(I do not own the Powerpuff Girls. Enjoy.)
Prologue
"Is she ready?"
"Almost." One of the scientists replied. "We're just waiting for her to sta-" His head was lopped off before he could finish.
"Oh my God!" Another scientist shouted. "Jerry!"
"Don't worry. You'll join him soon enough."
"What? No!" The scientists started trying to escape the lab, only to find the doors jammed.
Blood splashed upon the walls.
---
It was odd to see her in black, with no other color on her clothes. Even her hair was hidden, tied up under the hat she was wearing. Her eyes, the only chance at color today, were closed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Her sister stood close by, similarly draped in black, though she had opted for a simple red bow for her hair instead of a hat. She refused to cry, her eyes totally pink from rubbing.
Their father stood above them, holding their stepmother. She wept uncontrollably. He could no longer cry.
A girl with brown hair stood on the other side of the grave. She just looked down, not believing this was really happening. It just wasn't possible.
Finally, a boy with thick glasses was the last person in the circle, his nose threatening to run. He couldn't cry, but not because he didn't want to.
No one else could be bothered to come.
It was a small grave, no more than a foot in any direction. Not that it needed to be. Without a body, the grave was only a formality. One of the sisters lowered a small box in which a green blanket was housed into the grave.
Before they left, they set up the headstone:
Here Lies
Buttercup Betty Utonium
A True Hero
1998-2008
---
Ace Dupopulis was a rational man. Rarely did he let his anger get the best of him. He could make plans with the best of them. And he knew when to cut his losses. But love could make a man do crazy things. So could power. And Ace could never decide which he wanted, often tossing one for the other. He lost he best chance many years ago, and now there was no hope of regaining it. "Boys, my Puff has fellen." He said, setting his cards face down. "I say we exact vengeance.
"B-but Bossssss!" Snake started, sinking into a hiss. "Ssshe wasss jussst a Powerpuff Girl. Why should we do anything for her?"
"Cuz I said so." Ace sneared. "Whatsa matter? You chicken?" He looked around at the gang. "Fine. Let's make a bet of it. If I win this hand, you all help me in this."
"Big Billy fold!"
"Ay, me too."
A raspberry filled the air, causing Ace to smile.
"What if I win?" Snake asked, stealing Ace's grin.
Ace studied his friends face. "You can be the gang leader." His grin came back at the look on Snake's face.
After a few minutes of thinking, Snake smiled. "I'm in." He said, setting down three kings.
Ace scowled, standing up. "Guess I'm doing this alone." He started to walk to the shack door.
"As gang leader, I say no Gangrene can help the Powerpuff's in any matter."
Ace shrugged. "Guess I'm not a Gangrene anymore." He said, leaving the shack.
---
Checking her watch for the thirtieth time, the red head scowled. "He's late. I am so gonna fire him." She had long ago ditched the 'fake' tiara and favored a yellow shirt and purple jeans over the golden gowns she used to wear. Much more versatile.
"Hey, Princess!" A gruff voice called out. "Whatcha doin'?"
"Beat it, Mitch." She scowled, crossing her arms. "I don't want to deal with you."
"Aw. Why do you have to act like that?"
"I'm good at it. Now shoo, go away."
"Guh, I was gonna ask you out."
Princess groaned, then assumed what she hoped was an excited expression, clasping her hands together. "Does that mean I can be one of your many girlfriends?"
"Is that a yes?"
Her face dropped into a scowl. "Go suck on a railroad spike." She smiled as the limo pulled up. She climbed in, shouting at the driver. "You're late!"
---
The lab was no longer neat and pristine. Blood painted the walls and corpses littered the floor. In the middle of the room, a tank stood tall. Inside, a girl floated, a tubed mask over her mouth.
Her eyes flew open, purple in hue.