Dragon's Fury
Chapter 6: Family Update
There was bustle and hustle at the Endsville airport as a 737 docked at the jetway
The jet stopped and the engines shut down and after a thirty second wait ramp agents swarmed over the aircraft trying to unload the baggage and cargo as fast as possible.
The jetway connected to the aircraft and the passengers disembarked.
A man who looked like he was in his fifties walked out of the jetway and surveyed the terminal with a body guard on either side of him.
Behind him three more individuals came out of the jetway.
"Is this our final stop Master?"
Esther Willmington was a woman in her mid-fifties but her raven black hair held not a sliver of grey.
To her right was her husband Mark a man of sixty. His hair was not entirely grey but only a few small patches of his auburn hair remained.
Lastly their son Peter had come. He was a very devoted follower and despite being only in his thirties had been on more journeys with him then some of his body guards. Unusual for anyone outside the inner circle.
"This is our destination", the Master answered. "I have a collegue waiting to pick us up."
After the group picked up their baggage they headed outside the terminal.
Limos lined the road in front of them and a small sea of taxis were arrayed on the other side.
The Master led them to a black SUV stretch limo where a large man in a black suit waited holding the door open for them.
Inside black leather seats lined the back and the sides. The driver side seat split by a small bar.
Sitting in the seat beside the bar was a small man in his thirties wearing a dark blue suit and slicked back black hair. He held a small drink in his hands and seemed to have been nursing it for some time.
"Welcome my friends", he greeted. "Do sit down and have a drink."
The Master sat across from the small man with his bodyguards by his side. The Willmingtons sat in the back seat.
"I see you brought friends along", he said raising his glass to them in greeting. "How was your flight?"
Realizing that he was being addressed Mark quickly glanced to the Master who gave a slight nod permitting him to speak.
"It was a long flight but we rarely ever fly so it was enjoyable Mister...
"Pitch", the man replied. "Sales Pitch."
Blossom checked herself in the mirror before she went on her way to school. Bubbles was trying to fit her sketchbook amidst the tightly packed homework in her bag.
Margaret came out of the kitchen.
"Blossom would you mind checking on Buttercup, she should have been down a while ago."
Blossom nodded.
"Sure mom."
Blossom walked up the stairs and headed to Buttercup's door knocking on it softly.
"Buttercup are you awake?"
Hearing no reply Blossom slowly opened the door and saw Buttercup lying on her side with her wings unfurled clutching her pillow against her chest with a pleasant smile on her face.
With her sister looking so peaceful she didn't think she could bring herself to wake her. However she had her orders and it was time to wake up.
She walked over to Buttercup's bedside and leaned close.
"Time to wake up Buttercup", she sang.
Buttercup shifted slightly a frown now on her face.
"Not now sweetie mommy's tired", she mumbled.
Blossom covered her mouth to stiffle a laugh.
"Buttercup you have to have breakfast."
Buttercup rolled on her back.
"Oh honey can't you make breakfast today?"
Blossom was barely able to contain herself covering her mouth tightly so that only a squeek emerged. She couldn't believe the things she was hearing were coming from Buttercup.
Blossom decided to use an age old trick.
"Buttercup there's cake."
Buttercup smiled.
"No Danté, pups can't eat cake it's not good for you."
Blossom was puzzled.
'Danté? Who's Danté?'
Buttercup's eyes suddenly snapped open.
"That's it!"
She bolted upright and the two sisters collided head on. Literally.
"Ow", Buttercup moaned clutching her head. "Blossom what are you doing here?"
Blossom rubbed her head.
"I came to wake you up it's eight thirty. You need to have breakfast."
Groaning Buttercup slipped out of bed and they heard the door bell ring.
The two heard Bubbles answer the door.
"Oh, hi Will."
Buttercup was up like a shot and out the door before Blossom could stop her.
"Buttercup wait!", she called after her, but she was too late.
Downstairs Will and Bubbles were having a light conversation when Buttercup ran up grabbed his shirt and started shaking him.
"William I got it I got it!", she yelled excitedly.
"What, what?", Will asked as she shook him.
"Danté", she answered beaming.
Will collected himself after being shaken and looked at her confused.
"What?"
"Our son", she answered. "His name."
Buttercup was oozing with joy her eyes wide with excitement as she stood on the balls of her feet awaiting his words.
"I like it."
As impossible as it seemed Buttercup's smile brightened even more.
"I hoped you would", she said hugging him tightly.
"Yes I like it Buttercup but you might wanna put something on before you catch a draft."
Buttercup froze and realized she was wearing nothing except her underwear. Her cheeks turned pink but she kept herself together.
"Well it's not much of a problem", she whispered coyly. "You have seen me naked before."
"What was that Buttercup?"
Buttercup felt a weight in her belly afraid that her father might have heard her.
"Nothing", she insisted. Taking a quick look at everyone she slowly released Will and an awkward silence hung in the room.
"I'm going to get changed", she said.
As Buttercup ran up the stairs Blossom floated over to Will.
"So what was so important that you had to take care of yesterday?"
Will shook his head.
"Sorry business. Can't tell you."
Blossom crossed her arms and frowned.
"Surely you could tell your girlfriends sister."
"I can't even tell my girlfriend", he said flatly.
Blossom crossed her arms. What was he hiding all of a sudden.
Bubbles floated over to him and put on her 'cute face.'
"Awwww, pretty please."
Will looked at her, totally unaffected by her charms.
"No."
His voice was so cold it could have frozen Bubbles on the spot.
"I'm back."
Will's cold demenor instantly transformed back into his usual charming smile and then his eyebrow raised in curiosity as Buttercup came down the stairs.
Margaret looked horrified at Buttercup's appearance.
"Buttercup button up your shirt this instant!"
Buttercup was wearing her school clothes but the buttons on her shirt were completely undone exposing a fair amount of cleavage and her midriff was also showing. It was as if the garment had shrunk in the wash.
Buttercup looked at her.
"Sorry mom but it's too tight. I couldn't do the buttons up. I tried."
Margaret sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I guess we're going to have to go clothes shopping again."
Now it was the professors turn to look horrified."
"But you just bought those clothes last month!"
Buttercup put her hands on her hips and looked at him annoyed.
"Well sorry for being unaware that I was going to change species a month later!"
The Professor put up his hands defensively.
"Now now Buttercup I didn't mean it like that."
Buttercup crossed her arms and turned away. She said nothing but she looked hurt.
Margaret put her hands on the raven haired girls shoulders gently.
"Don't worry dear, we'll go to the store later today and get you some better fitting clothes."
"Is there a point to getting more clothes that fit me now when I'm just going to outgrow them too in a few months?", she asked putting a hand on her belly.
"If you're going to go shopping my mother should go with you just in case", Will suggested.
Buttercup smiled.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
"Kay then I'll give you her number."
As Will wrote down the numer for her the Professor walked up to Blossom and whispered in her ear.
"Keep an eye on him. He's up to something."
"I'm already on it", she whispered back.
For a moment or two Will and Buttercup spoke in hushed tones and then shared a quick kiss before Will got moved to the door.
"Shall we go?", he asked the two puffs.
Blossom picked up her bag and looped it over her shoulders.
"Let's go Bubbles."
Buttercup raised an eyebrow.
"If you guys fly there now than why are you leaving so early?"
"Cause we want to make sure we arrive in plenty of time." Blossom answered. "Some of us actually take school seriously."
Buttercup rolled her eyes.
"Whatever."
As Blossom and Buttercup left Buttercup walked up to her boyfriend just as he was about to leave.
"So when are we going to have some us time?"
It suddenly dawned on Will that they had never really spent much time as a couple. Not a good thing when she was carrying his child.
He sighed and scratched his head.
"Yeah I guess we've only gone out for icecream."
Buttercup put her hands on her hips.
"So what are you going to do about it?"
Will shrugged.
"My place maybe? After your shopping trip."
Buttercup smiled. "I'll be there."
"By the way Buttercup you're gonna be by yourself today cause Rayza took Ferratus out hunting in the woods and Bunny's running a few errands with my grandparents and mother."
Buttercup shrugged.
"I'm a big girl I can take care of myself."
Will looked at her firmly.
"Are you sure?"
Buttercup huffed.
"If I can't take care of myself how can I be expected to take care of a baby."
Will smilled and gave her a quick hug.
"That's my girl."
Finally he took his leave and Buttercup watched him go. He started his car and it roared down the street.
She turned around and watched her parents about to leave.
"Be carefull Buttercup", Margaret told her. "I'll have my phone on if you need to reach me."
"And so Will I", the Professor chipped in. "Make sure you call if ANYTHING comes up."
"I will", she replied exhasperated.
The Professor walked over and put a hand on her head.
"See you later than."
Buttercup nodded.
"I'll be fine."
With nothing else to say the parents left leaving Buttercup all alone.
Billy took his books out of his locker his body running on autopilot as his mind was else ware.
He hadn't even been able to see Mandy today. He'd tried and she was still confined to her room with no visitors allowed so she was isolated from him and everyone else.
He closed his locked and then became aware of a spirited discussion going on down the hall.
Mindy and a motley collection of other students were talking to a guy wearing all black emo clothes with black hair to match and four piercings in each ear.
Whatever they were talking about it didn't appear to be an argument. It looked more like Mindy was telling the boy about something that irked her. Not an uncommon event except the boy actually appeared interested in what she was saying.
He was curious and compelled to find out what was going on but he needed to get to class. He would have to think about it later.
The bell hop opened the door and the Willmingtons stepped inside the lavish hotel suite that more closely resembled an expensive penthouse.
A bright golden chandelier hung from the ceiling over a large wooden table with six chairs around it. Further beyond wasan executive sitting room with large leather sofas and chairs with a glass coffee table. A flat screen tv was mounted on the wall above the gas fireplace between two large windows.
On the right side of the room were two bedrooms each with a kingsized bed and there was a bathroom in between.
Esther was beyond words.
"Oh Master you needn't give us such an elaborate room. We would have been happy with just-"
The Master held up his hand.
"Your humility is touching Esther but there was no expense. Mr. Pitch's superiors own this building and blessed us with a free stay to show their support."
Mark looked around in satisfaction.
"It is gratifying that there are others who believe as we do."
The master nodded.
"Indeed. Now I have a meeting with our mutual friends so I'll leave you to get settled. Peter I may need you later."
Peter bowed his head.
"I await your call Master."
Nodding the master left the room with his body guards in tow leaving the Willmingtons to their admiration of the hotel suite.
Sales Pitch poured a glass of champagne as he waited in the small but well furnished study for his guest.
The door opened and his guest walked in telling his body guards to remain outside and closed the door behind him.
"Well Master Jonah", Pitch greeted as he poured champagne in another glass for him. "How did your associates find their accomodations?"
"They were quite overwhelmed", Master Jonah said as he sat down in the red leather armchair. "But you still haven't told me why you wanted them here."
Pitch grinned and took a sip of his champagne.
"Insurance my good man."
"What kind of insurance?", Master Jonah asked slowly.
Pitch gently put down his glass on the oak coffee table and meshed his fingers together.
"You must know of their family."
Master Jonah nodded contemptly.
"Yes both of their daughters ran away when they were young and ended up marrying men that never visited the colony with them. One of them even lives in Germany. They only ever brought their children."
Pitch nodded.
"Yes I can understand that."
Master Jonah put down his glass and narrowed his eyes.
"You know something don't you."
Pitch was silent a moment only taking another drink of chamagne as he considered his next words.
"What I'm going to tell you they must not know. It's best the Willmington's are left in the dark about this for now. If they are told then their daughters and grandchildren will not be trapped in the lie they have created."
Master Jonah looked at him with sudden intrigue.
"What does my mission have to do with them?"
Pitch grinned smugly.
"Why Master Jonah; they are your mission."
An impatient Mandy sat by her window constantly looking up and down the street anxiously.
She was glad not to be sitting in the dark anymore with natural light now pouring in through her window.
All of a sudden her mother had reduced her sentence to house arrest. Although Mandy noted that all this had happened right after her mother's usual get together with her lady friends.
'One of them must've driven by our house', she thought.
Mandy was waiting for her aunt Krystal who said she would come today from the airport. Mandy dearly hoped she would arrive before her mother got back from her errands. Her mother and aunt got along like a wolf and a wildcat stuffed in a burlap sack.
A small rumble from her abdomen urged her to leave her watch post and make herself a snack.
She had been snacking all day and it hadn't been in small doses either, proven by the three layer sandwich she was making.
She groaned as she ate the sandwich. She felt like such a pig eating like this.
Suddenly her ears perked at the sound of a car. It sounded very close.
Quckly she shoved the rest of the sandwich in her mouth and ran to the living room window.
To her delight a large car was in the driveway and she saw who was in it.
She swallowed her sandwich and bolted out the door to hug an unprepared Krystal Bosun.
"Mandy!", she said surprised. "You startled me."
Mandy nuzzled against her like a baby.
"I'm so glad you're here", Mandy cried as tears started to run down her cheeks. "I don't know what to do."
She felt a hand fall gently on her head.
"Amanda."
Mandy froze at her real name and looked up into her aunts green eyes.
"I'm here, don't worry."
Mandy managed to choke back some of her tears.
"I'm sorry", she said wiping her eyes. "I don't know what's happening to me."
Krystal smiled.
"You're hormonal. It's expected."
Mandy looked up at her in shock. How did she know?
Krystal knew what Mandy was thinking.
"I can tell. You just have that look. That feeling." She had seen it in the mirror once.
"Oh." Mandy slipped a few stray hairs behind her ear. "I see."
"Momma", a voice whined from inside the car.
Krystal sighed.
"Comming, I'm comming."
Krystal opened the passenger door and after some minor fiddling gently pulled out a little auburn haired boy.
"Mandy this is Maverick. My son."
Krystal set Maverick on the ground and he and Mandy stared at each other with matching eyes, neither moving. He seemed oddly familiar to her."
Suddenly another pair of eyes stared back at her. Another boy almost identical to Maverick except he had green eyes and slightly lighter hair colour. This was starting to freak her out.
Then still another pair of eyes, this time belonging to a little girl with dirty blonde hair and green eyes but she was noticably taller than the boys and unlike their blank stares she wore a bright smile.
Krystal came from the other side of the car carrying another little girl who made Mandy's heart stop.
She had short blonde hair and blue eyes the same shade as her own. She held a little stuffed dolphin to her chest and looked a little timid.
"Mandy these are my children."
She put her hand on the first boys head and moved from right to left.
"Maverick, Guren, Miril-", she hoisted up the blonde girl in her arm. "And Lily. Children this is your cousin Mandy."
The three children standing looked at Mandy quizzically. Even Miril's smiling face turned to one of puzzlement.
Mandy understood it. She looked so much like Krystal except for the eyes that it was frightning. Some people had thought that she was her mother they were so alike and she didn't look like her own parents at all.
Her grandmother had blonde hair so it could have just been a recessive gene.
"Uh, anyway why don't we go inside", Mandy said gesturing to the door.
She lead them inside and all the children including Lily went and sat on the couch.
Mandy wasn't sure what to do. She had never entertained young children before.
"Are you kids hungry?"
All four nodded simultaneously.
"Okay then I'll go get some crackers."
Mandy went into the kitchen and Krystal followed after telling her children to be good and stay put.
Mandy went to the cabinet and got a large bowl and set it on the counter.
Krystal come up beside her and put a hand on her head.
"You've grown since I last saw you."
Mandy said nothing. She looked upset; her mouth looked natrual but her brows were slightly depressed in a frown.
"Why didn't you tell me about them?"
Krystal sighed.
"I wanted to. I wanted to tell you before they were even born. But I was afraid of Clair finding out."
Mandy knew there was bad blood between the two sisters. It had probably started when Krystal graduated high school at the age of fourteen well ahead of her older sister Clair. Mandy didn't know the details but not long afterwards Krystal ran away from home and became an erotic dancer.
Mandy didn't know exactly what happened after that except that she had gotten involved romantically with someone she met in the audience where she worked. Someone the family didn't approve of.
Some time later she had taken leave from work during which time there was some heated conflict beteen her and her family. Not long after that she had been born.
Mandy felt some nagging in the back of her head that told her that something during that period was especially important to her. That it involved her.
"You could have phoned me."
Krystal shook her head.
"Clair's paranoid. She bugs your phones."
Mandy's teeth clenched.
'I thought it was Mindy doing that.'
Krystal gently wrapped her arms around Mandy.
"I'm sorry Amanda. I don't like to keep secrets from you, but I had to protect my pups."
Mandy was confused for a moment.
'Pups?'
"I lost one once. I didn't want that to happen again."
Mandy felt her aunts grip tighten around her and she suddenly realized what the heated conflict had been about. Krystal had been pregnant and they must have forced her to have an abortion.
Sorrow filled Mandy's heart as the sobering revelation washed over her. All she could do was return the embrace.
"I don't want that to happen to you", Krystal said through teary eyes. "I want you to be happy and raise your children how you want instead of someone else."
Mandy looked into her aunts rippling eyes. They were shedding tears like rivers and were filled with pain. It broke her heart to see it.
Mandy suddenly felt a tuge at her leg and she looked down to see the children all huddled around them. Lily had been the one to tug at her leg.
"Why are you crying Mommy?", she asked Krystal tearfully. "I don't want you to cry. It makes me sad."
Right on cue Lily started sniffling hard about to start wailing but Krystal interrupted her by keeling down and pulling the little girl into a motherly hug.
"Now now Lily, Mandy and I were just talking that's all."
"Then why were you sad?", she asked.
Krystal sighed but smiled at the little blond girl.
"Some things are just hard to talk about sweetie", she told her.
"Now all of you go back to the couch the snacks are almost ready."
Although reluctant the children obeyed and went back into the living room.
Mandy went over to the pantry to pick something out.
"Nothing with sugar", Krystal told her. "I have to put them down for a nap later."
Mandy smiled and nodded pulling out some crackers and pretzels.
"So, when am I going to meet daddy?"
Mandy paused for a moment. Should she introduce them today or wait for later? Did she know about Billy?
"Soon", was her answer.
She looked at the clock and it said 3:00 PM
'Very soon.'
Buttercup lay on her couch in the living room bored out of her mind almost wishing for something to happen. She lay on her side with her head resting on one of the couch pillows staring at the blank TV screen wtih hunger gnawing at her gut.
"Over two-hundred channels and nothing on", she grumbled.
The doorbell rang, awaking her from her boredom induced lazyness.
She got up to answer the door and wondered.
'Who could it be?'
The security panel near the door said it was friendly so it had to be someone she knew.
She opened the door and was shocked to see who it was.
A teenaged boy with dyed black hair and wearing a black hoodie and pants with a chain loop stood outside the door.
"Mitch Mitchelson! What are you doing here?"
He grinned.
"I just wanted to come by and see my favorite Powerpuff."
Buttercup crossed her arms.
"You don't fool me Mitch! You're here because you want something."
Mitch gave her a false hurt look.
"Awww you wound me girl. Not a nice thing to say to a former boyfriend."
Buttercup pointed an angry finger at him.
"We may have gone on a few dates Mitch but you were never my boyfriend!"
Mitch snorted and forced his way inside.
"Maybe, but I'm the closest thing you ever had."
Buttercup crossed her arms.
"That's where you're wrong. I have a boyfriend now."
Mitch laughed.
"You two are only together cause he knocked you up."
Buttercup was shocked and a sense of dread filled her making her stomach seem heavy. Who could have told him? How could he have found out?
Mitch grinned maliciously.
"Did you really think someone wouldn't find out? I have power Buttercup even outside of townsville. The word seems to have passed through your school too.
Buttercup clenched her fists trying to keep her claws in check.
"You've been spying on me."
Mitch smirked and walked up to her.
"I know everything."
Buttercup clenched her jaw.
"Don't think you can intimidate me", she said prodding him.
Mitch suddenly grabbed her wrist and Buttercup yelped in surprise.
"Awww am I hurting you", he mocked. "Not so tough without your powers are you."
'So he knew about that too.'
Buttercup was scared. Without her powers she couldn't fight back like she used to.
Her protective instincts took over. 'But that doesn't mean I can't fight back at all.'
Buttercup clenched her free hand into a fist and forced it up under Mitch's chin.
Mitch reared from the powerful uppercut letting go of Buttercup's wrist and stumbling back.
Now free the green eyed dragoness followed up with a kick to his stomach and a right cross to his face knocking him to the floor.
"Maybe you're not as powerfull as you thought", Buttercup said with a grin.
"That's the thing with you. You bark a lot but your bite's pretty weak."
She walked over to him and pressed her foot on his chest pinning him to the floor.
"Now you're gonna bark and tell me what you came here for and exactly how you know about me."
Mich glared up at her in defiance.
"You can't hurt me that bad without your powers", he growled as he propped himself up on his elbows. "As for how I know I sure as hell ain't gonna tell you."
Buttercup smiled. 'So he doesn't know what I am.'
"Well I'm betting I know why you came here", she said as she put more weight on him forcing him back against the floor.
"You crawled back to me like a snake in the grass because no other girl you were involved with could ever satisfy you. You wanted more, you wanted the best, you wanted me."
She leaned closer a mocking smile on her face as Mitch's face burned with anger and embarassment.
"I am everything you want and more. It bothered you so much that I wasn't yours, that I rejected you, that I was too good for you. So you came crawling back to me, the only desireable femal who had ever been in your life."
His strength fueled by rage Mitch grabbed Buttercup's leg and pushed her off.
Buttercup back peddeled a few steps as Mitch scrambled to his feet.
"I don't crawl to anyone", he snarled. "And it's not you I want it's your brat."
Buttercup was shocked, horrified and she covered her belly instinctively.
"Why would you want it?" she demanded with fear creeping into her voice.
Mitch grinned sadistically.
"I'd turn it into my little enforcer. No one would cross me if I had a collector with superpowers. If it's a girl it'd be even better. Guys would pay millions for her... services."
Buttercup's blood turned to magma. She had never been so disgusted and angry in her life.
"You're not touching him!"
Her shirt was torn apart as her wings burst out and her claws extended. Her eyes shone a bright angry green as she stared into Mitch's shocked and terror filled eyes and she let out a high pitched roar.
"W-w-what are you?" He asked fearfully.
He turned to run but Buttercup was on him in the blink of an eye.
She tackled him to the ground pinning him with his back to the floor and holding his arms.
"Not so tough now are you", she growled.
"G-g-get off of me!"
She snorted.
"Or what? You'll whistle and some chiwawa will attack me? You're not as strong as you think you are."
A small gurgle and rumbling sound interrupted.
Mitch looked puzzled while a malevolent grin formed on Buttercup's face.
"Hear that?", she asked. "Danté is telling me he's hungry. I'm his mother so I need to feed my pup."
She licked her lips hungrily.
Mitch began to sweat.
"Y-your just trying to psych me out. You wouldn't- you can't."
Buttercup smacked her lips.
"You fancy yourself a big strong guy. Let's see how much meat you have to offer."
She flexed her fingers and then pulled her claws along Mitch's flesh and he screamed as his skin was torn open.
"Well from how firm your arms are and all that mussle I'm seeing there you seem to have plenty for us. You should be grateful. It's the most use you've ever been in you life."
Mitch began to panic.
"Come on Buttercup let me go. For old times sake. I'll give you anything you want. Didn't our friendship mean anything to you."
Buttercup angry face returned.
"Of course it did!", she yelled angrily. "But you changed. You got in with the bad crowd and even when I asked you to you refused to leave. The Mitch that was my friend is gone. All that's left is you. To me you're not my friend. You're food."
Butch looked up in horror as Buttercup's mouth opened revealing her sharp teeth. A bright emerald flash was the last thing he saw.
And so the next chapter is complete at last.
A brif cameo by Mitch Mitchelson from PPG as well as the introduction to Krystal Bosun Mandy's aunt.
In this chapter you find out one of the reasons this book of the series is called Dragon's Fury.