A week passed, all the Q&A forms had been submitted, and the names of the contestants were posted up. There were 49 participants, although this list of 49 didn't really mean much, since almost anyone could get in. Brick scanned the list, curious to see who else he'd be going against. There was Johnny, the guy from track; Mitch, Buttercup's boyfriend, competing for the swim team; and a couple other names he recognized from his classes. On the girls' list, there was Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup, that Cindy girl from cheer, and more names he recognized from various classes.
"Hey, friend!" Bubbles greeted as she walked up to him. "Looking at the list, I see."
"Don't call me that," he muttered, as she chuckled.
"So you're Brick?" someone scoffed from behind. Brick whirled around to find an orange-haired girl flocked by a pack of stupid-looking girls all in some uniform. The orange-haired one seemed to be looking down on him. Which pissed him off. A lot.
"What do you want?" Brick growled.
"Oh, I'm just here to introduce myself. My name's Princess," she offered a hand, which, when Brick didn't take it, she withdrew. "It seems you're well-known enough around here for me to give up some of my precious time to grace you with my greetings. But you know, the rumors are true. You're hot." She gave him a look, which Brick assumed was supposed to be seductive, but in reality was quite repulsive. "Oh, Bubbles," Princess's lip curled in disgust when she spotted the blonde suspiciously eying her, "you're competing again this year too? Losing last year wasn't enough?"
"Yeah, we're competing," Bubbles replied, unfazed. "If I remember correctly, though, you didn't win either?"
"Last year's competition was a little…slip up. But anyway, this year's Miss Townville competition is mine, and I'm not going to be outdone by a little nothing like you," she scoffed and strutted away.
After she was long gone, Brick turned to Bubbles and asked, "Wasn't she that girl who wanted to join the Powerpuff Girls, then wanted to join the Rowdyruff Boys?"
"Yes, yes she was."
"For such a loser, she's a real snobby bitch."
Bubbles sighed, "Yeah, she's captain of song and dance, so she thinks she's all high and mighty, and she thinks they're so good, and so exclusive, just because she can pick who's on her team, but cheer's just as good! Hell, we're better! I'll show her!" Bubbles voice crescendoed until everyone in the hallway focused on her. "Sorry," she mumbled, realizing the attention she was drawing.
"You were saying?"
"Well," Bubbles cleared her throat, "Because of all the donations her dad gives to this school, she was allowed to start song and dance, which is basically a way for her to be captain for a cheer team, but they're nowhere near as good as we are. Anyway, she holds the tryouts and she picks the girls, so the team is kinda exclusive. Which, honestly, I don't even understand why. They didn't even place in top three last year at Nationals. And I don't plan on letting that- that bitch snag a victory this year." Her eyes narrowed and she grew serious, which juxtaposed her usually sweet expressions. But the old, cheery smile came back, and she waved and skipped away to class, her two blond pigtails bouncing after her.
–––
"Brick!" Lloyd ran toward him waving a flyer the following Monday morning. "They've announced it! They've announced it!"
"They've announced what?" demanded Brick impatiently.
"The modeling theme. It's Greek gods and goddesses," Lloyd said between breaths.
"I have to dress up like a god? In a toga and shit?" Brick stared in disbelief.
"It's what the people want, Brick. And what the people want, the people get. Because the track team needs this win," Lloyd said in an almost threatening tone.
"Fine, but I'm picking the god, and I'm doing this my way."
"Uh, nothing too crazy, or inappropriate or else they'll kick you out of the competition. 'Cause we need to win. You know that, right?" Lloyd asked, a little worried about Brick's ideas.
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
"Another thing, Brick. The modeling part isn't your normal modeling. After you get your outfit, you wear it to school for the whole day. But, you have to stay in character with your person."
"In character? I thought this was modeling, not acting."
"It is, but it's just more interesting this way. So anyone can talk to you at any time, and you have to act like whichever god you chose. And at the end of the day, the people will vote. So make sure they vote for you."
"Right, right," Brick nodded as he walked off.
"Don't let us down!" Lloyd called after him.
–––
It was the following Monday, and contestants had been given one week to prepare their outfits. Brick rummaged through his closet and pulled out his toga. Yesterday, he'd gone to visit an old acquaintance, who was very good at sewing, to "ask" for a favor.
The black cloth draped comfortably over one shoulder and showed off Brick's toned, muscular arms. Just for today, he switched out his red baseball cap for a custom made helmet in the style of the Helm of Darkness. He then picked up a beautifully carved bird-topped scepter, and strapped on his black sandals. He stared at his reflection, admiring himself and his outfit.
"Watch out Townsville," Brick said to himself as he walked out the door. "Hades is coming, and he's bringing the Underworld with him."
–––
Several students moved toward the edges of the hallway, and even those who didn't understand what was happening naturally followed suit. Soon, the crowd had parted down the middle, creating a walkway for a single person. "What's going on?" people whispered, only to be shushed or given an off-handed mutter. Those in the back craned their necks to get a peek of the lone figure passing through. Draped in an elegant black toga, his well-built figure sauntered through the crowd. His staff was casually slung over his shoulder, and his crown rested comfortably on his head. He looked powerful and threatening, but in a way very pleasing to the eye. His dark figure contrasted his flaming red hair and fiery red eyes, seemingly created by hellfire itself. His chin was tilted slightly upward, creating the impression that he was looking down on everyone. He wore a sinister little smirk, apparently satisfied with the attention he was receiving.
"Is that…?" whispers continued.
"It is!"
"How can someone be so hot?"
"I am so voting for him!"
"Can I vote for him like fifty times?"
"I think he's supposed to be Hades, right?"
"I have to get a picture of this!"
With his superhearing, Brick was listening to every little comment uttered by his classmates. He couldn't believe how easy people at this school were to please. I am just too great, Brick grinned to himself. He snuck a few glances at the crowd and saw other contestants wearing togas, but his was by far the best. His self-praise was interrupted by the appearance of his track team.
"Brick, you nailed this thing!" Floyd exclaimed.
"We're gonna beat the basketball team! We're gonna beat the basketball team!" Lloyd sang. "I'm so happy I could almost kiss you!"
"Now you've turned Lloyd gay for you!" Johnny laughed, who was dressed in a royal purple cloth and was holding a cup of grape juice.
"Hey! I said almost!" Lloyd shouted.
In one swift movement, Brick (somewhat gently) brought his staff down on all their heads. "Don't," he growled, "touch me."
"Hey! That hurt," they protested.
Brick's smirk returned. "Just keeping in character, guys," he snickered as he walked away.
–––
"Brick, explain what the Truman Doctrine was," Mr. Somers ordered.
"Sorry," Brick grinned, "Hades doesn't feel like answering anything today."
"Excuse me, Brick?" Mr. Somers asked, half-threatening yet half-amused.
Brick gestured at his clothes and replied, "I gotta keep in character, you know? This contest means a lot to me and my team, so I'd really appreciate it if you helped me stay in character." For added measure, Brick put on his customer-friendly café smile.
"All right, all right," the teacher shook his head and smiled, "Just for today." Brick leaned back in his seat and put his feet on his desk. He grinned at the swooning girls at his side and smirked to himself. He'd have these people eating out of his hand by the end of the day.
After first period ended, Brick was approached by a very annoyed Blossom. "You're using this contest to slack off," she accused. She was wearing a long white toga lined with olive green and had a small olive branch intertwined in her loosely-done bun.
Brick replied, "Well, if you really must know, yes, yes I am. These people are ridiculously easy to please. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go collect a few souls for the Underworld." With a wave of his hand, Brick left a pouting Blossom standing in the hallway.
–––
"Hey, Brick," Buttercup whispered to him at the beginning of second period. She had on a knee-length dark green toga with matching green gloves. A pack of arrows were slung on her back, and her bow rested next to her seat.
"What?" he demanded.
"Nice toga. I'd never've expected you to enter this."
"Back at ya. I wouldn't have expected this from you."
"Shut up. My team always forces me to enter, and Blossom and Bubbles's nagging doesn't help."
"Right. I bet you like the spotlight."
"Fuck you," she mouthed as she fingered her arrows.
"Are those real?" Brick asked, slightly wary.
"Wanna test them out?" Buttercup grinned menacingly. "Anyway, I actually meant to say that I need your homework," she reached for his paper, but he snatched it away. "Aww, c'mon. We're friends aren't we? Toga buddies?" She glanced at their teacher– soon they'd have to pass up their homework.
"Yeah, friends don't shoot each other with arrows. And you and your sisters tried to kill me and my brothers before."
"You tried to kill us too! That once you made us into a hockey puck– I still haven't gotten you back for that!"
"You blew us up, bitch."
"And you used us to play wrestling or whatever, bastard."
"Well, you don't want homework from a bastard like me, do you?"
"Wait, no please! C'mon I gave you my game!"
"And I lent you my car."
"Okay, okay, I'll owe you. Please, just lemme copy it!" Brick sighed, rolled his eyes, and handed her his paper. "Yes!" she yelled quietly and began scribbling furiously.
"Pass up your homework, everyone," Mrs. Moore said, just as Buttercup finished writing. She smugly passed up her paper and returned Brick's to him. "Okay, take out some notes. We'll be learning about acids and bases today," she began her lecture.
"Hey," Brick whispered, "has the next game arrived?"
"Huh? Oh, no, not yet. Although Nintendo emailed me saying they'll be giving me a beta of their new Zelda."
"Zelda? Never played that before."
"What? You've never played Legend of Zelda?" Buttercup yelled. But she'd forgotten they were in the middle of class.
"Buttercup! Brick! Be quiet," Mrs. Moore ordered.
"Sorry," Buttercup mumbled, and then to Brick, she whispered, "You've gotta come over and play it, man! No, I mean seriously. Blossom's sleeping over at her friend's today 'cause they're practicing for dance or something. And Bubbles and I don't mind."
"Wouldn't your dad get mad?" Brick asked.
"Eh, it's fine. Don't worry about him. I feel like I'm personally at fault that you haven't played Zelda before. I have to educate the ignorant of this world, starting with you," she joked.
Brick chuckled and nodded, "Sure, why not?"
After work today, he'd be going over to the Powerpuff Girls' house. As a guest. This was a first.
–––
When Bubbles walked through the door in third period, Brick was pretty sure his face froze in a very stupid-looking expression. Her blond hair was almost always in pigtails, but today she let it down, and her loose curls bounced around her shoulders. Her rosy toga draped comfortably around her figure, and a slit that ran up to the middle of her thigh revealed a little peek of her legs. The little red rose in her hair topped it all off.
She chose the seat next to him, which surprised Brick, and greeted him with a simple "Hades."
"And you must be Aphrodite," Brick replied.
"Not bad, Brick. God of the Underworld really fits you," she grinned.
"Thanks," Brick said, and after a pause, he added, "Blue looks better on you."
"Oh, yeah, I know," she laughed, "but Blossom said Aphrodite should wear pink, so I took her advice."
"Oh screw that. You look better in blue."
"Thanks. Oh yeah!" she suddenly exclaimed. "Buttercup says you're coming to our house today?"
"Uh, yeah, she already told you?"
"Yeah, she told me to not tell Blossom 'cause she might get mad. Which is probably true."
"Yeah, Buttercup wants to show me a video game."
Bubbles gave a playful groan. "That's what you're coming over for?"
"Yeah, although I suspect that her ulterior motive is that while I'm distracted, she's gonna drive off with my car," Brick joked. As the two continued talking, they were a picturesque portrait of a handsome god and beautiful goddess. Even as they slowly became their classmates' centers of attention, the two remained oblivious and continued to enjoy each other's company, which would have been as unrealistic an idea a few months ago as Hades and Aphrodite actually conversing.
–––
"Hi Brick, you look great," Princess batted her eyelashes as she walked up to him in the cafeteria. She wore a lavender toga accented with a pair of peacock feather earrings.
"Uh, hey," Brick replied.
"You know," she said as she ran her palm over his arm, "since I'm like the hottest person here, and you're the second best-looking, we should hook up. Hades and Hera, doesn't that sound nice?"
"No. It doesn't," Brick snapped.
"Well excuse me," she scoffed, flipping her hair. "You're like totally new here, and hanging out with me is going to help your popularity way more than hanging out with those Powerpuffs. I'm offering you a chance to be with the hottest and most popular girl in school, not to mention the richest–"
"You're not the hottest. You're not the most popular. Your make-up makes you look like a cheap prostitute. And I'm doing great without you, so get the fuck out of my face before I punch your face in," Brick glared at her, his expression unchanging as hers slowly became contorted in a furious snarl.
"Ugh! You will regret this!" she cried before storming out of the cafeteria.
"Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say," Brick mumbled to himself.
"You really told her off," said an approaching Bubbles.
"That was great! I haven't seen her that angry since when you dumped your pasta on her last year!" Buttercup laughed, as they joined Brick at the table.
"What a waste of pasta," Brick sneered.
"She deserved it! She called me a whore, and then started bad-mouthing the rest of my cheer team!" Bubbles explained.
"Yeah, she did, that little bitch. Ah well, nothing like a little Princess-hating to stir up the appetite," Buttercup chuckled, then stuffed half her burger into her mouth.
"If she wins this year, I think I'll go crazy."
"Don' worwy." Buttercup swallowed before continuing, "She won't win. It's gonna be either you or Blossom this year."
"What about you?"
"I don't want to win. Hell, I didn't even want to enter."
"You try pretty hard for someone who didn't want to enter," Brick pointed out, eying her get-up.
"I have a bow and arrows, and I'm not afraid to use them. So don't test me," Buttercup threatened.
"No fighting, you two. There're innocent people in here," Bubbles chided.
"Yes, Mother," Buttercup smirked before wolfing down the other half of her burger.
Brick is finally friends with two-thirds of the Powerpuffs! The other third is yet to be seen.
I'm trying to make Brick slowly get nicer. Is it working? :) Feedback pwease.