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Chapter 7

Father and Son

Donnie batted his eyes, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Am I crazy? It… it can't…

That voice… he remembered it. He would have never forgotten it. Yet, the extent of what that voice meant was dazing, to say the least.

"Wha… What?" he spluttered.

"[I said that you are not alone, Donnie]," repeated the voice, talking in Donnie's birth language. Suddenly, the tendrils that were holding him down vanished, leaving behind only a few trails of dust particles, and the terrain around the boy regained its previous grey color.

Donnie realized that he could no more feel pain in his body. He looked at himself and was even more surprised to find no bruises or scratches or other injuries. He had been healed completely, from head to toe.

how? How can this…?

"[Donnie]," the voice repeated. Donnie focused on the source of the call. When he saw who was standing in front of him, he felt in a way that is not easily described.

Professor Bronislav Laurentium was looking at him. He was wearing a lab coat similar to Professor Utonium's one, except for the fact that his one was light blue. His hair was drawing into a grey color, thus showing that the European scientist was older than his American colleague. Another feature was the color of his skin, which was pale… much paler than any man or woman Donnie had seen during his short life. He was surrounded by a white aura of sorts which lightened the surrounding area. Where the light stopped, it was still pitch black.

At first, Donnie refused to believe it. "[Pr… Pro… Professor?]" he asked incredulously.

"[Donnie…]" answered Professor Laurentium.

"[PROFESSOR!]" Donnie shouted at top of his lungs. He flew over to him and nearly tackled him, burying his face into his chest. Bronislav, however, did not move despite the boy's strength. He held him gently on his arms, cuddling him to calm him down as he cried and cried.

"[Everything is going to be all right, Donnie. I'm here now…]"

Him, Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup were all astonished by the appearance of Professor Laurentium. The girls had no words, and they simply stared at the family scene going on in front of them.

Him was less fascinated by the scene… if anything, the sight annoyed him. He felt the urge to throw up at such a demonstration of love. The demon had been repelled from the boy by an unknown force some seconds before he could finish him off, and at the moment he was staring angrily at Professor Laurentium, who Him already knew.

"What the heck are you doing here?" he shouted in anger, demonic tone in full swing. Tentacles appeared around him as a black aura began to form near his body. "You should be underground! Dead! Never to be seen again!"

"Demon, you don't seem to remember that you aren't the only being in charge in the underworld… are you?" answered Bronislav calmly. He didn't stop to soothe his son, who didn't seem to notice the exchange and continued to cry.

Him growled. "Humph! That has no importance. In fact, I do remember that spirits like you can't stay in the real world for too long… or the dream one, as in this case! Being an impatient person, though, I'm afraid I'll have to make you move up your departure!" Him began moving his arms quickly and in less than a second a series of black spheres and tentacles started to grow around him and spring into action once they were ready, aiming for Laurentium.

They were annihilated as soon as they came in contact with the light. That spurred Him's fury even more, and he multiplied his struggles as the tentacles fused and morphed into a giant black wave. Thus, the wave moved towards the sphere of light.

"What in tarnation is that?!" said Buttercup, a bit frightened, as she saw the black wave coming towards her.

This ain't good… thought Blossom.

Bubbles' scream was cut off as soon as the wave submerged them. The black substance continued to follow its path and impacted on the light sphere that marked Laurentium's location. The sphere seemed to withstand the attack at first, but it soon started to reduce its volume, slowly but constantly. Letting a wicked smile appear on his face, Him kept his summon magic active and continue to send additional waves at the spirit, consuming the sphere over time.

During all of this, Professor Laurentium had ignored Him's moves and had focused his attention on Donnie. Even so, when he noticed the fact that the black waves were getting closer and closer, he let out a sigh, knowing what he had to do.

"[Donnie?]" he said in his own language. "[Donnie? Please, answer me, boy. It's important.]"

Donnie raised his head. His eyes were still wet and his face, despite the flow of emotions, looked… happy. He didn't even notice the pandemonium going on a few meters away.

"[Donnie… you'll have to forgive me. Unfortunately, I've not spent much time with kids and I might be a bit blunt about it… but there are some things that I have to tell you, and it seems I don't have much time left.]"

Donnie opened his eyes wide. "[What?! What do you mean with 'not much time'? You can't go away! Not again!]"

"[Donnie… you have to listen. It's too much important. Can you keep your attention for a moment? For me?]" asked the Professor. Donnie, drying off the tears out of his cheeks, sniffed and he tried his best to remain calm.

As he talked, the Professor had started to walk, the white light following him along with Him's attacks. "[Thank you. Now, Donnie, concerning the demon. You must know that most of the things he has told you are lies. Donnie, my… end was no actual event. It was a random accident, a nasty surprise that however had no real responsible behind it.]"

Donnie didn't understand at first. "[An accident? But he said…]"

"[Donnie, I have never kept lab animals in my personal laboratory in Ultrapolis. Months before you were born, I chose not to use living test subjects. The intruding rodent that has caused all of that mess must have accidentally entered the place… Perhaps I forgot an entrance open, perhaps there was a breach in the walls I did not notice. It was just an unfortunate coincidence of events. See… if it had to be anyone's fault, it was mine.]"

"[It was NOT your fault!]" cried Donnie, "[It… it…]"

"[Hey, hey, calm down there. No worries. It was nobody's fault, then. It was only an accident. Right?]"

Donnie nodded, tightening his grasp on the Professor's lab coat.

"[Very well. Now, the lies of the demon do not stop here. He's stated you cannot beat him because he's controlling your mind. Yet, he also said he hasn't fully taken it over. That is his weakness, Donnie, the one you can use to beat him… by using his own weapon against him.]"

"[What do you mean, Professor?]" asked Donnie, "[I don't understand, that one… he's too strong for me!]"

"[He's that strong because you haven't begun to rebel against his control over your mind yet. You have to fight back not only with punches, Donnie: you have to do so with thoughts as welll. He will get weaker as long as you continue to attempt to regain control of your own subconscious. Do you understand?]"

"[Yes… I think]," said Donnie. Although he hadn't fully followed Bronislav's logic, he had caught on the general sense, and that was enough for him.

"[That's great. You also have to remember that you're not alone in this fight, Donnie. I'm not talking about myself…]"

Suddenly, Donnie heard three different gasps above them. Professor Laurentium let him hover away as the Powerpuff Girls landed in front of them. They had been trapped inside the black wave until that moment, when their bodies had finally come in contact with Laurentium's aura.

"My god, that was horrible!" commented Buttercup.

"Eeewww, I hope I'll never touch anything like that again!" said Bubbles.

"And I thought that cockroaches were the most disgusting thing in the world! This is worse!" complained Blossom as she cleaned her hair from inexistent filth.

"[These girls, Donnie.]" said Professor Laurentium. "[They were the best thing that could happen to this world. They inspired me to create you. They saved the city of Townsville, and even the world, dozens of times. And now they're here, despite the danger they were knew they could be encountering, only to help you.]"

He began speaking English as he talked with the girls: "Blossom. Bubbles. Buttercup. I don't have much time, so I'll be brief. Thank you, for all the good you have done. Your presence here alone is enough for me to think highly of you."

At the remark, the Powerpuff Girls weren't sure how to react. In the end, they smiled awkwardly. "Eh… Thanks!" answered Blossom, taking the initiative.

Professor Laurentium turned his attention back to Donnie, keeping his speech in English though and letting Buttercup and Blossom understand his words. "Donnie, you and the Powerpuff Girls can defeat Him. Work together and I have no doubt you shall win."

He glanced at the limits of the sphere, which had reached a new minimum. "My time here is almost finished… It seems we have to leave each again."

"NO!" cried Donnie. He hugged him tightly, with no intention to let him go. "Wait, Professor! Please, you can't leave me here a second time!"

Bronislav hugged him back. He was visibly saddened by the sight of his creation… of his son, weeping uncontrollably. He thought over his options for a few seconds before replying.

"Listen, Donnie. Know that, whatever is going to happen, wherever you are, I'll be always be by your side, and I'll never really leave you. Do not forget it. Now go and banish that creature from your mind!"

Donnie let Bronislav away. He wiped the last tears from his eyes as his expression changed. There was confidence in him.

"You are right, Professor… I will not let that demon win! I promise!" he uttered.

Professor Laurentium smiled and turned to the girls again. "Farewell, Blossom. Farewell, Bubbles. Farewell, Buttercup. It had been my greatest pleasure to meet you, even if only for a few moments."

Then, he looked one last time at Donnie, directly in the eyes. "Goodbye, Donnie."

Donnie kept quiet, even though the emotions were still visible over his face. After a few, long seconds, he finally answered, "Goodbye… father."

The light sphere in that moment was only a few meters big in diameter. Donnie and the girls prepared for battle, positioning themselves in a square formation, close to each other. Professor Laurentium smiled, waving at them as a final salute, then he vanished in a white cloud. In less than a second the light disappeared, and the black liquid submerged the last part of the sphere.

Him ceased to use his magic and he admired the results of his attack. The sphere of light was nowhere in sight, and neither the Powerpuff Girls nor the little boy were anywhere to be seen.

Suddenly, to Him's surprise, four colored streaks burst out from the dark remains of the waves, flying upwards. One was pink, one was light green, one was light blue, and one was yellow.

"HIM!" the four kids shouted at the same time. "You are finished! We will defeat you, once and for all!"

Him watched them in disbelief for some seconds. Then, he started to cackle loudly in amusement.

"What did you just say?" he asked in his feminine tone, still laughing, "Me… having no chance to win… here? You are missing—argh!"

Buttercup had dashed towards him without waiting for him to finish his monologue, attacking with an unexpected uppercut that sent the demon whirling in the air. "Shut it!" she shouted angrily.

Him recovered almost instantly in mid-air, the grin yet to leave his face. "Oh, really? Your impertinence will be punished!"

He moved a claw towards her and a single, dark tentacle was sent from the terrain below towards the green puff. Him raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sight, since he had summoned a big group of them, not just one. Deeming it enough, he waited as Buttercup kept her gaze on him, seemingly failing to notice the approaching threat.

A pair of eyebeams stopped the run of the tentacle, piercing through it and causing it to pulverize as soon as it was struck. Bubbles, eyes still glowing red, moved around Him with a angry face. "You'll pay for what you've done, meanie!"

Him glared at the blue puff. He was beginning to get a bit fed up with the Puff's resistance. "You shouldn't have done-OUCH!"

A kick in his back stopped his speech, courtesy of a sneaking Blossom. The demon did not wait this time and teleported himself at a safe distance from the Powerpuff Girls.

He was furious. "How do you stupid girls dare me? You cannot win! Here, the control is mine, my power is unlimited!"

He concentrated and eventually managed to create a series of tentacles as well as black spheres that emerged from the ground, and he sent all of them towards the girls. The three puffs, thus, found themselves with the need to dodge the objects and try to destroy them before they could hit.

"Resist as much as you can, Powerpuff Girls! Sooner or later, you'll be-OW!" a light blue energy grenade detonated over him. Everyone else would have been stunned, but the demon, despite the sudden lack of control of the landscape around him, was still a fearful fighter, and he recovered in little time. Then, he looked at the responsible for his new sprained neck.

"Ooh, Donnie!" he said mockingly, "How was the family reunion? Lovable? Unforgettable? I hope so, because I'm afraid it'll be your last memory!"

Donnie did not react, and Him decided he had had enough. He teleported in front of him and tried to catch him with one of his sharp claws. But Donnie, foreseeing his move, raised a force field to protect himself, and Him's claw impacted on the invisible wall with little to no effect.

"Do you really think you can stop me, annoying brat?" Him growled. He whispered a few words under his breath, and Donnie suddenly felt the force field disappearing against his will. Thinking fast, instead of escaping he punched Him in the stomach, making the demon lose his breath and stunning him. Then, landed two additional punches and a kick, then he grabbed him and throw him away. Right towards the girls.

"Package incoming!" advised Buttercup as she saw the demon coming towards them. The Powerpuff Girls welcomed Him with a flurry of combined attacks that lasted unstopped for about twenty seconds. As a last move, the three of them kicked him together, sending him back to the sender.

Donnie was already there ready to receive the 'message' and begin the grand finale. He raised another force field and charged at Him at full speed. Once the demon collided with him, Donnie dashed towards the ground, keeping the demon under the force field. Thus, Him was slammed at high speed on the ground.

Once the field dissolved, the yellow puff hovered away from a definitely not fine Him. The Powerpuff Girls quickly reached him and together they stared at the demon, who was not moving.

But suddenly he shot up in the air, black aura surrounding his body. His health-regeneration abilities made it look like the puffs had made little damage, but there was still a painful-looking crack on one of the claws. If he was furious before, he now looked like he was going to explode.

"I swear…! I swear that I will have no peace until all four of you will be destroyed! Mark my words!"

He lowered his tone and his face suddenly lost all its anger, the demented frown turning into a wicked smile. "And do not think you have won, little brats. I'll be back!" With that said, Him disappeared, leaving a crimson cloud where he once was.


Donnie abruptly woke up. He would have jumped in the air, but something was keeping him tied to the surface he was lying on and he only managed to jerk his back a little, with consequent pain. He also felt a metallic, cold object covering his head: before he could question what was going on, the 'hat' was removed and the chains that were blocking him were unlocked.

Donnie suddenly realized that he felt very, very tired. He watched his body only to see bruises all over his skin, his clothes reduced to a few shreds. Professor Utonium was looking at him with concern. "Donnie?"

Donnie stared at him as to say, '…yes?' and the Professor continued, "How do you feel? Is everything all right?"

Donnie slowly nodded. He wasn't exactly fine, but he could imagine that the Professor was not talking about the condition of his body. He looked around the lab, trying to take in the place since he had never been there. Then, he saw the girls. They were sitting on tables similar to the one he was sitting on himself, three metal helmets lying beside them. They had their own portion of injures, even though they didn't look like they were as tired as him.

"Well then, I think it's safe to say that we've done it, Donnie," said the Professor. "The girls woke up about ten minutes ago. They told me about what happened and we simply waited for you to wake up. They were worried and, sincerely I was beginning to get worried, too, but thankfully you're up and healthy now."

Donnie looked at the Professor. "Healthy? Do you mean… I am cured? I'm not going to be anymore… He went away?"

"Yes, Donnie," said Blossom. Donnie turned towards her as she continued to talk. "You had no actual illness nor problem, Donnie: it was all Him's manipulations that caused everything. Not that he is gone, your other self has ceased to exist as well. He will never return."

Donnie let out a sigh of relief, as if an enormous weight had been lifted from him. His eyes began to wet, and he scrambled out of the bed. He wanted to get near to the girls, he wanted to thank them, to tell them how much he was grateful for what they did, but unfortunately his body was not of the same idea.

He lost his equilibrium, but before he could fall down the girls flew towards him and caught him in mid-air. Then, the three of them embraced him in a big group hug.

Donnie couldn't help but hug back. He cried as well, but he was not crying like he had cried in the months before. No.

He was crying because, finally, he was happy.


The City of Townsville was quite a sight during autumn mornings. The central park was filled by various colored leaves, floating in the air thanks to the push of the few gusts of wind, while the birds chirped, ready to take off for their upcoming journey. In fact, the observatory of Mojo Jojo didn't look too much out of place, since the building had been quiet for a few days. The villain was still in prison, and his lair had been therefore left deserted, with the damage of the fights that took place there still marking the roof and walls.

Four kids were sitting on the edge of one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city center, watching the dawn over the park, the observatory and the buildings beyond. They very lucky since the sky had no clouds covering the view.

It had been a full week since the first arrival of the 'stranger' in Townsville.

"It's… amazing…" Donnie commented, enraptured by the view.

"And this is not even the best one!" said Bubbles. "Wait until you see the sunset at the seaside!"

"I'd love to do so, Bubbles," replied Donnie. "But, you know. It's time for me to go."

"Can't you stay a bit longer?" asked Buttercup. Then, she quickly added, "I mean, I know it's your duty to return, it's your birth city, and all of that… I just…"

"Don't worry, Buttercup," Donnie reassured, smiling at the green puff. "I understand. I'll return to visit you as often as I can, you have my word".

"And stay in contact!" added Blossom. Donnie nodded, then he stood up along with the girls.

"Well, time to say goodbye then…" said Blossom.

"Yep…" replied Donnie. The situation suddenly felt very awkward for him. He didn't know how to approach them without sounding dumb.

Suddenly, Bubbles rushed to Donnie and wrapped her arms around him, embracing him. Donnie was taken aback and just stood without hugging back, surprised by the act as well as a bit short on air. "Uuh… Bubbles?"

Bubbles let go of Donnie as fast as she had hugged him and made a few steps back, as if she didn't expect him to call her. He looked at him, then her gaze moved to her confused sisters, then her interest shifted to the floor below her, turning her head a little as if to hide her face.

Bubbles' sisters understood right away what had happed, as Blossom couldn't help giggling while Buttercup grimaced in disgust. Donnie wasn't so lucky, and he scratched his head in confusion.

Bubbles eventually raised her head, took in a long breath and finally talked… in Donnie's birth language. Whatever she said had the effect to make Donnie widen his eyes and look the other way as well.

"Wait right there, what did you say?" Buttercup asked suspiciously.

"Oh? Uuuh… I said 'goodbye' to him and… and that we're looking forward to see him again!" Bubbles quickly said.

"If you say so…" said Blossom, winking at her sister. As Bubbles tried to calm down, Blossom turned her attention to Donnie. She also went and gave a hug to him, even if softer than her sister's. "Remember. We'll always be here if you ever need our help."

"I… Thank you, Blossom," answered Donnie. "Thank you…"

Blossom let him go as it was Buttercup's turn. With an impudent tone, she said, "Hey, do not even think about it! I've seen enough hugs for today!"

She nudged him on the shoulder, adding, "That said… goodbye, kid. Try not to lose yourself out there!"

Donnie answered with a nudge of his own on her shoulder, smiling. He had to admit, as weird as it was, Buttercup calling him 'kid' wasn't out of nowhere. Technically, he was younger than them.

The three girls regrouped as Donnie started to tell his own goodbye. "Girls… I don't know how I can thank you. You have done so much for me. I understand what Professor Laurentium meant, when he talked about you in his writings. When he said that you were the best thing that could happen to the world… he didn't just say that as a compliment. No, he also stated a fact: you really are so. And I've been so lucky to meet you… not only because you saved my life. I've never been as much happy as I was these last few days…"

"Oh, stop it, now you sound like a romantic," Buttercup teased. "We just did our job!"

"Yes! We are all superheroes, aren't we?" said Bubbles.

"Of course, Bubbles, and superheroes help each other! Let alone friends!" concluded Blossom.

"Mmh… You're right. Yet, you still have to know: I will never, ever forget about you,"Donnie said solemnly.

There were some seconds of silence before resumed to speak. "I'll have to go now. Ultrapolis is waiting for me… it's going to be difficult, at first, but I feel that I have to go there and fix what happened."

He hovered upwards. "Again, thank you girls… thank you so much. Goodbye."

"Goodbye!" said the Powerpuff Girls at once.

He waved at them one last time, then he turned around and dashed away, moving towards the rising sun. Flying towards the West Coast of the States, towards the Atlantic ocean… towards Europe.


Mr. Gray had woken up early that morning, because of an important reunion he needed to attend to and had been set for a questionably early schedule. He was exiting from his favorite bar, where he had just had breakfast, when he heard a 'whoosh' sound above him. He raised his head to see the yellow beam of light again, after a week from the first time he had seen it.

He memory of the chaos made him shudder, but only for a moment. He knew about the story of the boy thanks to the articles he read on the newspapers the previous days. The boy had become Townsville's main topic of discussion, after all, and he knew that the 'stranger' was no more a threat for the city.

That little boy… just like the Powerpuff Girls, now that I think about it, he thought. I wonder where's he going now, all by himself… Maybe he's returning to his home. To protect his own city, I guess… Oh well, it's good to think that Townsville isn't going to be the only city around the world with such a lucky gift. I wonder how-… wait a second.

The man watched his wrist watch and gasped in shock. "Good heavens! I'm late, again! I knew I should have put more alarm clocks! Dang my heavy sleep." He ran through the street, heading for his working place.

Mr. Gray was right. From now on, the Powerpuff Girls were no longer alone in their crime-fighting job around the world. It was the beginning of a new era…

And so, once again, the day is saved. Once again, thanks to the Powerpuff Girls… And in a sense, for the very first time, thanks to Donnie!

THE END