A/N: Well then: This is an intriguing plot bunny gone wild xD lets continue shall we!

Enjoy my lovelies!


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"Reversal"

Part II: "Rules are made to be broken"

-0-

It hasn't always been like this. The good old days when… when they'd known just known how cherished and loved they were! Before… b-before…

She stiffened at the cup placed by her side but as silent as he had come he was gone. She gulped somewhat again,

"Thank you." She whispered to no one but was surprised at the gruff reply she nevertheless got back.

"Whatever just drink it." The boy in blue said before turning back to his vigil by the window. He watched the sky as intently as Bubbles once had. Left alone to her own devices while her big sister had disappeared at night- never looking at either of them straight in the eye- fixing the ankle bracelet on the bedpost … Bubbles should have questioned her sudden expertise in lock picking back then.

...Bubbles should have done a lot of things. But honestly… it had been as ugly a shock as the initial crime. She'd been focused on… watching her other sister who history has shown… would be the one to rebel, to retaliate. One brief outpouring of uncontrolled grief were nothing in the scheme of known teenage rebellion and impulsiveness.

… at least that was what…. Blossom had told her to do.

Had she been planning it all along or had this entire thing just been one… sick twist of fate. What if Bubbles had gone with Blossom on that fateful trip to the store?

Where she'd "run" into... or maybe he'd been waiting for her… maybe it was nothing coincidental at all… maybe… maybe Bubbles really was….

"B-Blossom?"

"Don't worry I'll handle this."

"But you-!"

"I said don't interfere Bubbles! Go home and let me take care of this."

"Blossom…. we're not supposed to… fight the Boys alone though… d… daddy said-."

"She really is a cute little fool isn't she? I thought Boomer was naive. You've certainly got your hands full Kitten."

Just a little fool. The signs had all been there...but she hadn't acted and now look. Look what had happened!

Just… LOOK!

"Don't like coffee?"

She stiffened. Boomer Jojo shrugged. " Same, but it's all Butch and Brick have in the house right now… and I ain't goin' back out there." His voice went quiet. "You can...But… I..I ain't."

She flinched at the naked fear in his voice and knowing that… her sister was a cause of it… was the cause of it.

It just broke the former "Joy and Laughter's" heart more than it already was…

She should have known. She should just...known!

"What you upset about? You're fine. You're safe she can't get us here."

"...are you forgetting that's my sister out there." She whispered. He blinked and then… his face twisted before he turned back to the window.

"Oh...right yeah. I uh..forgot. Brick'll take care of it though. He'll drag her back kickin' and screamin' back to her senses or whatever." He leaned closer to the glass.

"You really think it'll be that easy?" She still wouldn't look at him. The favor was returned.

"My bro ain't a dumbass like me. He knows what's up. What the dumb broad probably did. I mean making a deal with Lobster claws? You kiddin' me- even I ain't that stupid. See I knew lettin' her in was a bad idea." He grumbled.

"... so you were there when?"

Again the blond just… didn't move.

"I saw the look on my bro's face when I saw the chick knock that cop out at the courthouse. I knew we were in trouble. Brick's smart as fuck but he's got a thing for fuckin' around with Pink things." He finally faced her. " it's his fav' hobby he says but him flat out bringin' the Puff home with im' like some kinda…" he scowled. " I'm a dumbass but he didn't fool no' one. He and Butch fought for days- he never trusted her and it was fuckin' mutual. Brick claimed it was just a joke- but anyone could see what was really goin' on."

Bubbles just… wrung her hands in silence.

"Then he lets you lot in too while he goes off and tries to talk some sense into the crazy chick!" Boomer's hand splayed on the glass. "Him don't work like that. I hope you said your goodbyes pigtails because guarantee there's nothin' but a pretty puppet for Him to play with left now."

Oh… oh God.

Her head went in her hands and she just… She couldn't listen anymore! She just… just…

"Where are you going?"

"Out."

"You're under house arrest."

"And I care?"

"Blossom. Enough. You're not leaving this house- Bubbles lock the door. See this phone: I'll call the cops and tell them you keep leaving right now unless you tell me what the fuck is going on with you!"

"I have plans. You're delaying them. Move. Or I'll make you move."

"Plans?! What plans! Are you out of your mind! Dad wouldn't want- HRRRRRGH!"

"Oh my God! BLOSSOM! BLOSSOM! STOP! STOP!"

"Hey." She flinched from the touch on her shoulder and looked up. " My bro might be being dumb right now thinkin' with his dick and not his head…. but that means he'll bring your crazy sister or whatever back in one piece. Stop worryin' already." Boomer sighed. "Lobster Claws is an asshole. It fucks with people for fun and shit- you know you were it's favorite toys right? That's why you stayed alive for so long."

She gulped and hugged her arms. She didn't want to hear this.

"He's turned your sis into a new kind of toy, it's having a blast."

"Stop it." She whispered.

"I'm just sayin'- your sister… prob ain't gonna be around after this. They don't come out of shit like this with everything still ya know… together?"

" Stop it!" She hissed again.

"Brick'll be nice about it. He'll prob do it quick because he's sorta sweet on her-."

"STOP IT BOOMER!" She finally shrieked and he covered his ears.

"Are you crazy chick! Don't go shattering my damn windows! She'll find us!"

She. As in her sister. Her big sister… having been turned… into that.

Bubbles should have known- she should have stopped her! Should have, could have…. would have.

It didn't matter now. None of it mattered. Just…

The doorknob fiddled and turned. Boomer whipped around, face white but Bubbles stared at it straight on.

If it was her… then this was it. Just… she bit her lip.

It wasn't her. Instead Brick Jojo came in, leaving heavily on the wall covered in…

She was going to be sick. Boomer's jaw just dropped. Brick only leaned back and with heaving breaths finally spoke.

"Pack a bag. You're going to the Hideout."

-o-

. Beep.

Is he going to make it?

Is there any hope?

Can you give me an answer other than some pitying look!

I don't care what it takes you're going to save this man!

You won't like what happens if you can't…

Her neck was bare. It felt strangely cold in fact. She'd gotten so used to the sensation of the pearls on her skin that having lost them…

Tch- how quaint. How funny. To become so attached to her first "spoil" so to speak.

That mocking smirk had galled her and that asinine nickname of his just had-!

She had kicked the glass in with ease. Strolled in, plucked the necklace up- and ripped the cameras down: erasing the footage.

She'd been called in the next morning to investigate the robbery.

It had all been so...laughably simple.

He'd certainly been… maybe not shocked… but he'd blinked once or twice and then...laughed.

"Huh. Stole my thunder. See don't they look good like I said? You know though… you might need some nice earrings to go with it. Just saying Kitten."

"... I do prefer symmetry. Please don't call me that."

She remembered the heat on her ear. The grip on her waist and that wandering hand trailing her thigh.

"Rule two Kitten. You never say please."

Her throat had gone dry. Her skin had warmed. She'd fled but admittedly not too fast.

He hasn't chased her.

Blossom still hadn't been sure back then if she should have even wanted him to.

She was now.

"You've done a maaaarvelous job darling. You have them on the run. Any word yet however on those naughty little girls and boys hiding as they are."

She folded her arms. "None yet."

The demon was grinning in the shadows and crossed its legs on the sofa nonchalantly. " oh what a shame- shame shame. Not even my so called eldest son? The Red one. No sign of him?"

"Two days."

"No." She answered simply.

A sharp burst of laughter. "Oh even more of a shame! I would have thought you'd have hunted them all down by now but especially that one. I suppose you're still having your fun. Perfectly understandable. Do get a move on however, I'm a being of only so much patience."

The last word was deeper, more ominous but she still didn't flinch.

"They'll be taken care of. They can't hide forever."

"Get your brothers out."

"Mm. Yes. That is true isn't it. But speaking of hiding- I've discovered someone of most distinct interest to you I'd imagine Miss Utonium. I believe you and she would have much to discuss."

Blossom went silent before she grit her teeth and hissed.

"Where."

-o-o-

"Hideout?!" Boomer yelped- yeah he wasn't ashamed to admit it! " What you mean?! Why? Did she find find us!"

Did you tell her?!

Brick only ripped his shirt off- covered in blood as it was and that nasty mark on his neck was no goddamn love bite on his throat that was for sure!

"You saw her then." Bubbles flinched, Boomer just glared at his brother. " she didn't follow you did she!" Brick only went around the room, grabbing random crap and shoving it in a nearby backpack. " Hello! You gonna answer me! Why we goin' to the hideout?!"

"We aren't going anywhere- you however are. You and Butch both go to the hideout." He had a random flashlight in his hands before he stuck it in the bag. "And take the Puffs with you."

"... WHAT?!"

Again the blonde girl flinched but-but- hey! Where was-! Oh he was not ignorin' him this time!

"Brick! What the fuck?! Whaddya mean?! We can't take those powders puffs with us! What bout' Butch! We probably shouldn't-!"

Brick wasn't listening, he just opened the damn door unceremoniously and walked in like he owned the place.

Okay… so he kinda did but still-!

"Damn it don't you knock!?" The green bitch stood up and glared. "He finally went to fucking sleep!"

Brick just ignored her and began putting another bag together. Wait… wait was he really serious? Was he-?!

He leaned over and shook Butch. The Green one started to protest again but he wasn't listening.

"Butch, c'mon man. Time to get up."

" No, fuck off…." Boomer's middle brother groaned and put a pillow over his head one armed as he was. His cast was bulky but Brick ripped the pillow off anyway. Butch finally snarled and hoisted himself up."asshole what do you want!?" He snapped.

His only answer was a shirt thrown in his face. "Get dressed."

"Pfft. What kinda stick got shoved up your ass." He mumbled. " Well? You gonna gape or ya gonna be useful Powderpuff?"

The green one sneered, "I ain't no nurse."

"No?" He got one sleeve in. "But you're a Puff in debt so chop chop nursey!"

Those eyes blazed but surprisingly she stormed over anyway and held the shirt up regardless.

"You reek." She hissed.

"Tch, you know you love it."

" Now Butch!" Brick interrupted the fight before it even started. "Get ready. You too Puff!"

She stiffened. "Scuse' me?"

"Yeah what you talking bout- OW! Woman! Be gentle!"

"We're going to the hideout." Boomer folded his arms while Butch wrestled the shirt free.

"Say what? No! Hell to the fucking no! I ain't running from some psycho bitch like some kinda- OW! WOMAN YOU EVER HEAR OF PATIENT BRUTALITY!"

"No. Again- you are going to the hideout- I am staying here!"

"For what!?" Boomer snapped. " You gonna fucking answer me already!? And what the fuck happened to you! You ran into her didn't ya? Dude you knows she's beyond-!"

"Her? You saw my sister!?" The green one lurched forward and… ouch. That howl sounded awful - bitch dropped his brother like a sack of potatoes or whatever!

"Bitch! What kinda nurse are you!"

"Where was she! Is she still there?! How long ago was it!"

Brick just kept packing the shit up.

"It was long enough. Pack a damn bag you're going too."

"I ain't goin' nowhere with you!"

"The fuck you mean?! You want my other arm broke too?!"

"Why the fuck are we going anywhere?!"

-o-o-o-

It wasn't satisfying in the end. It wasn't the one she had been hoping for: no that little witch was still hiding and paying for her continued disappearing act.

The scum's lawyer was a close third on her list however. It hasn't been satisfying in the slightest but she had checked off one name so to speak at least.

It was so quiet now. Admittedly it was eerie in a peaceful sort of way. Once these streets had been a cacophony of noise and activity and now… silence reigned.

She kicked off the ground then and flew up to a nearby rooftop.

The city remained quiet. It's citizens nowhere to be seen. They huddled in their homes, petrified to face her- cowards. Fools. This entire city was filled with nothing but…fools.

Her neck still felt bare. A moment of fury and impulsive desire to drive home a point: to win an argument - She was feeling a sense of buyers remorse now arguably. Her victory had come with a heavy price.

"When do I make them regret what they've done?"

The filched wallet was plucked from her hands and packed in a bag as they walked along the street.

"Patience Kitten, Patience is a virtue. Rule 3: Impulsive behavior means mistakes are inevitably made."

She frowned but his grip was tight around her waist. She sneered at the startled looks in their direction. Did they not approve then? Tch. Too bad.

She sidled slightly closer.

"Strange, I don't remember you ever being patient in our youth."

He paused and turned his head to the side.

"And how many times Kitten was I successful in any of those previous endeavors?"

She blinked. "... none."

"Exactly. Just stick with me Kitten… I'll show you the way."

"... Don't call me that please."

Her chin was tilted up and his smirk was devious.

"Uh uh uh- what did we talk about Kitten… no saying "please" - no asking permission. You want something. You demand it. And then-."

He fingered the pearls that still hung from her throat.

"You take what you want."

She shuddered somewhat. No. This wasn't right. It didn't feel right. Something was missing.

It was an off sort of feeling that had nevertheless been there since the beginning. Something just felt… off. Her neck so surreptitiously bare and…

Something was missing…

But what?

"Took my advice eh?"

"I like symmetry."

"It suits you."

"... thank you."

Bare. Empty. Something was missing.

"Where did you get that?"

She paused and turned. Green eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Get what?"

"That." She pointed.

Her grip increased instinctively. "They were a gift."

"A gift from who? Because they look awfully familiar."

The two sisters stared at each other, neither backed down.

"Who gave that necklace to you Blossom?"

She narrowed her eyes. Buttercup continued.

"Trying to buy his way in your pants. That it?"

She bristled at both the insinuation of her being so easily bought (!) and just… the audacity in general!

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Nor do I appreciate it."

She didn't take the hint or heed the warning.

"The thing is I think you do. Now I won't ask again Blossom. Who. Gave. It. To. You."

Tch. Her lip curled.

"Me, myself and I sister dear." She fingered a lock of her hair listlessly as she gazed at the empty street below. "Me, myself and…"

"What's this?"

Her hand went to her hip and her eyes narrowed. He continued tossing the spray can in the air nonchalantly. Graffiti. Tch. How asinine.

Start slow he said. One minute he says to steal a necklace and matching earrings the next he claims she's not ready for anything bigger than immature "mischief".

"You know, I'm not really here to play games. If you're not willing to take this seriously then I'm just going to find a new... associate. Goodbye."

She turned on her heel and was going to make a dignified exit- yes she indeed was!

"Didn't like my gift?"

She should have kept going but… in curiosity she turned anyway.

His devilish smirk was infuriating. Truly it was. He shrugged,

"You needed the full set." He chuckled. "Symmetry."

He was mocking her.

"They think you're responsible for it. They're going to try to ambush you in a rather generic sting operation later on tonight. There should have been no evidence but since you decided to pull some sort of misplaced joke on me you've screwed yourself royally. You steal one- what's there to prove you didn't steal them all."

"And imagine the surprise on their faces when they are presented with a legitimate receipt and proof of payment."

.. what?

"Rule 4 Kitten: Never do the expected. Don't be predictable and don't follow a pattern."

Her cheeks warmed and he chuckled while he caressed the pretty pearl in her ear. "No symmetry."

"... it was a trick."

"Trick seems like a harsh word. More like one of those "what would you do" moments."

"So a test then?"

"Mmm-maybe, arguably: Does it matter?"

"Yes because apparently I failed."

"No… you passed. Just…"

The bob he was holding suddenly tumbled to the ground and she yelped but he held her back from saving the priceless gem from rolling into the nearby grate(!) - lost forever.

"You! You bastard!" She snarled and wound her hand up but he caught it in mid air and pulled her closer so he could whisper into her ear.

"Rule four Kitten. Rule four."

Blossom touched the lone pearl still in her ear. Fool.

Her fingers then moved to trace her bare skin again… something honestly did feel missing… empty almost.

Well perhaps it was just that phantom weight effect - she'd grown so used to wearing her prized possession that her impulsive action from before had perhaps been… unwise.

…. damn him.

She could imagine that smug look were he to find out. Ugh. How irritating.

Two days… why had she even bothered to do such a thing? It wasn't like he stood a chance against her now and his pride wouldn't let him see sense and flee.

How… tiresome.

Again she put her fingers on her neck as she leaned back.

Two days….

Just two.

And everything would be decided…once and for all. Play by the rules so to speak.

"Rule four Kitten. Rule Four."

Of course... rules were always made to be broken...weren't they?

-o-o-o-o-


A/N: Whoo boy and the plot thickens: Charlotte the muse where are you taking me? XDD - in all seriousness I digress that's the life of a writer I guess xD

Hope you all enjoyed! See you next time :D

Cheers,

Carrie