Bubbles caught Blossom up on her strange encounter on her way to the bookstore. Blossom called Buttercup, ignoring the blond's protests, insisting she let their friend walk her home. Now they sat around one of the tables, speaking in hushed whispers about Blossom's newest admirer.

"Wow Bloss. First you catch Brick's eye and now this guy's. What's his name anyway?"

"It's Reed….something." Blossom stopped short, only just realizing she hadn't gotten his last name. "I didn't get his last name." Buttercup waved her arm dismissively.

"It's not important. You'll probably never see him again. But what's up with all these random encounters?" Bubbles and Blossom latched on to that slip like starved hyenas, turning their attention to their blunt ravenette.

"BC, did you run into someone too?" Crap. I didn't mean to let that slip. She looked anywhere but them, unconsciously rubbing her left arm.

"Not really…I was jogging when I ran into some weirdo looking at me. Nothing serious." Bubbles lay her hand on her arm, her concern evident.

"Are you okay? Did they try anything?" Buttercup shook her head, flashing a grin.

"Nah. I ran home so he didn't get a chance to." Bubbles left it at that, but Blossom narrowed her eyes.

"Is it really a coincidence?" Bubbles and Buttercup turned to her, their full attention on her.

"What?"

"These 'encounters.' What're the chances that all of us run into someone we've never seen before? Reed did say he and his brothers had just moved here. What if we ended up running into all of them today?" Buttercup didn't waste time mulling it over. Bubbles grinned teasingly.

"I think you're reading too many true crime novels Bloss. We're probably making too much of this. Townsville is a small town, it's easy to run in to new people. It's interesting when people our age wake up as early as you, but it's not such a big deal that we can make it a conspiracy. The only real off-putting thing is the creep who was watching BC, and how comfortable Reed was at touching you. Brick too, now that I think about it." It's not as cringe-worthy when Brick does it though. The traitorous thought flashed in Blossom's mind before she realized she'd thought it, flushing in embarrassment. It's cringe-worthy regardless. Bad brain! We don't like Brick. He's mean and horribly outspoken, and smart...a bit good looking...wait no! I'm getting off track here. She shook her head, holding her cheeks as she came back to reality. Bubbles poked her side, grinning conspiratorially.

"It's not as bad when Brick does it hmmmm?" Buttercup tried and failed to hide her laughter at Blossom's horror stricken face. I said that out loud?! Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.

"Yeah, loud and clear for everyone." Buttercup stopped laughing, looking at Bubbles confused.

"What was loud and clear for everyone?' Bubbles gestured to Blossom with a roll of her eyes.

"What Blossom just said."

"But she didn't say anything…?" Bubbles frowned, her mouth forming a pout.

"But I heard it! She had to have said it out loud. How else would I have heard it?" Blossom scooted her chair closer to the middle, to better face Bubbles. Can you hear me? Bubbles groaned in frustration, ready to flip the table.

"Yes I can hear you. You're talking like normal!" It was Buttercup's turn to lay her concerned hand on Bubbles' arm.

"Bubs...she never opened her mouth." Bubbles frowned harder, gripping her bag strap laying on her lap. Blossom concentrated, focusing as she thought something else while locking eyes with Bubbles. Bubbles opened and closed her mouth like a fish as, once again, her friend's voice came through loud and clear. She stood so fast her chair knocked over. Buttercup stood slowly, her hands palm up.

"Bubbles-" Bubbles shook her head, grabbing her bag as she fled from the bookstore.

"Bubbles!" Buttercup and Blossom shared a look, their confusion stopping their feet from following.


Bubbles slammed the front door shut, not sparing her parents a glance as she took the stairs two at a time. Her thoughts jumbled together as she struggled to process what had happened. She crumbled to the floor, squeezing her eyes shut as foreign voices began to flood her mind. Shut up. Shut up. Shut UP! SHUT UP! She pulled at her hair as the voices bombarded her unprepared mind. If her eyes had been open, maybe she would have seen the faint blue light glowing from her bag. Perhaps she would have grabbed her bag, and investigated what it was. Maybe then she could have focused on something long enough to quiet the too loud voices demanding her attention. But her eyes stayed shut. The bag continued to glow uncontested. And somewhere deep in her mind, a chest creaked open.


Boomer hummed to himself as he made dinner. Brick sat in the armchair in the living room, flipping through channels. Butch lay upside down on their couch, half paying attention. Boomer had just moved the steaks to the plates when he hissed, grabbing at his chest. Brick and Butch, smelling the unpleasant smell of burning flesh, rushed to the kitchen faster than they'd admit, their concern for their friend overriding their uncaring personas.

"Boom!" Boomer was bent over the counter, breathing hard. Without a word, he pulled down his shirt collar, revealing the ugly new scar healing on his skin. Around his neck lay six aquamarine gemstones. The one closest to the left side of his neck had burned a hole in his chest, its once beautiful color now dulled to an unrecognizable muted grey. Boomer wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes glazing in worry.

"The first seal's been broken. Bubbles is starting to awaken."