Chapter 8

Buttercup kept her hand steady. There was no need to be shaking.

The cold steel was slightly warmed by her hand's grasp on the handle and barrel.

"Good. Now just aim and--"

There was an explosion of energy and Buttercup freaked, dropping the weapon.

"…fire. Look, if you're going to learn how to fire a blaster, at least learn how to do it right."

Buttercup looked indignant.

"I was aiming for the target!" she burst. "The rifle's just…uh…top heavy!"

Jan smiled. "It's hard the first couple of times, but I think you'll get the hang of it."

Buttercup glared.

"Now excuse me, I've got a meeting to attend. You make sure to come too, it'll be at 13:00 hours."

Jan walked off, and another load blast of energy was heard along with a groan of annoyance. Clearly another miss.

"Again?" Buttercup audibly whispered.

---

Blossom stood at the bridge, leaning against the wall.

Ahead of her was nothing. Literally, besides some glass. Nothing…for who knew how many miles?

The window seemed appealing somehow, as did the idea of nothing. She had nothing left, didn't she?

'Break through. Die.'

Blossom was suddenly wide awake. "Who's there?" she murmured.

'Lose it all, what little remains. Nothing is peace. No problems, no people. No sisters.'

"Shut up," she hissed.

'Your anger…your fear…good. Feel it. Let it make you stronger!'

"No!"

'Only then will you have the power to save your family!'

"SHUT UP!"

"Uh…you OK, Bloss?"

Buttercup was standing in the doorway, looking clueless.

"Yeah…I'm—Fine. What is it?"

Meeting in a couple minutes.

"We've got a meeting in a couple minutes with the head honchos here. Damn, I hate this place." She murmured several more curse words, and noticed the look on Blossom's face.

"What is it?"

"I…I think there's something the Professor never told us. It…doesn't matter. Let's just go."

Buttercup looked a little disturbed still, but let out a smile. "I know it seems like things've gone straight to hell, but hey, we've got to hang on to what we got."

That's almost like something Bubbles would say, Blossom thought sadly.

"Yeah…I guess you're right. We have to get going."

---

Her restless dreams haunted her throughout the night, torturing her already pained soul with three deadly words.

"…they are dead…"

"Awake, child, awake."

That was no dream.

Bubbles opened her eyes.

The old man…(What was his name? Palpatine?) was standing above her, the upper half of his face once more concealed.

"I trust you had a good night's sleep?" he said warmly.

"Well…yes…I…"

"Please. There is no need to lie to me. I can help."

Bubbles's eyes widened, and the moment she did Palpatine began to cough furiously.

"I am sorry, young one. My old age…is beginning to take me."

Bubbles raised her eyes sympathetically.

"There is nothing you can do," Palpatine whispered in a raspy voice, sounding very frail indeed. "But there is one thing I can do for you."

"What?"

"I can teach you how to return your sisters to life…if you want to learn how."

Bubbles's eyes brightened significantly.

"I have an apprentice known as Darth Vader. You will train with him on the process of raising the dead."

"Where--?"

"My guards will escort you there. You needn't worry."

Two men in all red robes with dark crimson helmets on walked her into a small, compact room. It began to shake, and it rumbled down the dark tower of Coruscant.

Fate was coming, and the only thing that would come of it would be pain…

End Chapter 8