her nose up in indignation.

"Sp—."

"This is their late brother's room, your highness." Henry quickly placated. "Your room is the one beside Prince Brick's."

Robin gasped lowly, before being silenced by Henry's sharp glare. She bowed her head deeply, but internally distressed. The room beside Prince Brick's was the queen's chamber. The implications of putting her in that room were grand. She wrung her hands agitatedly in her apron.

While Robin's fretting was ignored, Princess Moira tore her eyes away from the violet room to the way the prime minister was directing her. With the princess a step behind him, Henry led her to the room right beside Brick's. Reaching into his pocket for the key, Henry took a deep breath before unlocking the door to a room none have stepped foot in for almost a year. The turning of the lock seemed to echo for the prime minister and the servant girl. The door creaked loudly as it swung inward. Henry released a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding as he looked about the room. Accents of the royal colors red, green, blue, and silver decorated the space. The bed was large as was the window that overlooked the wide expanse of the kingdom.

Before Henry could gather his wits, Princess Moira brushed past him and looked about the room. While the other two looked at the room in reverence, Moira looked in mild disgust. "There's dust everywhere."

"Robin." Henry's voice croaked with emotion. "Robin, please straighten the room for our esteemed guest."

"Yes, sir." Robin bowed and then made her way into the room. She first headed to the bed and removed the blankets intending to air them out. Tears filled her eyes as she flapped the blankets and a swarm of dust motes filled the air.

"Hmmm. I'd have thought that my room would've been prepared for my arrival." She mused aloofly.

"If I may, you are about three days early." Henry hedged. "Still we are glad to have you here."

Sighing heavily, Moira turned to look at Henry. "How long should I expect my room to take?"

"It should be no longer than an hour, Princess." Robin said with the blankets bundled in her arms. She then left the room, quickly to keep to her word.

As she scurried away, Henry looked back at Princess Moira. "Is there something you'd like to do while we wait?"

"I'd like to see Prince Brick." Moira almost demanded. "The sooner the better."

"As you wish. I'll have him meet you in the parlor." Henry promised, hoping that his moment of triumph over the witch girl didn't occur without him being there.

Brick was laughing with his brothers over their late breakfast when he noticed the shift both their demeanors. Butch's hackles seemed to rise as he stood up so abruptly that his chair scraped against the floors. A growl ripped from lips as his face contorted into that of his wolf. He then ran from the dinging room and out of sight of his brothers.

"What's gotten into him?" Brick asked, feeling unnerved at having a less preceptive gift than those of his brothers.

"Mother's room." Boomer stood up, meal half-finished and easily forgotten.

"Mother's room?" Brick questioned, before a thunderous expression came over his face. The room also grew hot and caused the food left on their plates t sizzle and burn beyond recognition. "Who would dare enter her room?"

"I don't know, but I figure we're about to find out." Boomer said as she and Brick stood simultaneously. Brick led the way as they went in the direction of their mother's room. After Bear's death, Brick ordered for no one to enter that room. Their younger brother on nights were he couldn't sleep would venture to their mother's room and lie within the sheets. With him gone, there was no reason for anyone to venture into that room. Thus, they kept it locked except for one day a year, when the princes would clean it themselves.

The fact that someone dared to enter that room without permission made Brick's blood boil. Also, the king to be had a sinking suspicion that he knew who had dared to enter that room, for no other reason than to anger him. Henry should congratulate himself for succeeding. Brick's ire would not be easily doused for this transgression.

Boomer listened ahead for the Butch's mind, though he needn't have bothered. The closer they got the louder Butch's snarls became. When they turned the corner, they saw Butch standing over the servant girl Robin as she carried the blankets from their mother's bed. He snarled viciously at her as he ripped the blankets from her trembling hands.

"What in the hell did you think you were doing? NO ONE goes into that room, but us." He snapped in her downtrodden face.

While Brick and Boomer were equally as irritated by the lack of subordination, they weren't blinded by territorial animal instincts like Butch was.

"I'm sorry."

"You should be. What possessed you to dare break a rule that is punishable by banishment from this castle?" he growled at her.

Robin, whose face was already turbulent with tears, released a fresh torrent and failed at trying to stop it. She bent in a deep bow that showed her deep shame at having angered one of the princes. "I'm so very sorry, my prince. But—.

"But what? What excuse could you possibly give that would assuage this transgression?"

"Butch! That's enough!" Brick called out, drawing Robin's head up a fraction. "Robin, explain yourself. Now."

Robin raised her head, and wiped at her tears with he back of her hand. "I—I—I was ordered to—to by the prime—prime minister. He—he wanted to make the room a—available."

Brick's blood boiled as he thought about how he was going to roast Henry alive for this act of defiance. "Available for whom?"

At this Robin paled and swallowed as the name of the intruder to a very intimate space floated in her mind. Boomer's eyes widened before his face contorted into a grimace. Brick caught the contortion of his brother's face before the damnable words escaped.

"Princess Moira of Buckus, your highness." Her voice was a choked whisper.

The candlewicks burst into flames and destroyed their hosts of candle and candelabra. Robin gasped in fright, shielded from the heat of the flames by Butch's body. When the second prince removed himself from in front of her, see saw Prince Brick storming down the halls, fire igniting and burning the candles he passed.

Ilana, Ashi, and the girls were just finishing up the dress fittings when the lunch hour rolled around. As they were walking the halls, making their way to the parlor Ashi and Ilana heard a voice that stopped them in their tracks. The two shared a brief look, before hurrying ahead and seeing what they didn't want to belief. Sitting upon one of the chaises, was Princess Moira. She'd long since discarded her winter coat, but still drew attention to herself with her yellow dress that seemed just a bit too formal for the mid-afternoon. A few of the servants were just leaving with empty trays, stepping quickly to leave her presence all the sooner.

Henry who was standing before her looked up and couldn't help the almost smug smile that came over

his face at seeing Ilana and Ashi. If they were here, then the witches couldn't be far behind them. "Princess Ilana, Ashi. A pleasure seeing you."

Ashi folded her arms and sniffed a the totally insincere greeting. "Likewise. Princess Moira."

Moira rose a brow and grimaced at the dry and informal greeting she received. "And you are?"

"Ashi, wife of the Eastern Ambassador's son." Ashi introduced herself. "We've met before. Though I'm not surprised you don't remember. Not all of us can have a razor-sharp memory."

The barb struck its mark and it gave Ashi sick pleasure to see the snotty princess' eyes widen and then

narrow in indignation. Ilana brought a hand to her mouth to stifle the laugh that bubbled to her lips.

Muddy brown eyes turned to Ilana. "Ilana, it's nice to see that you still prefer to slum the company you keep."

"Now, now girls." Henry chided gently. "We're all friends here."

Ashi's eyes cut to the prime minister. A lie if I ever heard one, she thought just as Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup entered the room.

Pink diamond eyes immediately fell on the other red-haired girl in the room and felt her body tense. She could tell just by looking at her that she was royal, but unlike Ilana or the princes who were modest in their expression of royalty, this girl flaunted it. Around her neck was a heavy necklace that held what could only be her family's crest. Her fingers also held the few rings with large gemstones on them. The dress she wore was of the finest quality and her hair was in perfect dress with a tiara perched atop her head.

Buttercup could smell the tension that Bubbles could feel coming off Blossom at the tense meeting. There was that and the chill that came off her. Something about meeting this princess set her nerves on edge. That, the gleeful smile on the prime minister's face, and the suspicious narrowing of Moira's eyes on Blossom.

"Ah, I don't believe you've all met." Henry scurried over to Blossom and gestured for her to step forward. "Blossom, may I introduce Princess Moira of the Buckus Kingdom. Princess Moira, this is Blossom."

"Charmed. Are you a noble?" She asked while reaching for a cup of spiced cider. She knew the answer was no, but wanted to see what she would say.

"No, but I'm a guest of the prince. Myself and my sisters are." Blossom informed coolly.

"Oh?" Moira said as she sipped from her cup. "How do you know them?"

Henry smiled and looked between the two girls. "Blossom is the reason for the joyous celebration coming up. You see, she and her sisters saved the princes' lives years ago."

"Really?" Princess said with mirth on her face. "Then I should thank you for saving my fiancé."

The room grew colder than any blizzard as Blossom schooled her features to not show how much this revelation cut her to the core.

Before Blossom could say anything, she and the others could a rising heat that broke through Blossom's chill.

"HENRY!" Everyone aside from Blossom jumped at the bellow that came from down the hall. Not a moment later, Brick stormed into the room and looked around before his burning red glare landed on his soon to be burned beyond recognition prime minister. "YOU!"

Brick charged forward, not paying attention to anyone else in the room besides Henry, who has scurried behind a chaise. It was a small barrier, but a barrier none the less between him and destruction. "Your highness, a bit of decorum."

"Decorum? Where was you damned decorum when it came to our mother's room?" Brick yelled ready to jump over the chaise at the prime minister. "No one is allowed in that room without our permission!"

Henry thought fast as he moved agilely to keep the distance between them. "What of your wife? Will you ban her from entering that room?"

"My wife wouldn't need my permission." Brick seethed moving quicker than Henry could comprehend and having the man by the front of his shirt.

"Would your fiancé?" Henry asked, taking full advantage of Brick's single focus on him.

Brick's brow furrowed as he shook his head. "She'd eventually be my wife, so your question is moot. Still the point remains that have done my brothers and myself a serious offense."

"Oh my prince, don't be too hard on him. I'm sure to like the room once your servant finishes straightening it." Moira chimed in, wanting Brick's attention on her. "I'm glad to have hold of such a privilege."

The fire within Brick's died quickly as his back stiffened and a heavy chill set in again. When he turned to face the rest of the room, his face blanched. The girls were all staring at him with varying expressions of shock. The only two faces that weren't were those of Moira and…Blossom. Moira's face was filled with a smugness that showed she believed there was nothing to fear—and in her mind, there wasn't. What was to fear was the look of devastation on Blossom's face.

If he could strangle Henry, he most certainly would. Cunning bastard of a man that he was, trapped him with his own words. Though Brick could also blame his blind rage for his ignorance. He believed Henry to be speaking of Blossom, but the devil was speaking of Moira—obnoxious, nasal voiced, spoiled Moira. Now, the princess believed his feelings were directed at her. The matter was made worst by Blossom being here to witness such a sight. If it weren't for that crumbled look on her face now, he'd have believed she knew better. It was like a dagger to the heart to see that she didn't have any faith in his words of love for her.

"I was just about to have a small bite to eat before retiring to my room." Moira informed him as she sat back down on the chaise. "Care to join me Brick? We have much to discuss."

Before he could answer, Henry pushed him forward pulling his hands back just moments before Brick burned him. "Of course, he would. There's much to discuss. Like the wedding."

A sharp inhale preluded the cold and rushed, "Excuse me," from Blossom. With a magnificent turn of red hair that threw a cold front into the room, Blossom left the parlor room. Bubbles quickly followed her sister, while Buttercup gave him a glare deadly enough to kill. It was only by Ilana's gentle persuading hand that he found the will to leave. Ashi shook her head just the smallest bit before slowly leaving the room.

"Well, I'll take that as my command to exit the room." The doomed prime minister spoke with a false cheer as Brick scorched them with a fiery glare. "Let me know if there is anything you might need, Princess."

Moira nodded with a large smile on her face, before returning to Brick. Brick in turn tried to be polite and gave a wane smile to Moira. How he wanted nothing more than to run to Blossom and explain everything.

"Blossom! Blossom, wait!" Bubbles called out as she felt the swirl of negative emotions in her sister. "Brick was just as surprised and confused by that as we were."

"It doesn't matter." Blossom said as her tears turned to ice on her cheeks. "What a idiot I've been to think this fairy tale would last." She clenched her fists at her sides as she came to an abrupt stop with ice forming around her.

"Blossom." Bubbles tried to comfort as the other girls came to see to Blossom.

Ashi stood with her arms folded over her chest. "Are you truly surprised by this?"

Ilana turned to the noblewoman with a look of warning. "Ashi!"

"I'm serious. Brick is not just any prince. He's the first prince, meaning heir to the throne. It's only proper that he marry a princess."

"But he loves Blossom." Bubbles started. "And she loves him."

Ashi shook her head. "Doesn't matter. He has rules and traditions he must follow. One of them being marry a princess. In the eyes of society, you are no one."

A growl ripped from Buttercup as she rounded on Ashi, who didn't flinch in the face of bared fangs and indignation. "Remember that you're still healing from the last time my claws dug into your flesh."

A shuriken suddenly found itself at Buttercup's chest. Ashi had barely moved to bring the weapon to the beast girl in defense. "You won't be so lucky a second time."

"Enough!" Blossom snapped as she turned to look at the two should be allies. "As I just said, it doesn't matter. Besides, we weren't supposed to grow so attached to them in the first place. That was never our intent."

A humorless laugh broke from Blossom's lips as she turned away from everyone to stare out one of the large windows.

"Coming to this world was to keep my sisters safe. That task is soon to be complete. There's no reason to stay after that."

Bubbles' eyes widened as she glanced at Buttercup. When her ravenette sister gave a weak shrug, she turned back to Blossom. "What are you saying Blossom?"

"I—I don't know." She sighed. "Maybe that I was a fool for allowing myself to get distracted by this. I came here for you Buttercup. I'm sorry for losing sight of that."

Buttercup's raised hackles at Ashi fell at her sister's words. "Blossom, you've been doing everything you can for me. You're allowed a small reprieve."

"Now back to more important matters." Blossom said. "I'll be in the library. Do me a favor and don't tell him where I am. I wish to be alone for a while."

With that, Blossom walked sullenly down the hall, leaving an air of cold in her wake.

From under a hooded cloak to hide her becoming haggardness, Sedusa looked to the white roses that surrounded the edges of the castle. Her magic was brushed against by old, familiar magic. "Old Cragon magic. It's certainly been too long since I felt such delicious magic. Your cleverness never ceases to fail, Blossom. But it won't be enough."

Drawing back Sedusa returned to the forests where she was having her minions prepare their attack. When she came upon them, she smiled as she saw them hard at work. The half blind short one was stealing and gathering all the herbs and spices that would be needed to make the dry potion to bring the barrier down. The stupid one and the large oaf were grinding the ingredients together and were going to sprinkle them gradually over the next few days to weaken the barrier. On the night of the full moon, it would be completely destroyed, allowing for a chance to steal Buttercup away.

Looking to her other two silent minions, she went over them and urged them to stand before her. These two in their own ways were the cause of their gang's current state. Ace with his greed and lust for more power than his station as an assassin would allow. Snake with his questioning and challenging her at every turn. Now instead of being rewarded for their assistance, they have now made themselves expendable.

Cradling Ace's face between her withering hand, she stared into his clouded over eyes. "Ace, sweet Ace. I have a great task for you and Snake to complete for me."

"Yes, Mistress Sedusa." He spoke in a voice devoid of any emotion.

"Snake, are you listening?" she asked in a mock saccharine tone.

"Yes, Mistress Sedusa."

Snake's lack of hiss in his voice brought a wicked smile to Sedusa's face. "You two are going to have the most important task. Snake you are going to cause a distraction. Lead them away from Buttercup."

"How, Mistress?"

Sedusa then took off her necklace and whispered a charm that made glowed a bright green. "Whenever you might be near Buttercup this will glow. The brighter the glow the closer you are to Buttercup. Make sure this never glows."

Snake nodded and bent over to allow his mistress to place the necklace over his head. Sedusa then turned to Ace and called to a snake in Cragon. The black viper slid along the grass until he came to Sedusa who was bent over with her arm outstretched toward him. He coiled his body up her arm and flashed his fangs toward her. When she stood up, she used a bit of magic to turn the snake into a coiling bracelet that wrapped itself around Ace's forearm.

"When you find Buttercup, use this to immobilize her. The snake will know what to do." Sedusa advised with a smile. "Oh, look at how much one can get done when she applies herself. Now, go help the others with the potion."

Ace and Snake nodded their heads and went to Grubber and Billy's sides to assist them. Sedusa turned to look at the castle and smiled as she felt her moment of triumph near. The shining of the moon only added to her strength that she felt as it grew to its full potential.

"Just a few more days Buttercup. I hope you've enjoyed these past five years of running, but now our time has come. This game of yours is now over."

The next couple of days passed in equal measure for both converging parties. The only difference was the for Sedusa her days were filled with gleeful anticipation. The potion she had the Gang Green Gang create and sprinkle around the edges of the castle were working their magic perfectly. Each night Sedusa could feel the waning of the barriers strength as well as the feeble attempts to rejuvenate it. She could almost laugh at the weak attempts to fix what she'd undone.

Those silly little bitches must be going out of their minds trying to prevent the inevitable. Oh, and Buttercup. The times in these past few days in where she had swirls of negative emotions were glorious. It only strengthened the connection the two of them had. The stronger their bond the easier the transference of her soul into the new body. Sedusa couldn't wait to have a new body.

Firm flesh. Supple joints. Lustrous hair. The attention of any man who dared to desire her. Not to mention her own carnal desires she wanted the have sated—and who better to curb her appetites than Buttercup's beau Butch. From what she gathered from Buttercup's memory and seeing Butch for herself, he was a strapping young man. Broad chest. Firm shoulders. He exuded a power that called to her like no other. She couldn't wait to have him taking her in all the ways he knew and teaching him a few new ones. The thought alone made her shiver in lust.

While Sedusa was enjoying the approach of the fateful night. The girls, particularly Blossom was worrying herself sick as she tried to avoid Brick and Princess Moira and figure out what was happening with the barrier around the castle. She just knew that it had everything to do with Sedusa, but she couldn't figure out why this was happening now.

The plan was for her to strike on the night of the Winter's Ball, but at the rate the barrier was being broken apart, who knew when she would attack. On the fourth night of this, Blossom was ready to tear her hair out in frustration.

Her frustration bled to her sisters as they were close witnesses to the strain. Bubbles noticed first that she hadn't slept well these past few days. It was Buttercup who could tell she hadn't eaten much and decided to take the initiative to speak with the other princes about this predicament.

"It's out of our hands." Butch had told her while he sat across from Boomer in their shared study. Buttercup had glared at them both with her arms folded tightly across her chest and her claws tapping her arm irritably. "It's Brick bed to lie in now."

"A bed that he lied in with my sister. By the moon, if that bastard knew he wouldn't be able to take Blossom as his wife then why—."

"He's able." Boomer interrupted her, only to shrink back slightly in lieu of her predatory glare. "It's just a bit complicated right now."

"How?"

Butch sighed heavily and leaved back in his chair only to prop his feet up on the table. Boomer glared at him in annoyance at such an act as he feet had been much to close to his books for comfort. "It's been announced that he is engaged to Moira."

"But he wasn't the one who made the engagement. It was your nanny!" Buttercup hissed.

"In Brick's name Kitten. As far as her kingdom knows, it was Brick who asked." Butch tried to placate to no avail.

Buttercup growled low in her throat as she leaned over the desk, trying to refrain from gouging her claws in the oakwood desk. "Then tell him to grow a set and revoke his engagement."

"It's not that simple. If we know Moira as we do, then she'll take grave insult to the engagement being broken off." Boomer informed all while keeping his eyes on the deadly claws that would easily scratch the furniture.

Jade clashed with dark cobalt as a snarl broke from her lips. "I could care less about that brat feeling insulted. What I do care about is my sister." Buttercup forced herself to take a deep breath as she tried to reign in her already frayed temper. "Blossom has given up a lot for all our sakes, especially mine. I refuse to see her denied the happiness that Bubbles and I have found with the two of you."

While Buttercup had been lost in her thoughts, the door opened silently behind her drawing Boomer and Butch's attention.

"She was even considering staying."

"What?"

Buttercup had nearly jumped out of her skin at the voice that came from behind her, revealing her cat ears and now bushy cat tail. When she saw that it was Brick, her ears flattened against her head in an aggressive manner and her tail flicked angrily behind her. Butch tensed, ready to leap from his seat should his Kitten have decided to pounce on Brick.

The first prince stood in the doorway looking at Buttercup in shock, but not for her feline attributes, but for her statement. "Blossom was going to stay?"

"Maybe she was, but now? I couldn't say. Besides what would you have her do, oh sweet prince?" Buttercup hissed at him. "Would you take your princess bride, but still expect my sister to lie in heat for you?"

"Buttercup!" Butch's own growl was met with a hiss thrown over her shoulder, her feline eyes never leaving Brick.

"Well, answer me! Is that how you plan to repay the girl who saved your forsaken hide?" Buttercup challenge with no spared amount of stinging guilt in her tone.

It would be a lie to say that Brick didn't notice the change in Blossom. She'd become withdrawn since that damnable day in the parlor and avoided him like the plague. Brick couldn't exactly blame her as Princess Moira clung to him every minute she could spare. This action only served to anger him as it kept Blossom away from him. In the moments, he might've had a chance to see Blossom, she would flee leaving a cold spot as the only indication she was there at all.

"I'm not so callous as to do that to the woman I love." Brick retorted with an exhale of smoke.

"Do you really love my sister?" Buttercup challenged. "Or was it simply an infatuation born from having been saved by her?"

Indignation had filled Brick as he was faced with the glare by Blossom's sister. "Do you think that way of my brothers' feelings for you or Bubbles?"

They'd expected her to charge at him in anger, but she merely laughed and shook her head. "Don't try to turn this around on me. Besides, I have seen otherwise that it's not the case with Butch or Boomer. But what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Did I not provide everything that she needed to keep your hide safe?" Brick retorted growing angrier by the second.

"Out of the kindness of your heart, or in hopes that you'd win her over?"

A black cloud of smoke escaped Brick's nostrils, making him look very much like a dragon. The sight would normally intimidate, but not Buttercup. She had other things to fear than Brick's indignant ire. "How dare you."

"No. How dare you." Buttercup said as she walked up to him with Butch following close behind her. "Blossom is not one to let someone into her heart easily, for she loves stronger than anyone I know. She doesn't deserve someone who doesn't love her as much as she loves him. Prince or no prince."

Buttercup then strode past him to leave the study, slamming the door loudly. Butch and Boomer wisely chose not to say anything, unsure if anything they say could help their brother's case. Even if they did, Brick didn't give them a chance as he spun on his heel and left the room. He needed to find Blossom. Now.

At the moment, Blossom was sitting near the fireplace in the farthest corner of the library, her ice was just barely contained. The old grimoire was sitting in her lap, she flipped through the pages trying to find something that would help. However, she found that she couldn't concentrate, for the words kept shifting into one another and the images appeared to be moving. With a great slam of the grimoire, she shoved it off her lap and onto the floor beside her. Pulling a cushion from the nest she'd made earlier, Blossom smothered her face and screamed as loudly as she could.

When she pulled the cushion from her face, she stared into the flickering flames of the fireplace. The sight of the flames dancing soothed and hurt her at the same time. It reminded her of Brick and everything he embodied; fiery red from his long hair to his eyes, strong and comforting like his heart, and warm, so warm like his embrace. An embrace that Princess Moira would be subjected to, now that she was his fiancée.

"Stars above," she groaned to herself in disgust for her jealousy. "Damn you, Brick." she muttered into the cushion as she held it close to her frame.

With her curled on her side and her face buried in a cushion was how Brick found her. He slowly made his way to where she was lying down and sat beside her. "Blossom?"

Ice covered Blossom in surprise as she recoiled from Brick. The cold stung the tips of Brick's fingers that were too close. Sitting up she turned and stared Brick in the eye for the first time in days. The ice thickened around her body as she turned away from him. "What do you want Brick?"

"Can we talk?" Brick asked, reaching for Blossom's hand.

"There's nothing to talk about?" Blossom rebuffed him as she reached for the grimoire and stood up. She made to leave when Brick tugged her to a stop. "Let me go."

"Not until we talk." Brick said as he stood up and towered over Blossom. "Please."

"Is that an order your highness?" Pink diamond eyes clashed with red ruby ones. The biting sarcasm was more chilling than all the ice Blossom could conjure.

"Don't be like that, please. I understand that you're upset at me—."

"Upset at you?" Her voice was cold enough to chill Brick as she tightened her arms around the delicate grimoire and pink swirls of magic started to swirl. "No, I'm not upset at you. If anything, I'm upset with myself."

Her magic pushed against Brick forcing him to give her space, but he refused to be moved. Not when she needed him. "Why?"

"Because I allowed myself to get caught up in you." Blossom spoke through tight lips. "I'm supposed to be making sure that my barrier stays up, and yet it's slowly crumbling. I know Sedusa is at work, but I don't know what I should do to counter it. I need help but I don't want Bubbles to know that I'm terrified right now or for Buttercup to fear that I'm unable to protect her." Her magic was flaring around her pushing harder against Brick's body as he fought to remain at her side. Ice was beginning to form on her skin starting at her fingertips and moving up her arms. "And it's not as though I can ask you for help, now can I?"

"Yes, you can." Brick implored her and he took her hands in his own, almost flinching at the paralyzing cold that sought to snuff out the fire that burned within him. "I'd give you anything you needed. Protect you and your sisters in any way I could. My brothers would as well. You know this."

As Blossom inhaled the ice creeped faster up her body. "For how long? What would your wife think of you helping the peasant witch? Giving your love to a peasant witch? We are not children Brick; you no ordinary man. You're a prince, soon to be king. I can't stand in the way of that."

The fire in the fireplace blazed bright and hot enough for Blossom the ice the was encasing Blossom to melt a little, before snuffing itself out. However, it was the gently but fiery touch of Brick's hands cradling Blossom's face that rid her body of the would be impenetrable wall around her. "Understand one thing. This is MY kingdom. I say what is an isn't in my way. You are not in the way of anything, you are the cause. This kingdom would not be what it is had it not been for your intervention."

"Brick." Blossom tried to pull away.

Brick held tight to her, pulling her against him and wrapping his arm around her body. A flush filled her face as the hard planes of his body pressed against her soft curves. "I know I've said it before, but it appears I need to say it again. I am who I am not just because of the gift you gave me, but because of the words you told me. Use this power wisely. In the five years, we were apart I've done just that. I along with my brothers have bettered my kingdom. It has flourished. It's Blossomed." He chuckled at the small humor he brought to this tense moment.

Even though a wane smile fell on her lips, Blossom couldn't feel any good tidings. "Be serious. A few meager words can't hold that much power."

"Isn't the use of words the catalyst for your casting? You and your sisters changed the worlds of me and my brothers for the better. Someone capable of creating such a change is one I would be honored to call my companion in everything I do."

Her gasp was swallowed by Brick's lips as they descended upon hers. The kiss warmed Blossom from the inside out as she melted into it. Brick caught the grimoire that slipped from her fingers and tossed it to the cushions that were formed in a half nest in front of the fireplace. Brick pulled back just enough to kneel and maneuver himself to lay on his back against the other wall of cushions. Blossom was gently urged to follow as her prince tugged on her hand. When she lay comfortably against him, Brick brought her lips back to his and coaxed her mouth open with his tongue. His hands found themselves tangling in her hair and roaming over her body. When his hand cupped her bottom to pull her flush against him, she brushed his against his growing desire.

With a groan Brick rolled them over, so he was atop Blossom and pulling her leg over his hip. "Brick, we're in a library."

"I barred the doors once I knew you were in here." He whispered as he kissed her neck. "No one will bother us." He then proceeded to slowly undress her as well as himself. With each inch of skin that revealed itself to him, he placed a hot tender kiss. The light from the moon shined over them both from the large window. It made their skin appear luminescent and their hair a brilliant fire. The heat from Brick's skin against the coolest of Blossom's made steam swirl around them as they stroked each other's bodies.

When Brick could no longer stand to wait, he twined their fingers together as he pulled her onto his lap. The motion surprised her as she tried to straddle his waist. Her prince smiled gently as he helped her to sit on her knees over him. As he stared into her eyes, Brick positioned her over his cock and sank her down over him. Blossom moaned against his lips, and Brick used his free hand to cup her chin and caught her moan with a kiss.

When he began to rock into her from below, Blossom gasped against his shoulder creating a mist. "Brick. Brick. Brick."

The slow rhythm was tender and overflowing with all the love Brick had for Blossom. Blossom returned in kind by holding onto him and running her fingers over his skin leaving trails of ice over her heating skin.

"Only you Blossom…there's only you." Brick whispered against her lips with his forehead pressed against hers. "You have…my promise."

As he laid down onto the cushions he sped up the pace of his thrusts into her body. His hair tail had come loose as it draped over his shoulder and clung to his sweat slickened skin. What tendrils that weren't stuck to him, fell and tickled Blossom's exposed collarbone. She brought her hand up to his face that he grasped and pressed a kiss to her palm.

Blossom's climax was soft and quiet as a low moan broke through her lips. Still, it tightened her body around Brick enough to cause his own climax. Once again he was presented with the chance to spend himself in Blossom, but choice to not take what she hadn't offered to him. It's not to say that it wasn't tempting.

With a strength he hadn't realized he had, he pulled out of her and spilled his seed onto the floor. When his body relaxed, Brick laid down beside Blossom and cradled her in his arms. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Spill your seed."

Brick sighed as he pulled her closer to him. "Is that to say you mind?"

"Merely curious." Blossom explained as she snuggled into Brick's side.

Before Brick could settle himself, he and Blossom both heard a loud knocking on the door of the library. "Brick. Brick, we need to speak with you." The mental message came to him.

For a fleeting moment, Brick considered ignoring his brother. Unfortunately, in such a time of need, he couldn't afford to not pay attention. He pulled himself from Blossom and dressed quickly. After placing a loving kiss to Blossom's lips, he left her to dress on her own and went to see what he brother needed.

Opening the library doors, he saw Boomer braced against the wall with her arms folded and a smirk on his lips.

"Save it. What's going on?" he asked easily slipping into the role of the king he was destined to be.

Boomer's mirth vanished at the focus his brother presented him with. "Butch noticed something. He's outside on the southern balcony."

Hastening their stride, Brick and Boomer found their brother where he said he'd be. He looked more animal than human as he was barefoot on the rail of the balcony with only a pair of trousers as his clothing. His body was tensed as his muscles strained to be released from their tight coil he'd wound himself in. He barely flinched when he heard his brothers come up behind him. Butch's eyes were trained on his soon to be dead prey.

"What is it?" Brick demanded as he tried to see where Butch had his attention.

A low guttural growl started in the wolf prince's chest and his claws bit into the stone underneath him. "A guest that's a bit early to the party."

"What?"

"I noticed yesterday that two people were circling the grounds at night. Tonight, I'm going to catch one of them." The feral gleam in his eyes was not to be challenged.

"Is it Sedusa?" Boomer asked as he looked to Butch searching his mind for whatever he planned to do.

The dark head shook in the negative. "One of her Gang Green lackeys. The disgusting one I think."

"Still, if they're here, then she can't be too far away." Brick added in. "Blossom did mention just now that the barrier was weakening. Maybe they have something to do with it."

"Then it's settled." Butch stood up and let his change over take his body. He then jumped from the great height of the balcony to the ground feeling his skin give way to fur, his fingers for claws, and mouth for a muzzle full of fangs. He landed in a run that took him faster than the guards on duty could ever catch to catch him.

Within moments, Butch was scaling the wall while leaving faint claw marks in its surface. When he jumped over, he came down hard onto the Gang Green Gang member. He didn't think as his fangs sunk into his shoulder and rendered him unable to move. He flung him against the wall and shifted back into his human form, watching as the sorry excuse for a man panted weakly.

Unperturbed by his nakedness, Butch stalked over to him and pressed the heal of his foot into the deep wound. He'd rather have used his claws, but knew that the spell Buttercup cast still remained. "Where is Sedusa?"

He was met with a groan followed by more panted and a blank stare of faintly glowing eyes.

"I command you to answer me." He growled with his fangs contorting his mouth.

"I follow only Sedusa's command." Grubber answered in a bland voice.

It was not an answer that Butch wanted to hear. He dug his heel in deeper into the wound, causing more blood to ooze. "You will follow my command if you want to live."

"I live to serve Sedusa."

Butch released a low snarl as he pulled his foot away and roared into the cretin's face. "Then I hoped you are prepared to die serving Sedusa."

The last sight that appeared before Grubber were fangs elongating for a mouth that formed into a muzzle and came forward. It's aim at his throat.

It feels like so much is going one right now, but not enough written to hold it all. However, that's what the next update will be for. Be prepared to be left breathless as we race toward the end. Stay tuned for more.

Until Next Time