"Brick! Brick where are you?!" Brick blasted at the waves after waves of enemies. The others were scattered around the battlefield. The information they'd received was false. It was supposed to be a small scouting party. Instead they were being hit with a full assault on all sides. He and Blossom were supposed to meet Buttercup's forces and provide support, but it didn't seem like the enemy wanted them to leave any time soon.

"Brick!" His body was harshly knocked to the ground, skidding before coming to a stop. On top of him lay Blossom, her head turned in the direction they just came from. Brick grabbed her waist, turning them over and blocking a long sword. Blossom grinned, blasting someone aiming for his back.

"Some warning would be fine next time." They stood back to back, moving in sync to slowly drive the army back.

"Maybe, but there wasn't time." Blossom dropped low, firing fire balls in quick succession.

"How're the others?"

"I'm not sure...I wasn't able to make it to anyone. Bubbles isn't answering her communicator, and Buttercup was cut off after the second wave hit. I'm worried. It wasn't supposed to be this bad." Brick frowned in concentration.

"Buy me five minutes." Blossom nodded, conjuring a clone to better protect him. Brick stood still, his hair fluttering in the sudden wind as he cast a spell. He raised his arms, fire dancing around him. Blossom panted, her magic draining rapidly. They were finally making dents in the enemy forces, but it wasn't enough to leave her post and check on her friends. We finally brought peace...if only those fools hadn't tampered with the dark arts...none of this would've happened. Are we destined to fight? She dropped to one knee, hair spilling from the braid she'd put it in this morning. Blood dripped from the cut above her left eye, forcing her to close it. She rose on shaky legs as another faceless soldier got too close to them. Her hands trembled as she forced her magic to continue to flow, to protect.

Suddenly, immense heat flooded the area, scorching the very air around them. Blossom sighed in relief.

"Took your sweet time." Brick grinned, his eyes glowing scarlet. Blood leaked from the corner of his lips as he lowered his hands to the ground.

"Flashy moves demand flashy timing." She moved closer to him, not wanting to be hit with the blast. Molten lava burst onto the battlefield, burning everything Brick deemed an enemy. Agonized screams rang around them, before evaporating into the unforgiving evening air. Brick panted, the corners of his eyes bleeding as the backlash hit him. Blossom rubbed his back, but her focus was on the others.

"Will you be alright here? Buttercup was closer, so I want to check on her. I can't hear much fighting anymore." Brick waved her off, spotting blond figures staggering toward them. However, before Blossom could head off, she spotted someone coming closer in the distance. She squinted, hesitant steps carrying her forward.

"Isn't that...?" The figure came into view, and she realized why it had been so hard to identify them. Buttercup walked slowly, carrying a body in her arms. Blossom rushed forward, tears already collecting in her eyes.

"Buttercup!" Said girl didn't look up, meeting her halfway and gently setting a young man's body down. She stroked his cheek with a single finger, tears running silently down her face. She was bruised and bloody, and her leg was bleeding profusely.

"I couldn't save him...I couldn't save him..." Blossom reached out for her, wrapping her arms around her devastated friend.

"It's okay. It's gonna be okay." Buttercup shook as she openly sobbed. Brick cursed as he hobbled closer, his bangs covering his eyes as he mourned his friend.

"Guys! Guys! We won..." Bubbles and Boomer supported each other as they crept closer, but Bubbles dropped to her knees at the sight that awaited her.

"No...what happened?!" Buttercup shook violently, pushing away from Blossom. She turned to look at him, but couldn't bare to touch him anymore. Not when he was so cold.

"It's my fault...If I had just seen that last attack sooner...What good are these powers if I can't save him?!" She buried her face in her hands, beyond comfort.

"Butch...Butch..." Blossom frowned, glaring at her faintly glowing palms. If this is all that comes from these powers, I wish we'd never awakened.


"Spill Bloss! What's up with you and Brick? That's the most I've seen him show interest in a girl since freshman year!" The girls were spread out in Bubble's room, having dragged Blossom there after school. Buttercup sat leaning against the bed, while Bubbles sat to her left and Blossom to her right. A small table sat in the middle of them, with drinks and snacks scattered on its surface. Blossom sighed, waving her hands in front of her face.

"Nothing! We've never talked before, so I'm just as lost as you." Though it felt familiar for a minute. The way he held my chin. She touched her chin unconsciously, and Bubbles narrowed her eyes at the action.

"Really? Then why are you looking so starry eyed?" Blossom dropped her hands, grabbing her fruit punch and taking a sip to buy herself some time.

"No reason really. You're looking for something that isn't there Bubs. He's probably not interested in anything but teasing me. Let it go." Her eyes wandered the room, refusing to make eye contact with her pushy friend. Bubbles huffed, crossing her arms at Blossom's stubborn denial. It was obvious there was something there. Brick didn't waste his time, so if he was messing with Blossom, it had to be because he was interested in her! Whatever. I'll just observe for now. No way this is nothing! Buttercup closed her eyes, that stranger's voice flashing through her mind again. Now that I think about it... She cracked an eye to glance at the clock. I went around this time...She stood, stretching her legs. Bubbles scrunched her face up at the pops that came from Buttercup.

"One of these days you're gonna pop something right out of place." Buttercup grinned and patted her head as she walked out.

"No I won't. I'm headed to the store for a bit. I'll get us some more snacks."

"Ooh, get taki's!"

"Oreos!" Buttercup nodded, heading out.

"Let's see..." She grabbed the oreos, placing them in the small basket. She wandered the isles, trying not to look like she was looking for someone. After wandering down every isle at least twice, she sighed, going back to the snack isle. Might as well get some chips and get out of here. She reached up for a bag of Dorito's, stretching to reach.

"Need some help?" Her body shivered as that voice washed over her again. No way...she didn't move as he reached over her, grabbing the chips. Her back was hot where he'd pressed against her. She wasn't sure what stopped her from turning around, but whatever spell was holding her in place broke when he dropped the chips into the basket. She turned around, catching only his back. His face...I need to see his face.

"Um, wait!"