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


Chapter Twenty-Eight: Night Of The Ball

The next few days were blur for everyone as prepared for the Winter's Ball. There was that and the breath of life that seemed to have been breathed into the castle. The cooks found new flavors and desserts to play with. The seamstresses were outdoing themselves with their designs. The princes were happy and that in turn made the witches and their friends happy. Moses took it all in stride, glad that a relative peace had settled over them.

The only one not in a gracious mood was Henry. When he noticed Moira's lack of presence, he immediately went to Brick and demanded answers. When all Brick told him was "The engagement is over," Henry all but tore his hair out.

"How could you allow this to happen?!" Henry raged as he paced the small space of Brick's study as the prince took care of paperwork that he was bit behind on.

"She was the one that said I should marry Blossom." Brick informed the prime minister. "It was practically a blessing." He then focused on his work.

Henry came to an abrupt stop in his pacing and turned wide hazel eyes onto him. "What?"

Brick glanced up and seeing that Henry wasn't going to move till he had an answer, sighed and put his quill down. He then leaned back in his chair and repeated the conversation he had with his ex-fiancée days ago. "She told me that rather than waste her time, I should just marry Blossom. I said 'fine'. Next thing I know Ashi is telling me that she's leaving."

Henry fell into the chair in front of Brick's desk and placed his face in his hands. "I don't believe this. She took your word for it?"

Brick lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "I guess so." He then became contemplative. "Though…"

"Though?" Henry's body was tense with nerves and he wasn't sure he could take any more surprises.

Red eyes flickered up to the prime minister, before he shook his head. "Nothing. I have to finish going over these documents before the ball, so if you'll excuse me." He then went back to his work while Henry sat before him staring incredulously.

"You're going to ask for her hand, aren't you?" He made the gamble and Brick paused in his signing. There was a slightly nervous, but excited gleam in his eye that confirmed his suspicions. "You can't be serious."

"I am."

"She's a witch." Henry retorted.

"My brothers and I have the same magic." Brick then rose a brow at the prime minister. That look alone told him to rethink his statement. The last time Henry brought it up, Brick all but dared him to try to hold a trial against them.

"I'm loyal to you and your brothers. This kingdom. I'd never do anything to jeopardize that." Henry stated firmly.

Brick set his quill down again and turned all his attention to Henry, for he knew this man wouldn't relent until he got his way, or as of late just his point across. "Do you understand that we would never as well?" When Henry looked to retort, Brick raised his hand to stop him. "The worst is behind us now."

"If it is then why are they still here?" Henry huffed. "I thought the one you fancied said they would leave after all was said and done?"

Brick breathed deeply and leaned back in his chair. "They are honored guests for the Winter's Ball. Also, I'm sure Ilana would have someone's head if the dresses she had made for the girls were to go to waste."

A rough snort was all the answer Brick got from Henry for that answer. "Of course." He snarked sarcastically. "I think this is the first time I've looked forward to my retirement. I won't have to suffer through this infantile love you and your brothers find yourselves to be in."

"I hardly think what we feel for them is infantile. The lengths we went for them wouldn't be done if we didn't love them as much as we do. And know this…" he interrupted when Henry looked to have a nasty retort lying on his lips. "…they love us just as much in return."

There was no possible way to doubt the conviction that was in the would be king's tone and eyes. The prime minister chuckled lowly under his breath without humor and stood up. "I give up."

"What?" The king to be looked up at the suddenly tired face of the man who helped raise him.

"I've done all that I can to make this kingdom thrive and you seem hell bent on destroying that." Henry bemoaned. "I thought we raised you and your brothers better than that."

Brick was about to retort when he caught not just the disappointed but also hurt look that passed over Henry's face. He remembered that Henry wasn't just the prime minister of Tartonia, but also his guardian. He just couldn't see that since the man irritated the living daylights out of them and refused to "coddle" them. This was the first time that Brick was seeing that the man actually cared about him and his brothers. They just weren't his wards and future of the kingdom. They were his family.

Deciding to take pity on the man, Brick sighed and hand a hand through his hair. "You've done more than what was asked of you, and I must say, it was greatly appreciated. Thank you."

Hearing words of gratification touched Henry deeply in his heart. However, he still had his pride and wasn't about to let Brick see how much it meant to him to hear those words. So without another word he turned and left the study. "I'll see you at the ball tonight." He said over his shoulder. Outside in the hall, Henry leaned against the door and took a shuddering breath. He sniffed back the tears that formed in his eyes and pushed himself from the door. His stance straightened and walked down the halls, with a certain lightness that he hadn't felt in weeks.


The mid-afternoon light shone through the small spaces the curtains allowed to stay open. Still, it did nothing to hide the two forms entangled in one another from the each other's sight. Their magic heightened vision allowed for the two of them to make out each and everyone of the other's features. The soft curve of her cheek that made up the sharp angles of her chin. The scratchy stubble that grew from the scruff of beard that started at his chin. The hard and defined lines of his masculine body. The gentle hills and swells of her feminine felinesque form. Their dark almost black hair sprawled across the soft grey of the sheets and cushions. His emerald green eyes locked intently and intimately with the most beautiful jade green eyes.

The wolf prince brought his hand up to run his fingers through the cat like witch's hair, smirking when her more animal ears appeared from out of the tangle of her hair. Running his hand upward, he kept going until he was stroking her soft velvety ear. When a content purr erupted from her, Butch couldn't stop gruff laugh that came from deep in his throat.

"Purring now, are we?" he teased when a faint blush came across her nose. ''That's adorable."

"Shut it." She huffed while her tail flexed behind her before coming to wrap itself around Butch's leg. "You're not without your own growls and howls, Butch. I even swear I heard you whine once or twice these past couple of days."

As she laughed at his expense, Butch drew her closer to her and growled playfully. "It wasn't a whine. It was a sigh of pleasure."

"A very high pitched and dog like sigh." Buttercup continued to tease as Butch laid kisses along her neck, catching a particularly ticklish spot that had her retreating from him.

Butch followed her as she moved, eventually pressing her into the sheets. When he inhaled deeply the scent of their mixed musk filled his nose. It was a heady mixture of her jasmine and feline with his woodsy and canine smells. Just underneath it was the salt of sweat and aroused pheromones. To anyone else, the scent would either be hard to detect or if their could smell it, unappealing. To him it was ambrosia. If the smell wasn't already seeped into his and her skin, he'd wish to bottle it up and wear it all the time.

The smell also stirred his body to life again and he moved so that he could join himself with Buttercup's body again. He hadn't done much else, besides eat and sleep in Buttercup's presence. Since returning to the castle the two have him have rarely been apart.

Brick and Boomer wanted to tease their brother for his lovesick puppy impression, but they could hardly find fault. The experience the two of them had out in the woods was once that neither their siblings could hope to understand. Their souls had entwined, making them so much closer than any couple could physically be. Blossom and Bubbles saw their heightened love for one another as something to envy and to fear. Envy for Buttercup would never lack for love, but fear for how broken hearted she will be if parted from Butch.

However, that was a fear for another time. Tonight was for celebrating.

Buttercup felt Butch's cock hardening against her and sighed dramatically. "Haven't you had enough?" he laughed as his kisses found themselves covering her face.

"Never." He mumbled before pecking her lightly and brushed her hair back.

Buttercup's tail moved to a more comfortable position and curled itself around Butch's waist. Her prince didn't say anything as he prepared to push forward and be wrapped in her warmth. Unfortunately, fate had other plans for them.

A very insistent round of knocking sounded on the door, drawing a deep and irritated growl from Butch. "Who is it?"

"Ilana. Let Buttercup out." The princess called through the door.

Butch snorted and turned his attentions back to Buttercup only to be met with another series of knocks. This time more insistent and impatient. "Go away, Ilana!"

"Not until you release Buttercup." She shot back, not one to be deterred. "There is a ball tonight and she needs to get ready."

"Yes, tonight! It's just barely made it's way into the afternoon." Butch shot back irritated that his arousal had gone down to the delayed gratification. He sat up on his knees and faced the door. "GO AWAY!"

"Buttercup needs to have a decent meal, a hot bath, and some time spent with her sisters." On the other side of the door, Ilana propped her hands on her hips and glowered at the door. "You've had her locked away for days on end."

There was a faint rustling along with another growl. Thudding footsteps came rushing to the door that was wrenched open by a snarling, naked beast of a prince. Ilana's face bled red, but to her credit her eyes never dared to stray from his face. "I said to go away."

"And I said, she needed to spend time with sisters." Ilana told him. "You can have her back later."

"My castle. My word over yours." Butch taunted with a triumphant edge to his tone.

Ilana folded her arms over her chest and came very close to pouting. "Tonight's the Winter's Ball. A formal occasion, Buch. Buttercup needs to get ready properly."

Butch ran a hand over his face exasperated with his long-time nuisance of a friend. "She can get ready in my room."

A delicate scoff escaped Ilana as she resisted the need to give Butch the once over. "If how you've kept her holed up in your room is anything to go by, I very much doubt she'll be ready in time for the ball. I suspect the two of you would miss the whole affair, if you were to 'help' her prepare." The pointed look she gave his face held all the accusation.

Whatever Butch was about to say was cut off by the sudden appearance of Buttercup who was woefully fully dressed and running her fingers though her hair. "Buttercup?"

Turning, Buttercup almost laughed at the betrayed look on Butch's face. "I can't very well attend a ball, smelling like night after night of…" the blush that spread was pretty and tempting Butch to pull her back and slam the door in Ilana's face. "Maybe you should spend some time with your brothers. After you get dressed."

His growl of annoyance was accompanied by the slam of the door as he disappeared behind it. Ilana couldn't contain her giggles as she took Buttercup's hand and led her down the hall. "It's when he acts like that, I remember he is a prince. Whenever he doesn't get his way, he acts so spoiled."

Buttercup laughed as Ilana led her down the halls to where they would meet her sisters, Ashi, and Gabrielle. Aside from spending every moment with Buttercup, Butch had followed through with sending a carriage to Townsend to pick up both Gabrielle and John. Her memories of the girls hadn't been restored, but she did remember the shy young knight that couldn't seem to keep his eyes off her. The young woman from the small in was more than pleased to be seeing him again.

"Oh, tonight is going to be magical." Ilana gushed with a twinkle in her eye. "Come, we have lots of pampering to do before we get dressed."


Not long after Buttercup was essentially kidnapped, Butch begrudgingly got dressed and went to find his brothers. He found them in their mother's garden. Boomer was standing over Brick as he was rifting the garden while on his hands and knees. Butch walked up to Boomer who spared him a brief glance before turning back to Brick.

"What's he doing?" Butch asked as he saw his elder brother continue to dig into the earth.

"I'm looking for the box."

"What box?"

Boomer sighed heavily and folded his arms over his chest. "Apparently he's known where our parents' rings were."

Butch's green eyes widened, before he reached down and grabbed Brick by the shoulder. "Have you?"

Brick brushed off Butch's hand and went back to digging. "Yes." The trowel he was using to feel for the box he'd buried them in tore through the ground and grunting in frustration when he didn't feel any hard edges. "I buried them in the garden."

"Why?"

"I didn't want them lost."

"And it made sense to bury them in Mother's garden?" Butch asked, mildly in irritation that his brother would keep something so important from them.

Brick's annoyance showed in the shape of smoke coming from his nose, but he didn't turn around to face his brother. "There is a great sense of irony in that the mutt would lecture me about burying things in the ground."

Hard emerald eyes snapped sharply onto his yellow haired brother as he failed to repress his laughter. The growl that escaped him was short and followed by a snort. "Also, why the sudden need to dig it up. I feel there more than sentimental value attached to this."

The trowel tugged at a hard edge once, twice, before Brick began to dig around it. Soon the dirt stained mahogany from years of concealment saw its first rays of pale sunlight in many years. Digging around the box until it came loose, Brick pulled it free and set it on his lap, uncaring about the mess his clothes were becoming. His brothers stepped forward to look over his shoulders and too in their family crest. The colors had long since faded, but the checkered shield with a stripe going diagonally across it along with the red rose and a black wolf was ever present. Inhaling deeply, Brick turned the single lock and lifted the lid. Finding a smaller simpler box, Brick reached and held it reverently in his hand. When he finally opened the box, there was s collective gasp amongst the princes as they laid eyes on the rings their parents once wore.

Their father's ring was golden. The inside was engraved with the name of the first king of Tartonia. Barak of Fire. A modest ruby sat at the top. Beautiful as the ring was, it was nothing compared the to queen's ring. Gold as well, but with a spiraling row of small rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. At the top was an amethyst diamond that sparkled faintly in the light.

"They're just as I remembered." Brick said as he stood up.

Butch nodded in agreement, but his question still hadn't been answered. "But why are you bringing them out of hiding now?"

Brick looked to Butch and Boomer letting a large smile spread across his face. "I'm going to ask Blossom to marry me?"

"When?" Boomer asked as Brick turned and started going into the castle. His brothers followed closely behind him as closed the box and held it close to his chest.

"Tonight, after the ball." Brick informed them. "I'm going to bring her Mother's garden and propose to her here."

Butch contemplated the meaning of Brick's proposal. If Blossom said yes, then she would stay and so would her sisters. Meaning, he'd stay with Buttercup. That alone was enough to make him smile. After all that they'd been through together, he knew that being apart from her now would only tear him apart. He loved her more than anything in the world and he knew that she felt the same. "I'm happy for choice. Hopefully she says yes to being bound to your ugly hide forever."

Brick shoved his brother in jest. "I'm not the only with an ugly muzzle for a face, wolf boy. That being said, I'm surprised you see you out in the open. Has Buttercup tired of you already?"

This time when Butch growled, it was at the thought of Ilana rudely interrupted his time with his kitten. "She was stolen away by Ilana. We probably won't see them until the ball." He grumbled.

"Knowing Ilana, I'm sure it will all be worth it." Boomer chuckled.

Butch could only begrudgingly agree before a shift in the hair made his hair rise. Turning to look at the sky his nose twitched as the scent of magic drew his attention. For his brothers, a certain tingle went down their spines making them stop and look up as well.

"Was that magic just now?" Boomer asked.

"Maybe. It could just be the girls." Brick said as he tore his eyes away and started down the hallway again.

Butch wasn't so sure, but he didn't give it too much thought. Today was their birthday and festivities were going to begin soon. It was best not to worry unnecessarily.


After a long, pleasurable afternoon of pampering which included a luxurious bath with many fragrant oils, cleaning and grooming of their fingernails, and hair their hair styled, they were almost ready for the ball. They were now getting dressed and were preparing to head down soon.

Ilana was dressed in an orange off the shoulder ballgown with wide bell sleeves and yellow accents as she made her way to the girls' room. She knocked gently on the door and waited for them to answer. As the door in front of her was coming open, Butch's door opened and Ilana tugged the door to girls' room closed.

"Just a moment." She said before turning to face the wolf prince. He was dressed in a crisp cream shirt with an emerald green waistcoat and black pants tucked into boots. He usually unruly hair was combed back, and a silver crown sat on his head. "Butch, I thought you'd be with your brothers already."

"I wanted to escort Buttercup down." He answered as he came to stand in front of their door and Ilana.

The foreign princess shook her head and blocked her path. "I think not. You and your brothers will only see them when they are presented to the public."

"Ilana, it's my birthday. You've already stolen her for the day." Butch snarled lightly. "I'd like to walk my Kitten down."

Ilana wagged her finger at him. "Then let this be her gift to you. She's nervous."

"I'll meet you in the ballroom," Buttercup spoke through the door. "We shouldn't be long."

Butch's brow furrowed a bit in frustration, but he relented when Ilana shooed him away with a smile.

"Fine." Butch muttered. He took one lingering look at the door and then made himself scarce.

Ilana waited until she could no longer see Butch, before slipping into the girls' room. Her smile was bright until she noticed the slight tension with them. "What wrong?"

Blossom was the first to turn, her smile tight around the edges. She shook her head gently and turned to her sisters. "Nothing, and just nerves. We've never been to a ball before."

Looking at them, Ilana could see that was part of it. Blossom had stood at the window looking outward her arms folded tightly across her chest. Bubbles sat delicately on the bed as she fiddled with a loose tendril of hair. Buttercup stared at herself in the mirror, as beautiful as she could be aside from the grimace that sat on her face.

"I feel strange wearing a dress." Buttercup mused aloud. "I know I shouldn't, but…" she took a deep breath. "with Sedusa she—."

Before she could say more, Ilana stepped up to her and took her hands in her own. "No, no, no. None of that. She is gone and she will not make you a victim after death. Tonight, you and your sisters will be attending the Winter's Ball." She turned and smiled at the other sister witches in the room. "With the crown princes of Tartonia as their guests of honor, so all of you—especially you Buttercup—hold your head up high."

Noir with a fancy collar of emerald and silver rubbed against the bottom of Buttercup's dress. His mother reached down to pick him up and she nuzzled his soft fur. "You're right. Thank you, Ilana."

The princess smiled and then gestured to the door for the girls to follow her. "Now to the ball."

Buttercup and Bubbles were right at Ilana's heels as they exited the room. Blossom stayed behind and looked at the sky a moment longer. That surge of magic she and her sisters felt earlier in the day was brief, but it worried her. Someone had come through to their world and she was concerned about who it could be. With Sedusa gone, she wasn't sure who else would come searching for them. Blossom had the foreboding feeling that something was going to happen. Nothing bad, but just something...


The ballroom was something to behold. The crest of the Tartonian kingdom was hung on banners from the ceilings. Garlands of white flowers hung down from the chandeliers. Music played softly while people talked and laughed. The food was delicious. The drink always flowing. Moses and Henry were dressed in their best clothes and were interacting with the guests just waiting for the princes to arrive. Once they did, the true celebrations could begin.

"Henry!" Moses called over the small group of women and men that were flocking around Henry. The man did have a flare for the dramatic and wore his most flamboyant clothes for the festivities. "Enjoying yourself I see."

Henry simply raised his glass at Moses before catching sight of a striking yet unfamiliar face in the crowd. He had brown hair and glowing green eyes that Henry just wanted to spend more time looking into. Unfortunately for him when he blinked, the man had disappeared from view. The prime minister looked around, but after a moment couldn't remember what he was searching for. His attention was then captured by a hand that stroked his lower back in a very enticing way. The night truly was young and so was his potential bed fellow.

The mysterious man smiled to himself as he made his way through the room. He hadn't yet seen any of the ones he was looking for, but he did feel some magic in the room. Going toward it, he saw a young couple nervously and awkwardly fumbling over their words with one another. When no one was looking, the man waved his fingers and a green tendril of magic floated on the air. The whispered spell for a moment's bravery had the young man reaching his hand out and asking for the girl's hand for a dance. She gladly took it and together they went to the center of the ballroom where others were dancing. The mysterious man chuckled to himself and continued to move throughout the ballroom.

Suddenly the horns blew, signaling the arrival of the princes. Everyone turned toward the doors where the princes stood. Butch standing in his green outfit with Boomer beside him with a blue waistcoat over a white shirt and grey pants with black boots. His golden waves were combed back much like his older brother with a silver crown atop his head. In front of them both stood Brick with a soft grey shirt that was paired with a black waistcoat under a striking red cape that billowed out behind him. His hair was pulled into a braid that trailed down his back. His golden crown completed the regal look and told every that this boy—no man, would be king.

"Presenting your princes of Tartonia. Prince Boomer, Prince Butch, and your future king Prince Brick." The announcer called out. Once their names were presented the three men of twenty years walked into the ballroom to applause and the crowd singing happy birthday to them. They smiled into crowd and were gracious, but if one looked a bit closer they would see the yearning in their eyes. The girls hadn't arrived yet. Fortunately, it was still early.

While the princes were making their way through the crowd, Boomer caught a thought that stood out greatly from the others. Interesting. Very interesting. The younger prince looked in the direction of the thought and caught the eyes of a woman with striking green eyes and red hair draped down her back.

"Boomer? Is something wrong?" Butch asked noticing his brother's distraction.

Boomer looked back at his brother before turning and seeing that the mysterious woman was gone. He looked around but shook his head and decided that it wasn't something to worry about now. "No. It's nothing."

The princes made it to the center of the ballroom and allowed for their subject and guests to make their way to them to speak with them. Many words passed were of congratulation on their birthday celebration and well wishes for the future.

The red-haired woman rose a brow as she watched the princes make their way through the crowd. AS she was about to disappear into the crowd, she turned and almost ran into a young noble couple. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Jack shook his head as he stepped aside to let the other woman pass. "Not a problem." As she was passing, she glanced at Ashi and let her fingers brush over her lower abdomen letting a swirl of pink magic sink into her body.

A sharp gasp escaped Ashi and she brought a hand to her stomach. She looked back at the strange woman, but she was gone before she could truly register what happened.

"Are you all right?" Jack noticed Ashi's shiver and wrapped his arm around her tighter.

Holding tight to her husband, Ashi nodded her head and tried to shake off the bizarre feeling that came over her. Jack was unconvinced but he led Ashi to the rest of their friends.

Ilana was the first to reach the princes as she wrapped all three of them in a group hug. "Happy birthday!" she called to them. When she stepped back, Lance put his arm around her shoulders.

"Thank you, Ilana. Have you all been enjoying yourselves so far?" Brick asked, trying to be the gracious host that he needed to be for the guests.

Jack laughed as he watched Brick and his brothers pretend to be regal when he knew otherwise about them. "We're having a great time, your highness. However, I think you three are somewhere else right now."

"Missing your Kitten?" Ilana teased Butch as his eyes kept straying to the large doors waiting for them to open.

Everyone laughed a bit at that aside from Butch. He truly was anxious to see Buttercup. Since returning to the castle the two of them have hardly been apart. They sought comfort with each other and did so with sweet words and intimate embraces. Today has been the first day they've spent so much time apart. He wanted her in his arms always.

"We haven't seen them all day." Boomer commented.

Ilana beamed brightly. "We needed to prepare accordingly. This would be the first time they'd be presented to everyone."

"First impressions are so important." Ashi snarked softly while Jack pressed a soft kiss to her temple. Strangely enough, a blush came across her face and a soft sigh escaped her. When Jack rose a brow at her, she turned her head and tried to regain her composure.

"And we're about to see the fruits of your labors." Lance gestured to the door with his chin and smiled in amusement as the crowd fell silent. The doors had slowly swung open, but there wasn't any of the fanfare that the princes received. Only the announcer's voice brought everyone's attention to the young witches.

"Presenting the honored guests of the crown. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup of…Townsend." The princes turned and felt all their breath leave them as the girls were revealed to everyone.

Bubbles stood in an off the shoulder blue sheath of a dress that shimmered with silver accents that made her look like a water nymph. Her golden tresses were pulled over one shoulder revealing one of two sapphire earrings that pierced her ears. Buttercup's dress was a shimmering jade with looping sleeves that revealed glimpses of her flawless skin. Her hair was molded into waves that framed her face. A tiara of silver siting on her brow. Noir stood proudly at her side enjoying the attention with his fur a glossy black and nice formal collar of silver and jade silk. A simple topaz rock hanging from the center. Blossom stood between her two sisters in a pale pink dress that sparkled like diamonds. Her hair was pulled into a crown that had hair tendrils falling around her face a simple necklace resting between her collarbones.

The crowd murmured as the girls made their way through the crowd until they were standing before the princes. There was a moment of silence before Blossom cleared her throat and curtsied before Brick. "Happy birthday, your highnesses."

"Happy birthday." Bubbles and Bubbles echoed behind her and curtsied.

"Thank you." Brick said, before he cleared his throat and held his hand out to Blossom. "Permit me a dance?"

Blossom blushed lightly and placed her hand within his. The king to be then led Blossom to the middle of the ballroom and began to lead her in a dance. The other princes followed suit and soon everyone was dancing again. Still, murmurs of conversation were stirred towards who the girls were and how they knew the princes. It was all ignored as the future king spun with his love in his arms.

"You look beautiful." Brick whispered to her.

"Thank you." Blossom whispered. "You look like a king."

Brick pulled her close and rested his cheek against hers. "And you a queen."

Laughter bubbled on Blossom's lips. "Right."

A secret smile spread on Brick's lips as he and she continued to dance. "After the ball, I wish I show you something."

"What?"

"It's a surprise."

"You're giving me something, yet it's your birthday?" Blossom inquired.

Brick rose his chin slightly and put up an exaggerated royal façade. "As is my birthday, I can do as I wish." He said, chuckling as she shook her head at him.

"Hmmm, I'll try to keep that in mind." Blossom said as she allowed herself to be carried away in the moment.

Butch and Boomer were not far behind their brother as they and their significant others made circuits on the dance floor.

Ilana stood with Lance clinging to his arm and feeling very proud of herself. Lance hadn't fully recovered, but he wasn't about to stay the night lying in bed. As he shifted to a more comfortable position, he stumbled and fell back into another person. The man behind him caught him and righted him quickly.

"My apologies, sir."

"Think nothing of it." The large man with dark features and shaggy hair said as he looked over the young man before him. He then placed his hand on his shoulder. "Wounds are well earned."

"How did you know about…?" a tingle ran through him as the man removed his hand and turned to fall into the crowd.

Ilana noticed the distracted look on her companion's face and nudged his shoulder. "You all right?"

"Yes." Though there was hint of confusion in his tone, but he couldn't remember exactly why he was confused. "It's nothing."

The large man made his way to the shadowed corner of the ballroom where his two companions stood. The woman smiled warmly at him while the other man folded his arms. "You took your precious time, Kevin."

"Ben, let him be." Green eyes looked out to the three girls that caused the cosmos to flare so brightly with magic.

"Do you want to take them back to Cragon now Gwendolyn?" Kevin asked as he looked back at his lover and her cousin.

From their hiding place, Gwendolyn could see the joy and the love that the young witches shared with the princes. Taking them from this world would be painful for all of them. "Let's wait until the end of the ball. Allow them this night with ones they love."


As the night drug on, Brick started to get anxious. The time was drawing nearer for when he would take Blossom from the celebration. The weight of the ring in his pocket grew with each passing minute. His nerves started to show in the form of his rising heat. Blossom being as close as she could feel the rising heat from him.

"Is everything all right Brick? You're making my hands sweat." Blossom said as she exhaled a breath of cooling air over Brick's face.

"Yes. It's just…there's something I want to ask you." Brick spoke, swallowing the nerves that caught in his throat.

"What is it?"

Brick glanced around before tightening his grip on her hand. "Not here." He then took a deep breath. "It's a bit sensitive to speak of around so many ears."

"Then where?" Before Brick could answer, Blossom caught sight of someone familiar over Brick's shoulder. Gwendolyn beckoned Blossom to follow her and then disappeared from sight.

"Blossom?"

Pink eyes flitted to red worriedly. Blossom pursed her lips and then pulled away from Brick. "Excuse me, but I have to see to something. I'll be back." She then walked past Brick and into the crowd following after Gwendolyn. "I hope."

Brick turned with a furrowed brow, but didn't have time to ponder as another woman stopped him in his pursuit and asked for a dance. Unable to find a polite way to say "no" he then took the woman's hand and began to dance with her. However, he was unable to stop the worry that filled his stomach.


Not far from where Brick was dancing with a new partner, Boomer and Bubbles were twirling in circles as they danced. Their laughter filled the space around them as they relished in each other's embrace.

"I've never had fun like this before." Bubbles told Boomer as the music continued to play and the people around then kept dancing.

"Neither have I, not for a long time." Boomer answered. "I wonder if this can last forever. Do you know a spell that can do that?"

Bubbles laughed gleefully as she was spun once again and as she did so, stumbled into another dancer. She looked up to apologize when her words caught in her mouth and breath left her body. The smile that was one her face fell as she took a step back and bowed shallowly. Ben inclined his head for her to follow and then disappeared into the crowd. Bubbles' sapphire eyes were wide as they followed him. It wasn't until she felt a hand on her back that she came out of her shock. She gasped aloud and turned to Boomer who was staring at her curiously.

"Are you all right? You went pale and your mind blank for just a moment." Boomer looked around briefly for what could've startled her.

Bubbles' mouth moved, but no words came out. Instead she stood on her toes and placed a quick kiss to Boomer's lips. The prince was about to pull her closer when she pulled back and turned away. If Boomer couldn't taste her on his lips still, then she would've thought she were never there to begin with. Still, the moment left him confused as to what just occurred.


Butch couldn't stop staring at the vision that was Buttercup. He remembered when he first teased her about wearing a dress. Little did he know how stunning she could actually be when wearing one.

"Stop your staring." Buttercup said as she and Butch walked arm in arm through the ballroom.

The wolf prince led her to the tables where food and drink had been laid out. He picked up a cup and handed it to her before picking up his own. "Why? Am I embarrassing you?"

"Yes, in fact you are." Buttercup said as she hid her blush in her cup. "I'm not used to dressing this way."

"It's just…you look so beautiful tonight." His eyes caught the surprised and then warm look that Buttercup laid upon him. "I wouldn't think it possible for you to be more lovely than you already were."

At that Buttercup laughed inelegantly into her cup, splashing wine over her face. Setting her cup down she exchanged it for a napkin and brought it to her chin. "Who are you and what have you done with the mutt?"

Butch laughed along with her before his nose twitched and he caught a strange scent. Snapping his head up, he looked around for what or who it was coming from. His eyes locked onto Kevin. He was walking directly toward them, but what unsettled Butch the most was his focused stare on Buttercup and the scent of wolf coming from him.

"Butch? What—?" The same scent that had drew Butch's attention now had hers and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. The scent was similar to Butch's—musky and canine—but it was mixed with a very distinct scent. A scent of herbs and magic. This person smelled of Cragon. When she turned her head, she gasped and stood ramrod straight as Kevin approached her. He stopped about two feet away from her, but it was only because Butch placed himself between her and the rapidly approaching male.

A snarl was on Butch's lips that spoke of promised violence for the intruding into his territory and approaching his female. Kevin snarled back but as a warning to stand down, rather to challenge. The tension between the two alphas washed over Buttercup uncomfortably and she quickly sought to cut through it. Placing a hand on Butch's back she urged him to turn to her. His eyes never left the man before him, but his head leaned in her direction.

"Butch, he's not a threat. I know him." Buttercup spoke lowly.

"Who is he?" Butch asked still locked in the battle of wills with the other male.

Buttercup swallowed and moved to step around Butch. When he went to grab her, she raised her hand and held him off. "It's okay. He won't hurt me."

"Buttercup." Butch's eyes finally left the man and turned to his Kitten.

She looked away from him and allowed Kevin to escort her away. Butch wasn't sure how long he stayed rooted in his spot in disbelief, but then he surged forward to try and stop them from leaving. Unfortunately, the two of them disappeared in the crowd. Butch forced his way to the center, but only grew confused when he spun in a circle and didn't see a glimpse of Buttercup or the man who whisked her away. As he looked through the crowd, he also noticed that neither Blossom or Bubbles were amongst those celebrating their birthday either.

Worried as he was, he sought out his brothers hoping that whatever was happening could be figured out before it unfolded.


Blossom found herself outside on the balcony, the cold having little affect on her despite her exposed arms from her elegant dress. She looked around until she saw Gwendolyn. She was sitting on a bench with her back to Blossom looking up at the waning moon. Blossom slowly approached her stopping about a foot behind her. She bowed her head deeply in respect.

"High Council Sorceress Gwendolyn." Blossom breathed.

The sorceress turned her head and looked at Blossom with a smile. As she stood up, she noticed that Blossom's other sisters were making their way to them, escorted by her cousin Benjamin and her lover Kevin, both who were part of the council that had been enslaved by Sedusa. Buttercup and Bubbles stood beside their sister while the Council Mages went to stand by Gwendolyn. The girls hung their heads as they waited for their highest authority to speak.

"At last we meet the three witches who have caused so much trouble." Gwendolyn tutted as she looked between the three girls, her eyes lingering on Buttercup. "You're much younger than I expected."

Blossom cringed at the comment but held her tongue and kept silent. The girls kept their heads bowed as they waited for her to continue.

"I guess it explains such recklessness. Theft. Realm jumping. Giving magic to humans. Using spells more advanced than your capabilities of controlling or understanding. Need I go on?"

Blossom risked a glance at her sisters, before peeking up at Gwendolyn. "Sorceress, my sister's life was at stake. Sedusa—."

Kevin held up a hand to Blossom and she dropped her eyes. Her teeth began to worry her bottom lip as she waited. "We know all about Sedusa and her blatant abuse of magic." Kevin informed her.

"The moment she died, whatever spell that hung over the council disappeared." Ben explained. "With her dead, the only ones we needed to find were you three."

"But there were four." Gwendolyn's eyes narrowed just a bit, before she sensed the extreme sadness that radiated from them. Her eyes widened a bit before closing in sympathy the to girls. "Such a shame. You have our condolences for your loss. That being said we have much to discuss and this is not the place to do so."

Buttercup looked up suddenly worried about what she was saying. "What does that mean?"

"It means we will be returning to Cragon, and you three will be coming with us." Ben answered as he lifted his hands along with Gwendolyn and Kevin. The swirl of magic between the three of them opened a portal that ruffled their clothes as the wind blew abnormally.

"Now?" Bubbles gasped as she looked to Blossom for guidance. "But…there are people here that need us."

"Bubbles." Blossom chastened in a low voice. "We have to go."

"Blossom!" her younger sister cried, with tears filling her eyes. "What about the princes? Boomer?"

"Butch?" Buttercup cut in from her other side.

"Brick?" Bubbles pleaded. "What about them? Can't we at least say goodbye?"

Blossom looked between her sisters unable to find the words to say when the decision was made for them. The portal was already pulling at their physical bodies, and the girls found themselves unable to resist. As they were pulled through, they each heard the one thing that drew their attention back.

"Blossom!"

"Bubbles!"

"Buttercup!" Butch ran to Buttercup, hoping to catch her before she faded before him. Her hand stretched out toward him, but before he could grasp it, she along with her sisters and the three unknown figures disappeared in a brilliant flash of light and magic. When their vision cleared the three princes were standing alone on the balcony. "No!"

"Who were those people?" Boomer asked as he came to stand beside his growling brother.

Butch's claws cut into the ground leaving deep gouges in the stone. "I don't know! But they seemed to know them."

"But where did they go?" Boomer asked. When he noticed that Brick had yet to say anything, he turned to his elder brother. "Brick?"

The future king walked forward until he was able to rest his burning hand on the ice-cold stone of the balcony railing. "Cragon."

"What?"

Raising his blazing eyes to the sky, Brick screamed out releasing a breath of fire into the chilly night air. "I thought she would stay, but it's obvious. They went back to their home."

"THIS IS THEIR HOME!" Butch roared angrily. "They were going to stay."

"Apparently not." Brick sighed woefully and reached into his pocket for the ring. "I didn't even get to ask her."

Boomer came to stand beside his brother. "We didn't get to say goodbye."

Butch's breath came out in a hot puff of a growl as he stood up and went to stand on the other side of Brick. "We shouldn't have had to say goodbye."

The three brothers stood on the lonely balcony as the first snow of the winter began to fall. Brick placed the ring back into his pocket and melted the snowflakes from his red cloak. "Let's go back inside."

"Brick." Boomer said as he turned to his elder brother.

Brick stopped right outside the doors and hardened his heart. "There's still a party going on, and we're the hosts. We have to still be there to make an appearance."

"You make the damn appearance." Butch snapped as he looked at the falling snow around them.

"You're not the only one hurting about this Butch." Brick said as he looked over his shoulder. "I hate to make you do this, but tend to your broken heart after the ball."

With that Brick opened the door and returned inside to mingle with his guests. Butch's claws dug into the balcony crushing the stone underneath. "Butch…" the youngest prince started as he heard the agony of his brother's heart in his mind.

"DON'T!" he yelled as he spun on his brother. "Don't." He then turned back and swallowed the howl of pain that desperately wanted to rise from his throat. "Just… give me a moment."

Boomer nodded and went back inside leaving Butch on the balcony.

Alone with his broken heart, Butch fought back the tears that burned hotly behind the lids of his closed eyes. "Buttercup."


Next is the epilogue my lovelies. I know this chapter ended on a sad note, but trust me when I say it's for good reason. Thank you all for staying with me on this journey until the end. Writing The Powers That Be has been an adventure. The next one, you all know will be the Coming of Age sequel Growing Up Is Hard. There we will get to meet Baby Red, see a few of our Puffs and Ruffs go to college, and…something else that just isn't ringing a bell right now. ; ) So be on the look our for my next story. Love you all.

Until Next Time