Villain

Chapter 11

Mojo's plan was a simple, yet brilliant one. That Saturday would be a parade in the Mayor's honor. The old man was turning seventy. Basically, Mojo and I would be there to crash the party. The complicated part was that this was apparently a part of a much larger scheme Mojo was hatching. We would be taking the steps necessary to achieving the dream we both longed for-- total domination of the world. "Step one," Mojo said, "is to instill fear."

I thought I had instilled enough fear already, but apparently I was wrong. Unfortunately, at the parade I would only get to do a little destruction, and was supposed to keep the killing to a minimum. Mojo explained that our goal was not to cause destruction, but to gain attention and let Townsville know of our intentions to gain control of the city. We were going to remind them yet again of the ways they had outcast us, and to warn them that they could choose to resist our efforts and face a war, or just surrender.

When Mojo said I couldn't cause as much destruction as I wanted to, I was pretty disappointed. There was just something about destruction and chaos that I loved. I guess it was the sense of power behind it all. When people ran before me and screamed their heads off… it just filled me with excitement. The screaming wasn't my favorite, and neither was the running. It was when I was able to strike so much fear in people that they just stood complete still and remained utterly silent. When I saw scared faces and wide eyes and shaking bodies… I loved it.

After causing all that death and destruction at my school, I longed to do it again. I wanted to see that fear in hundreds-- No. Millions of faces. I couldn't stop thinking about all those wide, terrified eyes. I couldn't stop thinking about those trembling cowards, helpless and illuminated by the green light of my awesome and powerful death ray. I fantasized about doing it again. I couldn't shake the beautiful imagery from my head. I just couldn't.

I was addicted.

I was so impatient to begin Mojo's plan later that weekend. And even still, I searched for something more. What would I do after that? When would I be able to strike fear on the innocent again?

I guess these thoughts and fantasies of death and murder would disturb most people. I wouldn't be completely honest with myself if I said it didn't concern me in just the slight bit. I didn't think that it was necessarily a terrible thing; I just recognized that these thoughts and feelings weren't circling my mind just a matter of weeks ago. That was something that concerned me but just a little. Not because it involved death and killing, just the idea that this was soon going to be all my life involved.

Was this what happened to villains? Did our minds just grow darker and darker and our addiction to chaos and evil-doings grow worse and worse? Did our ways in life revolve more and more around our careers of villainy and anarchic life goals? Had I then crossed a point where there was absolutely no return?

I had by then killed nearly a thousand people.

…There was no turning back.

Mojo had told me many times before that this was my fate.

Fate.

If that was true then that meant the way things were then would always remain so. This was my life from then on. When you killed and caused as much destruction as I had done, there was no other life than that of a monster. After recreating a name so horrifying for yourself, there was no way to create any other reputation than that of horror. After stealing a thousand souls, there was no way to give them all back.

This was really it.

I was a villain.

It kind of scared me to realize this. The life of a villain was now going to be the only life I would know. It wasn't that I didn't want this. It wasn't like I was changing my mind about being evil. It was just that… Shit, I was fifteen. Fifteen and living something so… huge. It was a lot to wrap your head around, even when you had been kinda used to growing up faster than all your peers like me. Sure, I had lots of responsibilities, as a Powerpuff Girl, but there were ironically a lot more as a bad guy.

There was a lot to risk now. No longer a "hero," but now a villain, and yet still an enemy. My only support now was Princess and of course Mojo-- my new family. A somewhat childish and emotional, redheaded, teenage, rich girl and an ill-tempered, slightly delusional, aged, old man chimp. I loved and cared for them both, but they were no match against my sisters alone, or Him for that matter. They were now more at risk all because of me.

Funny. When I was supposed to be protecting people as a hero, I didn't have nearly as much to protect as I did now as a villain.

Not only that, but just the whole idea of me being destined for something… it was just very strange to me. I wasn't sure if I believed it or not. What if there was no such thing as fate and I was just doing pointless shit and risking too much for absolutely nothing?

I shared my feelings with Mojo the night before Saturday. We were watching the news and sipping wine together; they were showing a behind the scenes preview of the next day's parade. Apparently they would also be doing a tribute to the dead students of my high school during the event. "Do you think I'm supposed to be a villain, Mojo?"

He raised an eyebrow and looked at me. "What do you mean by that?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I dunno. I was just thinking… what if this isn't what's right for me?"

Mojo blinked at me for a while.

"Not that I don't want to be a villain," I added. "It's just… I dunno. Well… do you think I'll be good at it?"

Mojo was silent for a few moments as he took a long sip from his glass until every last drop of liquid was gone. He stared at his empty glass in his hands for a while. "You will be fine at it," he said simply. He looked at me, raising his eyebrow again. "Why do you doubt yourself now?"

"I dunno," I muttered. "It just sorta hit me that like… this ain't gonna be easy. I mean, I wanna destroy the Powerpuff Girls and everything-- believe me, I really do. And I know I can do it. I know I can. I won't let myself fail at that. But like… our whole plan to take over the world after that… what happens if I can't do it, Mojo?"

Mojo nodded slowly. "Failure is something to be feared in every profession. Some have more to fear than others. You have least to fear as a villain. You have the talent and the power. You are, by far, one of the best in the business. You can command others, for you have the right tools to do so; you only must now learn how to use them properly. You will be able to succeed, and you will do so with greater ease than any other villain I know," he nodded more firmly. "I have faith in you."

I smiled a little. "I think I can take over Townsville alright. It's just the rest of the world that I'm worried about. Townsville versus me I think is a battle I can win. I guess it might be tough, but I know I can do it. I know what my sisters are capable of and everything. But the whole world against me?" I shook my head. "Even without superpowers, if the world were to band together, I'd be dead."

Mojo gave a short laugh. "Do not worry. That will never happen. As I've said: Step one is to instill fear. When the world believes itself to be in a scarce situation, they will take the aid that is given to them both freely and necessarily. It will be a matter of survival, and as stupid as the world is, they will not reject their only hope and option that will allow them to continue living their pathetic lives. And their only option will be you. They will be compelled to choose, and you will be their only choice. You will be their hope and they will view you as a savior-- rescuer-- liberator! A blessing, rather than recognizing that it is you who has forced them to select you as their leader. Because people are simple. People are dumb. People are egoistic. People are selfish! Self-interested! Self-centered! They are told what and how to think and will think just as you tell them just so long as you promise that it will benefit them personally. It is simple politics. The world is already doing it today! We shall only take it to a new, more exclusive level! Do not worry, my son, you will succeed in this. At first, it will be difficult, but soon enough, by the mere and simple state of nature of mankind, any initial resistance against you will simply diminish, weaken, disappear and be no more."

"But I won't be able to do all that without you there helping me," I frowned. "You keep saying that this is my fate or whatever, but you're the one telling me what to do and how to achieve all this stuff." I shook my head, "Is it really me that's supposed to do this? Can't it be you and I just help out with all the beatings and killings and stuff?"

"You will do fine. I have told you already. Ultimately, it will be you who rules this world. Not me. I can see it. Him sees it. I'm certain your pathetic sisters now see it. Tomorrow, Townsville will definitely see it." He paused to sigh and lower his head, giving me a serious look. "I tell you this is your fate, because that is exactly what it is. Everyone that knows your story will be able to tell this about you. You began life with all that is needed to be a villain. Your life experiences have only shaped and perfected the gifts you were given at your creation and have pushed you further down the path to what is now your destiny. You will change this world for the better. It is your fortune."

"But how can you be so sure?" I asked as I watched Mojo stand from the couch. He took my glass from my hand and gave me a pat on my shoulder as he walked away.

"Just consider it a sixth sense I have acquired with old age."

I smiled to myself. I guessed if Mojo had so much faith in me, then that was all that mattered. Fate or no fate, it was still a dream I wished to reach. After that, I felt a lot surer of myself. But I still dreaded the day when I no longer had Mojo by my side. Whether he believed so or not, he was the greatest strength I had.

I was really relieved when Saturday finally came. Mojo made sure I got plenty of studying done for the rest of that week. He said I had been slacking and made up for it by assigning me three times as much work than he usually did. At first I complained a lot, but soon I got used to it. The subjects were starting to interest me a bit more, but I still preferred to wage war myself, than sit around and just read about it.

The parade was going to start at nine o' clock in the morning. My part in the plan involved me waiting on top of a building for a cue from Mojo. The chimp was going to interrupt the live broadcast of the parade and basically officially announce my new title as "villain" to the city. After which I would blow up a float or two, just to get some attention, wait for my sisters' arrival, kick their asses so everyone could see how their heroines were no match against me, and leave with a promise to not kill as long as no one stood in me and Mojo's way. Surely, most citizens would already know of my incredible powers by then, but for the really stupid ones, this was their last warning.

I stood on the rooftop of this department store, watching the crowds of people below me. There were thousands of them. I saw my sisters among them all. They were obviously there patrolling the area and probably looking out for me. I kept low, just peering over edge of the wall so that they hopefully didn't see me. Then wasn't the right time. They couldn't see me just yet. It would ruin our plan.

The parade was about to start. I began to become a little jittery with anticipation. I paced back and forth waiting anxiously.

Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine. The feeling was so familiar now. I turned and sure enough, there was Him. He just smiled at me. "What are you doing here?" I spat, almost instantly my clenched fists became engulfed in fire and electricity.

He only continued to smile. Something about the look on his face made me feel uneasy. He was up to something, and whatever it was, it wasn't gonna be good. I clenched my fists tighter and prepared myself.

"My offer still stands," he finally said.

"And I'm still denying it," my eyes narrowed.

"Now, now," he sang creepily, "Do you really want to do that?"

I growled at the freak. "Yeah. I do. Whaddya gonna do about it? I ain't afraid of you!"

"Oh, really?" he laughed shrilly.

"Yeah. Really." I grinned a little. "You're the one that's afraid of me," I said raising my glowing fists for him to see and hovering into the air so that I looked down at Him.

He blinked at me for a while, and then a sly grin slowly began to sweep his face. He shook his head. "Tsk, tsk, you still have so much to learn, Child." And with that, he disappeared.

I blinked at the spot where he was just at, pretty confused as to why he would just leave so abruptly like that. And then I heard it:

"Not so fast!"

Shit. Flying into the air like I did only put me in plain sight for my sisters to see me. I was sure Him was probably laughing it up right then. How could I be such a fucking idiot?

"We had a feeling we'd find you here," Blossom continued, her voice as cold as ever.

Without turning to face them, I slowly hovered to the ground. I sighed loudly and then turned to look at them.

Blossom's eyes still had that same fire I had seen in them the last time we faced each other. Bubbles-- the big baby-- already had tears in her eyes. I looked down in Blossom's hand and saw something that looked like a grenade. I started to laugh. "What the hell is that? You already givin' up and borrowing shit from the army or something?"

Blossom's eyes narrowed. "If it were up to me, you'd already be dead."

I smiled a little. "Wow. A little harsh, don't ya think, Sis?"

Blossom's glare only grew nastier. I clenched my fists tighter and began to charge up my death ray. Suddenly there was Him again, hovering right behind my sisters. He held up a claw, "Shhhh," he winked.

I blinked at the creep. My sisters obviously could not see Him, because they would have noticed the frightening, giant red freak immediately.

"Buttercup, please just come home with us!" Bubbles pleaded.

I tried to ignore Him and returned my attention to Blossom and Bubbles. "Not a chance!" I yelled.

Behind my sisters I saw Him begin to wave his claw through the air, and I suddenly felt my legs grow stiff.

I couldn't move.

The sudden shock of not being able to move my feet caused my death ray to instantly shut itself off. That was the only way in which I could react before I heard Blossom mutter something like "Have it your way," and then I caught her tossing the weird, grenade-looking thing at me. As soon as it hit the ground by my feet, it erupted into a huge cloud of thick, black smoke.

I heard Him laughing evilly and just as I felt my legs become mobile once again, my knees instantly went weak and I fell to the ground coughing. I couldn't see a thing, and I felt like there was absolutely no air to breathe. My head ached and throbbed terribly, and my eyes watered. The last thing I could remember was feeling the side of my face pressed on the cold cement.