Chapter 1

"No one knows where it came from, or how it was created, they just knew it was magic. By the very look of the pebble, you could tell it was magic. It was always glowing and always sparkling, no matter how dark it was. Some say Merlin, the old wizard, created it. Others say that it was a wishing star, fallen from heaven. Still others say that it was a moon rock directly between the dark and light sides of the moon that was thrown to earth by a meteor shower. But nobody knows for sure. All they know is that it has magical powers to grant one's heart's desire.

"A long time ago, a young man found the pebble and kept it for no other reason then he might sell it. He was in debt and couldn't pay out of it. So, while he held the pebble, he wished for enough money to pay off the debt. And the next morning, when the man woke up, he found all the money needed right in his bed!

"A lowly peasant found the pebble one day while he was begging on the streets. He held the pebble in his shaky hands and wished to be king of a whole kingdom! The next morning when the peasant woke up, he found himself covered in rich clothing and in a huge bed! He had a gigantic and beautiful kingdom and an exquisite castle.

"The list continues of the amazing feats of the wishing stone. It helped millions of people with their problems and gave them what they wished for. But, one day a jealous individual took the pebble to a far off place to keep it for himself. Before anyone could stop the person, he traveled to a place filled with monsters and was eaten alive! The selfish person died along with the pebble. It was forever trapped inside the belly of a beast. But, it was all for the better because the stone had a dark side. If one were too-"

"Aw enough all ready!" Buttercup cried putting her hands over her non-existent ears. "I've heard enough of these lame stories, sheesh!" She cried flopping backward on the tri-colored bed.

It was Mother's Day and the sun was shinning brightly. The three puffs were sitting comfortably on their bed with nothing to do. Considering that the three had no mother, they had nothing to celebrate. To keep their minds off of mothers, Blossom took out a book from the library. A fairy tale book, from Bubbles's constant insisting. The book contained hundreds of stories of magical forests, pixies, unicorns, all-powerful weapons, and a particular wishing stone. But, while the intriguing stories did pass the time, it was just too much for Buttercup to take all the cutesy, magical whatever. She pouted staring outside.

"This is even worse than when it's raining! Why doesn't something attack all ready?!" Buttercup goaded the monsters, shouting out the window. But no one paid any heed. She muttered and flopped back down on the bed.

"I like the stories." Bubbles said from her cross-legged position on the bed. She'd found the stories delightful. They took her mind off of that particular day and they all sounded wonderful. Bubbles pretended to hold something in her hands. "Oh magic wishing pebble…" She giggled, "I wish that Buttercup would like the stories too." She closed her eyes tight and then opened them smiling. Buttercup gave her a flat look.

"It didn't work." Buttercup grumbled. Bubbles shrugged.

"It was worth a try. Go ahead Blossom," Bubbles lied down on her stomach propping her head up with her hands. "I wanna hear the rest." Bubbles's big blue eyes shined brightly waiting for the end of the tale.

"Actually Bubbles, I kind of agree with Buttercup on this one." Blossom stated shutting the old book. The sparkle in the blonde's eyes faded. "I think we shouldn't be cooped up in our room all day just because it's Mother's Day." Blossom gave a smile. What was so trying about Mother's Day anyway? What were they so upset about anyway? Just cause they didn't have a mother. Just because they never experienced that kind of special relationship before or had any real female influence shouldn't be depressing them. There was Miss. Bellum but…she wasn't always there around the house or when they needed her. It was just that…when the Professor got locked up in his lab for so long they'd get so lonely and worried. Blossom just wished there was someone else there to take care of the Professor and her sisters and…her too. She shook her head from the thoughts.

"Let's get some ice cream!" Bubbles suggested piping up quickly. The day was kind of getting her down also. It was hard to imagine the blue-eyed puff down in the dumps but it always depressed her just a little around Mother's Day or Grandparent's Day. Without a mother, it was just another May gone bye. Bubbles always envied the other kids and how lucky they were to have someone who was always there. The Professor was kind of like their Mommy and their Daddy. It wasn't like he was a bad parent or anything, but sometimes Bubbles wanted a mommy just so the Professor wouldn't be so lonely or so that he wouldn't be so busy with trying to raise them. Not to mention that her sisters and her could get a fair amount of attention with a mother around. Maybe a mommy to spend a little mother-daughter time together…maybe just the two of them. That would be real nice. Blossom shrugged in response to Bubbles's suggestion.

"Sure I don't see why not." She gave a warm smile and Bubbles leapt up in joy.

"Come on, Buttercup!" Bubbles squealed in delight and raced down the stairs. Buttercup decided that ice cream sounded like a good idea. Deep down inside, Buttercup wanted a mother too. She never really voiced her opinion about another authority figure around the house but she thought it wouldn't be so bad. The Professor tried a whole mother-thing with Ima Goodlady, but that didn't work out so well. And he was really happy at first too. He never tried someone else to date and they were worried that he might be getting lonely again. He just got wrapped up in his work. A mother would be someone to keep them company when the Professor couldn't, to understand their problems a little better, maybe pay a bit more attention to them individually when they were especially down. Sometimes it was easy to be overshadowed by the other two; it would be nice to have someone to concentrate on only them without the other two being ignored. Just to get some personal attention.

All three girls began to fly downstairs when a familiar buzzing sound echoed from the bedroom. The three girls paused as the "ringing" continued. Buttercup's eyes lit up and Bubbles began to get excited as the buzzing grew.

"The Hotline!" Blossom cried stating the obvious. She zwipped as fast as she could and practically tackled the red phone off of its cradle her sisters eagerly following. "Yes Mayor!" Blossom asked boldly waiting enthusiastically for the Mayor's response.

"Bwah! Blossom, I forgot to buy Christmas presents! The Mrs. is gonna kill me! I don't know what to do I-"

"Mayor!" Blossom shouted a little agitated.

"Yes?"

"Today is Mother's Day." Blossom frowned and her two sisters looked flatly at the phone.

"Oh!" The Mayor's voice gained a happy tone. "Thank you, Blossom." He hung up. Blossom sighed and hung up the phone. Suddenly it began to buzz again. Blossom picked up the phone quickly.

"Yes Mayor!" She cried again, hoping for some action.

"Bwah! Help! It's Groundhog's Day and I keep living my life over and over and-"

"Mayor!" Blossom shouted again.

"Yes?"

"It's Mother's Day….Mayor." Blossom questioned the political system for the millionth time in her mind. The Mayor let out a pleasant sounding laugh.

"Oh, yes! Thank you, Blossom." The Mayor hung up again. Before Buttercup could complain, the Hotline buzzed again. Bubbles sighed. Blossom picked up the phone a little more annoyed.

"Mother's Day, Mayor." She said quickly.

"Oh that's nice." The Mayor said. Blossom was about to hang up when the Mayor's panicked voice sounded through the phone. "But there's a giant monster DESTROYING THE CITY!! HEEELLLPPP!!" The Mayor squawked shrilly. "Save me." Blossom's face lit up.

"We're on our way, Mayor!" She exclaimed joyously hanging up the phone. "Come on girls! There's a giant monster destroying the city!"

"All right! Some action!" Buttercup's eyes narrowed in a strangely happy determination. Bubbles smiled also pleased to leave the house, especially on that day.

"Fine'ly!" She giggled.

"Let's go!" Blossom exclaimed her practically trademarked expletive. The three super-powered girls burst through the roof in a rainbow of pink, blue, and green. They soared over the bright blue skies. Passing a plethora of white, puffy clouds. The city seemed especially active today with all the mothers of Townsville enjoying their day of praise. The whole metropolis seemed to emanate the love of the citizens on that day. It was as if the whole world were rubbing it in their faces. They kept their minds on track though. There was plenty of time for self-pity later.

The super trio reached a part of the city that was not radiating with maternal love and pride. Over-turned cars littered the cracked streets, bashed in street lights hung limply from short-circuiting wires, there were people screaming and running like chickens with their heads cut off, and buildings crumbling with shattered windows surrounded the super heroines ominously. A hideously ear-piercing screech split through the air and hit the girls' ears like a dagger. The three clamped their mitts over the spots where their ears should have been. They turned their gaze toward where the sound came from and gasped.

The monster stood over a hundred feet tall on it's lizardish back legs it's lengthy tail retaining its balance. It shone a blood red with bright glowing yellow eyes. The monster appeared dragon-like with an alligatorish head and two purple fins sticking off like ears. The hideous head was attached to a long neck that stretched down with purple spikes adorning the creature's back. It hissed loudly with its forked-tongue through sharp teeth. It fell foreword onto its stubby front legs hissing and spiting a greenish color to the ground. The spittle burst through a building burning through anything and everything it touched. The monster suddenly spread out two very large, spiked, ebony, bat-like wings with purple and red veins criss-crossing in the burning sunlight. The wings knocked over several buildings as they stretched majestically.

"It's almost beautiful." Buttercup said aloud. Bubbles and Blossom gave her a funny look. "To bad it has to get a butt-whoopin'!" She exclaimed. Blossom nodded, preparing the assault.

"Bubbles, you distract the monster long enough for Buttercup to hit it in the head. I'll go for the chest. And watch out for that acid spit. Go!" Blossom cried in total leader-mode. Bubbles took off in a flash of baby blue.

She flew in front of the monster's hideous and soulless sallow eyes. She stuck out her tongue at the beast playfully. The beast, although unsure, thought this might have been some sort of challenge. It hissed and snapped its head to the side swiftly.

"Can't catch me!" Bubbles laughed and flew around its head playfully. The dragon creature hissed further and snapped its jaws viciously at the tiny girl. The monster was so swift it nearly caught Bubbles in its teeth. "Eek!" She cried, the sharp incisors nearly ripping her apart. The monster's head shot forth again with nearly blindingly fast speed. As its head thrust foreword again, a blackish saliva dripped from its tawny fangs. "Hurry!" Bubbles cried with a squeal wishing to be back with the nice book of fairy tales and a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Buttercup smiled devilishly as she headed a flying kick straight for the back of the creature's head. No problem here, just to kick it and…She thought as her tiny Mary Jane clad foot connected with a large red scale. As he foot hit, Buttercup felt a shot of pain rip through her whole leg.

"YEOUCH!" She cried clutching her throbbing foot. "Ow….YOU!" Buttercup cried again angrily. She threw a punch at the back of its head to avenge her aching foot. "OW!" Buttercup grasped her now stinging mitt.

Blossom raced for the monster's chest with determination in her pink irises. Her mind was calculating her air speed and distance with her basic power level compared to the monsters bulk. She evaluated quickly just how much force she would need to strike the creature with. Blossom kicked in an extra boost and rammed into the dragon's exposed chest. Unfortunately as soon as she met with its chest, her whole head pounded with pain.

"OUCH!" She cried rubbing her head wearily. Blossom looked up to see the monster didn't even notice she'd hit it.

"It's just like in the story!" Bubbles called dodging the vicious beast's lightning-fast teeth, "A dragon's scales are as hard as diamonds!" She nearly missed death as the chompers came inches from her face. "EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

"What now Leader Girl?" Buttercup growled, nursing her injured foot and mitt.

"Ow…" Blossom rubbed her head further and noticed that the monster was now rearing up on its hind legs, exposing its stomach. Suddenly, Blossom's thoughts strayed back to a book she'd read a few months ago. Something called The Hobbit. She was reminded on how there was one place in the dragon's stomach that was vulnerable. It was risky but worth a shot. "Bubbles, keep it distracted. Buttercup, see if you can maybe hit it in the eyes. They may be weak. I've got an idea. Now go!" She hollered.

"I don't know how much longer I can distract it!" Bubbles called down not noticing a glob of greasy green spit shoot out at her. The blob was headed straight for the blonde-haired girl at an alarming speed. Bubbles was suddenly torn out of the path of the spit and it flew through a few brick buildings. "WHOA!" Bubbles cried. She looked to see an angry Buttercup practically starring her down.

"Pay attention, Bubble-brain!" Buttercup shouted, "You wanna get yourself killed?" Buttercup flew to try to hit it in its almond eyes. Bubbles let out a deep breath, frightened on how close she might have come to death. She gave a bright smile toward Buttercup; she'd have to thank her after the battle.

Blossom dove toward the dragon's stomach (which was now facing the ground), passing under rows and rows of scaly red. She turned so her back was to the ground and her stomach was faced towards the monster's stomach. Blossom scanned quickly over the columns of uniform scales. Just when she thought that she'd have to try a different tactic, she spotted something.

One of the dragon's stomach scales was glowing. It illuminated a light color that seemed to stay bright even through the blood red color. Blossom approached the shinning plate carefully, her eyes fixated on it. Was this the weak link? The answer? Her eyes were obsessed with it. The steady, pulsing glow of the scale, like from somewhere behind it, something was calling her. She put a mitt against the rough surface of the scale. It was so jagged, her flesh actually ripped as she moved her hand across it. But Blossom didn't care. There was something about that scale…

Suddenly the monster jerked at Blossom's touch. It let out a high-pitched scream like something had just stabbed it. Its forked tongue lashed out like a whip, cracking at Bubbles. She dodged and grabbed hold of the slimy tongue. She shuddered at its bumpy touch. Bubbles began to yank on the tongue harshly, causing the monster to shriek again

Buttercup had been trying to destroy one of the dragon's monstrously huge eyes, but there was a filmy layer surrounding it, like a second eyelid. But while struggling to do any kind of damage to the eye, Buttercup noticed the monster's scream and took the chance. The dragon's eyes had opened wide, revealing the clearly yellow eyeball. Buttercup winded up her fist and smashed it into the monster's eye so hard it exploded onto her in a rush of burning hot black liquid. The eye burst with such scalding explosion Buttercup screamed as the glutinous inky blood poured over her and into her open mouth. Her whole mouth scorched with the taste of the monster blood and her body blistered with the feel of it's oozing plasma. The dragon screeched again.

Blossom shook from her trance and thrust her fist with all her might into the weak scale. The monster's scale burst open and a burning black liquid began to gush out. The dragon's one eye widened as its weakness had been found. Blossom barley dodged as her hand felt the flaming hot blood. She grit her teeth and attacked the spot with all her might, ignoring the stinging of her hand. The monster snapped its head in the air again and took off, flapping its giant wings weakly. With its Achilles heel located, the creature began to retreat, closing one of its eyes and trying the shake the girl from its tongue.

"Oh no you don't!" Bubbles cried. She grabbed onto the tongue and using all of her strength, picked the entire monster up by it's tongue and began whirling it above her head. She swung it faster and faster, until it looked like a red blurry tornado. Suddenly, a sickeningly loud snap was heard and another banshee-like scream echoed from the dragon's throat as it careened into the stratosphere. Bubbles looked puzzled until she noticed the still writhing tongue in her mitts. "Whoops. Tee hee." Bubbles giggled and dropped the tongue top the ground. She flew quickly to check on her sisters. "Are you okay?" Bubbles asked approaching Blossom.

"I'm fine." Blossom commented, "Except for my hand, I think I might have gotten some of that icky blood in it." Blossom held up her blackened mitt.

"Ewwwww." Bubbles shielded herself from the mitt. "How's Buttercup?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen her since-" Blossom was cut-off by a blood-curtailing scream. She looked to see a thick steaming coating of ebony blood covering her sister.

"It burns! It BURNS!" Buttercup screeched the sickening taste still in her mouth. She thought she'd retch as she tried to wipe it off.

"Calm down, Buttercup!" Blossom cried. "Bubbles, get a water tower!" Bubbles nodded quickly, understanding and flew to the nearest building with one on it. She wrenched it from its metal restrains and raced back toward her sister.

"Here ya go Buttercup!" Bubbles cried dousing her blackened sister in a bought of freezing cold water. Steam hissed off of the puffs body as the black blood washed off of her quickly pouring onto the streets below. It felt refreshing against Buttercup's burning skin..

"Thanks Bubbles." Buttercup sighed.

"Well it's the least I can do after you saved my life." Bubbles gave a tiny smile and chucked the water tower away. "Thank you!"

"Good work, girls." Blossom nodded happily. The team had done a fine job with minimal amount of damage to the town and themselves. "Let's go home and get cleaned up…more so." Blossom nodded and took off.

"This stinks! Not only do I get burned but I have to take a bath too. This bites." Buttercup grumbled globs of black blood still sticking to her. She gripped miserably as she flew after. Bubbles giggled. She was about to take off when something caught her attention.

A shinning and glittering speck shown brightly on the asphalt below. Bubbles floated down curiously. There was a pile of black blood on the ground with a speck shimmering beneath it. Bubbles turned her head to the side curiously and began wiping away the blood. It stung her tiny mitts, but her mind was set on locating that…thing.

She pushed aside layer upon layer of coal blood and found a tiny orb. Bubbles picked up the perfectly round sphere and held it in front of her eyes. It glowed brightly in a color Bubbles thought she'd never seen before. It was as if she held a tiny pixie in her hands. Like the essence of magic. The orb had a warm luminescence to it, and although it was perfectly silent, its rhythmic radiance seemed to sing to Bubbles. She smiled at the tiny sphere. Bubbles gripped it tight and flew off after her sisters.