Heart of Gold

Blossom curled up into a ball. It was their fourth night at Sledge Rock and they still hadn't decided where to start. According to Mojo, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup had to discover their past using talismans and one of them was missing theirs. But they also had to find the Sword of Light and put together an army.

Bubbles came up beside Blossom. She smiled, trying to ease the mood. All three of them had been a little out of it since the Oracle's prophecy. "Hey, Bloss. You alright?"

Blossom smiled weakly. "Yeah I guess. I've just been trying to understand this whole situation."

Bubbles nodded. "yeah. I have to. Buttercup has too, although she doesn't let on." The two turned to where Buttercup and Butch were arguing over something.

Blossom sighed. "This whole trip has been just crazy." Blossom and Bubbles sat silently for a moment. "Hey, ive been meaning to ask. How did you get a dragon's scale?"

"Oh that. I found it in that vault back at Monshea when we broke into the king's room."

Blossom reclined back against the rock she was leaning against. Eyes jerking open, she sat up quickly. "Hey! Didn't you say that you felt a strange connection when you saw the king?"

"Um yeah," Bubbles confirmed.

Blossom felt giddy with excitement. She finally felt like she made a breakthrough. "What if the king is a key to discovering our past?"

A grin spread across Bubbles' face. "Blossom, you have got to be the smartest person I know! We have to tell Buttercup." The two girls hopped up and darted to where Buttercup and Butch were now sparring. Bubbles jerked at Buttercup's arm. "Buttercup!"

"Wha- what?" Buttercup asked, annoyed.

"Remember when Bubbles had that connection with the Professor of Monshea?" Blossom asked her.

Buttercup nodded. "Yeah. That's all she talked about for like 5 hours that night."

"The Oracle said that we have to rediscover our pasts. He told Blossom that the bond between us is strong and important. What if the king is the key to rediscovering our past?" Bubbles explained quickly, using her hands to describe her words.

A smile crept onto Buttercup's face then vanished. "Although that's true, but what about the whole talisman part? Don't we need those?"

Blossom folded her arms. "They probably tie in there somewhere. At least it's a start."

Brick and Boomer entered the room. "Ooh girl talk. What's the hap?" Boomer asked, striding over to Bubbles.

"Whats the hap? Corny, Boomer." Brick muttered, coming alongside Blossom and wrapping an arm around her waist.

Blossom rolled her eyes. "We were just talking about the whole 'rediscover our past' deal. Just tossing ideas. That's it."

"Well alright."

Butch crossed his arms. "I feel like we were left in the dark. And Mojo hasn't been seen since the future telling. What is up with that?"

Brick sighed. "I know right. There weren't specifics. Now we're just left to piece this together ourselves."

Buttercup stomped a foot. "I always did hate puzzles."

Boomer yawned, and Bubbles giggled. "Are you tired Boomie?"

Boomer wrapped an arm around Bubbles' shoulder. "Yeah. It is like 11:00pm. I could use some rest." Bubbles and Boomer started toward where they had their sleeping bags set up.

Buttercup stretched her arms, reaching them up over her head. "Yeah. I think a good night's sleep would do my muscle good. This one does put up a good fight." She used her thumb to indicate Butch. Butch smiled proudly, before him and Buttercup wandered over to their sleeping bags.

Blossom felt her eyes droop. She hadn't realized how tired she was until now. Brick scooped her up, bridal style. Blossom leaned her head against his chest with her eyes shut as he carried her back to their own sleeping bags. Brick grinned. "Tired much, Bloss?"

Blossom didn't open her eyes. "Yeah, im pretty tired Brick. You know, keeping up with my abilities is pretty tiring. And healing Butch and Buttercup every time they land a perfect punch on each other is tiresome too," she replied in a muddled tone.

Brick grinned as he lay her down on the soft animal fur blankets covering her sleeping bag. She didn't toss or turn as he took his spot on his sleeping bag directly to the right of Blossom. He couldn't help but think how lucky he was to have her. She just completed him. He really wished that she would stop thinking that she was going to die. She had been worrying senselessly over the thought for the past four days and it was stressing him out. Letting loose a sigh, he leaned over and planted a kiss on Blossom's cheek. She was out cold, but a smile twitched at the corner of her lips. Brick rolled over on his side, as he fell into a deep and happy sleep.

L7 L7 L7 L7 L7 L7 L7 L7 L7

"Blossom! Blossom!" and eerie voice called.

Jerking awake, Blossom glanced around. Bubbles was sleeping soundly, and Boomer was drooling over his pillow. Buttercup was obviously sleep-fighting again and Butch seemed to be hugging his pillow, maybe in a nightmare. She glanced to her right. Brick was snoring softly. Preparing to lay back down, she heard her name being called again.

"Blossom!"

Blossom shimmied out of her restraining covers, and slipped into her pink cotton jacket. Tip toeing away from her sleeping spot quietly, she pulled on her silk flat shoes and continued toward the mouth of the cave. Who would be calling her at this time? Should she get someone to come with her? Probably safer.

"Blossom! I've missed you!"

A chill went down Blossom's back. Who would miss her like this? Sedusa wouldn't have missed her, would she?

"My darling baby girl, where have you been?"

Blossom felt compelled to race to whoever was calling her. It couldn't be her mother could it? Her real mother? Blossom ran through the cave and past the dragons. Stopping at the edge of the cave, she listened for the voice again.

"Honey?" the voice rang out.

The voice was soft and came from down the mountain. She jogged down the trail that had led her to the Oracle's cave less than a week ago. The rocky ground was slick, from water so it must have rained a bit ago. Tripping over rocks and stones with her sleep numb legs, Blossom spotted a dark figure standing with perfect posture a ways down the path at the edge of the cliff.

Blossom held her breath as the figure turned toward her. The person's face was covered in shadow and Blossom couldn't distinguish who it was. "Blossom, follow me. It's important," a soft voice called to her. Then the figure took off down the slope, faster than what a regular person could go.

"Wait!" Blossom shouted, chasing after her down the steep slope. "Wait! Who are you?"

A white mist rolled in when she reached the base of the mountain. She had run for a good straight 20 minutes and the trip down was easier and faster than the trip up. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her legs felt like they would fall off. Why couldn't she have a Gift of Endurance? She paced herself as she entered the forest. The fog was much thicker now, and she could barely see her hand in front of her face. Dark green and gloomy tops of the trees were visible. "Hello?" Blossom called out. Her voice returned in an echo.

"Blossom." It was the same voice, only darker, and much more cold. Blossom shivered. She shouldn't have come. "How unwise of you to come here without someone to keep you safe."

Blossom turned in a circle, trying to pinpoint the location of the speaker. "Who a-a-are you?" she asked, barely a whisper. She felt lost in a sea of white, with all her defenses lowered. Now would be an excellent time to have Hand to Hand Combat. At least Buttercup didn't have to live in fear. Charging up an ice ball the size of a bowling ball, she rotated to her right.

A dark figure appeared, masked in black. She seemed to have just walked out of the mist like a ghost. She had black eyes, with a glint in them and black hair pulled back in a black headband that blended with her hair. She wore black boots, black pants, black shirt, and a black cape. She looked the way death might if it took a shape. An evil grin crossed her fanged lips. "Your worst nightmare." With a sudden jolt of the wrist, Blossom's ice block dissipated into the air.

Blossom felt her heart race quicken. How was she going to make it out of here? Taking a deep breath, she tried to imagine what Brick would do, or Buttercup, or even Butch. Sadly, Bubbles and Boomer would probably faint if they were in her position. "What's your name?"

The figure smirked. "Raven."

Blossom tried hiding her nervousness and forced a chuckle. "Raven? Are you serious? You're like a little birdie, and I'm supposed to be afraid?" Okay, now she was regretting saying that.

Raven smiled indifferently and she spoke. "I get that a lot as far as first impressions." Her hand started down towards her hip. She took a few steps toward Blossom, which made her heart skip a beat. Then Raven produced a pair of swords from her belt, and pounced at Blossom, positioning herself so that one sword was behind Blossom's head, and the other was barely touching her throat. "You see, Blossom, this is why those people never live to tell the tale."

Blossom gulped. Alright this was it. She was dead. Now she couldn't raise a family with Brick. Dorton was doomed and everyone in it. Life sucks. "Alright. You got me. Kill me."

Raven dropped her swords to her sides keeping a firm grip on the hilts, and used her booted foot to kick Blossom away from her. Blossom fell on her hands and knees and started coughing and rubbing her throat. Raven swung her swords in a circle impressively. She had obviously practiced. Turning around so that she was sprawled on the ground with her legs spread, and hands propping her up, Blossom looked up into Raven's black eyes. "You're not going to kill me?"

Raven smirked. "Not yet." Closing her eyes in an arrogant conduct, she swung her swords and began walking around Blossom. "I'll admit, I would love nothing more than to slaughter you right now, but you being alive will not affect her highness's plans. At least not directly."

Blossom sighed. At least this Raven character didn't know about the prophecy!

Raven grunted. "You see, her highness would prefer toying with her enemies. Help them out a bit, then crush them as hope sparks."

Blossom frowned. Disoria is one crazy lady.

"This is the lifeline that she is making me make. I eagerly hope you do not need it, although Sedusa had mentioned it might be necessary. Maybe she will be able to convince you otherwise."

Blossom gasped lightly. "Sedusa?" she whispered to herself.

Tossing her head back, black hair flowing, Raven bellowed a cackle. And in a twist of dark smoke she was gone. Blossom twirled as the mist got heavier again. Mid turn she saw a humanoid shadow. "There she is! My little Rose," said a familiar voice.

Blossom growled. "Show yourself, Sedusa. I know that's you."

Walking out from beneath an arch of tree branches, Sedusa appeared wearing her hair in a side braid and a red evening gown with green snake designs that crawled up the hem. She wore a big smile on her blood red lips. "Oh darling, I was afraid I would never see you again!" She approached Blossom with outspread arms.

Blossom pulled away from the forced embrace. "Don't you dare hug me after everything you have done to me! You lied to me, hurt me! Used me! How could you?" Blossom formed two ice shards, and readied them as if they were daggers.

Sedusa frowned. "Honey, do you honestly think that it was me who wanted to do those awful things?"

"Um, yes!"

Sedusa put a hand to her forehead. "Oh." She glanced back up, trying her best to appear concerned. "Oh Blossom. I protected you! Disoria wanted you dead when you were born. But I saved you, by raising you as my own. I knew she wanted the death of the six of you, so she could go free from her prison. But I saved you, and helped you become the woman you are now!"

"Then why don't I fully believe you?" Blossom scoffed back, readying her ice shards to stab for the slightest act of aggravation.

Sedusa sighed. "Darling-"

"Don't call me that! I am not your darling!" Blossom felt ready to cry. She felt ready to attack. She felt ready to run away. She was going through to many emotions at once.

"Blossom, you really must calm down." Sedusa could sense Blossom was about to burst into tears. She strode up to her and draped her cloak over her shoulder. Being so disoriented, Blossom barely noticed, and began to hyperventilate as she dropped to her hands and knees. "But, dear, Disoria is a forgiving woman. I'm sure if you and your friends begged for forgiveness and swore loyalty unto her, she would spare your lives opposed to the certain death you await now."

Rising to her feet, Blossom felt a sudden urge of resistance. "Why? So I could be a slave to an evil being for the rest of my life? So my friends are? So the rest of the continent suffers? No." Sedusa crossed her arms, disapproving her answer. Blossom hesitated briefly at her next question. "Who did you kidnap me from? Where are my real parents?"

Sedusa cackled. "Blossom, you must be mistaken for you are my daughter!"

"Enough lies," Blossom hissed. "I know that you are not my mother. No mother locks away their child into an isolated forest and keeps them prisoner! No mother, uses her child as a slave. No mother works her child until that poor young one has bleeding fingers, broken bones, and a high fever!" Blossom hadn't realized, but every time she spoke, she took a violent step forward and she was screaming her comments now.

Sedusa grinned, folding her hands and entwining her fingers. "Good, good. Let your anger take hold of you. It is a keen source of power. Think of all the things we could accomplish, if you joined Disoria and I! We would be unbeatable. You could be even stronger one day, if you train with her highness."

Blossom took a deep breath, trying not to let her rage consume her. This is what her enemies wanted. They wanted her to use her anger and sorrow and past miseries to crave revenge. To become something she wasn't, and never wanted to be. To become something she had been running away from her entire life. "No, I will never join you! My friends have faith in me! I can overcome your evil and temptations!" she said loudly and proudly. "You are not my mother!" she screamed, forming two more ice spears. "Leave me now before this must take a turn for the worst."

Sedusa seethed. Blossom was supposed to be weak in the heart! How could this be? "You're absolutely right! I am not your mother!" she snarled at Blossom wickedly. "I never was, and I did love you for a time, but not because I loved you for you. It went much deeper than that! You were supposed to have been mine all along! Somewhere deep inside of me, I wished that everything had worked out, so I didn't have to serve Disoria. That I could have lived happily ever after with the one I loved with you as my darling baby girl! But no. Your daddy had to ruin it all!"

"What did you do to my father?"

"Certainly not what I should have done. I was still too weak at the heart to kill him off. Instead I did something else. Perhaps it was too good for him."

"Where are my father and mother?! Who am I?!" Blossom screamed, becoming frightened. This was just crazy! Was she dreaming? If she was dreaming, she really wanted to wake up now!

Sedusa let out an ear splitting scream, as she snatched at a dagger tied to her waist. Yanking it free from its sheath, she threw it as hard as she could. Blossom jumped back, avoiding the projectile by inches. Blossom sprang from her spot, producing her icy knives and lunged for Sedusa. Sidestepping the attack, Sedusa used a smaller dagger hidden in her boot to slice Blossom's perfect face. Blossom tumbled toward the dusty ground head first, misty fog swirling around her. Her hand wandered toward the cut on her face that was a few centimeters deep and burning horribly, with blood mixed with a green venom dripping down her face. Blossom screamed in pain as the poison spread throughout her face. She could hear Sedusa laughing proudly behind her.

"My dagger was soaked in the venom of a shmake." Sedusa boasted, proudly. "You can be dead within hours, with horrible suffering ahead of you. All it takes is one scratch…to kill even the most purest of heart." Sedusa tossed the dagger into the air and it rotated. As gravity pulled it back down, she caught it by the hilt effortlessly. "It will be a real shame that your friend Brick will be lonely. He loves you. So do the others. It will be so much easier to butcher them once they are cast into a sea of depression over your death."

Blossom pushed herself up from the ground, forming several ice-like darts. "Never threaten my friends again!" She screamed as she threw the tiny weapons at her once called mother.

Sedusa did a backwards handspring, missing one while the other sailed passed her shoulder, slicing it open. Tucking in her legs, she did a no handed cartwheel, just scarcely dodging Blossom's new icy weapons that took flight.

Blossom felt perspiration dripping from her forehead. She could tell the poison in the cut from the dagger was spreading faster and she was feeling light headed. She swayed to the side, steadying herself using a tree. When she looked up, Sedusa was charging for her. Shrieking, Blossom dove forward, hugging onto Sedusa's legs, making her stumble forward. Trying to formulate a plan, Blossom got to her feet, only to be knocked down again by a lock of Sedusa's genetically enhanced hair. She felt her bones becoming weaker by the second, like it was the end. Feeling helpless, she lay on her back defenselessly. Sedusa approached her with a wicked grin on her face, a grin Blossom had hoped she would never see again.

Kneeling beside her, Sedusa dropped a gold heart on a golden chain onto her chest. Taking Blossom's hand in hers, Sedusa whispered, "You chose the wrong side of this war. I will see you dead yet." Rising from the ground, Sedusa sauntered away. Blossom tried to stand up, but her feet and legs weren't cooperating. The pain was so intense, that she didn't have the strength to heal herself. It was even a struggle to keep her eyes open. Clutching onto the necklace, her eyes slowly closed, as she drifted into a painful and nightmarish sleep.

hope you liked the chapter. Sorry that it's not so long, but i typed this at like 1:00 in the morning! Its the best i could manage. So..the next chapter is in progress and more familar characters will show up! Heeheehee

I 3 you guys! comment!

~PFG