The Light That Blinds

Deus Ex Procella

"Attention, People of Tokyo City! My name is Momoko Akatsutsumi, and I've taken over your TVs because I have a confession to make. I've been a very, very bad girl"

All across Tokyo City, the people stood in rapt attention. Some watching their own television sets, some watching display TVs, and others still watching the event as it took place live at the Tokyo City fountain state dedicated to Powerpuff Girls Z. Standing on the edge of the fountain itself was Momoko, who was surrounded by the very same news crew that had blasted her the day after her previous defeat. Now armed with cameras and equipment stolen—by Momoko of course—from Shirogane Tech to overwrite the television broadcast of every set in the city, they stood on the brink of the story of a lifetime.

"Many of you may have heard lately about some of the bad things I've done…breaking into stores and tearing up the place. I admit that I did it, and no I'm not sorry," Momoko grins and looks into the camera, a black light becoming visible to the entire world appearing around her. "In fact, I've called this little meeting to officially announce my true identity to the entire city,"

Everyone present, including the news crew themselves looked up as a rush of wind signaled the landing of Powerpuff Girls Z, joined by Shirogane Z. There was no poetic speech nor any battle cry as they faced off with Momoko who seemed more than pleased at their arrival.

"Perfect! Everyone is finally here for my great revelation! I Momoko Akatsutsumi am the greatest villain Tokyo City, no the entire world, has ever seen! And today, in front of your very eyes, I'm going to kill Powerpuff Girls Z! Darkest Blight!"

Buttercup cringed, and Bubbles bit her lip to keep from crying out watching the black light engulf their friend and transform her once again into their fiercest enemy. Blossom clenched her fists, the tears of the morning renewed on her cheeks seeing the monster that was ruining her sister's life. Shirogane Z, having only seen the monster once before, stood just as awe-struck as she had yesterday.

"Are you impressed?" Blight's mask slid back, revealing her toothy grin, "I'm broadcasting our showdown for the whole city to see. Now everyone knows just who the real bad girl is, and everyone is going to watch her kill you all one by one," Blossom stepped forward before the others could react, steeling her nerves and forcing out most of the tremble in her voice.

"No! You aren't the real Momoko! You're just a monster that's still using her, and no matter what," She raised her yo-yo and glared dangerously at Blight, "I'm going to save her and defeat you for good this time!" Blight snickered and hopped down from her perch, holding her arms out and cocking her head.

"Just bring it on runt, I think you'll find I'm so much more put together than I was before. You three caught me just after I had been born. Now, I'm fully developed and ready to kill you," Every eye was on Blossom, expecting her to attack first. The silence was cracked by a different voice completely as her comrade stepped in front of her and gave a mighty cry.

"Swing Sonic!" The gust of sonic energy fired out at Blight, who had been too focused on Blossom to notice Buttercup preparing to strike. She dodged out of the way and glared at her rival, ready to end their pitiful excuse for a showdown quickly and efficiently.

"This time…Butterbitch, I'm not going easy on you!" Blight lunged forward, her fist engulfed in green and black light. Buttercup met her halfway with her hammer.

"Smash Block!" Blight's fist bounced harmlessly off the attack, driving her back a step and leaving her open.

"Super Yo-yo Split!" The damnable toy that had defeated her before crashed into Blight's forehead and knocked her back further. This time Blossom was ready to fight, this time she had the courage to press her advantage.

"Splash Shot!" Bubbles moved forward with Blossom, swinging her bubble wand.

"Bubble Popper!" The two attacks hit Blight, knocking her two more steps back. Continuing where the others had left off, Shirogane Z and Buttercup moved in for the attack.

"Majestic Shift!"

"Megaton Dunk!" Both attacks hit their mark and knocked Blight off her feet and to the ground. The four stood stiff, knowing that there was no way the fight could be over so quickly. Sure enough, Blight rose to her feet with nary a scratch on her, just looking a little more miffed than when she had started.

"Oh you'll regret that, trust me!" Though they were amazed that Blight hadn't seemed fazed at all by their attacks, the four stood ready for whatever she threw at them. Blight crossed the distance with a simple flash of the jets on her shoes, colliding with Buttercup and throwing her back a step. Buttercup rolled with the momentum of the charge to avoid a kick at her midsection. Shirogane Z prevented Blight's attack from continuing as she engaged the villain.

"I don't know," She threw a kick at Blight while dodging a punch from the younger girl, "just how you came to be but," Blight backhanded an attack from Blossom like it was nothing and lunged at Shirogane Z, who grabbed her shoulders and rolled backwards, flinging Blight through the air. "I do know that I really don't like your attitude," Blight sneered as she stood up, not the least bit faltered by Shirogane Z's attacks.

"I really don't care what you like, Princess!" She had intended to charge Shirogane Z, but was forced to jump over a swing of Buttercup's hammer, bringing both feet down on the green puff's back and knocking both to the ground. The two rose and met in a flurry of feet and fists, though it was clear Buttercup was still more skillful, she simply couldn't match Blight's superior speed and strength and was forced to retreat.

"Swing Sonic!" The attack was the opening she needed to pull back, leaping back to Bubbles and Blossom's side. Blight allowed the attack to carry her skidding along the pavement, until it fizzled into nothing with her none the worse for the wear. She snarled at them, clenching and unclenching her fists while taking very shallow breaths.

"That wasn't bad, but you still don't seem to understand that you can't beat me!" Blight grinned and brushed off her outfit as though they hadn't just been fighting for their lives previously, "It was a nice warm up though, let's get serious now!" In a flash she charged them, ramming Shirogane Z out of the way with her shoulder so that she could fire an explosive blast off right in Bubbles' face, sending her crashing through the street.

"Whirling Disaster Shot!"

"Hurricane Lutz!" The two attacks came at Blight while she was still in mid-fire, but weren't quick enough to catch her off guard. Blight dove out of Buttercup's path and caught Blossom's yo-yo, grinning wickedly.

"This looks familiar!" Blossom screamed as Blight jerked her off her feet and threw her into Shirogane Z, both crashing into a street lamp afterward. Blight stood up straight and turned to face Buttercup, who was already a little winded. She grinned, her fangs gleaming, and couldn't resist throwing a jab at her rival.

"I almost think you're taking me seriously now…maybe if you try a little harder I'll start to do the same for you," Buttercup snarled and rushed at her, dropping her hammer along the way to let her fists do the talking. Blight caught her first strike and contrary to their first battle, retaliated immediately with a rocketing punch across the face, causing Buttercup to stumble.

"You're way too weak, Buttercrap!" Blight leapt at the green puff and fired a blast of energy at her, sending her colliding into the side of the fountain.

"Majestic Shift!" The attack landed its mark, throwing Blight forward and off balance.

"Sidewinder Slip-shot!" Blossom's yo-yo wrapped around Blight's legs and with all her strength she managed to tug her off her feet and throw her into the side of a nearby building.

"Bubble Neba-Neba!" Blight screeched when the sticky substance hit her and completely cemented her to the side of the building.

"Megaton Dunk!"

"What?!" The hammer smashed into her face and sent her flying into the building and out the back. Buttercup took a few cautious steps back, glancing to her teammates. None of them reacted at first, then Blossom perked up.

"Buttercup look out!" Too late, she turned to see Blight's fist collide with her cheek, rocking her world and leaving her dazed. Blight released another explosive blast that again sent Buttercup flying. This time however, she continued her onslaught, her arms moving like pistons as she let loose a barrage of energy blasts on her opponents.

"Prism Shell!" A power the others hadn't known to be in her catalogue, Shirogane Z held out her hands, stepping in front of her younger comrades and allowing a bright purple shield that flared up around her to absorb the impact of the blasts. Snarling, Blight dove forward, charging energy into both hands.

"Block this, Bitch!" Thrusting both arms forward, her blast was so great that it crumbled Shirogane Z's defense and sent all three to the ground. They all climbed to their feet quickly, as the lioness grinned and advanced on her prey.

XXXXXXXXXX

Momoko stood outside the electronics store, watching the battle on the display televisions. The Rowdyruff Boys were gathered around her, staring in rapt amazement at the sheer tenacity of the heroines fighting the monster that had stolen Ms. Momoko's face.

"She's…she's really back…" Butch looked up at Momoko and swallowed the lump in his throat. Awkwardly but instinctively he grabbed her wrist, breaking the TV's hold on her attention.

"Don't worry Ms. Momoko everything's gonna be alright," Momoko shook her head, turning back to the fight, noticing things that she was sure her friends were trying to ignore.

"They can't hurt her…nothing they've tried has done anything to her," Brick nodded, watching Blight shrug off yet another powerful combination of attacks that would probably have made any one of them cry or worse. He shook his head and tried to figure out just how this monster was so strong. Her aura was…darker than any other he'd ever seen. She was evil, really evil. Not bad like they were, she was a fricking devil compared to them.

"How is she doing that…who in the world is this chick?" He finally muttered out loud. Momoko kept her attention on the screens, but a shudder overcame her and she felt her knees buckle. Butch steadied her worriedly, but she smiled to show she was fine.

"She's…my dark side…my own personal demon. Somehow…somehow she got out," Brick's eyes widened and he looked at Momoko with a newfound respect and understanding for the "crap" Butch said she'd gone through.

"That thing is…you?" Boomer looked up in disbelief. The Ms. Momoko Butch had brought to them couldn't possibly have created this monster. She had to be lying. When Momoko nodded, his mouth fell open. "She's…she's darker than all three of us," He finally remarked. Momoko nodded and brought her hands to her face, feeling some kind of déjà vu watching Blight fight her friends. She recalled a dark place, a terrible place where everywhere she looked, she couldn't find the light. She remembered choking, remembered drowning in a sea of darkness.

"Dude what's wrong with her?!"

"Is she gonna be alright?!"

"Ms. Momoko! Ms. Momoko! What's wrong!?" Momoko felt Butch shaking her and gasped, realizing that she had been practically hyperventilating. She looked down at her green-eyed guardian, who looked positively horrified. She eyed the rest of her entourage and felt her heart fluttering, seeing that despite everything they seemed genuinely concerned.

"I just…I remembered something…something I felt, when she was in me," She shook her head and the tears started to come, "No…no when I was…when I was in her," Momoko bit back her own feeling of misery and remorse and looked at the Rowdyruff Boys with a look that defined desperation.

"Please…please you have to go and help them!" Butch looked back in shock, then frowned and looked at the TV screen. Powerpuff Girls Z and the other girl were losing. Maybe not badly yet, but if they couldn't get just a crack in that monster's armor, they wouldn't win. He looked back at Momoko and nodded, his eyes narrowed.

"Yeah, we'll go help them," He looked over at Brick and Boomer, expecting some kind of resistance. Momoko followed his look, turning her desperate eyes on his brothers. Brick didn't meet her gaze, but Boomer nodded immediately when he did.

"Yeah! We'll help them beat 'er!" Momoko licked her dry lips and reached out to Brick.

"Brick I…" He snorted and looked up at her, then quickly looked back down. With that he began to walk away, his arms crossed and his head down. He stopped and looked back at Butch and Boomer with a sudden smirk and a glint in his eye.

"…Well c'mon Rowdyruff Boys! We need to hurry! Those hags are toast without us!" Butch and Boomer grinned and began to take off after him. Momoko caught Butch's wrist and held him back. Licking her lips and blushing just slightly she gave him a soft, tender kiss on the cheek. After what felt like forever she broke the kiss and hugged him.

"Please be safe…and please look after my little sister, Butch. Please take care of her since I can't," Butch hugged Momoko back, his arms snaking around her neck and holding her tight.

"I will…Ms. Momoko, don't worry, I'll save you from this thing," Momoko nodded and after a few more minutes finally let him go. Butch stared at her, both blushing and unwilling to let the moment go. Finally he backed up a few steps and smiled. Momoko smiled too and nodded again, this time Butch spun around and took off after his brothers. Momoko stood up and walked away, unable to watch the fight anymore. As she passed by a small building, she sighed and sat down on the steps, leaning over and resting her head on her arms. She shuddered, knowing now that every friend she'd ever had was fighting to kill the monster she had made. A monster that she was powerless to face.

XXXXXXXXXX

"This is ridiculous! Why can't they even tear her jacket?!" Dai turned to Professor Utonium and Ken, both of whom were at a loss for how Blight could have become this powerful.

"I have no idea…she was very powerful before, but Powerpuff Girls Z was at least able to hurt her. I thought they'd have a much easier time with Miko's help…" Professor Utonium leaned against the console, absolutely baffled. The door slid open, catching only Dai and Ken's attention. Dai smiled, but Ken frowned nervously, remembering what had happened the last time Blight attacked.

"How are they doing? What did we miss?" Kakiko joined Dai and Professor Utonium in front of the monitor, Hachizou right behind her. Dai frowned and crossed his arms, trying to stay positive.

"Well they aren't…losing," The action occurring across every television set in Tokyo City would say otherwise. While Powerpuff Girls Z and Shirogane Z were visibly wearing down, Blight still hadn't had so much as a tear in her clothes or a displacement of her hair. It was almost like the attacks weren't even touching her.

"They still can't do anything? How? How is that possible?" Kakiko asked, staring at Professor Utonium just like Dai had previously. The professor shook his head again, all of his mental faculties devoted to solving that one equation. How was Blight surviving the heroines' increasingly brutal attacks? Miko's presence should be making a gigantic difference considering how much damage Buttercup was able to deal in their last battle alone.

"Excuse me, but is this the 'My Daughter is a Superhero, And Fighting For Her Life' convention?" Dai grinned at the little joke and turned to wave to his parents and little brother, who had joined the cheerleading team. Tokio put a hand on his eldest son's shoulder, shaking his head as he watched the fight unfold. "I swear I can't get used to seeing her like this…Kaoru in a skirt, what's the world come to?" Dai grinned and looked down at his brother, who seemed awestruck. Dai followed his field of vision, nodding knowingly when he saw that it had fallen on Blossom.

"Yeah…it's amazing alright. I just can't get over it and I've had plenty of time to," Mitsu joined Kakiko while Hachizou was talking with Ken and Professor Utonium.

"How are they holding up?" She asked softly, feeling perhaps only slightly less frantic than the auburn-haired woman next to her. Kakiko seemed on the verge of going crazy and Mitsu could understand why. She was used to her daughter and sons wrestling around and getting in trouble, Kakiko wasn't. And…she had to see the last fight, had to stand on the sidelines and watch her daughters fight last time. At least Kaoru wasn't the one who was…

"Not good…it's not good at all, it's even worse than last time. Everything they throw at her just bounces off, even Kuriko's attacks and last time those are what really hurt that damned monster!" Mitsu gave the poor woman a friendly pat on the shoulder, looking up and smiling at the next person who entered the room.

"Oh my…it really is as bad as I had heard," Professor Utonium smiled sadly at Kiyoko as she joined the rest of them, shaking her head as she surveyed the fight. "That poor girl…I never knew it was this bad," Dai tensed up, his fists clenching tightly when Blight landed a vicious blow on Shirogane Z. Tokio tightened his hold on his son's shoulder, easing his helpless anger just slightly.

"I just don't understand where it came from again," A few of the gathered family members turned to Hachizou, who was rubbing his chin. "I was told that Professor Utonium forced the monster out of her using some kind of device?" The Professor nodded and pointed towards the particle separator beam.

"It had worked in every other case, every other time someone was struck by one of the black lights. It almost killed her, but I was able to separate the black light from Momoko. I don't know how it got back in her either…" Shou looked up and waved his hand to get the Professor's attention.

"Maybe you didn't get it all?" This time Kakiko shook her head, clutching Mitsu's offered hand appreciatively.

"I watched him drag that thing out of her…there's no way there was any of it left behind," The Professor nodded.

"Blight reacted so violently to the beam that there was no way we wouldn't have known if any was left in Momoko," Hachizou studied the fight and started to speak when suddenly Kakiko screamed.

"Oh my God, Kuriko!" Every eye came back to the monitor.

XXXXXXXXXX

"B-Blight…Blight put her down!" Blight had summoned her sword and now held Blossom by her neck, her sword ready to tear into the little girl. Blossom's eyes were wide and her breaths were coming in ragged gasps, the blade of the massive sword dreadfully close to her throat. Blight grinned and leered at Bubbles, daring her to advance.

"Try and make me, come on Baby Face. You don't want her blood on your hands do you? I'm sure everyone is just going to love watching you heroes just stand there and watch her die!" Blossom whimpered, tightening her grip on the edge of the sword, trying to hold it back, but it was getting closer every breath she took. Buttercup's knuckles were turning white, her cheeks flushed from strain. There was no way they could save Blossom. Blight grinned and her mask slid back into place.

"That's what I thought...some heroes, you're just a bunch of cowards," Blight shrugged and leaned in close to Blossom's ear, speaking just loud enough for Blossom alone to hear her, "Sweet dreams little sister, it's been fun," Blossom tried to scream as Blight began to bring the blade in faster.

"Hypersonic Shockrang!" A massive energy crescent slammed into Blight, throwing her sword into a shadowed alley and sending her crashing to the ground. Before Blossom could hit the ground, she was caught and set down gently. She looked up and blushed, seeing the Rowdyruff Boy who had saved her from Blight before.

"B-Butch!" Butch caught his boomerang, the weapon in it's giant state, and held it ready while he glared at Blight.

"The night's not over yet, Bitch," He lowered into a fighting stance, splitting his boomerang into two parts and holding them at the ready, "You've still got us to go through," Shirogane Z raised an eyebrow, staring at Butch.

"Us?" Blight started to get to her feet, growling audibly.

"Atomic Crash!" She looked up just as a beam of light collided with her and sent her flying again. Brick grinned and twirled his red toy gun around blowing over the barrel like a cowboy in an old western.

"Like he said, you've still got us to deal with, it ain't over yet," Bubbles and Buttercup turned to Brick in shock.

"The Rowdyruff Boys? What are you doing here?" Blight got up again, her eyes narrowed dangerously and her growl even louder.

"That's just what I was,"

"Crackling Beatdown!" Blight's head shot up as a glowing blue stick smacked into her face. A second one rammed into her stomach and knocked her off her feet. Both came up and drilled her into the ground. Boomer grinned and skated back, twirling his blue toy bats around.

"Sorry I was late! I got lost on the way here!" The three little boys and Blossom joined the other three, all standing ready. Butch stood slightly ahead of the others, his boomerangs ready with a fierce glare in his eyes. Blight sat up and met his glare, baring her teeth and getting up looking around for her sword.

"Dammit I lost that stupid thing…forget it! I'll just kill you with my bare hands!" Butch spit on the ground and sneered.

"Yeah right, Faker! We're going to thrash you!" Bubbles looked at Butch, noting that he, Boomer and Brick all looked particularly anxious to tackle Blight.

"Faker?" Butch ignored her, sliding his front foot forward and leaning in a little more, preparing an attack.

"I promised Ms. Momoko that this time I wouldn't go easy on you," This caught the heroes attention and made Blight take a step back, looking shocked.

"What are you talking about, you little bastard? I am Momoko!" Boomer snickered, without a trace of humor in his tone and took a step forward beside Butch, readying his next attack.

"Liar! You're just a phony trying to screw things up for the real Ms. Momoko!" Blight's eyes widened and she turned to Brick, who only shook his head and leveled his gun at her.

"What are…you little runts, I am Momoko!"

"Stop saying that you Bitch!" Butch broke out of the line up, launching at Blight and hurling one of his boomerangs her way. "Tornado Slice Boomerang!" The first boomerang became a deadly buzz saw as Blight caught it, glaring back at Butch. He flung the other boomerang at her, this one whipping up a fierce wind around it. "Cyclone Clash!" Blight caught that attack as well, throwing both to the side as she collided with Butch, the younger boy in a frenzy of punches and kicks.

"What are you guys talking about? We just saw Momoko transform into Blight," Brick was biting his tongue, trying to aim carefully, so Boomer took up replying.

"No way, you saw some fake Ms. Momoko! The real Ms. Momoko sent us here to help you!" A wave of realization fell over the four heroines, as Boomer and Brick charged in to help their brother. They weren't fighting Momoko.

XXXXXXXXXX

"That's…that's not Momoko?" Ken blinked and watched the fiery passion with which the Rowdyruff Boys attacked Blight, who was obviously trying harder to keep up with them than she had with Powerpuff Girls Z.

"That means…Powerpuff Girls Z doesn't have to hold back! They can go all out on her!" Ken ran up to the monitor and turned to the Professor with a triumphant grin. The Professor grinned back and nodded, everyone congregating and watching the fight unfold.

"That's right…Miyako wouldn't want to really hurt Momoko," Kiyoko mused, watching Powerpuff Girls Z join in the fight with Shirogane Z.

"Neither would Kaoru or Miko, I know they've been holding back!" Dai almost sounded excited, and the grin plastered on his face did little to hide it. Hachizou put an arm around Kakiko, who smiled at him and turned back to the screen.

"That's right…Kuriko can fight without worrying now…" And in a flash the fight went to a whole new level.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Hypersonic Shockrang!"

"Swing Sonic II!" The two attacks rocked Blight and knocked her back a few steps, but still the monster stayed on her feet and plowed through, snarling as she was cut off by Bubbles.

"Get out of my way Doll Face!" To her utter horror, Bubbles easily ducked under the punch Blight threw her way, and kicked her feet out from under her. Blight caught herself and tried to throw a spin kick at Bubbles, but she dove back from it and rammed her with her bubble wand, knocking her back.

"What the…how are you doing that?" Blight fired a few test blasts Bubbles' way, still in shock as the blond-haired puff dodged and lunged at her, fighting her in a manner that Blight found oddly familiar. She leapt back as Buttercup joined Bubbles' side. The familiarity was apparent now: Bubbles was holding her bubble wand just like how Buttercup held her hammer. "Since when can…when did you learn to…" Bubbles smiled and traded a look with Buttercup, who gave Blight a vicious grin.

"What did you think we did those days Momoko didn't come with us?" Blight's hands began glowing and she glowered, charging in and beginning the fight anew with two-thirds of Powerpuff Girls Z. The last third made her presence know painfully.

"Blast Burn Shot!" The attack hit Blight and sent her reeling backward. Next thing she knew she was hit three ways into next week from several hits from a bubble wand and hammer.

"You've all…how in the,"

"Majestic Shift!" This time the attack hit, but it didn't stop there. Shirogane Z, her armor now glowing slightly purple, rammed Blight and kicked her in the side, dodging a counterstrike and punching her across the face, throwing her to the ground.

"Cyclone Clash!"

"Blast Wave!" The two attacks hit her hard and forced her further into the ground, leaving an imprint. Her head rocked back when Boomer's toy bat slammed into her chin.

"Grand Slam!" Several more hits followed, finished by a devastating blow that sent her flying through the fountain's statue. The team looked around at each other and up at Blight.

"So…you were all going easy on her?"

"Yeah,"

"I didn't want to hurt Momoko…" All eyes came back to center when Blight stood up…without a single mark on her save for the increasingly pissed off look on her face.

"This isn't even fun anymore! I'm going to utterly destroy all of you!" Blight's black aura became completely visible as she charged them once again. This time the whole team met her with a devastating blast.

"Triple Science Attack!"

"Nuclear Meltdown!"

"Hypersonic Shockrang!"

"Breaking Blast!"

"Royal Flash Cannon!" Powerpuff Girls Z's attack combined with the other four and hit Blight with enough force to split the street where the two forces collided. As the light faded, they heard something coming from the epicenter of the blast. The Rowdyruff Boys were missing.

"Get off me you little freaks! You bastards! I'm going to kill you!" The light cleared to show the Brick and Boomer had grabbled onto Blight, holding her still with all their might. Before any questions could be asked, a voice rang out to answer their question.

"Hypersonic Shockrang!" Butch's attack came so suddenly that all anyone could do was watch as it collided with Blight. Boomer and Brick's faces showed obvious strain as they held her against it. There was then the sound of something smashing concrete and by the time everyone had recovered, they could see that the boomerang, which was almost as large as Miko, had impaled Blight, one edge driven completely through her midsection. Brick and Boomer still held her up, grinning wickedly at the shocked expression on Blight's face.

"Oh my God…"

"Oh shit, that had to hurt…"

"Is she…" Blight's look of shock became a frown and with a slight movement of her arms, she lifted Boomer and Brick, releasing explosive blasts that sent both flying away. She then grabbed the edge of the boomerang and with sickening ease pulled it out of her chest, hurling it back at Butch and sending him backward, creating a ditch in the ground. Everyone stood in horror…Blight looked up at them with a goblin's grin.

There was no hole in her chest; there was no damage whatsoever.