chapter 17: Sisters and Princesses
Boomer rested his head against the rocky wall of the cave. He was sitting between a giant rock and the wall, in hopes of staying hidden from anyone that might venture near. It had been almost 2 hours since the girls had pretty much abandoned them, and he was getting restless. Butch and Brick had explored down the tunnel a bit more, while Boomer had been assigned the post of watching the cave. The girls should meet up with them at this intersection.
Boomer felt a crick in his neck. He had been crammed up in a ball for nearly an hour, and his muscle felt stiff. Using his upper leg muscles, he pushed the boulder away and climbed out of his spot. He wasn't sure why he had crawled back there in the first place. Oh wait. Yes he did. Brick had made a comment about crazy beasts and monsters.
He placed his hands on the lower part of his spine and leaned back. Several cracks were heard. He glanced over at the the tunnel, feeling certain he heard footsteps. He hurried over to the opening of the tunnel. Raising his hand, he tried to pass it through the opening only for a purple shield to repel his attempts. That's how it had been. Home, Brick, and Butch hopelessly trying to force themselves into the tunnel to go after them, but the purple spell kept them out. It was in vain and they eventually had to face the fact that they couldn't get through. Brick and Butch had then decided to go scouting ahead, but Boomer could tell that they were freaking out just as much as he was.
Boomer eyed the cave. That time he felt sure he had heard something. He was hoping and praying that Bubbles was safe. Of course he wanted Blossom and Buttercup to be safe though as well. More footsteps. Then voices. Then shadows. "Bubbles!? Blossom?! Buttercup?! Is that you?" He called out.
The shadows around the corner stopped moving momentarily. "Boomer?" A voice ventured out, sounding very similar to Blossom's sweet and cautious voice.
"Blossom? Yeah! It's me Boomer!" Boomer called out again. New found hope rekindled in his soul. Once again he desperately fought against the purple forcefully keeping him away.
"Boomer!" A second voice sang gleefully. Boomer smiled brightly although no one could see it. That had been Bubbles happy and giggly voice. The shadows started forward again at a faster pace, but remained relatively slow. To avoid traps most likely.
Three figures rounded the corner. Bubbles could see a shadowy figure at the end of the cave, but she could tell it was Boomer. She giggled to herself at the way his blonde hair spiked out to either side of his head, like Angel wings. No longer being able to contain her excitement, Bubbles sped off after Boomer.
"Bubbles! Wait for us!" Buttercup grunted, picking up her speed. Buttercup and Blossom ran alongside each other, sheathed swords clanging against their thighs.
Bubbles pounced into Boomer's arms, pulling him into a tight hug. Boomer hugged her back forcefully, making sure that she was there and not an illusion. Pulling back slightly, Bubbles pressed her lips against his and they shared a tender moment. A slight groan and a giggle pulled them out of their kiss. Bubbles and Boomer blushed seeing Blossom and Buttercup making kissy faces.
"Hey! Stop it you guys!" Bubbles coughed out, blood rising to her cheeks.
Buttercup chortled. "You guys are so beautiful together!"
Boomer grinned in a mocking. "Buttercup, that's the most beautiful thing I have ever heard you say to us." Buttercup rolled her eyes.
Blossom's lips widened into a sly grin that riches ear to ear. "Wanna know what I find the most beautiful?" Everyone turned in her direction, but she didn't give anyone a chance to make a comment. "I think Butch and Buttercup together is sooo adorably beautiful!"
Bubbles and Boomer started laughing silently to themselves, holding hands. Blossom smiled hard,keeping her laughter inside. Buttercup made a fist, relaxed her hand, then made another fist. Her face was red from anger mixed with embarrassment. "Shut up." Buttercup locked her jaw, and stomped past them and down the tunnel, Sword of Light clanking behind her.
Blossom, Bubbles, and Boomer shared a three way laugh before following Buttercup. Blossom smoothed her dress. It was still a little wet from their swim, and stuck to her legs a bit. "Where did Brick and Butch go?"
"They went ahead to scout for an exit not to long ago. You three were gone a long time." Boomer replied, swinging his and Bubbles' entwined hands back and forth.
"Yah. It was some craziness in there too." Bubbles commented, rolling her neck around her shoulders.
"Yeah. It was like the tunnel itself was the guardian." Blossom added. Her bare feet felt cold on the solid stone. She felt movements behind her in the dark, but before she had time to turn around, Buttercup had snuck up and tazered her side's. Blossom jumped with a shriek.
"Sweet, sweet revenge." Buttercup snickered, hugging her side's.
"What did you guys see in there?" Boomer asked.
"Maybe we should tell you when we're all together. That way we don't need to repeat it." Bubbles suggested over the arguing of her two sister like figures.
Boomer made his famous puppy dog eyes. "Pwease Bubbly? In a nutshell at least."
Bubbles tried to make a straight face, but broke down a minute later. Blossom and Buttercup were still fighting, so she wasn't going to get any help from him. "Well, first we were in a really cold cave, and then we were in a really hot cave and Blossom had to use her Ice to cool us down. Then we had to swim across this cavern and then we found the swords."
"Don't forget to add worthless swords." Buttercup murmured. She had Blossom in a choke hold. Blossom flailed her arms a bit, but squirmed out of Buttercup's grasp. Rubbing her neck, Blossom took a few heart controlled breaths.
"What do you men worthless?" Boomer shot a skeptical side glance in Buttercup's direction.
Buttercup raised her arms as if in surrender. "They seem very dud like if you ask me. Like a stupid waste of time to steer good people on a road of lost hope."
"Wow," Bubbles breathed airily to herself. "That was deep."
The group carried on in silence for the rest of the walk. The tunnel winded and seemed to stretch on forever. Buttercup crossed her arms and rubbed warmth back into her goose bumped flesh. The gold stone sent chills up her feet and through her spine as she padded barefoot across the ground.
Finally the cave opened up into a wider cavern similar to the one they met Fuzzy Lumpkinz at. Moonlight flooded into the mouth of the cave. Pitch dark was beyond the cave, so it was visibly around midnight. Bubbles cocked her head. It was odd that she couldn't at least see some of the trees since she could pretty much see in the dark. There almost seemed to be a magical fog. Brick and Butch stood at the end of the cave, observing the night.
Blossom felt rocks crunch under her foot, breaking the silence of the night. Brick and Butch whirled around. Blossom winced slightly as everyone's attention fell on her for a moment. Peeking open one eye, she saw a blur of red. Then Brick was spinning her around in a circle, and they were laughing.
Buttercup rolled her eyes with a huff at the display. It's not like they weren't ever going to see each other again. A tap on her shoulder brought her face to face with a pair of deep forest green eyes. She tried hiding a smile as she flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. Now she could appreciate Blossom and Brick's moment a bit more, now that she felt a huge weight being lift off of her heart just from being held in Butch's arms. Damn. That was sappy.
"Why did you guys leave like that?! I told you not too!" Brick murmured into Blossom's tangled and dirty hair. He placed her down on her feet, and they just stood there in a tight embrace.
"We did what we had to do." Blossom sighed into his red vest.
"Yeah! We can't let the boys us up by taking all the risks." Bubbles added. Boomer was holding her piggy back style, and her bare feet dangled at his side's.
"It's not about showing you up, but keeping you safe." Brick pointed out. Blossom broke away from the embrace, but they remained close together with entwined hands.
"We can take care of ourselves! How do you think we got along before we met you guys?" Buttercup chipped in with a proud undertone. She placed her hands on her hips , and assumed an important pose.
Butch smirked. "If memory serves me, you and Bubbles were half dead in a pile of bushes on the side of the road and Blossom was locked in a tower in an isolated part of the woods." Buttercup turned red with anger. Butch grinned harder.
"Shut up, Butch!"
"Whatever. We made it. And those traps were brutal." Blossom muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"What guardian did you face?" Butch asked eagerly. He almost bounced where he was standing. "Was it a hydra?"
"A what what?" Buttercup wondered. She rolled her shoulder and rubbed her arms, stretching them out. Her cloths were finally glasnost dry.
"A hydra. A dragon with seven heads." Boomer clarified, bouncing Bubbles higher onto his back.
"Nope. The guardian was more like the cave itself." Blossom answered. She explained what had happened in full detail. Boomer and Bubbles just tuned out, after having related the story to each other all ready.
"Wow...that cave sounds dope! Wish I could have gone!" Butch moaned, feeling sorry for himself.
"That cave sounds dope? What kind of sentence is that?" Brick narrowed his eyes at Butch who just grinned. He justst shook his head slightly before walking to the cave. "We only have about 20 minutes to get out of here. Yet I hesitate."
"Why do you hesitate Brick?" Bubbles asked, sliding down from Boomer's back.
Brick turned around so he was facing the others. "Because its been abnormally quiet. I wonder what happened to Princess and Bunny."
Buttercup shuddered. "I hope those dragons didnt get them."
"That might be the case though." Boomer speculated sadly.
"What are we gonna do? We don't have all night to stay here and hide!" Blossom argued, stomping up to the entrance of the cave.
"I'm with Blossom on this one. If its been so quiet, then its probably because they left." Buttercup agreed, stomping over to Blossom.
"Yeah. Besides, even if they didn't leave, its either death by poisonous cave gas or we get barbecued by dragons. Either way, we may be dead." Boomer muttered, striding up to the pink and green girls, who were ready to bolt with or without their comrades.
Bubbles locked her hands behind her back and swayed. "I don't know guys. Brick is right. What if they attack us when we leave the cave?"
"Yeah. Becoming Brute's shish-ka-bob isn't my number one way to go. I was thinking more along the line's like...dying in battle for the greater good of the world." Butch revealed with a soft slap to his face.
Brick crossed his arms and nodded. "See? Even Butch agrees. Don't do anything rash." Brick looked desperately at Blossom. "Blossom, just relax. Making hasty decisions spot on isn't like you. Buttercup, yeah, she does that. Boomer, he goes ahead with random stuff. But being ilogical isn't like you at all."
Blossom peered over her shoulder at Brick. Her eyes darted over to Buttercup and Boomer to get other peoples' opinions. Buttercup shook her head subtly as if saying that she was acting natural. Boomer nodded slightly as if she was acting out of the norm. Blossom sighed. "Fine. You're right. This isn't my natural attitude toward things. But, we need to get out of here. The three of us will take point."
Blossom whirled around, ready to walk out the door, only to be stopped by Brick taking hold of her elbow. Blossom felt her expression change from sensative to annoyed. She turned her head to find Brick looking at the ground, his hair dishevled from underneath his red cap. He sighed deeply, like he was making a big decision. "Alright. You three win." Blossom smiled and pulled away. Brick tightened his grip on her elbow. "But! Let me, Boomer, and Butch go on point."
Buttercup sighed. "Fine. Have it your way. But something tells me, that we would all be safer if Bloss, me, and Bubbles were to go out first."
Butch laughed half heartily. "Sure. Thats heart touching. You girls may be bad ass, but i think we could protect you better than you could protect us."
Buttercup huffed, feeling Butch's arm wrapped around her shoulders. She didn't fight him away, but she wasn't enjoying the embrace either. "If only those swords we got weren't useless ordinary swords." she grumbled, crossing her arms.
"What was that?" Bubbles asked, upon hearing Buttercup mumble something. Bubbles reached down to rub warth into her bare toes. Buttercup had seemed to be acting grumpier ever since we found out the swords didn't seem so special.
"Nothing, Bubbles." Buttercup grouched out in response.
"Okay. We're gonna go check it out." Boomer announched. Bubbles grasped onto his hand, pulling him backwards. Boomer turned to face Bubbles. Flinging her arms around his neck, she gave him a kiss, then pulled away.
"For luck," she whispered. Boomer grinned before hugging her back.
Butch stretched his arm, trying to get closer to Buttercup. She had moved away from him earlier. "I think that i need some good luck too."
"In your dreams," she sneered at him.
"Thats not being very nice."
Buttercup kissed her palm and blew towarrds him. Butch pretended to snatch something from the air and pulled it closer to his heart. Buttercup tried to conceal a blush, but some pink colored her cheeks. It was nice to know how much he cared to make a big deal over something so small. Buttercup realized she had been holding a breath on whether he would tease her, so she let it out.
Brick twirled Blossom around by her hand, long scraggy orange hair dancing behind her. She stopped when she fell into his arms. Her cheeks felt warm when she stared deep into is blood red eyes. Trying to avert her eyes from his mesmorizing ones, Blossom stared down at her feet. A hand cupped her cheek and tilted her face upwards so she was staring at him again. Closing her eyes, she reached higher on her tip toes. Brick leaned down, enclosing the space between them with a paaionate kiss. After a few moments they broke apart, panting softly to themselves. Clutching Brick's shirt in her tightened palms, she whispered, "Come back to me."
Brick grasped her wrists, pulling them away from his shirt. Realeasing her left hand, he kept a grasp on her right. Planting a soft kiss on her hand, he stared back into her pink rosy eyes. "Without a doubt."
Blossom grinned, as she watched him make his way over to his brothers who were waiting for him by the cave. After a brief hesitation, all three men walked out into the black blanket called night.
Buttercup yawned in a bored fashion. "I don't see why this had to be so dramatic. Nothing bad will happen."
"You're not for sure. Brick had a point about Brute, Berserk, and Brat." Bubbles chided. She joined Blossom near the entrance of the cave, but the night was too dark to make anything out in the night. Buttercup strided over to stand with the others as well, even though she found they're behavior over the top. "It seems quiet." Bubbles observed timidly.
"A little too quiet if you ask me." Blossom agreed, nodding her head.
Buttercup sighed annoyed. "Cool it you guys. Noth-" A loud shriek from outside pierced the night. Buttercup paled deathly white.
"Nothing will happen, hmm?" Blossom glared at Buttercup. Buttercup stood immoble, not sure what was going on.
"That was definetly Brat. I could recognize her annoying shrieks a mile away." Bubbles confirmed, giving Buttercup an equally disappointed stare. Bubbles and Blossom each unsheathed their new Sword of Light. "They may not be magical like we had hoped, but they should be equally as painful." Bubbles growled.
Buttercup snapped out of her daze and also drew her sword. The three girls rushed out into the bone chilling night, their feet and bare arms colder than ever. The metallic dragons circled their friends, keeping them surrounded with no escape. Buttercup growled as she watched Brute attack Butch. Her long claws swiped across his chest. Blood was visible as he fell to the ground in pain. Buttercup growled. Inching forward, she thrusted her sword into the metallic scales. Brute let out a bellow. The scratch began to gurgle and steam. Buttercup jumped back, astonished by the wound that the sword had caused.
Bruted glared down at Buttercup. "Ewww! Its you again! Why do you feel that you have to be such a hero!? YOU SHOULD BE DEAD!"
Two more roars filled the night, as Berserk and Brat each had bloody wounds in their tails or foreleg. Brick and Boomer also lay with nasty wounds on the ground. Berserk licked her wound on her leg. "How dare you smite me you little bitch!" she snarled at Blossom, warm red glossed on her silver sword.
"HOW DARE YOU HURT BRICK, YOU BITCH!" Blossom screamed back enraged. She twisted her wrist then slashed open another cut across the hot-pink dragons tail. Berserk snarled again.
Brat poked her face at Bubbles, using her snout to nudge her shoulders. "AWEE! Look at the scared little blondey! Yous so cwute!" She taunted evily.
"You're blonde too, you psycho!" Bubbles countered, hiding the sword behind her back.
"YOU BETTER SHUT YOUR TRAP YOU LITTLE-" Bubbles cut off Brat's ranting by slicing open a 3 inch gash down the scaly blue scales. Blood gurgled and bubble, oozing out of the gash.
"We have to get out of here without them!" Brute shrieked, another wound accumulating on her body. Never had she felt so vulnerable.
"Master will be furious!" Brat asserted, flapping her batlike wings to get out of Bubbles' reach.
"Get back here and fight FAT HEADED NINNIE!" Bubbles shrilled, jumping wildly, waving her sword maniacly.
"Get the males, but leave the bitches. Raven will have to be satisfied with that." Berserk commanded, maneavering away from Blossom.
Blossom stopped dead in her tracks. She noticed that the beasts were shifting their attention to Brick, Boomer, and Butch who were all laying unconcious about 30 yards away. Tears fell down her cheeks as she realized what they were about to do. "Bubbles! Buttercup! Hurry! They're gonna take them!"
Immediatly, all three girls broke out in a run as fast as their pained feet could carry them. Berserk swooped down, claws open, she snatched up Brick's limp body. Flapping her wings, she rose into the starry night and disappeared into the night. Blossom screeched in horror, trying to get to Boomer and Butch's aid before they could be met with the same ill fate. Buttercup and Bubbles raced past her, adrenaline rushing them onward.
Bubbles leaped for Boomer as Brat suspended him in her talons. Tears rushing down her face, red patches on her cheeks. The tips of her fingers missed his foot by inches. She dropped to the ground, knee deep in soil. She didn't have enough will power to get up. She fell on her hands, and sobbed. Buttercup jumped for Butch while Brute lifted him up. Her nails raked against his ankle before she made a thud on the ground. She leaped again, much more furiously, angered sobs forming puddles in the dirt. She fell to the ground inches from Bubbles, feeling her heart become bitter. Brute and Brat shared horrendous giggles before disappearing into the night after their pink sister.
Blossom sniffed, tears continuing to generate. Bubbles and Buttercup were a few yard away. Pushing herself on on fours, the pink girl crawled over to her two friends, sword still in hand. Sitting inbetween them, Blossom pulled the two heartbroken girls into a group hug. Bubbles and Buttercup clung to Blossom as if they woulf fall to their doom if they even loosened their hold. Blossom hugged them back just as furiously, her sobs soaking Bubbles' long golden locks.
The three Swords of Light formed a triangle around them, protecting them from any creatures that could prey on an easy meal. Buttercup felt her shoulders and chest clench, her body shaking. A tickle on her neck made her realize that her golden heart shaped locket seemed to be pulling away from her. She tilted her head back, and blinked making sure she was blurry eyed and seeing things. "Bubbles. Blossom." she hissed urgently. Blossom and Bubbles sniffed, pulling away from each other.
"What?" Bubbles wheezed, using her fist to clear her eyes of the salty tears.
"Look. At your lockets." Buttercup answered. She was already working to unlatch the clasp that was tied around her neck. After a failed attempt, she ripped the golden chain away from her neck.
"Locket?" Blossom mouthed to herself. Her hand flew to her neck. The golden chain seemed to be being pulled by a ghost. But hadn't she left that back at her tower? Wait. The night she followed the voice. Sedusa had given her something. The locket! Thats only explanation. Even though her memories from that night seemed foggy, it was the only logical explanation. She yanked the chain from her neck, breaking the chain.
"I can't get it off." Bubbles whimpered. Her fingers fumbled with golden chain tied behind her neck.
"Just yank it off!" Buttercup suggested. She was already experimenting with the locket. It seemed to have been attracted toward her sword. Odd. A loud snap followed by a quiet curse escaped Bubbles. She had broken the chain. Buttercup rubbed the chain between her fingers, and lowered it closer to her sword. The tug increased and Buttercup released the locket. The heart flew through the air. As soon as it touched the hilt of the sword, both items glowed a soft green. Buttercup fell backwards with a gasp.
Blossom's eyes grew wide at what happened to Buttercup's locket. She released her own, which connected with her own sword. Both istintaniously glowed a soft pink. Bubbles followed the set example, and her own items glowed a baby blue.
The swords and lockets changed into a vibrant cream color as they raised into the sky. They all shared some short of magical secret. "Whats going on?" Bubbles whispered, hugging onto her legs. Buttercup shrugged awestruck.
"I'm not sure. But probably something important." Blossom stared up at the incredable scene. The six items seemed to morph into one. Blossom narrowed her eyes. "Strange."
"What is? The glowing stuff? Sure. If you say so." Buttercup jested sarcastically. Even though she joked, her eyes stayed glued to the transpiring objects.
Blossom shook her head. "No. Each of our lockets were identical. Each of our swords were identical. I've hear more than one from other people that the three of us look like sisters. I just find that a little odd."
Bubbles bobbed her head in agreement. "Yah. Especially since it was in out possession that these items connected to each other."
"Thats what i was thinking." Buttercup snorted, still trying to figure out what was going on.
All of a sudden the glowing stopped. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup shared a confused look. Then a bright flash of light erupted from the jumble of objects, and picture began unfolding right infront of their eyes.
Antonio stooped beside the pond. Raising a hand to his forehead, he sighed loudly. He skipped one of the flat stones that he had picked up on his walk to the pond. He was to stressed. His father's dieing breaths was 'find the one you love and that will be enough. She doesn't need to be a princess. As long as you're happy, Antonio.' But that was the problem. He wasn't in love yet, and he had a deadline to find a queen. If he hasn't found a queen in 13 days he would have to give up his throne to his annoying cousin, Dick. And he wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the drawer.
Antonio picked up a dandelion puff, and made a wish. Then he blew on the soft bristles and watched them disperse on the wind. He sighed as he made his way from the Palace Garden. It was beautiful this time of year with wild roses sprouting. He stopped and stared back at the weeping willow that loomed over the pond and the white gazebo that served as the perfect spot to read, write, or just watch the ducks in the pond. His father's favorite place on the castle grounds. He would find a bride that he loved, just as his father had so many years before him. And he would rule Monshea in the just and righteous ways that his father took great care to exemplify during his lifetime. With that, Antonio exited through the leafy arch.
A young girl with midnight black hair peeked out from behind the willow tree's trunk. A dangerous smile played across her brightly red shaded lips. Her green eyes full of mischief. She ever so loved Antonio. She was a princess from another kingdom across the continent. She had been sent as his arranged bride 1 year earlier, and she desperately wished he would tie the knot on their relationship already.
Rena twirled a strand of hair around her finger. Hatred flickered in her sea foam green eyes. It was that King, Antonio's father, that could have potentially ruined her beautiful marriage with the one she loved. That's why she had to exterminate him. So he would stop filling Antonio's head with nonsense about finding someone to love other than her.
Lightning flashed across the sky, and rain poured down in buckets. Rena scooped up her poofy purple skirt in one arm and used the other to shield her styled hair from the rain. Retreating to her bed chambers, she locked the enormous set of double doors. Rena never did like company unless it was Antonio of her new friend Raven. Raven had made herself known to Rena the first day she arrived in Monshea. Ever since, Raven had been training her in the ways of dark magic to help increase her adept at speaking spells. Rena had protested at the use of dark magic at first, but conceded when realizing it couldn't hurt to learn a few more spells.
Rena parted her hair using a golden comb her mother had entrusted her with. Ug. Her mother. What a woman. She always had insisted on giving to others and that Rena should do the same. Blocking the disturbing thought from her pure mind, Rena divided her long black hair into three equal strands. Without fumbling once, she had a perfect braid in her hair. Returning the comb to her desk, Rena climbed into her emperor sized bed. She smiled to herself, knowing that her perfect wedding was only 13 days away.
Antonio stood out on the balcony of his father's old room. His mother's too for that matter, but he didn't remember Queen Anita very well. She had passed on shortly after he was born. His ears flicked toward a dark figure in the courtyard beneath his window.
A girlish figure in a light blue cloak was sitting on the edge of the fountain in the center of the stone courtyard. A hood covered her hair. She dipped a hand into the pond, and played in the water while singing a group of unintelligible words.
Antonio swayed to the melody of the girl's song. He cocked a brow at the voice. He was sure he heard the voice before. He dashed from the balcony and down to the main floor before the hooded girl could get away. When Antonio reached the arched entryway that led to the courtyard, he was relieved to find that the girl was still there.
"Chilly night, huh?" Antonio asked, leaning against stone wall.
Her head turned from the fountain, and a pair of pink eyes locked with his. "Oh yes, Professor. It is a chilly night. But I don't mind." She giggled.
Antonio smirked. He could recognize those eyes anywhere. It helps that he's been friends with the pink eyed girl since childhood. She may be a peasant, but love could overlook any casualty. Wait. Love? "What brings you to the fountain this late at night? "
She smiled, dropping her hood. Her pink eyes shone brighter in the moonlight, and her dead straight black hair retracting the glow on her locks. "Professor, you know me better than that! I love the calm after the storm. And the rain storm we had earlier- oh I just couldn't resist!"
Antonio chuckled. He strided up closer to his long time friend. "I've missed you, Lady Keane." Antonio bowed in a gentlemanly fashion, seizing her soft palm in his. He touched his lips to the top of her hand.
"My, my! Prince Antonio! Your manners have greatly increased in the past few months." She tried pulling away her hand but Antonio had a strong grip. "How's your father doing?"
Antonio stiffened. "He died Mira. I'm in charge now."
Mira's expression softened. "Antonio, I had no idea. I'm sorry." Mira stepped forward and gave Antonio a comforting hug.
Antonio pulled away, but smiled. "Mira. I need a queen. And... I want you to be my queen." Mira stared up into his gentle brown eyes. "I love..."
Mira held a finger to his lips. "Shh. I love you too. Of course I will be your queen." She leaned closer and pressed her lips against his. Professor never was the man to take part in risks unlike her daring personality. What she didn't know was that spiteful eyes were watching from above.
Mira cradled her two bundles in her lap. A pink bundle on her left and a green bundle on her left. Professor swayed by the window watching clouds grow gray while rocking a blue swaddle. Professor smiled down at his youngest triplet daughter Bubbles. Her eyes were blue like the sea, but it was unclear whether she would become a Splitzer. Baby Bubbles' had short wispy blond hair and a wide grin like her father's.
Mira giggled as her green eyed baby girl, Buttercup, twirled her hair playfully. That was the only way to keep her relaxed enough for a nap. Buttercup had soft black hair like Mira' s and Professor's, but her eyes were as green as the fields in Gissom. Buttercup pulled hard at her mother's hair, causing Mira slowly remove her hair from her child's tight grasp. Like Bubbles, it was still to early on in their lives to tell if she was a Splitzer.
Blossom, the pink bundle and also eldest of the triplets, giggled and drool oozed out of her mouth. Her hair was a vibrant orangy blonde, that grew in a Mohawk. But her eyes were pinker than the setting sun. From the moment she was born, she had been in danger, for there was no denying that she was a Splitzer.
Buttercup's eyes dropped, and before long she was snoring softly. Mira gently rose from her rocking chair and placed the infant into the green cradle. From there she danced around in swirls, carrying Blossom in her protecting arms.
Professor eased away from the window, stopping to admire the courtyard below his terrace. The genetically engineered roses all the color of his beautiful daughter's eyes. They were his prized possessions along with Mira that he would never want to see any harm done too. Bubbles began pouting in Professor's arms, upset tears rolling down her rosy cheeks. Mira giggled, pulling a purple silk octopus doll from her skirt.
"Does Bubbles want her Octy?!" Mira asked in a cheerful voice. Bubbles and Blossom began a giggling fit from their mother's silly voice and face.
Professor wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Come on Mira. If we don't put them down for the night, they will keep us up til the dawn." He kissed the top of her head, then went to put Bubbles in the bright blue crib beside Buttercup's.
Mira sighed. She hated parting with her babies. She knew that they were special, destined for great things. It worried her to leave them alone, even if they were in the same room. She didn't want anything to happen to her Powerpuff Girls, so as she and Professor had nicknamed the threesome. Mira sighed again, tickeling Blossom's tummy. Kissing the top of her head, she handed her off to Professor. Then she kissed her darling Bubbles and beautiful Buttercup.
Professor placed Blossom in her crib, right between Bubbles and Buttercup. As soon as her head touched the pillow she was out cold. Smiling down at his angels, Professor kissed his bubbly blonde and daring brunette. Then he jumped into bed beside his wife, and fell asleep, not realizing the horror that waits.
Rena peeked the door open, ever so slightly. She could heart the light breathing of Mira, Bubbles, and Blossom, and the heavier snores of Antonio and Buttercup. Even though he had made a point at his coronation to be called Professor, Rena still called him Antonio, for she was still furious for him betraying her and her love for him. Rena creaked the door open more. When no one moved, she slipped into the shadows, and made her way around the perimeter of the room until she was in front of the cradles. Her lips curled into an evil smirk. Raven had been right. An easy job. She could just kill them off right here and now.
Rena heard a grunt from the bed. She froze with fear of being caught in the act of treason and murder. When the noise stopped, she quietly approached the bed that he was lying in. She traced her fingers across his soft face, creased from smiling so much. Rena softened a little inside. She couldn't kill those girls. They should be her daughters anyhow! Rena crept back to the cradles, and gazed upon the infants that should be hers.
Not wanting to waist anymore time, Rena slipped a basket out from under her cloak. As softly as she could, she transferred Bubbles and Buttercup into the basket. Then she lowered in down from the balcony. She felt a strain on the rope, then it lessened. The rope had been severed, and Buttercup were off to be with their new families.
As for Blossom? She was the real talk of the kingdom right now. A destined Splitzer. A true source of power that was stolen from her by Mira. Rena scooped up the pink bundle in to her arms. She bit her lip, and held her breath as she snuck out of the castle. She shrilled loudly, and was relieved when Blossom only blinked her eyes a few times. A chocolate brown mare looked into view, and Rena easily saddled herself onto it.
Green cape over head, she exited the castle drawbridge. She heard the scream of a frightened mother. She grinned wickedly. Rena jabbed her heels into the horse's side's, causing him into a gallop. A slight voice in her head contacted her.
"Did you make it in the way I explained?"
Rena blushed at the thought. "Don't worry Raven. All went according as planned."
"The little brats are dead?" Raven asked in a harsh, bitter tone.
Rena nodded, although she knew that Raven could not see her. "Dead as dead could be," she lied.
"Excellent. You're name has been changed by Disoria herself. From henceforth, you will be named Sedusa. Congratulations." Ravens voice just naturally made the congratulatory message sound like a death sentence, but after years of so called companionship and apprenticeships, Rena had gotten used to it.
The voice departed from her thoughts. "Sedusa..." Rena murmured to herself, just as the palace guard got on her trail, "I like the sound of that. Hiyah!" She jabbed her heels into Jennings side's again, urging him onward. Having sent off the royal daughters to their doom, Rena escaped into the forest.
Hey ya'll! Sorry it took so long to update this chapter! School has started up and I got lots of crazy drama going on. AND I HATE IT ALL MUCH! But I'll try to update when I can. I have alot of stuff goin on this school year; not to mention yours truly is on the yearbook staff. (^·^) anyways… please review! Once again, hope the long waited chapter was worth the wait.