Disclaimer: I do not own the Powerpuff Girls. It is owned and created by Craig McCraken, and by Cartoon Network.


An Education From HIM

Peace reigns between the Powerpuff Girls and Rowdyruff Boys. Even as the boys claims that they remain evil, they become close to their counterparts, becoming penpals and playmates to each other. Yet HIM watches, and vows to shatter their peace. Chapter 1. HIM's angry at the boys. Blossom and Brick write to each other, using Bubbles as a messenger. Mojo has something for his sons.

Book I (V)

Preliminary Skirmishes


Chapter I (XX)

Tag and Tea Parties

Please, please, leave a review. Thank you.

1 (190). A Jealous HIM

"So, you ingrates chose that monkey over me?" A creature, with lobster like features, red skin, and tall black boots, said, in a rather high pitched voice, as he watched the scene on his old-fashioned television at his lair that took the form of a pink room.

He watched as the Rowdyruff Boys celebrated their seventh birthday, and laughed at the final scene—Blossom giving Brick a golden crown, crowning him, Brick crying in tears, and kissing her on both cheeks in gratitude.

But it wasn't that that rankled him, but the fact that Mojo Jojo was there—as their father!

He recalled how it all begun. He had so much fun following it on TV. He remembered fighting with the monkey during last years' Father's Day to prove who was the best father! And the boys had rejected them both, saying they wanted nothing more than the destruction of the Powerpuff Girls! And he had been so proud! He didn't mind the rejection, as long as that Mojo was rejected too!

He watched with amusement as the boys realized they were not as smart as they thought they were, and after various hijinks, went to Ms. Keane, begging her to be their tutor. The teacher agreed, and his boys became smart! Very smart, and so smart, that they were able to easily beat the girls in battle using ingenious tactics. And they made it look like, to the city, that the girls were the actual aggressors! Clever! Genius!

But, from HIM's perspective, it had its downside. Ms. Keane became very close to the boys, and under her influence, they sought pardon from the Mayor, disclaimed their original aim of Powerpuff Destruction, all without renouncing evil! Instead, the boys would conquer the world when they grew up, but in the meantime, they would prepare by "pretending to be good" so that they would be acceptable rulers when they become adults. And Ms. Keane's hope was that eventually, they'd become genuinely good and see the folly of conquering the world.

Then Ms. Keane threw a wrench in her own scheme by recruiting Mojo so the boys could live a normal family life. Mojo agreed but decided to do everything to make sure the boys follow through their goal of conquering the world.

After more misunderstandings, the Teacher Ms. Keane told the Powerpuff Girls her plan, and they agreed to it. The girls even tolerated the boys "remaining" evil and plotting to take over the world, as long as the boys didn't do any overt acts of evil. And so, they started to become close, Bubbles and Boomer became playmates, while Brick and Blossom continued to be pen pals. That led to the birthday party, where they signed an agreement, and Blossom crowned Brick and Brick gave Blossom two pecks on her cheeks.

That was very entertaining to watch for HIM, except for the part of Mojo being the father. That meant he was rejected! He, the evilest of evil, was rejected by the evil Rowdyruff Boys in favor of that monkey!

How dare they!

The Rowdryruff Boys would pay for their treason!

But, how?

Nevermind. He'll make them pay! The Monkey will pay! And those Powerpuff Girls too!

"You think your life's perfect! You're at peace, everything's going swell!" he beamed as he watched the party. "Well, guess what? It's going to get a lot worse!"

He then laughed and laughed as a plan formed in his brain. Oh, it would be so delicious!


2 (191). Princess' Visit

August 6, 2005, Saturday…

*DING DONG*

It was morning, and Bubbles waited in anticipation as she stood outside the door of the white painted Rowdyruff Home in the middle of the forest. Formerly Fuzzy Lumpkins' shack, it had been converted, with Ms. Keane's help, into a modern middle-class home. Mojo Jojo lived with them as their father, but the monkey on weekdays usually goes to his volcano-top laboratory to "work". Work days include Saturdays for the chimpanzee genius, so the boys were on their own that day.

The door opened, and as she expected, and had hoped, it was Boomer.

"Hello, Princess," he greeted as he yawned. Princess was his nickname for her, coming from a dream based on the fairy tale, Puss in Boots. It was not, originally, a compliment, but she loved it nonetheless.

"I have a letter for Brick!"

"From the Big Bad Wolf?" he asked. Big Bad Wolf was Boomer's nickname for Blossom, again, coming from a dream based on a fairy tale. Needless to say, the blue ruff loved reading fairy tales.

"No, it's from Buttercup! What do you think?" she joked.

Boomer scratched his head sheepishly and shouted, "BRICK! THERE'S A LETTER FOR YOU!"

She looked expectantly behind Boomer, looking over her shoulder, expecting the leader to turn up.

"Yes?" a voice from behind her answered.

She shrieked and jumped in fright, and turned around. There was Brick, smirking before he laughed. "Ha, you frighten easily!" he teased.

She laughed too, "well, you shouldn't sneak up behind a girl like that! It's impolite!"

"But funny!" Boomer added, laughing a bit.

"So you got a letter from Pinky?"

"Yes," she said, handing the letter.

He took it, and read the cover.

"Are you gonna write a reply?" the blue puff asked.

"Yes."

"And are you going to send it this day?"

"Yep."

"Could I deliver?"

"Yes."

"Can I wait?"

"Sure. And Boomer and Butch could keep you company," he said, getting the letter. The leader flew inside and upstairs, to his room.

Before anything could happen, there was a swish of green from inside, and Boomer was tackled by Butch, with Butch giving a powerful punch to the blue ruff's tummy. He then got off, pointed and laughed. "Got you there! Got ya! Off your guard, ain't ya?"

Bubbles gasped, but Boomer just laughed, his face in pain, before he used his speed to give a swift punch on the laughing Butch's jaw. "Who's laughing now?" he said, laughing louder.

Butch clutched his jaw, but simply laughed the pain off. Both brothers put their arms round each other's shoulders and laughed more.

It was only then that the green ruff noticed Bubbles, and said, "What's up, Girl?" he said. 'Girl' was Butch's nickname for Bubbles, as Bubbles had recently become a frequent visitor to the Rowdyruff Home, and Bubbles guessed, was the only girl he regularly sees. "Let me guess, you have a letter from Pink Eyes, and you're gonna wait for Dear Leader to finish?"

"As usual!" Bubbles smiled. It had happened often enough that it had become a routine. It was a convenient excuse for Bubbles to visit the boys as often she liked.

"We're gonna play special tag!" Butch declared. "Wanna play with us?"

"I want to! I want to!" Bubbles shouted, raising her hand and waving it while jumping.

"There are special rules, Princess," Boomer began. "First, you can use your powers, meaning you can fly, but you can't use any nonphysical powers, so no lasers. Then, you can't go beyond the walls of our land. If you do so, you'd be it. Third, you can rest on the roof of the house. It's home base. However, only one can rest. If another one rests, the first one must leave, or he'll be it."

"What if nobody else went to the roof? Could I stay as long as I want?" asked Bubbles.

"You can, but you'd be missing out on the fun!" Boomer replied. "Finally, there is one final rule. To tag, you must hurt the one you're tagging. No slap, but a punch, a kick, or anything else, would be fine. There must be pain. And only physical attacks, okay? So no laser. Still want to join?"

Although she would never have played with such rules with anyone else, nor would she ever propose to play with such rules with her sisters, she knew she was with the boys, and she knew she would enjoy it too! So she did not hesitate. "Yes."

"Atta girl!" The blue ruff said, smiling, giving a hard slap on her back, causing her to nearly fall to the ground. But she took it with a smile. They're treating her as one of them, and she's happy about it. They were rough, and though she knew they already had manners thanks to Ms. Keane, she knew it wasn't her place to question it in their own home.


3 (192). The Special Tag

They rolled a die to determine who will be it. Butch rolled four, Boomer, five, and Bubbles, got six.

"Damn!" Butch said, and both blues flew up to avoid the Baron of Berserk.

Bubbles looked at the forest. The property of the Rowdyruff Boys was about a thousand acres, with the house in the middle. It was bounded by a wall made of brick and wire going around it. Within it was a big lake that functioned as both a fishing ground and swimming spot.

She spotted Butch going after her, so she flew as fast as possible. Being the fastest Powerpuff, she easily outdistanced the green ruff. As she approached the wall, she turned around, and as she flew above the wall, Butch trailed her.

But her speed was such that he never even got close. She saw that Boomer was close, and Butch decided to chase him instead.

She flew towards the roof of the house, the home base, and rested a while as she watched Butch chase Boomer, to no avail. She should know. Boomer was the fastest ruff of them all. He flew circles around the Baron of Berserk, but because of the need to keep within the property, could not shake Butch. Instead, he flew to the roof and landed next to Bubbles.

"You must leave by ten. One. Two. Three. Four. Five…"

Bubbles was shocked by this action as she stared at Boomer.

"Six. Seven. Eight…"

She then flew, but was suddenly hit in the tummy by Butch ramming his head from below. "You're it!" he shouted.

The wind was knocked out of her and she fell to the ground. It hurt, but she guessed, that was the point of this game. But did Butch have to hit her so hard?

She looked and saw Butch in the air, looking at her, and Boomer on the roof, staring. She could see in their eyes that they were expecting her to just go and cry and fly to Daddy. She was not Buttercup, who reveled in pain and fights, but she was having fun, so she stood up, dusted herself and laughed. She could be tough too! I'm hardcore Bubbles! "I'm gonna get you!" she shouted and saw both boys smile.

"Always knew you had it in you, Princess!" Boomer shouted, and Bubbles blushed at his show of faith, before he shouted, "he's getting away, idiot!"

Bubbles snapped out of it and saw that Butch was flying away. She gave chase. Soon, she was closing in, and as he turned at the edge of the property, Bubbles guessed where he was going. She was there before Butch even knew she was waiting for him. She tapped him, and said, "Tag!"

"That didn't hurt, sissy!" Butch said, laughing, and zoomed out.

Oh, right! I need to hurt him!

So she chased him, but Bubbles did not want to punch him or to kick him or hit him. That was the problem. This wasn't a fight, where to hurt each other was natural. Or training, where she knew that what she was hurting was not real, but computer simulations. She wasn't Buttercup, who would leap at this chance.

Suddenly, an idea came to her head, and as she caught up with Butch, she grabbed his hand, spun him around, and…

Pinched his right cheek.

And twisted it.

"Ouch! That hurt!" Butch complained as his cheeks reddened, rubbing his cheek after Bubbles let go. Then blushed, embarrassed that he could be hurt by it.

"Tag! You're it!" she said and landed on the roof. "That wasn't a slap, so it's allowed!"

Boomer was laughing hard. "That's rich! Nice, Princess, nice!"

Bubbles landed on the roof and began counting.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven…"

Boomer was still laughing, and he didn't get off until it was nine, and he was still laughing…

And got kicked in the back by Butch, sending him to the ground, "Tag!"

"Aw, that sucks!" Boomer whined as Butch landed on the roof, and Bubbles did not wait for Butch to count.

"Hey, Boomie! Catch me if you can!" she yelled and flew as fast as she could, with the blue ruff chasing her.

During their previous fights, she had enjoyed playing "tag" with her counterpart, and so she enjoyed this game of tag too. She flew at her top speed, and Boomer flew at top speed too, neither one managing to get the best of each other. They chased each other in the air until she decided to lose him by going straight to the forest floor, where she would not be visible from the air.

She landed on the ground and began to run on the ground. She looked behind her, and above, and Boomer…

Could not be found.

Where was he?

She began walking, peeling her eyes. She went to a massive oak which was dubbed 'The Mighty Oak' by the boys. It was used as a hiding place and during their last fight, was used by them to avoid being defeated.

She saw the hollow and peeked inside. Maybe she could hide in there too?

As soon as she poked her head inside the hollow, she was tackled. Boomer had been inside, waiting. She found herself rolling on the ground, with Boomer's arms locked around her waist.

Then he began to tickle her stomach.

And the ticklish Bubbles laughed.

And he tickled her on the armpits, on the neck, on the ribs, and it was torture!

She laughed and laughed and laughed until her stomach began to hurt from too much laughing…


4 (193). Letters Between the Pen Pals

Meanwhile…

Brick Kenneth Charles Jojo was in his room, looking at the envelope from his pen pal, Blossom.

Penpal.

It had started before the Powerpuff Girls even knew that the Rowdyruff Boys were being tutored by Ms. Keane at her home. Ms. Keane had a habit of bringing their papers to school, and in that way, the girls discovered that she had three students. But they did not put their full names on their papers. Instead, they put their middle and last names—he, for example, wrote Kenneth Charles Jojo. It was not exactly a lie!

And since the girls had not known that he had a middle name, or even a last name, since it was only with Ms. Keane that they gained their full names, they had not suspected. Blossom had read one of his essays where he had written that Townsville was owned by the Powerpuff Girls since the city was so dependent on them (which was true), had written to congratulate him and to offer her comments, and disagreed with his opinion. He had written back without revealing his identity, and she wrote back to his reply.

And thus, had begun a fruitful correspondence. He discovered that he greatly enjoyed writing to her. Debating their views on power and morality and listening to her gossip was a joy. Of course, during their last fight, thanks to Boomer's mouth, their identities had been revealed, but that didn't, to his surprise, lessen their enjoyment of writing to each other. And so they had conducted the entire negotiation for their agreement on how they'll act towards each other almost entirely by letter. The agreement had been signed last August 2, 2005, which coincidentally, he just learned, had been the Rowdyruff's seventh Birthday.

He opened the letter.


August 5, 2005

Dear Brick Kenneth Charles Jojo, Leader of the RRB, etc.…

Now that we have formally agreed to put our differences aside, and to continue to live in peace, here are some things you need to know, in accordance with our agreement, where you'll let us give you advice, even if unsolicited, so that you'll be guided on the proper behavior of a superhero.

One. The foremost concern of a superhero is the lives of the people. I know you think of yourself as evil, and I respect that. But at the same time, you are trying to become a superhero. Right now, you are acting good, even as you remain to be evil. In order to act good, in order to convince the people that you are sincere, even if you're not, you must value their lives, and see to it that they are taken care of. People appreciate it if they can see that you care for them.

If you become ruler of the world, as is your ambition, not that I'm saying you will be, or that I won't oppose it to the bitter end, but suppose you do. Your responsibility is towards your subjects—the people you rule. Care for them, and make them feel that they are being cared for, and they will lie content under your rule. If not, you will be plagued by revolts.

Now, if you become ruler of something lesser, like the city of Townsville or the State of Maine or the United States, by legal means such as an election, I won't oppose you. In fact, depending on circumstances, I might even support you. You must also look after the welfare and the lives of the people, or you'll lose the next election.

More advice will come as needed. Take care, Brick!

By the way, how is Bubbles? I hear that she is playing with you three while she's there, waiting for you to write your reply to me. Please keep in mind that she's a girl and that she might not want or enjoy some of the rougher games you boys enjoy. Buttercup may take to it like fish to water, but Bubbles? She's sweet and nice.

For example, the first time she visited, she told me that your brother, Boomer, pulled her to the lake to go "swimming" while she's dressed in her blue dress! Now Bubbles, at the end, did have fun, but it ruined her dress and her underwear. Those clothes are not for swimming. Although I have to admit it did become wet when we fought monsters, but for normal play?

Tell Boomer that.

Sincerely,

Blossom Catherine Lynn Utonium, Leader of the PPG, etc…


5 (194). Brick's Reply

Brick was slightly amused at the lecturing tone of his counterpart. He got a pen and paper and wrote his reply.


August 6, 2005,

Dear Blossom C.L. Utonium, Leader of the PPG, etc…

Thank you for your advice, , and I'll keep that in mind. I do know the responsibilities of being a superhero, even if I am evil. Me and my brothers would act as superheroes and act good until it is time to conquer the world. But thank you for reminding me of the value of life and how it relates to acting like a superhero. As per our agreement, I will always listen to such sensible advice.

Isn't it ironic? We're villains, but we're acting like heroes?

And yes, I will rule the entire world. Not just this city, or this state, or this country, though of course, I will start small. And yes, I will take care of my subjects once I attain full power since I know better than to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. For a contented people would be more willing to pay taxes and serve in my armies, isn't that right?

It is my destiny.

And thank you for your gift. That crown really made my day, as you might have guessed based on my actions on my birthday. I will keep it with me for as long as I live, and when I am crowned Emperor for real, I am going to use that crown.

As for Bubbles, now don't be like that. The truth of the matter is, I really don't have much to say, as most of the time, I'm too busy writing back when she's playing with my brothers. Though I can say that she impressed me a lot. She wasn't the sissy that I thought she was! Didn't cry and ran to daddy when we thought she would! She's a good sport, and according to my brothers, a fantastic playmate. She proved she can hang out with us.

Who knows? Maybe she'll actually fight one of us in our fighting games? Though she'll lose horribly to Butch and me, come to think of it.

As for the swimming episode, that was funny! She looked like, as Butch said, "a wet chicken". And there's nothing to apologize for. It's just normal horseplay.

Looking forward to more letters.

Sincerely,

Brick K. C. Jojo, Leader of the RRB, etc…


He remembered Blossom's gift. The crown. It was a sign, a sign that he would, indeed, rule the world when he grows up.

He sealed the letter in an envelope and flew to where the other kids were playing.

He found Boomer tickling Bubbles on the ground, besides the mighty oak, using the blue puff's loud laughter as a guide.

"I give! Ha ha ha ha!" Bubbles said, clutching her tummy, as Boomer's hands tickled her on the collarbone. "My tummy's hurting! I'm it! I'm it! I'm itttttt!"

"I think that's enough," Brick said in amusement, and Boomer stopped, and laughed a bit.

Bubbles stood up, dusted her dress, and saw Brick. There was a look of disappointment. "You've finished already?" she asked with a sad tone.

"Yeah. Here's Pinky's letter," Brick instructed, handing to Bubbles. "Could you please give it to your big sister?"

She smiled at him and took the letter, and said, "I'd love to!" she said. "See ya soon!"

"You should be it!" Boomer argued as they watched Bubbles fly away, "since it's supposed to be Bubbles!"

"Alright, I'm it!" said Brick, and gave a punch to Boomer's head, sending him to the dirt and catching him completely by surprise. "You're it! Got ya!"


6 (195). Mange vs Mr. Bear

Bubbles giggled as she flew home. She had so much fun! Even if the actual game was too violent for her taste, she still enjoyed having fun with Boomer and Butch. She understood that when she was with them, she must play by their rules, just as if any one of them was with the Powerpuff Girls, he would have to play by their rules. She imagined Boomer playing tea party with herself and her sisters, and she giggled even harder.

But Buttercup would enjoy all their violent games, no doubt about it!

Boomer, Boomer, Boomer. Her cute crush. Her friend. Although Boomer still denied that she was his friend since according to him, he was still evil and they were still enemies.

All in good time. He would realize how silly he was being. If Ms. Keane was right, and there was no doubt in her mind that she was, he would eventually stop pretending to be good and actually become good! Then he could actually admit that they were friends and that he liked her, just as she liked him!

For now, she would have to be content with his actions. Actions, as they say, speaks louder than words.

She arrived home and looked for her sister. There she was, in their room, playing with one of her dolls, with a small comb, and brushing the long red hair of 'Suzie', the name of the doll.

"Is it Suzie's time to fix her hair?" Bubbles asked.

"Yes. After that, it's tea party time!" Blossom said.

"I'll set it up!" Bubble said. She loved playing tea party.

She set up the plastic table and six plastic chairs. Bubbles gathered her stuffed animals. There was Octi, and Mr. Rabbit, a white bunny. She got her plastic tea party set, then went to the kitchen.

The thing about their tea party game was that instead of actually pretending to drink or eat, they used actual food. She put cold milk in their teapot. And cookies on their small plate, and some M&Ms chocolate on the bowl.

She set everything up—the teapot, her stuffed animal, the food.

"Buttercup!" Bubbles shouted. "Tea party time!"

Now Buttercup was a strange case. She normally hated playing really girly games, but not tea parties. For tea parties also doubled as snack time. The toughest fighter really liked the cookies served, which she could only eat it at their tea party snacks—a fact which Bubbles knew all too well and which she used to induce her middle sister to partake in such activities.

Blossom came over and put Suzie on one chair, then sat beside it. Then Bubbles put on her two stuffed animals, Mr. Bear and Octi, on either side of her.

Then Buttercup entered…

With her doll. Covered in a green blanket.

"You brought a doll!" Bubbles squealed.

"Action figure, not doll!" she asserted. "She is Mange! She works in the dark, and derives her power from the shadows she lives in! She comes out only in the night! And she works with Spore!"

"And you covered her with your blankie!" Bubbles cooed.

"Only to give her strength and power!" Buttercup proudly asserted as she put the blanket covered action figure on her chair. It was all black, with only the eyes visible on her head. "Whatever is good enough for me is good enough for Mange! After all, I am Mange!"

Buttercup was about to take her seat when Bubbles realized something. Blossom, Suzie, Bubbles, Mr. Bear, Octi, Mange. That's six! And she only had six chairs!

"Quick, Bubbles, Octi is your favorite, right?" Buttercup with an evil grin.

"I guess so," Bubbles replied, not liking Buttercup's smile.

"Look! Mr. Bear is being possessed by evil!" she said. "Mr. Bear has become evil! Time for Mange!"

Buttercup grabbed the stuffed bear, grabbed her action figure, and hit the stuffed bear with Mange. "What's that, Mange? You want me to finish off Mr. Bear? Don't worry, I will!"

She then threw the stuffed bear on the floor, stomped on it, and threw it against the wall. "The evil is gone!"

She then sat on the empty chair as if nothing had happened.

"Mr. Bear!" Bubbles shrieked before she "fainted".


7 (196). Tea Party Time

Blossom giggled as she watched the proceedings. She smiled as Buttercup tried to lay her hands on the cookies.

Then almost like clockwork, Bubbles "recovered" and slapped the green puff's hand.

"Not yet!" she scolded.

"Aw, it was a good try," Buttercup pouted before she sat back.

Bubbles then got the teapot, and began asking, in a fake British accent, "Tea, Blossom?"

"Yes, thank you, Bubbles," Blossom said, and Bubbles poured milk into the cup.

Shen asked Suzie, and Blossom spoke for her doll, "Suzie would want some, please."

And she pretended to pour milk on her cup—it remained empty, and the girls pretended it was full.

"Tea, Buttercup?"

Buttercup said, "pour it!"

"Say it politely!"

"Yes, Bubbles, please, thank you," Buttercup replied, before sticking out her tongue.

Bubbles stuck her tongue out before put milk on her sister's cup, then she went to Octi and finally, gave herself milk.

As they begin to settle down, Bubbles got something from her pocket. "Oh Blossom, here's a letter from your beau, Brick!"

"Thank you, Bubbles," Blossom said politely, taking the letter, "and he is not my beau."

Blossom was irritated by Bubbles' constant teasing, which had intensified after the birthday party and the crown and the aftermath.

"If that is so, then why did he kiss you on his birthday?" Bubbles asked.

"It's only on the cheeks! And only to thank me for my gift!" Blossom replied.

"So what did he say on his love letter?" asked Bubbles before she took a sip.

Blossom opened the envelope and quickly read it. "This is not a love letter."

"Why don't you read it to us, Red?" Buttercup said as she grabbed a cookie that she had been eyeing ever since she entered the room.

"Why should I?" Blossom asserted. "It's private."

"Oh, so there's a declaration of love in the letter?" Bubbles cooed.

"Fine, I'll read it!" Blossom snapped. And she read it all except the final paragraphs that concerned Bubbles. "See? It's gratitude for my gift!"

Bubbles only giggled at that, Buttercup rolled her eyes, but thankfully, the topic was dropped.

"So are you going to write a reply?" Bubbles asked eagerly.

Blossom raised an eyebrow as she bit a cookie.

"You only want to visit Boomer!" Buttercup charged.

"Yeah, so? He's cute!" Bubbles defended.

"Oh, you two are hopeless!" Buttercup said as she drank her milk. "More tea, please."

Bubbles smiled and poured more milk into Buttercup's cup. "So are you going to write back?"

"Yes."

"And can I deliver it?"

Just like clockwork.

"Yes."

"Thank you, thank you," Bubbles said in a rapid fashion. Even if Blossom did not like some of the rough games that the boys played and included Bubbles in, she was too convenient a mail girl for her to stop it. And besides, by all indications, she was having fun.

"Of course, Bubbles," Blossom began, "you don't have to join if their fun is too rough."

"Aw, but you joined in too!" she replied. "Remember that Spy Game?"

The spy game was a game where Boomer "kidnapped" Bubbles for being a "spy", held her prisoner in the Rowdyruff home, and Brick demanded a ransom from Blossom, which she paid to the boys. (And returned of course, at the end of the day).

"If you ask me, both of you are being too chummy with them! They're still evil, remember?" Buttercup said before she took another bite of another cookie.

"Don't be like that," Blossom scolded. "They are not our friends, but they will be our allies. And they are 'pretending' to be good. And according to Ms. Keane, they will become good in time. Just trust our teacher, okay?"

"If you say so, but you don't have to get all close to them before they actually become good."

"But this way, we can accelerate the process! The more kindness we show them, the faster they will actually become good," Blossom asserted. "Besides, what could we do? Fight them? We're gonna lose, and you know it."

"They just got lucky!"

"No, they got smarter," Blossom countered. The memory of the last fight was still stinging. How could they, the Powerpuff Girls, lose such an easy fight? "Besides, we're in a permanent truce. We just signed an agreement, remember?"

"You just want to write letters to Brick!" Buttercup accused.

"Yes. And so what?" Blossom answered before she grabbed some M&M's on the bowl.
"I give up! You two are hopeless!" Buttercup asserted.


8 (197). The Father of the Rowdyruff Boys

Later…

It was about six in the evening…

"What's up, Pops?" asked Brick as he looked at Mojo Jojo.

Mojo Jojo was very pleased. It had been a few days since he was pardoned by the Mayor. It had been a funny scene! The Mayor kept screaming that he was being attacked—not that he blamed him. After all, he did attack him numerous times before—one time even stripping him naked!

He had a new mission in life. It was to prepare his children, the Rowdyruff Boys, for their destiny, for their future! They will rule the world! And his eldest, Brick, will be Emperor! For now, while they were too young to do so, they will act good, avoid trouble, become even more educated, win the trust of the people, and build a party of followers. And he, Mojo Jojo, will use his scientific knowledge to get patents and get himself rich! Then use his wealth to win Brick the influence and reach needed for his goals!

All because of Ms. Sandy Keane. She was the one who made it possible to be reunited with his sons!

But first, he needed to make sure his sons would be better superheroes than those accursed Powerpuff Girls.

They were in his laboratory at their home in the woods. The Rowdyruff Home had a wing which was his laboratory. He had installed a couple of tools and machines so he could do work there in addition to his volcano-top laboratory, which he intended to establish as the headquarters of his new corporation.

"I have gifts for you, my evil sons!" he said.

"Gifts?" asked Boomer, with a big smile on his face.

"Yes. Gifts. But first, an introduction. You now are acting as superheroes. Which means that you are not really superheroes, but only acting as such. Because you are villains, but you are not acting as villains. To win the trust of the people. So I like what you are doing. Battling monsters and other villains.

"But to do that, you need something. You need to know when something is going to happen so that you can perform heroics for the benefit of the people and the cameras!"

"We got the hotline!" said Brick.

"I know. Before, you need to make a patrol on the beach to make sure you get some monsters to fight. Now, a hotline is perfectly adequate for the likes of the Powerpuff Girls, but it has limitations. For one, you are not home every day. What if you're outside and it rings? True, the city will still be saved, but by the Powerpuff Girls! Those accursed girls would get all the glory! It's inconvenient.

"So I was thinking, how to improve on the hotline? Then it hit me! Like a ton of bricks. No pun intended, my dear future emperor eldest son! You need something like a cellular phone. But you're too young to have such cellular phones. You'll get those when you're older. But where was I? Yes. What could I use to make it better? A watch. I'm going to give you watches."

"Watches?" Butch exclaimed skeptically.

"But it tells time!" Boomer argued.

"And nothing else!" Brick agreed.


9 (198). Mojo's Gifts

"But it does something else! You see, these are communicator watches! I altered the technology of the basic cellular phone so that it could be compressed into a watch. And then, I rerouted the hotline so that it would pass the call to your watches," he said. "Then I made the watch to be tough and virtually indestructible, water proof, fire proof, even idiot proof! And you can call each other, and me, or anyone else who had such a watch, anytime, anywhere."

He then gave each of his sons a white box.

"Open it! And wear it proudly!" he cackled.

The three boys opened the box and gazed at their watches. It looked like an ordinary Rolex watch, but with small buttons at the side.

"Awesome!" Brick shouted as he admired his new watch.

"How do you use this thing?" Boomer asked.

"I would teach you how to use it, but later. Now, I'll go to your second gift. But first, a lecture."

"Aw, that sounds boring!" Butch whined.

Mojo ignored him as he began. "My sons, you are made of Chemical X. That gives you your powers and separates you from mere ordinary mortals. For you are better than mere mortals. You are above all of humanity, just like the Powerpuff Girls, but unlike them, you recognize your superiority and are proud of it.

"However, Chemical X isn't some invulnerable concoction, that is to say, it cannot be countered. That is wrong. It is not invulnerable because is it vulnerable. However, that which can render it vulnerable is rare, fortunately for you. Only the Professor Utonium, creator and father of those accursed Powerpuff Girls, knows that which can render it powerless. And by that, I mean, only he has the chemical that makes it possible to counteract Chemical X."

He then removed a white cloth cover from the table of his lab, and revealed a round-bottom flask, the mouth of which was covered with a cork, and filled with an orange-red liquid. On the flask was written, 'Antidote X.'

"Antidote X is one which can remove your powers and render you just as helpless as an ordinary human. I once used it on the Powerpuff Girls when I sneaked in on their party, and they were rendered helpless. Unfortunately, due to certain complications, I wasn't able to complete my mission, and the girls escaped their just desserts! And since you are made of Chemical X, this antidote X cannot permanently remove your powers. It is always there. No matter what. Antidote X only suppresses it!

"At first, we thought that Antidote X does permanently remove Chemical X powers. That was what the Powerpuff Girls proposed after their first battle, and that is what a certain gnome did, in exchange for the end of violence. Now that is a story I'll tell some other time, but here is my point. Dropping a vial of Antidote X on a creation of Chemical X would only have temporary effects. And it would only affect you for hours, at the most. The next day after that accursed slumber Party, the girls were back to their super selves."

"Wait, you went to a Powerpuff slumber party?" asked Boomer, trying to suppress a giggle.

Mojo blushed. "Yes, and that is a story I would tell another time. But let me finish without any digression. You see, Antidote X is very rare and very expensive to make. It took me quite a long time to research how to make one, and I only recently cracked the formula. I only finished the other day. Now, we could drench the Powerpuff Girls with it, but now, I believe that your plan with Ms. Keane is the best. We will keep this Antidote X as a reserve. Just in case.

"However, there are times that, unrelated to trying to kill or defeat the Powerpuff Girls or each other, it's a good idea to only be as strong as an ordinary human. If you want to play with ordinary humans, it's best if you are only as strong as the strongest of them. However, using Antidote X is wasteful, and unpredictable. You do not know when your powers will return. That is why I invented the Antidote X rope, or Antirope, for short."


10 (199). The Antirope

He then unveiled coils of orange rope. He took a length, about three feet long. He tossed it to Butch. "This is rope which I dipped in Antidote X. Hence the color."

"You, tie it around you."

"Where?"

"Anywhere, as long as it's tied around skin, not clothes."

Butch tied round his forehead.

"You look funny!" Boomer giggled.

"Try to fly."

Butch jumped but fell to the floor.

"Hey, what gives?"

"Try using your laser eyes."

Butch concentrated, but nothing happened.

"Punch Boomer."

Butch smacked Boomer, but Boomer just stood there, and Butch said, "What is going on?"

"You see, you are now an ordinary boy."

"What? You tricked us!" Brick suddenly shouted.

"Wait, wait. This is no trick. Butch, remove the rope on your head."

Butch did as ordered.

"Now try to fly."

He was hesitant at first, but when he tried, he floated. "What the?"

"Zap Brick with laser."

Butch's eyes glowed and zapped Brick, who screamed in pain.

"See? You can turn on or off your powers by the simple expedient of trying this piece of rope on any part of your body. Now you can play baseball, or basketball, or soccer with your ordinary friends, without holding back, without fear of killing or maiming your friends. Best of all, you can use or reuse it as many times as you like. So I don't recommend cutting it. I will teach you knots so you won't have to use knives or scissors as this rope is expensive, but also as weak as ordinary rope."

"Awesome!" all three boys said, their eyes just staring at the orange rope, anticipating the possibilities.

"However, I made an adjustment. Just so if some evil villain tries to kill you while wearing this rope, I made it so that while it makes you weak, you keep your invulnerability. You can't die unless it would also kill you with your full powers on. Boomer, tie it to yourself."

Boomer got the rope from Butch, pulled down his socks, and tied it around his bare ankles.

He tried to float, but he was unsuccessful.

"Butch, punch him as hard as you can."

Before Boomer could react, Butch buried his hand on the blue ruff's stomach and clutched it, his face etched in pain, and fell to the floor, and screamed in agony.

"That's your hardest?"

"Yes."

"If he's truly ordinary, he would be dead. A normal human could not withstand it. So he's not totally without his powers. He cannot use it, but it would still protect him. So if you fall off a thousand foot cliff while tied up in these orange rope, don't worry. You won't die. You'll only suffer injuries if it's strong enough to injure you while you have superpowers. If you want to remove your invulnerability, you have to be soaked in Antidote X."

"This so cool!" Brick and Butch shouted. Boomer untied the rope on his ankle, and he recovered fast and joined his brothers in amazement at their father's new invention and toy.

End of Chapter One

As always, please do me a favor and review if you've read this chapter. Reviews really lighten my day and makes me very happy. Thank you very much for reading!


Author's Note:

This is a sequel to my story An Education For Power. However, I will write it in such a way that anyone who would start reading here would not be lost, so I will narrate or repeat some events that happened in the previous story that is pertinent to the events of this current story. So readers of the previous story, I apologize if some things that you already know were repeated again. It's for the benefit of new readers.

Of course, I would encourage all who haven't done so to read the previous story. It would be much better and would make this story much more enjoyable.

And if you have questions about this story or of the previous story, just ask me in the reviews, and I'll answer it the next time I post an update.