Dragon's Fury
Chapter 15: Healing Wounds
Bubbles moaned softly as she awoke to the sound of sizzling and the smell of a fresh morning breakfast.
She hadn't had a good night's rest. In fact she barely slept at all. The guilt of what she had nearly done last night and the anxiety of what was to happen today, or what might happen.
She opened her eyes to the morning light and slowly turned over from her sleeping position on the living room couch.
Through her blurry vision she could just barely make out a figure in the kitchen. Blinking her eyes clear she could see it was Buttercup cooking in her stunning green silk robe.
With effort from her tired body she pushed herself and rubbed her eyes alerting Buttercup to her presence.
"You're awake? Good, breakfast is almost ready."
Buttercup's expression was almost completely devoid of emotion, no doubt the whirlwind of thoughts in her head contained innumerable scenarios of the future after today. Bubbles knew because her mind had been in a similar state since yesterday's events. What happened today would change their lives.
"Do you need any help", Bubbles asked sleepily.
"No I'm almost done. Come and sit down."
Bubbles groggily walked over to the kitchen table and sat down as Buttercup placed a plate of eggs and ham in front of her.
"Thank you."
As Buttercup cooked the rest of breakfast Bubbles started eating hers. The eggs were just right and the ham was juicy and flavorful.
Bubbles was one of the few people who knew that roughly a year ago Buttercup had put an effort into improving her cooking skills. However no one actually knew the reason for this. Some thought it was because of a boy but Bubbles wasn't so sure. She was confident that Buttercup wouldn't go to such an effort unless she was in love and that didn't happen. So it was a complete mystery.
True her repertoire wasn't particularly extensive but she could cook as well as most girls and she was far from incompetent in the kitchen, she needed only time to improve.
A moment later Will appeared from the hallway, his hair slightly damp from a shower.
He walked up to Buttercup wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a kiss on the cheek.
"Morning love."
Buttercup's dour expression brightened into a warm smile and her eyes softened.
"Morning."
"Breakfast looks good".
"As if you could expect any less from me."
Bubbles was starting to feel uncomfortable again. It seemed like no matter where she went lately she was a third wheel.
Buttercup put the remaining food on their plates and the two joined Bubbles at the table.
"Sleep well", Will asked her.
Bubbles seemed to shrink a bit.
"Yeah, I slept fine."
She went back to quietly eating her breakfast. She didn't have much to say truth be told, she would most likely get plenty of time to speak later.
"So is my stuff all ready to go?" Buttercup asked.
Bubble's head popped up slightly.
Go? go where?
"It should be on its way today", Will answered. "I'm glad we'll be home before Thanksgiving. It means you'll be settled by the time you meet more of the family."
Buttercup looked at him exasperated.
"Just how big is this family of yours?"
"Quite extensive I assure you", he replied with a grin.
Now Bubbles understood. Will wasn't actually from Endsville after all, he had to go back to his country and Buttercup would of course go with him.
A feeling of loneliness started to form in the pit of her gut along with her food. For as long as she could remember, in fact all the way to their beginning they had been together. While they expected to go and live separate lives as they got older it wasn't something they ever thought about, and of course they never thought it would begin so soon.
With breakfast done Will helped Buttercup carry the dishes to the sink and Bubbles sat in silence still thinking over what she had just learned.
Suddenly the doorbell jarred her out of her thoughts.
Will put the dishes down and went to the door Ferratus following close behind.
Bubbles also got up and waited at the top of the stairs instinctively putting a last line of defense before anyone got to Buttercup who began cleaning the dishes.
Will opened the door and let whomever it was inside.
Bubbles could recognize Bunny and someone else behind her. She looked like a maid.
Ferratus and Will proceeded them up the stairs as they walked up.
"Hey Buttercup look who's here."
Buttercup turned from the dishes to face her brunette sister and a small blonde girl wearing a crimson maid outfit.
Bunny wore a violet t-shirt with black sleeves and small violet shots with black hems that hugged her curves.
"You remember Mercy right Buttercup?", Will asked her.
Buttercup seemed to be able to place her but didn't fully know who she was.
Bubbles remembered though. Mercy was the one who had taken Buttercup out of harms way when they had rescued her. But why was she dressed like a maid?
Mercy curtsied.
"It's good to see you well Mistress."
Buttercup raised an eyebrow and looked at her husband.
"Mercy is going to be your maid from now one", he explained. "After all I won't be there all the time so she's going to be around to help you."
"And you were planning to tell me this when?"
"Yesterday", he replied blatantly.
So yesterday's incident had put a hold on that. Also after all that happened it had probably been the right decision not to bring it up.
Buttercup grimaced and looked back at Mercy. Her red dress enhancing her golden hair and beautiful blue eyes and gave her a warm radiance.
She sighed and decided to drop the issue for now.
"So what are you going here?", she asked Bunny.
"I came to see you", Bunny replied. "I wanted to make sure to be with you when you go to confront you parents."
Buttercup frowned.
"I don't think they'll appreciate that. They still consider you a bit of an outsider."
Bunny snorted.
"Well whether they like it or not you're my sister and after that last stunt they pulled I refuse to let you go alone."
"Don't worry I'm not going to be so naive again", Buttercup said in a low tone.
Bubbles felt a pang of guilt knowing that the reason they had successfully kidnapped Buttercup was because of her own inability to protect her.
"So when are you planning on going?", Bunny asked.
"In an hour or so", Buttercup answered. "It would be better if everyone had breakfast before we got down to talking."
"It's still going to be tense. You're going to have to handle this carefully", Bunny told her.
"I know."
An awkward silence passed before Will decided to break it.
"Well I think I'd better go out and get Ferratus a proper meal. I'll call later."
Ferratus clacked his claws excitedly and followed him down the stairs, leaving the girls alone once he was out the door.
Once he was gone Buttercup turned to Mercy.
"So what's your story?"
Mercy smiled.
"I owe my life to your husband. He saved my life and convinced me to leave the sisterhood. I only stayed as long as I did so that I would be in a position to help you if the sisterhood kidnapped you."
Buttercup and Bubbles' eye widened.
"You knew I was going to be kidnapped!?"
Mercy put up her hands in defense.
"No, no Mistress! The Master merely left me in place because he knew that the sisterhood would eventually come after you. However someone else took you first and the sisterhood simply took advantage of the rescue attempt in order to capture you themselves!"
Buttercup with her eyes shut and arms crossed leaned back against the kitchen counter in deep thought. She stayed like that for a full minute before opening her eyes again and looking back at Mercy.
"So why do you want to be his maid?"
Mercy shook her head.
"No I am you're maid Mistress."
"Pardon?"
"The Master himself has no need for a maid of course. That's why I am to help care for you. With having to bare two children at such a young age while learning to be a wife and continuing your education it's much too stressful for a pregnant mother."
Bubbles had to acknowledge that. With so much on her plate combined with all the changes happening to her body she needed the help. And once the pups were born she would need even more.
Buttercup also seemed to consider this for a moment before rephrasing her original question.
"Okay then why do you want to be my Maid?"
"Well as I said I owe much to the Master, and when I found out he had found a mate I was overjoyed because I had finally figured out a way I could repay his kindness and redeem myself at the same time."
Bubbles was puzzled. 'Redeem herself'? What did she mean by that? Whatever it was Buttercup seemed to let it slide.
"I realized that I could be your personal maid to help care for you in your pregnancy and motherhood. Since he is gone often he would certainly worry about you and I also felt that I could help alleviate those worries if I was there to look after you."
Buttercup sighed.
"All right then. If you'll excuse me I'm going to get dressed."
As Buttercup left Mercy slowly gravitated towards the sink and the unfinished dishes within.
Bubbles decided to join her and began drying the dishes attracting Mercy's gaze.
"I also owe them a lot", was the girl's answer.
Mercy seemed to acknowledge that and the two continued with the dishes.
Bunny smiled.
"Yes Bubbles had been scarred by the events of the other day but at least she was on the road to recovery.
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Mandy sighed and leaned back after finishing her third helping of eggs and sausages, her appetite finally satisfied that she had eaten enough for herself and her baby.
"For being only a few weeks along you're awfully hungry", she told her unborn child.
The doorbell rang eliciting a sigh from the blonde.
"Billy can you get it?"
Billy nodded and left the kitchen to answer the door.
Mandy stretched and yawned. She hadn't slept particularly well last night. Not only did she have her own worries but she was concerned about Buttercup as well. What happened today would determine the future of all three sisters.
"Mandy!"
Startled Mandy turned her head to the living room and saw Lilly sprint through the opening and trap her in a powerful hug. Not the most pleasant experience when one had a full belly.
"Lilly? What are you doing here?"
Krystal then appeared in the kitchen entranceway with the rest of her brood close behind.
Maverick ran up and handed Lily back her stuffed dolphin. Lily accepted it but she kept one arm around Mandy refusing to let go.
Krystal sighed.
"She was really worried about you after she found out what happened."
Mandy smiled and began gently stroking Lily's head.
"I'm fine Lily; really I am."
Mandy then felt a gentle hand on her own head as Krystal began stroking her.
"You did well Mandy; but you shouldn't have put yourself and your baby in danger."
Mandy scowled.
"That woman had to be taken down. Otherwise my children would never be safe."
Mandy felt her shirt being lifted and looked down to see Lily putting her ear against her stomach.
"Are you okay?", she asked in a quiet voice.
Mandy couldn't help but smile. Lily was so innocent, so sweet. She could feel Lily's warmth and compassion flowing into her and connecting with her baby.
Lily smiled and began gently rubbing Mandy's belly.
"Good baby", she cooed. "Grow big and strong."
Mandy chuckled.
"Don't worry. If there's one thing I can guarantee it's that this baby will be big."
Krystal laughed.
"Well babies do need to grow. But as for you Amanda, do you know what's going to happen to you now?"
Mandy frowned. It was something that had been bothering her since last night. Now that she was legally an orphan what would become of her?
"What will most likely happen", Krystal began. "Is that you will probably be handed over to me since I'm you only other living relative."
Mandy looked right into Krystal's eyes and a silent conversation went on between the two.
Mandy's gaze told Krystal that she knew the truth, that she was her real mother. Krystal's in turn said that she was aware, and regretful.
However now was not the time to discuss that. With the young children present they had to be cautious about what they spoke. Still Mandy had to ask an important question:
"Will I have to leave?"
Billy seemed shocked by this sudden revelation.
Krystal sighed and nodded.
"I'm sorry Mandy, but legally you can't. Anyway there's more support for girl's in your position than there is here."
Billy suddenly turned around and ran for the door.
"Wait Billy!" Mandy yelled after him.
She gently pushed Lily off of her and ran after him.
Krystal sighed sadly.
This would be difficult for both of them, and it would test their relationship to its limit.
Billy was already out the door and across the road by the time Mandy got outside. She chased after him being careful to watch for cars before rushing across.
Mandy burst into the house and ran up the stairs to Billy's room where she was confident he would be.
Sure enough she found him lying with his face down on the bed clutching his pillow tightly.
She sighed and sat on the bed beside him.
"Billy I know you don't want to be separated from me and the baby and we don't want to be separated from you either, but be honest, the way things were going before things were going to turn out a lot worse than this."
"I know", Billy said into his pillow. "But I thought we could get through it as long as we were together."
"It's not like we're being forced apart", she told him. "It's just that we're going to be living away from each other some of the time that's all. Anyway we can always visit each other."
"We'll be living in two different countries", he replied bitterly. "It won't be like going to 'Grandma's house'."
"It's better than not being able to see each other at all which is how things were going up until now!", she shouted. "I'm sorry we can't be together but there's nothing we can do about that and besides the place they live is the perfect place for our baby to grow up. And once we both graduate we can decide what to do next."
Billy pushed himself up and sat beside her.
"But what can I do if I'm not there to take care of you and the baby?"
Mandy took his arm and leaned against him.
"You can; not worry about us and focus on school. You can stay in constant contact with me through E-Mail, phone or whatever, and you can come visit at every opportunity."
She looked right into his eyes with her own kind but resilient gaze.
"I know you want to take responsibility Billy but in the end this is what's best for the baby and as parents that has to be what we prioritize."
Billy looked down at the floor and started pulling on his fingers absentmindedly.
"I know, but it's hard."
Mandy gently leaned over and planted a tender kiss on his cheek.
"I know Billy. It'll be hard for both of us, but it's the best we can do right now. No teenage pregnancy goes smoothly."
Billy finally sighed in resignation.
"I'll go it Mandy. It'll be hard but I'll do it."
Mandy smiled.
"I know you will."
Tenderly they pulled each other into a deep warm embrace.
It would certainly be hard being away from each other when they needed each other the most, but they would make it through somehow. They had to.
"C'mon Billy we better get back before my mother worries too much."
The two stood up in unison then walked down the stairs hand in hand but they stopped when they spotted who was walking down the sidewalk through the main floor window.
Buttercup, Bubbles, Bunny and a girl dressed like a maid passed by the house on their way to the Utonium home.
Billy and Mandy both sighed and hoped everything would turn out all right for their friend.
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Blossom waited anxiously in the living room for the arrival of her sisters. Bubbles had sent her a text message to say they were on their way and she now waited with her parents in trepidation.
Blossom hadn't slept a wink last night and not because of the storm. She was worried about Bubbles who had declined to return home after the events of yesterday having slept over at Mandy's. Blossom could only speculate about how her blonde sister felt about all this, and would she be the same again?
Her parents both sat on the couch in the middle of the room. The Professor with his hands together and rubbing them nervously while Margaret tried to calm herself by arranging the flowers in the vase on the coffee table.
As for herself Blossom stood leaning against the wall in view of the entrance too restless to sit down. Her stomach was doing flip flops and her mind was in a maelstrom of its own.
The tension in the air was already so thick and Buttercup hadn't even arrived yet.
As she thought that the door slowly creaked open and Bubbles appeared in the doorway.
The already sky high tension soared to new heights immediately as the blond haired girl slowly entered the house her eyes scanning all around.
Blossom realized she was looking for threats, traps and the like. It saddened her that her sister felt threatened in her own home.
Following her was Bunny who did likewise but more subtly. Blossom noticed her parents ever so slight frown at her presence but if Bunny noticed she ignored it.
Finally Buttercup appeared keeping a measured distance behind Bunny. She looked slightly wary but she didn't appear threatened. She wore a simple green t-shirt and medium length black skirt. Despite this her clothes gave no indication that she was pregnant.
Then surprisingly another girl appeared. A maid?
It took Blossom a moment to recognize her as the insider from yesterday that had helped save Buttercup.
Her parents seemed more confused by her presence since she was completely unknown to them.
They had risen to their feet as soon as they had seen Buttercup enter but didn't otherwise move. They were unsure how to proceed from here. They seemed like they wanted to hug her but didn't want to put her on the defensive, they wanted to speak but didn't know what to say.
Buttercup said nothing and only made eye contact very brief. She navigated herself to one of the plush arm chairs that faced the couch and sat down.
Without saying a word she simply glared at her parents, a glare that conveyed a simple command:
'Sit'
Her parents sat down, establishing without a single spoken word that Buttercup was the one in charge.
Bunny stood to Buttercup's right while the maid stood at her left.
Bubbles came and joined Blossom by the wall giving them a more 'fly-on-the-wall' perspective on the proceedings.
Blossom gave her sister a small smile and was relieved to see her sister return it. It meant that things between them had healed or at least gotten to the point where they could be mended.
With everyone in their place and silence established the meeting began with Buttercup.
"Have you taken the time to consider things more objectively now? Have you finally decided to take my feelings into account?"
Her parents looked at each other for a moment as everyone awaited their answer.
"Buttercup you-", The Professor stopped his sentence and started again.
"We realize that what we did was wrong and we didn't consider your rights to make your own decisions and we are sorry for that."
He paused for a moment then continued.
"But you have to understand things from our perspective-"
Blossom noticed Buttercup's eyes narrow ever so slightly.
"You're fourteen, you've gotten pregnant under unusual circumstances, you changed species, and you were seeing someone who seemed to have a great deal to hide. Then you spend the night without permission and without calling. To us it seemed more like you were being led away. Like you were being stolen away from us."
Buttercup's expression remained unchanged and her eyes still showed great contempt. Blossom sighed inwardly. As much as her parents tried to express their feelings it would probably continue to sound like excuses to Buttercup, and as far as she was concerned there were none.
"We're your parents", the Professor continued. "We're supposed to try and do what is best for you and that's what we thought we were doing."
He and Margaret hung their heads in shame.
"But we were wrong and we abused your trust in us and we can't begin to tell you how sorry we are. You were right, we didn't think it through, we panicked. We know you might never forgive us but we are so sorry."
Their testimony complete and their heads still hanging silence descended as everyone waited to hear Buttercup's answer.
For a long while she said nothing. She simply sat in her chair staring at her parents, gauging their sincerity and their words.
Blossom could only speculate what kind of criteria she had decided on but no doubt regret and repentance were among them, perhaps a little bit of begging thrown in? She could only wait with baited breath for her sisters response.
Buttercup sighed, readying herself to deliver her anxiously awaited response.
"I forgive you."
Her response was simple yet overwhelmingly powerful. Her parents let out a breath they had been unconsciously holding, relieved that the weight of their mistake, their crime had been lifted. Blossom was similarly elated.
"But I don't trust you."
The room went absolutely silent again as Buttercup's sudden addition to her response reached everyone's ears.
Her parents looked at her confused.
"What?"
Buttercup explained.
"I might forgive you for what you did but do you really expect everything to go back exactly as it was before? Do you really think after what you did I'd trust you with my children? With myself? With anything?"
Blossom watched her parents postures slump as though their life force was being drained away.
She had to admit Buttercup had a point. As hard as it was to hear she had every reason not to trust them, after she had quite literally been betrayed. As a mother she had to prioritize her children's safety above all else even her desire to rebuild her shredded relationship with her family.
The Professor managed to bring his head up to look his daughter in the eye.
"Then what do we have to do to regain your trust?"
Buttercup sighed and crossed her arms.
"That will come with time. It'll be a slow process so you're going to have to be patient. Because if you slip up I won't be."
Her tone was one more of warning than spite. Basically she was explaining the conditions for regaining her trust. If they maintained their reliability they would eventually regain her lost trust, but if they at any point made it sink any lower than it already was then she would show little if any more forgiveness, and that would be their end.
An even more sobering thought that Blossom just realized was that if Buttercup was imposing these harsh conditions then it meant that the degree by which she had spared their lives had not been very much. Or it could mean that she had more trust in them than she was letting on and her penalty would be a result of her trust being broken again. Hence the harsh conditions.
Buttercup leaned back in her chair and grasped both arms.
"Do you understand?"
Her parents nodded soberly. They were walking on eggshells and they knew it. It had been made abundantly clear to them. Though Blossom wondered how well they knew about the consequences.
"Then I have something to tell you both. Consider this your first test."
This got all the Utoniums attention. Blossom wondered just how major this announcement was.
"I have to tell you that within the next week William has to return home and of course as his wife I'm going with him."
Margaret and the Professor were thrown back in their seats as if pushed back by an invisible force.
"What?"
"I'm not going to go into details but basically he doesn't have permission to stay here, and even if he did he wouldn't want to stay."
"Surely he would stay for you", Margaret said.
"Of course he would, but I don't want to force him and frankly I don't want to stay much more than he does."
That last remark hurt.
"Why?"
"Because I don't have many memories in Endsville and most of them are bad ones. As for my friends there's only Billy and Mandy really and Mandy's also coming to Canada."
"What? Why her?" Both her parents exclaimed!
This was news to Blossom as well but she suspected it had something to do with Krystal now being her legal guardian. After all who was left to take care of her?
"That's not important now", Buttercup told them, and then she reverted back to the original subject.
"Will's hometown has lots to offer. The people there know who they are and accept them. All his family is there so I'll have lots of support and the kids will have lots of others their own age to play with. There's good education there for them and for me.
The Professor crossed his arms.
"It sounds a little too perfect."
"That's what I said", Buttercup replied. "But he told me to wait and see so I will."
The Professor crossed his arms disapprovingly.
"You put an awful lot of faith in him considering you've only known him for about a month."
"Not considering I've known you for years and you lost all my faith in a single day.", Buttercup replied with a growl.
The professor uncrossed his arms and put his hands down in surrender.
"And after all he's done for me I think he's earned a little faith. He hasn't let me down yet."
Margaret gently grasped her husband's hand and looked at Buttercup with almost pleading eyes.
"He's sorry Buttercup, it's just that we thought it would be several more years until you left the nest."
Buttercup sighed.
"I know, but I have to go start a nest of my own now."
Margaret nodded.
"We know Buttercup it's just that we'll miss you. It won't be the same without you here."
Blossom noticed Buttercup tense up slightly like she was about to make a retort but she relented, deciding to let it go.
"So that's it then. I'll be sure to visit at some point, but it's best not to travel to much when you're pregnant."
"Wait!"
Buttercup about to get out of her chair stopped and stared at the Professor questionably.
"Would it be possible for you to bring Blossom and Bubbles with you?"
The two girls were startled! What did he mean?
"What do you mean?", Buttercup queried?
"Just for the first little while, to see what it's like so they can tell us."
Buttercup narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him, trying to guess what he was thinking. Eventually she sighed and said:
"We'll discuss it."
Blossom and Bubbles couldn't help but smirk and were just barely able to contain a fit of giggles. That was such a parent-like thing to say, and it had come from Buttercup. They were still getting used to the idea of their aggressive sister becoming a mother.
Finally Buttercup stood up and started to walk out.
"I'll call and let you know what we decide."
Her entourage followed her out the door wary until they were out the door and it closed behind them.
With Buttercup gone everyone turned to look at Bubbles, waiting to see what she would do.
Bubbles frowned and started walking towards the stairs.
"I'll be in my room."
As she walked up the steps Blossom expected her parents to call out to her or stop her so they could talk, but they didn't even get up off the couch. They just silently let Bubbles go.
Well maybe for them that was best but Blossom needed to talk to her and followed her up the stairs.
Just as Bubbles door began to close Blossom inserted her foot stopping it then opened it.
Bubbles stared at her for a moment and then sat on her bed.
"I figured you and I could talk at least", Blossom said as she stepped in and shut the door behind her.
Bubbles crossed her arms and sighed.
"I just can't believe Buttercup could be so forgiving. About what they did, about what they tried to do."
"I was surprised too", Blossom admitted as she sat down beside her. "But I think it's shown how much she's grown up. I'm sure she'll make a fine mother now and by the time this trip is done(if we end up going) we'll be able to rest easy."
She wrapped her arm around Bubbles and held her close.
"Then we'll be able to tell Mom and the Professor what we found and that should convince them to let them be and then we can start the healing process."
Bubbles scowled.
"Some wounds never heal."
"These will", Blossom assured her. "I refuse to have you turn into some angsty emo teenager all right? I won't let it happen."
Bubbles smiled.
"Sure Blossom."