A/N: GOOD. LORD. HELLO EVERYONE! How are you! Well look at this- a year later and Act 5 is FINALLY ending. Finally. Good… God. The Muse- my dear Charlotte- she didn't want to cooperate with me here- oh no. "I want Act 6 and Act 7 I don't want this one!" and so what did I accomplish in this year- well… I finished 'Soul Ink & The Thing" - I started both "Paths of Light" & "Demon Nip" - I wrote a crazy amount of one shots and I've started yet more planning for yet another large scale project because I'm Carrie and I have no regards for my muse's sanity XD
And now here we are. At last. Act 5's finale is HERE (well part 1) - As is probably a broken record by now I had to split them in two- I realized that having reached 32 pages in a Google Docs and not even being close to the beginning of the last final fight of Act 5... it was going to be monstrous and well yeah. Author's privilege... please don't pitchfork me? Ha...Ha?
Good… God this was a doozy. Anyone who talks to me on Tumblr or Discord- heck anyone who talks to me face to face at this point(!) knows how much this finale… just didn't want to cooperate at first. I mean- yes the end of this chapter haunted me for weeks, "how am I going to pull this off?" and "WHY DO I HATE ME SO MUCH!?" - it was… an interesting production. Yes. Yes it was. XD
And don't think I've forgotten about that major two year milestone- two years... TWO!? And Two hundred favorites... follows and now over four hundred reviews!? My... My God. I am so speechless... humbled and just... thank you. Thank you all for being well... yourselves and being the amazing lovely wonderful people you all are. I'm glad my little self has been able to bring joy ( well.. okay maybe that's a stretch- I take my "Dark Lord" title a little too seriously sometimes I know ;P) - but I'm glad I have "entertained" all of you- there is that better? XD
So again... thank you. Thank you my lovelies. And as always I hope you enjoy the "show" ;D
* As another note- I am very aware of the incident that occurred in early Decemeber- I am happy to report it was resolved peacefully and applicably and I am extremely humbled and thankful for those who alerted me and aided in the situation. Thank you all. I can't thank you all enough.
-o-
WARNING: The following chapter contains disturbing and or frightening images. Proceed with Caution: "
DISCLAIMER: Powerpuff Girls does not belong to me. All rights belong to Craig McCracken and Cartoon Network.
"The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them."
― Ernest Hemingway
-V-
The rain was pouring. Pounding down around them.
She said nothing. She just stared straight ahead. In that solemn...silence.
"You'll… grow ill."
Silence. The only sound was the pounding rain swamping the otherwise still lake she was standing up to her waist in.
"... You can't stay here you'll get sick my lady!"
Again she just seemed to ignore him. He growled slightly in the back of his throat- and well he had no choice. He waded out to join her. She stiffened.
"...What are you doing?"
He frowned. "You can't stay out here. You'll grow ill or worse-." He took her arm but she bristled at the contact and he immediately pulled away.
"La'el?"
Again… his love was only silent. She waded away from him.
"...Would my growing ill… truly be so terrible my Lord…?" The whisper was so small… he could barely hear it over the pounding rain. Usually so helpful to mask their quick frantic breaths and whispers from much more… pleasurable… times but now it served...almost like yet another barrier between them.
He held out his arms. She did not move.
"...Of course it would be… La'el- what's gotten into-?"
She again evaded his grasp- his attempt to pull her back into his arms.
Where she would be… safe.
"... I do not think so." She murmured. His blood chilled. "... It would be… a blessing I think. If… such a weapon was...-."
"You are not a weapon!" He declared. "You are-!"
Even he wasn't expecting the sharpness… and bitterness of the ensuing loud laugh. That ironic curve to her painted lips. "... You know what I am my Lord… what is meant for my fate… you cannot change it… no one can." He stiffened more. Her arms were slim- her entire body was… tiny. Frail. Like a delicate… doll.
"...This is not your fate." He whispered. "It cannot be! I will not allow it to be so-!"
"... You cannot change what is the will of the Gods…"
"Oh yes I can! I can and I WILL!" He grit his teeth. "They will not… they will not take you! They will not take you from me!"
That harsh laughter… only began again. Louder… and echoing around them. Their lake had vanished. It was suddenly…
Only them. In nothing but darkness.
Darkness… save a faint growing light- flecks of red, orange and yellow- the room had grown … warm.
"...How can you change it… how can you change anything… when you've turned into them…" She said in a silky hiss.
He staggered back. No...
"...No." He whispered. "No… No La'el… no- no I haven't- I would never become one of-!"
He reached out for her- but… as soon as his hands touched her robes… they… no… NO!
The fire raged suddenly around them- and he was pressed against the wall. She stared at him- the glow of the flames… casting her in an eerie… almost… otherworldly light. Her lips moved- but that tiny whisper… seemed to echo around the room.
"You already have my Love…"
"...No… LA'EL NO!"
She ignored him. She only walked towards the fire. That cruel… relentless… fire.
"NO! NO! La'el! La'el come back! No- I can still stop it! I can still save you! La'el!... LA'ELLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"
Poor boy… poor… poor boy…
You wish to save her…
I can help you. We can help each other.
Go on Boy… take my hand… take my hand… and your destiny…
Take it…
Take it.
Darkness. Never… ending darkness.
And then laughter… loud relentless laughter…
" They will not take her…. from me."
My soul is yours my love… Wait for me."
Wait for me…
Take it.
-o-o-o-
-o-o-o-
Run. Run! RUUUUUUUN!
Had to get away! Had to! Just… Just run!
Where was he going to go!? Where!?
He pounded on another door- empty- not that they would have let Snake in anyway but-!
"SSSSSomebody! Anybodyyyy- I neeed-!" He looked around wildly- there was no one. No one was out. But...But… ?
Something was wrong. There was no one- he hadn't even seen a coppa' or anything out- it was like… the city had… just-?
He heard a familiar jingle- and he turned to the local electronic's store display- the place may have been dark but it was automatic or whatever- his eyes widened.
Today on: Channel 17:
City Officials still have not yet released any further information pertaining to the outbreak of a strange flu-like sickness that's hit the city in the last few days- but are urging all citizens if possible to remain indoors-.
Snake frowned and looked around. Well… that explained… a lot.
But…
While information regarding the "official" cause of the outbreak is still relatively scarce local opinion does however agree: They want answers.
Where are these creatures coming from? And what can be done to stop them?
Act 5 Part 6:
104.5
-V-
Mitch Michelson
"Local Authorities are urging all citizens to remain calm and keep up vigilance- check on neighbors especially if they're elderly or disabled-."
"Mom… Mother calm down- it's fine. We're fine. The media's blowing it out of proportion it's just a bad cold going around… no you don't have to come home!"
Mother was on the phone with Gram in the next room and the old lady was clearly not interested in listening to Mum's logic read that as pleas to not cut her Golden years cruise short and come home immediately! No, no- Heaven forbid.
He buzzed his lips and shut the door- drowning out the argument.
… fuck this. He scowled and walked over to his laptop- the never ending pings, boops, bops, and dings were getting aggravating.
For the last time- Mitch. Knew. Nothing!
… and if he did he certainly wouldn't be telling. Not yet anyway.
Seeing as Butterscotch- Madam Secrets herself- wasn't answering any of Mitch's questions and nor were the Blue and Pink Puffs- though hey in retrospect the floods of texts the worrywart of a psychic was sending his "sister" probably meant Blossy Boo had shut off her phone at this point anyway.
… One text every half hour was certainly better than one every twenty minutes. Of course it was. Speaking of… it had been exactly twenty-eight minutes now… so two minute warning Butterscotch! ANSWER. NOW.
BZRINGGGGGGGGGGG
FINALLY! He swirled around in his chair and grabbed the phone- after he decided he'd be more comfortable on the floor of course because he was no klutz like Mr. Believe for example and-.
"Dulce are you alright!?"
… Oh. Well… half of a damn it. It could be worse.
He cleared his throat and settled himself in a more comfortable position on the floor and rested his head in his hand- always so smooth Mr. Michelson- was it any wonder why he was everyone's favorite Norm?
" Oh just fine Sweets- and how are we doing this fine evening?" His shoe was caught in the chair- ow. Not a nice angle to be relaxing in. Err… right- ahem. Pablo sighed in the phone- he sounded put out- hmm… this was new. "Everything okay Pablo?"
Another long sigh from his hockey hunk. "Yeah… I think so I mean…" Sigh. "... Izzy and Carmen are both freaking out is all- Mom's still at the hospital-."
Mitch sat up immediately, "Your mother's sick-!?" Wait Mrs. Mendes was sick!? Then that meant-!
"...No. No not like that Dulce- calm down."
" I am calm!"
"... no you're the hospital is… under quarantine so Mom can't leave. Not that she wants to!" He said that last part quickly. " Just uh…"
Mitch frowned and sat up straighter, " No I get it. Not the same situation but Gram is insisting on coming home and Mother and I don't exactly know how we're going to stop her…in the off chance we actually could of course.
At least he got a chuckle out of that. His sweetie's husky voice reverberated through the phone- Mitch would have much preferred it being in person but priorities and familial responsibilities. Two sisters and an elderly grandmother meant no hunky hockey player for Mitchy.
"... So have you heard anything?" He frowned and then heard another sigh. " I see."
"If I knew anything I'd tell you. I swear." And he wasn't lying. Truly he wasn't- Pablo having witnessed that…. near Rowdy psychic fight and helping break it up…. that sort of shit was enough of an initiation/ trial period if he'd ever seen one. The goalie was in the club…
Whether Mitch liked it or not.
Because see the three of them all owed a debt to the Girls. Pablo was… just along for the ride and was it really fair to-?
"... Dulce. I know you're freaked out. The news isn't helping this-."
" Does it ever." Mitch couldn't bite back the angry words. Daryl Howard the ass from City Hall wouldn't give up it seemed. That loathsome shit head was once again showing off his flabby obese mug all over channel 18 news- masquerading as the "victim" -spewing out lies and slander- would Mitch stop the lime green angel of justice from tearing that filthy tongue out and could Mike ( if he even bothered or worse didn't decide to join in ) stop the Raging Red Beast from ripping this man into tiny pieces…. ?
Hard to say and there was also the distinct chance of a little Blue angel beating them both to it with a smile and then there would be no hope or mercy to be expected at all.
Mitch did not envy Robb in her charge noooo he did not. Bubsy Dear was scary when her patience ran out. Good luck Boom Boom.
"This whole thing is fucked up." Mitch raised an eyebrow- well well- wasn't often he heard the ever calm and collected Mr. Mendes speak so bluntly. "Everyone's freaking out and they're all wasting all this time playing some stupid blame game- who cares when the Reds answered the phone?! Why was the gate open?! That's what needs to get answered you know!" Another sigh. "... sorry Dulce… I'm just getting it on all sides here and Mom's not happy about being stuck because her staff is bitching about some kind of-." He pauses and cleared his throat. "... never mind forget it- it's stupid."
Mitch frowned, " Define "Stupid" sweets- we live in Townsville- if you don't remember this was the city invaded by sentient vegetable mutants. Nothing fazes me- go."
"...I thought that was a weird dream…"
" no dear it was real. Go on now- what's your mum's staff bitching about now?" He plopped on his bed. " Seriously- I need a good laugh- what are they yelling because they're being exposed to-."
"... it's not anything to do with the… flu or whatever-." Another long sigh. "It's… something weird with the place… " he chuckled darkly it seemed. "... like a ghost story."
Now Mitch sat up. " A ghost story? What do you mean-?"
"There's… I guess some rumors going around about the sixth floor- something about… people think they hear something at night it's… weird. You know Mitch- c'mon weren't you the " keeper of the tales" back when we were kids or whatever?."
Wait… he stiffened and sat all the way up. " Are you talking about the…. " Groaning Hallway?"
Pablo was silent.
The urban legends around the city and for local kids they'd been the ultimate ghost stories so to speak at parties - when not exploring their awkward adolescence and discovering hormones… the tales had been passed around. The rhymes and whispered retellings. Odd incidents- that friend of a friend's mom had heard something, another friend's uncle's coworker had seen something- someone had smelled, felt, heard, seen and touched.
Always a someone. Never a name. Once you got older you realized the tales were just urban legends and nonsense… at least… that's what Mitch had believed…
Until of course… the "thirteenth Step" had appeared in that lonely dark factory.
Now… what was Mitch supposed to believe?
The tales were varied and who knew how many were "tales" versus…
The growling hallway… located in the sixth floor east Wing of Townsville General Hospital.
Those aforementioned friends of friends relatives would always remark the same stories.
Late at night - on a certain hour, the story was that anyone walking the halls could be confronted with what some described as "growling" others " groaning" - the second had been where the title had come from.
A nurse's assistant had been stuck on night duty when she'd taken a wrong turn and suddenly heard what she thought had been… one of her patients.
She'd found something else.
A monster. Some kind of "beast" - it hadn't been human and it'd stared right at her- screaming running the usual spiel had ensued and so… the stories had begun.
He'd thought it was an urban legend… but now… how could he be sure? After all-...
The library was quiet and still-this was going to be hell of a good scare- aw yeah the nerd wouldn't know what-!
The hairs stood up. All At once. Why did Mitch… suddenly feel like he was being…
Watched?
He turned. The touch on his shoulder really… compelled him to.
His eyes widened.
Before he screamed.
God he hated that library.
Mitch had seen enough in his life to really have known better. He honestly should have known better! Nothing was too crazy here. Not in this city. This place. The Supernatural just flocked to Townsville- like there was… some kind of draw to the city for them.
Like something was… calling to them or something…
The kids felt it. At least… back when he had been a kid he'd felt it. Everyone he knew- his class- the generation that had grown up in the… X era.
The city had been "cleaned up" so to speak by the arrival of those three dynamic heroines. But… and not like Mitch would ever say this outloud of course(!) but…
… where the human threats had… been taken care of suddenly…
The Supernatural… had moved on in.
Monsters, super villains, mutations… what once had been a Citysville esque shithole had now turned into an idealized metropolis… with a secret.
Buttercup had conveniently pretended she hadn't heard his questions over this… crustacean apparently set to cause havoc. Now that Mitch thought about it that nasty piece of work on Mikey's cheek- while being portrayed as a "badge of honor" and a a sign of his "rugged maleness"... it did … look curved.… Like a hook even. Like some hook had latched onto his face.
… Or a claw.
A large claw with hell of an edge to it.
Unconsciously- he hadn't even realized he'd done it but Mitch had cupped his neck. His throat.
" Dulce… are you listening?" He blinked- how long had he been zoning out? Shit. Maybe he was starting to feel… wonky enough to merit concern after all- again which was another reason his Puffy charge should be contacting him immediately!
"...Yeah. Yeah I am- sorry Pablo… just…"
"You're worried I know… I can tell." His voice was a quiet murmur. "I heard about… the guy who...died."
Mitch flinched. Openly this time. Oh God… oh God Butterscotch… Butterscotch didn't handle this well… it's why… it's why she needed to answer him! Call him back and… and or at least one of her sisters needed to answer their Norms or hell one of them could call him!
Someone. Anyone. Needed to call Mitch now!
With all due respect to those dashing Rowdy heroes- they didn't know Butterscotch like Mitch did. Hell with even more respect to Blossy Boo and Bubsy- they the sisters would barely be able to… well okay that wasn't fair- there was a Puffy bond there that was unbreakable and who better than Mitch to know the sheer extent to which that loyalty could drive any of the Puffs-!
...Never mind. Point was.
Butterscotch needed him. She needed her "Norm" - the "Buttercup translator"- isn't that what Mikey always called him!
So answer the phone Butterscotch… just… answer the fucking phone… or someone call him.
...Please.
-V-
Buttercup
It happened again.
She had fucked up… again.
They should have known. They all should have fucking known! Focus on the supernatural elements only and what happens - This!
The goddamn sushi should have been their priority from the beginning- not… not ghost stories in a fucking haunted candy factory! Who the hell cared what had happened then versus now! Right now!
Innocent people had been affected… they'd been hurt and all on Buttercup's watch. And now…
Her sisters had dealt with it in their own usual ways. Loud weeping and hysterics on one side.
"Oh...that.. P-poor maaaaaaan!"
Bubbles had buried herself in the pillow- Boomer had again looked completely lost- the blonde beanpole only had kept on patting her sister's back and let himself get crushed by a super strengthened death grip.
"It was inevitable. A jellyfish's tentacle can be home to thousands of stinging cells- each capable of multiple injections. Mr. Peron was found covered in them. There was nothing that could have been done."
And Ice Cold science on the other.
Blossom had retreated into her usual world of hard facts and science. To find logic in the illogical. She had just continued droning on and on about jellyfish from the print outs that had begun littering the table. And obviously Cap Boy had been completely out of his element and just been uselessly sitting there holding the big binder with an almost dazed sort of look on his face.
Like he'd almost been in a kind of shock. In a weird way all three of em' seemed to be.
Tch. She'd warned the moron in green- had the two lovesick puff brains over there not happened to mention the dark side of being a hero to their Ruffy Lovies?
Or had they been too busy admiring and measuring the sizes of their boy toy's biceps to remember that tiny little detail. Ugh.
… They weren't that big by the way. Not even close. Brick and Boomer were built yeah but asswipe… man he was built you know- And… wait… no! Bad Buttercup! Baaaaaaad.
Ugh. Was she getting it now too? Had one of those silly Puffs there taken a stolen swig from her water? Clearly she wasn't thinking right and….
The Bastard was still walking around shirtless when he was actually conscious. Asshole. A lot of nerve. See Cap Boy and Boom weren't shirtless- well mostly- Cap Boy's shirt was open but he was overheating and he had fire breath so he'd be naturally "hotter" anyway soo…. Yeah whatever- shame they were arguably in public or else Leader Girl would no doubt be playing connect the abs with her over eager fingers or using them like some kind of hard pillow.
Bubs had no such qualms. She was attached to her beanpole lovey like glue- hence the blonde's remaining shirt.
Neither of her sisters' virtues were to be threatened by six pack sporting Rowdy rapscallions. Nope. Not on Mother Buttercup's watch.
They were only six pack wielders anyway- not like that eight pack the other one was…
… Wait. Stop. Bad. Okay who had drunk from Buttercup's water bottle! Who-!?
She looked at her sisters- once again they'd gathered around Asswipe's precious ludicrously huge television.
"The jellyfish in question has been proven to be a species not harmful to man. It was numbers… not the venom. Not the venom… there was nothing-." Blossom whispered to herself- almost like she was rehearsing the speech in her head. Oh wait. Of course she was- because they were already pointing fingers and the blame game had begun again.
Despite herself Buttercup looked at Cap Boy- that grip was like steel on her sister's hand- almost like he was holding her up from slumping in the couch- she caught his eye, secret keeping bastard yes… but….
The pink puff began to shiver and a blanket was immediately pressed on her.
… He had his moments.
"So what's the plan here Big Bro?" Boomer finally broke the silence. "Blossom? - What do we do?" Bubbles sniffed and looked up from the makeshift nest she'd made out of his arms and all the pillows and blankets she could pile on the loveseat.
"Blossy… Brick… we can't just sit here… I mean…."
As if on cue the phone chain started off again. Three phones- varying ringtones. One… two… three… four- left to voicemail but then… three… two… one.
I'm too sexxxy for my pants- too sexxxxxay-!
Boomer's face reddened and both his brothers snorted.
"Still haven't figured out how to change that ringtone huh Boom?"Butch snickered.
"No. I haven't. He locked it." Another mutter. "And my own brother won't hack it out for me!"
Brick's lip curled slightly, "I will when it stops being so fucking amusing."
"Even I could have warned you from leaving your phone unlocked in Mitchell's immediate vicinity Boomer." Leader Girl smiled somewhat but then her face immediately hardened and Buttercup followed her gaze.
The reporter on screen was surrounded by nurses and medical personnel running around like headless chickens- it was chaos. The numbers were growing- the local ER was filling up- a lot of it was hysteria. Well let's be sensible as Blossom would say- it was mostly hysteria but…
"Hospital officials have yet to confirm the amount of cases of what locals have dubbed the "jelly flu" but they STRONGLY urge all citizens who have or know those who are having flu-like symptoms to please be vigilant and come to the Townsville General ER as soon as possible where a team is standing by- there is no official word yet the cause of this epidemic but-.
"...Oh for the love of- That's going to start a PANIC you fucking-!" Boomer snapped as Bubbles buried her head in her hands with a low moan.
"Remind me what side they're supposed to be on Babe…?" Brick drawled.
"What are they-!? They're not supposed to use that terminology!" Leader Girl yelped. "That is going to start a-!"
"Panics mean good ratings Boss Woman." the last Rowdy finally spoke. He of the not so special abs groaned and stood up shakily before lumbering over to the TV and clicking it off. Everyone of course got up at once- in immediate protest but just as quickly they swayed and in Bubbles' case she toppled over and if not for Brick's being right there would have hit the coffee table head first.
"Owwie…" She whimpered. "My head…"
"Easy there Bubs." Brick mumbled- he was swaying himself. Okay, time for Mother Buttercup to take charge here clearly and send all the naughty children back to bed- alone. No sharing. She stood up with a clap to her hands-
"Team. You all are more or less dead on your feet-." Leader Girl bristled. "Don't argue with me. Go to bed. If something new pops up I'll be sure to let you all know- but right now. Bed." She folded her arms. "Don't make me go "toughest fighter" morons. You know you'll all lose."
Cap Boy and Leader Girl looked put out by that and so did Little Boy Blue and Bubs but oddly enough Asswipe just snorted and the jack ass just shrugged it off.
"Probably- but the Butch ain't in the mood for a fight. She's right Boss. We've been watchin' this crap for hours now- it's just this never ending loop of bullshit. Look at your woman- she's almost sleeping standin' up! Both of ya just go to bed already. You too blondes!"
Both the Reds and the Blues went well pink. Buttercup cleared her throat.
"Alone!" She snapped. ",...Or at the very least clothed. I am in no way, shape or form ready to be an auntie- got it!"
And cue that pink turning red- shrieks and groans- hidden faces and both her sisters fleeing to their assigned rooms… dragging their blue screen of death sporting beaus behind them. Tch. Pansies. Big manly men until that pops up in conversation eh? Pffft.
The moron who liked green- and really needed to put a damn shirt on please and thank you- only gave her a look- ugh. She rolled her eyes and he did so in sync with her. Odd. So apparently when fighting off hundred and what was it before- two or three? - Whatever apparently fighting off fevers meant the dumb ass portion of brain was being repressed in favor of the side that was trying to keep him… ali-.… conscious. Because… Because in retrospect… Leader Girl was right. The guy… hadn't had a chance… and there was nothing any of them could have done. It… It wasn't anything… any of them could have stopped.
Nothing.
Butch was still giving her a weird look. She grit her teeth and glared at him.
"That order was also towards you Asswipe!" She hissed. "Get to bed!"
Surprisingly… no lewd and or sexual innuendos followed that statement- he only nodded and walked back towards his room. Odd… very odd.
Her hands went in her pockets.
…. Maybe… she better take his temp later.
Just in case.
-o-o-o-
The asshole had had a point. Nothing had changed here. Nothing.
She finally put her phone down. It was all the same bull. And Twiggy was blowing up her phone with texts but what was she gonna say to the idiot?
Sorry bud- but I'm too busy taking care of the team and making sure they don't cause a city wide blackout, a fire, a bunch of frozen pipes, a twister, you know- typical shit? Be sure to drink lots of vitamin C my man! It's just a cold no worries!
Yeah. That'd go over swell.
She could knit, she could watch VideoRoll and laugh at a bunch of idiots batting down a wasp's nest… she could do that. Or just pull a Bubbles and find cute baby animal videos to go awww over.
She could do homework.
… nah fuck homework. Kitties and puppies it was. Kitties were-!
"...It's… definitely a feline of some kind…."
"I get that Dad- what did it?"
"... These marks… they look like teeth...of some kind."
"Like a pissed off dog, rat- raccoon-."
"Human."
…. Never mind the kittens. Buttercup hated cute things anyway- the hell was wrong with her!
"The creature was something akin to a Wendigo… a creature from native American mythology-"
"Ole' Wendi… wanted a snack. Jojo and I weren't prepared to give it said snack."
"These marks… are distinctly human Buttercup-."
Screw this! Like hell was she going to be caught off guard! Again! They'd already royally fucked up! Focusing so much on the damn "what-if's" that they'd ignored the "definites"-!
Something screwy was going on here. And it wasn't just the supernatural "boogeyman" sans disco balls and cheesy leisure suits - that was chasing them. The sushi...these….mutations were only getting worse… and pissed as fuck as she was at him in some things… at least the jack ass in the red cap acknowledged something…. Anything had to be done about these fucking… ABOMINATIONS - sooner rather than later and-.
Her fist clenched.
Another widow to close the casket. Another little kid never seeing their father again. A mother and father who lost their son, siblings lost a part of themselves they can never get back… a void in the family as a whole. Something missing. A missing piece.
And it had been on her watch.
It had been on Buttercup's watch.
The Green Puff clutched the pillow to herself- against her chest.
Another one… another one… she had failed.
Alarms were blaring- blaring at high pitched "wails" and god it was annoying! It was justa stupid monster attack! Happened every darn day and she was missing Wrestlemania for this man!
Stupid dinosaur thing- stupid tail. Ugh and now all the stupid people were just gaping and staring at the car like it was some kind of big deal. It was jus a car! She was seriously missing snack time too!
Daddy had let her record the big match and her sisters had even agreed to not complain as loud as they usually did so she could watch it! Stupid Dino freak!
All the people around this one car were trying to move it- tch someone's wallet or something was probably stuck under it or something- Daddy always did say people were way too obsessed with money. Whatever- guess it was Puff time!
They all seemed to freeze when she dropped down by the car- a few of the ladies even started going towards her- trying to what push her away? Weird.
"No worries guys- the toughest fighter's got this!" Again with the weird… silence. Huh. Usually they cheered or clapped when she showered off her Puffy awesomeness must have been a lot a cash in there.
The car went up super quick and … aww the poor guy must have been terrified. Huddling like he was- the bag of groceries were spilled everywhere and broken- he even was clutching his keys- poor guy probably hadn't even made it to his car before the block hit the street.
More strange….silence. They were all looking at her weird. Again that one lady tried to take her arm- another guy tried to take her other one but this guy here clearly was scared- huddled in a ball and stuff.
"Hey dude- it's okay ya know- the Powerpuffs saved the day and stuff you can get up now!"
Silence. She frowned and again the old lady made this weird little whimper and the guy was saying something but Buttercup wasn't listening - the guy was young- maybe a little younger than Daddy but well judging from the baby stuff coming out of the bag he had a kid waiting for him so he needed to get up now duh!
"Dude." She poked him. "Dude c'mon man. Wake up."
What the... ?
"Sweetheart- sweetheart come away now. Sweetie c'mon you need to-." She shook the old lady off. Lay off! Weirdo! What was this guy's deal?!
"Dude- Come. ON! It's safe now! Gte up already!"
Silence. And… whoa… he was really… not moving. Why wasn't he moving… why….? He… He had a baby somewhere- look at the boxes! Those all had cute smilin' babies all over em'! Why wasn't he getting up! Why wasn't he getting up to go to his baby! What … What…
"Sir… Sir get up! Sir get up right now!" She shook him but even with her strength he didn't even flinch- why… why was-!?
"S-Sir?" She whispered
"Someone call Miss Bellum! Get her father- for Christ's sake she's just a kid She shouldn't be seeing this!" The lady screeched and suddenly Buttercup was in the air- scooped up like a rag doll in some cop's really strong grip and...was being walked away.
BUt… no! NO! She couldn't leave! The guy needed help! He was hurt! He was hurt she was a Puff! People didn't get hurt on her watch! She saved the day before bedtime! SAVED THE DAY BEFORE BEDTIME!
….Why was he getting a blanket? Why did they put a blanket over his head!? What… What… no… no she'd seen them do that on TV but… B-but… but but but but-!
"Buttercup…?"
She opened her eyes- she hadn't even been aware she'd closed them...and pink and blue were in her sight. Bubbles was clutching a stuffed… shark and Blossom just stared at her with one of those unreadable expressions on her face.
"... What are you two doing up?" Her voice sounded raw and harsher than usual- she must have fallen asleep after all. So what- was this a scolding then? Shirking Puffy duties- another fucking screw up by Buttercup to add to her extensive fucking list!
The blonde didn't answer she only hopped on the couch and snuggled her way under Buttercup's arm and whimpered. Buttercup gave Leader Girl another strange look but the eldest Puff was only silent still- even as… she had begun dabbing at Buttercup's cheeks… because said Pink one's beau was making this entire apartment into a furnace so of course she was sweating like a pig and-...
"...The quarantine went through." Dab. Dab. "The alert came a few minutes ago."
"...How many?" Buttercup whispered. Her sister didn't answer her right away- she only took the large oversized blanket off the top of the couch and...spread it over the three of them...and the commander and leader mirrored the blonde only scooting further into the middle, an arm over both of them. A true Puff huddle.
Which meant something terrible had happened.
"... forty-three." Blossom whispered finally. Buttercup's blood seemed to freeze and Bubbles' little whimpers turned into a tiny sort of muffled crying. She bit her lip, hard.
"Do the boys know?" She murmured. Blossom shook her head.
"Let them 'll know soon enough." Another whisper. Another trembling of lips. And then her head went down into her knees. Bubbles' crying slowly began to get louder.
And what did Buttercup do? What could she do in situations like this.
She just held both of them tighter. What else could she even… fucking do?
-V-
Attention all Citizens: A city curfew has been put into effect and all non-essential local and state employees should stay off the streets until further notice.
Repeat a 7:30 PM curfew has been put into effect and all non-essential personnel should stay in their homes.
-V-
Butch
Someone was dead.
Someone had died on his watch.
….God damn it. Well looks like this was his first etching then. Fan-fucking-tastic. Except… no. No see. This wasn't their faults! It wasn't! Butterbabe was blaming herself over there- and no! No see- something screwy was going on in the neighborhood ya know!
That stupid waterway and that fucking pencil pusher with the big goddamn dirty rotten mouth! No see the Butch had a feeling in his gut- and unlike the sap blonde his natural intuition was never wrong. Never!
Something was rotten in the city and it had something to do with that waterway and shit! And oh when he found out what it was… when the Butch found the motherfucker responsible for this…
He'd pay.
Every single one of them would pay.
And now the whole city… was in trouble. The whole damn place was under lockdown. And what could they do? Nothin'- Squat- nada! How the fuck were they supposed to fight something they couldn't even fucking see!?
Was it a bacteria, a fucking bug or God he hoped it wasn't a fucking virus- those things… those things had no damn cure or nothin' - just… just time. Time and luck was your only fucking prayer against those things.
So what the hell was the flu in general- he couldn't remember he'd read about it once- but once was a long time ago and he couldn't even remember what he had for breakfast this morning… did he even have breakfast? What time was it for God's sake!? He couldn't remember a fucking thing- fuck it even hurt to blink right now!
Sleep. Yeah okay. Sure Butterbabe- when it didn't kill to close his damn eyes and his head didn't get hit by an onslaught of fuckin' jackhammers as soon as he even tried maybe he'd sleep!
Dead. Someone's dead. And it's your fault.
You fucked up. You didn't stop it.
He'd never… known someone...dead before. Well… he hadn't known the guy per say-... the only time he'd seen the guy was when Butters had rushed him out of the jellyfish….tentacles and…
… How hadn't she been stung? ...Wait a minute!
He shot up. How… how the fuck hadn't Butters been stung?! She'd dived right in there like some kinda-!
The sword was right through her hand- like… she wasn't even there…
Those irises blazed. Glowing with a sick green… light.
… Butch knew what he'd seen. She hadn't brought it up since but… fever or no fever The Butch knew what he knew and he knew he saw what he saw!
Whatever…. what he saw actually was.
Could that be how she hadn't gotten stung? Had she gone all… see through down there in the pit dragging the poor sap-... probably wasn't very hero like to call an uh… deceased person a sap so… yeah never mind scratch that.
Scratch all of it… because fuck his head hurt. It just everything hurt… EVERYTHING!
He hadn't felt this fucked up since… Ugh. Don't think about that either. Just… don't even think. It hurt to think. It hurt to think about flu strains, and hot puffy counterparts with creepy glowy eyes and… ghost hands.
Yeah… his head hurt… too much to-.
Sleep.
-o-o-o-
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MAKE IT STOPPPPPPPPPP!
Screaming. Yelling. The whole room almost echoed with the baby's screams - god damn it couldn't they put a muzzle on the wuss already!
Butch scowled and turned his gaze to the one other person in the room- just as heavily bandaged… well okay actually Boss was worse because of that hunkin' Schnoz of his coming out to say Sup bitches! Like it was so freaking welcome ya know? Like any of them had even asked for this crap! Butch had lived his whole life without fingers and toes thanks he didn't need em' then and he didn't need em' now!
The sobbing continued- Brick's grip on his book was like steel but every shrill scream of agony that escaped from the upstairs loft…
I'M GONNA DIE! I'M GONNA DIEEEEEEEEE-!
The book slammed shut and Butch even jumped a bit from just how pissed Brick seemed to be right then.
" WILL YOU SHUT UP!" The eldest Rowdy bellowed. " You're not gonna die Boom you're not allowed to! Now Quit your bellyaching and take your fucking pain meds!"
Butch was silent… someone had to tell him but-.
" We're out! We're all out!" Boomer emerged from his makeshift fortress of solitude and leaned over the rail and fuck his little bro looked like shit. Trembling hands and his foot was all swollen and gross and… shit.
Brick sure looked even more pissed. He took a few steps back. " What… Whaddya mean we're out! You told me we had a full fucking-!"
" We li-I-ied! You wouldn't-" he swallowed hard and Brick raced up the stairs, grabbed the blonde and plopped him on the couch. Covered in sweat- the bandages hadn't been… fucking little shit!
" Boomer." Brick said in a very different kind of voice.
" You needed it." He squeezed his eyes shut and the crack was audible. Butch felt his hands go clammy and cold as his little bro cried out again and there went his foot and and fuck… aw fuck man this was inhumane! This wasn't fair!
Leave it to fucking Boomer to pull a stunt like this! Yeah Boss had had a bad day a few days ago and his whole face had been… but… b-but see no! No! Boss was Boss for a reason! He didn't need no help or… or anything! He'd only agreed to finally take a pain pill after…
Dumb and Dumbest here had… told him he didn't need it…
God damn it Boomer.
The Rowdy Boss signaled to Butch and he took his place by the blue one's side while he started ripping open cabinets and drawers.
" Boss- we're out. We don't have-."
" Not What I'm looking for-." He hissed. " C'mon you senile monkey- where'd you leave it this time!" Another hiss and then finally after opening the bread box managed to find…
Butch gulped. " B-Boss. Big Bro…. Brick man I don't think that's a good idea what if the monkey-!"
Brick ripped open the wallet completely ignoring him. "I don't give a shit! The old man won't even remember how much he had in here anyway now here!"
He slapped the bill on the table. Butch looked at it.
" That should be enough. Go get some fucking pain meds from the store and make it quick!"
Butch still hesitated. "... code says we ain't sposed' to steal no more."
Brick scowled. " it also says we never leave a fellow Rowdy to… to shit like this either! Rowdys stick together- no matter what."
No matter what…
He had to find him. Boss was here somewhere! He had to be!
And that moron Believe too- guess Butch had to worry about finding that idiot too. Tch- fucking moron. Imagine- following "Brick" on A secret mission- Tch. He's been sayin' it all along- something about the guy just meant trouble.
He was prob after Red. Or somethin' like some kind of jealousy or whatever like her bitchiness Slutsy Morefucks' had with the girls in general.
It was lame and pathetic and fucking figured that trash family had something to do with this! That bastard and bitch had high tailed it outta the city sure damn fast! What were they afraid of some good ole' Rowdy Retribution!
Good… they should be. Because no one… no one got away with what that bitch did. Not on the Butch's watch. Not with Boss Woman! Not with Brick's girl!
As soon as this was over oh were he and Boom gonna have a talk with that sniveling little-!
The scream was shrill. Loud and… distinctly… Puff like.
Boomer stopped dead in his tracks. They stared at each other. Then over in the direction where Red had gone and hollered bloody murder.
The dumb ass bolted - full speed at a run and Butch followed right behind.
That scream… didn't sound good- it didn't sound good at all- oh God what if she'd found-!?
The door crashed open from Boom's kick and… oh hell no. OH… HELL. NO!
Boomer roared like some kinda angry dog and lunged- the Pink Puff fell and then clung to Butch with an iron grip that-!
The strings fray more
Beware the Rift… Beware…
"The hell do you mean by rift… the hell is a Rift!? What's goin' on- who the hell are you!? Who-!?"
Silence. Aw hell. Now what!? Now what was his crazy cough syrup induced trip gonna show him now!? What was-!
Boss didn't say anything. Neither of em' did. They were arguin' but it was… quiet. Like some kinda old black and white flick- but Believe the turd looked pretty pissed and Boss was arguin' with him alright- and the loser… just kept shaking his head- and pointin' but… Boss was holding something. Wait…
Hey wait a minute. They weren't even beat up yet. They'd come out looking like… well shit. But here… there was nothin' wrong with em… like…
...Was this… before they'd gone in? But how was-?
"I don't want my brothers anywhere NEAR this place!"
"Then let me go with you or I call them! You're not going alone Jojo!"
...Huh…
Wait… but why would Believe-?
Rule three… a Rowdy never leaves his boys high and dry.
No matter what…
"He wouldn't let me call!"
The strings fray…
"He wouldn't let me call!"
Beware… the Rift.
Brick stared straight ahead- alone… and no matter how much Butch tried he couldn't move.
He could only watch as his big brother… just reached out for that sword.
And… didn't see that shadow… that shadow right behind-!
Beware…
"No… No!"
It was closer. But… Boss was just fixed on that rusty piece of junk…
Butch…
"No! Boss… Boss Don't-! Don't touch that! Get out of there!"
U
Closer… ever closer.
Butch… wake up man!
"BRICK. STOP!"
He couldn't hear him. The shadow was almost on top of him! But Butch couldn't move!
BUTCH!
Brick finally seemed to realize something was there- he whipped around- the sword in his hands but…
Beware… the Dark
His brother fell down- and that shadow… it just… it just - and then he was gone. He was GONE?!
"NO! NO BRICK! BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!"
God damn it- WAKE UP IDIOT!
SPLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH
"WHAT THE FUCK THAT'S COLD!" He bellowed. Butters only rolled her eyes and shrugged.
" You were yelling like a moron. Now hold still."
Butch scowled, folded his arms and jerked his head away but she just grabbed it and stuck the damn thermometer in his mouth anyway.
…. stupid sushi.
" The hell were you yelling about?" She demanded. " Seriously, you're lucky you didn't wake everyone else up."
Dream. It'd been another dream. Just.. just maybe he was sicker than he thought. He should just lay low. Just… none of it was real… it was just a-.
" Well?" She snapped.
A dream…. Just a nasty… no big deal of… a dream.
"... nothin'."
-V-
"Ace! Ace man what are ya doin-!? What- What's goin' on! No Stay away! STAY AWAYYYY!"
He sneered and once again was forced to block out that pitiful wailing happening around him. It was likely a painful process. The Gods only knew how painful his own had…
He clenched his fist. It had not been… pleasant no. Wielding his destiny. Being confronted by fate. But yet…
He was a warrior with a mission. The screaming of the weak - minded should not… did not affect him! Not when his goal was so close… so close he could near touch it. Touch that soft skin and someday even… feel a warm hand close over his own cold flesh.
"Accccce! IT HURTS! WHAT ARE YOU-!"
The fools were readying their final preparations of sorts… readying to make their final move and collect their final member before…
His eyes trailed back to the young woman on the screen- the moving images vanished and replaced only with a still picture. But even there one could see the determined and ferocity in her lime colored gaze.
" Aw shut up Arturo! Stop bein' a big baby will ya! It ain't that bad!"
"Duhhh yeah- ain't that bad!"
"GRRRRRRRZPT!"
The crying only got louder. He frowned.
The girl was… a problem yes. But these wretches… what… had they to do with her? Why would the Master seek… such a group of imbeciles… to subdue… what was clearly their biggest threat in… their goal.
She was a powerful foe… but the Master nevertheless seemed to think… these cretins could be… useful of sorts in...subduing her but…
There was supposed to be thought in War- despite the chaos that could be unleashed… nevertheless one had to maintain some initial control. Some semblance of order.
These cretins however… there was no method to their madness. Nothing. They were acting like the ravenous beasts they were being turned into. The transformation of sorts wouldn't take long would it… fueled by nothing but spite.
He frowned. He did not like it. The way this entire thing was being...handled. It was guaranteed to be unnecessarily violent and unhinged. Any campaign waged only in the name of something as petty as revenge would be so.
She would not like it. She had always been so… kind hearted. Gentle. She had wept true tears over the fallen and tales of his prowess in the battlefield had not moved her to admiration like…. Others had been.
His mouth curled somewhat in a wry sort of grimace. They'd exchanged…harsh words on the subject in fact.
"You take pride in how many widows you have created! How many children you have left orphaned? How many mothers you have made weep at their son's graves! How many fathers- sisters, brothers! Did you ever think… of the consequences of your conquests My Lord? Or did you only think of the spoils…"
She gestured in disgust to the pile of gifts… he had brought her. Pretty things. Lovely things- silks, gems! All things any young woman would want!
She hadn't even given them a glance. Had not even asked they be described to her! Once again his efforts had not been enough.
" Did all this finery then come from one of those widows, one of those daughters, mothers-." Her painted lips twisted in a grimace. " you seek to win me with the spoils of the dead!"
" It… was a skirmish. A rebellion against-?"
" And so they had to die…. because they defied you?""
"... not me-."
She turned from him. " Leave me. And take these trinkets with you. Seduce one of your other simpering fool with them!" Her voice cracked before she turned from him.
He stared agog. A-Another? No! No how could he ever- compared to his love?!
Never. No woman compared to his La'el and none ever could.
… she doubted him then? Doubted the sincerity of his intentions and love for her? Then once again he would have to soothe her. Reassure her of his constant devotion and love. Remind her she had nothing to fear in that regard.
He smiled and gave her his most reassuring face but at her blank look… oh yes. Right she could not err...see… his sincere and everlasting feelings now could she?
He hated that wretched thing. That cruel torture disguised as the softest and most luxuriant of silk that rested over her exquisite face. She frowned and her red lips pouted in distaste as she turned her body from him- those little delicate fingers resting on the tree behind her as she… not again!
" La'el!" She sneered and pulled her arm free from his grip.
" Release me at once." Her voice was cold. " I have memorized these gardens quite well thank you. I have no need." Again she ripped her wrist free. "For assistance. My Lord." He flinched from the formality. " And if I did in fact need aid I would "not" ask it of you."
"... La'el if this is about the celebration last night-!" She paused as he continued, " My Love you must know that since I have come to know you I have never accepted the amorous advances of another woman!" He increased his grip. " No other woman compares to you my Love. They can continue to try but I shall never forsake-!" He paused. "... What is the matter my love?"
She stiffened. " So there were… others at that… gathering last night?"
The air seemed to chill.
"... I…. well… yes?"
" And these others… wished for a place in your bed no doubt… my love?" Her voice was… icy.
"... some did yes but-!"
" Yes?"
"... you… were never far from my thoughts! My love, my sweet and delicate flower- my-!"
" And did you "welcome" this… my Love?"
….. he cleared his throat. The drinks had been flowing long into the night and it had been a long time since… since…
" My Lord?" Her voice was suddenly like warm honey again. His beautiful love. His intended. His… untouched…
The blow was instant. He ended up on his behind in the ornamental pond in one direction.
While his beloved… went storming away in the other.
He rubbed his...cheek. His Love… had had quite the err… temper at times he supposed one could say.
As well as… a jealousy streak. Flattering but… he rubbed his cheek again. It had taken much… effort to restore himself to her good graces after that particular incident. He'd practically showered her with all the most beautiful and sweetest smelling flowers he could find! Many…many...
Blossoms.
It was… strangely fitting. Such a name. She had been so fond of them- always finding her way however sight unseen…. To…
You have become one of them.
His fist clenched.
He had not succumbed. Not like those fools back there. No he was above this. Above these wretches! Above them all!
His motives were pure! He had made a vow:.. a promise and…
The loud laughter echoed in his ears. Loud… raucous… and cruel. As well as the wailing.
The Warrior that he was and had been was used to the wails of the dying. He had fought many a campaign… he must have. Why else were his hands so used to the heavy weight of a warrior's blade.
Yes… yes he had. If he thought long enough, swelled hard enough-... he could just see it. Brief flashes of victories… triumphs. He'd been a powerful warrior indeed.
His mouth curled wryly. His skill was undeniable. Unlike some fools he himself at least knew how to hold a sword in the proper position. Not simply fling it around and pray one finally hit something solid enough to do damage.
...The wretch had gotten lucky. He had been lucky. Not so the next time. Oh no. Never. He would rue the day he dared stand in this warrior's way! To come between true love!
He had killed for lesser offenses. The boy would learn. They all would learn.
Or they would die.
You have become….one of them.
-V-
Run. Just run!
RUUUUUUUN!
What was goin' on!? Where was everybody!? The whole place was dead silent- but this was… this was Downtown in this dump! There were usually all kinds of happy go lucky regular people around here! Smiling all weird and hell even singing about… he didn't know- hot dogs or something!?
But now… no. There was nobody around. How long… how long had Snake been running? Had it all been a dream? A nightmare!?
… No. No he'd seen it. He'd seen Billy and Grubs and now Arturo too! He'd seen em'...
His friends. His buds! His gang!
His… family.
They were… they were….!
And then there'd been… Ace.
His leader. His buddy. His…
No. The fuck was the point now. He wasn't his old friend anymore. No. Ace Copular was gone. And he had been gone for… for…
The dump was empty. No one was going to see this. No one would…
She was… a kid. She was only a kid! What was he doing?! What the hell was Snake DOING!?
Bella just… she just looked up… and she looked so damn...s-small. Small and her big eyes were just getting bigger and bigger while she looked up at…
"Daww… Bella-Bella- my lil' Bella- nuttin' personal BuddaBabe- you knows you were's always my fav and all but… hey this is jus' business ya knows- you's wants your ole' pal Ace to get in the big leagues don't chu's?"
All he got was a muffled reply. Sounded like a swearing fit. But- it didn't seem to faze his… friend. Not one bit. BUt… this… this was Bella!?
Their Bella! She was one of them! She was a part of their gang- their posse- their goddamn FAMILY! How could-!?
No… No this wasn't-!
"Bosssss- Bossssss thissss ain't rightttttt! This isssss Bella! You can't hurt Belllllla!"
The hit was nasty and he fell to the ground- had Ace just-!? Bella started screeching more from behind the gag- and struggling with the bike chain Snake had… oh God what had he-!? Ace sneered and cocked the gun.
"Shut up Snake! Bella here- she knows the deal- this is nuttin' on her- hell in diff circumstances she woulda made hell of a Green memba but-." He shrugged and pressed the muzzle on the petrified teenager's head.
"Sorry BuddaBabe- like I said- nuttin' personal- but meh okay so maybe not "sorry" but you's gets my drift don't you dollface? Tell you's what- I'll name my first ferrari' after you kay sweetie?"
"Ace… Ace… SSSTOP!"
"Snake just- HEY! What you'd doin' you idiot!? Leggo!"
But Snake didn't let go. He didn't follow orders. And he wasn't gonna no more! Not these kinds! The GangGreen Gang had done a lot of things but murder wasn't one of them! No! NO!
"I'M NOT LETTING YOU HURT BELLLLLLA! RUN! RUN BELLA! I'LL HOLD HIM OFF!"
"Like hell you will you stupid's traita! How's about I kill you next you stupid-!"
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
All three of them whipped around to see those bursts of pastel lights-.
"HEY YOU STOP!" Huh? Snake blinked and well- stopped. Had someone finally-!?
The flashing lights… uh oh. Wrong lights! It's the Coppa's! Oh great! Just what Snake needed- Not! No the only light he neeeded to find was-!
"Hey! Stop!" Another cop was suddenly behind him. "What are you doing outside- there's a-!? HEY COME BACK HERE!"
Like hell! He knew what Coppa's meant! And if he got caught now he'd never find Bella! And if he didn't find Bella then he'd never save-!
"Easy there! Easy there sir." Huh!? Who the-!?
The people surrounding him didn't look like cops but… what did cops wear white now? What was-!? HEY!
The cuffs were around his wrists and LIKE HELL!
"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHINGSSSSSSSS!" He bellowed. "HELP! BELLA! BELLA!"!
"We got a code Green here- bringing him in now."
"NO! LEMME GOOOOOO- LEMMMMMME GO! BELLA! BELLA HELP! BELLA YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ME! I NEED TO FIND BELLA! BELLLLLLLLLLAA!"
-V-
Mitch Michelson
[Signing in: WELCOME Mitchrocks4eva- entering private group chat [ NORMS]
HockeyMaster91- is online
HockeyMaster91: Everyone here?
MitchRocks4Eva: I don't see Robb anywhere yet.
HockeyMaster91: yeah that makes me nervous. She was sneezing today.
MitchRocks4eva: O_O - Like… bad sneezing?
HockeyMaster91: -_-;;; - Sneezing is usually not a good thing Mitch.
HockeyMaster91: also… really? You changed your name to THAT?
MitchRocks4Eva: Well I mean- where's the lie? ;p
HockeyMaster91: *eye roll* - yeah ok. Be serious please Mitch. This is a serious situation.
MitchRocks4Eva: Fiiiiiine. Jeez. Just trying to break the tension a bit…."Hockey master"
HockeyMaster91: …. Shut up.
[MitchRocks4eva has changed their name to: SexyBeast91 ]
HockeyMaster91: REALLY!
SexyBeast91: Well I ammmmmmm.
HockeyMaster91: … I'm calling her. This is ridiculous. Something's wrong.
KendoQueen2011- is online
KendoQueen2011: Hold your horses Mikey- I'm here. Ginger kept trying to get outside- the words "enforced quarantine" do not apply to mice hunts apparently. -_-;;
HockeyMaster91: No comment.
KendoQueen2011: Don't you diss my kitty.
HockeyMaster91: She's not the brightest bulb honey.
SexyBeast91: Robb I have to agree- this IS the cat that ran head first into a bee hive and Mikey had to save it.
KendoQueen2011: … Don't diss my cat and Mitch the fuck are you doing?
SexyBeast91: Messing with the worrywart is just so much fun though!
HockeyMaster91: for the love of… yeah screw this. Hold on.
[HockeyMaster91 is requesting to open a Video chat - (Do you accept?)
KendoQueen2011: Yeah good point - h/o.
KendoQueen2011 is requesting to open a Video chat- (Do you accept?)
[ You have accepted both Video chat requests- starting chat room]
" Down Maggie! This is business-!"
" Oh is that Maggie? Hi puppy!"
" … if that's a puppy to you Robb then what the hell is a-?"
"... can we focus please! Down! Down Maggie!"
The large canine clearly wasn't interested in listening to Mr. Believe- in fact she kept trying to lick the camera probably trying to get to them. The orange cat sitting primly in Robb's lap at least showed some dignity.
Must have been nice having a pet. But well Mitch couldn't really blame the city ordinance banning him from owning animals until he was eighteen… frustrated child acting out or not...he had turned a sweet lovable hamster into a monster for a time…and that monster had broken things… expensive… things.
Errr- anyways! Right uh- embarrassing childhood stories aside- it was time to get down to business!
The city was… under lockdown. An official Quarantine and people were starting to well panic. Understandable of course but Mitch's phone had not stopped ringing for hours- he had no doubt Robin and Mike were suffering under the same problem. All being bombarded with the same question.
Where was the X Team?
Now to get something very clear here- the Norms were not the Team's keepers. They were allies- they were the human support system behind the X antics. They had their roles- and sure maybe some of them could be accused of being a little...too overzealous… in their duties- not naming names of course but masked or not- the city unfortunately, or maybe it was fortunately, in many cases the Norms would know first the deal as trusted confidantes and friends.
But alas this was not one of those times. The trusted neighbors, classmates, best friends and in one case "little brother" as it were were completely in the dark here.
… and it was frightening.
Professor U had locked himself in his lab according to Robb. The Team had vanished with paltry pathetically transparent rehearsed texts after their every twenty fifth one and now even those had ceased.
Butterscotch at least hadn't insulted him by even attempting it. She had gone completely silent instead. Which was not what Mitch had wanted and frankly he didn't like that either.
A-Achoo!
...Oh God. Robin wiped her nose and Mike had gone white as a sheet in that little square picture in the corner- even Maggie the dog had seemed to tense at the sound-
"Honey…. Are you feeling okay?" Believe said slowly. Robb sighed and gathered her cat up closer.
"I'm fine Mikey- it's just allergies- Mum had just started spring cleaning when this crap popped up and well- the dust has nowhere to go." She buzzed her lips. It was a lame excuse and Mitch would have been disappointed in Mr. Believe here if he'd fallen for it. Another sigh. This time exasperated.
"I'm fine boys- it's just allergies. Stop panicking." She rolled her eyes.
"It's a little hard not to in these circumstances." Mitch mumbled.
"Especially when the last time I heard - "I'm fine stop panicking"- the guy ended up on the floor in front of me." Believe added dryly.
"... Touche. But I'm fi-." Mike glared at his webcam and she cleared her throat. "I'm not sick. So boys really. Down. Focus on the task at hand. What can we do to-?"
"Nothing. It's all over Faceplace Robb- you and I both know what that means- and I think you've used your social media miracle for the year already." Both the brunettes on screen flinched - obviously for different reasons but the principle remained the same.
Mitch… wasn't about to pull a "Greens" moment here- even though one of the key factors of that mystery was right in front of him ( sort of ) and couldn't escape ( easily) - but… from what he had heard…
[ You have recieved a DM from KendoQueen2011-
KendoQueen2011: Should we ask him?
SexyBeast91: …. I honestly don't know. The mood he's in… I mean anyone but you would likely get their heads cut off. Or at the very least thrown in the air and have a very hard landing…
KendoQueen2011: Good point.
SexyBeast91: ….. I'm also leaving you with the privilege of telling him what's going on on the news…
KendoQueen2011: 0_o …. Are you crazy?! I'm not saying a damn word! The last thing we need is an enraged Psychic on the loose right now!
SexyBeast91: -_-;;; - Robin… sweetie pie… how exactly do you intend for Mr. Believe to not see it-?
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS SHIT!?" The roar echoed even through Mitch's tiny laptop speakers.
SexyBeast91: Case in point.
KendoQueen2011: … Frigg.
Daryl Howard, former city hall employee now under "paid leave" was spouting his mouth again. The investigation into the mysteriously open waterway was obviously heating up and well… he was now playing the blame game. Again.
"The so-called "Reds" are solely responsible for this disaster! Had they been more responsible in their duties instead of acting like a bunch of entitled brats- typical of their generation really- then the city would not be suffering under this new threat! I am demanding as a citizen of this city a full and thorough investigation into the X Team and their actions that night- instead of taking from their obviously biased testimony. As a citizen, I have the right to know what we're- by the way- PAYING for!"
"….Mr. Howard. You have no idea the hell you have unleashed upon your head." Mitch muttered to himself while Robin jumped into action- trying to calm the furious psychic down ( whoo boy those eyes were white) and… well fuck.
It was bull. The Faceplace feed was full of people screaming- the phone records had been publicly released just days ago before the quarantine had even been a thought in anyone's mind. The comments were vicious- and god help them all when Blossy Boo saw them. She'd go into a nervous collapse at this point. The poor kids were doing their best but frankly despite what Mr. Howard's roving eyes had seemed to think- the X Team was sixteen as a whole. Their birthday was-... well the girls celebrated in the summer but when was the Boys-? Did they have one? …. Note to self look into that later but anyways!
Of course the city wanted answers and unfortunately for Mr. Howard… they could care less about the phone records- as well as the testimony of the only two witnesses both being in the sheer speed the X Team had shown in getting there as well as the chaos - oh no that wasn't the issue.
No siree- see a whole new can of worms had been opened with this one.
The sushi themselves were the topic of choice. What they were. And where they came from. It had been the hotbed of debate for months- and people were growing impatient. Which would turn into anger. Which would turn into chaos soon enough. The people wanted answers- hell Mitch wanted answers!
"Mikey you can't just pull a Batman on the guy- that's illegal." Robin sighed and oh right- Mitch should probably jump back into this conversation now shouldn't he?
"Believe- c'mon man I get you're pissed- hell we all are but no one is listening to the guy so-?" He wheedled but the psychic wasn't having it.
"You didn't see what I saw." He hissed. "Jojo's right- something is rotten here. And it reeks of entitled rich bastard bullshit." He jumped from his computer chair. "And I'm going to stop it damn it- with or without the fucking mask!"
"Saw…? Mikey what are you-?"
[HockeyMaster91 has left the chat]
Robin and Mitch gave each other a look via webcam and then-.
"Mikey… Mikey don't do anything stupid-! God damn it! Sorry Mitchy!"
[KendoQueen2011 has left the chat]
… Fuck their lives.
-V-
Buttercup
Click. Click. Click.
Another pitiful moan and she almost rolled her eyes. Milking it was he? – of course he was. Well he'd had his dose for the hour- so he'd just have to fall asleep again. Poor baaaaby.
Click. Click. Click.
Still groaning. Her eyes narrowed.
"The hell is your problem? Go to sleep you big baby- it'll be over soon."
Click. Click. Click.
The groaning was getting worse. She grit her teeth and his breathing was getting wonky. Ugh. Fuck it. He probably hadn't taken the entire dose- hid it under his tongue, curled it and then spat it out disguised as a cough.
…What she'd do anyway. How she got out the nasty bubble gum and shit flavor- which was bull by the way- that shit wasn't tasty. Blech.
"Okay dumb ass." She popped the cap. "Open wide. C'mon."
He groaned and shook his head. She frowned.
"Butch I ain't kidding. I'll shove it in."
….No lewd innuendo followed that. She frowned. "C'mon Butch. Your bros are all getting better cause they took the goop without a fight. C'mon now."
"No." A mutter and his head went in the pillow. "Sleeeeeep."
"No. Meds." She plopped down on the bed. "Then Sleep. C'mon ya big baby." Well if he wasn't gonna cooperate then Nurse Buttercup would just have to make him cooperate. And not in the pleasurable way the creep probably fantasized about.
Ugh. Men.
His head was hot. Slick with sweat and those obnoxious spikes were history. Good. Flat head was better than Cartoon head. (Seriously) She pulled him up. His eyes were glazed and unfocused and ugh- yup his teeth were stained pink- that was a classic sign and how Buttercup had been caught years ago. Tch. Amateur.
"You need to learn the basics before you try fooling the master." She muttered and he groaned. "Butch. It ain't that bad. Open."
Another shake. Ugh. It was like a child.
"Butch. Open."
"Noooo." Plop. He looked absolutely repulsed and were it not such a dire time she'd have burst out laughing.
"I thought Bubs finding out that jerky wasn't tofu was a face." She snickered. "C'mon. If you're good and take your meds like a good boy- I'll even throw in a nice ice cream from the park."
"Mmm… Nachos…" He muttered. She snorted.
"Okay fine. Nachos. C'mon one more spoon. X is just the best when it comes to fighting off everything- including meds huh."
"Awww shut uppppp." Another whine but at least he opened his mouth like a good boy. "This shits grosssss."
"Deal with it." She retorted. He groaned and slumped back on his pillow.
"Why you have to be so mean…"
"Because I'm Buttercup Utonium." She drawled. "You want nice and sweet- the blonde is next door but I doubt the other blond will appreciate that and he might bite." Another groan.
"I don't want blonde…" He muttered.
"Oh well that's good to hear- love triangles ain't my thing." She shrugged. "Redhead wouldn't recommend either- see that puppy I know will bite."
A weak little laugh that was such a ghost of his usual cackle it almost made her flinch.
Click. Click. Click.
"What you making?"
She snorted, "A chastity belt cover. There's no way Pink and Baby Blue won't be fitted for them by Father Unit after this."
"…Not you?"
She snorted. "What reason- unlike pigtails and Bow lady I can keep my hormones in check – especially when I don't see what the fuss is about in the first place."
Another ghost chuckle, "… My Bros are hopeless." He murmured.
Click. Click. Click.
"… Duh. But somehow they've got my sisters completely ga-ga over the pink one-."
"Liked… for a long time." He mumbled again. She frowned.
"Yeah and I don't know why." Asshole. She was still pissed. Sushi didn't change a liar from a liar. Just saying!
"… Always been looking out for her." She stopped her knitting.
"… Scuse' me?"
He nodded. "Yeah… never noticed it fore' but… he always has."
"…You not noticing something not involving you shock." She muttered.
"…. I remember the day that Todd asshole humiliated Red with the water bucket…"
AAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHH
"THAT'LL TEACH YOU! Little albino bitch! Go back to the fucking lab where you belong Lab rat!"
"…I remember that yeah. We don't like talking about that. He was a dick…fucking psycho makes David look normal." She scowled. She still owed that turd a beating. The meds were starting to take effect- his speech was slowing down and his eyes were closing.
"Yeah… that was a shitty day… fucking bastard. Deserved what he got…" She pushed him on the pillow.
"Yeah yeah okay- go to sleep moron."
"… Play to win… Rowdyruffs… play to win." He muttered for some weird reason. She frowned. The hell…?
"…Yeah… okay. Play to win. Right. Good night there Butchy Boy- time to go do my hourly virginity check."
"Yeah… nothin… nothin' gets past you… does it Butterbabe?" She stiffened and turned.
"You know I don't like that name." She muttered. Bad memories. Not that they… ya know mattered cause past was past but…
"Why… I don't get it… you are one… what's it matter- I ain't lyin' ya know."
Aww c'mon BuddaBabe… you know I'd neva lie to ya… you's my favorite you knows… you're different ain't ya…
… It was such a sleazy thing to say- let alone stupid and moronic and… where the fuck was his fucking nasty ass leering smirk she delighted in smacking off his perverted face on a semi daily basis and HEY!?
His eyes were closed but the clamp on her wrist was like iron regardless.
"Oye lay off!" He held tight.
"You are though…" Another mumble. "You were the only one worth watchin… back on TV."
"Yeah yeah okay- you're out of your mind- go back to sleep."
"You were though… Red and Bubs… they held back ya know? I knew they were but you…you were always… my favorite."
Favorite…
She ripped her wrist free.
"Aw just shut up and don't call me Butterbabe ya moron!" She hissed.
"But you are though…"
"No… I am not." Another hiss. Son of… how dare he… how fucking DARE HE! "Yeah I'm hot as hell but I ain't no one's Butterbabe- Got it!"
She grabbed her knitting and her needles and slammed the door behind her.
Fucking… bastard.
Out of his goddamn mind- what the fuck kind of right did he have in saying that kind of shit to her! What were the spikes some kind of antennae or whatever so without them his whole fucking brain was scrambled or something?!
Stupid… Stupid MORON!
"Buttercup?"
She whirled around but Bubbles only cocked her head in that naively innocent gesture she'd simply mastered over the years.
"Are you okay?"
She clenched a fist but hid it behind her back. Her sister's sharp eyes rarely missed well… anything but the blonde didn't say anything.
"…Is Butch not doing good?" She quipped.
"… The moron hasn't been taking his meds. Doesn't "taste good" – Tch." She scowled. "Fucking moron."
Bubbles only giggled, "… Sounds kinda like someone I know. Did he do the tongue trick?"
."… Tch yeah. Bastard that's mine get your own." She giggled and well… Buttercup smiled a bit too. "What are you doing up?"
"… Well I mean I had to go he bathroom… I just thought I heard the door slam-?"
….Shit.
"… Idiot's in there rambling about random shit I dunno. Sue me I'm human I got annoyed."
"Oh BC…" she shook her head and wagged a finger. "Now you know that's rude."
"… He pissed me off." She muttered but the blonde only shook her head again and then remembering her initial reason for being out of her illegal sleeping arrangement she dashed on over to the one bathroom this place had.
You's knows your my favorite Bella Bella.
"…Bastard." She whispered. "Fucking… bastard."
Whatever… she was going to sneak a cat nap. fter all "MotherButtercup's" job was never done.
-V-
Butch
This was turning out to be a crappy lunch period. His favorite period of the day… and this is what it had turned into. God damn it stop staring at them already!
I can't believe it
I mean who even does that! Poor girl. Todd went WAY too far this time.
Tell me about it.
The buzzing continued. Stupid people. The poor chick had been humiliated. Who the fuck even did that !? In the middle of fucking winter too! She was gonna get sick!
Well okay maybe not sick- X' and shit made their antibodies or whatever… pretty strong. But being drenched in ice cold water and all because the chick had told some creep to politely fuck off and stop touching her cause she wasn't into him-
Shit ain't cool. Way against the code to be honest. Puff or not. This was going to be a bad.
Butch had seen a lot of angry Brick moments in his life. Fuck he'd been -wrongfully- blamed for a lot of em' but… On the other side of the Caf' - Butch saw a familiar table - the blonde was fixed on her food and the crazy Green eyed one…
Well she looked pretty pissed.
Guess Butch couldn't blame em'- that had been… nasty. Even for a Rowdyruff Boy's standards… that shit hadn't been right.
Middle seat was empty though.
Boomer was staring down at the table- fixed on his nasty ass cafeteria food. The hell did he even try eating this shit for? He saw him keep sneaking glances at Pigtails though. Ugh… seriously?
A tray slammed down then and Butch barely looked up. He didn't have to. He knew who it was.
"Don't wait up for me after school." Brick said darkly. Boomer raised an eyebrow but returned to his lunch or what was called lunch at least. Butch only nodded. He knew what the deal was.
Everyone was looking at the table at the corner of their eye now. More specifically they were looking at Boss. Bandaged and looking like crap- at least his face wasn't swollen no more.
That didn't stop the guy from looking scary as fuck right now though. For good reason though. What a moron. That guy had no idea what hell he had just brought on himself.
He's gonna die.
You think?
Do you "see" Brick's face right now. Todd is gonna die."
"She okay?" Boomer finally broke the silence at their table. Brick only flashed him a menacing look. He gulped and once again returned to his lunch. Tch. Idiot.
"Like I said. Don't wait up for me. Scuse' me." The Rowdy Boss took his tray and trashed it before stalking off- everyone else staring at the door he stormed out of.
Todd is gonna diiiiiiiiie.
Boss doesn't do anything… without a reason.
Chomp. Chomp.
Ugh. His brother was so nasty- sure they were Rowdys' but c'mon man- the ladies weren't gonna go for a guy with no table manners- especially madam Pigtails.
"Would it kill ya to chew with your mouth closed?" Butch muttered while he took a swig from his water bottle.
SLAM. BAM. BAM.
Boomer shrugged and took another bite out of his candy bar. Idiot.
SLAM. SLAM.
They raised an eyebrow.
"Should have known better asshole." Boomer chewed thoughtfully.
"He can't kill him. That's against the code." Butch folded his arms.
" Yeah but it never said anything about breaking a nose." Chomp. Chomp. Ugh. Gross.
" How's it feel asshole? Good? Bones breaking is just such a GREAT feeling isn't it!? Now imagine if you will this exact same chaaaaariming process only in REVERSE!"
SLAM.
Boomer whistled under his breath but Butch shrugged. The shit head should have known.
" Hurts doesn't it!"
It took a lot to make the Rowdy Boss snap. Todd should have known. He'd been playing with fire. He'd been warned. He hadn't listened. Today had been the last straw. Simple concept.
Tch. Butch didn't even like the girl and he still knew you just didn't...pull that shit with girls- any girls but especially those girls! How long did he think he had before he ended up getting nailed?
SLAM. SLAM.
Now the loser was crying. Weeping. What a loser. He was lucky honestly. Butch didn't doubt that Butterbitch would have left the shithead for dead.
The shattered nose here. That was a good warning. He was lucky Brick had gotten to him first.
Boomer raised an eyebrow at him and then finished his candy. Brick grabbed the guy by the scruff and hoisted him up.
" I'm sorry man! I'm sorry! It was a joke! A stupid joke! You're gonna- you're gonna get suspended for this ya know-!"
"You're right. I would be in danger of that except for one little thing. You had a terrible fall from the skating ramp just now didn't you- horrible really - broke your nose in… hmm three places it looks like- tough luck buddy."
" Ha! Oh yeah like i'm really gonna-!"
Brick grinned. " oh I think you are- because otherwise you are going to end up expelled or at the very least in a reform school by the end of the week." Boss retorted smoothly.
" Say what?!"
"Something tells me your very orthodox mother would be horrified if she were to see your internet history - Todd. So horrified in fact she'd find she had no choice but to send you to that one school- what is it Saint… Saint-." He snapped his fingers.
"... Saint Gabriel's?" The voice was pitifully small. Loser. Boss beamed.
" That's it! That's the one pal! Glad we're on the same page!"
He was white as death. " How… How'd you… you?"
" And then another thing did you know sexual harassment online has been added to the school code of conduct? That anyone caught sexually harassing just one fellow student faces suspension but let's see here-." He dug in his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. " Let's see here… one… two, three, four… Five?" He clicked his tongue. "Five girls just this year already- you're a bonafide Casanova ain't you?" His eyes narrowed and faintly glowed. " and that was before you added Pinky to that list."
"... Pinky?" He squeaked. Boomer groaned and Butch folded his arms. Wrong move man.
SLAM
" Serves him right." Boomer murmured. " humiliating a girl like that… any girl just… that's fucked up."
" he's lucky he didn't go for the blonde then eh Boom?"
Boomer narrowed those cold navy eyes. " Don't even joke about that." He hissed. Jeez touchy.
"Now Todd- here's how it's going to go. You had a bad fall from the skating ramp GOT IT!"
"I-I got it man!"
SLAM.
"Just remember open your big mouth or harass another girl ANY girl like this again and this all gets sent to Momma Dearest and Keane! Got it!"
" I… I got it! I got it!"
" Good. Now fuck off."
Didn't have to tell the guy twice apparently- he was out of there!
" Shit. Shame he's a dick head. He'd be good on track." Again the blonde gave both of them a strange look. " So… Big Bro. You really gonna let him get away with this scot free you broke his nose."
" Tch. He won't have an ounce of credibility left. The emails and screenshots are already in his mother's inbox as well as Keane, the rest of faculty and the entire PTA board." He smirked.
"... you're terrible." Boomer snorted.
Brick shrugged then swiped Butch's water bottle- Hey!
" Rowdyruffs don't play fair. We play to win." He tossed his head to the side. "Lets go."
They followed after him.
Boss doesn't do anything… without a reason.
Should have known better than to break the Code asshole…
Butch…
Hey. Wait…
Where's…. This wasn't the park.
Butch….
The place was quiet. Wherever this was…. Now that he looked though… yeah - this was… the dump? Why was he at the-? Way too quiet.
Step. Step. Step.
He froze. The hell? Butters? Was that … Butters? Who was she...with?
He was tall and she… looked kinda small compared to the guy. And she looked… kind of uncomfortable too… rubbing her arm like she was. He frowned… something wasn't right.
C'mon Buddababe… you know I'd never hurt ya-.
...Butters? Why the fuck was she standing with-?
...and why was she smiling? The...hell?
"… Butters?" he murmured. She just kept on smiling and looking up at the… creep with these… eyes. He didn't like those eyes…
"Butters!" He called out louder and she stiffened.
But the creep… the Ace guy just took her shoulder and turned her around and she just… followed him.
".,,, Butters c'mon! What are you-!?"
Silence. Wait… where the hell- what was-!
Buttercup… what the hell…?
Beware… the rift… before it consumes… us all.
"…Huh?"
Silence. It was all dark now. Nothing.
"The hell… what-the!? Hello! Hey- somebody- anybody! Someone gonna explan what the fuck is going on here- the fuck you mean by "rift"!? Hello!?"
Silence.
-V-
To: Dulce
From: Pablo
How are you holding up?
From: Dulce
Well I managed to calm Robbi down. Mike is still on a warpath and we have a potential angry Psychic alert on our hands and oh yes- Gram is still insisting she needs to come home immediately and now Mother is upset. I'm great Sweets how are you?
From: Pablo
Ouch. Okay… guess that answers that question.
From: Dulce
I didn't mean it… sorry I'm just I dunno stressed.
From Pablo:
Clearly. No worries, I heard from Robin- I've been issued a Norm alert whatever that means…
From: Dulce
… I told her not to call you.
From: Pablo:
Why? I'm a Norm now aren't I?
From: Dulce
… You don't have to be…
From: Pablo
?
From: Dulce
Sweets… you have to understand. Its…not the easiest thing to be the behind the scenes with the X Team and shit… you saw Mike and Butch- do you know how BAD that could have gotten? We're only human hon…
From: Pablo
… Dulce. I'm a hockey goalie breaks up the near fist fights with David and Mike on a daily basis- I handle breaking up the sister catfights when god forbid Gloria takes Isabella's favorite pair of socks by accident, and oh yes- I calm Miss Snyder when all the formal complaints from Princess come because she's a spiteful bitch who still trying to say we somehow cheated the election.
From: Pablo
So Nothing scares me Dulce. Nothing. Calm down. I can handle this. I'm more worried about you all.
From: Dulce
… there are times I genuinely can't believe you're real.
From: Pablo
? Why?
-V-
To: Mikey
From: Robin
Mike. You can't go pulling a Batman. That will get you arrested. Will you just answer me.
To: Mikey
From: Robin
Mikey…
To: Mikey
From: Robin
Michael. Ethan. Believe. I will call your mother!
-V-
To: Michelson
From: Mike
. Call Pablo and you both meet me at the library tonight at midnight.
From: Mike
Don't argue with me Michelson. Tweety's in the hospital. I'm bringing these fuckers down! With or without anyone's help!
From: Michelson
Duly noted.
-V-
Mitch
Dear God I hate this place.
Now there was no arguing with that tone- text or not from Mr. Believe. The unofficial true "leader" of their organization but of all the goddamn places… he had to pick the haunted one.
Ugh. God damn it- and Pablo was here too… dear lord why did Mitch's hockey hunk have to be dragged into this!?
Did he get a vote? Did Mitch get a vote in this? Yes he wanted to help- yes his sweetie was a good soul- too good for this world really- huh so this is what it felt like to be a Jojo brother- now he gets it but ugh!
Mitch had a very bad feeling right now. The entire place would be deserted- empty- silent.
And God… did Mitch just hate silence.
Even the people of the city… had seemed somewhat quieter. Subdued even the last few days before the enforced… house arrests they were more or less now under. It was like the people all in sync had suddenly realized their heroes were… gone. Mitch had even seen Brick's little friend staring up longingly into the sky- the over eager puppy forever now sporting a baseball hat (though thankfully someone had clued the mother in and gotten the kid a much more acceptable Dodgers cap than the Mets. Heaven forbid) – Mitch had followed his gaze- after all one just… sort of got used to seeing the streaks of light. The blue streaks forever on the go to another charity or volunteering event or just flying in the clouds probably hand in hand unseen- the green streaks forever racing and competing in crazy zig zags- and the red and pink usually going at a much more subdued pace than the others ( unless Brick was late for work again) and just…
The X Team… had a presence in Townsville. They were the essence of what made this place… feel safe.
He paused when it came into view. Ugh… of all the places Mikey… of all the places… why not "Janey's"- or the ice rink or hell Mitch's basement! He could have done a quick clean! Give him ten minutes!
It wasn't natural for Townsville to be so quiet. To be so… empty.
Was that why Mitch hated this place most of all? This creepy...stately building which nonetheless put him on edge upon simply walking in. Now mind you it wasn't like Mitch was scared of this building… no it was just a well-established fact mind you- that this… place was creepy.
Very creepy.
Mitch did not like creepy things. He had when he was a kid but many people had strange quirks as children- did Mitch have to bring up Glue Boy? He certainly hoped not.
Either way Mitch didn't like creepy haunted libraries- he was not pleased about this decision and he was going to be leaving a sternly worded formal complaint letter on the head librarian's desk that she needed to get an exorcism for her damn haunted library and he would gladly foot the bill if it meant-!
"Dulce?" he froze and whipped around. Oh hell. Pablo looked… deliciously rumpled- his clothes usually so neatly pressed and coordinated- why Mitch was pretty sure this was the first time he'd ever seen Mr. Mendes here look so disheveled. "Sorry I'm late Dulce- Izzy kept me be back because all her friends are panicking and she wanted to know if I knew anything and - then Mom was on the phone- and she can't say anything on the record but…"
He blinked. …Ah.
" Men in the white suits…." He murmured. Pablo nodded.
"Yeah- that's why Izzy….asked if I knew anything about it cause you know…." He trailed. Ah. Mitch shook his head
"We're civilians sweetie- we'll know when everyone else does- Something's up yeah and the team must be under a no contact order…
His brow rose. "No contact order? Why would…?"
He shrugged, "It's the only thing I can think of- I've seen this once before- the girls were under it when they got really sick in middle school but it was lifted once the Powerprof basically figured out it was… puberty and not some horrible disfiguring disease." He muttered.
That… had been horrific. He didn't like to remember that. Pablo shuddered.
"I remember that…" he mumbled. "When their…" he wiggled his fingers somewhat. Mitch nodded. "Dios Mios... I thought Bubbles was dying she screamed so loud…." Another shudder.
"Well seeing as her hand basically split apart like out of some creepy Alien movie- yeah… that wasn't fun."
"…And they all went through that… the boys too…"
"Yep… though I wouldn't recommend bringing that up- you'll put Robin into a panic attack: Mikey's probably had to talk her down already from storming the boys apartment.. You know how she is with Bubbles…"
"Is Believe the right person to trust with that- he's just as bad with Blossom…and he sounded… furious."
"And Brick. He's just as protective of the Red Puppy as he is of the pink kitten." Mitch muttered and shook his head. " Not forgetting the team in general- you know Mike "Don't fuck with my friends!" Believe is the world's worst psychic mother hen."
Pablo snorted, "Wouldn't he be a rooster?"
"Tch. No sweetheart that's Robin's job."
It felt good to laugh-at least for a second. Maybe Mitch wasn't as calm as he would have liked to think he was. Even under no contact before Butterscotch had managed to get word to him that she was gee- alive.
And now Mikey had called this….unofficial meeting. He seemed hell bent on getting answers and God only knew when you got that boy angry enough…. Tch sure Eyes are red and you're fucking dead but when eyes are white- don't even bother you're going to lose that fight.
Mitch had never realized how truly handy mood ring eyes could be when discerning how long one had left to live - and here Mikey had always scolded him for making those catchy rhymes over the years- bah.
… Butterscotch had always been amused by his brilliant… quips.
Mitch hadn't even been aware how hard he'd been clutching his backpack until he felt a warm hand on his shoulder and was met with his sweetie's too good to be true gentle smile. Oh give Mitch his smelling salts it was simply not possible for a boy to be so perfect.
"It's going to be okay Dulce. It's probably just a precaution or something." He murmured and God he wanted to believe him. No he really did but…Mitch wished he could be just as innocent as this one. Thinking the best of every situation. "Well- judging from that message though today's not the day to piss Believe off- I'd rather not end up like Graham thanks so let's go- a-ah-choo!
….And just like that Mitch's slightly better mood was… err… stifled. Pablo raised a dark eyebrow,
"… Pablo… are you okay?" Pablo groaned and rubbed his nose but flashed him a smile. '
"Fine Dulce, just allergies. Achoo!" Again…
Again… that did sound… very convincing.
"Pablo…"
Achoo!
"It's allergies Dulce." He said quickly- " Okay so really what's the deal with you and the library?"
The creeping feeling was almost instant and uggggh- not in front of Pablooooo!
It was one of the oldest buildings in the city- Mike could probably cite all the history of this place from the top of his head- nerd- but… b-but…
He hesitated again. Pablo raised an eyebrow.
"… You really don't like that place huh?" Mitch grimaced.
Fuck my life.I hate you psychic. I don't care if you're hot. I hate you right now.
"… It's not my favorite place no." He muttered. Again with the eyebrow.
"Why? I think it's cool- it's so old and everything. It's got… I dunno an ambience to it."
Haunted house you mean. He clenched his fist. The worst part was he couldn't even pretend now that oh "ghosts weren't real" blah blah- seeing as Mikey had more or less put that myth to rest forever now- thanks so much Trickster! ( Ugh horrid name- Mikey really should have called him… he could have come up with something… so much better.)
"…It just gives me the creeps." Mitch muttered.
Just get this over with. Figure out what was going on and-.
"Everything you've probably seen as a Norm but the library creeps you out? Really?" Pablo was also being way too nosy right now. Go back to being cutely adorably naïve please.
"It's just… creepy sweets." He shrugged.
"…Why?" And… again being way too curious. Ever hear the phrase "curiosity killed the cat " – or better "curiosity maims the Norm?- Yeah Mitch liked that one better. Flowed nicer. Much more accurate.
Mr. bad ass cheek scar Psychic cold certainly attest to that.
"It just creeps me out." He said quickly and kept walking. Achoo.
Uggh- again with the sneezing…
He was pulled back. Ohh- well this wasn't really the best time sweetheart but happy fun times were always welcome!-.
"Out with it Dulce." He said with folded arms. Oh…. never mind. Not fun times.
His cheeks flushed. "It's just… creepy Pablo! There's nothing to-."
"Bull." He rolled his eyes. "You didn't even flinch from Believe's… story the other day. You're not afraid of anything-."
"…Thank you but uh that's not really-."
"And a library creeps you out. I don't buy it- what's the reason?"
….Goddamn it… him and his…. very high IQ which was really kind of sexy yeah – okay so Mitch got it now Couldn't really blame Blossy - but…
"… You wouldn't believe me." He muttered. Now his sweetie rolled his big dark eyes and sighed.
"Yes and last week I was still under the impression Mike and Brick had gotten stuck in some serial killer's lair not a haunted house. Well I know better now- so nothing's too far out for me now."
"….Good Boy you're learning." Mitch muttered. "Rule one of Normhood… without proof otherwise… nothing's impossible." He groaned. "Why must you be such a fast learner? God…" He buzzed his lips. "Okay… fine… I'll tell you but…" He cleared his throat. "Promise you won't laugh first-."
"Encounter with some blind ghost bride lead to Brick Jojo of all people to come out of a haunted factory with a sword." He said dryly. "I won't laugh. Go." Touche… He waved him on. Mitch gulped and looked around- okay… no one was else was around well they wouldn't be anyway but-. Ugh… he was giving him that look and not the nice kind of look and… oh god damn it.
… No choice. He sighed.
"Okay… Okay ... Remember… that uh… thing the nurses have about the hospital at night? The one your mom was...complaining about?"
Pablo frowned but nonetheless nodded, "Yes… that's just a story-."
"So was thirteen steps Dear." He gulped and Pablo paled somewhat but nodded.
"Yeah… but Dulce… my Mother works there so-." He cleared his throat.
"The groaning hallway's never hurt anyone. It just scares em' remember?"
"Doesn't matter my Mama' works there. So all due respect where's this going?"
...Oh God. He gulped.
"Okay… So… the story… err… how do I explain this?" No really how did he explain this? He still wasn't sure of what had happened himself!
"Start from the beginning maybe?" Oh so helpful. Oh so naive…. Really did Mitch get a say in whether his Sweetie was going to be dragged into this!? Because his vote was a no thank you- Thank you! Pablo continued to look at him… strangely. Oh right… story time. He cleared his throat.
Okay… well once upon a midnight dreary… Mitchy here was up to something… quite scary-."
" Dulce. Be serious." He drawled. …Damn it. Okay…
" You're no fun- Okay basically "Mikey was an easy target back then and he… has a thing with… ghosts." Pablo gave him a dry look. "You can probably tell."
"Yeeeeah… I figured as much judging from how high the guy's voice was getting." Pablo shuddered. "Poor guy… both of em' – they should really talk to someone I think they might have… what's that called again- uh…P something…?" He snapped his fingers. "Hold on I know this- uhhh…PTSD! Yeah that's it. We talked about it in psyche-."
Mitch stiffened. " … You won't get Mikey to a shrink… trust me. He won't go. He's stubborn as a mule and something tells me Brick's the same way- trust me… we've tried Sweetie. And no offense if you don't' have pink eyes and a pretty red bow I wouldn't suggest bringing anything like that up."
Pablo seemed to concede to the point. Of course they were both traumatized- of course they needed to go talk to someone and in Mikey's case it should have been weeks ago- oh when Mitch had ever heard the word "Patches" come from the kid's mouth… god damn it…
Damn that… that… whatever was down there to hell! To Hell!
They both sighed in sync, and then Mitch continued- that look he was getting meant business clearly.
"So it was October… and Halloween and… I was a brat and a sniveling one at that who liked to torture "the geeks" and …Mikey was an easy target during that time of year." Pablo groaned. "Hey I never said I've always been the perfect angel I am now."
"Bull." Pablo shook his head. "But continue- jeez now I see where the whole – "I fucking hate Halloween fuck this holiday!" Comes from… You tortured the kid didn't you…"
"….I plead the fifth…. But-."
"HEY!"
They both froze. Oh… oh fuck.
"Hands in the air where we can see em'!"
Pablo stiffened, "Shit."
The officer looked at them blaring the flashlight in both their faces. Shit. Shit.
"You boys aware we got a curfew going on?" He snapped. Pablo was pale-oh god… the poor kid had likely never been in trouble before in his life had he!? Fuck… of course not- honors society, student council… piano lessons… fuck.
His boo's hand clamped around his own.
"I'm sorry Officer we were just-." He began. "Um… my boyfriend and I we uh… haven't seen each other all week-." Pablo said smoothly though Mitch felt the shake in his Boo's hand. He squeezed it tight.
The cop's eyebrow rose and then he narrowed his eyes. "Oh for the love of-... Okay…" He squeezed the bridge of his nose. "Okay kids…we're under quarantine right now- you're lucky it was me and not someone else- now get home. It's too dangerous to be out and about- now go. I didn't see you."
Pablo nodded quickly. "Yes sir- thank you sir. C'mon Dulce." He turned Mitch around.
"But what about-?" Mitch hissed.
"He's going to get caught too- this was a bad idea and he knew it." Pablo only hissed back and then his nose wrinkled. Mitch felt himself grow cold. The twitching continued… oh… oh no.
"Pablo. Pablo hold it." He begged in a whisper- the cop was still watching them.
He just kept twitching and oh god… okay- Run! They had to run! Before-!
ACHOO!
…. Shit.
The cop whirled around. Oh…. shit!
Calling all Units- I got two minors exhibiting symptoms- bringing them in now.
-V-
Buttercup
This was so… boring!
She'd listen to the TV or something of some modern measure for entertainment but unfortunately a fit of uncontrolled static sneezing had wiped out the power grid for the apartment and after another handy jolt via a coughing fit a mere ten minutes later- the Reds had used their elder privilege and commanded the X Team live like it was the 1800s again. Nothing electric was on in the house for fear of fire or worse.
On one hand at least they weren't being pummeled by constant bullshit blaring on the news and Buttercup didn't have to see that obese shithead blaming this entire catastrophe on- " two selfish teenagers who apparently needed to keep those nasty hormones in check."
No word of course about the mysterious cleaning scheduled for Midnight at the decommissioned waterway.
Convenient no? But it was all the horny kids' fault clearly.
So at least Buttercup didn't have to listen to her sister being subjected to a grown man's frustrated fantasies he was calling his "account" of an imaginary conversation he and Cap Boy had apparently had before the sushi call because… of course they had?
Was the moron even aware there was no way to turn the Hotline off. There was no " sleep mode" or whatever he was spouting about Brick had apparently ordered… the phone put into? Before the dance. Surrounded by witnesses including her own father. Who could all vouch for the fact the Red Rowdy had been so focused on tying the flowered corsage on her sister's wrist juuuuuuust right that the kids phone had almost been left on the coffee table. Before Leader Girl had pointed it out out. Resulting in a double check of both their phones before they'd been satisfied and then the team as a whole had sauntered out of the Utonium household, piled into Cap Boy's car and once again Buttercup had been subjected to irritatingly catchy J-Rock.
Was there any room in that chain of events for an apparent ten minute conversation between " the selfish teenage boy" and the "pleading" City Hall employee?
No. No fucking way.
Oh yeah- Bubs had also gotten a good chunk of those same chain of events on video and had been planning on posting it to FacePlace- likely tagged under something like… "OH EM GEE MY SISTER AND HER BOO ARE SO CUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE!" while she smilingly twitched with barely concealed… jealousy(?) or whatever because Little Boy Blue had apparently not gotten the memo concerning getting a corsage even though it was never a thing with the Spring Fling and shit… Homecoming yes. Flings no. But Cap Boy had gone and gotten Leader Girl one anyway to "make up for being a dick" at Homecoming (whatever that meant?) … so… yeah.
(She also sensed Believe influence in that decision as well- just as an FYI)
In conclusion Buttercup didn't blame Blossom for refusing to allow Bubbles to post said video anywhere but it would have been nice in retrospect to have that be blaring everywhere and not… this piece of flabby shit. But at least even the News had realized the entire account was nothing but rancid bullshit on a hot sunny day and were more or less commentating it as such. Even though they were still giving the shit head air time because… ratings? Whatever-
Yeah. That was she guessed one tolerable thing about enforced primitive lifestyle.
Click. Click. Click.
On the other hand though now it was getting dark and she was losing light and not being allowed to use a cell phone was a bit much. She wasn't going to break the "no contact" order! She just needed a flashlight damn it!
… she didn't suppose these idiots had candles anywhere now did they?
God she hoped he was okay. That they all were. The Norms were capable of being… overzealous sometimes. Robin and Mike were the most vocal about it but… Mitch was no doormat.
She just hoped those idiots wouldn't do anything… rash. Idiots as in Mitch and Mike. Robin wasn't an idiot… she was just… okay so " Operation Queenship" had been a horrible idea and Miss Snyder had been pretty lucky over infatuated red puppy dog instincts had conquered broody arrogant "I'm better than you because I'm wearing a cap" Brick Jojo instincts seeing as the guy was an arrogant butt head on a good day!
Honestly… the guy had an ego… disturbingly similar to Leader Girl's at times.
And it also seemed that unlike Miss Utonium - Cap Boy hadn't had a "Green" voice knocking him down a few notches at the needed times either.
But Robin understood it had been a horrible idea! Soooo- yeah she was just...err impulsively zealous! Yeah… that's it.
And the fact that Boomer and Butch had actually agreed to said… plan was…
Click. Click. Click.
… stupid kid was getting worse. Every time Buttercup had looked it was like he was sweating more and more- He was acting like a lost puppy dog himself whose master had gone and gotten a "new" puppy or something! It was… strange. The way Butchy boy had been… rambling in his sleep, going back and forth between calling out for his stupid brother not to " go" or " not leave Butch behind!" To…
Dad.
The fucking monkey. The shithead.
Mojo.
And the sicker the guy was getting the weirder his cries were. Sometimes it'd be for Brick others it'd be fucking… shithead of an excuse for a father figure-... no. Calm. Bubbles had taught that no good piece of monkey shit a lesson he'd never forget and-!
Clickclickclickclick
Idiot.
There was a sudden shuffling of steps- which soon vanished hinting at some sneaking times. She frowned. Okay- so Buttercup lied.
There was one key advantage of darkness.
It wasn't always the most… pleasant feeling spying and slipping into a strange… non solid but still solid form - "Mange" was hard to describe. She'd tried once with Twiggy but she'd lost him at " you turn into a ghost?!" - not the same thing, not even close but thanks for playing boyo! A dim glow soon began to creep in the room. She frowned- but it was a small red light and… oh look who it is!
What was Mr. Fire up to now hmm! His head was lowered and he floated past her- she folded her arms and scowled. Let's see what super-secret- classified adventure was he up to now!?
Her eyes narrowed more when he put what looked like a bag down and she saw little glints of wire and metal- he was being infuriatingly cautious about it too- sneaking around making no noise- he was just a seasoned little sneak-around dickhead wasn't he!
How many times had he made his brothers into two chumps who still worshipped the ground he walked on! Who even… as Buttercup had begun to darkly suspect - may have given their "big brother" another pseudo title that came with responsibilities Cap Boy! That particular title meant one did not lie to said brothers!
Did that apron mean nothing to him!? Was he some kind of super intelligent MORON?!
His prep complete for whatever backstabbing plan he had now the redhead got up again and once again sauntered past her- RUDE! Mange or not -RUDE! The hell did Blossom see in him?!
Sure she'd been all for it in the beginning and well fine- if he somehow managed to make her sister happy then… well fine.
But no relationship- of any sort- carnal, romantic or platonic be damned- could survive on a foundation held up by lies.
Wasn't he intelligent enough to understand that at least?
Cap Boy had paused in his odd wanderings in front of Butch's door- while Boomer's door was tightly closed- a punishable offense which Buttercup would be taking action over later - the Green Moron's door she'd allowed to remain open- get some air in.
She was a good nurse under protest. What could she say?
Again it was infuriating how clearly practiced this guy was with keeping his every movement silent as a goddamn mouse. The asshole didn't even stir from whatever dreams he was having- tossing, turning, groaning… was it any goddamn wonder she'd had to take a break?! She was human too after all! It wasn't pleasant to listen to a grown ass man whimpering like a wounded puppy!
What the-! Idiot! Shutting the door was going to put him in a sauna! Was he-?!
"You can come out now Buttercup." He said quietly while he settled back on his couch and took up his odd bag again , wait- huh?! How did he-?!
Brick's mouth twitched in a ghost of usual infuriating smirk but he tapped the bridge of his nose and… oh.
Right.
… fucking Puppy Dog.
She scowled but nonetheless emerged from the shadows and at least had the pleasure of seeing the Red Rowdy completely taken aback- dropping the mini tool in his hands. His eyes were wide but just as quickly his face returned to the normal dour serious "leader" look.
"So you can still do it." He cupped his chin. " I thought so." Another murmur. Buttercup bristled.
"How'd you even know in the goddamn first place-!" She snapped.
"Intuition." He remarked dryly. "Not to mention the fact that your body might be…" he hesitated and furrowed his brow clearly in thought before he spoke again, "Hidden." He finally seemed to settle on a word. "But you are still there including-." Another meaningful tap on his nose. OH GOD DAMN IT!
"Well….Well that still doesn't explain-!"
" Bubbles mentioned to me about you Girls' … experiment with new err…. superhero identities way back when." He coughed, " You can't blame me for being curious over where Pinky had gotten so good with uh-." Another throat clearing. Buttercup rolled her eyes.
" Little tattle tale." Another mutter. She should have known. " We were kids and we were dumb- gonna hold that over us!"
Brick only answered with a shrug, "I don't see a reason to- but it's pretty obvious to me that that sort of "disguise" of yours had to have come from somewhere." She averted her gaze. "I also find it interesting your official file still asserts you have no "special abilities"." He air quoted. " Except curling your tongue and that's clearly not the case now is it Buttercup?"
The bastard had gone into full "leader" mode. His arms were folded and it was disturbingly reminiscent of her big sister and fuck that was creepy! Stop doing that!
Instead of keeping up with it though- Cap Boy just seemed to suddenly shrug it off and resumed… fiddling with the world's smallest screwdriver or whatever.
"What no lecture?" She muttered. " Not that you have any right to give me one of course but you seem to think you do because of the color of your hair so-..."
He continued his microscopic tinkering in silence. She frowned.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I've slept enough."
Judging from the circles under his eyes she doubted that highly but frankly she was too tired herself to argue anymore. Let Leader Girl scold the guy- counterpart privilege.
"So…What are you doing?" She muttered. He paused and flicked his gaze to her briefly before returning to his tinkering…
" I got the materials I needed to get at least a few of these done." He finally murmured. "Give us some line of defense against homicidal ghosts." She frowned.
" Still working on that… internal alert then?" She'd honestly forgotten about that. He frowned more.
"In theory." Another mutter- he grit his teeth. " Of course theoretically workable on paper doesn't mean it's always going to work in the field!" He slammed the phone in disgust and he squeezed the bridge of his nose.
" You're still sick Cap Boy." She frowned.
"Doesn't matter. There's more important shit to worry about!" It was no accident of course that his gaze went back to his closed bedroom door. " Sixteen months." He muttered and her brow rose. " Sixteen fucking months… and I can't even get a fucking… simple grade school elementary circuit to work right!" This time the tool went slamming down and his head went in his hands.
…. she should be enjoying this. She had every right to slightly relish in seeing the idiot finally being cut down to size by his own obvious idiocy but….
"I don't remember grade school electricity experiments having that much math involved." She murmured. " I remember distinctly a potato and no reasonable explanation for said potato."
He snorted. " Fuck I hated that experiment." He muttered. " Mr. Pastrami was a fucking moron."
" Kenstrami Cap Boy." She shook her head.
"Well he had the personality of a piece of meat so I don't see a difference." She was the one to snort this time.
"That is an insult to the greatest deli meat around and you know it."
His eyes went skyward, "Oh horrors Miss Utonium- is Bologna a suitable substitute then? He had the personality of a piece of bologna?"
"Tch. That's still giving the bastard too much credit but I'll let it slide for now."
"How very generous of you." Hmm. The sardonic tone was there but his face was otherwise completely miserable. She frowned.
And cue the awkward silence again. Teammates… riiiight. All she saw was the guy her sister low key - read as high key- wanted to get naked at some point. Ew. She still had a hard time seeing the… attraction. He was smart yeah but he was also an ass to anyone but Leader Girl. No this male was still obviously trying to get on her good side which meant-!
" I hated that bastard." He broke the silence. "Son of a bitch made my brother's life a living hell." He muttered.
And you care?
" Pastrami was a dick." She agreed - albeit reluctantly. "He was also pretty stupid."
" He was borderline senile." Brick drawled. " And not in an almost "charming" way like the Mayor either. He was a mean senile. He screwed Butch over." It sounded bitter. " Made him just fucking give up."
She blinked, "... are you implying Asswipe actually used to-?" It seemed unbelievable but Butch's older brother just nodded.
" Yeah. You know every kid goes through a stage where they genuinely like school- they like learning- and they find their subject." Another dry laugh. " Butch's was science."
Now… Buttercup could feel her jaw drop. " Ex...Excuse me?"
Butch fucking was borderline failing science. The whole class knew it. He never even bothered- hell he never even tried. Brick snorted again.
"Like I said… he screwed my brother over. He didn't like kids like us." He gave her a pointed look and….oh.
"...Ah. That." The jack ass had never made it a secret he thought paranormal kids… didn't belong in public schools...had he?
"He blamed my brothers and me for some damage done to his car or something years before- guess what. The timeline didn't fit- all due respect BC it was more than likely one of you three - seeing as my brothers and I were…" He scowled and shrugged. "You know."
….Oh. Uhhh….right. Ha… yeah… that little… tiny...awkward detail. Err…
"But the guy decided to make Butch pay for it. Fucked with his homework, tests- marked every little thing he could wrong- spelling and grammar. Told him he was good for nothing-." Brick's scowl grew. "Wouldn't amount to anything… and seeing as he was getting it on both sides and shit. He started believing it and here we are."
"... that's…. fucking bullshit. Why didn't your-!" She trailed. Right… err…
" He was too far gone to care at that point:" his voice got lower and lower. "He only cared about his research so called. When he was lucid enough to care about anything at all. Anything that wasn't-."
"... Y?"
Silence.
"... you were saying it over and over. Leader Girl's face told the rest of the story." She could bring up the guy's apparent need for a dictionary later: His face was stony. Controlled. It was… an expression she'd seen many times but seeing it on a guy versus a girl… was sort of weird.
It wasn't Leader face. Or even arrogant moron face.
… it was… the older sibling face. Case in point the oldest Rowdyruff Boy's gaze drifted both to their right at that somewhat cracked door leading to where Butch slept on completely oblivious and slightly upwards at the loft the youngest slept.
His face cracked- it was a twitch but she saw it all the same.
"...Mojo was desperate. Desperate men…. desperate animals…. do stupid things. And they keep doing those stupid things… no matter the cost." Again those brief looks at the Jojo Brothers doors.
She didn't like the sound of this. Brick certainly looked…unwell and she darkly suspected it wasn't just because of the flu.
"... So Y… was something Mojo-."
" It was a mistake he came to regret but it's effects were irreversible…. but it's over. It was all destroyed." He sounded more like he was trying to convince himself versus her. "Look... I know you're angry at me BC- were the situations reversed… I'd be livid. I don't blame you. I know I fucked up… and I'll just keep fucking up but you have to understand I'm not trying to-!"
She picked up the abandoned project off the table. " I'm no psyche major so to speak- that's Bubs' territory not mine - I'm not interested no offense in the minor details- I don't really have time to be… and I think you understand that seeing as you're rushing a project." Her eyes narrowed. " But let me tell you something Brick. While I'm not really interested in the long winded tale of yours and shit… I know two people who might - keyword might- be interested… if they're not still stewing."
Silence. She continued looking at the mess of wires while he just stared at the floor.
"... look Brick. I'm not trying to be a bitch here. Yeah I'm pissed." She slouched against the couch. " Okay I'm royally pissed - but believe it or not I can get over it. I'm more concerned for her city and we're allies- hell sometimes it seems we could even be- shocking I know - but we could be friends. But…" He seemed to flinch, " Trust is a big part of that. Between friends and family alike wouldn't you say? Not To sound like one of those lame baby shows from way back when."
She got a snort at that and even a faint grin, " Yeah no offense that kinda was BC - Ow." He rubbed his arm where she'd punched it lightly.
"Watch it boyo- you might be some sort of "leader" or what not - and you might be my big sister's unofficial - which is bull by the way- " Ruffy" Boy toy." There was a faint line of pink and he coughed quickly. She smirked. Big and bad Rowdy Boss? Puh- lease- he was just an oversized cleared her throat " But don't think I won't put you in your place if need be- even if it's against smitten pink kitten's orders- got it!"
Again he flushed more but nodded. " Yeah… I do." He muttered. She nodded sagely.
" Good. So long as we're clear and after this whole jelly debacle is over and done with you actually talk to the blubbering moron in there so we don't have to put poor Believe in the X-protection program-."
Another snort. "That doesn't actually exist does it?"
" not yet. Do you want to be the cause of it?"
"... no."
" Well there you go!"
She was expecting him to roll his eyes or something to be honest but Brick just seemed too exhausted to care about her snarkiness. Which wasn't very fun… to be honest it was almost like kicking a damn puppy. So maybe… Cap Boy here hadn't been "relishing" in this entire thing after all. Though Buttercup saw he had fixed on his brothers' doors again. "... I never meant to be an ass you know." He murmured.
Boss… Boss doesn't do anything without a good reason…
"... Yeah well. No one usually tries to hurt someone they care about… unless they're a masochist and then still-."
"Stop." He put his hand up. " That is not an image I want nor ever need in my head Buttercup. Please and thank you. But… yeah I get your point it's just-.""Is that your phone?" She blinked- What do you think genius. But she held her peace- the kid was obviously still ill. Much better than he had been but still sick.
"Yeah why?"
"Can I see it?"
...She really didn't want to have to replace her phone because of the tinkerer here but… well being a third "everything nice" really sucked sometimes.
"Don't break it." She muttered. He grunted- that apparently got a reaction out of him before anything else.
"The circuit wasn't connecting but I think the wire on that one might be bad- but…" She jumped a little at the slight spark that escaped from that little silver square but the Rowdyruff only grinned. "Thought so. Gimme a second."
She rolled her eyes but shrugged anyway. "Like I said just don't break it."
"I won't. But this way we might be able to counteract that damn blockage of the signals that keeps disconnecting the open circuit so-." She put a hand up.
"Brick… you're talking to the wrong Puff. Save the tech mumbo jumbo for Leader Girl. She'll be much more appreciative I assure you- as for me ixnay on the Geek speak."
Again he flushed. "Oh right… err sorry- but you know...I doubt that she-."
At that she snorted. Moron. "I don't. Trust me but listen Cap Boy… you want to get on all our good graces again don't you?"
He frowned but she ignored it. He only continued his tinkering. "That would be nice." He drawled.
" So tell me what the deal was at the harbor." Freeze. " You changed the subject don't think I didn't notice. What were you and Believe really doing there? And what does Y have to-?"
The silence was telling.
"Brick- take it from me. If you know something-!"
That look was piercing but she met it evenly. She'd dealt with angry red eyes- scarier angry red eyes. These didn't faze her.
"... I don't know anything." She grit her teeth but to her honest shock… he actually continued. " All i "know" is Unproven and likely unprovable therefore won't stand up in court… for now." The Red Rowdy clenched a fist. " But I can assure you… that won't be the case forever. Believe's been useful with this- he can wander around undetected so to speak. No one pays attention to the guy in a mask."
… fucking hell she knew it. " So the two of you really are trying to be fucking Batman and Robin… fucking… Cap Boy that's not-!"
" I'm aware." He hissed. " But here's the thing BC - you and I both know something screwy is going on here and it's not just supernatural." His face darkened. "Though that doesn't mean there's no connection."
Buttercup stiffened. " What do you mean?" All the prior sardonic tone was gone. The Rowdyruff only gave her another dark look. " Brick… I wasn't kidding if you know something-!"
"And neither was I - I " know" nothing- i only strongly suspect and I know I'm right but no proof supporting it exists that would hold up in a court of law...yet" She raised an eyebrow. "Again… I'm working on it."
"And you don't think the Team could be of help "working" on this?" She muttered but… he didn't get angry or even sheepish. He remained grimly serious.
" Of course you all would but…"
"But….?"
"...It'll be a cold day in Hell before I let any of you near it." He murmured. She bristled but he kept on going. "Believe was a mistake. He wouldn't let up but he also has a failsafe behind him whether he wants to admit it or not… money talks." Brick began playing with the phone in his hand again. "But as for us… all of us… I can't risk it BC. You can hate me all you want- hell I don't blame you in the slightest but until this… bullshit is over with the trial I can't let anything and I mean anything stand in the way of my brothers finally being free of that...that-." He took a deep breath. "...What would you do to protect your sisters Buttercup?" She stiffened. "...What wouldn't you do?"
Silence.
"Wake up! Wake up please! Leader Girl wake up! WAKE UP! I'M SORRY! I"M SO SORRY! BLOSSOM WAKE UP PLEEEEEEEEASE!"
Little. She was so little in her arms- but it was so hot… so hot and slimy and she didn't know what was all over her but how could she let go? When.. When!?
But her eyes stayed closed ad she saw the red puddle… on the ground as well as the red stains...all over her clothes.
Someone's blocky hand went on her shoulder.
"Buttercup…. Buttercup honey- it's okay- it's okay you're safe now sweetheart- you're safe-!"
They tried to pull her sister away from her but she…. she - NO! She held fast. NO! NO! NO!"
"Buttercup! Buttercup sweetheart-it's okay! It's okay! You have to let her go sweetheart- we'll be right behind her- but right now-!" Her father kept...ekpt trying to pull- NO… NO SHE WOULDN'T! GO AWAY! GO AWAAAAY!
"NO! STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY FROM HER! GIVE HER BACK! BLOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOM!"
She gripped her needles and she saw Brick's gaze had trailed to them warily.
He wouldn't let me call them.
Blossom… her big sister… she...wouldn't have let Mike call either… now would she?
Her grip tightened more-the male redhead with the red eyes and the red cap who her red haired pink eyed big sister with her big red bow adored and someday very well more than likely would… the other word… looked back at her.
Two redheads. Two shades of the same color… different… but also the same.
Blossom had been forced to lead her sisters into a nightmare.
…And Brick was now being forced to do everything in his power to lead his brothers...out of a nightmare.
…. shit. Oh… god….damn it.
"... it would have been better if you were just a selfish prick." She muttered. He snorted.
" I am a prick. I'm a Rowdyruff Boy remember?"
"... That don't mean shit." She mumbled. " I'm supposedly "everything nice" and I use your brother's head as a stress ball on a daily basis." This time he laughed.
" Buttercup… everyone does that at some point in their life trust me." He shook his head. "... He's a moron but… Butch is just Butch… what can I say?"
" Butch…. is just Butch." She repeated. "... yeah… that's pretty accurate ain't it…"
"Yeah." He sighed. " Yeah it is." He was engrossed in his tinkering again.
"You know I'm not going to just let this go…effective… argument for now or not." She saw another spark and then he quickly began screwing something in with that tiny screwdriver but he nodded slightly and then held the phone out to her.
"To be honest BC…. I'd be disappointed if you did." Her eyebrow rose. He shrugged, "We may not see eye to eye on...well-."
"Anything." She drawled.
"... Touche but-." another shrug. "Maybe that's a good thing I dunno… at least we both can agree to disagree as long as it keeps-." He paused and again don't think Buttercup didn't see his gaze avert to his door where a Pink eyed Puff slept unawares. "...Townsville safe." He murmured.
Townsville equaling Leader Girl you mean.
She debated calling him out on it but his eyes were drifting along the other closed doors - the blue door, the green door and finally out the window where Townsville's skyline glinted in the night- despite the fact it was basically shut down… it still glowed.
Something about that image man… the image of her city… just…
Made you want to defend it. Made her want to keep it safe- to do anything to keep it safe and to keep my loved ones safe- She could after all do more than… you know… the average person to do so.
She stared at the new and improved phone ( in theory) - and well…
"So there's no way I can I dunno- butt dial this right? I don't want to listen to Yenko yelling about shrill alarms to get out of… Bio or something." He snorted but shook his head.
"You have to hold it down with your thumb like this-." He demonstrated in the air. "It doesn't have to be for a long time but it does have to be a genuine push. A split second- but I made it that reactive because…." He trailed and again… he seemed to hold his arm for a moment and flinched- tried to hide it but failed.
She frowned but nonetheless… took the phone anyway. It was paranoid. Sheer paranoia that had propelled this. From start to finish. But…
SHE IS MINE!
He took a deep breath it seemed before he slumped against the back of the couch. Clutching his bicep still-
"You really should get that looked at." She said dryly.
"...Cripes First Believe, then Boom and now you- it's fine it's just a bad hit is all." He grunted with another cringe in its wake.
"Sure about that Cap Boy." Her eyes narrowed. "Looked pretty bad when Casper-."
He stood, "The son of a bitch was lucky- his cheap shots won't work a second time. Of that I can assure you." He continued holding his arm and then seemed to get awfully interested in the ceiling. "... It won't get near any of you again. Not on my watch." He said quietly. "Don't stay up too late BC… taking care of the knucklehead can take a lot out of you… I know from experience." He mumbled the last part.
"I already have a dad thanks." She folded her arms, "And I'm not "taking care" of the moron by choice someone has to make sure he doesn't stink up the place with all his nasty ass sweating and shit- blech."
That laugh was unmerited that time. She scowled but Brick just shrugged again, " Yeah well… thanks."
"For what?"
Another shrug, "Don't know but… regardless I feel the need to thank you."
"...We're teammates- friends even when you're not pulling some kind of wannabe Batman routine." He flinched again, "Just word to the wise- don't keep pulling this shit You know… not pissing friends off, brothers off-." She raised a brow. "Unofficial girlfriend off." And cue the blush again. "Stop doing that and life will be a lot more pleasant for you Cap Boy juuuust saying.
"...Yeah, yeah." He mumbled looking like a properly chastened puppy. Tch. "I know BC… I get it…. Thanks."
She rolled her eyes, "Again don't see why you're thanking me for the scolding but hey if you like to be scolded well- you definitely picked the right Puff to try to woo to be your sweetie- keep buying Blossom Utonium sweets, talking tech and geek to her and letting her scold you- voila - she'll be your lovey for life."
He cleared his throat, "Pinky's… not that bad-."
"Ahem. Brick I live with her. You are a lovesick puppy dog that daydreams about pink diamond eyes-." He stiffened. "On a daily basis sooooo-."
"For the last time I did not call Blossom's eyes diamonds!" He grunted. "I did not!"
"Uh huh. Sure you didn't. Just like it was only X CPR back in-."
"That was NECESSARY!"
"Just like the tongue was over there eh Cap Boy?"
Silence.
"...Uh...well err..." He muttered and again his cheeks went crimson before he coughed loudly, Buttercup decided to be nice and go with the illusion he was still "sick".
"Go to bed Cap Boy." She said simply. He didn't argue further and turned to go back to his room. She cleared her throat. "Alone."
More blushing. More clearing of the throat and well… what Buttercup didn't see herself meant plausible deniability in the future- plus lots more chili corn inducing blackmail. Yeah that's the ticket!
With the Red Rowdyruff's departure back into the illicit sleeping arrangement most likely going on in that bedroom- Buttercup was once again left to her thoughts.
She rolled her new and "improved" phone in her hands. Slightly heavier - the weird chip or whatever wasn't very pretty to look at - Bubbles wouldn't be pleased but no doubt Mr. Jojo would work on it or at least give permission for the artistic little diva to work her magic on all the ugly white squares.
Tch… still paranoid. Yeah she agreed with the necessity of it but… she still had to wonder…
Eighteen Summers…
…. Just what was Brick Jojo… so afraid of?
-V-
The Master had returned from an errand and to assess the fools' and their efforts. It was obvious they were destined for failure and humiliation but still the Master continued to humor the bumbling lunatics.
They had little resembled man before but now they were unrecognizable. True demons… monsters- disgusting. Imagine using one's own "allies" like… like this!
His memories were… how one would say fuzzy- slowly they were returning… flashes of faces- whispers in his ears- none so clear as the memory of his dear one- but…
The Warrior… as he was now… and had been… had never treated his allies- his companions as this Ace… did.
As if they were already subhuman even before Ace had successfully-. He grit his teeth and clenched his fist.
He did not like it.
She would not like it.
Having to be in the same… presence of… he took a deep breath. The Master was looking around- clearly looking...for him.
He squeezed the silken cloth before he tucked it at his breast- next to his heart- where it belonged and strode forward. The grotesque monstrosities looked at him with veiled glazed eyes- mocking- stupid- transformed more or less into…. Monsters.
The big one- the one with little intelligence had apparently raided another alley and taken another feline for his dinner. Disgusting. The Master couldn't be serious.
These cretins… transformed, disfigured? Going after a woman who was clearly...somehow in possession of the "Essence"?
Unthinkable.
Destined for failure.
Ace sneered at his approach - standing at the direct right of the Master- looking down on the warrior- tch. His hand brushed his blade but no… he would not waste his time nor sully his blade with the blood of… such an undesirable.
There was no honor in that.
Ahhhh- Warrior- there you are- I was wondering where you had gone sneaking off to.
He flinched. That tone was deceptively soft and pleasant.
It was angry.
"...I was in my chamber."
The Demon smirked- another ominous sign and the warrior felt it. The biting pressure at the back of his neck trailing down to his knees- the pulse in his arm was growing. He clenched his fist unseen under his sleeve but nonetheless he finally bowed completely. He had no choice.
"Apologies… I was not aware of your return… Master."
The words tasted like ash in his mouth. If he could still taste. He could feel, touch, smell, hear and see… but food or drink no longer appealed to him. It was beginning wasn't it?
Wait for me…
He would not succumb. He would not!
The odious man at the Demon's side smirked more- relishing in his humiliation was he? Wretch.
"Kids these days my man." The Demon's smile grew wider. Fool. Ace only continued- even putting a hand on the demon's shoulder. In some sort of strange comradery he apparently believed he possessed. "The kid's gotta learn some respect you knows?"
Kid? His fist clenched more.
" See when we's takes care of the little green traita-." His fools all nodded in agreement. Traitor? Was the Green witch associated with these…. Idiots? The Demon didn't seem so shocked by it but… these men… gremlins now for the most part but…
They were… older than her as well. Older than him… appearance wise of course but…
...I do not like this.
"The little bitch gonna learn her place- they all are's. Ha!"
The Warrior stiffened. Place?
"Stay away from her fool. Learn your place… as she will hers."
He blinked and held his head somewhat. Who was? His master so called seemed to notice his...discomfort.
Ahh my warrior- why the long face? Does something trouble you my boy?
Standing in front of him- back towards him.
"My fate is decided My Lord. None can change it. Not even you."
She turned. The cruel threads lined her face- her hand was cupped in his own. Desperation laced with longing on both ends. A soft touch on his cheek.
"Forget me. Do not anger them. There is nothing worth losing your life over!"
Silk against skin. The rain drowned out the harsh gasp.
"You are my life."
Skin against skin.
"Do not… defy him my Love."
The jolt was instant and he fell to his knees amidst the raucous laughter- the Master looked on amused while the… gnome of some sort held up his weapon with a cackling grin. Wretched-!
The Master's high pitched laughter stopped him from strangling the little toad- Mr. Copular continued to laugh and treat the Master with… undue familiarity. He narrowed his eyes. The Demon didn't seem fazed.
...A troubling sign.
"Awww- Did Junior have a fall?" More laughter. He couldn't feel temperature really but if he could he was sure his cheeks would be burning. Why that… that wretched-!
Now reeeeeeally Ace. Why are we wasting time with the boy hmm? Don't you have other priorities now?
The loathsome man grinned with sharp dagger like teeth.
"Yeah- yeah I do's. Sorry There my Red Crab Man." Another round of foolish… he was intoxicated. This was intolerable. They all were. What wretched excuses for-! "Guess we should round up the last one of us eh Boys?" He stiffened. Another?
...Oh yes. The long one. The one who had run…
"Duh yah! Snakes'sh went and dumped us!"
"Little Traita- he's gonna regret that- hehehe."
"GRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZP!"
"And then we's gonna get Bella Bella Back right Boss?"
Mr. Copular smiled again. He did not like the looks of it. He stiffened more.
"Yeah Boys… course we gonna's get our Bella back- she got taken from us fore' you knows- and the Greens always gotta stick together right? But you knows'." He shrugged aimlessly. "We can't just let er' off the hook for ditchin' us in the first place neither ya know? Teach her her place like I said."
Petals dancing in the breeze- a hand catching them as they fall.
"I prefer these small moments of freedom… then living life in a cage."
Wading in the waters. A wry smile on her painted lips.
"They must first catch me my Lord."
The room is dark. The faces grim. She is a light in the midst of their darkness.
"Take her."
Kneeling. Hands touching through the bars.
"Do not fight for me. It is too late. Live."
"I will free you La'el. I swear- I swear no one will ever make you their prisoner again-!"
SNAP. SNAP. SNAP.
He blinked again. The wretched creature continued to look so bemused in his direction. His head was spinning. He swallowed hard an unnecessary breath.
"Why Warrior… you seem… indisposed. Perhaps you should go rest."
"Yeah! Senor Emo needs to go sulk in a dark corner!" He grit his teeth. Wretch. "You knows Crabby- I don't get it." The Master didn't even react to the insubordination shown. "Why don't you just… I dunno retires Junior Emo here-." He pointed to him. "And let me take over you know- put a man in charge stead' of some punk ass kid."
He couldn't bite back his tongue. Tired and… ached as he was.
"Says the man who let his own so called insubordinate get away right from under his nose!" He hissed. Ace grit his enlarged teeth and the warrior felt his own grow.
You have… become one of them.
He clenched his fist. The vile man sneered and suddenly spat at his feet.
"Little punks like you need to learn their place too- Elmo."
Again… with that asinine name. Perhaps the Warrior would relieve this wretch of that vile uncontrolled tongue of his-! He felt the pressure on his arm however- there was after all only so much patience the Demon had.
He kept his tongue. Both of them. With a churlish snap the loathsome man led his troupe of monsters to go plan their strategy for the last…"recruit".
Wretch.
Speaking to him like that… he didn't stand a chance. None of them did. The moment they challenged one with the Essence- however stolen -
Barren. Desolation. Nothing… Nothing was left.
Save… the weeping girl in the middle of it all.
No… challenging the Essence…
Meant Death.
-V-
This was… This was bull! The hell was this! He had rights! They just went and locked him in here and then they took blood samples and - … shit… had the Gov finally taken im'! Like… Like Ace had always-!
"THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I'M AN AMERICAN CITIZEN- I HAVE RIGHTS!"
Snake looked up and the gangly kid got more or less shoved in the room by a nurse.
"Until your tests results come in kid we can't let you leave-."
"I have rights!" He snapped. The nurse put her hands up.
"Okay- Okay- calm down - we have to keep you in observation for at least twenty-four hours. It's hospital procedure. Your mother's on her way. Calm down."
The brunette with weird teeth… seemed somewhat familiar for some odd reason. He grit his teeth, " And what about Pablo!" His voice seemed to crack. "What about my…." The nurse sighed and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Mitch but I can't tell you. HIPPA. I'm sorry."
The kid's lip quivered and wait… Mitch…? Again that sounded… familiar.
"Listen… just sit and be patient okay. Your mother's on her way and… Dr. Mendes is with him. He's in safe hands."
"… He seemed fine. He just…"
"… That's… pretty typical of the flu. The general flu- some people don't experience symptoms at all. It's just a precaution."
"… So he could be okay?"
Again the nurse just shook her head. "Just try to relax. Everything's going to be fine." Another pat. "You'll see. Your mother's on her way. Just again try to relax Mr. Michelson."
…Michelson?
…. Wait that sounded pretty.. familiar… and Snake didn't know why but it really sort of did and-.
The door closed and the kid's face fell and he covered his eyes with his hands.
"Fuck…" He choked. "Fuck, Fuck- I knew it… I knew it was a bad idea- he probably got it when Brick fainted- did he drool anywhere when he fell- did they not label water bottles- maybe it was band practice- did we not wipe down the mics!? Oh… Oh fuck my life – I never should have brought him- I never should have-!"
…. Brick? Wait wasn't that-?
…Bella worked with a Brick didn't she? YEAH! YEAH! Brick Jojo! The Jojo brothers! The "traita's" as Ace had called em' but… they worked with those girls. The Puffs! Bella… Buttercup was a Puff! So… So if this kid knew "Brick" then maybe-!
"Psssssssst- kid." He stiffened but didn't look up. Snake tried again. "Kid- Kiiiiiiiid."
"What!" He grunted. "The fuck do you want-!?" He sounded absolutely beside himself. Huh- Pablo or whatever must have been important to him. Brother maybe? Ah well not important.
" Look- Kiiiiiid- Did you jusssst say Brick- assssss in Brick Jojo?"
The kid got stiffer and stiffer, "… Yeah. What of it. I go to school with him. We're friends." Weird though the kid suddenly seemed to get angry then, " And before you say anything else Blossy Boo and him DID answer their fucking phones – I WAS THERE! So don't even fucking try to-!"
Whoa… jeez. No idea what that was about. Okay then…
" Lissssten kid- jussssst a question- you know the Jojo brothersssssss? So do you know the Puffffffs?"
Again the kid seemed awfully… defensive. " Yeah. What of it." He grunted.
"…. DO you know Bellllla-." He scowled. Shit. Old Habits die hard. "I mean do you know BUtttttercup?" The kid went stiff as a board and began to turn. " Causssse if you do I really need to-."
He looked annoyed. "Why the fuck should I-." His hazel eyes widened- Oh…OH FUCK WAIT HE RECOGNIZED THIS KID! FUUUUUUCK! For a skinny kid the kid certainly packed hell of a punch and – fuck what the fuck-!? Snake hit the wall and was hoisted up. "What are you doing here you slithering reptile!" He roared.
"Hey what theeeeeee- Let go!"
"Give me one reason to Snake!"
He grit his teeth- buck teeth and all he looked like some kind of… pissed off… rat.
…Rats eat snakes. …. Uh oh.
"Okay… Okay kid- callllllm down- I'm not-."
And again Snake's head met the wall. He was breathing hard. "Shut. Up." He snapped. " Oh I have enough to deal with right now instead of having to deal with pieces of slime like you!" He railed. "The fuck do you want now you asshole- I think you and your fucking…. Fucking… snake nest of a fucking gang have done enough to her!"
… Oh fuck Snake's life. Of all the goddamn kids-!
"Heyyyy- look who it is- our lil' Bella Bella- and aww look she brought a friend." Ace snickered, Bella shrugged and the brunette behind her didn't say nothing. Just kept looking around their pad all nervous like. Tch- laaaaame.
Bella obviously took the beer without question but the lame ass friend seemed scared of it. He kept giving her a weird look.
"Butterscotch- I dunno if-."
"Aw c'mon Twiggy-live a little: That dance was gonna be lame as fuck you know."
"Yeah but… the after party wasn't."
Ace laughed and put an arm around Bella, "Aw c'mon Junior- you think our fav Puff here should waste her time at lame ass school dance instead of hangin' with her buds- tch- you got a lot of growin' up to do kiddo."
She laughed. "Twiggy- it's no big deal. They're fine. Trust me."
The kid still didn't say anything- but those eyes man… something about those eyes…
"Twiggy." He muttered.
"What'd you call me-!?" He sputtered.
"Twiggy… Twiggy I should have fucking listened to you." Bella whimpered and the A'X or whatever that the Boss had dunked on top of her… it was making her sick.
This… This wasn't like Snake's initiation had been. This… something wasn't right.
He knelt down and let her have a swig of his water bottle.
"Bella. I know it sucks but this won't be forever-."
She bit her lip. And she looked like a lil' girl again right there and then. Those big green eyes and-.
"Snake! Get ova here man- c'mon we got a job to do!"
…Job?
He grit his teeth. Ace… Fucking-.
"I ain't the one you want." He hissed and Mitch narrowed his eyes.
"The fuck you talking about? You're one of em'- you're one of those mother fucking-!"
"But I'm not the one you want. You want the leader- you want Ace. I can get you him. But you gotta get me to Bel-… Buttercup."
Again the kid's eyes were like slits. "… The fuck you talking about?"
Snake shook his head, "I'm ssssaying I can get you Accccce- and put him away for goooood."
"… You'd turn on-."
His fist clenched but…. He could see the fear in his friends' eyes… all while Ace laughed. He was out of control… this had gone on far enough… he was… a monster.
"…. Yessssss."
-V-
Butch
It hurt so bad.
Everything…. Everything hurt.
He closed his eyes- maybe if he went back to sleep it'd all go away you know?
All he could hear though was the yelling. What had even happened? One minute he'd been… he'd thrown a ball too hard. Or something. But there'd been a crash and then… nothin'.
He didn't remember nothin'. Except a sharp… well okay so he did remember something- something sharp had poked him- and it had hurt. It had hurt bad. Way more than it ws supposed to.
X' kept sharp things from hurtin' em. He'd seen those Powderpuffs get rammed through buildings and stuff- not a scratch on em'- so how had?
The door slammed opened- and both his bros came strolling on in. Well okay- that wasn't true- Boom was huddled behind Boss like some kind of wounded puppy or something shit and Boss… Brick he looked...pissed.
He kind of shoved Boomer next to Butch and the blonde sniffed loud but he also stuck his arm out and- wait.
Butch looked down. Boom had a…. Weird bruise on his arm too? And he looked… all scratched up and crap and… the hell…
That… wasn't supposed to happen.
Butch recognized the dark liquid in the bottle in Brick's hand though. He wasn't supposed to have that. Dad would be pissed. And where'd the… okay… yeah no- Boss was Boss sure but he was also eleven like Butch was so… no. No Butch did not feel comfortable with his brother having a goddamn shot in his hand or whatever.
Boom the sap though- he didn't even question it. He was a dumb ass yeah but Brick just stuck the black liquid in his arm and those tears didn't stop flowing.
Brick looked like crap. He looked like he'd come from a damn war zone…
Their youngest brother lurched back and Butch managed to catch him before his head slammed in the wall- static shocks were everywhere - but soon the blonde was lying on the bed, breathing hard but- he saw the little sparks crackling between his fingers.
What the….?
"Boss?" He murmured. Brick just stuck the needle back in the bottle and more black gunk…. Chem X… was in it. His brother's face was unreadable.
"Brick man? What happ-?"
The needle looked mad sharp. Really… really…
WASTE OF SPACE! GOOD FOR NOTHING, FAILURE OF A SON!
P-Pops!? Pops I'm sorry! It was an accident-!? Wait… Wait NO! NO DON'T- I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! DON'T TAKE MY-!
Wait had… had D-Dad!?
His breathing got funky. It got tight around his chest and oh...oh no! NO! GET THAT AWAY! GET THAT AWAAAAY!
Butch?
"It's a matter of genetics boys- the three of you are likely undergoing… the same phenomena the Utonium sisters are…. Experiencing."
"You mean puberty from hell."
"... I don't approve of the language Brick. BUt… yes. Yes in this case… that is an accurate statement."
Butch… okay seriously- you're sweating a lot…
"I'm not here to do nothin'-! I've got cash see-! See!"
The cashier only kept glaring at him. Looking at him like… like he was some kind of… nasty ass bug or whatever standing in his store. The bottle of meds in his hand shook.
"I don't want any trouble! Get outta here!"
Butch grit his teeth. " I will when you take my damn money!" He roared. "SEE!" He flashed the twenty. "It's legal tender! You gotta take it! I need to get these for my Bro-!"
SLICE.
Oh God not again! The twenty he had slammed on the counter was suddenly stained… kinda red. His bandages were too. Well.. here comes the index finger. Great- Boss had said this one hurts like a bitch!
The old man just kept glaring at him and finally held up his phone.
"Lousy punk! Look what you got all over my counter! I'm callin' the cops!"
COPS!?
"I just want to pay for meds! You're the closest store to-!?"
"There a problem here?"
He stiffened. Oh…. Oh just great! Here came one of the goody two shoe- POWDERUFFS! And oh even better- it was the crazy green one with the mean right hook! Look at her- just com a sauntering in here like she owned the whole damn world and-!
"Oh-O-Oh Buttercup! Thank goodness you're here! This… This evil fiend is trying to rob me blind!" He yelped. Butch grit his teeth. Oh… Oh fuck this. Fuck them all!
He slammed the bottle back on the counter and stormed out.
Fucking…. Fucking- now what was he supposed to do!?
Butch…
Oh this was getting annoying. He grit his teeth.
"Yeah what!?" He snapped. "Who the fuck are you anyway!? You've been going all – ooooh creepy whispery voice on me enough-! The fuck do you want from me!? Who are you!"
He heard a laugh… no a giggle and then…
… no fucking way.
That was Butters alright- dressed up all pretty and… girly. She was laughing and she was taking a sip of somethin' and then… the fuck.
He felt his chest clench. The FUCK!
"Butters!" He hissed. "The fuck is this!?" He bellowed.
The gun- because Butch knew that glint was a gun somehow-rose slowly upwards. Unseen. Unnoticed. The crowd of creepy shadowy figures with them too- they were just fucking laughing! Laughing like-!
And she was laughing with them…. Laughing like she didn't-...
Like she didn't know the gun was even there…
Beware before it...consumes us all.
"Before what-!? Answer me lady! B-Butters! Butters c'mon! What the fuck are you doing!?"
She ignored him. Could she even fucking see him-!?
The glint of that gun- raising towards the back of her head…
His feet wouldn't move. He was stuck. Like… Like…
"Heh… Nuttin' personal BuddaBabe."
Click.
"BUTTERCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!"
BUTCH. WAKE. UP!
His eyes sprang open. Oh… Oh what the-!?
He came face to face with a pair of lime green eyes- wide and… she looked honestly kind of freaked. But… But she was okay. She was fine! She was… looking at him like he had three heads and the fuck-!?
What the fuck had happened to his room?!
Was that a fucking… yeah it was- that was a goddamn hole! Why was there a hole!? Wait…
"Butch." She talked slowly. Like she was talking to a kid or something. Cautious and…
He held his hands up. Shit. He recognized that kind of hole… aw fuck Boss was gonna kill him.
She slowly walked back towards him- fixing the chair she'd… obviously been sitting in before he had...err yeah- maybe-.
"Shit… Butters you-?"
She put a hand up. "No big." She murmured. "You can't help it- everyone has… trashed a room in their sleep… err at least once you know?"
No they haven't.
She was avoiding his gaze like some kind of plague. He didn't like that look. He had a weird feeling in his gut from it.
But… he was so fucking tired. Just… real tired.
So… sleep. He was just...gonna sleep. Yeah…
She continued to look at him weird. Like she was kind of… freaked out. But… damn his head was swimming again… he… he should just go back to sleep…
Yeah… sleep.
-V-
Buttercup
She wasn't worried.
Get that clear.
Click. Click. Clickclicklick.
His breathing was just… getting weirder. The whole thing… was getting weirder. And after the whole- blasting a hole through his own wall and shit… she bit her lip.
Click. Click. Click.
Just… Just… Why the fuck had he called out… her name?
Her name didn't belong in his brain when he was sick and… hell no. That… why the fuck- just… okay she'd probably imagined it. Probably just… you know… misheard!
She never gave him permission to call out her name like- what if one of the others had heard! What if Madam Pigtails had heard and misconstrued-!
She growled. Stupid… sick moron. Did she want to know what his sick fantasies were right now? No. No she did NOT!
Gross. Ew. Disgusting..
Seriously even Cap Boy and Little Boy Blue hadn't called out for either of her sisters! Ever.
Speaking of them at least… finally- after a hellish week… at least those fevers had finally begun to break. Yeah there was still sneezing… and coughing- and the house was still in 1800s mode but… they were walking. Cap Boy had managed to stay upright long enough to make actual food.
But Butchy Boy here… she frowned. He'd been hiding it the longest- it made sense. He was just milking this for all it's worth is all.
Stupid dick head.
Guess Cap Boy wasn't the biggest moron of the Jojo brothers after all. Huh who'd a thunk.
That's sarcasm obviously- even Buttercup for all her justified fury - however understandable… maybe his prior actions had been and… there she was doing it again.
Her thoughts were everywhere. Ever focusing on one topic forever. She really should call Twiggy so he doesn't panic himself to death and also to make sure the Masked Wonder hadn't pulled anything rash in his Redheaded keepers' absence. She'd have to give enough warning too- Leader Girl was going him to rip a new one when she found out-.
… Again. The fuck. She shook her head. Okay… it was time to focus on one thing- just one thing and…
…. His eyes were still firmly closed. She gulped. Knit. Knitting was good.
Click. Click. Click.
Seeing as the danger had finally passed maybe she'd be relieved of green moron duty and you know… one of the brothers could take over and…
… Why the hell had he called out her goddamn name?
Okay Brick? That had made sense. Mojo…. Infuriating sense.
But Buttercup and Butch… weren't even friends. At all. They worked together. She saved his sorry ass from getting shish kabobed- big deal.
He was sweating again. She put her knitting down and dunked more water on the cloth. Blech. He was all slimy- he really was part snail wasn't he. Yuck. Some girls had no taste clearly seeing as the Casanova wannabe apparently had no shortage of stupid groupies or whatever.
…. Didn't really see the big deal. Boom was the most attractive of the Jojo brothers looking at it logically- sorry Cap Boy but that nose man… eh whatever- point was… if anyone had the gaggle of hens clucking after him despite the very vocal girlfriend it was… ya know… Boomer.
Not… he of the obnoxious spikes. Though….
She really should be taking photographic evidence of this. His hair was so damn...flat. It was kind of… funny. She snickered- she remembered their first encounter… way back then- hmm… she wondered.
He didn't even stir when she moved the pillow slightly and…. HA! Bingo!
Yep. He still had it. That cowlick from hell. Made Believe's look like nothing. Sticking straight out like a goddamn beacon. An antenna or some shit- in a way she couldn't really blame the kid for gelling his hair up then. The spikes were an obnoxious choice but-.
Sproing.
Heh heh… childish maybe but she was suffering from cabin fever - don't blame anyone but that. Her city's under quarantine- someone had died on her watch- the whole incident was being blamed ont the Redheads by some circles and now she was clearly going insane fro cabin fever.
So if she wanted to play with the new toy she had found well then fuck it- she was gonna play!
Sproing. Sproing.
It was… honestly hilarious. Press it down and then zoink- right back up- taller and bigger the more someone pressed it down. Made her wonder how much gel the kid used to control it- heh heh. Well guess "snips" had to be in that genetic code somewhere- hehehe.
Oh God Buttercup was going crazy. She belonged in the looney bin. And still no answer why he had fucking called out her name like some kind of-!
"Mmm…. stop." Another whimper. She froze- fuck. Had he finally woken up? She moved her hand away. "The Butch… hair… don't touch the hair… ugly." She snorted.
…Actually without the spikes save the unfortunate – yet amusing- cowlick from hell… the guy's hair actually wasn't… you know…
Seriously all he'd have to do was get rid of the cowlick and- she pressed it back down. His hair was flat yeah but it… suited him strangely enough. She frowned.
Sproing.
…Good God. It really didn't want to stay down. Huh…okay so maybe asswipe had a point but spikes really weren't always…
"…Uhhh…. Stop." She frowned.
"Aw c'mon Butchy Boy. It's just for fun." She rolled her eyes. "Call this payback for all the… previous comments." She shrugged.
"Ugly…" He sleep whined.
"Amusing." She countered with a smirk.
Though she had to admit- "The Butch" being humble for once… she'd miss that. Seeing as finally… finally the fevers and shit had broken all around so now they were just stuck with a regular flu most likely- she'd looked it up- jellyfish stings most of the time went away on their own so… yeah- Brick and Boom had begun recovering- Bubs too and Blossom would just be walking around in Cap Boy's… entire winter wardrobe most likely if he had a say in it but it was… over.
The crisis as it was-was over. On their end- they still had a mutated fish problem but… Dad was working on it so…
Kind of weird though- the boys and her sisters' were recovering but something was off with this one. Tch… he'd probably been sick all along- but nope- ugga ugga me Butch- Me big manly man who no get sick- ugga ugga hurrrrrgh!
She smirked over her needles- that was a good one she'd have to remember that.
The Neanderthal was still sweating and looked genuinely uncomfortable. Well this place was a sauna- she frowned and pulled the blanket down somewhat…and then he started shivering. She frowned more.
"Butch… you better not have pulled the tongue shit again." She hissed. "That shit don't work on me!" Another hiss. And finally… he reacted. Though… not in a very….usual sort of way. Another raspy…. Kind of tired sounding chuckle was his reaction of choice and she kind of was starting not to like it. The chuckle she meant.
"Yeah… can't… pull one on you huh ButterBabe?"
She stiffened and then mechanically reached out for the bottle.
"You don't call me shit like that." She hissed. "Understand!"
"Kay…. Still doesn't… change the fact you are one…"
"Shut. Up." She snarled- that pillow was enticingly close. Oh Yes. Wouldn't take much to put him for a nice long nap now would it!
Except his eyes were open. And he was staring right at her and it was weird and… ugh. Just… don't look at her like that Spike head! … Even without spikes. He was…. A fucking spike headed… idiotic… moron. Yeah.
… That's what he was.
Thankfully at least his eyes closed again and he was slumped back in his pillow.
"Jut…try to get some sleep idiot." She murmured. "You're the last one- gotta milk this for all it's worth eh?"
Silence. She rolled her eyes and plopped back on her chair. Dumb ass.
"Yeah… not often a guy gets a beautiful nurse… all to hi'self."
Her chest clenched.
…I didn't hear that right.
"…Yeah. Sure." She muttered. "Okay go back to your creepy fantasies now Asswipe – g'night."
"….The Butch… gets the best one… lucky him… the toughest fighter… best one…of em' all."
…. Okay what the fuck?
She stood. "Butch you're acting weird knock it off. Lemme see your teeth- if they're pink again I'm gonna kill ya-."
"… Worse ways to die…"
Despite herself… she began to feel dread up her spine. His eyes were tightly closed but his breathing was… harsh. Labored… gasping at times. The hell… even at their worst none of the others had had symptoms like-.
He started jerking a bit- some kind of… the fuck… the fuck was going-!?
"Butch… Butch answer me what the fuck is wrong with you-!?" She grabbed his shoulder but jerked it back. Jesus Christ! It was like a fucking scalding iron! She grabbed his face- even hotter. And he was still making those weird… shivers and sounds like…
…Like he was losing the ability to breathe.
But… the fuck… what the-!? She grit her teeth and ripped the blanket off him before he caused a fucking fire and-.
"…Oh my God."
His entire leg was… covered in a rash. A rash none of the others had had! And… And…
"Butch… Butch wake up! Wake up idiot!" He was limp. He was still and that fucking wheezing was just… was just-.
Oh…Oh God. She grabbed the thermometer. O-Okay. SO relapse. Clearly this was a relapse and… the fever had come back and- and…
The wheezing was getting more frequent. His face was starting to lose color… something… something was wrong!
"Butch… so help me after this I am going to force feed you this fucking medicine or I'll shove it up your fucking ass like a fucking a dog you stupid-!"
Beep. Beep.
She almost could feel the weight on her entire body- the shortness of breath and the near instant gelling of her legs. That couldn't be right… that couldn't be-!
His wheezing was getting louder and he jerked again- and again- she just stared at those tiny numbers…
104.5
"H-Help." She finally choked out. "Help!" She said louder. His head lolled back. "BLOSSOM!" She shrieked. "BLOSSOM- BRICK! ONE OF YOU- ALL OF YOU! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!"
The door crashed open and the loud strangled gasp didn't help her mood at all. She didn't even mind when she was shoved aside back into the chair- the raging puppy grabbed his brothers shoulders and started bellowing at him- shaking him- trying to shock him into consciousness clearly- another harsh growl and the Red Rowdy was tossed aside-
"Butch! Butch can you hear me!" Leader Girl was yelling. Why was she yelling- he was right in front of her… Someone took her shoulders and she was plopped in a chair- she heard loud arguing – again with all the yelling… Little Boy Blue had a hold of Cap Boy by the shoulders holding him back.
"BC… BC… what happened!? What's-!?" Bubbles yelped.
"BUTCH- ANSWER. ME. IF YOU CAN HEAR ME- MOVE YOUR HAND!"
They all waited. Nothing not even a twitch. Blossom bit her lip and turned.
" Boomer help me get you brother up – we have to cool him down- Bubbles turn the shower on cold- but not ice cold understand! He'll go into shock if it's ice. Move. NOW. Brick… call 911. Call 911 now – B-Buttercup!? Oh God… B-Brick!"
BOOMER GET THE SHOWER ON!
BC are you okay!? Oh no… someone get me the thermometer!
Butch! Butch don't you fucking dare you moron! Don't you fucking-!
WILL SOMEONE JUST CALL 911!
To Be concluded...
And it with that my lovelies... Act 5 will be concluded by the end of January at the latest- 40 pages into the finale finale- so we'll see. ;D
-Reviewer Recognition-
Pontiac56:
Holy... what a review :D
I swear reviews like this always make me just pinch myself because surely I must be dreaming- you are far too kind and I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much- It took a long time to fully create and plan but it's all coming together quite nicely. There's something about this cast that just makes me want to write them- as much as I complain sometimes ( okay a lot of times but these chapters are long man - my hands hate me XD) - The Reds are my true OTP though- have been as long as I can remember-even before I had any idea what an OTP was- haaa- oh those innocent days. How I miss them sometimes- I digress though time does always keep on passing by- but hey who knows what will come about from this new year eh? ;D
Thanks so much for the review! :D
pureria:
Thank you lovely! :D ( Also a fantastic artist just so y'all know- totally check this girl's art out- gorgeous)
Guest:
Thank you kindly! :D
loveyou568:
Ohhhh yes- Buttercup we all got your number- ;D She enjoyed muchly seeing Mr. Jojo (Green) half naked- of course she did ehehe. And Yes Mother Buttercup trying to keep the rabbits at bay... may have forgotten about herself in that equation. Hohoho. XD
Thanks for the review! :D
Obsydian Mirror:
Ahhh- thank you so much! Like I've always said- my favorite literary techniques are symbolism and foreshadowing so uh...yeeeeeah good catch ;D
I wanted to flesh out the Rowdyruff Boys as characters and they went through so many drafts... especially the Red one- as you all can probably imagine but Brick Anthony Jojo, the reserved snarky super genius with the ever chipped glasses and trusty red cap finally emerged from the depths XD
Thanks so much for the review! :D
SunnyShipping:
Oh my you make me blush! I'm glad you liked it enough to go searching for it from A03 to here XD - I still have yet to master that site. I'm trying though ahaha
To answer your question, yes Robin is the last POV- she and Bubbles' "voices"will be fully fleshed out in Act 6- and as always after this her POV will be interspersed as will the others. The nine voices, three Puffs, Three Rowdys and three "Norms"- As Time Goes By is after all among other things, a "coming of age" tale in some ways. Miss Snyder has a very distinct way of speaking and thinking and I personally cannot wait to fully introduce this sassy karate master and social media "genius" to you all properly at last XD
Thank you so much for the review! :D
MarshmallowFluff:
Ahaha- yesssss Buttercup has begun to soften somewhat towards her erstwhile Counterpart - or at least they're coming to a... sliht understadning... or at least they "were" who knows now... mwahahaha *cough hack cough* Okay so maybe I'm not that evil but still XD
Buttercup Eva Utonium was definitely a challenge to plan and write as a whole- the editor and I both had heck of a time with her but she's hopefully entertaining enough to satisfy all you lovely people ;D - goodness knows BUtch certainly can't get enough of her- ohohoho.
I've become Greens Trash I'll admit it. I will always be Reds and Reds forever but the Greens have begun to creep up there man and it's only probably going to get worse "As Time goes by"- HA! ... okay that was lame and I'll leave that at that XD
Thanks for the review lovely!
StraniqueGirl0684:
AHHHHHH THANK YOU DARLING!
I've already answered a good chunk of your questions already on Tumblr but yeah... 400 reviews... can you believe that... because I can't. Good God... just wow.
Ghosty is... a special boy- as you alreayd know XDD- He'll... grow on you? Maybe... maybe not? Probably not but hey can't blame a girl for trying XDDD - I kid. Or do I- mwahaha- only I know! ... Until I have another WHY DOES MY MUSE HATE ME TT_TT - moment on Tumblr and I just whine to you about writing problems ( friendship goals XD) -
And I hope this slight... somewhat reconcilliation between Buttercup and Cap Boy soothed your fears because oh goodness does Brick know how much trouble he's in - no worries on that end- if there weren't a literal plague engulfing the city then God knows how much trouble he'd be in right now but right now... priorities are different.
Buttercup and Brick's friendship was honestly one of the hardest to write. As I said some friendships come easier than other ( Cough Mike and Brickcough ) but these two will end up developing heck of a friendship and even more importantly a mutual respect - their end goals after all remain the same. To protect those closest to them with all of their power and ability. As BC realized... they're more alike then she'd want to admit.
And oh God BUtch... I'll admit that part was painful. Phobias legitimately are the worst- my apiaphobia used to near cripple me in the summer - just HEARING a buzz in my ear could send me into torrents of tears and running for the hills- It's gotten better as I've gotten older of course but it remains to be said Butch's phobia of needles... and it's origins - as well as his finally coming to terms with it are a big part of Butch's overall story. Something I'm greatly looking forward to ( as you know ;P)
And yes... Brick's notes made me to want to scream as well- do you know how hard it to finally get your Word Doc to stop autocorrecting you... because it's annoying- especially when you're on mobile Google Docs... oh yes- wonderful experience. BUt all artists must suffer for their work in some form clearly... ah well. As you know and others will find out- those notes will come into play later- oh I can sense the pitchforks- this is gonna be fuuuuuun. hehehe.
I hope this chapter satisifed you for now darling- you know the finale finale is coming shortly- and once again you're going to break my brand new blush-o-meter woman! I just got this for Christmas mannnnnn- XD
Thanks as always for your lovely reviews darling- they're always appreciated! :D
I love Ppg and Rrb:
Thanks so much for the review! :D
HardWrapping:
Ah yes- another day- another full house at the Jojo residence- poor Buttercup, shame she wasn't there to quell a panicked Bubbles' hopeless romantic instincts- HE WARMED HER UP ONCE! - ah well, someday our Green Puff shall learn ;D
Princess is a wretched human being isn't she- alas it will be a while before she gets what's coming to her I'm afraid- money is after all a terribly powerful weapon and oh yes... Mr. Morebucks is indeed up to something despicable. No good will come out of this at all...
But at least we have the Greens and their antics to entertain us all no? ;p
Thanks so much for your review!
TKOnline:
Hmmmm- interesting of you to note Butch's interest in the medical sciences... hmmm interesting indeed.
You're somewhat right I can tell you- while it was still mostly Brick who took care of the sick so to speak in the Jojo household Butch WAS in fact his "second in command" after all so it makes sense he'd learn the ropes from the best ;D
Butch was trying to sound tough ( and hide the fact he refused his medicine of course)- but you'll see Butch is a much more complex character than maybe previously thought= certainly our lil' Buttercup is seeing this now after regarding Brick's story...
Though your idea about the medical books made me laugh I'll admit XD - he would be livid yes ahaha XD
Thanks so much for the review!
jtdarkman:
Hehehe- of course Buttercup cares! She just has... a unique way of showing it ;p
Butch's dreams are... interesting though aren't they- makes one wonder where they're actually coming from... but hey... who knows... well I do y'all will just have to wait ehehehe.
Good catch on the clothes too- yes Butch was shirtless and in his boxers for the majority of the team's somewhat meeting XD- he has no shaaaaaame XDD
Thanks so much for your review!
ViciousVillaniousVictorian:
Ahahaa- well I already messaged you the answer to your question of course but for everyone else- No Brick is not an "Orafira"- the mystery of that term and what is means is exclusive to Mr. Believe. XD More on that mystery will be coming no worries.
Thanks for the review! :D
DDisa:
And with that... the blush-o-meter is destroyed. Finished. Ah well back to the Writer's market I go clearly XD
My so many questions- hmmm well in order of asks:
Will there be lime/lemon-
Short answer... kinda? I am horrid at such writing and I feel bad for anyone I could subject to it- HOWEVER I will be attempting... lemonade. Limeade. Pulpy lemonade... but not the full deal. You'll see what I mean- I've got a few test drafts and such that have been reviewed by the Editor as well as my ever patient writing squad XD- those poor innocent souls... what I subject them to XD - But yes, there will be... arguable smut yes. *blush*- this will likely be a disaster but anything for my craft!
How did I create my OCs
This is kind of a strange answer- but when I was debating which OC's I would likely be needing I was also rewatching the original series both for fun and "research"- mostly fun but research sounds more professional so shhhhh. XD - But in regards to the question, there were a LOT of unnamed faces in those crowds- so whose to say one of them wasn't Janey Believe- or James Walter- with that in mind and trying to emulate the show as best to my ability I kept that in the back of my mind as I planned my supporting cast - as for Pablo... I just liked his design and thought it'd be fun to flesh him out XD- I made an entire subplot with one hit pony Mike Believe- why not give all the Pokey Oaks cuties their time in the spotlight XDDD
What's up with the Professor?
Put it to ya this way- a very loving protective father with three lovely teenage daughters is suddenly confronted with three handsome young men interested in courting said daughters. Every anime father's worst nightmare trope XD - I am a sucker for tropes I admit it readily- playing with them can be a lot of fun XD The Professor is obviously NOT going to actually hurt anyone- except anyone who hurts his babies of course- but the Rowdys also know to respect the man with a labcoat and steady smile with far too much access to A'X for comfort sometimes XD
Of course Brick would never REALLY end up in Antartica... unless he really messed up and do remember he'd have to survive Mr. Believe and the Green Powerpuff's wrath before John Utonium were to get his shot XD- so in a nutshell the Professor is just a little overzealous in protecting his babies sometimes but he also knows the boys are a good bunch of kids... misguided in youth yes... but they care for his daughters and that's ultimately all any father could wish for.
Will there be late character plot twists and such:
;) - Yeah sorry spoilers- you'll have to wait and see ;D
And with that thanks so much for the review! :D
ReadLoverNumber1:
Ahhhh- yes Mother Buttercup was fun to write ehehe- listen even I get to have fun sometimes ya know XD
Mange was honestly one of the coolest things in that episode and they never explained it - never did- and I know that was the point of it being a "parody" episode but once again- much like Mr. Believe- I was not satisfied with that awesome power never being seen again and sooooo- Writer time! XD
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks so much for your review! :D
Vipper73:
Oh yess you read that right- Buttercup was indeed liking what she was seeing and really WHO can blame her? ;)
But La'el as a Goddess? Not... quite. You'll all see I promise- have I led you all astray yet? XD - You'll get your answers soon no worries!
Thank you so much!
Leyall99:
Well I mean I AM the "Dark Lord" according to some circles sooooo- I kid I kid XD
The Rowdy's childhood is excruciating to write sometimes- after all I know the back stories in my head so those traumatic events while they shaped them up to be the individuals they are now is still painful. I'm not heartless I swear XD - As for X Puberty well... the evil part of my Muse was more or less around the lines of well... they had mitts... and now they have fingers... this isn't going to be a very fun process... LET'S DESCRIBE IT IN DETAIL! MWAHAHAHA- okay not really but again that was just me being rather overzealous in my accuracy and such for writing in general. I am a queen of meticulously planning and mapping out unneeded details... be afraid. Be very afraid.
The secrecy between the team was inevitable- after all it's only been barely seven months of working together- versus the two separate teams exclusively. The Reds have to learn to share duties- the Blues have to learn ( well okay they've taken it the best ) - and the Greens... have to learn to take Pink and Red orders so to speak. Is this an easy process...probably not but they're working on it XD
Ahhhh yes Mother Buttercup. Again she was my guilty pleasure for this Act. I won't lie. XD I adored writing that part so much... so so much!
I hope the majority of this chapter didn't cause "too" much pain... the finale finale will be coming shortly after all! :D
Thanks again and shout out time- anyone who's reading this- this girl's a fantabulous artist go check her ouuuuut!
PS: That image made me literally spit out my drink laughing. Him at a tea party just... yes. Oh my God I love it.
Shen Gong Who:
Oh they're just "big manly men who no get sick!" XD But yes the Rowdys are the worst when it comes to getting sick. It's rather sad really XDDD
Except for the Butch of course- you're so right ;p
Mange is as I said one of my favorite BC moments in the OG show because SO COOL! So yes I knew going into ATGB Mange was making her grand return and in a big way so I'm glad it hasn't disappointed :D
And oh yes I am a Legend of Zelda fanatic ( ATGB is... more or less written to Zelda OST's ( *Twilight Princess and Breath of the Wild) minor easter egg here) - so Link's hat is fabulous of course ;D - but one must admit Brick IS acting a bit like a certain green hatted Hylian in a way ;D
Thanks so much for the review! :D
Guest:
Thanks so much for the review! Yessss Butchercup for life! And thank you lovely! :D
Goddess Cure Mystic:
I feel like Sailor Moon was a lot of people's intro to anime in the States- I had no idea what it was until that dang song sarted playing- `~Fighting Evil by Moonlight!" Ahem... err sorry lost in memory lane there ahaha.
Thanks so much for the review!
- A.T.G.B-
And to all my followers, those who have added me to their favorites and just my readers in general again I simply must say:
Thank you.
See you all at the next update.
Cheers,
Carrie