Thou shalt gather up all of your courage

The carriage stood outside the castle, they had finally arrived to the land of peace. Why was Bubbles so sad? Isn't this what she wanted? All along she had wanted to get away from Butch, the player, the flirt, but what was this sadness that took over her? Bubbles walked up to her room lost in all these thoughts...as soon as bubbles sat on her bed she burst into tears, letting everything out, but one more thing she noticed was that their was no one telling her it was going to be OK. No helping hand, no one to embrace her or comfort her...could she have fallen...in love?

Bubbles felt a warm hand on her shoulder, as her hopes rose again, she turned around to find a pair of red eyes looking down at her and her hopes dropped again. "Do not cry my lovely lady, tears do not suit you" said Brick as he sat down beside her on the bed. "I'm sorry.." replied Bubbles in a mere whisper. Brick pulled Bubbles closer as he stroked her hair gently and wiped off her tears. "I really like you Bubbles, and I certainly hope you will feel the same as time passes" he said. Brick kissed her temple and then headed out of the room. Now that she thought about it, Brick was not really bad either..who did she want? The flirt or the gentleman?

She decided to rest for a while, because her head was exploding with many questions. Bubbles had quite a weird dream that night...it was about the little girl that the old fortune tell in the land of fighter had shown her. "Mommy..tell me the story about the princess again please!!" said the little girl. "My, my dear Claire, don't you ever get tired of that one?" said a gentle voice...sounded like a ladies. "Well I don't get tired of it either" said a deep voice. The little girl giggled. "Daddy's silly!!" she said.

Bubbles woke up, eyes wide open to the sound of carriages. She got up and went to take a warm bath. As she rested in the warm water, she wondered who that girl Claire was...and why was she in her dreams? She soon got out of her bath, and outside in her room was a waiting Anabelle. "Princess Bubbles, you need to attend a royal ball tonight, it is in the middle of all three lands, the land of fighter, the land of peace, the land of cleverness and the land of knowledge, everyone will be their so you must look elegant" said Anabelle. Bubbles switched her feet uncomfortably. "And this time I will be making you ready." said Anabelle as if she could read Bubbles mind.

She frowned and sighed. "Very well then Anabelle..." she whispered. Today she would be wearing a elegant white dress with pink embroidery all over, with transparent glass heels. As usual the dress was made tight enough so she could hardly breath. "I shall be escorting you until sir Brick comes along" said Anabelle. Bubbles nodded as they headed out of her room and down the stairs; into the lounge where Brick was waiting for her, he greeted her with a warm smile. She smiled back, as he linked his arms together with hers, they headed outside and into the carriages sitting side by side.

Soon they were at the ball and Bubbles got out of the carriage, her wavy blond hair waved around in the air, it was tied by a clip, and her lips were not heavy with lipstick, but shined with lip gloss. Bubbles headed into the ball with Brick, it was humongous, with many lights, a bit chandelier that hung in the middle of the ball room. The whole room was just gorgeous, as Bubbles begin to go down the steps, knots tied up in her stomach...everyone was going to be at this ball...which would mean that Butch...would be their too.

She finally got down the stairs and into the ball. Fast paced music started to play, Brick came up to her. "Care for a dance?" he asked extending his hand in front of her. She smiled gently and accepted. They went around gracefully yet quickly, as they danced to the beat of the fast paced song. During the dance Bubbles saw, Blossom and Butch dancing along as well, right beside them. Bubbles felt Butch's glare settle on her and she looked away, why was she feeling guilty?

Soon the dance was over, and Brick had to go off to talk to the other kings, from other lands. Bubbles sighed as a slow song began to play...a slow song, with beautiful music. She stood against a table. " I had grown used to a girl crying in my room...I wonder why it feel strange not to have her their anymore" said a deep voice, that startled Bubbles, but soon made a smile creep up on her face. Butch stood in front of her and extended his hand out. "Care to dance?" he asked. Bubbles nodded. The music started.

I'll be your dream,
I'll be you wish
I'll be your fantasy,
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love be everything that you need

Butch put his strong arms around Bubble's waist and she hesitantly put her hand on his shoulder, as they started moving to the rhythm of the song. His warm breath tingled on Bubbles neck as he moved closer to her. She bit her lip..this could never be...

I love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do
I will be strong I will be faithful
'cuz I'm counting on a new beginning, a reason for living
A deeper meaning yeah

Their personalities totally didn't match, he was a big flirt, a guy who never showed a soft side, and she was a gentle loving angel...how could they be together? There families hated each other as well. Bubbles shut her eyes for a moment...this was her moment right here...until this dance ended...there was no one except her and Butch...she was willing to forget about everything for one moment.

I wanna stand with you on a mountain
I wanna play with you in the sea
I wanna lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me..

Bubbles rested her head on his shoulder and his grip around her waist tightened. They continued to dance, in perfect rhythm. Butch twirled Bubbles out and then back in, as both of them collided together, he lifted her up and around. As a smile appeared on both of their faces. They were in the middle of the ballroom, in the spotlight.

"Mind if we cut in?" said a voice Bubbles knew very well. She looked to her side and nodded. "Oh yes..of course" she said to blossom, she gazed into Butch's eyes for the final time and headed up the stairs. "Oh dear...you look sad" said a voice. Bubbles looked beside her to see an old man and nodded. "Have an apple deary.. the apple's sweetness will wash away all your problems..."

Authors Note:

you know how your parents always say don't take things from strangers...