A/N: OOOOF: Well when it comes to the Muse certain ideas never go away, they just get recycled into new projects! which is apparently what's happening right now I guess? xD
Enjoy my lovelies!
-0-
"Reversal"
Part III: Heartburn
-o-
Buttercup Utonium had never felt so useless in her entire life.
Well… wait… no she had. This wasn't her first time on the run as it were after all.
She remembered the hard and freezing stone they'd sat on: listening to their youngest sister weeping and…
They'd fought like animals that night. Her and…, Blossom. Worse than that damn dirty ape they had been double crossed by even!
She'd had a savagery back then too… pinning Buttercup down and sitting on her back, crushing her into the cold stone of the asteroid while spouting out that holier than thou bullshit and…
Fuck the signs had been there all along hadn't they?
Buttercup should have seen it but she'd been too angry to pay enough attention.
Her sister… Blossom had been initially silent in her grief. No wailing screams and sobs, it had just been… a cold silence that had reverberated around the house.
Buttercup had stupidly thought it had been….shock. She was only bottling it up. She'd break eventually. And she'd be there when the time finally came. They'd have a good long sister crying session with ice cream and hugs just like Bubbles had predicted and…. they would have… endured together.
But that hadn't happened.
Instead….that echoing heartbroken scream that had finally erupted one dark night had paralyzed her. Buttercup had held her breath and squeezed the can to near breaking point outside but she hadn't gone in.
Like a fucking coward Buttercup Utonium had instead fled from her older sister's hysterical grief to hide in her own.
And had thus left Blossom vulnerable to the whispers of a monster.
It was after all ultimately his fault. Her sister never would have gone this route if he hadn't shown up!
This was all Brick Jojo's fault! All of it!
And now he was just gonna waltz on in like some kind of wannabe hero and one last "match" was gonna decide everything because Brick Jojo totally had the fucking authority to make that kind of decision for everyone!
If anyone was bringing her sister- that's right: her sister- but if anyone was gonna bring Blossom back to her senses it should be Buttercup!
"Where were you last night?"
"Nowhere that concerns you."
"You gonna be at the will reading?"
"You mean hearing about our now empty bank account because of lawyers and entitled c-."
Bubbles gasped like a ninny. " BLOSSOM! Powerpuffs don't use that word!"
The red haired woman sneered, "oh grow up Bubbles. We're not little girls anymore we're grown women! I can call the little bitch whatever I want!"
Buttercup narrowed her eyes. "Someone's clearly discovered they have a potty mouth. Whose influence is that I wonder?"
Her sister flipped her off silently before tossing her hair back and continuing. " So I don't see a point in hearing about our empty bank account and in having to lose our home! Do you? No."
"We're...we're losing the house?" Bubbles whispered in horror.
"... it's not that bad." Buttercup began. "She's just paranoid! Again whose feeding you this BS Blossom! Let me guess- his name is-!"
"It is Buttercup. The lawyer called me. I'm the eldest. We're actually in debt to be honest. And that's only if the Hawkley family doesn't sue us for defamation of character which Morebucks' lawyers are already urging. We're in trouble Buttercup!"
Her heart clenched. "They can't do that- where's the-!"
"Evidence?" That laugh was harsh. "You don't think that actually means anything do you? Of course they don't have a real case… but they're not paying for it. Someone else is and their bank account is a lot bigger than ours."
"... all because we wouldn't let her fucking be a-." She hissed.
"Her revenge at last. Yes. So I'm going out. With the person you're thinking also. Don't bother trying to stop me. Not that you can. But don't bother with trying you'll just get hurt."
"Blossom!" The blonde finally yelled. She paused but didn't turn.
"What?" She said harshly.
":... we should just call City Hall, the mayor! I mean well maybe not the new mayor but B-Bellum! Yeah! We'll call Miss Bellum! She… she'll know what to… Townsville can't leave the Powerpuff Girls high and dry! They can't!"
That laughter… was harsh even for Buttercup.
"Sarah Bellum left Townsville six years ago Bubbles, for a career with the governor who lost last year's election. The new mayor Marilyn Fedson is an ardent supporter of the new governor. They won't care."
"But we're the-!"
Buttercup sunk into the chair.
"We're no longer useful." She murmured. "Expendable."
"Exactly. Hence why I'm going out. I'd suggest the two of you pack your bags. Morebucks will probably arrange for a foreclosure within hours."
"... She can't legally do that-!"
SLAM
She'd been wrong. It had been three days...not hours.
She closed her eyes.
"Where's the...hideout?" Bubbles tentatively asked but Boomer gave her a look.
"Nowhere you need to know! We're blindfoldin' em' right!"
Buttercup should have intervened but… she didn't move.
Again… she was frozen. Her body felt heavy, her mind was blank. Just… she was just gonna sit here.
The red haired asshole who caused all this glared at his younger brother. "That's stupid- worse than normal for you. Look pigtails, the hideout is in the outskirts separating Townsville and Citysville. It's where we hide out when… the heat is on our tail. You'll be safe."
"I don't need to be safe! I'm fine! Just a few more days and I'll be back to kicking some Puff ass!" Butch snapped but then turned to Buttercup . "No offense. You seem chill for being a bitch."
"...thanks." She mumbled.
"The hideout is the only safe place. It's secure and nearby. This'll be quick." Brick held the bridge of his nose. "This'll be quick." He repeated again if only it sounded like, to reassure himself.
"Sure she don't know where it is Brick? You didn't take her there for a quick fuck or nothin'!"
"For the last time Boomer- I didn't sleep with her!"
"I didn't say sleep I said fuck."
"What's the difference!?"
"Plenty! Especially if the chick is psycho!"
"She's not psycho she's possessed!" Brick snapped.
"That's a new convenient piece of information." Boomer muttered. Brick went rigid before he glared at his brother with so much hatred it seemed in that moment that even Buttercup flinched a bit.
"I'm not getting in this argument." He said quietly. "Now get going. I'm not waiting to be warned twice!"
"Because of a position your ego put us in!"
And… cue the next argument. Huh- who knew the blue one could be so damn...pissy. Was it his time of the month? Tch… heh…. bad joke but it amused her slightly so she was able to keep breathing instead of clamping up.
That obnoxious low whistle wasn't helping anything- it was only making her more irritated. She scowled at the asshole while he sauntered over with his broken arm newly redressed and back in a sling.
Damn conscience. How Buttercup would have loved to have smacked that odious smirk off his face!
"Someone's pissy." He muttered.
"Oh fuck off." She mumbled. "Go bug someone else."
"Nah I'm bored and I own you so-."
She clenched her fist. "You don't own me asshole!" She hissed.
"Nah, I know, I know." He invited himself to sit next to her without her permission mind you-! "But I did keep the crazy bitch from ripping your head off... literally."
She didn't react. She didn't say anything. No denial even.
Because… no. No it wasn't! It wasn't fucking true! Her sister was still in there!
" So what makes you think you can beat her? You've got a plan right?" Butch shrugged lazily albeit one armed. "But if not you could always take your shirt off and hope the thirsty hormones take over bloodlust."
The redhead colored and she scowled as just as quickly his mouth curled into that fucking smirk.
"Very funny."
"Just breakin' the tension, it's too damn serious in here."
At least he clammed up from all the withering looks in his direction. Even Bubbles looked ready to smack him.
"Just sayin'." Another mumble.
"He has a point though. Is that why you're going to fight her alone? Will she go easy on you?" Bubbles whispered. Buttercup stiffened.
"... she challenged me. And in the same breath told me to get you all out of the city." He furrowed his brows. "I don't know what that means. I'm not about to wish I'd found out."
"... so she does still care about us." Her voice had taken on a wistful tone and Buttercup just closed her eyes and… she couldn't look at her.
She noticed the asshole next to her was doing the same thing. And the blue asshole openly snorted. Asshole.
The red one though. The biggest asshole of them all- he just stood there in some sort of insulting silence.
Buttercup grit her teeth but continued counting down slowly to herself as she breathed deeply. Sensei had long ago warned her bursts of anger were not helpful in any way. Calm and collected.
One. Two. Three.
"She challenged me to a match in two days. You all need to be out before then." He bent over and grabbed his own bag. "I'm going to scout out the safest route."
"Should you go alone?" Boomer folded his arms. "What if this whole thing is nothing but some big trap!"
He didn't get an answer. The red asshole just sauntered out the door.
Four. Five. Six.
That wretched shitstain in the red cap had started this whole fucking mess. This was all his fault! And no him being the brave one to go "scout" or whatever was gonna change that!
She should have known… that it was all his fault!
"Late night?"
The light flicked on and the redhead didn't even flinch. She just stared evenly in her sister's eyes.
"Yes."
"Doing what?"
"None of your business."
Her fist clenched on the arm rest. "It is my business! You're my sister I deserve to know what the fuck you're doing at night- with him!"
She didn't even deny it. That was the worst part, she wouldn't even pretend to deny it.
"So it's true then?"
"What's true?"
"You've been with him! He's dangerous!"
"I can handle myself."
"You can handle Brick Jojo by yourself?! Are you kidding me! He's a-!"
"What? Rowdyruff Boy? Go on Buttercup, tell me more- do go on"
" He's evil!"
"... It seems to me evil is a rather flexible term."
"Flexible?! FLEXIBLE!?"
"Yes. It is. Because it seems to me what the so called "good people" did was just as evil if not worse than anything the Rowdyruffs have ever done."
"... They terrorize the city! Stay away from them!"
They glared again but she scoffed and headed up the stairs
" Blossom Utonium don't you dare walk away from me! Come back here!"
It was his fault. All. His. Fault. All of them! They all did this!
"So you ready to go?" Butch the green turd had his bag awkwardly hanging over his good shoulder and she glared at it. Glared at him.
Glared at her own bag by her feet.
"Fuck off. And for God's sake gimme that!" She hissed and grabbed the other bag before hanging it in her own shoulder.
He should have known better!
They all… should have just known better.
-o-o-
The streets were dead silent and it was creepy as hell. He had to wonder grimly if this was actually Hell. He finally took a detour just to get away from the quiet financial district and moved into the park.
He was scouting sure but he also needed some time to well think.
Possessed….
It would make sense in a way. It was better for his bruised ego of the former Puff was just some possessed Puppet of the Devil versus… the alternative.
For everything nice to have... turned into this.
And Brick… hadn't been able to…. stop it.
She'd been hysterical, arguably crazed in her fury that night about everything that had happened like some sick set of dominos toppling over in perfect sync… one after the other…
Could Brick really… blame her if she'd gone off the deep end….?
"You're quiet." And also likely freezing so Brick being the gentleman he was put an arm around her shoulders, casually filching a pair of gloves from that woman's pocket they walked past.
It was a cool blustering sort of day so most of the couples strolling through the park were only pausing briefly to admire the lights. He'd thought it would have been a nice little distraction-... ploy. A good cover for her next lesson.
He didn't care about the woes - the unbelievable bullshit that was occurring in her life right now thanks to some of the most petty pathetic … no this was just…
Business….
"And you care?" She mumbled. He stiffened before pulling her closer in silence.
"Would I have mentioned it otherwise?"
He saw the faint flush in her cheeks but she pulled away regardless.
"I don't need your pity." She murmured and held up another set of gloves. Cashmere and well a better catch than Brick's for sure. He smirked. His pupil was apt.
"Good job."
"I make a point to excel at my studies." Her gaze was still averted. "All of them."
She looked a million miles away, paler, still maintaining dignity but it was clear the mask of nonchalance was rubbing away to reveal an extremely frightened young woman underneath the ice.
Part of him wanted to ask. It was hitting him repeatedly in the head: Say something!
But of course like always, Brick said nothing.
They just kept walking.
A branch cracked suddenly.
Step. Step. Step.
He froze. No one else was on these streets. No one else dared.
Step. Step. Step.
His hands curled into fists and he stiffened his back and braced himself for any hit from behind before whirling around.
Nothing.
He blinked. "Where the hell-?"
"You're not in hell yet Brick." The voice was low and right in his ear- wait what?! He tried to turn but her hands were right on his neck, one wrong move… and she could easily make it snap.
"What happened to two days?" He said quietly.
"I wanted to see you." She said it so simply it almost took his breath away.
"... why?"
"Does it matter?" That claw slid down his chin.
"A student challenged her teacher to a battle to the death... in many places that's frowned upon." He murmured back, already feeling himself being pulled in.
"I graduated." Again such a simple answer. Her breath tickled his ear. "But I warned you to stay away Brick… what are you doing out here?"
He shuddered at the slight nip on his ear. "Since when does a teacher have to report to his student?" His pride was going to be the death of him. Mojo had been right.
Fuck that felt good. Whatever… she was doing to his ear that is.
The chuckle was low. "Our last encounter made it clear I've graduated from your tutelage Mr. Jojo." Another nip. "I learned and memorized all your so called rules." He shuddered, whatever she was doing to his ear she needed to stop because one, this wasn't like her two….oh… fuck. Never mind. Fuck it.
Those slim hands- claws and all trailed along his jaw.
"I think it's fair to say really-." Fuck.. "In the scheme of things… you and I..." fucking...hell(!) - Those hands continued to trail down his neck. "Are equals."
He could feel his heart pounding but didn't flinch when a claw caught the skin just above his jugular. He couldn't show weakness after all. If she called his bluff… he was in trouble.
If Brick's ego was notorious…. Blossom Utonium's was legendary.
She wouldn't have liked being "subservient" or lower than him in any way- even jokingly… it had half been a joke? Her feet touched the ground in silence and blood thirsty… crazy former Puff or not she was still...tiny. A waif almost, anyone could blow her away like a burst of a dandelion puff…
Or at least they couldn't be faulted for thinking that… anyone who didn't already know better.
This wasn't a good neighborhood for her to have stormed off in a huff. He could kill Butch. Maybe he ought to this time, it'd spare him a good chunk of the electricity bill.
Regardless however this wasn't a good place for a pretty… girl to wander around at night: It wasn't that Brick found her pretty personally it was… just a fact. Blossom was pretty, she looked tiny and she wasn't in the right mind set to be by herself right now so-!
Business. A teacher had to protect his student.
The shriek was loud and fucking hell Brick hated being right-! Shit.
"Kitten this is why I'm not letting you out of my sight around here again without a fucking-!"
WHAM.
"...leash...on."
"P-please! Please! I -I didn't mean shit! You-you're just a pretty girl and I couldn't help it-!"
"So that gives you and your "associates" the right to surround and harass me then?"
The guy's chokehold only increased and Brick noted wryly the three other punks lying in the corner. Tch. Amateurs. Big heads and new to the city, they'd caused slight problems already.
Well key word "had".
Brick leaned against the wall. The pitiful pleading continued.
"I-I mean look at ya! Baby a pretty bitch like you walkin' around lookin' like that? We were just tryin to show you a good...time?"
Those eyes blazed, Brick distinctly got the sharp odor of urine just then- gross.
"Are you saying my attire caused this then?"
"...y-yeah those shorts… baby you got a fine ass and-."
WHAAAAAAM
That was likely a K.O right there. She was heaving with rage and she spit on the ground near the crumbled wall the man's feet were now sticking out of.
Brick raised his hands and slowly began to clap. She stiffened and then whirled around. Her eyes seemed brighter from unshed tears and… admittedly he could hear the faint heart beats- knocked out out, they could easily be dumped in the nearby harbor and none would be the wiser or that sad.
But he decided to forgo that for now. They'd still be here after all when he'd returned his Kitten…. his student he meant- but regardless he'd escort her home.
His home. She had no reason to return to that house. None. He cleared his throat.
"Good job Kitten. You showed that asshole what-." She interrupted him.
"That villain-! He, he just-!" She pointed a shaky finger. "Do you do that?! Do you harass innocent women minding their own business- I'm in a hoodie and-!"
He shook his head, "That's below me. He's not a villain Kitten, he's just a wannabe. So let's just go-."
She was still breathing hard and heavily clearly not listening. "You didn't intervene?"
"I knew you had it under control." He shrugged. "Rule two: Don't interfere with others unless it impinges your own goals. You know that."
"What a selfish rule." She wiped her nose with her sleeve.
"No, it's a matter of respect. If you'd needed help I'd have jumped in. But you didn't so I watched the show."
He would just have to brazen it out. Hope her wounded ego was satisfied enough for him to get a hold of her and guess their match would be off schedule a bit.
"I still have seniority in the "evil" department Kitten. Don't forget that." He said lowly.
"Oh I won't." Her hand curled back around his chin and made him turn. She smiled in an eerie way and he couldn't help it.
Gulp.
The sound was shameful. He tried to avert his gaze but she kept him from doing so.
"Are you afraid of me then?" Her voice was soft. Brick frowned but attempted to salvage whatever dignity he had left as a man.
"No." He grunted.
She was still giving him that weird look but finally released him. He backed away quickly.
Survival instincts should have made him turn around and bolt but he hesitated because he was a dumbass who had a soft side for pink and just as quick as before he was seized once again.
"Leaving so soon?" She murmured.
"Our business isn't until two days from now."
Her grip held firm. " Oh I know, but this isn't business."
"Then what is it?"
Step.
They were nose to nose and chest to chest and… oh.
He cleared his throat, and looked around them at the silent park.
"How about we go for a walk Kitten." She smiled again and moved to his side, keeping a grip on his arm but albeit slightly… looser.
So in theory he could get away. And continue scouting that… you know… escape route?
That thing… he made an excuse to go outside for…
"We do have things to discuss don't we?" She purred. " Lead the way Mr. Jojo"
…. Escape route. Big escape route. Important escape route.
They began walking down the path.
-o-o-o-
"Where the fuck is he-?!" Boomer grit his teeth and smacked the wall. Lucky asshole. He could still smash things. Unlike Butch.
He could only half smash things. Lame.
"He's probably just lost track of time." The other blonde murmured. Yeah okay, little known fact- his younger brother had hell of a temper and he was the one that talked back more than any of em'! So logical conclusions weren't gonna translate well-.
"Fucking jackass! He's thinking with his Dick and not his head! That's what he's probably doin'!" Another smacked wall. He was gonna put a hole in it and for once Butch couldn't be blamed. Small miracles yippee...
"If she really is possessed than-." The girl continued. Really shouldn't have done that. Sure enough his brother whirled around, eyes blazing.
"She's not possessed you dumb blonde! She's completely aware of what she's doing! He's just blinded by his fucking dick and making excuses for her!" He snarled and then turned on his heel and stormed into the kitchen.
"... you're blond too…" she muttered before… did the chick have a death sentence why was she following him?
See Butch should probably have gone after her but this arm problem of his- shame. He looked to her last remaining sister but the green one was still sulking and fuming over there.
Well that wasn't useful to this big ole' hubbub was it. He looked around, yeah that'd do.
" Wakey wakey Butterfly." He dumped the remnants of the water bottle and she shrieked, jumped up and quicker than some bad sex - heh- Butch was in a chokehold against the wall.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" She snarled. "Do you want to fucking die?!"
She was soaked to the bone and heh- it was kinda cute, like a drowned cat: Tch, maybe his horny ass moron of an older brother had a point.
The Powderpuffs did kinda resemble pissy kitty cats when they were mad. Ha!
"Just making sure you're awake there Buttercrap." he beamed and she growled and raised her fist. He wagged a finger.
"Uh uh uh-." Then pointed to his cast. The thing was annoying as fuck but it came in handy at times. She grit her teeth and he was almost ninety percent sure that was a goddamn hiss that escaped from her then- again… Brick and his overactive dick may very well have had a point.
"Good girl." He snickered.
"The second that thing is off I'm putting you in another one. Preferably a body one." She muttered.
"Not very "everything nice" of you."
"You're the exception to the rule."
"Ooh don't I feel special. Buttercrap I had no idea you liked me so much."
"Fuck off and leave me alone!" She snapped. "Go bug someone else!"
She stormed over to the window. He sauntered over.
"Would if I could but the overactive walking dick hasn't come back from his kitty hunt yet and the blue ones are in there arguing the merits of whose hair is more blonde." He pointed with his good hand. "So guess we're stuck together Buttercrap. Besides-." He pointed at her nose. "I still own you for saving your sorry ass when pink kitty cat went crazy and she just snapped my poor ole' arm versus your bitchy little head."
She went silent.
"Or did you already forget?"
"No. I remember."
The smell was nasty. Plain ole' naaaaasty! The fuck were they even doing there?!
Brick just marched on ahead. Boomer sulking or whatever but he was probably still fuming when the bitch yelled at him before she went flying out.
"It's a fucking sister spat man- she can handle it. Seriously I know you're fucking her or whatever but c'mon Brick! It's fucking cold!" Case in point the blond kept whining.
Mistake one. Never speak what was supposed to be a secret out loud. Yeah it was obvious what those "lessons" really were and the new "Kitten" nickname. Tch, Brick was fucking the sad lil' Puff who yeah life had decided to throw a damn 18' wheeler at in terms of life fuck up time but-.
He was actin' weird. Jumpy. Well jumpier than usual. She'd been mean man- she'd always been a bitch and Butch had a hard time figuring out next to the hot bod' what Brick was so hung up on… oh wait, Brick wasn't here right now: they were currently only following a walking dick with a red hat looking for his runaway pussycat.
Boomer was not pleased. Couldn't blame him. And Butch was just hungry. So let's hurry it up- chop chop and just-. oof!
He bumped into Brick the dick who... had stopped dead. His eyes wide and Boomer has too and well actually Boomer was backin' away kinda quick(?)
"I knew it. I knew she was bad news! I'm outta here!" Butch grabbed his arm.
"What you scared ya big baby? You call yourself a man-!"
He just pointed. "Yes. Yes I am! Look!"
Butch rolled his eyes and-.
They didn't look too good. The uh… guys lying on the ground with weird looks in their faces, eyes wide open and their mouths too and yeah… so that was where the smell was coming from?
There were only two of them… Butch kinda recognized them actually- yeah, that was small time gang that had been… tresspassin' onto… Rowdyruff Turf.
Just like…. the girl with long red hair in a disheveled bow and… torn up clothes, in bare feet with:...
Blood covered...hands.
"...It seems these fools didn't learn the first time." The whisper was low… and throaty.
Brick went stiff as a board. Boomer tried to struggle free again and fuck it Butch just let go. The guy bolted.
"A more permanent lesson was needed."
Butch wasn't fast enough to stop the horny moron from walking towards her. Hand out tentatively.
"They… absolutely did. You're right. Kitten- you know this is just one big-."
"Brick what the fuck are you talking about?!" Butch hissed.
"She's… she already had an… incident with these clowns she… she didn't need me to intervene… she can take...take care of herself." His voice shook. His eyes were wide. Butch thought he was gonna hurl.
"Clearly." He croaked.
"Babe… Kitten what did you do…" Brick said soothingly. Like he was placating… a wild animal. "C'mon babe tell me what happened. We'll sort it all out."
Fucking hell his brother was a lovesick fool.
"I taught them a lesson." She said quietly.
"Yeah you sure did." Butch mumbled. Brick waved him away.
"You did. They learned it well."
Uh yeah. They were dead. They learned it real good.
"No one ever learns. They pretend to… but they strike again when your back is turned. Just like when you're no longer useful to them." She murmured in a...dead sounding voice.
"Blossom. The world sucks. It does. It's why we conquer it. C'mon Kitten, we talked about this- you just had a… slip up. It's fine no one gives a shit about turds like this, we'll destroy the bodies and-."
"Destroy." She murmured in that weird dead tone.
"Y-Yeah… no one will even know-." Brick laughed nervously.
"How sad." Another murmur. She still didn't turn around and Butch finally moved over to take Brick's shoulder.
"Bro, dude, dude look at me. Walk away. Just walk away, she can't get out of this." He hissed. "Don't get caught up with this!"
But he just shook him off. "Blossom." He said more sternly. "You need to come with me now. The police are going to show up any second now-!"
"Good. I want them to."
"...what?"
"Fucking hell the chick's lost it. Okay Brick game over - your sex Kitten has gone la loca! C'mon I'll buy you a redhead's attention at the club or somethin' just-!"
The scream was shrill and high pitched. Aw fuck now they really had to go before-!
" BLOSSOM!" The blonde shot past them and hey-!
"What the fuck woman let go!"
"You piece of shit! What did you do!" The green one had his brother by the scruff of the neck and holding him aloft. " Fucking asshole! What did you do to her!"
" oh Blossom, Blossom it's okay honey! He's gonna leave you alone now! Buttercup call the police!"
"Oh with pleasure! You're going to jail a long time asshole!"
" The fuck! Did you listen to a thing I fucking said!" Boomer bellowed.
"Yeah, it's Buttercup there's been a triple homicide by the alley on Hill Ave-yeah Puffs are on scene it looks like a Rowdyruff scuffle went bad- Blossom was here first- yeah we'll need back up."
" Are You kidding me?! We didn't do shit! Don't cover for her-!" Boomer kept yelling.
"Whatever he made you do Blossom the judge will understand it was under duress- it'll be okay sis!" The blonde kept rubbing the pink bitch's shoulder.
She still hadn't moved.
"Oh this is just great Brick! Just fucking great! Your crazy Sex toy goes fucking berserk and kills the neighborhood pervs but we're going to fucking jail for it!"
"Don't you dare slander my sister in such a way!" The green one stormed over. " He-!" She pointed at Brick who had gone just as stiff. "Took advantage of my poor sister when she was completely vulnerable! How low can you go!"
"Excuse me! Sorry bitch but that thirsty sister of yours showed up at his door in the middle of the fucking night crying and practically begging my brother to-!"
WHAM
Brick went down like a log, holding his nose and with a bellow Boomer lunged and Butch probably should have too but that temper was very capable of handling a Powerpuff girl on its own and-.
The pink one hadn't moved. An inch.
Was that normal? Probably not but-!
It came in an instant. The Blue Puff hit the wall and… the green puff's wild screaming had turned into… choking.
"What the fuck are you crazy! What the fucks the matter with you?!" Boomer roared before he hustled over to where the blue one was lying motionless on the ground.
The redhead didn't answer him Fuck why would she…
Those pitch black eyes… looked… mean.
And they were focused on his brother.
Only… his brother.
… and that was when Butch knew the Pink Puff has officially left the building. The green one's face was turning blue and well- this was a new one but uh- see Buttercrap was supposed to be "Butch's" kill in theory and everyone in this joint knew it so uh… yeah he wasn't going to jail to cover up for Brick's sex Kitten sooooo-.
" Blossom! Blossom listen to me Babe! You don't want to - HRRRRGH! Butch what the fuck are you doing?!" Brick rasped but Butch just tightened his chokehold.
"Shh! Your dick got us in this mess so now it's gonna get us out so shut up!" He said quickly before he took a deep breath. "HEY KITTY CAT!" She growled, turned and then bitch hissed - She fucking hissed like a literal pissed off cat! Whoo boy- okay Brick really knew how to pick em' didn't he?
Fuck he thought the poofy haired loudmouth had been his worst! Ugh, that thirsty bitch had sniffed after Butch right under Brick's nose too -
HISSSSSSSSS
But Princess Morebucks hadn't had actual sharp claws and teeth now had she? Butch shot a fierce look at the crazy kitty.
"Okay kitty cat! Put the Green one down and I put your Puffy nip down! Deal!"
"Puffy… nip?" Brick wheezed "that's the stupidest shit I've ever-."
HISSSSSSSSSS
"But pretty accurate." Boomer grunted. The blue one was out for the count and lay limp in his arms. Uh oh. That didn't bode well.
The pink one meanwhile bared her teeth- oh lovely nice and sharp wasn't that "special."
But well- One step closer and Butch thrust the red moron forward. She stopped dead.
"Yeah that's right! Thought so! Now put the Puff down! You let her go I let your Puffy nip here go. We all leave happy! Sounds reasonable right!"
Her eyes narrowed but nonetheless she released the green one. The gasp was loud and Buttercup Utonium held her neck heaving and gasping on the ground, hacking up a lung.
"You're. Crushing: me." Brick grunted. Butch released him and he too fell to his knees, coughing.
"Good. You deserve it." Butch grunted back and stormed over to where the green one was still hacking up a lung. He took her arm and hauled her up.
"What the fuck-?!" She began. He shook his head.
"Run."
"What-LOOK OUT!"
The angry kitty just went and grabbed him like a pissy toddler whose toy had gotten taken away (... it kind of had) and hoisted him clean off his feet before tossing him straight into a brick wall … ha… irony…
Yeah Butch didn't remember much after that.
She averted her gaze. Brick had finally been the one to finally subdue the pink one but even that had apparently been temporary, he hadn't heard... exactly what had occurred when he'd clocked out but… maybe that was a good thing…
The only thing he knew was it had been the green and blue one here who had gotten the three of em' off the hook when the cops had tried cuffin' em and gotten Butch taken to the ER where he'd found out the crazy kitty had snapped his arm into two clean pieces like it was a damn tree branch.
The carnage had started just days later and well:.. here they all were.
It'd taken days for the blue one over there to talk again. She'd been struck dumb with horror.
And: Despite being nasty and having his temper tantrum by taking it out on everybody Butch had also noted Boomer wasn't letting the little blonde out of his sight neither.
"Your brother has been gone a long time… you should probably go look for him." She muttered.
"He's a big boy he can take care of himself plus." He tapped his cast. "Can't do much to help here. I'll just be everyone's cheerleader."
She rolled her eyes. "Shut up."
"Gimme a B, Gimme a U Gimme a T, T, E! gimme an R- your name is long, fuck it no song for you just get the pissy kitty." He sighed. The twinges began again-fucking broken bones hurt man!
"That... was terrible."
"I'm on a painkillers and coffee diet at the moment. It was genius."
"Real healthy."
"Well unless you want to make me a sandwich or feed me instant noodles I'm out of options here."
She narrowed her eyes and then rolled her eyes before getting up and heading towards… the kitchen? Hot damn! Casts could come in handy apparently.
"You need protein. Don't think anything else of it, a Puff always pays her debts."
"Isn't that a quote from some book or whatever?" He leaned back against the couch.
"Duh. Tch- I didn't even know you could read." She mumbled.
"There's a lot you don't know about me Sweetcheeks." She stiffened. "Shame about that."
Footsteps interrupted them and Boomer came storming out. They both stiffened.
"It's been an hour." He gulped and looked out I'm going to go look for him."
"You ain't goin' alone- help me up Nurse." Butch began but the girl slapped him down:
" Fuck that. You ain't goin' nowhere. I'll-."
"I'll go." Bubbles was behind Boomer. His brother stiffened almost as much as the green one.
"Fuck no-!"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
Pigtails to her credit though didn't back down. She narrowed her eyes and tapped her foot impatiently.
"You shouldn't go alone and Buttercup is the only one here with first aid experience." Butch raised an eyebrow. The green one folded her arms and muttered something about "dance camp" but there was no way he heard that right because…
No way. Nah. Pain meds were messing with him.
"If Brick is hurt then yeah shouldn't she be the one to go then…." Boomer drawled.
… yeah if he was hurt but Butch… remembered those eyes when he'd had the Puff Nip in that mock chokehold.
Admittedly… part of Butch was shocked he was still alive.
So… not for nothing.
"Brick ain't hurt." He murmured. They turned to him. "Not because of her at least."
"How do you know?" Boomer said suspiciously but the blonde next to him nodded in understanding.
"For the same reason Butch has a cast." She said quietly and wrung her hands.
They went silent, and Boomer finally sighed. "Okay… still though the question is… what is he doing?"
They all were quiet. Like no one wanted to… say what they all were thinking…
And Butch prayed… he fucking prayed….
That he was wrong.
-o-o-o-o-
The park was just as quiet, just as silent and… dead as before but somehow… Brick felt… different.
It was bittersweet really. Walking like this. Arm in arm. With not a care in the world it seemed.
He'd lost track of time. Simply walking, talking and even… laughing?
"You're kidding…. she did what?"
The red haired woman snorted, " She started yelling gibberish she claimed was Latin to "exorcise me"." She laughed. " how unfortunate for her I took it as an elective in college."
He cracked a smile. "Why doesn't that surprise me." She smiled back, small but… there. He saw a slight hint of pink and she rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh.
Again… bittersweet. Unconsciously his arm circled her waist and pressed her against him as they walked.
It was grimly funny, in different circumstances they could have passed as just any ordinary couple lost in their own world walking the pretty path and…
But these weren't different circumstances. They never had been… his eyes flicked to the pin-... not pink eyed redhead next to him.
And they never would be.
"She was rather loud. Too loud. She gave me a headache and her pronunciation was awful."
"...sounds about right." He said with a feigned shrug, "So then what?"
She furrowed her eyebrows and made a face. ""She wasn't who I was looking for- So I made it quick. I can't fault her too much- I looked at her record book… the amount of money she was paid was almost obscene."
"... yeah I bet it was…" he said lowly, cautiously. Easy now.
"She won't get away next time."Brick grimaced again.
"Kitten-."
"No. I have her in my sights! She can't hide forever!" She hissed.
Yes she can.
Princess Morebucks had hightailed it out of the city nearly as soon as the first news reports had been at the scene. As soon as Blossom Utonium's face had been on screen as a "fugitive"...the bitch had been out.
She was probably halfway to Europe by now if not already there.
The bitch had started everything
" You're never gonna find her Kitten. You know that."
Her grip on his arm tightened. "You think that."
"No I know that. Babe… listen to me."
She sighed. "This again, how boring."
"Blossom. You're not gonna find her, why waste your time on the small fry you're not getting any pleasure from it-!"
"You can think that." She said lightly and then he saw a glimmer in those dark eyes and Brick found himself yanked along towards the abandoned playground they'd suddenly come across. Brick blinked but she caressed the standing tetanus shot almost… reverently.
" I loved these as a child. The feeling of flying…" her eyes closed. "I could be flying amongst my peers… and I could just pretend like they all did…"
Creak. Creak. Creak.
"Until that blasted phone rang of course… then pretend time was over… and I'd have to fly for real." She stopped and he saw it again, the flicker of pink. He walked over, hands in his pockets and silently joined her.
"They were all jealous of me… I could fly whenever I wanted, they could only do so when their eyes were closed." She gripped the rusted chain. "I wished I could do that sometimes. Close my eyes and fly… but when I would open them… I'd be back on the ground."
"... you didn't have much of a childhood… did you Kitten?"
She didn't answer she only rose and walked to the large jungle gym in the middle.
"You know I've surpassed your rules." She declared. " Rule four- never doing the expected? I've blown that out of the water wouldn't you agree?"
"Course I do. You're a natural Kitten just like I knew you'd be." He mumbled the last part and she listlessly swung around the tallest pole with both the grace of an aerial dancer and the… allure of the most seasoned…
"Where'd you learn to do that?" He called up, she paused in mid swing and cocked an eyebrow.
"Rule four Mr. Jojo." She repeated before swinging again though this time she let go of the bars too soon and- SHIT!
"Blossom-!"
He jumped up and lurched over the sandbox to catch her as she fell before she broke her fucking head but she hovered just inches above his outstretched hands and was giving him a wry sort of look.
"Did you forget?" He blinked. Oh…. right… uh…
"No. It's just uh… harder to get balance upside down than… right side up…" He finished lamely and well yeah but he wasn't about to tell her that had been...instinct. Sheer instinct. No he didn't know where it had come from but…
It was late when he'd opened the door. His brothers had bitched- and Boomer especially was vocal about his displeasure but… he let her in anyway. Her silent misery had been all he'd needed to see.
She'd run here. Not flown. She hadn't wanted to be seen… and so she hadn't. He'd pushed the boys aside and huddled her into the master bedroom. She'd been soaking wet when she'd come to his door. Her clothes had just gone straight into the dryer. She sat on the bed, shivering.
He wanted to, no he had the urge practically to kill in that moment. Seeing her like this- small and…. Frail.
"...I take it you saw the show." She whispered. He said nothing. She sniffed loudly. "Like the neighbors…?"
"...I saw Kitten." She was shivering again, Brick removed his hoodie and wrapped it around her shoulders. "I saw the whole thing."
"Of course you did…. That entire crowd was focused on nothing but getting it all on their phones, the lovely sight of the Utonium sisters evicted from their home…Sure to go viral!"
He swallowed the flinch as she continued. "No one cared! No one did anything! We came home to find the locks changed, our belongings on the lawn and a new family moving their things in… Morebucks Inc. doesn't let empty properties sit for long."
"Of course you know that's not technically legal."
"Do you think anyone cares?" She closed her eyes
He grimaced and she choked out a laugh when he sat down next to her.
"We'll sort this out" He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she sunk into his hold. "What are you going to do?"
She sniffed. ".. The girls are checked into a hotel." She whispered. "Nothing's really cheap around here of course so its not… permanent or doable even for long… and I have to get a storage locker." She paused. "... I think Citysville is less expensive...-."
"Fuck that." Brick murmured. "You're not going anywhere near there."
"I don't have much of a choice Brick!" Her voice caught and then her face crumbled and she buried her face in his arm.
"Why… W-Why did this…I hate this city." She said throatily with a raw husk to it. " I hate it."
"You have every right to."
"I want them all to pay Brick." Her voice grew deeper. More menacing. He cupped her face.
"And they will Kitten. Each and every one of them… we'll make them pay Blossom."
Her eyes were wide. "...We?"
They were nose to nose. "We." He moved away. "But first, we got to plan- not leave a thing up to chance. Just stick with me Kitten. Stick with me because I got you... Rule five Blossom." He murmured. "Rule five."
She sniffed and shivered again so he held her tighter, closer. " What's Rule five…. I don't remember that one?"
He could have said it then.
"Never stay out in the rain Kitten." he improvised. "Never stay out in the rain."
"Brick." He blinked and she was staring down at him, another pink flicker glinted in her eyes before.
"Catch me!" She suddenly exclaimed.
Oof.
She fell right into his arms and hugged his neck with a devious smile. Not to be outdone he gathered her further into his grip. She smiled at him- genuinely smiled. More pink was peeking through the inky darkness… he was getting through to her. Yes! He could do it! He could bring her back.
She frowned when he set her down back on her feet but kept his arms around her.
"... Blossom. I know you're still in there Kitten…" he tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear. "You want revenge, I get that. But listen- no don't walk away, listen!"
His grip on her arms was probably harder than it should have been… but she didn't retaliate.
"You want revenge on the people who hurt you. I get that. I've felt that… but-."
"You're going to tell me I'm going too far? Tch-." She narrowed her eyes, the pink was fading quickly. "Hardly. If anything I'm not going far enough- release me Brick: now. Rule two."
"Don't you fucking cite the rules to me!" He hissed. "I made them!"
"And I mastered them." She retorted. " I don't need them to get justice." She averted her gaze. " or you…" then a whisper.
"You know that's not true Kitten!"
She frowned and shook her head. "I'm not a kitten anymore BricK." They were chest to chest and he grasped his shirt then. "I don't want to hurt you." Another whisper. "Damn you why won't you just-!"
She pulled him down and he caught her back in his arms. "Don't come Brick. Run with your brothers and my sisters. Just...just run! Admit defeat, swallow your pride for once and just go!"
"You know I can't do that Kitten." He murmured and rested his brow on hers.
"Stop calling me that…" her grip tightened.
"Never. It's far too fun pissing you off Babe." He chuckled. She didn't say anything and finally just set her face in his shirt.
"Why can't I forget about you?" She murmured while wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Probably the same reason I can't forget you." He murmured back as he put his his arms over her shoulders encasing her in his arms. Keeping her safe.
"...I wanted you to hold me like this for such a long time." She said softly, so softly he could barely hear it.
The twinge in his chest at those words made the guilt… just seep back into him and he tightened his hold he wanted
"I know… I should have-." A finger went to his mouth, stopping him. He saw the flecks of pink swimming in the murky black and his chest clenched more but he nodded.
There was no time for should haves', would haves' could haves'... should haves'.
There was just… now. Right then. At this exact moment in time. Nothing else.
Her eyes fluttered closed and he leaned in.
Now. Present.
Forever.
"Don't come Brick." She whispered. "Rule two… don't… don't interfere
"I can't do that Ki-."
She cut him off with her lips. His first reaction was shock. Pure, unadulterated shock but soon it faded into something else. Something both wrong and something achingly right.
His eyes closed and he deepened their kiss. His chest burned like he was going through the world's worst case of heartburn but he still pulled her closer, ran his hands down her hair, her back, every inch he could get hold of.
"Brick." She rasped against his lips. "What are we doing?"
"Something we should have done a long time ago." He wrapped his arms around her. She melted against him.
Pit. Pat. Patter. Patter.
The drops began to fall. She stiffened but he held firm.
"Brick. Let go." She murmured.
"No. Blossom-!" He looked at her but then… his heart sunk…those were eyes were back to pitch black.
"Rule five. Never stay out in the rain…" She whispered. "Remember?"
That's not the real rule five… Blossom… just…
She pulled away holding her arms as she did chest twinged if not clenched… the pain in his chest… heartburn… yeah too many instant noodles… that was all it was.
No. Not yet!
He grabbed her back but this time she pushed him away gently… but firmly. The void he felt was instant and he needed her back to close it but… she backed away, keeping her gaze on the ground and his attempt to grab her back.
"Don't come after me." Her voice low and thick. "Please."
She shot up in the air at that. So quick he didn't even have time to call her back.
He was alone. Alone. She'd been here- safe where she belonged with him and then… gone.
Just… gone.
Those damn instant noodles kept burning him from the inside- fucking heartburn…
Just fucking…. Fucking shit noodles!
He whirled around before kicking out as hard as he could- with barely a whimper it seemed that dehabiliated swing set lay in pieces on the ground.
He'd get her back. He didn't care. That heartburn in his chest… no ...it wasn't heartburn.
This felt more like a slow venom that was going to consume him from the inside out. A poison as black and murky as those wretched eyes that…
He'd been a fool. A goddamn stupid fool! Pride, ego what did that shit matter! Nothing fucking mattered, he'd wasted enough time- he had to get her back… no she was still in there!
He'd get her back. And if he didn't… couldn't even then… then-!
A hand went on his shoulder. Had she-!?
"Brick?" He stiffened before turning around, slowly. He met Boomer's gaze straight on and the Blue Puff peeked from behind him.
They were both silent before finally, he felt a squeeze on his arm.
"Let's go bro." Boomer said quietly. Bubbles nodded and moved to Brick's other side.
"I had her... " He whispered.
"We know Brick…"
We know…
No they didn't. But they would.
He'd get her back… she'd come back!
She… she had to.
I'll get you back Blossom Utonium…
If it's the last thing I do…
-o-o-o-o-o-
Brick Jojo's rules to being evil
1. When you want something. You take it. When someone tries to stop you. You make them regret it."
2. Rules are made to be broken but don't ever interfere in another fellow evil doer's deeds.
3. Impulsive behavior means mistakes are inevitably made.
4. Never do the expected. Don't be predictable and don't follow a pattern.
5. Never get caught in the rain.
The paper was worn like it had been folded and unfolded so many times at this point it was brittle and could rip at any moment.
Rule five… she closed her eyes.
Rule...five.
"Aw look at this there's a cute little kitten at my doorstep looking for a home- you got all your shots kitty cat?"
A shove and she slammed the door shut.
"No more games Brick. No more. You saw the news."
"I did."
"I don't have time to wait anymore my revenge comes now or never and I'll be damned if I don't get it!" She hissed.
"You'll be damned if you do Kitten, some paths are too slippery even for-."
"Yes or no Brick! Yes or no! Are you going to help me get my revenge or not!"
Silence.
It was a slice in her chest but… an expected one.
"I don't know why I even bothered."
His grip held firm.
"Release me."
"It's raining Kitten. Rule five. I can't let you go out in the rain."
"Let me go Brick."
"Not until the rain stops and you think shit through-!"
She ripped her hand free. "I'm getting my revenge Brick!"
"You won't get an inch near her Blossom! Listen to me we just need a plan, you need to-!"
"NO!" She snarled. "You listen, I've waited long enough I know all your stupid rules and now… it's time for my test Mr. Jojo…. My final exam!"
" Blossom Stop-!"
" Rule two Mr. Jojo! Rule two! And you're not going to help me than I'll find someone who will!"
She whirled around and stormed out the door. A red zip flashed in front of her and he seized her by the arms.
" Rule five Blossom!" He gave her a shake. "Rule five, I can't let you do this Babe, babe just stop for a second and-!"
WHAM
She regretted it. Hitting him so hard. But he landed under an awning so at least he wouldn't get soaked or… drown in a puddle.
She bit her lip and crept over- he wouldn't be out for long so she had to… had to hurry but…
Clink.
She set the bracelet down, closed his fist over it and brushed a strand of fiery hair from his eyes gently.
"I'm sorry…." Her voice was small.
She stood back up and walked out of the alley.
Ohhhh my What an entertaaaaaining display!
She froze.
"...You."
Rule five….
"Careful Kitten. Don't stray too far… I got you just follow me…"
The demon had granted her power…
"You wish to help me?"
"I do such a shame, John Utonium was a favorite mortal of mine I believe sweetheart…" that claw grazed her cheek. "We can help each other."
"... what do I need to do?"
Two days. Two days would decide all.
Two days….
"I'll give you the power you need… I just need one little favor."
The demon had granted Blossom power.
"A favor ...?"
The power to take her revenge.
"Bring them to me Blossom. Bring the others to me… and you'll have your revenge."
"...others?"
"You know who I speak…"
Bring them to Him. Bring her sisters and the brothers to the demon. Bring….
Her fist clenched before she folded her arms.
Two days…. all would be decided…
Two days.
A/N: And thus does another chapter end my lovelies! What's going to happen next- well guess we'll have to wait and see! ;D
Thanks for reading and see y'all next time!
-Carrie