Chapter 8: The Forgotten Lore

Bubbles moaned. Her head felt like it had been pounded into a wall a couple hundred times. She tried to move her arms, but they were tucked securelynext to her. Flexing her hand sent shocks of pain throught her palm and up her forearm. Bubbles felt her body moving up and down in a ragged motion. She must be on a horse. Slowly, Bubbles opened one eye to see Boomer over her.

Boomer glanced down at her and gave a smile. "Every thing is alright. Go back to sleep, Bubs." he whispered gently. Bubbles nodded weakly, and reclosed her right eye, dosing back into a pained sleep.

Buttercup sat behind Butch, feeling useless. Why had her Gift have to be Hand to Hand Combat? Why couldn't it have been just combat making her better at a bow and arrow? Bubbles was a boss with a bow and arrow and Blossom seemed to have sharp aim as well. Brick was good with hand to hand combat, not as good as Buttercup, but he could also throw spears in deadly fashions as could Boomer. And Butch's strength was so inhuman, he could throw things at deadly speeds.

But Buttercup seemed to have been cursed as to only being able to puncture people personally. Buttercup scowled, trying to make up her next move. Her aim had always been precise. Maybe if she focused on throwing she could hit her target. Buttercup snatched up a pair a daggers from inside one of Butch's saddle bags. She whipped around just in time to dodge a quarrel flying towards her that came from one of the guards.

For Buttercup, that made choosing her first target easier. No one try's killing the Green Eyed Splitzer without paying the price. Buttercup eyed the man who was gaining fast, being led by a creepy green eyed lady with black hair and bloody red lips. Buttercup glanced at Blossom. It looked like the pink eyed girl was training an arrow on her. In a fluent motion, Buttercup released her daggers, flying true to its target. It helped that Splitzer's eyes were borderline see in the dark. The man flopped off of the horse,with no blood shed. Buttercup growled. Maybe these were those zombie freaks that those urban legends were depicted from.

Buttercup claimed a third dagger and flung it, dropping a second guard. Once again no blood was seen.

Blossom growled, as she notched an arrow. She could feel Buttercup's on her for a split second before she had sent a pair of knives into an enemy. Blossom released the arrow right on target, but Sedusa dodged it at the last second,puncturing a guy behind. Buttercup continued to throw knives dropping close to a dozen soldiers before running out of sharp objects.

Blossom kept releasing arrows but Sedusa continued to dodge fluently. Blossom slayed at least 9 guards, but felt discouraged that she couldn't kill her target. Blossom felt her breath go ragged and it became harder to breath, but she remained motivated.

Butch glanced behind himself at Buttercup and Blossom. Both were keeping their pursuers busy. He looked up towards Boomer who was riding ahead of him. Bubbles was still unconcious. Brick pulled ahead, and shouted at Blossom to hold her fire while he navigated around and in front of Butch and Buttercup.

Brick jumped his horse over a rotting log that was splintered down the middle. Boomer followed, careful not to disturb Bubbles and worsen her painful injuries. Butch hurdled over the mild obstacle, when he felt the weight in the back become less stained. That's when he heard Blossom scream.

"BUTTERCUP!" Blossom screamed in terror, as she watched Buttercup's sleeve get caught on a picker bush, yanking her from Shredder's back. Buttercup tumbled to the ground, slamming her ankle on the stump jutting from the ground. A long sword lay beside her, that was sheathed in her belt before she hit the ground.

Butch whipped around in his seat to find Buttercup several yards behind, standing awkwardly on her right ankle. She held the sword in one hand with a glare on her face,as she waited to meet the oncoming threat. Butch turned his horse around, going to Buttercup's rescue. The white fanged woman and her remaining 7 soldiers were closing in on Buttercup. "Buttercup!" Butch called desperately.

Buttercup showed no sign of hearing. She stood her ground, favoring her left foot. Quick and carefully she struck down the first two soldiers trying to apprehend her. Fast as light, she disabled 3 more. She could hear Butch and Brick and Boomer circling around to come and get her. Buttercup sprang forward,slicing down the remaining soldiers leaving the woman the only one left alive. Buttercup moved in for the kill, but Sedusa leaped out of the way with shear grace.

Buttercup paried her sword, but once again Sedusa deflected the damage. Buttercup growled. How was this crazed lady besting her? Buttercup was the master at hand to hand combat. What is going on.

"Sedusa!" Blossom's voice rang out in a forceful tone that held a hint of desperation. Buttercup didn't turn to face her friends. Turning away from her current threat would only result in her demise. Sedusa smirked, before disappearing into a cloud of black smoke.

Buttercup gasped and sputtered, falling to the ground. She choked back sobs. Sobs of pain and confusion. Butch waisted no time hopping of of his black mare, and scooping Buttercup into his strong muscular arms. Buttercup struggled for a second before allowing Butch to carry her to the horse. Butch looked down at her, his hair sticking to his face s because of perspiration. "Damn it. Buttercup, are you all right?"

Buttercup tried moving her right ankle. The effort sent zaps of pain throughout her leg and up to her right thigh. Buttercup shook her head. "I think I busted my ankle when I fell."

Butch boosted her up into the saddle,then climbed on behind her. He kissed her on the top of the head, but Buttercup pretented she didn't notice while suppressing a happy giggle, which was something she never did. Butch glanced over at Brick. "We should ride a little farther before setting up a campsite for the night."

Brick nodded. "I agree." He turned to Blossom who was still sitting behind him on his chestnut horse. "You had better not get hurt from this point on , Bloss."

Blossom slowly bobbed her head in agreement. "Don't worry. I don't plan on it."

The group walked in silence for a mile before stopping and setting up for camp. Boomer and Butch collected dry twigs and sticks for a few minutes while Blossom healed Bubbles and Buttercup. When enough wood was collected, Brick arranged the wood in a pyramid shape, muttered a short phrase, and a good sized fire was flickering.

Blossom was able to heal Bubbles completely, but she had used up so much energy that she couldn't fully heal Buttercup. Instead, Buttercup's ankle was no longer, but instead just a little weak as if she had twisted it. Blossom had made a point that she would heal Buttercup when she regained some energy.

Bubbles sat on a blanket, munching on a carrot. Brick sat by the fire, slowly cooking a wild rabbit. Bubbles scolded softly. How could they be eating nature's poor creatures? That poor bunny rabbit! Bubbles had been a vegetarian all her life, even before she was able to converse with animals. It just felt wrong to her. And after speaking with one, it's hard to picture yourself eating one. That would be like eating a person.

Bubbles snapped back when Boomer sat down beside her on the blanket. She scooted over, making room for Boomer. "Hey." Be greeted softly.

"Hi." Bubbles responded with a perky smile.

They stared at the flickering flames for a moment in silence. The shadows that the orange glow casted were spooky, looming over trees and foliage creating an eerie feeling. Boomer glanced at Bubbles. "Are you alright?"

Bubbles craned her neck towards her friend. "Yeah. Why?" She asked with a curious tone.

Boomer shrugged. "When you came down from that tower, you just looked perplexed. You were just out of it. Even with having the injuries that you got."

"Oh yeah." Bubbles agreed, bobbing he head vaguely. She stared at the fire again for a moment. Boomer waited for an answer. He was beginning to think the conversation had dropped when Bubbles smiled gently. "When I was in the tower, the king returned to his room before I got out. He looked so familiar."

Boomer raised an eyebrow slightly. "When would you have met the king of Monshea?"

"That's just it!" Bubbles exclaimed, forcefully but quietly. "I have no idea when I would have met him. I have really no recollection of ever even really being in Monshea period. But there's no denying what I felt. And he didn't even look scared when he saw me on his floor. He was smiling."

Boomer bit his lower lip. "What do you think that means?" He asked her.

Bubbles shrugged. "I have no idea. I think I have felt weird connections with Blossom and Buttercup too. But...I am just so confused. I really have no idea what is going on. I I feel almost at a loss for words. " Bubbles pulled her knees to her chest. Wrapping her right arm around her legs, she hung her head.

Boomer sighed. Reaching down, he slipped his hand into Bubbles' hand. She looked up surprised, mildly blushing. Boomer grinned genuinely. "Don't worry. That what we're all here for. To help you find your way..and stuff. It's alright to be confused, but always know that we are here to help you."

Bubbles beamed. "Thanks Boomi." She squeezed his hand, and rested her blonde haired head on Boomer's shoulder. Boomer grinned happily. Yes! At least he knew that Bubbles likes him. She called him Boomi!

Blossom watched Brick, as he rotated the rabbit over the fire. She smiled while she watched him. He just seemed like a great leader. Always trying to come up with ways that would keep his friends out of danger. He was also really, really cute! Blossom couldn't help but be attracted to him. She blushed at the thought of her mind barrier being down, but relieved a sigh when she felt it was still up. She hadn't had a conversation with him all day, which Blossom found a little disappointing. Maybe it was her turn to reach out to him. After all, he had been the one doing all the flirting since they first met. Blossom bit her lower lip. It was worth a shot she supposed.

Is it all most done? Blossom dropped her mental barrier and conveyed her thoughts to Brick.

Brick looked over his shoulder and smiled. Blossom gave a subtle smile back. Brick turned back the fire. Yes, it is all most done. Are you hungry?

Blossom nodded before remembering that his back was to her. Yeah. A little. How stupid was that to say? Come on Blossom! Say something meaningful! You say the stupest things!

Brick shook his head, walking away from the fire. You're not stupid, Blossom. Anything you say...or think...has meaning to me. Brick took a seat on the log beside Blossom, and Blossom blushed. Taking her hand in his, Brick stared into her pink eyes. "You know, you are the most beautiful girl i have ever seen in my life."

Blossom felt tears of happiness spring to her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. "Really?" she asked. It was the only thing she could get out.

Brick nodded pulling her into a tight hug. "Yes." he whispered into her ear.

Buttercup sat on the ground across from Brick and Blossom and a ways to the left of Bubbles and Boomer. They all seemed to be cozying up to each other. She was actually surprised that Bubbles and Boomer didn't hook up right from the start. They always made it obvious that they like one another. Buttercup arose from her position on the ground and trudged toward the meagering shadows past the firelight. Bubbles looked up from making googly eyes with Boomer. "Buttercup, where are you going?"

"Going to get some more firewood." Buttercup mumbled. She escaped into the trees before anyone could ask anything else. Buttercup stomped through bushes before coming to a stop in a ring of trees. She looked up towards the stars and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, Buttercup let loose and screamed at the top of her lungs. She let down her barrier and conveyed a message to Brick saying that she wasn't in trouble. Buttercup pick up a piece of wood shaped like a spere with a sharp end.

A crunch behind startled Buttercup, resulting in her attacking the threat instantly. The person dodged a few punches, but Buttercup faked a punch and kicked hard sending the person sprawling. She sprang forward with her spear, holding it close to her attackerr's throat. She heard low laughter and thats when she recognized Butch in the darkness.

Buttercup opened her eyes wider in suprise but then her expression turned to anger. She pulled back the stick and Butch got up from the damp soil. "Butch, you dumb ass! You scared the shit out of me! I could have killed you." she ranted.

"I know. That's what makes it so funny." Butch responded, with an arrogant grin.

"What's funny?"

"That I am still alive."

"True." Buttercup kicked a rock. The sky had suddenly gotten cloudier.

Butch noticed the clouds blocking the moonlight. "Someone isn't in a happy mood."

"No shit! You scared the crap out of me." Buttercup reminded him.

"Yeah that may be a part of it. But seriously, something else is eating you. You can tell me."

Buttercup rolled her eyes. "You sound like a therapist."

"Tell me about your childhood," he teased.

"You already know about my childhood smart guy."

"Yup. But seriously, whats the problem Butterbutt?"

Buttercup chucked a rock at Butch. The rock crumbled into dust before it could reach his face due to his Earth elemental. "Don't call me that."

"Fine, Butterstuff, i won't call you that." he continued.

Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Why should i tell you?"

Butch did a pose, running his hand over his spiky black hair. "Because, I am the man of you're dreams."

"Only in your dreams." Buttercup grumbled. She let out a paranoid sigh. "Fine, Mr Cool, you win I'll tell you." Butch plopped on a pile of twigs and leaves with Buttercup next to him. "Back when we were on the run from those guards, I felt useless." She paused for a moment. "And I have the Gift of Hand to Hand Combat, but i am no help at all when we need to kill peopl on the run. I just, just cant do it."

Butch nodded. "What finally made you crack. You seemed pretty grumpy after Blossom healed you."

"When i was fighting that woman, she dodged my attacks and everything. Anyone who comes in contact with me with swords are dead almost instantly. But she bested me. I thought that...i dont know." Buttercup hung her head.

Butch wrapped an arm around Buttercup, and to his surprise she didn't protest or move away. She didn't even look up. "Don't beat yourself up BC. Everyone has bad days." Buttercup shifted position, leaning her head on Butch's shoulder. "Remember there is a seventh Splitzer out there. Disoria." His last word dripped with hatred.

Buttercup's eyes shot open. "Do you think that she might have been Disoria? Leading her own army to kill us herself?"

"I don't know. No one has ever seen her, minus her minions and traitors."

"Right. That means that that woman might have been her! Isn't Disoria supposed to be skilled in the matters of most Gifts?"

"Ummm...yes?"

"That would explain why she bested me so easily!" Buttercup leaned forward, pleased with herself for figuring it out. She turned to Buth. "Butch, you're a genius." She leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before dashing back toward the campfire.

Butch jumped to his feet. If he knew all he had to do was listen to her problems to get her to like him, Butch would have done that two years ago. He started walking towards the campsite at a leisurly pace, replaying the past event over in his mind.

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The next morning passed by uneventfully. Bubbles had used her Water element to lead the group to a freshwater stream where they had filled their cantenes and bathed. Bubbles and Boomer laughed quietly together while Butch and Buttercup seemed to complain about who could kill the most guards in a fair fight. Blossom felt the situation felt rather normal and peaceful, as she felt the swaying of the horse beneath her. And she felt safe, holding onto Brick. The day was young, around 9:30, and the day was balmy. Buttercup seemed to be in an extra happy mood which explained the extremly hot weather. Blossom downed the contents of a cantene to quench her thirst. Feeling bored, she decided to make conversation.

"What kind of guards do you think we will encounter at the Forgotten Lore?" Blossom asked out loud, not adressing anyonein particular.

"I bet we will have to face a dragon." Butch said.

Buttercup looked like she was day dreaming. "That would be so cool. Can you imagine it? Buttercup the Dragon Slayer?"

Bubbles shook her head. "Buttercup, they are still living and breathing animals."

Brick joined the conversation. "Yeah but Bubbles, they are evil and it would slay you if you didn't slay it."

Bubbles nodded. "I forgot that they were pure evil."

Boomer brushed some hair out of his eyes. " I don't think that it will be a dragon. I bet it will be some sort of test."

"Like what kind of tests?" Blossom asked Boomer.

Boomer shrugged. "Probably something that will test our Elements."

Brick brought his horse to a halt. He held up his hand as a signal for no one to speak. Straining his ears, he listened intently. Wind seemed to be directed on them, whipping around their hair and belongings vioently. Brick backedup his horse slightly, and he could feel Blossom's grip on his chest and shoulders tighten.

"Brick, what is it?" Blossom screamed, trying to be heard over the gale.

"A griffen. I think it guards the entrance to the library." Brick hollard back.

A moment later, the strong spurts of wind ceased, and a large animal with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion landed on the ground. It screeched loudly, causing everyone to clasp their hands over ears. Bubbles slid down from the saddle, Boomer trying to stop her by grabbing her wrist but missing a couple inches short. "Hello! Are you alright?" Bubbles asked the enormous creature.

"What is she doing?" Butch asked, but then felt stupid for asking.

"She can speak like, every language on earth." Boomer responded.

The animal let out a second howl, then a third. Bubbles bobbed her head as she listened. "One moment." She told the griffen. Turning around, Bubbles began adressing her friends. "Her name is Xedra. Brick was right. She is the guardian to the Forgotten Lore's gates. The fence is invisible, and the key hole is sever thousand feet up in the kingdom of the griffens. Xedra said that she hadn't spoken her native language to a mortal in centuries, and she was so delighted, she agreed to fly the key to the lock and open the gate for us." BUbbles relayed her conversation with the griffin.

Buttercup crossed her arms in disbelief. "You got all that from 2 shrieks?" she challanged with a hint of awe.

Bubbles shrugged. "Some languages are more complex than others. Butch, give me the key." Butch fished the golden sphere out of his pack, and tossed it to Bubbles underhand who caught it easily. She trotted back to Xedra, and exchanged the sphere with the enormous animal. The griffen caught the ball effortlessly in it's eagle talons, and took flight with supernatural speed. A moment later, the clearing in which nothing had been, a giant brick bulding came into view with a huge set of double doors for the entrance.

Blossom's jaw dropped in amazement. How was that not visible? Its huge? That invisibility spell really works.

Xedra returned a second later, without the key. She squawked and Bubbles translated. "She said that once we all pass beyond the barrier, no one outside the fence can see the building."

"What fence?" Boomer asked.

"The invisible barrier is the fence, silly." Bubbles clarified. She turned back to the half lion/half eagle. "Thank you Xedra."

Xedra smiled, the best she could with a beak. "It's no problem. I hope you find what you seek, Miss Bubbles and friends." Xedra flew up towards the clouds and disappeared.

"Whoa, that was pretty cool." Butch exclaimed.

"Come on, lets go." Brick said, leading his horse over the barrier. Bubbles walked over to Boomer, but didn't climb up. Instead, she walked alongside, stroking Zilla's fur. The 6 teens traveled to the giant set of double doors. The building stood at least six stories high, and a clear glass dome sat atop a small tower with a giant telescope viewable. The doors looked even bigger close up.

"So what are we supposed to do? Knock?" Blossom asked, as she slipped out of the saddle to join Butch, Bubbles, Brick, and Boomer who were already at the door.

Buttercup stomped forward, and rapped on the door a few times. "No one's home." Buttercup faced her friends to find Bubbles and Blossom hugging each other with wide eyes filled with fear. "What's the matter?" She turned around to find a red cloud swirling into a creepy red skinned guy with claws for hands and a short black beard and black hair. He was dressed in a red wizard robe that had fluff at the sleeves and hem. Buttercup shrieked and scampered away, hiding behind Butch.

"Hello, little children." he said.

"Children?!" Butch exclaimed, showing a fist. "We're not kids. Me and my brothers are 18, and the chicks are 16, you creep."

"Butch!" Brick scolded.

"Confident, this green boy is." The clawed man said. "I am the guardian of this library. I am called HIM."

"Excuse me Mr HIM, but how do we access the library?" Blossom asked politly.

HIM laughed. "Oh my dear girl, you are truly naive. Do you really expect me to just let you inside a stronghold of such power?"

"I didn't.. didn't know." Blossom replied weakly. She clung onto Bubbles even more.

"What is it that you want from the Forgotten Lore?" HIM asked. He looked down at Brick and grinned wickedly. "You must be the leader. Answer me."

"We seek knowledge that could assist us in overthrowing the sorceress Disoria." Brick replied loudly.

"Disoria eh?" HIM mused, stroking a claw down his face. "would you believe that I knew her from my youth?"

"What?! You knew Disoria?" Boomer finally joined the conversation.

"Yes, yes I did. I helped her reach her powers potential. But she became much more powerful then I ever thought she could ever become. She feared that i would rise up against her, so she tricked me into binding my powers. Then she placed my here, to protect this long lost bookstore."

"What would you want, in exchange for access to the library?" Brick asked.

HIM grinned. He always did like toying with travelers. "Well," he said. He twisted his lobster claw and Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup disappeared from their positions beside the guys and reappeared in a giant bubble beside HIM in the air. Bubbles screamed. HIM continued to grin. "Your three lady companions are beautiful and could serve me well. I'll trade the information in the library for them as my slaves for the rest of their lives. Blossom and Bubbles hugged onto each other crying, while Buttercup pounded on the walls. "What do you say, gentlemen?"

Boomer and Butch froze in horror. They couldn't think of anything to say.

Brick crossed his arms. "I'm afraid that is out of the equation. We would never sell our girls to you for information, no matter how valuable."

HIM snarled, snapping his claws. The bubble disappeared and Blossom landed in Brick's arms, Bubbles in Boomer's, and Buttercup in Butch's. Each couple embraced with Buttercup and Butch hugging the shortest and Bubbles and Boomer hugging the longest. "Well, what do you propose if you will not give me your lady friends?" HIM challanged. "You must pay a fee or die."

Brick stopped an thought. Why couldn't he think straight?! Nothing came to mind that could possibly appease this demonic wizard.

Blossom hid behind Brick, and could tell that he was having a tough time coming up with a plan. She looked up at HIM who was floating airborn, impatiently tapping a claw against his temple. She stepped forward. "Um Mr HIM?" HIM looked down at Blossom. She gulped. It was all or nothing. "Since Disoria is an enemy as well as yours, what if we promised to use the information to destroy her and when we succeed, to come and free you from this prison?"

HIM nodded approvingly. "That sounds reasonable. But what if you fail?"

Blossom gulped. "Fair question. Umm.."

Bubbles stepped forward, standing beside Blossom. "Um Mr HIM, in payment for if we do fail, what if we were to leave you with the scale of a young dragon?"

HIM gasped. "What? You have one? That is one of the sources of ultimate power." HIM glared down at her. "You expect me to believe that a young and innocent girl such as yourself has slayed a dragon and has the scales of one?"

Bubbles shook her head. "No Mr HIM."

HIM nodded. "I expected so." Boomer, Brick, Butch, Buttercup, and Blossom sighed. What was Bubbles thinking?

"I did not slay a dragon to get the scale. But I do have a scale." Bubbles ran over to Boomer's horse, and dug around in her bag for a few minutes before pulling out a bundle wrapped in a whit cloth. She hurried back over to HIM. Unwrapping the cloth, she revealed a whit scale with a shimmer like a rainbow. "Its all your Mr HIM and the content of knowing that there are beings who are striving to overthrow a common enemy if you allow us to pass by safely."

HIM smiled. "You drive a hard bargain, my lady fairest. But I begrudgingly accept your offer." The scale disappeared from Bubbles hands and reappeared in HIM's claws. The giant doors swung open revealing a long, narrow dark hallway manifested with cobwebs. "I hope you find what you are looking for, and I will await the day you destroy my apprentice and set me free. I wish you no harm. Good luck." And in a cloud of red smoke, HIM was gone.

Oh my gosh you guys...I GOT ALL A's ON MY FINALS! Thank you Cococandy21 for wishing me luck and i am sure that your support helped get me through my finals. I even aced math, and i really SUCK at math. So this chapter is dedicated to you. Well, they finally made it to the Forgotten Lore and who would have thought cute Bubbles could negotiate with a demonic wizard? And where did she get a dragon's scale? And was Buttercup right? Is Sedusa really Disoria? Keep reading to find out!