I do not own the Power Puff Girls or the Rowdy Ruff Boys.
Chapter Twenty-Five: The Full Moon Rises
Sedusa gasped loudly in the night as her connection to one of her pawns was severed. Violently. She felt as though her throat were being shredded to pieces. An animal must've gotten to him. However, something about the chomping struck her as odd. It didn't have a sense of urgency as though the beast were hungry. It felt…angry and a bit reluctant. As if disgusted with having to do the act.
Using the last bits of consciousness and some magic, she saw through his dying eyes to the figure that stood over him. The first thing she saw was teeth. Sharp teeth that gleamed in the moonlight with blood. The fur around the beast's mouth was weighed down by the same blood. What struck her the most about the beast were his eyes. Angry. Vengeful. Intelligent. Green. A familiar green.
Butch.
His rage made for excellent sport and Sedusa couldn't help the humor that riddled through her. Letting out a full laugh that had her throwing her head back, she released herself from the connection with the fallen pawn. Refocusing on the world around her, she turned to the castle and couldn't help her continued laughter.
"Oh, Butch. How fun you are making this for me." She ran her hands through her hair, her mood soured as a few tendrils of her hair were pulled from her scalp. The strands lied impotently in her hands, before she clenched her hands around the strands. "And how I hate this decaying body. Soon, very soon."
The wind blew from behind her towards the castle and she let go of the evidence that pointed to her advanced aging.
"But not soon enough."
Brick and Boomer waited for their brother to return after he disappeared over the edge of the balcony. While they waited, Boomer stayed tuned into Butch's thoughts. Normally, when he was a wolf, his thoughts ceased to have coherent words. It was more images and impressions that he gathered. He figured Bubbles would have an easier time reading him than he did. A faint smile crossed his features at the thought of Bubbles and her kind heart.
Brick caught the look on his brother's face and rose a brow. "What has you looking so smug and content?"
Smile evolving into a smirk, Boomer eyed his brother with mirth. "I have my reasons as I'm sure you had yours a little while ago."
A puff of smoke escaped Brick in mild annoyance at his brother's teasing. "Shut it. Keep your mind on Butch."
Boomer let another chuckle pass through his lips before the night was pierced by an anguished howl that died off into an anguished scream. It chilled he and Brick both to the bone.
Brick looked out and grabbed the edge of the banister to where his brother could be. His blood ran cold at the thought that something might've happened to his brother. Smoke began to rise from where Brick's hands were clasped to the stone. "Boomer!"
The tone of voice in which Brick spoke with was one Boomer hoped to never hear again. Frozen to the spot as he was, he didn't realize how long he'd stood there until Brick's blazing red eyes fell on him. "Boomer! Damn it, find our brother!"
Turning away from the fiery glare that bordered on madness, Boomer concentrated on finding his brother. When he looked to where he figured Buch was, he was startled to find that he wasn't where he thought. As he searched the grounds, he grew frantic when he couldn't hear anything from his brother for a few moments. When he did he heaved a sigh of relief, but it was short lived. "He's in mother's garden."
"What? Why is he there?"
Boomer focused on Butch and saw that his mind was a snarl of emotions as if he were still a beast, but words were there—put into broken repeated sentences that made little sense. "Something's wrong."
The elder needed no more incentive to run to find his brother. The younger brother was hot on his heels as they ran their mother's garden. Many of the servants who were still awake at this late hour, fell back as they saw the two storming down the halls. The candles flared dangerously, startling everyone who was in the surrounding area and burning those who were too close. The doors that led to their garden were almost blasted off their hinges as Brick's fear fed into his powers. Boomer wisely choose not to touch the door's handles as he followed Brick into the garden. The trickling of the man-made stream with is soothing rhythm did nothing to calm the brothers. Both looked around looking for a sign from Butch. Brick brought a fire to his hands and illuminated the space around them.
"Where is he? You said he was here." Brick accused when he didn't see their brother. His rapidly beating heart was personified within the flame that threatened to go out of control should Brick's temper truly flare.
"It's difficult to concentrate when you're being an arsonist." Boomer snapped at him, only to get a face of smoke when Brick exhaled.
Brick's retort was cut short when he saw movement over Boomer's shoulder. Brightening his flame, he caught sight of Butch huddled amongst the bushes. Striding past Boomer, Brick ran to his brother. "Butch!"
"Don't come any closer!" he growled lowly while his hands trembled against his skin.
"Butch?" Boomer called as he tried to find reason within his brother's mind, which was scattered.
"I said don't come any closer!" he snarled viciously before letting out a shuddering breath. "Please."
With his brother's thoughts as his priority, Brick wasn't cowed by his brother's aggression and then submission. He stepped forward and knelt before him. The flame in his hand illuminating the small space Butch placed himself. The first thing Brick noticed were the streaks of dark red going across the wolf prince's arms. He wondered if the scream he'd heard earlier was because of whatever injury he'd just sustained. That suspicion was quickly destroyed when Butch slashed at Brick causing him to extinguish the fire in his palm. However, it wasn't one quickly enough for Brick and Boomer to not see the blood staining Butch's face.
"What the hell happened?"
The moonlight glinted off the blood, making the crimson appear a dark maroon; startling against Butch's paling skin. "I had to. I couldn't not do it."
"Butch." Brick reached out only for Butch to reach forward and grasp the front of his shirt, staining it with blood.
"I had to kill a man, Brick." His green eyed glowed with an almost manic gleam. "I tore into his throat without a second thought, but…but…his blood. His blood is still on me and its scent is seeping into my skin."
"We'll wash it off." Boomer offered.
"The smell of that low life bastard's blood can't be so easily washed off! I know even when it's gone, I'll still smell it there." A pained growl escaped from clenched teeth, as he turned to look at his younger brother. "Boomer, you idiot. I'm ready to heave over the stench of this man's blood on me."
The manic gleam gave way to the human. Butch found himself unable to breath and Brick had to catch him as he crumbled forward. "Butch, it's only one man—and a criminal at that. This will be forgiven."
"Yes, only a man that I care nothing about. Easily forgiven for taken his life. But what about hers." He asked no one in particular.
"Sedusa?" confusion colored Brick's tone, wondering why Butch would be concerned for her wellbeing.
"Buttercup." Boomer corrected.
Falling into his brother's shoulder, Butch swallowed the lump that threatened to clog his throat with tears. He couldn't allow himself to break, not now. Buttercup needed him. He had to do as she asked him, but it wasn't until now that Butch realized the gravity of his task. He'd have to harm Buttercup to save her. Thrust his hand into her chest and grasp her heart to release her from another's hold on her soul.
"If I fail her, I could never forgive myself for taking her life." Butch sighed heavily.
Brick was more than a little confused as to what they were discussing when he looked up and saw Buttercup standing at the edge of the garden. "I smelled blood."
Butch's head snapped up when he heard her voice. Seeing her standing so close to him while he was covered in blood, sickened him and he growled in warning. "Get her out of here."
Boomer left his brother's side so that he could turn Buttercup around, but she used her magic to wrap him in a green swirl and push him aside. She walked toward Brick and Butch, giving the elder a pleading look. When he stepped away, Butch growled and turned his bloodied face away from Buttercup.
"Can you draw him bath?" Buttercup asked. When Brick didn't move, Buttercup used her magic to make him move. "Please. I have to do this for him."
Brick spared a glance to look at Butch, who was shaking his head "no". Buttercup didn't wait a moment longer, before she was using her magic to remove Brick from his place. When it was just the two of them, Buttercup kneeled before her wolf prince.
"Butch?"
"Take this charm off me." Butch pled. "Buttercup, please."
"You know that I can't."
His hand reached out and gripped the back of her neck. Pulling her toward him so their foreheads were pressed together, Butch exhaled heavily. The scent of blood wafted to her nose. "Please, I—I can't."
"It's much too late for that Butch. You have to." Buttercup whispered.
A pained whine escaped Butch, before he slammed his fist down into the ground. "What if I fail? Am too late."
"Don't think about that right now. Just let me take care of you." Buttercup told him. Boomer then came back with a blanket to wrap around his brother's waist as they brought him to his bath.
Once he was settled in the metal tub, Buttercup ushered his brothers out as she went about cleaning him up. Taking the bar of soap, she created a lather in one of the towels and started with his hands. The sight of the blood was washed away, but the scent clung on longer. Another bath would have to be drawn to rid his body of the scent. All while Buttercup cleaned him, Butch remained silent. The only sound to permeate the quiet was the sloshing and splashing of the water. In a way, it soothed Butch but only so much.
The tension on his body didn't release and he didn't open his eyes to look at her. When Buttercup cleaned the blood from his face, she dropped the towel into water and urged him to face her. "Butch, look at me. Please."
When dull green eyes fell on her, Buttercup's heart swelled and she couldn't stop herself from leaning over the lip of the tub and placing a soft tender kiss to his lips. Butch hesitated slightly before pushing back into the kiss. Buttercup pulled back from the kiss and used magic to refresh the water. Once the water was clean, she divested herself of her clothes and joined him in the water. Butch wrapped his arms around Buttercup and pulled her close to him.
"I'm sorry that you have to be in this position Butch." Buttercup said as she put her over his chest. "I wouldn't have wished it on anyone."
Butch said nothing, only pulled Buttercup closer. His nose was buried within her hair, inhaling her scent. He couldn't imagine what it would be like if couldn't smell her anymore. This feline, jasmine scent that soothed his soul and warmed his heart.
"Still, I know no one would have the courage to do this other than you." Buttercup said, as she shifted to straddle his lap. "I trust my heart and soul only to you."
"And what of my heart and soul? Both will shatter should anything happen to you." Butch said as he pulled Buttercup closer to his body.
Buttercup didn't answer save for her leaning to kiss him again. This time she shifted her hips over him, her core brushing over his growing cock. Butch inhaled sharply and dug his claws slightly into her waist to still her motions.
"Buttercup," he growled against her lips half aroused and half in anger. She was playing a dirty trick, but the very male side of him couldn't deny that her physical comfort was something he needed from her.
"Even if I'm not here in body," she kissed his forehead and Butch gasped at the tingle of magic that spread from the touch. Buttercup pulled back to watch the green swirls of her magic fade into his skin. "You will have my soul."
Butch snorted harshly as he turned his head away from her. "Do you think that'll be enough for me? Just a promise of your soul and some protection spell. Don't insult my feelings for you."
Buttercup's smile was tinged with sadness. "It's your feelings for me that give me hope that this will work. Your love will save me, if nothing else."
The vicious retort that was on his lips was cut off by Buttercup's lips on his. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer to wrap him in a tight embrace that would for the night make him forget his worries. Shifting her hips, she seated herself on his cock and absorbed his exhale of shock. She then began to move over him slowly, building the pleasure that he tried to resist. "Damn it."
The water sloshed over the edge of the tub when Butch took control of the pace with his hands digging into her skin to move her up and down on him. Buttercup's breaths were sharp gasps that warmed his ear. His own snarls were caught in her bosom as he took his anger out on her body. Having enough restriction from the tub, Butch stood up with Buttercup in his arms and made his way over to the table in the room. Laying her flat on her back, Butch resumed ridding himself of his anger, his worry, and his pain.
"Open your eyes. Open your eyes!" Butch demanded, increasing the strength of his thrusting.
With great effort, Buttercup opened her eyes to look at the man above her as he pored his soul into her, not knowing that she did the same. Butch leaned over her and gave her an almost bruising kiss as pushed her to completion before him. His hand reached for her bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs and stroked it in time with his rhythm. The breaths that escaped Buttercup turned to soft moans, that begged for Butch to swallow. He complied by leaning over her and kissing her deeply. A series of strokes of his fingers and thrusts of his hips brought wrung out a near silent scream from Buttercup as she found her climax. Butch's own was soon to follow, and he was reluctant to relinquish his hold on Buttercup afterward.
Her eyes drifted closed as she caught her breath. Not a second later was Butch's hand urging her to open her eyes and remain fixated on his. "I never not want to see these eyes. Promise me, I won't live without these eyes and the soul that lies behind them."
Buttercup took Butch's face in between her hands and looked at him with the eyes he loved so much. "Only if you promise me, you won't fail."
A tense moment passed between the two of them in where they simply started into the other's eyes. "I promise."
"I promise." Buttercup then brushed his hair back and pulled him close to kiss him. "I promise." She then whispered the charm in Cragon and kissed him again. A swirl of magic passed between their lips, binding them in a way that no force on earth could break.
The next morning's breakfast was a tense, awkward affair. Ilana had made an effort to be polite to her fellow princess by joining her for breakfast with herself, Ashi, and the girls. Unfortunately for Ilana's kind gesture, the girls had yet to show up. Moira did not have the capacity to hold in her disgruntlement.
"I find it particularly rude that we're made to be kept waiting for…peasants." She sniffed as she sipped at the cup of warm cider.
Ilana grabbed Ashi's hand under the table as she reached for a shuriken. "There was a bit of a ruckus last night. Maybe it kept them up last night."
"Hmmm." Moira set her cup down and reached for a biscuit.
The doors to the dining hall opened and in came Bubbles. Ilana sighed in relief, while Moira peeked through the closing doors. Boomer was turning down the hall when he placed a hand on Brick's shoulder. Brick turned to nod to his brother. A smile graced Moira's face before falling as she witnessed a confusing sight. Brick was standing closer to Blossom than the princess would have liked, and he was whispering to her. However, what had her face burning with anger was when Brick leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to her lips.
The large doors had closed before she could see anything more. It took everything in Moira to not storm toward the door and demand answers for what she saw. She refused to allow herself to be made of a fool of—least of all in front of Prince Brick. When Blossom entered, she had a solemn look on her face. She barely acknowledged her friends who were watching her closely as she sat across from Moira and started to put together her breakfast plate.
Moira watched her critically as she sliced a biscuit in half and slathered it in a fruit jam and took a thin slice of meat to put on top. She nibbled pensively as she turned to her sister. "Has anyone seen Buttercup this morning?"
When the others shook their heads in the negative, Blossom sighed and took another bite of her breakfast. She then set her biscuit down and pushed her plate away.
"Something troubling you, Blossom?" Moira asked in a saccharine tone that belied her false concern.
Bubbles could feel the rising anger within Moira and turned to look at the princess who had a glint within her eyes that threatened ill will. Blossom's head was down as she stared at her plate, not seeing the malicious glare.
"While I appreciate the gesture, it's nothing you should concern yourself with." Blossom said as she stood up from the table. "Bubbles, I'll be in our workroom if you need me." She then made her way to the door, not once having looked at Moira.
"Do you intend to concern the prince then?" Moira called out.
Blossom froze in her spot by the door and then took a deep breath. Ice covered the spot where she breathed. "What concern of it is yours?"
The slight glint of metal caught Ilana's eye and she rushed to grab Ashi's hand before she could throw her shuriken. She then shook her head at the assassin noblewoman. "Ladies, isn't it a bit early for such talk? Blossom, you've hardly touched your breakfast, and Bubbles, you've yet to eat anything."
"Not hungry." Was the yellow-haired witch bit out as she glared at the princess spoiled to the core.
"Considering I am Prince Brick's fiancée." She quipped.
Blossom rolled her eyes as she turned to look at the smug look on Moira's face. Her nose was tilted to the air and her thin lips were turned down in a scowl of disdain. "What you are is petty and pathetic."
"How dare you insult a princess!" Moira gasped as she stood up from her place at the table.
Blossom's eyes had turned to hard diamond as she glared right back at the princess. "I couldn't care less of what your station is."
"I'll have you and your wretched sisters banished from this castle. Saviors. Ha! Whores are more likely." She threatened, before turning to look at Ilana. "Witness how a true princess handles unpleasantries, Ilana. Just you wait until the prince hears about the way you've spoken to me."
The winter chill from outside was warmer than the frozen bite of Blossom's ice as it cooled the room. "Do what you will. Stars above, I don't have time for this." She then spun on her heel and left the room without a backwards look or word to Moira.
The remaining girls in the dining hall stared between where Blossom just left and the irate princess with the face red enough to match her hair. "Such audacity! How could you just stand there and let her speak to me that way?"
"She spoke to you like anyone would to a spoiled brat." Bubbles retorted. "That and you instigated it first."
Ashi jerked her hand from Ilana as she turned back to her breakfast. "What an interesting morning this is turning out to be. I must say, I'm disappointed a brawl didn't break out."
"Ashi!"
"She's seduced him, hasn't she?" Moira slammed her cup down on the table.
"You don't know anything about my sister or the relationship we have with the princes." Bubbles snapped at her, her eyes glowing a bright blue.
The snarl that contorted her face, marred what beauty could be seen on her face. "You are nothing but a peasant. The princes shouldn't have anything to you."
"Moira." There was a rare sternness that crept into Ilana's voice that only a royal could possess. "They're the princes' guests as am I, Ashi, and yourself. It's at their discretion who they invite or evict."
Huffing loudly, she stood up and left the table. "I can hardly believe you are a princess."
Ilana shook her head at the overly entitled princess. "That girl."
"You should've just let me throw my shuriken or maybe a small dagger at her." Ashi mused as she took a sip from her cup of cider.
The gentler princess rose a brow unamused by Ashi's joke. "And then have her make her daddy go to war because she felt threatened. You know she's dramatic enough for that to be a possibility."
Ashi shrugged her shoulder. "Moira is inconsequential right now."
"You're right." Bubbles said with a calming breath. "I feel like something might happen tonight. I can feel the tension in air." She ran her fingers through her hair, while Ilana ran and comforting hand over her shoulder.
Ashi decided to remain quiet the remainder of breakfast as she contemplated what could be done to protect Buttercup. Granted, she still wasn't fond of the girl, but Ashi could tell she had a good heart. She'd find some time later in the day to pray for their wellbeing.
"Have either of them come from his room yet?" Brick asked his younger brother while they made their way up to their rooms to change into less formal attire.
Boomer shook his head as he loosened the collar of his shirt. "No. From what I could read in their minds, they aren't discontent; but neither are they happy."
Brick's exhale was but a puff of smoke, that Boomer tried to dissipate by frantically waving his arms about. "What are you doing?"
"Brace yourself." Was all the warning he could give before he heard the verbal outrage over the mental.
"Prince Brick!"
The surprise Brick felt was nothing compared to the anger he felt towards his brother for his poor warning. Turning to face his appointed fiancée, he idly wondered what could've happened to displease her. "Princess Moira."
"Where have you been? I've been searching for you everywhere." She said in a loud voice, before remembering herself and lowering her voice. "I'm sorry, it's just…we haven't spent much time together since I've arrived and I need to speak with you."
"Tread carefully." Boomer whispered to his brother before leaving him to deal with the princess. Her thoughts were filled to the brim with rage over the image of Brick pecking Blossom on the lips before breakfast.
Scowling at his unhelpful brother, Brick turned back to look at Princess. "Things have been a bit hectic for us as of late."
"Yes, I know with the ball being so close—."
"Not just the ball. There are…other matters that need my attention." Brick said vaguely. "My brothers and I have been providing aid to Blossom and her sisters, and—."
"Blossom?" the name was spoken like a curse that burned like acid on the tongue. "And what aid has she asked for?"
"I can't go into detail about it, but you shouldn't concern yourself. We have it handled." Brick said before turning to head to his room. He'd closed the door behind him and had just pulled his shirt off when the door to his room was thrust open. "Moira! If you, please!"
"Why? I'm sure you've had Blossom in your rooms already." She said snippily.
That caught Bricks attention and he narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Choose your next words carefully Moira, and do well to remember that this is my kingdom."
Unintimidated by his promise, Moira stepped to him. "I saw you kiss her, Brick. Your peasant whore."
It took more than Brick thought to repress the flames that so desperately wanted to burst from his being. His palms smoked from holding back his fire. "Watch your tongue. You know not of what you speak." To distract his burning ire, Brick turned his back on Moira and went behind a rarely used changing shade to dress himself. "My brothers and I are indebted to them in more ways than you can imagine. I won't take kindly to you insulting her."
"I won't take kindly to my future husband, sleeping with another." She said with a raised chin.
Brick paused behind the shade and released the breath of smoke he couldn't hold in. "I don't have time for this. Not tonight."
"Blossom said almost the exact same thing. Do you to have something planned for tonight. A tryst maybe?" Princess goaded.
Coming from behind the shade fully dressed in a more casual shirt, Brick stormed over to Moira and with a hand that just barely gripped her upper arm, escorted her out of his room. "We have an important task that needs handling, so I cannot be distracted. Whatever grievances you have can wait until tomorrow at the very least to be dealt with."
Once outside his room, she spun to face him. "I will not be ignored!"
"No one is ignoring you. I just have larger priorities right now." Brick stately neutrally as he closed the door, just barely refraining from slamming it in her face. Behind the closed door, Brick ran his hands over his face in sudden exhaustion. "I'm going to burn Henry alive for this."
Since Moira's arrival, Henry has made sure that he was never alone with Brick or able to meet with him should he be requested. Cowardly was what he was being, but he had every reason to fear Brick's wrath. Moira's presence was something he could not deal with while trying to help his brothers, Blossom, and her sisters.
Unsure of how long he paced his floors, Brick startled a bit when he heard a knock. Calling out for whoever was on the other side, he a was a bit surprised to see Butch. He figured he wouldn't leave Buttercup's side at all. Not after the previous night's events. "I didn't think I'd see you at all today."
"Shut it. I'm fine." Butch said as he entered his elder brother's room and closed the door. "I just wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
Taking a deep breath that visibly expanded his chest, Butch looked solemnly at his brother. "Did you or Boomer mention anything to her sisters?"
"No." Brick answered, much to Butch's relief. "Blossom is worrying enough as it is over the weakening of her barrier. I couldn't burden her with this knowledge as well. Have you mentioned to Buttercup about the barrier?"
A shake of his dark head was answer enough. "I'm not entirely sure she doesn't already know. It is magic and I'm sure she can sense it just as well as her sisters. I'm more concerned about when Sedusa will attack."
"Same. I asked the guards to be on high alert, just in case something does occur tonight." Brick offered as a consolation.
Butch folded his arms across his chest and grunted in appreciation. He then walked to his brother's window and stared out across the horizon. Somewhere out there, Sedusa was lying in wait. It unnerved him that he was still shaken from the night before, and she could attack at any moment. He'd never wanted to claw anything so badly in his life. Well, except maybe Moira, but that was for being in their late mother's room. Her scent defiled the once sacred place. If brick didn't burn him alive, he'd most definitely make it, so his bedfellows wouldn't enjoy his company.
"Butch. Understand that everyone is doing what they can. If we can prevent you from—."
"Stop."
"Butch—."
"I mean it Brick." he growled. "I already asked her if there was another way, and there isn't. There's only one way this is going to end. Like it or not—and I don't—I have to do this."
Brick regarded his brother with concern. "Don't make light of this for my benefit. I'm not going to worry less, because you can stand here and appear unaffected."
The angry growl came from deep within Butch's chest, making it sound more guttural and savage. Brick sighed and choose not to push it further.
"Will you two make an appearance at dinner?"
"Are you asking out of concern or because you want more of a buffer between you and Moira?"
Not able to tell if he was actually worried about that or simply being an ass for the hell if it, Brick ignored the question. "Will you be there or not?"
"I'll be there." Butch sighed. "If only to protect you from the ensuing battle between Moira and Blossom." He chuckled wryly as he turned from the window and left his brother's room.
"Jackass." Brick muttered, glad for a semblance of his brother to have returned, if only briefly.
The moon was just peeking over the horizon when Buttercup heard a knock at the door. Without looking away from the sight of the moon, she called for entrance. When the door opened, she smelled her sister. "Are you coming to dinner?"
"I'm not really hungry." Buttercup answered.
"Neither am I, honestly." Blossom then hung in the doorway, before entering and coming to stand at Buttercup's side. "How are you?"
"Anxious. My hair is standing on end from the tension in the air." Buttercup rubbed her hands over her exposed arms from under the blanket that was wrapped around her. "The moon is full tonight."
Blossom's eyes widened before she looked out and saw for herself that the moon was indeed full. Her hands tightened on the railing as trepidation filled her. "She's going to strike tonight. She can't wait any longer."
"I know."
Blossom turned towards Buttercup with eyes wide with shock. "Buttercup."
"It's okay, Blossom. I'm ready to face her." The animal gleam in her eyes shown with resolve, but her body language belayed that.
Blossom's heart clenched in her chest and ice spread from her hand on the railing. "But I'm not. Stars above Buttercup, whatever you're planning you should at the very least tell me."
"Why? There's little time to make a new plan and even less to try to stop me." Buttercup said as she climbed off her perch on the railing and reentered Butch's room. Blossom was quick to follow her. "Whatever happens, this ends tonight."
The tightness in her heart only intensified and Blossom found herself unable to breath. Buttercup noticed the stressed stillness from her sister and turned to take her icy hands into her clawed ones.
"Blossom look at me." When her elder sister did, Buttercup leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. "It's going to be all right."
Jade met pink with what was supposed to be a reassuring gaze, yet it did nothing to assuage Blossom's trepidation. Her soul hinted that something was going to happen tonight. Buttercup's words and the sight of the full moon confirmed it as well. It pained her that there wasn't much else that she could do, aside from pray—and pray she would.
"Would it be too much to ask that you and Bubbles join me in prayer to the mages?"
"Not at all."
The full moon was rising steadily towards its peak. Maybe four—no three hours from now. Three hours until she got her new body. Three hours until she could exact revenge on Buttercup and her wretched sisters for making a fool of her. Three hours until she can kill Blossom and Bubbles.
Not long ago, Ace and Snake made their way to the castle. They made careful to stick to the shadows so as not to be seen. As they neared the castle, their compulsion to comply to their mistress' wishes became stronger. Distract the others. Take the girl. Kill whomever gets in the way. These three lines were the only ones within their minds. Once the reach the castle walls, Snake easily jumped onto the wall and landed without anyone noticing him. Soon, everyone would notice him.
Putting his fingers to his mouth, he whistled loudly drawing the attention of the nearby guards. With a teasing grin, he made a face at them and then ran. The guards shared an exasperated look and then ran after Snake. Ace jumped up onto the wall after the pursuit left, and started in the opposite direction. =
Snake ran along the grounds, gaining attention from the other guards by any means necessary. From physically knocking them to the ground, to creating a loud ruckus that drew their attention. Soon enough he had a large number of guards chasing after him, if not their own tails. However, the attention he needed hadn't been caught yet. He needed the princes distracted. If Buttercup was to be captured then, he needed everyone's attention on him.
Seeing that staying outside the castle was much to safe, he jumped over two of the guards and flung himself through the nearest window and then swung like a monkey from the rafters before landing on the floor in a roll and easily breaking into a run down the halls. Any other people he encountered, be them servant or guard, he violently knocked him out of his way. The screams of shock and yells of aggravation rose the deeper into the castle he went. All the while the necklace around his neck never glowed.
Boomer looked up from his meal first. The rising mental outrage reaching him faster than the verbal that would be heard through the doors of their dining hall. His sudden call to attention caught the notice of everyone in the room. Aside from Moira, everyone was on high alert. "There's a commotion."
"What is it?" Brick asked, quickly pulling his attention away from Moira when she reached for him.
Boomer listened harder to try to decipher the jumble of cacophonous thoughts. "There's someone in the castle. An intruder."
Ashi made to leave the room, but Jack held tight to his wife's hand, not wanting her to be parted from him. When she gave him a withering look, he shook his head resolutely. "You're still injured," was all the replay he gave matching her annoyed glare with his own protective one.
"Where?" Brick asked standing up with his inner fire burning in him bright enough to cause the candles to flare just a bit brighter.
"Doesn't matter where." Butch snarled, his claws lengthening and digging into the back of his chair as he gripped it. "I can hear his steps. I will find him." Not waiting for any protest, Butch bolted through the doors. In his haste, he didn't even try to hold back his animal as he proceeded to run on all fours.
The sight startled Moira into silence. The others were quick to get over the spectacle and turned towards one another. The future king easily took command as he delegated tasks to the remaining occupants of the dining hall. "Boomer, track where the intruder is and then see if there is anyone else here. If it's who we think it is, then we have to assume there are more pawns in place. Jack, you and I will go after Butch once Boomer gives you a direction. I'll try to keep Butch in check should the need arise." He then spared a look at his supposed fiancée, and then at the remaining two occupants. "Ilana and Ashi, I want you two take Moira to her room and ensure that she stays there."
"What?"
"Brick!"
"What about the witc—?"
"Do as I say. Mac and Lance are with them, so they have some protection." He spoke brusquely, leaving no room for argument. At Moira's violent tugging at his arm, Brick turned to her with a fire in his eyes. "Moira, I will explain what I can later, but for now go with the girls and stay in your room. NOW!"
The fire she saw in his eyes made her take a step back as she allowed Ashi and Ilana to escort her to her room. Once she was out of the room, Brick turned to his younger brother. "Boomer, where is the intruder."
Eyes closed in concentration, Boomer listened for where the loudest of the commotion was coming from. "He's running. Aimlessly it seems."
"Where, Boomer?"
"Southern wing."
Brick was out the doors of the dining hall and running the find his brother. Jack and Boomer were right at his heels. It was futile to believe that they would arrive before Butch, however the task at hand was to arrive before he drew fatal blood.
Butch's claws dug into the ground leaving faint grooves in the ground as he ran. The startled gasps and shouts were ignored as he fought to keep his face from contorting from enlarged teeth within a small mouth. He stopped when he came to a fork in the hallways and sniffed the floors for the one scent that didn't belong. When he caught it, his body went still before a low growl broke from his chest and spread through the halls.
The sound froze as the sound carried through the halls. The intruder stopped for a moment to look over his shoulder. He then smiled and then started running again. As he continued the chase, he pulled the necklace from his neck and smiled wider at the lack of its glowing. He just had to buy his comrade some time. As his mistress instructed, he drew all the attention to himself. If that growl was anything to go by, then the beast prince was close. If he was close, then his brothers couldn't be far behind. There would more than enough time to grab the girl and get her back to his mistress. Everything was going as planned.
Except for the dead end that he'd found himself facing. The sound of metal sliding against metal and wood echoed behind him as he faced the wall. Taking a deep breath, Snake turned and faced the many swords that were turned towards him. Chin raised and eyes vaguely focused on the people before him, he appeared completely unperturbed by the charge against him.
The guard closest to the front stepped forward and brought the tip of his blade to the throat of the intruder. "On your knees, vermin."
Snake did not move or even bother to look in the direction of the guard.
"I said on your knees." He said while pressing the tip of his blade into the skin, just hard enough to draw a single drop of blood.
When Snake continued to ignore him, the guard drew his sword back to strike only for a yell to cut through the air and stop him in his tracks.
"No one touch him! Get out of my way! Move!" The cluster of guards that were blocking the way were violently pushed out of the way of the wolf prince. They bowed their heads shallowly as he passed them, fearing the animalistic gleam in his eye. It wasn't unfamiliar to them by any measure having trained with him in combat. What was unfamiliar was the intense bloodlust that shone in the hard emeralds of his eyes. The head guard would be lying if he were to say he wasn't cowed by the frightful sight of the second prince. He lowered his sword and stepped bac, giving him a wide berth of space.
Butch's nostrils flared from taking in the stench of the man who dared to enter his home and who had previously threatened Buttercup. He was much the same, aside from the vacant look in his eye that was much too similar to the bastard he'd killed the night before. The memory of that scum's blood on his hands brought forth a shudder that he fought back. He would not look weak in front of his men.
Once he was close enough, Butch gripped Snake by the front of his shirt and hauled him up from the floor. He then slammed him into the stone wall, ignoring the gasps of shock as cracks formed behind him. "Where is she?"
Snake didn't answer, and it only served to anger the wolf prince. He drew his free hand back and threw it forward. His fist made impact with the stone wall, breaking through completely. The guards stepped back at the show of force.
His knuckles were bloodied when he pulled them from the wall. "Tell me where Sedusa is! Tell me now!"
Snake was quiet for so long, before something in his eyes changed. He blinked and then a smile appeared on his face before he started laughing. The laughter grew into near maniac hysterics.
"What are you finding so funny?" Butch growled. "Tell me where Sedusa is?"
"She's right here."
"Demon."
"Possession."
"Witches."
Butch's eyes blazed with fury as he suddenly wrapped his hand around Snake's throat. "Tell me where you are!"
The laughter died into soft chuckles before Snake brought his hand up and stroked Butch's face. "Oh, you'll just have to be patient. I'm not quite myself yet."
Butch's roar was enough to terrify the guards into falling back, making it difficult for Brick, Boomer, and Jack to push through. "You can't have her! I won't let you!"
"Because you want her for yourself, don't you?" Sedusa taunted. "Oh, that's adorable. You love her."
His hackles rose as his breathing turned ragged from holding back his transformation. He barely felt the hot hand that rested on his shoulder, until it was forcefully pulling him back. "Butch." Brick urged his brother to stand down as he took hold of the intruder. "You will answer to me now."
"Oh, please don't hold back for this pawn's sake. It's only an empty shell." Sedusa teased before catching the bright features of the future king. "You must be Blossom's man. I will give her this, she sure knows quality when she sees it."
"I won't allow you to harm her, or any of her sisters." Brick promised, his hand growing hotter around the collar of Snake's neck.
A skeptical brow rose in the face of Snake. "Oh, really?"
At the moment, a piercing scream rang throughout the castle, draining the blood of all who heard it. Boomer raised his head, eyes temporarily going blank as he heard the verbal cry in his mind. "Bubbles!"
"Butch, Boomer. Go! Now!" Brick commanded, before turning to the guards. "Aid them."
There was a flurry of movement as Boomer ran through the halls, desperate to reach Bubbles as quickly as possible. Butch passed him in speed as he all but disappeared down the halls with the hope of being in time. This left Jack and Brick alone with the possessed man.
"Such a terrible scream." Sedusa mused through Snake's lips. "I hope Ace didn't kill Blossom or Bubbles. That was a pleasure I wanted for myself."
Brick not wishing to hear anymore, drew the katana at Jack's side. Infusing his fire into the blade so that it burned white. He then thrust the blade through the sternum of the intruder, pulling it out just as quickly. Dropping the man to the floor, Brick used his fire to burn off the blood from his closest friend's blade. Once it was clean, he handed it back to Jack without looking at him. "My apologies for sullying your katana."
Jack took the blade easily and slid it back within its sheath. "Think nothing of it." He said watching his friend carefully.
Brick was quiet as he stared at the dying man whose chuckles were not his own. When they stopped, Brick allowed himself a moment of relief at seeing that another of his assassins from five years ago was dead. The relief was bittersweet as his brother didn't have this sense of relief as he was wracked with guilt for what he would eventually have to do. Brick refused to feel guilt for taking this man's life. He did feel pity that his last moments had to be wasted serving a sinister cause.
"Let's go."
Jack nodded and turned to follow his friend, leaving the dead body in the hall to be dealt with at another time.
Ace slinked quickly and quietly through the shadows. The snake's head from the bracelet his mistress gave him was lifted and pointed the direction he should travel to find his prey. It became livelier the higher into the castle they travel. Soon he came to a staircase that led him up. Mindful of his steps, he ventured slowly so as not to alert anyone to his presence too soon.
As a door came into sight, so did two guards. A dark-haired man with tresses that brushed his shoulders and vigilant gaze, and a shorter man with shaggy brown hair and tanned skin, body tense and a bit nervous. Hidden within the shadows as he was, Ace drew a knife and with precision, threw it to quickly follow it with another.
Lance caught the oncoming glint in and raised his own sword, but failed to react in time to prevent the second blade from embedding itself into his lower abdomen. He grunted painfully as Mac caught him.
"Lance!"
"I'm…fine." He grunted out. "Protect…the…girls." Mac set him carefully onto the stone floor and drew his sword, prepared for the fight.
Ace stepped into the light cast by the full moon through the sparse windows. He drew a second set of daggers and charged toward the young knight. Mac met Ace head on and parried a few of Ace's attacks. Still, the younger man's blood was drawn from the deep cuts that the more experienced fighter was able to land.
One the other side of the door, the witches' prayer ceased as the sounds of a struggle could be heard. Standing up, they drew their magic up in swirls of pink, green, and blue and their eyes glowing. Suddenly, the door was broken into with mac falling heavily on his side and bleeding. Bubbles used her magic to pull Mac from the wreckage and out of harm's way, while Blossom used her own to thrust Ace against the wall and hold him in place with layer upon layer of ice. When he was made immobile, he stared blankly at the girls.
"I knew she would strike tonight." Blossom said as relaxed, if only minimally. She then turned to Mac and Bubbles. "Are you all right?"
Mac nodded weakly as he pushed himself from Bubbles' hold. "I'm fine. See to Lance."
With a nod, Blossom went out into the hall to tend to the wounded guard. "Oh Lance."
"It's…nothing." He grunted as he shifted into a more upright position. "I hate to admit, but this isn't the first time that I've been stabbed with a dagger."
Blossom knelt beside him as she brought ice to her hands to lay over Lance's wound. "Being stabbed isn't something you should be used to."
A dry snort and groan of pain escaped Lance's lips. "I didn't say that I was. Mac?"
"Bubbles is tending to him." She answered, before turning and seeing that Buttercup had yet to move from her place. "Buttercup?"
The ravenette witch didn't answer as she stepped toward Ace. Her claws flexed as she cracked her knuckles nosily. "You lose, Sedusa." She whispered once she was close enough to Ace to not be overheard by her sisters. "Your pawn is captured, and you're out of time."
Something in Ace's eyes shifted as he turned his head to look at Buttercup. Blank as his eyes were, it didn't stop the smile that spread across his lips. A smile that chilled Buttercup to the bone as she felt the slithering of scales over her clothes and against her skin.
Her fear had just begun to register with her empathic sister, when the black viper struck and sunk its fangs into her neck. Buttercup's gasp of pain and shock was swallowed by the night as her heart skipped a beat, and she fell hard to the stone floor beneath her.
"BUTTERCUP!" Abandoning Lance, Blossom scrambled to her sister's prone form and yanked the snake from her skin. No sooner had she done this, when the viper turned its fangs onto her and sunk them deep into her forearm.
Unlike Buttercup, Blossom's whole body seized as she found her ability to breath difficult and she fell the floor beside her sister wheezing. She skin had begun to turn an awful shade of purple as she lost air.
The shattering of ice sounded and Ace fell to his feet. As he stood up, swirls of blue magic wrapped themselves around him in tight binds. Being forced to turn, he faced Bubbles as she held her hands raised in the air to hold him in place. She stood up and forced the magic to tighten. Once she was sure he wouldn't move, her eyes darted about the floor, searching for the viper that had taken down her sisters.
"Bubbles!" Mac called out once he saw the deadly creature slither way. Without thinking, Mac wildly swung his sword and cut the snake in half. When it no longer moved, he heaved a sigh of relief.
The respite was brief as a dark cloud of smoke erupted from the serpentine form and filled the space. It quickly became difficult for Lance, Bubbles, and Mac to see. As Bubbles tried to use her magic to clear the air, she didn't realize she'd relinquished her hold on Ace in the sudden confusion. Not being able to see, she used her hearing to try to guide her. There was the shuffling of feet and the sound of a body being moved. Suddenly the air was sucked from their lungs and taking the dark cloud with it. When it receded, it revealed the lack of Ace and Buttercup. The blood drained from Bubble's face as she took in the two injured men and Blossom's gasping form.
"No." she whispered with her eyes beginning to burn with a wealth of tears. "No!" Her fingers clawed through her hair as she fell to her knees and breathed heavily. "Blossom. Buttercup. Oh, Buttercup." She moaned.
Her emotions boiled over and released itself into the night in the form of a piercing scream.
Three more chapters, my lovelies. Just three more. I hope you all are prepared for what happens next.
Until Next Time.