Butch pushed himself harder as he heard a scream burst from that awful house. Buttercup had always been faster than all of them. He cursed himself for not keeping her by his side. For failing to protect her, again. His heart clenched as they entered the suddenly too quiet house. He rounded the corner to the kitchen, his feet freezing at the sight before him. Bubbles and Boomer ran into his prone form, lips poised to question but sounds dying in their throats as they saw what stopped him. Brick stood before them, Buttercup lying limply in his arms. Burn marks encircled her arms like a vice. His eyes flashed briefly in apology when they fell upon Butch, before melting back into a solemn but stoic facade.
Boomer pushed past his brother, his fear radiating off him in waves.
"Brick?" His voice was small and scared, nothing like the usual confident tones. Brick shook his head, his eyes softening as they met his younger brother's.
"No Boom. It worked." Boomer whimpered, instantly understanding. His own horrors fought to come to the forefront of his mind, but Butch's hand on his shoulder held them at bay. He stepped back, his hands seeking Bubbles's. She let him hold it, too overwhelmed by the situation to really notice. Brick was on fire, hazy heat licking at the floor and air around him. Buttercup was also encased in it. Bubbles felt the sudden urge to faint, but her mind was too busy working overtime to entertain that request.
"Brick? Wha...How...But you're...and fire...Blossom...? Blossom!" Grasping tight to a thought she could process and follow, her eyes sought his blazing red orbs. Brick nodded to his left, turning without waiting for them.
"Follow me." The trio did, though Boomer gripped Butch increasingly harder as they made their way back to that wretched basement, and the alters came into view. Boomer dropped to the floor, hyperventilating as he was forced back to the last time he was sacrificed. Butch stood protectively over him, trying to figure out how they would get out of this predicament this time. Brick laid Buttercup gently on the bottom two stairs, making sure she wouldn't hurt herself when she woke up. Butch called out to him again, praying his brother was still in there somewhere.
"Brick." His tone was as pleading as he would ever let it. Butch would never admit it, but he was scared. The young man standing before him was his brother, but so much more at the same time. Boomer was having a mental breakdown, and Bubbles had no idea what was going on. They didn't know where Blossom was, and Buttercup wouldn't be waking up any time soon. Saying he was in over his head in this situation would be the understatement of the century. He needed his brother back to tell him what to do. How to pull a plan out of his ass and save their skin like he always did.
Brick turned toward him, and for a moment he saw him. For one shining, hopeful moment Brick was himself. But then it was gone, though his eyes still gave brief flashes of fondness as they locked eyes. But he drew his eyebrows together before shaking his head. He began moving forward, his hands out and glowing as they heated with fire magic.
"I'm him, but not. The summoning was successful, which means I must heed my master's commands. I have the power of the Gods, and though Brick's consciousness fights for control, he will not succeed. You all were able to wield it before, and stay in control, because the summoning failed." Brick's mouth snapped shut as another pair of footsteps echoed in the room. Everyone turned to see the newcomer, who entered the fray without further ado. Reed grinned, his arms spreading wide as he snapped his phone closed.
"Welcome, ladies and gents! The show is about to begin!" He scooped Buttercup into his arms, placing her gently in a chair and strapping her in. Butch moved to release her, but was pulled back by Boomer, who still had hold of his leg. He settled for glaring instead.
"Just because you managed to succeed with Brick, doesn't mean Boom or I will be the same." Reed shook his head, his grin stretching wider.
"Nonsense! You three are blood, of course it'll work! I just needed to refine the ritual and oversee it myself. Speaking of which," A portal opened behind him, revealing Riley. He moved to stand behind Buttercup, playing with a lock of her hair while producing a ceremonial knife from behind his back. Boomer letting out a shriek alerted Butch to another portal that opened behind them. Raiden stood with his arms encasing Bubbles, who had a glazed look in her eyes. Boomer stood, still holding to Butch while he reached for her with his free hand.
"Stop! Give her back!" Raiden flashed his canines, pulling Bubbles further away from them and near his brothers. Butch ran a hand down his face, knowing they were beaten.
"Leave Boomer out of it." Boomer turned to him so fast Butch was surprised he didn't snap his neck. Boomer shook his head, pulling him towards the stairs.
"No...no! We've already lost Brick...we need to go!" Riley tsk'd wagging his finger.
"Will you let the girls take your place then? Having them unable to resist any command?" Butch and Boomer snarled. Butch pulled them forward, resigning himself. He pulled Boomer into a tight, brief hug before pushing him away and laying on the slab underneath the pulsing green orb. Boomer copied him, his movements robotic as he kept his gaze on Butch.
"It'll be okay Boom." Emerald green held cobalt blue as the brothers blocked out everything else. Tears gathered in the youngest brother's eyes as he tried to ready himself for what was to come. Butch continued to let the lie slip past his lips, knowing it was the only thing he could do for him now. He couldn't protect Buttercup. He couldn't protect Boomer. And as the green light engulfed him, and his very cells began vibrating and shifting as the screams began, he realized he never had a chance in hell of protecting them.
Because he couldn't protect himself.
