Villain
Chapter 7
We eventually reached a dark alley, where we traveled down until we came to a rusty, black, metal door. There was an ID swipe box beside it, and Mojo retrieved a card from his back pocket and gave it a swipe. A little green light blinked on the box, and the door made a clicking noise, as it unlocked itself. Mojo opened the door and we stepped inside, the door slamming shut and locking automatically behind us.
The location and door turned out to be the only things dark and sinister about the place. Once Mojo flipped the light switch beside the door, the room revealed itself to be more like a fancy hotel lobby than an evil lair. There was velvet red carpeting, and the walls were decorated with modest, floral pattern wallpaper. There was a long, mahogany wooden table in the center of a larger room which connected to this smaller, entrance area. The table was surrounded by many chairs that were made of mahogany wood as well, with velvet red cushions and gold trimming. There were no windows in the place, but several small chandeliers that dangled from the ceiling provided enough light. There was a water cooler in one corner, and a small table that held a blue vase of assorted flowers. This was definitely a place I'd least expect a bunch of villains to be gathered at.
Mojo looked down at his wrist watch, "It is only nine o'clock. Let us take our seats and await everyone's arrival." He started towards the long table and I followed him. We sat beside each other in two seats that were in the middle of the left side of the table. We were both quiet. I could tell Mojo was thinking about something, and I didn't want to interrupt. After several minutes, I heard a click coming from the door. I looked up and saw a familiar redhead in a bright yellow dress and matching golden tiara enter the room.
Princess. I hadn't seen or heard from her since I was ten. She transferred out of our elementary school to attend private school when we were in the fourth grade. She didn't cause any more trouble after that. The day before she disappeared she had tried to destroy us one last time, but failed when her jetpack exploded after malfunctioning somehow and she fell from the sky like a ton of bricks, crashing into a lake of water below. That was the last time I saw her; the very next day, our teacher informed us that she wasn't returning.
I stared at her as she made her way over to the table, with a sly smile on her face. She looked much different. Some things remained the same though. She still had that red hair, tied up in those curly, poofy pigtails and her face was still spotted with freckles. She was still pretty short, or at least shorter than me by several inches. Like I said, she still wore a similar uniform: yellow, with a black stripe and a golden tiara. The dress was short and came down just a couple inches above her knees. Its collar was low cut, so that it showed off her breasts with a tiny peek of cleavage. She wore tight, white leggings under dress that stretched down to her shiny, black, high heel boots.
What was most different about her was the way she carried herself. As a kid, she was a stuck up, spoiled brat, with her nose always upturned and her eyes refusing to grant you any attention longer than two seconds, because of course all the concentration should be focused on her. Now she seemed to look me straight in the eyes, as she made her way towards Mojo and I. Her dark eyes seemed to dare me to look away, and I couldn't. She didn't wear that pouting face, but a devious smile. Behind that expression was still the stuck up girl I once knew. But when I was a kid, it annoyed the hell out of me; mostly because she had no idea what a brat she was being. Now she was a cunning, still conceited and arrogant brat, but she wore that look as if to say: "Yeah, I know I'm a bitch. So what's your point?" She worked that expression. She was proud of that bitchiness and she demanded that everyone around her saw it. And as much as it seemed to stir up a tiny bit of hatred within me, at the same time… I couldn't help but love it.
"I had a feeling I was going to find you here," she said taking the seat beside me. "After the news said that you were linked to the chimp here, I figured you'd be tagging along with him and joining the group." She rested her elbows on the table, propping up her face with her hands. "They showed some footage of what you did. That's some pretty amazing stuff. Only a truly evil person could cause that much death and destruction. Not just evil, but powerful," she said with a flutter of her eyelashes. "Yes, that's a pretty fierce and commanding thing you got going on here," she reached out for my hands that rested in front of me on the table. She softly brushed a finger along my fingertips. "A death ray, huh? I like it."
"What are you doing here before everyone else?" I asked, just watching her fingers trace the scars on my hands. I'd never been flirted with before, but I was guessing that was what she was doing. Why she'd want to flirt with me?-- I had no clue. But I was pretty damn sure it had nothing to do with my looks. Mojo began to growl angrily behind me. I glanced at him and saw that he had a fixed glare on Princess. He obviously didn't appreciate her touching me like that, so I brushed her hands away.
"Same reason you and the chimp are here before everyone else," she answered with a sigh, twirling a strand of hair around her finger and reclining in her chair a little.
"Him does not care for Princess very much either," Mojo muttered behind me.
I looked from Mojo to Princess. "Why's that?"
The redhead smirked, and gave a playful flick of her hair. "Because I'm the one who has the guy beat."
"Oh, please," Mojo said rolling his eyes. "Do not flatter yourself, Child."
"I do have him beat! I do!" she protested.
"Do not," Mojo huffed.
"Do too!" she whined.
"How do you have Him beat?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Well," she said turning in her seat to face me. "You know that weird, spooky little mind control thingy he does? You know when he invades your mind and can hypnotize you and stuff?"
"Yeah, what about it?" I asked.
"Well," she began with a big grin. "He can't do it to me!"
"What?"
"He can't control my mind!" she said with a proud little giggle.
"You make it sound like it is something you have come to perfect over the years," Mojo said rolling his eyes again. "As if it is some great power you've mastered or even worked for in the slightest. When it is most likely just a result of your utter stubborn and selfish ways."
"Whatever! You're just jealous, Monkey Boy."
"Are you saying Him can't control Princess's mind, because… she's just that stubborn?" I asked again in disbelief.
"Well, yes. That is my theory," Mojo said folding his arms. I looked to Princess and she just wore a proud smile on her face.
Just then we heard a click from the door again, and a large group of people entered. There was the Gangreen Gang, Fuzzy Lumpkins, the Amoeba Boys, and Sedusa. I watched them walk our way, while I heard Mojo mutter something about how it was obvious now that the meeting was scheduled a half hour earlier than what he was told. The Gangreen Gang took seats on the opposite side of the table and Sedusa sat next to them. Fuzzy sat beside Mojo and the Amoebas took the vacant seats beside Princess.
"Well, well," a high pitched, chilling voice came from behind me. I jumped in my seat a little and then turned my head to see Him. The seven foot tall devilish monster grinned down at me. "Don't you look precious in your new little monkey suit?" he said with a laugh that grew shriller and shriller. Everyone else, besides Mojo and Princess, weakly laughed too. They seemed nervous, and eager to please Him, their eyes following his every move very intently, like their lives depended on it.
I heard Mojo clear his throat loudly and I looked at him. He motioned at my hands that grasped my chair's armrests tightly; they were glowing. I couldn't help it. Him's little comment already had me pissed. I closed my eyes and took one deep breath after another, forcing the anger out of me so that my hands returned to normal. It took me at least five minutes before that happened, while Him had proceeded to begin the meeting.
"And that brings us to our next item on today's agenda: It now seems that the Powerpuff Girls have one less member. Oh, yeeees," his voice echoed. "It would appear that the feisty, tomboy Buttercup decided to up and quit the crime-fighting team, leaving only Blossom and Bubbles behind."
"Duhh," Big Billy from the Gangreen Gang interrupted. "Isn't that Buttercup right there?" he asked stupidly pointing a fat finger at me. The Gangreen Gang's leader Ace who sat beside the giant idiot gave him a hard smack on the head.
"Who? Thiiis?" him motioned towards me. He waved his claw in the air, and I suddenly felt myself involuntarily climbing to my feet. I tried to fight against it, but I just couldn't. "Why, this isn't Buttercup. This is Mojo's new son. Isn't that right, Mojo?" Him smiled slyly. Mojo just glared back at him, while gritting his teeth. Him gave another wave of his claw and I was suddenly floating towards the tall beast.
"Hey! Cut it out!" I yelled. He forced me to hover beside him, as I thrashed about, trying to break free from his invisible grasp.
He grabbed my face with his claw and brought it close to his, inspecting it closely. "Well, I'd have to agree with you, Billy. This kid does look an awful lot like Buttercup…." He let go of my face, put continued to hold me in the air. "Maybe that's because…" his high shrill turned to a deep, angry voice, "she is Buttercup!" He threw me to the ground forcefully and I immediately stood back up and face him, with my hands clenched tightly and glowing green.
I felt a hand grab my arm and saw that Mojo now stood beside me. He pulled me behind him, his face remaining calm. "Buttercup is who she used to be," Mojo said looking at the board. "She is Buttercup no more. Buttercup is no longer her identity. She is no longer a Powerpuff Girl and now wishes to be a villain. Indeed she has everything it takes to be one, and that is why I have taken her in and have been training her to be evil as my very own son. That is who he is now-- my son. I'm sure you've all seen the devastation my new son caused to this city. He did so effortlessly, and without much endeavor. With a simple opening and closing of his fists, Jojo Junior is able to conjure a death ray. A power only a true villain would possess. It is only fair to now vote such a gifted being into our organization. He has true potential, true promise, and the true capabilities that are essential for the makings of a great mastermind of evil. My son has the greatest chance, out of any of us here, to lead us all to total domination of the world. His membership of the Villains' Council is important and, very much indeed, necessary."
"Let's not forget who this now Jojo Junior is now," Him said facing the board. "This child was once our enemy, and now we must accept him as a friend? Not only that but a… what? Leader?!" Him glared down at me, as I just glared back at him. "I don't think so," his eyes narrowed even more. "But," his expression changed to a much softer one as he looked back at the board. "Let's have a vote, shall we? All in favor of the ex-Puff gaining membership status, say 'yes,' and all against, say 'no.'"
One by one every villain said "No," in the most, monotone voice.
When it came to be Princess's turn to vote, she folded her arms stubbornly, turned her nose to the air and said: "Yes." I guess she really did have some sort of control over Him.
After Mojo voted 'yes,' Him voted 'no.' "Well, that's that!" Him laughed to himself. "Membership denied! Oh, I'm so sorry. But don't you worry. You can still tag along with Daddy if you must." His laugh continued.
I clenched my fists tightly as they grew hotter. I tried and tried to contain myself, but I just couldn't. I snapped. "What do you mean?! You gotta be kiddin' me! For God's sake the fucking Amoeba Boys are members! THE AMOEBA BOYS!" I screamed, my fists engulfed with even more fire and electricity. "HOW AM I NOT CONSIDERED A VILLAIN BUT THEY ARE?!"
"Their hearts are in the right place," Him said simply.
"Yeah, our hearts are in the right place," the Amoeba Boys chimed all at once.
I screamed in frustration. "Yeah, well so is mine!" I shouted.
"Oh is it?" Him cooed. "Yes, let's have a look, shall we?"
Suddenly I felt myself go completely stiff. My hands ceased their glowing and fell limply to my side. I seemed to stop breathing, but couldn't gasp for air. I was frozen completely still. It was like I had gone dead, or turned to stone. A dark, almost pitch black, thing, engulfed in pink flames and pulsating with a low beat floated before my eyes. Everyone in the room made a loud gasp at the sight of it.
"Oh my," Him said. "Why that is black, isn't it?"
"Him, cease this nonsense!" Mojo shouted from my side. "You only wish to cause pain to my son! It is nothing but a cruel joke from a cruel man! This is not necessary! Now return his heart to him at once!"
Everything was growing darker and darker by the second and I felt myself growing weak as I watched my own heart hover in front of me. I fought to breathe, but still couldn't. At long last, I felt a huge force hit my chest, as my heart vanished before my eyes, and I instantly made a frantic gasp for air. I immediately fell onto my knees, breathing desperately for more air and choking.
"Meeting adjourned," I heard Him hiss. He vanished into a puff of pink smoke, and soon everyone else began to leave.
I stayed on the floor, still trying to catch my breath. Princess rushed to my side and started to help me to my feet. "That good for nothing bastard," I cursed.
"What a jerk!" Princess exclaimed.
"What a coward," Mojo grumbled. "Honestly, stooping to such cheap tricks! Such low tactics! Such unfair actions! They say he is immortal, but I bet a death ray will prove that rumor false!" he shook his fist.
"Are you okay?" Princess asked me with a frown.
I nodded. "Yeah." I cringed a little. My chest still hurt somewhat.
Princess noticed the pain in my face and gently placed her hand over my heart. She looked me in the eyes, and I felt myself blush. She giggled a little and fluttered her eyelashes playfully.
"Oh, brother," Mojo rolled his eyes. He grabbed my sleeve and began to lead me away. "Come along. We should be going," he said dragging me behind him.
"Bye!" Princess shouted. "Umm, maybe I'll come by sometime!"
"Okay!" I shouted back. "That'd be, umm, cool!"
"Horny teenagers," Mojo muttered as we left the building. "You must keep your mind focused! Ignore such temptations! Learn some discipline! Self-control!" he lectured as we began our walk back home. "Now is not the time to be distracted by some girl! You have a lot of work ahead of you, especially now that you still have to fight to be a part of the Council!"
"You're reading too much into it," I half-lied. Okay, so I kinda liked Princess. But it wasn't like I was going to forget everything else I was fighting for just to go after her or something.
"Well, I am glad to know that you like girls, at least. I was beginning to fear that you might be gay."
"I am."
"Silly, child. When boys like girls that means they are not gay. Do you not know anything?"
I rolled my eyes and decided it was best to not argue.
"You do know she's just a gold digger, don't you? Your gold being your villainous potential of someday ruling Townsville and possibly the world."
I couldn't help but laugh at this. He was probably right, but at that time I didn't really care. It felt nice to get that sort of attention from someone for once. And like I said, there was a certain attitude about her I couldn't help but like. "Don't worry," I grinned at Mojo. "I won't let her, or anyone else, come between us. Promise."
The monkey looked up at me, his angry expression melting from his face. He then folded his arms and looked away. "Very well then. But just to prove to me that you are indeed still focused on your training, today's assignment is to write me a full, professionally done essay on how you wish to conquer the world!"
