Disclaimer: Thank Craig Mccraken. I don't - nor will I ever - own the Powerpuff Girls.


- CHAPTER 3 -

Agreements


"A meeting?" Blossom stopped mid brush and looked at Stephanie through the mirror. "What for?"

The maid cocked her head,"Your father didn't say. Just that it was extremely important." A bell rang and she curtsied hastily then left.

"I wonder why father called me?" Blossom murmured to herself, deep in thought. She quickly pulled her long curly red hair into a braid that started from the left side of her head and rested on her right shoulder. The stool made no sound as she stood up, took one glance at her reflection, and opened the door.

Her footsteps echoed as she walked down the empty hallway, gazing sadly at the family portraits.

The first was painted seven years ago. Their entire family were sitting in the library, next to the fireplace. There was a smile on everyone's faces, lit up by the light from the glowing flames. Her mother's was the biggest. It haunted Blossom, that smile. It was everywhere. In her nightmares. In her sisters. In everyone and everything around her. She pulled her eyes away and glanced at the second portrait.

This one was made when she was ten, one year after the death. Unlike the previous painting, there was absolutely no expression on anyone's face. It was like they were all wearing masks, revealing no emotion. That was a traumatizing time for the girls, filled with pain and loss. They made important decisions that year, decisions that changed them. Buttercup vowed to never love again, to never have any deep feelings for anyone, for she was too afraid they would leave her behind. Bubbles decided to give up chocolates and candy, for there should be nothing sweet after this tragic event. Blossom...well Blossom made a promise to never leave those she cared for, and to work hard to become a good leader. And she did. She never went out to play again. Every moment of the rest of her life would be spent working and learning to help her kingdom.

The last portrait hung on the darker side of the hallway, which only made it more depressing. This one was completed only a few months ago. It was't so much as a portrait as a blank canvas. In the midst of the dark background was a single apple. Nobody showed up for the painting. So the artist had simply painted a apple, sitting on a wooden stool. It constantly reminded Blossom of how her family was broken.

"Princess Blossom?" Stephanie hurried over to the girl and grabbed her arm. "Forgive me for being so rude, but the guests have arrived, you mustn't delay anymore!" The brunette ran down the stairs, dragging the princess behind. She stopped in front of the meeting room and quickly fixed any strands of loose hair from Blossom's hair and gently pushed her in.

She stared at the five pairs of eyes looking back at her, then remembering that she was late for a meeting, curtsied, "My apologies for being late, I hope you can forgive me." She dipped her head at the people sitting at the large table. The king stood up and nodded at his daughter, who sat down in the chair next to him. Her eyes were on her father, but she felt uncomfortable, as if someone was staring at her. She turned her head the tiniest bit, and caught sight of a redheaded boy smirking at her. His face was smug, as if he found her awkwardness amusing, and she found her mouth twitching. It was boys like him that she despised. Laughing at other peoples's failure and mistakes.

"...Blossom?" King Utonium glanced at the irritated girl, his head slightly tilted. "Did you hear me?"

Blinking, she shook her head," Sorry father, I wasn't paying attention. I've had a...rough day." Blossom muttered, glaring at the redhead, who was surpessing a laugh. "Can you repeat yourself one more time?"

The king sighed and said, "As you know, The War of the Four Kingdoms have raged on for...enough time already. The king of Gadrea and I have come up with somewhat of a solution to at least stop the battle between our two kingdoms." He sat down and nodded at the man sitting at the other head of the table, who in turn rose.

"That is correct. Our proposal is to...have an arranged marriage between our eldest children." He said slowly, his hands clasping. "We believe that way there would be no reason to continue the fight between our kingdoms, if they are united." The king of Gadrea finished, glancing at the redhead, who was gawking.

The boy stood up immediately, his hands slamming onto the hard wooden table, "Father! How could you do this to me! I am not getting married to this," He gestured to Blossom, a disgusted expression on his face."girl." His father sighed and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Brick. But you must do it for the good of you kingdom. Besides, Blossom is a very charming young lady, I'm sure you two will learn to get along," He sat down and smiled at the boy, who was still pouting. Brick's face then lit up.

"Why don't you let me marry Berserk? You know, the daughter of King Plutonium! She's a rather...good friend of mine," Brick folded his arms and grinned at his father.

The dark haired boy who Blossom had previously thought to be sleeping drawled out,"Give it up, brother. I know you want to get all mushy with you 'lady friend', but if I were you I would definitely pick Blossom here over Berserk. That girl is crazy." he flapped his hand lazily at his Brick, who shot him a death glare.

"I agree, Butch. Her and her sisters are so...ruthless! It's not a good idea to try to work with them. We might end up with a knife in our backs," The blonde boy mimicked someone repeatedly stabbing something.

King Him nodded slowly, "Yes, Brick. There is no possible way for us to form an alias with Cador. They refused to work with any other kingdom when they declared war. I'm sorry son, but there's no choice."

Blossom, who had been quiet this whole time spoke up,"So if I agree to marry Brick, the war between our two kingdoms will be called off?" She said quietly, her eyes meeting Brick's.

Both kings nodded, "Yes, that is correct. What do you say Blossom? Will you do it?" Her father rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course. I will do anything to keep my subjects safe," She replied without hesitation. "It is my top priority, being a princess." Taking a deep breath, she smiled at Brick, who still had his arms folded. "I know I might not seem like much, but please, give me a chance. At least do it for your people."

He scoffed, but didn't object.

"Then it is settled," King Him stood up."The wedding will be in approximately six months, you will that much time to get to know each other." He walked out the door, his sons following close behind. Brick glared at the pink clad girl one last time before leaving the room.

"I hope you know what you are doing, father," Blossom warned the king.

"Me too."


Brick glared at his father as he rode in the carriage. How could he make him do this? Marrying a completely stranger? It was preposterous, it was insane, it was just plain...ridiculous! He was only seven months past sixteen, and not to mention he already had a love interest. Berserk, a childhood friend that soon become more than just a play companion. Maybe she was a bit reckless and violent at times, but he thought she went rather well with his calm, reserved, yet also hot tempered personality. She was not going to be happy when she heard about this.

"I'm sorry, son. I know you are in a relationship with that daughter of King Plutonium, but he simply refuses to cooperate in anyway. Please understand," His father pleaded, leaning towards the Brick. He took the red clad boy's hand and gripped it tightly.

The redhead yanked hand away and snapped," You're not my father. If you were, you wouldn't make me marry someone I've never met before!" He turned towards the window with folded arms, a sneer on his face,"Especially not that Blossom girl! Did you see her? She is so foolish and clumsy!"

Butch yawned and rubbed his eyes,"I don't know Red, but Pinky is definitely better looking than that explosive female dog. I'd choose her if I were you." He put his feet on Brick's lap and was soon snoring.

"How did this happen to me? Stuck with a brother like him! He's disgusting! I am glad we do not share any genes," Brick muttered, shoving his brother to the floor. The darker haired boy only grunted and scratched his ear before resuming sleep.

"You know Brick, I'm starting to think that Berserk is starting to rub off on you. Even though I know we're not actually real brothers, but that was pretty mean. Maybe this isn't such bad thing after all," Boomer furrowed his eyebrows, a frown beginning to for on his face. Him nodded.

"Yes, you have been behaving differently ever since you started seeing that girl. Well, at least I have a good reason to forbid you from talking to her now." The king readjusted his crown, ignoring his son's look of horror.

"You can not do this to me! It's not fair! You can't stop me from being with Berserk!" Brick spluttered, his face red with rage. This was not happening. How could anyone be so cruel as to prevent him from seeing his girlfriend? "I-I'll sneak away! I'll run away to another kingdom with her!"

Boomer shook his head and sighed," Really Brick? Do you seriously think you'd run away? Leave your throne and position as future ruler of Gadrea for a snotty annoying girl like her? I know you, Brick. Ever since I met you that day on the streets, I knew. I knew that you weren't one to give up power, no matter how much. Everybody knows. Just accept your fate," He jabbed a finger at his brother, a sneer on his face. "You-are-getting-married-to-Princess-Blossom."

Brick was shell-shocked. Did everyone really think of him as only a power-hungry selfish jerk? Did people really think he only cared about the throne, and nothing else? He opened his mouth to shoot back a retort, but he couldn't think of one.

Him stood up, a small smirk of satisfaction on his face as he opened the door, "Now come along, it is time for your lessons. Professor Mcraith is waiting." He stepped out the carriage, his robes trailing behind him.

Butch's eyes shot open just as his blonde brother was about to follow their father, and quickly pushed him aside,"Lessons? Is it nine thirty already? Oh no, oh no, this is bad..." He screeched, dashing out of the vehicle, shouting,"Sorry, Father, but I have somewhere extremely important to be!" He hastily took off his crown and tossed it to the king, as if it was worth nothing.

Him barely caught it, a look of pure fury occupying his face,"Come back here young man! I did not give you permission to leave!" The prince simply waved his hand and continued running towards the stables, where his horse was. "Butch!"

Brick rolled his eyes and joined his father, "It's no use. He goes off everyday to some mysterious place, and only returns either late at night or in the early morning, depending on when he leaves. I'm rather surprised you do not know," He cocked his head.

The raven-haired king only sighed in frustration before continuing walking up the steps to the castle, his sons behind him,"Oh well, I suppose there's nothing I can do about it. He is sixteen already. He's old enough to take care of himself. We should let him be."

"Hear that, brother? Sixteen means old enough to take care of myself! I can go where I please!" Boomer laughed triumphantly. "You do not have to worry about me!"

"Butch turned sixteen four months ago, your birthday was the week before last," Brick replied nonchalantly, stepping into the palace. "You, my baby brother, are not allowed to return home at eleven. Besides, Butch is more capable of defending himself."

"Says who?"

"Says me. Now shut it."


While Brick and Boomer were sitting in front of a table, books as far as the eye could see, Butch was at the "mysterious" place. The forest. He sat atop a tree, his hood up, and fast asleep. There wasn't really anything urgent that he he had to take care of, he just didn't want to go to class. Well there was. But that wasn't until ten.

"You're late." Someone shouted, kicking the tree. Butch groaned and rolled over, thinking he was till in bed. Until he realized he was falling.

"Oh sh-" He yelled, before hitting the ground with a loud crash. Thankfully, there weren't any serious injuries. The boy rolled onto his back,"What do you want?"

"You're late."

"For what?" Butch yawned, his eyes still closed. He was seriously getting tired of this routine. All he wanted was to sleep, but some stupid prick just had to wake him up every five seconds.

"You didn't forget our deal, did you?" The person replied, their voice bored.

The prince sighed and glanced up lazily at a pair green eyes.