Forward: This was a very big story...both in length and in its influence on my life. It was something I had never written before, and finally putting it to paper was a relief. It was accepting things about myself that I had always tried to hide.
It's old, very old, and I've actually tried to forget I wrote it. Maybe, even after how liberating it felt to write it, I was still ashamed. This is my way of again, trying to accept myself. This seems like a very big to do for just another story from that author no one gives a crap about. Maybe it is, but this story was, and still is, very important to me.
This is a rewrite, from the ground up, of Caught in the Crossfire. If you want to find the original, it's #1203 if you search all ratings on . Anyone who has read it before, and I'm sure these people don't exist anymore, the story is largely unchanged. Same basic plot, same basic story, hell...even the same chapter titles. But this is a director's cut, a balls-out full-fledged explosion of rebirth. I am...infinitely a better writer than I was four years ago. I'm a much better person than I was four years ago.
This is, without a doubt, a story written for myself. I don't expect anyone to read it again—I am amazed anyone read it before—but I just have to try it again. I have to get it right before I can let it go. I promise...if you read the story before and liked it, it's going to be even better this time. If you hated it before...it's going to be even worse this time.
I've rambled too long now. I apologize, you were expecting a story involving the Powerpuff Girls when you clicked. If you're my friends, I'd ask you not to read this. It may very well ruin what demented perception of me you may already have. Then again...
Like I told a friend before, sometimes you find people who won't let go.
Thanks for reading everyone, I'll try to make it worth the effort.
Sincerely,
Kevin Ivy
Re: Caught in the Crossfire
By Kevin Ivy
I: I'm a Very Good Liar
Time...moves in a twisted, chaotic...but so beautifully textured pattern. Random moments, impossibly minute slips through the cracks of perception, come back hundreds—if not thousands—of eons later. Everything in this world moves in a...delicate circle. A precious and hidden roulette wheel. This never-ending cycle is a masterpiece, crafted by the greatest of all craftsmen. A circle began in the beginning...shall shortly close.
Before mortal life took form, those who came to be before all things have been at odds. Where beyond strife and anxiety, those who shaped it all lazed in eternal paradise, at the very heart of chaos itself, new life was born. The pebble had been cast into the pond, and the ripples were formed. Two great god rose out of the abyss and created a great world of darkness.
Ah...but all was not well as lesser creatures, made in their image, came to be. These two gods could not stand the thought of either holding dominance over himself. And so, the ripples expanded and became a horrendous war. The most beautiful war ever crafted. They tore apart this newborn Hell, seeking to be its only master. In the end...one triumphed over the other, who fled in shame.
The Black One was not satisfied with his victory...after all, his brother had escaped to recover some day. In his fury, the demon god fell upon the sacred Paradise, seeking to destroy the very creatures who paved the way for his own creation. This...was not in the cards. Though he succeeded in stealing the lives of these ethereal creatures, his victory came at great cost. Nearly all of his great, and terrible, power was forever locked away. The demon god, had become a mere shadow of his former self.
What of his brother? Here...is where this greatest of all stories becomes far more interesting. He fled, not to a new plain on the edge of the immortal realm beyond reality, but to the mortal plain. Here he found the means by which he could...in time, find his revenge. He brought up from the ground his own world, and from the darkness within, he began to recover his awesome powers.
Of course, this god knew of his brother's fall. But he could not return in triumph. Not so soon. It...was not in the cards. So he stayed, and waited, and watched, and planned. One day...everything became clear. Both brothers turned to the mortal world, both brothers turned...to the seat of the Red One's power. Here...man had made God from the machine. Here...the frigid stalemate was broken, and countless millenia of planning and hatred began to come together.
How masterfully genius, how perfectly crafted. The circle has now begun to close at last, the ripples are quickly becoming great tidal waves. The war for Hell itself...decided by sugar, spice, and everything nice.
This tangled web comes undone...and my will is done.
The City of Townsville had seen an unnatural influx of a strange and uplifting condition known as 'peace' over the last few weeks. For the greater part of the city, it was a cause for celebration and relaxation. For others, it was a puzzling phenomenon. Townsville wasn't known for its downtime. If anything, it only made the coming disaster that much more terrible. To the leader of the Powerpuff Girls, ten year old Blossom Utonium, the period of silence was more unnerving than it was soothing.
Blossom walked down the street, in no hurry to return home, with her arms loaded with books. The trip to the library had somewhat eased her worries. Still, at her core Blossom felt worried.
"It's like...a calm before the storm. I haven't seen Him...or Mojo...anyone in almost three weeks. What in the world is going on? What's about to happen?" She casually turned her eyes up to the sky, absentmindedly shifting her books and brushing her long bangs from her eyes. In an effort to relax, she'd left her hair down. Looking back, she realized it was proving to be more annoying than it was helpful.
"I should probably get home...Bubbles said something about a movie," She grinned and started to take to the sky, just as she passed by Townsville Central Park. Blossom stopped abruptly, noticing a strange movement from the corner of her eye. She turned and stared across the street, where she noticed something puzzling. Previously, the park had been relatively empty, after all the sun was beginning to set and the evening breeze was a tad chilly. Now a girl, roughly her age, stood rigidly across from her, facing away from Blossom.
"That's odd...she wasn't there before..." Technically speaking, Blossom hadn't really been paying close attention to the park. What led her to believe that the girl had not previously been there, was just how ostentatiously she stood out from the scenery. For one, the girl's hair was almost as long as Blossom's, and pale pink to boot! Blossom gently floated back to the ground, sandals clacking softly against her heels. The pink-haired girl in the park sharply turned and looked at her, so quickly Blossom jumped.
'Did she hear me land? I wasn't...wasn't that loud...' The girl's indifferent expression became a bright and cheerful smile. She waved at Blossom frantically. Blossom blinked and returned the wave, as well as she could with her arms loaded. The girl began to hurry toward Blossom. Her more heroic instincts took over and, without real reason, Blossom started to size up the newcomer. She was a few inches taller than Blossom herself and had a sporty build. Blossom's eyes fell on the bouncing necklace around the girl's neck.
'A crucifix...that's cool,' She thought with a smile. The girl stopped in front of Blossom, panting slightly.
"Hey! I wasn't sure if you saw me!" Blossom smiled and nodded.
"Well, it's not like there's anyone else around," The girl chuckled and nodded, looking around sheepishly. The two were alone, save for the occasional car passing by. She smiled and looked up at Blossom, allowing the puff to get a close look at her icy-blue eyes.
"Yeah you've got a point, hey listen, you're Blossom right? The Powerpuff Leader?" Blossom nodded and carefully adjusted her books, accepting the hand held her way. Blossom mentally noted that the girl had a very strong handshake...and that she held on just a tad longer than Blossom was comfortable.
"Yes, I am. It's very nice to meet you..." The girl grinned and finally let go of Blossom's hand. She quickly shoved her hands into her pockets, never breaking eye contact with the Powerpuff...despite the other's efforts to do just that.
"Belial. My name is Belial," For some reason, Blossom shuddered. Belial was a demon's name, which would certainly explain how uneasy she felt next to this girl.
'Not that I have a reason to be...she's been nothing but nice to me, still...' She thought. Belial's grin finally dulled to a casual smile. She chuckled and brushed her bangs out of her face.
"Sorry, I really shouldn't have just rushed you like this. It was just so unbelievable to actually see you in the flesh. I've heard a lot about you," Blossom beamed, her ego swelling. She adjusted her hold on her books again, and laughed off Belial's concerns.
"No, it's alright. I wasn't in a hurry. Are you new in town?" Belial's smile...changed somehow. Blossom couldn't put her finger on it, but it quickly put her on the edge again.
"I wouldn't say completely new, I just haven't been here in about five years," Blossom nodded.
"Did you have to switch schools?" Belial nodded, looking up at the sky. She crossed her arms and grinned. Blossom gave a subtle sigh of relief. She had finally managed to break eye contact with the weird girl.
"Something like that, yeah. Listen I'm a huge fan of yours. You are, without a doubt, my biggest inspiration in life," Blossom flushed and giggled, feeling her ego swell again. She stood up straight and cleared her throat, willingly meeting Belial's gaze now.
"Why thank you! I don't think anyone has ever said that to me..." Belial nodded and turned her head, almost like she was looking around them. Her necklace popped out of her tank top again, and Blossom managed to get a close look at it. As superficial as it was, her stomach churned when she noticed something she'd previously missed. The crucifix on the necklace was upside-down—it almost felt like the upside-down image of Jesus was looking right into her.
"Um...hey well, I think I should get going...it's been um...very nice meeting you," Blossom was ashamed by how fake her own explanation seemed. Belial looked back at her quickly, confusion etched on her face.
"Oh...really? Well...I guess that's alright," As she started to walk by Belial, Blossom mulled over the girl's choice of words. Something about the inflection startled her. Blossom heard shoes sliding on the ground behind her and could practically feel Belial's blue eyes on her back, "I wouldn't recommend it though," Blossom froze, swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. Belial's voice had lost all of the sweetness it had before. It was...a little lower and very condescending.
"W...What do you mean?" Blossom turned around and gasped, dropping her books. Belial's nose was brushing against hers. The previously cheerful grin had turned venomous and evil. Belial casually reached up and patted Blossom's cheek. Blossom flushed and clenched her fists.
"I mean...it's so much easier to lose with your back to your enemy," Blossom's eyes widened, but before she could react, she was shoved violently to the side, into the hood of an oncoming car. She slammed into the windshield and rolled over the car, landing in a painful thud on the pavement. The man started to stop, but a ray of heat slammed into his car, destroying it and killing him in a bright explosion.
"Who...who are you?" Blossom asked, climbing to her feet and taking a more battle ready stance. Belial just continued to stalk toward her with a wicked grin.
"For one...I'm a very good liar," Blossom glared and took a swing at Belial as she kept approaching. Belial slapped Blossom's hand away and retaliated with a right hook that dropped the hero to the ground. Blossom gasped and pushed herself up. Belial roughly kicked her in the stomach, knocking her onto her back. She whistled and grinned, standing over the already cringing hero.
"Wow! Two whole hits! That has to be some kind of record for you, huh? How's it feel, losing so hard?" Blossom growled and climbed to her feet, throwing a small barrage of punches on her way up. Belial barely budged, leaning and tilting her head away from the strikes. Blossom's face began to grow red, her attacks flying faster and faster. Belial's hands shot up, snatching her wrists and roughly holding them in place.
"What...in the world are you?" Belial smiled sweetly and leaned close to Blossom, her breath ticking her ear.
"I'm sort of like you...only evil and so much stronger," Blossom emitted a sharp squeak, her knees trembling beneath her. She slumped forward, resting on Belial's raised knee. The pink-haired girl stepped back, catching Blossom by her face and holding her up. Blowing mockingly, she shoved her backward. Blossom wrapped her arms around her waist, curling up and gasping for air. As she started to sit up, Belial roughly stomped down on Blossom's chest, pinning her to the ground.
"Why...w-why are you d...doing this?" Belial rested her cheek on her hand and leaned forward on her knee, grinning cheekily at Blossom. Though the look tried to fake innocence, there was something predatory in Belial's eyes that kept Blossom on the edge.
"Well you're just so adorable, I couldn't help myself! Ya'see, I heard a whole lot about you. So much, but...well, I'm not supposed to be here. So we'll make the best of this while we can!" Belial stomped hard on Blossom, driving the air from her lungs. She dropped down, straddling Blossom's hips and effortlessly pinning her arms above her head with one arm. Blossom swallowed and felt a paralyzing fear rising in her chest. Belial giggled and leaned in close, her breath brushing against Blossom's lips.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you," She whispered deviously. Blossom tensed up when she felt Belial's hand slipping up her pink blouse. Her breath caught in her throat as Belial's fingers lightly brushed against her stomach. Belial's grin brightened as Blossom began to squirm uncomfortably beneath her. Belial spidered her fingers further up Blossom's blouse, teasingly kneading her ribs and slithering down her side.
"St...Stop it...wh...why are you..." Blossom swallowed hard and bit her lip. Her cheeks were flushed and every so often she twitched violently. Belial just continued to leer at her.
"What do you think I'm doing?" She whispered, scratching a little faster across Blossom's stomach. The Powerpuff squealed and giggled, trying hard to dismount her attacker. Her futile efforts to extricate herself from her predicament only made Belial's grin widen.
"Stop tickling me! Cut it out!" Blossom managed to get out between giggles. Belial giggled and, in response, tickled Blossom harder. The pink puff gasped and laughed a little harder, coughing and struggling to catch her breath. Belial slowly licked her lips, leaning forward so that she was nose to nose with Blossom once more.
"But I don't wanna...ya'see, this is the whole reason I came here. It was totally worth it..." Blossom tried to slam her head against Belial's, but her opponent just avoided the attack. The pink-haired attacker firmly pressed Blossom's head against the ground with her elbow. She teasingly leaned in close, her breath tickling Blossom's ear. She relished the shudder that ran through the pink puff's body.
"You're gonna have to try harder than that...we're just getting warmed up," Blossom laughed harder as Belial's fingers trailed their way up to her ribs again. She had to wonder just how far her strange assailant intended on taking this. Belial lightly kissed Blossom's ear, seemingly confirming the heroine's worst fears. She looked with a disconnected sense of confusion when Blossom's eyes began to water.
"No...please don't..." Blossom forced out between pained giggles. Belial licked her lips and took on a wicked expression. Before she could respond, Belial caught sight of the clock tower in the distance. She abruptly sat up, releasing her hold on Blossom. She scowled and brushed her hair behind her ear.
"Dammit...has it been that long already? Dad is going to be so mad at me...great, fine, whatever," Belial growled and clenched her fists tightly. She looked down at Blossom with a mocking wink. Blossom pushed herself up on her elbows, a couple tears rolling down her cheeks. Belial stood up and crossed her arms.
"Looks like its your lucky day, I have to go before the good stuff starts," Belial sighed and growled. In her anger she came across far more menacing than before. She fixed her gaze on Blossom, all friendly disposition gone. The pink-haired superhuman looked like a lion eying a gazelle.
"Next time, we'll do this for real," A curtain of darkness wrapped around Belial, and in a split instant she was gone. Blossom stared at the spot where Belial had vanished, trying to find her breath. She lightly rubbed her stomach and sat up, staring down at the grass. Her eyes were still wide, still horrified. What fate, exactly, had she avoided?
"Who...who was she?" She choked out. Her mouth was dry as cotton, and her throat was sore. Blossom swallowed and dizzily climbed to her feet. A more important question, she realized, was how could she fight someone that powerful? As she ventured back to her fallen library books, a pair of strange eyes watched her go. The unseen spy also looked back to where Belial had vanished and gave a soft sigh. A second veil of darkness removed the unseen spy from the now silent park.