I know, I feel awful :( But I am free now! No exccuses :) I just went through a massive writer's block, and I Hope I make it up to you with this chapter! I won't say too much, because I know you're anxious to read, but I thought I'd give you some warning that this story will go up to an 'M' Rating by next chapter...due to some real gore and...well...
Character death.
...You see why I'm putting it off? :P
Anyway, I have dicovered a new found passion for this story, so please please please let me know what you think, and any suggestions will help.
Love you guys :D
And I'll be sure to update quickly. Hopefully work won't ride me too hard with the Christmas launch, and the chapter will be out within two weeks.
Enjoy! xo
25- No Sign of Hope
Those adorable pair of light green apple coloured eyes blinked up at me sweetly, his hands reaching up to me as he whimpered and whined, wanting to be held. I tickled under his chin, laying him back down and wrapping him in a blanket. He wriggled in defiance, but gently became limper.
"Shhh…Blayze…" I cooed, running a few fingers through his hair. "Go to sleep, Bubba…"
He whined in protest, kicking his legs energetically, but after a few more whispers of what I hoped to be soothing words he fell into slumber, sucking on his pacifier cutely. It had been a big day for him, one of the first he had spent with his mother and father together. I sighed in relief, watching him sleep. He was so delicate and sweet, the way his chest rose and fell with his deep breaths, I never wanted this moment to end. I was so happy with Blayze…then and there…everything was perfect.
A pair of muscular arms wrapped around my waist and I stiffened, still not used to Butch's rare signs of affection. I reached down to stroke the arms that held me, and I closed my own eyes as I felt his warm, steady breaths against my neck.
"How's it going?" Butch cooed deeply against my ear, running his fingers through my long, tangled hair. I'd clumsily tied it back in a low ponytail to stop Blayze grabbing at it. It was getting out of control. I turned in his arms, my own jade green eyes meeting his deep emerald orbs.
"All good…" I murmured softly, smiling at the closeness. He smirked against my forehead, bringing me into a tighter hug. I felt strangely secure in his muscular arms, pretty strange when I thought back to how afraid I was to be held by him. Something had changed.
"I was just wondering…" Butch mumbled to me suddenly, still playing with my hair. "What does…this…us…mean?"
I retracted from his comforting grip, looking up into his face with a sudden frown. "…What?"
He looked away sheepishly, and his lips crinkled into an uncomfortable grimace. He sighed, biting his lip as he tried again.
"I mean…" He grumbled. "Like…we're together now…right?"
"Oh…" I turned away suddenly, my heart suddenly racing. Of course we were…realistically…I mean we slept together. What does this mean? I couldn't exactly call him my enemy anymore…does this mean I betrayed my own side? What I fought for? My sisters? My Father?
"I…" I swallowed shakily, my throat tightening with discomfort. "I can't deny…the feelings I feel for you, Butch…" I mumbled, too overwhelmed to look into his face. Instead I aimed for the floor, a whirlwind of emotions running through me. "But…I don't know! I-" I looked up, determined to stay strong. "But it goes against everything I've fought for-"
"Me too!" Butch immediately snapped, his eyes wide. "Don't forget that!"
"But what does it mean?" I insisted, my eyes wide. "Does it mean I follow you forever, being evil? Being in this household? Not seeing my sisters or my father again? It's just you and me?"
"I don't know!" Butch suddenly grumbled, looking sulky. He folded his arms across his chest and frowned at the floor, looking like a little kid who had just been reprimanded for a wrong doing. I had to resist a grin. "I just…" he looked back at me, still with that annoyed pout. "This just feels right, you know?"
"Yeah…" I sighed, kicking at the ground. "Then reality kicks in."
We both turned to the crib beside us, watching our baby sleep. We couldn't deny what our 'love' had created, and who knew if it was love anyway? Indeed...
What is love?
A knock at the door pulled Brick out of his book as he looked up in alarm, his eyes widening further as Bane stared back at him, leaning against the doorframe and looking moody.
"Uh…" Brick gently closed the book, laying it down on his bed. "Come…in?"
Bane quickly shut the door, stomping over to stand in front of Brick, who was relaxing on his bed. Brick tilted his head, fighting the urge to smirk. Bane seemed to blink blandly at the sight of Brick on his bed. Any other father, wanting some one-on-one time with his son, would have easily sat down beside him on the soft bed…not Bane.
Brick guessed Bane probably hung from the rafters when he slept…if he did sleep.
"…Hi…" Bane mumbled, blinking. His eyes were neutral- a deep coal black. He seemed to twitch with sudden nervous, just realising how awkward he felt. "Uh…what you…doing?"
"Just reading…" Brick said casually, straightening the pile of books. His blood red eyes flashed knowingly as he smirked. "Demonology…actually."
"Fun." Bane grumbled, looking annoyed. Brick tilted his head, snickering.
"You can sit down, you know."
Bane looked skeptical, looking down at the bed with immediate distrust. His already tense body stiffened further as he lowered down, jumping in alarm at the plush, soft surface. Brick was struggling to hold in another snicker. Bane swiveled around, grimacing at the feeling of gentleness beneath him. Brick could tell he looked uncomfortable…but it was still funny to him.
"How can you sleep on this thing?" He mumbled with annoyance, wrinkling his nose. He shook his head and Brick immediately sniggered, his tongue between his teeth.
"Listen…I wanna talk to you about that…" Bane mumbled. "I mean, you're the smartest of…your brothers, and all…and-"
"No need to sugarcoat it." Brick smirked, cocking an eyebrow with interest. "I know I'm the leader of the trio…I am the oldest, after all."
"Yeah, yeah." Bane scoffed, waving a hand carelessly. "Anyway, I know if I was to ever…you know…if anything was to happen to me, you guys would…you know, not know anything about your roots or your…" he bit his lip, suddenly sheepish. "Your blood, or anything like that. I'd hate to leave you so clueless…"
"Dad." Brick said bluntly, his eyes narrowing. "Why are you talking like you're dying?"
Bane scoffed again, but even Brick could see a certain distrusting sparkle in those dark, deep eyes. "Don't get too excited, I've been alive for so long…I'm in no mood to stop now."
Brick looked away, but still he couldn't ignore the creeping feeling of worry coming over him. It felt weird, to be so close and personal with his dad- face to face, and Bane talking to him so seriously- in that low, dark tone, it made him panic and worry…like the thought of he and his brothers not having a father, after having one, seemed impossible to consider.
"But just so you know…" Bane began again. "Being a demon…well…half demon, unless you choose to be full demon, you still have some demonic qualities." He tilted his head. "Like…you get angry really easily…in fact all emotions are emphasised due to demonic blood."
Brick raised his eyebrows with interest. "You mean like…anger, and hate and stuff?"
"Not only that, but happy emotions too." Bane scoffed. "We're not all doom and gloom, you know."
The two shared a small snicker before they returned to the heavy silence, which Bane broke to point out another concept of demonology. He hated talking about his heritage so casually, but…and he knew it deep down, it was important for at least one of his son's to know.
"And…you get very protective, and jealous…" he mumbled. "Kinda like…animal instincts…you know? Ownership, territory…kinda primitive, when you think about it…but it's very easily for pure demon blood to take hold and suddenly you find yourself blind to common sense." He shrugged. "Especially where evil and violence are concerned…you're more susceptible to that, by the way." He pointed out. "Where crime's concerned, and stuff, your evil side thrives off that." He bit down on his tongue, holding back a snicker at the thought.
"Be honest, dad." Brick sighed, looking earnest. His wide eyes watched his father carefully. "Why are you telling me all of this? You honestly think something's gonna happen?"
Bane bit his lip, and he thought before replying. He thought hard, but tried not to show his concern too much. He knew it was a long shot to finding anything that could help his battle against the human the more vulnerable with such a happy family environment… But he couldn't let it cause too much emotion within the family…he knew he owed his sons that…at the very least.
But he had to protect Blayze…he knew it…and he could think of no other way to guard his grandson than what he thought to do. No potion could save him, no black magic he could fight with, that wouldn't in turn put his sons or grandson in harm
…And he knew, deep down, he owed them more than that.
"I don't know." Bane quickly snapped, shaking his head. "I just…don't know what's going to happen…okay? I may have to go…back to the Underworld, or something, I just never know what's going to happen. "
Brick almost choked on oxygen at that one.
"The…Underworld?" he spat, suddenly alarmed. "You live there?"
Bane shrugged, indifferent. "Keeps me young." He mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Well…immortal, at the very least…"
Brick cocked an eyebrow, curious. "Can you…" he hesitated, looking towards the books he was reading. "Die?"
"My human side can…" Bane mumbled moodily. "I'm a little human…which means I can feel death…I'd probably survive…but because I've been here so long, so in touch with my human side…I'd have a lotta time to recover before I could get to my full strength again…" he looked up hesitantly. "No demon can truly die. Sure, they can perish and burn to a crisp into almost nothingness, but they can never die."
Brick blinked at this, still too overwhelmed to take it all in. He was still trying to grasp the fact he was demonic, and he and his brothers were genetically classified as pure evil. Usually so ruthless and cruel, he was slightly alarmed and amazed that the honest words of his father about his family's own heritage, that they weren't some kind of science experiment created by some crazy monkey, seemed to shock him to the core, and he knew it would take him a while to get used to it.
"Listen, Dad…" Brick sighed, his expression sincere as he gazed at him thoughtfully, as if trying to work him out."I know you've come to care about us, and I know you could even love us-"
Bane wrinkled his nose with slight alarm.
"And I know since Blayze was born, you love him too." Brick continued, ignoring the look of obvious disgust on Bane's face. "But…I dunno…do you think it's wise to introduce him especially to evil so early? I mean, he's only young-"
"He's vulnerable, and wanted." Bane muttered, his eyes narrowing. "And I'll do anything to protect him…you guys too…" he rose awkwardly, nibbling on his bottom lip. "Just…remember that…okay Brick?"
Brick frowned at the look of sincerity on Bane's face…barely any traces of sarcasm or malevolence seemed to shine in his eyes, only the look of deep seriousness that forced Brick to sober up, and give him a straight look back.
"Yeah…I know."
He watched him walk out the door sadly, his face drooping with a feeling of deep foreboding as he watched his father go, and he returned to the paragraph he'd been reading.
An ancient practice of trapping a demon has been recorded throughout time. It is known that anyone with demonic blood has a well established connection with anyone else from the same bloodline, and as history shows a popular way of attracting a demon for the purposes of killing it was to kill or harm a loved one or member of the same clan, as pain and suffering attracts members from the same family as the bloodline is so strong, the others can feel their pain and unite to seek vengeance.
Anger as well as other emotions are magnified in this effect, as it has also been said that demonic blood exacerbates anger and rage to such an extent the demon is beyond banishing.
This, as well as the previously stated power of desire, made demons especially feared throughout time, as their abilities are far beyond what is physically seen, but it controlled substantially through their emotions and relationships.
Brick blinked, tilting his head curiously as he flicked the page.
Interesting….
A pair of icy blue eyes watched over the horizon suspiciously, her golden pigtails flapping in the winds that whipped around her coldly. In slight frustration, she reached for the bands that held them in place and slid them out, snapping the bands around her wrists and shaking her head, letting her long hair fall around her elbows. She no longer looked like a small, innocent sweet girl, but a matured woman, a girl of substance who watched the city beneath her with suspicion and depth. She folded her arms, letting her hair fall and flow around her. She looked so much older.
"I didn't think you'd come."
She turned, although she already knew the voice behind her too well. A pair of deep, ocean blue eyes met hers, and his solemn expression matched her indifferent one. Both seemed mellow at the meeting, but behind those blue eyes lay hidden truths about what they had really come together for.
"I almost didn't." Bubbles growled coldly, turning to face him. Boomer bit his lip, having to look away from her solid, unforgiving figure. She had strayed from her regular, cute, sweet image that projected total innocence and naivety. Instead she looked strong- her slim figure adorned with a simple blue tank top and simple pale blue jeans. Her milky skin shone against the limited light and her blue eyes gazed at him dreamily through loose strands of sunshine hair. He swallowed, a sudden lump swelling in his throat.
"I know…" He muttered. "I haven't been the greatest guy to you…but…" He gazed up at her, his eyes wide and somewhat pleading. He seemed vulnerable to her, yet she refused to let her guard down. Even though it seemed like a normal teenager in front of her, she couldn't ignore the damage he and his family had done and what they were capable of. "But Bubbles…there's something more in this than just the fight for good and evil, you have to know that."
Bubbles folded her arms across her chest, her eyebrows rising expectantly.
"Well, you can start explaining it now."
Boomer's hand snapped to the back of his head awkwardly, his deep navy eyes lowering. "It's a long story, Bubbles-"
Bubbles plunked down on the nearest boulder, her legs crossing neatly and her face still carrying that serious, stony expression as she watched her counterpart expectantly.
"I've got all night."
A shadowed figure hung against a stone cold wall that was once part of a pristine, clean laboratory, and he looked as though he had been there for a couple of days. His limp figure hinted at sure decay, but Bane stared at it for a long time before determining he could, indeed, still see a few breaths left in the primate. He crept over sneakily, still with a cocky and demeaning look in those wide blood red eyes.
"Oh Mojo…" He snickered calmly, tilting his head with curiosity as he approached the tortured primate. "What you've been reduced to…"
The shape twitched, and one blackened, bloodshot eye peered open weekly, the eyelid too swollen, heavy and sore to be lifted fully. Mojo let out the smallest of groans as he saw the familiar Bane before him, relieved at finally being found within this cursed place.
"You…" he managed to croak, his sinister snarl replaced with a hoarse whisper. "Bane, where have you been? What do you think-"
The figure emerged from the shadows, those blood red eyes glimmering eerily in the limited light as his face was illuminated in the limited light- his chilling smirk sending a shiver through Mojo's tired body. He ached with pain, his body felt stretched, his skin itched and stung, his fur was falling out and emotionally he was drained at the humiliation and torture he'd been forced to endure. It had been an agonizing week, and he had lost all hope. He closed his tired eyes, trying to regain the energy to look back into the demon's face.
Bane was many things…but he wasn't a sign of hope.
"Hush, idiot primate." Bane growled irritably, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "You haven't blabbed, have you?"
"No." Mojo snapped as fiercely as he could, but his throat ached with the strain. "I know I'm better off in here than dealing with the consequences of that."
His black eyes flashed with anger as Bane gave a sickly sweet smile, tapping the monkey on the head foreceflly.
"Good boy!"
"Don't PUSH it Bane!" Mojo snarled hatefully, his shackles rattling with the sudden movement. Bane cocked his head to the side, his amused expression flickering at the threatening look in Mojo's face. "The scientist is onto you- he knows more than you think."
"I'm well aware he knows!" Bane snapped, anger rising. "I'm taking care of it!"
"Well you better do it fast…" Mojo grumbled, wincing in pain as he flexed his numb fingers. "He's already making plans to break in and steal your precious Blayze from right under your nose and perform some exorcism or some-"
He broke off, a choked, horrified gasp cutting into the air as he struggled for air, Bane's powerful hand locking around his throat and his fiery red eyes glaring into the monkey's wide, watery ones. Bane scowled, his knuckles whitening with the force.
"Over his fuckin' dead lifeless corpse."
Blossom wandered around her house, never feeling so alone in her own home. She didn't know where the professor was, or where Bubbles had gone off to..all she knew was that the house was eerily quiet, and she was feeling more and more isolated with Buttercup now gone. She sighed, floating onto the living room couch.
She hoped her sister, and her young nephew, were alright.
The heavy silence was suddenly broken by the sharp ringing of the house phone, which Blossom jumped at in alarm, her heart pounding as she flew towards it, clearing her throat as she answered.
"Hello?"
She was met with silence, only a little heavy breathing and what sounded like tiny sobs seemed to sound from the other end, and immediately the pink puff frowned with both suspicion and worry. She knew those stubborn, broken cries anywhere…
"B…Buttercup? Is that you?"
"Bloss…." Buttercup gasped, looking around with caution before continuing. She knew she shouldn't be in this room, nevertheless connecting with her sisters…but this was important.
It was urgent.
"Bloss…I need you to do something for me…." I managed to mumble, somehow keeping my tears at bay. "I….It's important. Please don't say anything to anybody else…I just need you to get something, and quick, and sneak it in to me. Please do it, Bloss, and try to keep it to yourself, I don't want anyone to know…I…I just need to be sure…"
"Of course!" Blossom muttered quickly over me, and I could tell she was in a state of panic but, as always, she was keeping calm for me. "What do you need Buttercup? I'll get it for you, just tell me, anything sister…"
I took a deep breath, and summoned up what little courage I had left. Swallowing, taking a deep breath, I managed to utter what had been on my mind for weeks, and only now I've been brave enough to take a stab and prove my suspicions.
"A…pregnancy test…"
To be continued...
remember- next chapter=M. I'll try and be quick. If not out in 2 weeks- you all have permission to yell at me.
Love love!