literature

Talisman part 2a

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The door burst open and three radiant streaks of light shot into the Utonium residence. As three pairs of shoes were dropped beside the door, the trio of trails split off in a mad flurry of blending light, the pink one shooting upstairs, the blue one making a beeline for the ground-level toilet and the green blazing its way to the loungeroom, coming to rest on the couch with almost a bounce. Buttercup chuckled joyfully. School was out for another day! She curled her legs up, not caring that her skirt was so short because there were no stupid boys here. She seized the remote and eagerly began to press any button which had a number she liked. She commanded total control of afternoon TV most days, mainly because Blossom rushed up to their room to put away her schoolthings only to find Buttercup with the front-row seat and Bubbles either went up to the room as well (she found it necessary to check on her beloved toy octopus both last thing before leaving and first thing when she got home) or left her toilet break a little too late, as was the case today. There'd be no news on the TV yet and when it came on she would always pay attention. She kept track of every crime and felony and set up her own little game of predicting where the next robbery or car crash would occur. Most channels showed lifestyle shows, kids shows or old movies. Buttercup didn't want to know how to redecorate the backyard, how to get to Sesame Street or frankly, my dear, give a damn. Finally she found the program she was looking for. With a gleeful smile she leaned forward as the live coverage of the Patito Cup tennis tournament in Spain filled the room, the speakers up a bit too high.

Too caught up in her haste to watch, she didn't notice she wasn't the only one in the room. The Professor lowered the newspaper and set it upon his thigh, one leg smartly crossed over the other. Buttercup still hadn't noticed him. The THWAK noise that went alongside the two female players' banshee-like screaming was grating to his ears so he had no idea how someone with such refined hearing as Buttercup could withstand it. "I'm going to say two things." he said, loud enough for his voice to carry over the transmitted din. Buttercup glanced at him and then flinched, realising he was there and quickly adopting an innocent, it-wasn't-me expression. The Professor calmly pointed a finger at the remote, "Turn it down."

Buttercup reluctantly reached for the control and thumbed the volume arrow a couple of times. She was enjoying that, too...

The Professor nodded when the volume was reduced to his satisfaction. Then he tilted his head "How was your day?"

Buttercup reclined slightly, stretching and seeming utterly nonplussed "Meh... recess was fun, lunch was fun and going home was the best bit." she seized her bright red bowtie and gave it a sharp tug, the velcro that tied it around her neck coming apart with no resistance as she threw the bow aside and undid the top button of her blouse whilst untucking it from her skirt in one swift motion.

"Did you work on your presentation?"

Buttercup huffed "I started on the main parts and I'm gonna finish it tonight. Didja have to bring that up right away?"

"It is a big percentage of your personal development mark and that's the one area Ms Meryl said you needed the most work on." the Professor informed her, "I'd like to see at least a bit of improvement on your report card..."

Buttercup crossed her arms "Well I'm making it my solemn duty to treat my classmates with more respect!"

"Is that right?" came Blossom's voice as she entered, her pink vest removed and her top button also undone, her bow left with the vest in their room. In her hand she held a pink hairbrush that she combed through her long light brownish-ginger hair as she draped it over her shoulder "You nearly got in trouble for calling Billy a big-nosed idiot and trying to prick his nose with a thumbtack 'cause you thought it was a pimple. You call that respect?" she smiled a little, calling Buttercup's flimsy bluff. The Professor glanced back at his jet-haired girl, whose expression soured greatly but who did not respond.

Professor Utonium sighed but didn't press the subject. It was up to Buttercup as the responsible young role model she was supposed to be to change her own attitude. Surely she was mature enough to manage that. Unconcerned with the newspaper now, he sat a little further forward on the armchair, "How's your cough?"

Buttercup gave a brief grin "Barely even there."

The Professor smiled as well "That's great to hear." he told her, catching Blossom out the corner of his eye glancing at her right arm and checking it over.

Buttercup's grin grew wider and slightly malicious "Oh hey, I think I nearly broke Lucas' leg today at lunch! I made this sweet-" KNOCK KNOCK went the front door. "Shotgun not." Buttercup blurted without missing a beat, "I made this sweet slide-in and I caught him on the-"

"Blossom, go see who is at the door." Utonium instructed, before waggling a finger at Buttercup, "Save the leg breaks for the fleeing bank robbers next time, alright?"

Blossom, brush still in hand, wandered to the front door in an almost daydreamy state. She didn't care what Buttercup did at lunchtime to some poor fifth grader. She didn't really care about what was on TV either. Her thoughts had begun to wander as she combed her long, smooth hair. Dexter really needed a hairbrush... Where was Bubbles...? They sure clean up on the Harvey Bridge quickly - it was already reopened without a sign of yesterday's carnage.... What was the Professor making for dinner...? The square of the length of the hypoteneuse is equivalent to the square of the lengths of-

She turned the doorknob and pulled. What met her on the other side of that polished oak door snapped her out of her pondering as her magenta eyes grew wide. She nearly dropped the hairbrush, but her jaw dropped instead "Oh..."

Sora grinned, tilting her head and flashing her perfectly aligned white teeth "Hiya!"

Blossom didn't even blink "H-How... how'd you-"

"Who's at the door, leadergirl?" came Buttercup's voice.

"Um, did.... did you tell Sora where we lived?"

Buttercup poked her head out from the loungeroom "No, why d'you- WHAT!?"

Sora giggled a bit "Eheh, hi Buttercup."

Buttercup shook her head "Now that's going a bit far, isn't it!? You just met us and now you're stopping by our house?"

Sora didn't let her smile falter "I guess I am!"

The Professor approached the door from behind his stunned daughters, mildly surprised "Hello there!" he offered, "Girls, who might this be?" The Professor didn't notice Sora's expression change from airy happiness to sudden apprehension as she laid eyes on him for the first time.

Buttercup scoffed "Some dumb blonde fangirl, pretty much..."

"BUTTERCUP!" hissed Blossom, "Do not speak about our houseguest like that!"

"Oh, so now she's our HOUSEGUEST? We barely know her!"

"Still, that's no reason to go around being so rude and judgemental! She could just be lost... a...again..." her face grew puzzled "Um, how did you find-"

A voice squeaked from behind the three, making all heads turn to its direction "Sora? Sora!" Utonium and the girls stepped aside just in time as a brilliant flash of blue shot past them, scooped up Sora, looped around, shot back inside, did a barrelroll through the entrance foyer before crashlanding upon the tiles. Blossom yelped in concern, but Sora sat up atop a hyperactively-giggling Bubbles who lay flat on her back. Buttercup merely glared, the stalking stranger now within their own household. Bubbles beamed with wide azure eyes "You made it! You came!!"

Sora, much larger than Bubbles, quickly slid off the smaller girl despite knowing she was doing no harm "Yep, just like you wanted."

Bubbles sat up "And so quickly, too!"

"You INVITED her!?" Buttercup seethed, "You gonna bring every adoring fan of ours over for a chat, Bubbs? Got a massive tea party planned or something? Betcha didn't check with the Professor first! You don't just g- ..... you don't just..." she doubled over and brought her hands to her mouth, coughing furiously. Blossom steadied her as the Professor watched on, utterly lost. Buttercup cursed, glad at least she wasn't spurting blood from the lips "You don't... just..."

Bubbles hit Buttercup with a serious look "Well if you don't care, that's fine! She's not your guest, she's my guest! If you don't like it, go back to the TV!"

Buttercup lanced Sora in the eyes with a disgusted glare, "What a smart idea..." she mumbled, before trudging back to her tennis match.

Bubbles ran her hands through her pigtailed blonde hair in frustration. "Sorry about her... she doesn't always trust the things I do. If she upset you, I'm sure she didn't mean it!"

Sora shook her head, "No no, it's ok... I'm used to being treated a little different from other people." Bubbles blinked a couple of times, feeling another instinct almost smacking her in the face. Was there... something Sora was not telling her? Sora got to her feet and smartly turned around to the Professor. She tried to resist showing a look of hesitation or even fear. That man... he wore a labcoat and Buttercup had referred to him as a 'Professor'. She shuddered a bit, maintaining eye contact with him. Professor, doctor, chief... all those names had some very bad memories attached to them. She put on a smile and declared "My name is Sora and I met your girls at school today. Bubbles asked me if I could stay over for the night and I hope that is not too much to ask from you, Pr.... s-sir."

The Professor scratched his head, "Well I can't just refuse such a polite young lady who's earned quite a bit of Bubbles' affection, but... Buttercup was right, this is a bit short notice."

Bubbles squeaked "Professor, she's got nowhere to live until she meets up with a friend in the next day or so! She's a really nice girl and as my friend she deserves the best I can do for her. Please let her stay tonight... I promise she won't be any trouble!"

Sora brought her hands to her mouth to subtly hide the enormous smile that had spread across her young face. How long had it been since someone had referred to her as a friend in such a way? Her eyes shone and she felt a bit light-headed. The brooch upon her sleeveless shirt glinted brightly.

The Professor was warmed by her affirmation as well "Well, I think we have to find you a bed." Sora wanted to squeal and hug Bubbles with all her strength. She'd never felt so happy. The Professor rubbed his chin "You look about 11 or 12... too big for the fold-out... I guess there's always the couch, if you can settle for that-"

Sora clenched Bubbles' hand, squeezing it emphatically. Bubbles again felt strange, as though she could sense Sora's every desire and intention like they were the one entity. "A couch would be wonderful! Oh, Bubbles... thankyou!" she threw her arms around the smaller girl, hugging her tight. Bubbles stared at nothing for a moment... what was this strange feeling she suddenly had? Sora's emotions were spilling over to the point of happy tears, but under that... why did it feel like there was so much missing?

Blossom spoke up for the first time in a while, her own heart softened a bit by the youthful, frivolous display of newfound friendship. This Sora girl didn't seem so bad at all. But she still had many questions for her, the first one being "Sora, do you have any other clothes? None of ours would probably fit you..."

"That's ok!" Sora beamed, "I can sleep in these just fine, if that's what you mean... probably take off my skirt but other than that-"

Bubbles murmured something "I forgot..."

Sora stared at the smaller girl whilst Blossom tilted her head "What did you forget?"

Bubbles pushed herself away from Sora gently "I... I never told you our address. I was in such a rush to get to class that it completely slipped my mind."

"NOT HARD!" yelled Buttercup from the loungeroom. The Professor sighed and, suddenly reminded of something, ducked into the loungeroom again and out of sight.

Bubbles ignored her sister's interjection. "I was just so happy that you said yes to my suggestion that you stay with us, but... I never told you where the house was. But you got here just after we got home from school..." she shook her head, dumbfounded "How?"

Sora smiled, her happiness like an aura around her body "I... just... followed you from the school... that's all."

Blossom approached her slowly, "Sora... every day after school, without fail, we fly from the grounds, do a lap around the city to make sure there's no disturbances and then we make our way home. It doesn't take us more than five minutes on a quiet day like today. There is no car, train or plane that could follow our exact movement during that time and drop you off here only a few minutes after we arrived, and you're an out-of-towner who showed up without any sort of transportation or help. I... I was suspicious about who you were when I first met you and heard about you, but... now I really need to ask this." her eyes seemed almost red... a very familiar red to Sora, "Who are you, Sora Chandler?"

Sora's face had gone pale. She didn't... she couldn't... there was no way they could know. They'd never believe her. And yet, what could she say to convince them? She felt her skin crawl. She couldn't win their trust... not like this. She shook her head, trying to avoid it "Th-That doesn't matter!"

"Sora..." Bubbles muttered "Why are you lying to us?"

Buttercup's groans interrupted them as she wandered back out into the entrance foyer. She was not at all amused, "It's four hours from bedtime but the Professor wants to set up the sofa for bed NOW! Guess you're staying over for the night, huh?" she didn't let Sora get a word in, "Just make sure you clean up after yourself and take your OWN bath instead of jumping in with us."

Sora's eyes sparkled a little "Bath? As... as in, with hot water and... and soap, and..."

Buttercup sneered, "Psshh, where'd you come from? Prison?" Sora remained silent, knowing that her answer wouldn't make things any better than they already were. Bubbles suddenly shivered as a chill ran down her spine, but she had no idea why. Buttercup tilted her head, "Come on, spill, girl! Do you have parents? Do they know you're out like this?"

"As heroes, we're obligated to look out for your wellbeing." Blossom reinforced.

Sora twiddled her fingers, unable to meet their eyes. She knew she was the ugly duckling... she had been for most of her life. But now she'd found people who would truly understand... not people who would stand over her, stare down and pity her for what she was and how little she meant to them. She was here on her own will, not somebody's pet any longer. She might as well say it. To not do so would hurt her chances at winning their trust, "Well... you wanted to know since I met you, so, uh... here goes..." she tried to smile, but her palms were already sweaty, "I... I never knew my parents. There was always just me and my-"

Buttercup raised an eyebrow as she noticed something peculiar "Well for an orphan kid you sure have an expensive-looking decoration!" Faster than Sora could react, Buttercup swiped the brooch right off her chest to examine it closer, provoking a frightened squeak. Bubbles suddenly paled as she felt a sudden sense of deathly horror in the air. Buttercup eyed it skeptically "What is this thing? An emerald or a di-"

Sora felt her lungs constrict and her heart begin to pound in her ears. A stabbing pain in her stomach doubled her over and every breath was agony. Her mind began to strain as she tried to form words. She reached out to Buttercup just as she noticed her skin beginning to luminesce "Give... it.... baaaaack!"

Bubbles swooped "Buttercup, NO!" she screamed, knocking the large pendant out of her sister's hands with a forceful slap. It clattered to the floor and Sora quickly scooped it up, dropping to her knees with a relieved gasp. She clutched it tightly until her knuckles turned white, tears splashing down her face as she sobbed through clenched teeth.

Buttercup retreated a pace, her fingers quivering, her pupils contracting.  Her breath caught in her damaged lungs as she stared at the whimpering girl. Her lips quivered as fear froze her in place "W-What the hell...?" She shot a hurried glance at the petrified Bubbles, whose chest rose and fell erratically.

A bead of sweat fell from Sora's brow. Any longer separated from her precious jewel, and-

"You STUPID girl!" screamed Bubbles into Buttercup's face, indignation clear in both her expression and the way her fists were clenched so hard that they ached "You had no idea what you were doing, did you! It's always act first and ask questions later! Look at her, Buttercup! You hurt her!"

"How was I supposed t'know she was gonna start crying like that?"

"You should have asked!" Bubbles roared as Sora tried to stand "And Blossom! All you're doing is standing there and you've barely said a thing to her! It's like you don't even care if she exists! Either of you!"

Blossom shook her head with her shiny eyes wide "Bubbles... what's gotten into you?"

"Am I the only one who has worked it out? Was I the only one who could tell she was trying to hide something from us 'cause she was afraid of what we might think?"

"I knew she was a weirdo, if that's what you mean." Buttercup shrugged indifferently. A cold glare from Bubbles stopped her saying anything further.

Bubbles took Sora's hand and helped her up, holding the girl - taller by half a head - to get her balance back. She continued to address her sisters but her azure stare was upon the pale-faced newcomer "She followed us here, that much is true... but Sora, you don't have to lie to us. I knew there was something special about you since the moment we met each other. You weren't just a fan, I could tell that much. But it all began to make sense even from the moment you stopped that soccerball from smacking into my face." Even though her face was still pale, Sora's cheeks flushed as she kept her apple-green eyes on the girl who held her. "Maybe they just don't see you the way I do... but I always thought I was the least smartest of us three but I guess that's not true." She placed her hand on the large green brooch, "Now I know for sure."

"Fill us in, then." snapped Buttercup, arms folded and impatience rising.

Bubbles whirled to face them. She held Sora's hand tight as she declared "This girl is Sora Chandler... and she has super powers!"

Her sisters were dumbstruck, staring at her with wide eyes. Buttercup's eyelid even twitched. Bubbles kept her breathing steady, trying her best not to lose control and break into a fit of either sobs, giggles or spasmodic gasps. She felt Sora's hand grow slightly colder within her own as the air between them almost froze over. She didn't meet her eyes. This was either the grand revelation or an enormous mistake and, judging by the icy reactions from all around, Bubbles swiftly began to believe she'd made the latter. A great chill seemed to wash over Sora's body and with their hands linked, Bubbles felt it too. So much uncertainty from all of them... that was all she could feel.

Sora finally spoke "Bubbles... that's..."

Buttercup's mouth did the impossible, breaking into a smile "I never thought of it that way... I mean, if Bubbles didn't stop the ball hitting her, who else was close enough? Only you!"

Sora retreated half a pace but Bubbles' hand prevented her much-needed escape "But I... don't..."

"And following us here from school so quickly even when you didn't know our address..." Blossom's face sported a broad grin too "It makes sense! Sora... why didn't you tell us before?"

Sora's cheeks flushed a bit "But I thought that if I-"

"Aha!" Bubbles rounded on her with a squeak of delight "I was right, I was right!!"

Sora lifted her eyes again, meeting the three positively awed little supergirls. Now it was the heroes becoming the fans. Their radiant smiles of anticipation coaxed her out of her shell at last. This was the right decision, after all. "You're right, Bubbles... I have powers just like the three of y- Well... not exactly like yours, but nevermind that. I'm... I'm a lot more like you than I look, and... I thought you mightn't want to know something like that."

"ARE YOU KIDDING!?" chorused all three.

"We're always on the lookout for more like us!" chimed Blossom.

"I wanna make friends with every superhero that I can!" proclaimed Bubbles.

"What kinda powers are they? Can you whup some serious butt!?" squawked Buttercup.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US BEFORE!?" they symphonised again.

"U-Um..." Sora was completely dumbfounded. This was opposite of the reaction she had expected. Her secret was out now. But she could do this! Even with that knowledge, she could still do this! "I didn't think you'd accept me so quickl-" a familiar pair of hands clenched her own, holding them up level with her heart with fingers interlacing. Bubbles gave her an adamant stare; Sora unable to even blink as those captivating blues mesmerised her.

"You may have been a stranger to us before today... but we know there's so much more to you that you haven't told us that we'd love to know about. There aren't many heroes like us anymore... a lot of very special people have come and gone in our lives." Her eyes shone as clear as a cloudless sky. "I-It's like I knew right from the start or something, huh? Like... fate!"

Something niggled in the back of Sora's mind. Fate indeed... "Meeting you in person was very difficult for me. I was scared to talk to even one of you, much less all three. But the way you've welcomed me like this, even after you found out I was holding out on you... I've not felt this happy in a long time. Maybe... there's a bright future for us as friends."

"Yeah, well first you gotta show us these powers of yours, Sora... We wanna know what makes that diamond so special."

Sora beamed "It's a garnet, actually. Funny story about how I got it, but if you have time I can-"

"Sora." came a disturbingly calm voice. Sora jumped, spun and backed up toward her three newest friends as the Professor loomed over her, his long labcoat parasitically entangling his body in a white web, strangling the humanity from him and leaving him as just another of those creatures she knew all too well.

Her voice caught in her throat as her face grew pale against her straw-blonde hair "G-Get away from me..."

Buttercup scoffed, "Sora, he may be single but he's not like THAT..."

"Don't come any closer!" Sora snapped.

"Sora, when was the last time you had a meal?" he asked. His tone was the most peaceful the girls had heard in a long time... not since times before journals, medical tests... and a family tragedy or two. Was it his children finding such similarity in another just like themselves that reassured him so?

Bubbles pounced. The Professor wasn't usually like this with guests, particularly the most regular - Mandy - but that was beside the point "Professor, I want to sleep in the same room as Sora tonight! If she gets the couch, I want the fold-out!" she gripped his coat tight. It was unusual for her to be this determined, her sisters noticed.

The Professor nodded, sharing Bubbles' enthusiasm "I'm sure Sora would enjoy some company. Do you have any dietary issues? Allergies? Vegetarian?"

"Outer space brocolli monsters..." Buttercup quipped, Sora shooting her a perplexed glance in response.

"Nothing?" the Professor checked. Sora hesitated and then shook her head. With a smile that merely exemplified the creases in his ageing face, the Professor nodded "Alright, I'll start on it right away. First impressions are important!" he sidestepped Buttercup as he headed right for the kitchen with no further delay.

Sora murmured "He's..."

Buttercup scoffed "Come on, Sora... he's not that kinda person, honest. He's just... unlucky."

Blossom gave her sister a broad smile "Looks like an extra place at the table tonight!"

"Yeah... been a while."

"Now I believe yoooou have some homework to finish."

Buttercup growled "Oh don't start NOW!"

Blossom bared her teeth in a malicious grin of intention to study "I'm finished, you're not and by the sound of it it's just the two of us in the bedroom tonight so YOU are gonna finish tonight and not cram! I promised the Professor this morning and now there's no excuse."

Buttercup whirled on Bubbles, her expression tortured and pleading "What... have... you... DONE!?"

Bubbles' face was blank "Go study before your cough comes back."

Buttercup snarled "You stupid girl... with your stupid timing..."

Blossom pinched Buttercup's ear and dragged her off. "Ok, we'll be down for dinner. Sora, if you need us, just follow the sound of her agonising cries for mercy."

Sora grinned "Got it!" as Blossom towed her kicking-and-screaming sister away amidst a myriad of curse words. She never imagined the family of Puffs to exist quite like this. She thought they'd be perfect. Seamless. The greatest household on Earth. But really they were as dysfunctional and explosive as any family, regardless of powers and morals and.... science. The memories returned of those days years ago when Sora, no older than seven, would play in fields of grass and rolling slopes far away from civilisation with all those other little children. She remembered falling over, getting terrible stains of brown and green across her white dress as her garnet dangled from her neck like a big pendant. And as she cried, there'd be that boy always there to pick her up and nurse her back to-

"So!" Bubbles squeaked, interrupting her thoughts, "Looks like we'll be getting to know each other even better soon enough! But it's... like I already know so much..." she winked, causing Sora's cheeks to flush again.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth right from the start... I didn't expect you to see through me so easily. You're a superhero for a reason!" she giggled.

Bubbles' smile gleamed with childhood innocence that shone without a scratch "But hey, we're not alone anymore. You're a superhero too!"

Sora's face fell, "Bubbles... I don't think... you should call me a superhe-"

"Bubbles, can you come to the kitchen?" called the Professor, making Sora wince again. "I need an extra pair of hands."

"Coming!" she chirped. Her smile didn't waver "What were you gonna say?"

Sora hesitated for a moment. Already she'd been found out once. Not again... not yet. "Oh, no, it was nothing. You go help - I can't wait! My first good meal in such a long time!"

"I want you to tell me about where you're from tonight, alright?" Bubbles winked "And if you want, there's still the TV in the living room if you wanna amuse yourself. How long since you had that?" she poked her tongue out, teasingly.

Sora answered, deadpan "Two weeks... maybe three."

Bubbles blinked "Oh wow, you really do miss out... Don't let me hold you back! Call if you need me ok!" she spun around and buzzed away on a trail of brilliant blue. Sora watch as she vanished an uneasiness far greater than the one she had arrived with now seeping over her body, making her skin crawl and her breath seem cold. She could show them the power that the crystal on her chest kept locked within her, that was not a problem. But the reason she was here... no, they wouldn't believe her. Not even that. She sighed, feeling suddenly alone again. But when she closed her eyes and put her arms around herself, her spine began to tingle... almost as if she expected a chilling, disembodied voice to speak within her mind where only she could hear it. But that voice - that ominous voice - it didn't come.

Not yet... and so she waited...



"Octi!" Bubbles grinned, gleefully holding out the small toy octopus with its tiny black top hat. She lay on her side within the improvised bedding that was the spare fold-out bed used for special occasions. She brushed her untied hair away from her eyes with her free hand as her bright eyes glistened in the dark living room. She waggled her toy a little, affectionately. Its cotton-stuffed head flopped to the side, staring blankly. Bubbles giggled when she saw Sora's smile grow wider. She thought Sora was lucky, getting the couch and a pile of warm blankets. She was further off the floor, too. It would have been much more comfortable to sleep on the couch with all its cushions than to coil up on the fold-out with its spring-supported hammock mattress that she was gradually getting too big for. But that didn't matter, not tonight. She'd have slept on the carpet if there was no other choice. She'd invited Sora over, so now she'd share a room. She planned to make the most of it. She waggled Octi again. "He says hello to you!"

Sora giggled "Oh does he, now?"

Bubbles nodded "He wants you to shake his hand!"

Sora slipped her hand out from the trio of warm spare blankets that covered her. Tonight was cold-ish with lower than average temperatures that had lingered since the end of winter. Summer was taking its time to arrive. Sora still wore her doll-white top, her large brooch still firmly attached to its front. Her shoes and her skirt sat at the foot of the bed, not needed. Sora's arms were thin yet not delicate, her fingers pale in complexion almost like porcelain. Bubbles playfully wiggled her stitched-up soulmate again, giggling. Sora paused. "Which hand should I shake?"

"All of them!"

"Er..." trying not to be rough, Sora closed her fist around the eight pudgy plush tentacles, and gently tugged against them as Bubbles held the toy by the head. At first she didn't know if she was doing it right, and Bubbles didn't seem to drop any hints. Instead she was staring at Sora with an almost avid fascination as if every act she performed would win her further acclaim. It felt strange to her, being the one who had been the admirer to start. But her secret was out now and Bubbles appeared to be the last person who could possibly forget it. "There we go!" Sora smiled a little, releasing the octopus so Bubbles could withdraw it to the comfort of her own bed.

"He likes you."

Sora giggled, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling "I'm sure he likes everybody."

Bubbles shrugged "Not everybody. He flattened a whole city once..."

"....what?"

"Hey, hey..." Bubbles's eyes shone despite the dimness, the curtains closed with no moonlight beyond them. "If you want... you can stay here as long as you need to until you find what you are looking for. Is that ok? I mean... I'm sure this friend you're trying to find will give you a home, right?"

Sora sighed, still staring upwards. "I'm not sure what's going to happen, yet... There's a lot that I'm not sure about."

"Like what?"

"Well, like... what my friend looks like, for example."

Bubbles sat up slightly "You don't even know what they look like?" She felt confused, similar to the strange feeling coming off Sora like bodyheat. "How did you talk to them before, then?"

Sora tapped her head absent-mindedly "They... uh... spoke to me in here."

Bubbles sat up all the way this time. "Your friend is...!"

"Shh! Don't wake the others..."

Bubbles pulled the sheets closer to her nightie-covered body "How many other people like you are out there, Sora? You... you're not like other supers out there, for some reason. It's like you're a completely different kind."

Sora rolled over to face Bubbles, "You want to know?" A trio of frantic nods. "Well... only if you promise to keep this to yourself, alright?"

"Every word of it!" More nods.

"I have no idea how many people like me there are. All I know is that people like me... we're not born this way. That's something that makes me different from you, Bubbles. You had that gift from birth. My gift... it was forced upon me when I was young." She brushed her hair away from her eyes. "I guess I should tell you this: I envy you, Bubbles. You have a family and a father who loves you. I don't remember ever having something like that. When I was little I had a lot of friends, I guess, but... both my parents died before my first birthday."

Bubbles' eyes glistened with saddened tears "You... you're an orphan?"

Sora smiled a little "It's not so bad for me, I guess... I never knew my real parents. I was put in an orphanage when I was just a baby. It was run by this kind old Japanese woman who really took a liking to me as I grew up. She knew my name back then... she didn't call me by that name though. Instead, she gave me a new name. She called me Sora..." she smiled a little wider in fond recollection.

"It's a lovely name."

Sora nodded "It means 'sky' in Japanese. But I think it also means 'heaven'. As I grew she watched over all the children - all the orphans she looked after. People from all kinds of families, young and old from all over the world. There was about twenty of us cared for by her and her own children. Back then... back then it didn't matter that I had no parents anymore. I missed my chance to have a true family, and that's why I envy you, but... Those other kids, they were all my family. I was one of the youngest. Then one day... we all had to get split up..."

Bubbles pouted. "Why would they split up such a lovely group of people?"

"Well it was around that time that I learned one of the biggest lessons in life. No matter how good something is... no matter how much it works... it all revolves around one thing."

"Love?"

"Something else..." Sora shook her head, holding up her hand up and rubbing her fingers together. "Cash..."

Realisation dawned on Bubbles' face. "Oh... so many bad things happen because of money."

Sora remembered it well... better than other parts of her life... "That kind old lady didn't have the money to support us any longer. With the economy being all messed up, she could no longer run the orphanage as well as care for her own family. So... she had to close the orphanage, and we had nowhere to go. Not at first..."

"So what happened?"

Sora's eyes narrowed, "Like I said, we all got split up... some got foster parents and others were adopted. But others... well... the same people who closed down the orphanage took us with them."

"What kind of people?" Bubbles asked. Her heart was beating faster at hearing this story of Sora's upbringing. Anxiety flooded her as she tried to coax the next answer from her houseguest. Sora kept staring at the roof. Her peaceful childhood had been shattered by unavoidable circumstances... but what happened between then and now? Sora's face seemed blank. She was staring at the roof but here eyes darted back and forth, seeing things that Bubbles could not. Bubbles grit her teeth, opening her mind slightly. Sora seemed conflicted... restrained and held back... like there was something she had to keep to herself above all other things. How come she wasn't answering? Where were her innermost thoughts leading her? "Sora?"

Sora snapped from her trance with a startled blink, turning back to Bubbles "Oh... sorry, what?"

"Who took you from the orphanage and where did you live?"

Sora shook her head, her blonde hair getting messy across her face again. "Oh... that doesn't really matter..."

"Yes it does! How'd you get your powers, then?" Bubbles cocked her head "Was it accidental, or..." Suddenly the bed lifted up underneath her "WAAAAAH!"

Sora winked, one of her fingers pointing at the levitating fold-out, aglow with a milky-white radiance. She giggled, "No no no no nooo... first of all, I've already said a bit about myself. Second..." the glow around her finger grew brighter and the fold-out began to spin, a confused yet amazed Bubbles sitting atop it like the rider of a magic and enchanted carpet. "I want you to tell me how you found me out! How'd you know I had powers to hide?"

"W-Well you blocked that soccerball when-"

Sora giggled, shaking her head "There had to be more than that! Come on, tell me or I'll flip this bed over and you can sleep on the floor!"

"Noooooo!"

Sora bared her teeth in a smile almost as illuminating as her finger "You don't wanna know what else I might do with this power of mine... so tell me!"

Bubbles squealed, the bed bucking beneath her like a bull at a rodeo, "You... you just... you seemed to give off this sense that you had something to hide! I felt it from you... a sort of... feeling you gave off. I dunno how to explain it..." To her immense relief, the wild movements of the bed ceased. She gripped the sheets and she clutched onto Octi. Her heart was pounding, "P-Please don't do that again..."

Sora turned her finger and made a beckoning signal with her glowing digit. The bed obediently floated toward her. Then it tilted just slightly so that Bubbles was face to face with her. Then Sora whispered to her, so quietly compared to Bubbles' screeches "Are you... an empath?"

"What's an em-"

A light flicked on from outside the room and footsteps landed lightly on the floor nearby. Soft footsteps... tired footsteps... wearing slippers. From the lit hallway came a dreary voice "What's with the noise from in here?"

Sora's eyes narrowed and she grit her teeth, hugging the pillow as some sort of protection. Bubbles however pulled the blankets of her bed higher, squeaking. "S-Sorry Professor..."

A yawn wandered its way from the unseen scientist as he continued to trudge toward his own room. "You and Sora get some sleep... Blossom has to stay awake and watch Buttercup until she does all her homework..." His speech bordered on the incomprehensible. "...and I do not envy her..." was all he could say before dissolving into fatigued mumbles. Then the light went out and all was quiet again.

Sora felt her skin bristling.

Bubbles began to giggle but kept her voice barely above a whisper "Hehehe that was close, huh?" she noticed Sora's angered face, "Um... Sora? What's wrong?"

Sora didn't respond at first, simply staring forward with narrowed, furious eyes. Her lips were curled in a disgusted scowl and her blonde fringe was not long enough to obscure that angered emerald glare as she at last did turn her head. Bubbles felt a chill run down her spine as she stared into Sora's eyes. The emotion in that glare alone... it was very, very real. After a silent moment, Sora spoke "I think it's my turn to ask a question..."

Bubbles quivered at her tone - different from the lively joy that had once danced through every word she said. Now that sweet voice was hushed... serious... strained. Bubbles felt for the first time that she was being talked down to by this girl... a girl who was finally showing the considerable age gap between them both. "Ok..." Bubbles raised the covers higher, wondering what was on this disturbed girl's mind. She couldn't tell what Sora was thinking now... far too much chaos about her "One more before bed..."

When Sora's lips parted, there was no smile or anxious expression as Bubbles may have expected before. Her words travelled between lips that had curled into a derisive snarl. "That man... you called him 'Professor'. What does he do, Bubbles?" Hidden beneath the covers she wrapped her body in, Sora's fists clenched tighter. If Bubbles lied to her now, then what she had feared would then be believed. She'd built this friendship for a reason. Bubbles wouldn't betray it now, surely. That man, his coat, his professional attitude to everything... meticulous in his housework, gentle yet rigid with his girls at the same time... this Professor was no different than-

"He's a school teacher."

Sora's air of built-up hatred evaporated just like that. Her gaze was blank, her mouth gaping. That man... a teacher? "W....What does he teach?"

"Advanced sciences and all sorts of grownup stuff at Megaville University. That's why we moved here from Townsville..." Bubbles curled her arms behind her head, staring ceilingwards. Townsville... she'd never heard about who they planned to replace them with as protectors of that rather vulnerable little city.

"Is..." Sora blinked, regaining her focus. She had to be sure! "Are you sure he is just a teacher? Or is that just what he TELLS you!"

Bubbles jerked a thumb toward the kitchen. "He left his course notes on the dinner table earlier... they look kinda hard, to me... I didn't even know people had chromosomes, let alone 46 of 'em!" She held her hand in front of her face, still able to clearly see it despite the darkness, "Where do we keep 'em all?"

Sora's gaze lowered, guilt-ridden "I'm sorry... I had no idea..."

Bubbles threw her a curious glance "Hey, did you learn that sort of thing in school? Maybe you know what he talks about!"

Sora chuckled softly to herself. "Bubbles... it's a long story, but... I've never been to school. There's not much I really wanna learn right now, anyway."

Bubbles giggled "Don't tell that to Buttercup... she'd want to swap places with you."

Sora smiled with a shake of the head, "No... no she wouldn't." She lay back, resting her head on the soft pillow. She couldn't remember feeling this comfortable in a long time. "Hey, but... the Professor wears a labcoat, so... why would he have to if he teaches people!?" she asked, a little too loudly and wresting a cautionary shushing sound from Bubbles, lest the subject of their discussion show up at the door and admonish them.

"He's got a laboratory in the basement... he does some of his own experiments down there when he has the time. Usually making robots and stuff... I don't understand it, myself."

Another wash of relief came across her, her doubts completely dissolved. For once, a man who bore the coat but not the blame! "That's good then... robots aren't the same as people like you and I..." she smiled, closing her eyes and not noticing Bubbles slowly turn to her with a slightly ticked expression on her face.

"Sora... that's not true."

"Hmm?"

"Some people are different to other people... it all depends on how they are brought up and what they choose to be in their lives. I don't know much about the world, but... I guess you just gotta be careful before you speak, because sometimes you don't know something for sure."

"Did... did I upset you by what I said?"

Bubbles offered a small smile "No... I guess not, but... I think there's a lot that you and I can learn from each other. We both have powers and we grew up in different ways. Perhaps... perhaps we can become the best of friends, Sora."

Sora rested her cheek against the soft, feather-filled pillow "I'd like that, Bubbles. I really would."

"I hope your other friend finds you soon... I want to meet them as well."

"We'll see, Bubbles..." was all she said. When Bubbles said no more, Sora slowly shut her eyes as tiredness seized her. Her garnet clung to her clothes and rested upon her chest, its metal rim warm with the same heat that her body gave off. She placed her hand over it and sighed. There was still so much more to tell her... and in her heart she knew that Bubbles was the one she was destined to tell it all to. Sharing a room with someone... sharing a conversation... sharing secrets, feelings, fears and joys... Sora clenched her eyes a little tighter as the urge to cry was quickly fought off. Not here, not in front of Bubbles... she'd embrace this happiness later. Yet being here, in the same room as this beautiful young girl with whom there was so much difference between them and yet so much in common... it was just like she was back at the orphanage with all those other children... and for a fleeting moment she saw that face again, not a girl's but a boy with dark brown hair and eyes a similar shade to her own. Her breath caught in her throat for just a moment. That was it...! Here with Bubbles... it was just like being with-

"Sora?" came Bubbles' voice and Sora's eyes opened slowly. Again that urge to shed a tear or two creeped up behind her but she fought it off again. Bubbles was holding that little bluish-purple toy again, waggling one of its eight plushy arms in her direction. Bubbles' smile was broad and her eyes, albeit sleepy, shone with a fondness that could not be put into words. "Octi says goodnight."

Sora couldn't help but giggle. How she wished... how she longed for a little sister just like that... a wish that would never come true. "Good night Octi... and goodnight to you, Bubbles. Thanks for letting me stay tonight..."

Bubbles suppressed a yawn "Where... where will you go to...to..." Finally she opened wide with a big yawn, "Tomo-ho-horrow...?"

"Wherever it is, Bubbles... I'll find you again, soon enough."

That answer seemed to satisfy the sleepy child. Clutching her favourite toy, Bubbles closed her eyes one final time, her dazzling long eyelashes falling like a curtain over those azure orbs of youth. Sora blinked once or twice and felt something wet and warm trickle down her cheek and splash onto her pillow. She'd forgotten that she felt like crying in happiness... looks like it was too late now. Shutting her eyes, Sora again clutched her garnet close as she felt the warmth around her embracing her body from her shoulders where the blankets began, right down to her bare legs. She'd had no comfort like this... no special treatment like this in a long time. She was still smiling, so much that it didn't even feel unnatural. Smiling used to be so hard...



'You're needed.

You must come.

Right away.

Follow.

You must come to me.

Soon, Sora!

Tonight!

NOW!'

Sora's eyes flew open as her breath caught in her throat. She was lying face-up, staring at a ceiling she at first couldn't recognise. Then came the recollection of the sleepover invite and, in a matter of moments, the gentle sound of breathing from her left. She glanced sideways at the little foldout bed. Her startled heart began to beat more slowly... calmly. Stuffed toy in her hands and her thick eyelashes hiding her beautiful eyes, Bubbles slept peacefully. Nothing had disturbed her. That voice she'd heard... it was in her head, just like before. It no longer spoke. It was the middle of the night and all was dark - nobody would try and reach out to her at a time like this. Perhaps it was just a dream... another bad dream.

Sora lay back and closed her eyes, trying to shake that ominous feeling when-

'HEY!'

Sora sat bolt-upright, the sheets covering her flying across the room as she kicked them away and stifled a yell of shock.

'Did you not hear me? I need to see you now!'

Sora's breathing was shallow, rasping through her partly agape mouth as she clutched the garnet to her bosom. "Oh... o-oh... you... did you-"

'Say nothing. Just come to me.'

Sora narrowed her eyes, staring at the wall as she replied to the voice that had spoken to her... kept her sane... "Where...?"

'Follow what you hear. You know how to. I am waiting.'

Sora's fists clenched upon her knees, the fabric of the couch warm beneath her bare thighs and her buttocks. It had been only a day... even less. Already something was happening... it was far too soon. Another glance at Bubbles. She slept with barely a sound, as though the toy octopus was her own little brooch of safety. There was no telepathic voice in her mind, though. Nothing to disturb her from the normal night's sleep that every girl of 8 years could achieve. Sora cursed beneath her breath. What did she or Bubbles know of 'normal'? There was nothing normal here... and that's why they had met in the first place. She stood, her legs adjusting to her weight uneasily and she almost stumbled, still fatigued. The chilly air engulfed her near-naked body, no bedsheets to protect her from them. She bent down to retrieve her skirt and slipped her legs into it and buttoning it at her waist. It did absolutely nothing other than allow cold polyester to rest against her legs and give her chills. Sitting upon the couch again, she slid into her sneakers, tying them quickly. Efficiently. She ran a finger along the golden rim of her crystal and for a while all she did was sit there. Staring. Thinking.

Anticipating.

"All this time..." she muttered to herself "You talked to me... you helped me, and yet... I do not even know what you look like." She actually giggled, sort of grimly. "I don't know your name..."

She fell silent. That voice didn't return.

Nothing.

Sora clenched her fists again, knowing what had to be done. Her instructions were given. All her life she'd grown to accept and follow instructions. Even when her life began to change, still she followed orders. It was for the best, she supposed. Especially if what she was hearing was true. Was what she was so desperately searching for finally located? She slipped off the couch. She couldn't stay here. But she couldn't tell Bubbles what was going on, not just because the younger child was asleep, but also... well... she probably wouldn't believe her at first, anyway. She crouched down, feeling sorry for both herself and the sleeping angel. Brushing her blonde fringe away, she whispered to her. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay..." she kissed her gently upon her smooth, perfect skin. "Please understand... I'll see you soon."

She didn't want to wake her. She moved to the far end of the room, away from Bubbles. Sora closed her eyes, seeking out the point from where that voice was calling. Oh great, outdoors... and she had no cold-weather clothing. Harrumphing, she folded her arms across her chest and focused on that one point, closer than she thought it might be. A brilliant flicker lit the room, rapid as a camera flash. When the light was gone, so was Sora.

Before she even opened her eyes, her arms latched around herself as the blisteringly-cold air washed upon her bare arms and legs. With a squeak, she rubbed her hands across her skin, glancing around to take in her new surroundings. She had known what to expect even before she teleported. She just had to be sure she got it right. Sloping hillside, trees above, below and all around but spaced far enough apart to not cause an obstruction. The view ahead was quite stunning and she found herself staring down at the enormous city of Megaville-by-night. Lights everywhere like some sophisticated colony of fireflies, forming shapes of buildings whose outlines were hidden by the darkness. Tiny specks of red and white traveled slowly through those countless roads and motorways, a well-timed dance of red, yellow and green co-ordinating the symphony- a silent conductor. There were clouds in the sky and no moon. The water was not reflective; just a black mass stretching to the horizon with a great grey span arching across it. Already the sea of cars were allowed back onto the bay-traversing bridge, only a day after the vehicle accident that the whole town was talking about. Mountainous formations of light gradually receded into a sea of patterns and glows as city became suburbs and highways became residential roads lit by streetlight. Sora found her jaw agape and closed her mouth at last. This place was home to millions... and it was only a few years old.

Sometimes, humans could be amazing.

"Those three girls... they defend this huge place on their own?" she muttered. She never truly appreciated the size of this megacity until now. Perhaps that was why she was summoned here. A soft breeze tickled her thighs, making her long for a longer skirt or perhaps some warmer socks. She only had this one pair of clothes. She only took them off to either sleep or wash them. But even the most that she had wasn't enough to stave her discomfort. Goosebumps rose upon her skin. Pretty as the view was, couldn't they have met inside a skyscraper or something? Someplace with a heater? There was another alternative though... one she hadn't tried but was sure could make a difference. Spreading her arms sidewards, she shut her eyes again. Even her eyelashes felt the cool breeze filter between them, making her shiver. Her hands began to glow; the soft white light engulfing her fingers and spreading up her hands to her wrists... higher... higher...

Her lips moved almost on instinct, "I am Tal-"

A voice pierced through her concentration, shattering it like thin glass "Don't waste your powers here."

Sora rounded on the source of the voice with a startled "UWAWAWAH?!"

From amidst the shadows of the trees emerged a sight quite unexpected. All this time, Sora had imagined the source of that voice that constantly spoke to her in her mind - encouraging her, reassuring her - belonged to a majestic young lady, tall and lithe in stature with pretty eyes and the body of someone 15 or 16 at least. The voice was by no means adult-sounding but it certainly hadn't been the high-pitched tones of a child... a child just like the one she saw coming towards her. Sora stared, speechless. This child - this girl, whilst not as young as the Powerpuffs, seemed a year or so Sora's junior, shorter in height and with a body that had yet to show much signs of development that Sora's near-teen body was beginning to portray. She had a very pretty hair colour; almost red and yet far from it, a mix of chestnut hues that seemed to radiate with an auburn splendour, cut short and slightly bushy around the shoulder line. A couple of curls sprouting out from near the temples in little ringlets that spun outwards and then back in to tickle her at the cheeks. A curly fringe did not hide her face but instead hung buoyantly over her forehead, giving her hair an overall light and voluptuous appearance despite being short. A sapphire-blue headband stretched across her crown from ear to ear, holding those European-red locks away from her ears. Upon her person she wore clothing that seemed almost as inappropriate to the current temperature as Sora's. A short-, SHORT-cut pair of denim dungarees sat slightly loosely over an orange T with red trims, her legs almost entirely bare save for the uppermost parts of her thighs hidden by her apparel. Her legs were not quite as thin as Sora's was for her frame, but she couldn't tell if this girl was naturally athletic or whether she'd yet to shed the puppyfat of her youth. White socks, much like Sora's, and a pair of uninteresting sneakers tied in double knots. She looked utterly normal.

Except... for her eyes...

Staring out from beneath the thick dark eyelashes were a pair of eyes so vividly red that Sora thought the night was playing tricks upon her. They were brighter than even the ripest raspberry, radiant in their youth and yet holding some sort of unintentional malice simply thanks to how unnatural they appeared. And yet, they went so well with her hair. Contact lenses? Couldn't have been... But children were not born with colours like those! Well, except Blossom but she had an excuse! Sora felt the tiny little hairs upon her neck stand up as a chill swept across her from staring into those two rubies for too long, "I... I-I um... I'm looking for somebody but I don't know if you can hel-"

Sora's voice was cut off as that eerily-omniscient voice lanced through her mind once again, coming from no particular direction but seeming so much stronger than before. As it spoke to her, the girl before her smiled slightly. 'You have found the one you're looking for.'

Sora retreated half a pace, bringing her hand to her temple in amazement and shock. It wasn't comfortable the first time... but being so close felt almost like mental assault! "I... I don't think I can get used to that."

The girl shrugged dismissively. And this time her lips moved with the words that emerged, "I can talk like this if it's easier, I guess. Even other gifted ones need to start slowly..."

This was all too confusing. The person who brought Sora here and who had made a promise that she could not turn away from... it was this child of ten or so years? This kid was a powerful telepath, that was for certain. And she had red eyes. Red, scary eyes. And she could choose how she spoke. That was... different. "I'm... not sure-"

The girl smiled wider and then issued the kicker. One in her mind and one from the girl's lips - two voices spoke in unison:

"How about I do both so that everyone's happy?"
'How about I do both so that everyone's happy?'

"O-Ok... now you're just..."

She took a few steps forward, giggling to herself. Sora wondered if this was just a crazy dream and whether or not she was still back in the living room of the Powerpuff residence sleeping on that nice warm couch that she was beginning to sorely miss. The girl's bright-red eyes narrowed and that playful smile turned devious. She stretched out a hand toward Sora. The two voices overlapped again, but this time...
"I can say two things at once, this way..."
'Your hair is beautiful... you're a very pretty girl, Sora!'

Sora shivered a bit, a dreadful tingle fizzling its way down her spine. What kind of person WAS this girl? "P...Please stop..."
I want you all to meet Sora's little friend.

Part 2a of Talisman, my ongoing work.
© 2009 - 2024 Griddles
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legendary444's avatar
...speaking of octi i never figured it out since i hardly saw the show .... but 4 some reason im getting a feeling he was evil 0.o wasnt he like possesed by... him b4. .... um ya am i crazy or was that somthing that was actually in the show ? 0.o