CHAP 6

With a rustle from the nearby bushes, the figure in black crept out, making their way towards the Mayor's building. Keeping their back to the wall, they inched their way around the perimeter, eyes wide and alert for any mishaps or details like cameras. Just when they had found a suitable spot, seeing the warm glow from Bellum's office up above on the third floor, a loud snap of a branch whisked them around and they spotted the redhead in question lingering just around the corner, staring over at them. For a moment, like deer caught in headlights, they were motionless and they dared not take their eyes off of one another for a second. When the figure in black approached, arms raised in surrender, it didn't stop the bold secretary from sprinting over in their direction and tackling them to the ground with a thud. A satchel with rope, a grappling hook, knife and other items flew off to the side and Bellum pinned them successfully to the floor.

"Nice try, you lousy crook. But, It'll take more than some lazy skulking around to intrude into the Mayor's office" she snapped, glad to have the creep finally in her presence. For what they did to her bike, she would be happy to lend them over to the Powerpuff, like throwing steak meat to a starved Lion.

That is until... "Sara, I'll pay you back for it I swear. It was an emergency"

Blinking, the crimson haired beauty reached to rip off the balaclava and her eyes grew wide. "W-wha? Miss Keane?"

The teacher looked up to her friend with determination, her voice still soft. "I had to. I had to get you and Buttercup away before it was too late... That's why I destroyed your bike. I figured it was a risk worth taking. She had already called the cops once she received your call"

"Wait... so that wasn't you? Then... that means...!"

With a shudder, Buttercup studied the weapon in her hands. The cold metallic surface. The icy grip of death. For her and her sisters, the bullets were as harmless as rain. But, for any normal citizen... any person...

"Oh, Buttercup... if only I could withstand my temperament. If only I could make you understand" withdrew a fake sob, from who should have surely have been Sara Bellum.

Totally devastated, heartbroken, the were-puff swallowed a lump in her throat and pointed the weapon in her direction, not even really knowing if it was loaded or not. She wouldn't really know how to use a human weapon. She'd have had no need to. Right now, having taken the woman's words into account, she then lowered the weapon and the disguised woman looked to the tomboy in real fear. She knew Buttercup probably wouldn't know how to use it, but the threat, the risk, still remained.

"Y'know... I coulda stuck to my own philosophy, taken an eye for an eye approach... to heck with the gun. You know as well as I that I have the power to take your life away pretty easily" the girl started quietly, taking a pause, taking a breath, before continuing, as tears built up. She couldn't bare this heartbreak again. Not again. "But, I don't wanna stoop to that level... not that level. Not that mindset. So, I'm doing what I know is right and I'm taking you down to the station... you can resist, you can fight... but, you KNOW I'll win"

"If you say so" the fake secretary sighed, getting to her feet. There was this unsettling suspicion hanging in the air. Something didn't feel right, particularly since there was no protest and, if she was truly guilty and law abiding, why was she dragging her through this unnecessary and worthless trek for a non existent truth? Was she procrastinating? Buying time to find a way to escape? If so, there were many instances where she coulda legged it, but she came back. "I'm sorry that I have deceived you like this, Buttercup. Before I go, could I maybe just... say goodbye?"

The barriers were falling, breaking and the powerpuff laid the gun down on the desk, her body jerking involuntarily as she held back her need to cry. Frowning, she floated away from her, eyes becoming pink and shimmering with sadness. "You're a criminal, Sara. A killer. So, nothing personal, but I'm gonna treat you like one" she bit.

"Please, Buttercup. You've trusted me. You listened to me thus far, let me tell my side of the story... I just... want some consolation"

Did she deserve any? Some details were still unclear, but the revelation of the weapon made the intent to kill much more real and concrete. Folding her arms, facing away from her, the tomboy retreated further, until her back hit a cabinet, knocking off a few papers. "Dang it!"

"Please? ... Or was it really that easy to hate me from the start?" she cooed, her words poisoned by manipulation. They embedded into the impressionable girl's brain, seeded themselves and the tears finally fell from her. "There, there. I'm sad too. I'll go. I'll go with you. I'll do as you say... but, may I ask one thing?"

"W-what?..." snapped the kid, scowling, her face reddening from her misery.

"I've never been to prison. I dunno what they do to people in there. It frightens me. Could you... maybe give me one last hug?"

The tactics were working. Mentally, the villain was snickering, seeing the child fall into her clutches so easily, like hypnotism. Chewing her lip, she braced herself, as the fluffy tomboy willfully flew into her embrace. Cupping her tiny body, like she really would a puppy, the replicated Bellum held the distraught hero to her, letting her rest her head on her shoulder.

The girl wept and, under the huge mass of curls, the bitch smirked and proceeded to stroke her hair assuredly. "I'll be strong" the lady cooed. "I'll be strong for you"

"I'm s-sorry I h-ha-have to..." stuttered the poor, raven haired babe.

"It's alright. I'm sorry I lied to you"

"I-I... w-want you to stay safe in there, Ms. Bellum"

"I'll learn to get by" she dragged on, delighting in the powerpuff's dismal state. "I'll be so scared... but, I'm sure I'll be fine"

"When you c-come out, I'll be there... w-wuh-waiting for you" Buttercup cried.

"I'm sure you will be"

"B-Bellum?..."

"Yes?..."

"I m-meant what I said when I said I thought you were special"

Ruffling her hair a little, in a legitimate attempt to halt the sobbing (seeing as her shoulder was beginning to soak), the fake Bellum nodded "I'm sure you did. I appreciate that"

"And Bellum?"

How long was this brat going to take? "...Yes?"

"Please... don't forget... I... I-I love you..." she finished, her words breaking away into tearful squeaks at the end.

...

...

...

"I love you too, baby girl"

The fake Bellum froze, horrified... That wasn't her voice.

"I'm proud of you and I WILL be strong for you"

Just as the disguised woman turned to the office door in the bleak realization, it broke open with a loud bang and the REAL Bellum and Keane burst through and seized the villain, tearing the wig from her and restraining her, holding her forcefully down to the desk. Her wild hair hissed and writhed.

"Ugh, you bitches don't know what you're in for" the villain snarled.

"Sedusa!" exclaimed Buttercup, slowly feeling a blinding rage fill her veins

End of Chapter Six

(Okay, so before anyone gets their knickers and knockers in a knot, the love element in this story is not reciprocated in the same way Buttercup feels for Bellum. Believe me, I ain't going there. Consider it on Bellum's behalf as a mother would feel for her child, or for a friend, etc. Anyways, hope you've enjoyed this and there WILL be more. Cya for now!)