Chapter 37: Home Is Where The Heart Is

Brick, Butch and Boomer are now looking towards the direction of the caldera from the helipad overlooking the volcanic caldera. Today is the day they will be flying back to Townsville, for Mojo Jojo had completed the request of the Rowdyruff Boys. It took the simian scientist a while to make the necessary gears that the boys would need for the future to come, but the device is completed just in time. The delay is due to Mojo Jojo needing to finetune Butch's gear based on his personal specifications, and obviously the mutated chimpanzee finds it a hassle. The three boys looked into their palm before clenching it into a fist.

"The gear have synchonized itself with a biometric and also neuroelectrical read to identify you as its owner. It will only activate with your biometric and if you willed it. I am just making sure that just in case if someone detached your arm, as it is a -"

"Yeah we get it." The three Rowdyruff Boys chorused.

"Alright boys, safe trip. It was nice of you boys to come over, as brief as it can be." This words surprised the teenagers, and they looked at each other before they

"Yeah, it was nice to see that you're well Mojo." Boomer said with a smile.

"Now I need to go and do my science. Now if you excuse me." Mojo Jojo said as he turned around.

"We'll come back and visit again!" Boomer cried out, and the simian paused before he disappeared behind the closing blast doors. The three boys looked at each other before they shrugged. They all knew that Mojo Jojo rarely talked about his feelings and all, and the boys knew that that is the best emotional response they will ever get from the simian. The three Rowdyruff Boys soon flew off towards the skyy in three bolts of lightning that corresponded to their colors.

As the three bolts of crimson red, forest green and cobalt blue streaks through the azure blue skies, Mojo Jojo watches with a kind gentle smile beside a very attractive Asian woman in a very stylized kimono, her black hair pinned in a bun, light brown eyes, and a small beauty mark under the left side of her lower lip.

"You really like them don't you...your Evilness?" The Japanese female servant asked simian scientist.

"Yes I do Nagase, and I hope for the best for them. They are my sons after all."

[Utonium Residence, Townsville 12.30pm]

"Hmmmmmmmm-It's so good to be home!" Bubbles cried out as she steps out from the car and stretches.

The Powerpuff Girls are back in Townsville and all of them are glad that they are home as well. Even though it had been just ten days since they last left Townsville, but it felt like an age for the Powerpuff Girls. Fortunately for them, they noticed that the town at least is not in any obvious destruction since they left, though the Powerpuff Girls had heard from Professor Utonium that the Downtown Townsville is essentially locked down. The other parts of the city is still functioning, and coincidentally Townsville High will be opened back three days from now. The girls could not wait to get back to a semblance of normal life, or at least as normal as it comes for the Powerpuff Girls at least.

"Well, I think this would be the beginning of a nice day isn't it?" Caspar speaks out, causing Bubbles to jump a little. Bubbles is still not used to the sentient ear rings to speak out to her and the distance between her ears and Caspar is too close for comfort.

"Hope it stays this way for at least a day or so." Buttercup answered Caspar, and Buttercup is now stretching her arms to get the blood circulating once more. Buttercup is not a person who wears accessories, and she is still trying to get used to Melchior around her arms. Somehow the bangles made her a little more conscious about her appearance than before but she is not complaining as Melchior had made itself into a rather stylish bangle.

"Don't jinx it." Blossom said as she opened the car door and stretched her shapely legs while sitting in the car seat.

"If you girls don't mind, can you get your baggage out of the car?" Professor Utonium called out to his daughters. J.E.E.V.E.S is right that the road trip would help. The professor and the Powerpuff Girls manages to bond even more as they travelled back from Dayton back to Townsville. Also the professor and the girls get to know the Magi even more, and knowing their limits.

Suddenly the air cracked with the sound of three sonic booms and Professor Utonoum and the Powerpuff Girls saw three streaks of lightning darts across the skies above, colored in cobalt blue, forest green and crimson red respectively. The Powerpuff Girls knew who they are, and they wondered whether the town is not in flames thanks to them.

"Ah,so the Rowdyruff Boys are coming back today as well." Professor Utonium voiced out his thoughts and the three Powerpuff Girls immediately turned towards the professor.

"Wait...you mean that they are also out of town when we were out of town?" Blossom questioned the professor.

"Yes,in fact you girls were gone a day before they went out. They wanted to tell you girls that they're going to be out of town for a few days but you girls already left when they wanted to tell you." Professor Utonium said without skipping a beat as he opens the boot of his cart to take out his luggage.

"Well at least they tried to tell us that they are off for a few days. Now I feel like a douche for not telling them first." Blossom said out loud as she reluctantly acknowledged that the boys are more courteous than them when it comes to that particular pleasantries.

"Where on earth would they go to anyway?" Buttercup asked as she is unable to imagine a place that they will be visiting at this given time.

"Doesn't matter. At least they're back." Bubbles smiled as she watches the crimson lightning streaks ahead in the azure blue skies above them.

The Rowdyruff Boys' trip to Mojo Jojo's had been fruitful and with Mojo Jojo's help,they are at least better equipped to face off against Him's lackeys. However they are still worries that Him has something up his sleeve. Butch in particular had been approached by Him for the task, but Butch had prevented Him from informing what the task that requires the dark-haired teenager's skills and talents. Butch did not tell his brothers about Him's attempt, but he did eventually divulged his particular new ability that he learned to his brothers. Nonetheless thanks to Him, Butch found out a particular way in which he could use his abilities. The simian scientist proceed to make them their particular gear. Suffice to say, the Rowdyruff Boys are particularly confident over their new gear.

"Well bye bye tropical island and back to this stinking city." Butch said as he lands in front of the Morningstar residence.

"Yeah, honestly I've grown very attached to that volcanic hot spring bath at Mojo's place." Boomer's voice is tinted with the longing for the comforts that was afforded to them when they were at Mojo Jojo's island lair.

"Well, let's open the door and get in. We're back here now. Nothing to look forward here." Brick said as he took the keys out of his pockets. Honestly deep down,Brick wished that Lilith would be back home to greet them. Given her heavy duties as the district attorney of Townsville,it is highly unlikely that she will be home to greet them. Living with Lilith for a month really made Brick a little more appreciative of normal life, as he enjoyed the greeting that Lilith always gives them when they returned. As he was about to insert the key into the keyhole, the door pulled back and to Brick's surprise he saw a fair lady with a dark, pixie haircut and glasses looking back at him with gray eyes.

"Miss? I didn't..." Brick's voice is caught up in his throat as this came as a surprise for him. What comes as a bigger surprise is that this is the first time he saw her in casual clothing. For some reason, a pair of yoga pants and a dark blue t-shirt really suited her well if not more so than her usual office outfit.

"Took a day off or to be exact, forced to take a few days off. The mayor forced me to take a week off starting from two days ago to recuperate." Lilith answered the carnelian-haired teenager with a sad smile. Brick noticed that she is a little more haggard than before, and he could not blame that buffoon for forcing Lilith to take a week off. But at least she is well enough that she looks beautiful even without her makeup and stylish office clothing.

"That's surprisingly convenie...I smelled tuna. Also I smelled peas, corn, some cheddar...and some cream of mushroom and chopped onions and some breadcrumbs." Boomer pointed out as he realized the smell of food. The aroma of the food soon escaped from the opened door and immediately Brick and Butch could not help but to salivate from the aroma despite their preference for meats in general.

"Knew you boys be coming home today. Decided to make some tuna casserole if you don't mind along with some Caesar salad and some fruits. Not fancy and hones-"

"I'm starved!" Butch interrupted the woman as he realized that there is some food waiting for them. Boomer grin cheekily, while Brick gives a small smile.

"Heh... we're back." Brick said as he pulls his cap down in embarrassment. Noticing Brick's bashfulness, Lilith smiled and gives him a hug. The hug catches the teenager by surprise, and the other Rowdyruff Boys looked at them with surprise. Butch and Boomer were initially hesitant, but then she beckons them to come with her fingers. They took small steps, but those small steps are heading towards Brick and Lilith. When the two teenagers are close enough, she took them into her embrace. Brick, Butch and Boomer surprisingly find this embrace particularly nice and warm.

"Welcome home boys."

[The Next Day, Townsville High, Townsville, 9.00am]

Blossom entered into her class and she noticed that more eyes are now upon her. She looked at herself wondering what it going on for all she did is to wear a single piece pink sleeveless dress and Balthazar and surely a person's limbs is nothing special. However Blossom being as clueless as she is failed to realized one thing; it is precisely those exposed parts that are now the focus of the boys and some of the girls in the class. Blossom failed to realized that her greatest assets are her slender arms and legs, and thanks to Major Bradshaw's boot camp, they had turned even more shapely than before and many men would want to die being held in submission by those arms or stepped upon by those legs.

"Pinkie, you're in the way." Blossom picks upon a familiar voice and she turned around to see Brick looking back at her. Brick is wearing a black turtleneck with dark red pants, and Blossom noticed that his figure is a little more defined this time round. Brick's eyes scanned her for a moment before he closes his eyes and walk pass her.

"Hey! At least say good morning you twerp!" Slighted that Brick did not greet her properly, Blossom called him out.

"Fine. Good morning Pinkie. " Brick said calmly and Blossom noticed that Brick is less edgy than before. The sudden politeness also caught her off-guard and Blossom is forced to respond politely.

"Oh...Good morning Brick." Blossom said meekly. Brick is surprised that Blossom is less prissy than before and it appears that she had found something in her to be more accepting. Brick chuckled a little, as it felt like Blossom's own improvement is very similar to his own emotional state with the entity within him. Brick smiled at her, knowing well that it is always hard to take on their inner issues and fix it.

"What's so funny?" Blossom asked the teenager as Brick walked for nine paces before he turned around to Blossom.

"This is gonna sound corny but...Nice necklace you got there. Suits your eyes well." Blossom blushed a little as Brick walks to his seat. Blossom clearly did not expect Brick to complement her in any way.

Brick smiled once more, and for once in his school life he like how things are going about.

[Townsville High, Townsville 3.00pm]

Buttercup is glad to be back in the Mixed Martial Arts club once more, and she is excited to go back to her routines and train before the rest of her club members arrived. As she open the doors to her clubroom, she is greeted by a sudden gust of wind blowing out from the room forcing her to shield her eyes. As she unshields her eyes, she sees that someone is already there before her. The figure before her is already shadow boxing, but a gust of wind launches itself from the figure's arms with every punch. Buttercup observe the figure's footwork and is very impressed by the complexity of the footwork and also the weaving of the figure's body as it maximizes speed, strength, and balance with every move. Buttercup claps her hands, causing the figure to snap out from his training trance and turn towards her.

"Not bad Butch. Not bad at all." Buttercup said as she takes out her leather jacket to reveal her black halterneck.

"Ah Butters, long time no see. Heard you went out of town." The green-eyed mountain of sweating lean muscle walks towards Buttercup with a grin. Buttercup admits that somehow Butch had become even more toned than before, and Buttercup can see that his musculature is now a little more balanced than before. The girls would go crazy over his body, but she is not like the other girls.

"Yeah, I did. Heard that you boys went out of town as well. Training?" Buttercup crosses her arms as she takes a closer look at Butch.

"Yeap, and I would assume you girls went out for training as well. You look good." Butch scans Buttercup and noticed that her form is even more wiry than before and her form is much more solid than before. Butch is impressed that somehow Buttercup managed to remain slender while being more toned than before. And somehow those bangles that Buttercup is now spotting really fitted her very well. As Buttercup turned around, Butch is treated to the full view of her bare and beautiful back, and her pants really accentuate her posterior. Butch bit his lip as he enjoyed the view and suddenly he was caught off-guard as Buttercup bent down to put her jacket on the floor.

"Looks like the rest ain't here yet. You want to go for a round with me?" Buttercup turned her head to his direction from her bent position, and Butch wondered how on earth is this heavenly sight possible. Butch seriously need to reevaluate his issues with all the Powerpuff Girls, as they hit all the right buttons at the right time.

"Yeah sure. Let's see what you've got Butters." Buttercup looks at her watch and noticed that there is going to be another three more minutes before the rest of the MMA club members come over for their weekly club activities. Seeing from the time and also Butch's somewhat perverted look, she will try to make this quick less he does something he would regret.

"Well, let's do it as a one-touch match. First one to bring down in one blow in three minutes wins?" Buttercup challenged Butch, and Butch gives Buttercup a thumbs up. Buttercup flips herself into the MMA cage, and Butch followed soon after.

"No holds barred?" Butch clarified, as he looked at Buttercup stretching her limbs. Needing to disguise his sight of checking her butt out, Butch stretches his neck. However Buttercup knew that he is checking her out. Somehow, she honestly felt happy that she is attractive enough for a guy to check her out but at the same time she wished it was someone she is more attracted to to check her out. For that, she would try to bring Butch down for his insolence.

"Why not..Let's do this."

Butch and Buttercup immediately went into their combat stance and both are now jockeying for an advantageous position. Butch and Buttercup could appreciate this game of cat and mouse as both seek to deceive the other to land a counter. Both teenagers are disciplined enough to hold their ground as they let out some jabs and straight kicks to force the other to react. Some weaving here and there and some footwork here and there. Both are particularly surprised that the other person had the discipline in them to hold their ground. Both their superhuman hearing can hear the other's heartbeat and in a way their state of mind. Both are as calm as a tranquil forest, but they both knew that any action they do would light up the fire within them.

It turns out that Buttercup is the less patient of the two.

Buttercup immediately focused her energy behind her back and the winds soon started gathering around Buttercup. Realizing that Buttercup is planning on something, Butch decided that he would also try out his new skill that he got. His wrists started to have a glowing ring around it, and soon enough his body is enveloped in a green glow. Buttercup disappeared within a split second, and Butch immediately ducked low. Buttercup is surprised that he managed to dodge her, and he tried to throw an uppercut at her. However, she launches a kick at his ribs and she thought she had connected her blow. To her surprise, her blow is being repelled by a significantly greater opposing force and she was forced back to such an extent that she was flipping through the air. Fortunately for her, that is the force that she needs to flip backwards to avoid the uppercut. She was careful enough to make her movement in mid-air to avoid an aerial counter and she distanced herself from Butch with one of her arms on the ground and her legs spread out to stabilize herself.

"That's new." Buttercup voiced her surprise.

"Likewise." Butch replied before he aims his hand with his thumb holding on his fingers and then flicking his fingers. Buttercup realized that something is very wrong and immediately rolled to the side without hesitation when she saw a faint green glow and felt a gust of wind went past her. The cage panel immediately blasts off towards the wall and hits it with a resounding bang. As the dust settles, Buttercup realize that this match is going to be very interesting indeed. But just as she start to gather the vortex around her arms, the doors to the club room opens up and several of the students enters into the club room. The students are soon greeted by the sight of the two superhumans and a panel of the cage at the wall. Buttercup looked at her watch and gives Butch a smirk.

"Well Butch, times up. It's a tie."

"Heh, you lucked out Butters."

"Holy shit, is that one of the cage on the wall?"

Buttercup smiled as she walks out from the MMA ring through the opening that Butch caused. As Buttercup calmly walks away from Butch, she understand that Butch is right about how luck is on her side today. Her leg is currently suffering from a temporary numbness due to her attempt to kick his ribs while he is down. Somehow the blow appears to reflect back to her feet with such a force that it causes a rippling effect in her leg. Buttercup is mustering what she can to walk normally and once she hops down on the ground, she loses her balance for a moment. Fortunately she can fault it on her bad landing and it seems that Butch did not catch her tripping. She is glad that the students came in at the exact moment and she seamlessly blended in with the other club members to hide her leg's numbness.

Damn, that's some amazing defense he got there.

Butch is impressed that she managed to take on his Body Reflector as he touches his ribs. Butch winced for a moment, as the area around his ribs are now sore from the blow. Butch had underestimated Buttercup's kick, and had failed to allocate enough of the Body Reflector to dampen the blow and take her out with her own blow. If Butch did not duck the way he did, her punch would had taken him down despite the Body Reflector. His low stance also contributed to his stability as he went low that he did not fall from the kick to his ribs. Equally impressive is her ability to dodge what he calls his Flicker Reflectors, as those even took Him a little by surprise. But it is precisely because he know what Buttercup can be capable off that he powered down the Flicker Reflectors. With only two per cent of his force, a panel of the cage was propelled forty feet away and slammed into the wall.

"Butters never disappoint." Butch smiled, knowing that there will be another time for them to see who truly won the test of strength between them.

[Townsville High Auditorium, Townsville High, Townsville: 4.30pm]

Bubbles and Boomer are now the last two souls in the Glee club.

They are now together because the president of the club forced them together to plan for the annual Winter Ball for Townsville High. Both teenagers had never really been left alone to interact with each other before, and both are particularly quiet as they sat beside each other figuring out what to do. Bubbles in particular do not have any fond memories of interacting with Boomer as it somehow always ended up in a rather obscene manner. Conversely, Boomer knew that he had caused no certain amount of trouble for his counterpart, and he had always wanted to make amends somewhat. But their awkwardness around each other is preventing them from having a proper interaction.

"So...how's your trip Bubbs? Heard you and your sisters went out of town for a few days." Boomer decided that starting the conversation is a correct move to make given the situation.

"It's...interesting so to speak. But a fruitful one." Bubbles hesitate a little, but she did not lie to the blue-eyed boy.

"I see. That's good to hear."

"I heard you boys also went out of town right after us. How's things with that one?" Bubbles asked back, knowing that perhaps Boomer would divulged the details of what happened during their absence.

"Well, it is a weird trip. Never thought I would see so many weird things to be honest. But yeah, it is fruitful." Boomer did not lie. But neither is he comfortable in divulging the details of what happened during the trip.

"Oh...ok." Bubbles said meekly, thinking that it is fair enough that the blue-eyed boy is also reluctant to tell Bubbles of his trip.

Both Bubbles and Boomer are now quiet once more, and the situation is now even more awkward than before. This situation is further aggravated by the fact that they need to communicate in order to get things done. Boomer and Bubbles inhaled in deep before exhaling out. Both of them noticed that they are both doing the same thing at the same time. This in turn sparked a giggle from Bubbles and a chuckle from Boomer.

"Seriously." Boomer speaks out once more, his tone solemn and utterly at odds with his usual cheerful self.

"Huh?" Bubbles was taken aback by the sudden seriousness of his tone.

"Seriously Bubbles...the fact that we are in the same room is something I'll never expect."

"I don't follow Boomer."

"We used to be enemies, and now we are allies or something. We're created to kick your ass, but we helped your girls a while back for no apparent reason nor reward."

"Yeah, that's something alright. Personally I think it is a good thing that we got more friends than enemies." Bubbles voice is clear and sweet, and Boomer immediately felt Bubbles' palm resting on the top of his hand. Boomer turns his head around to see Bubbles looking up to the ceiling with a smile on her face.

"But don't you think we're messed up or something? I mean...how could you be so positive about us so quickly like that? Aren't you a little too trusting or something? Naive even?" Boomer's sapphire eyes are now clouded by a veil of darkness within his heart, and he know that he should not have spoken out like this to Bubbles. But somehow, it came out quite cleanly from Boomer's lips.

"That's reason enough for me to trust you boys." Boomer felt a sense of relief within, however he suddenly felt a sudden pain from the back of his hand and he looked down to see Bubbles' nails digging a little deep into his skin. He looked up and saw Bubbles smiling, but this smile is enveloped with annoyance and anger. Boomer then noticed that his legs are wrapped by several smaller chains of electrical orbs. Boomer tried to escape, but he realized that Bubbles is somehow holding him down.

"That does not mean I forgive you for all the obscene things you did to me." Bubbles immediately stood up and faced the teenager as even more chain of orbs bound him to his seat. Her eyes are royally pissed, and Boomer watches as several electrical orbs formed around her and a ring of pure electrical energy forms behind her. Boomer then realized that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially when said woman is a superhuman being.

"Wait Bubbles...where did that trust went?" Boomer said with a whimper, trying his best to get on Bubble's good side, but knows that he is failing very badly with every moment.

"Trust is not the same as forgiveness. Now's the time for my payback." Bubbles said in an uncharacteristically chilling voice which even send shivers down Boomer's spine. As he struggles to get out from Bubbles' new ability, he was shocked by the orbs. Not even his newly acquired ability would get him out from this situation.

"Bubbles...Bubbles...please...we can talk about this..." Boomer said, his voice trailing as he struggles to get out form his bindings.

"Any last words?" Bubbles said in a cold and chilling voice. As the orbs around her slowly merges and form into a large electrical orb, Boomer realizes that this is it. He knew that he should not have done what he did in the Glee club the last time they met.

"Karma's a bitch." Boomer's face turned pale as he realized that this is how he would get his ass kicked so bad that he might go back to Hell.

"Rest in peace, Boomer."

"BUBBLESSSSORRIEEEE PLEAASEEEEDOONTTTKIILLLMMEEEE!" Boomer screamed while he closed his eyes, expecting the worst. Boomer could not hear anything anymore and Boomer knew that that would be the last thing he heard; him begging for his life in such a pathetic state. Suddenly a loud hysterical guffaw can be heard.

Boomer opens his eyes and he sees Bubbles holding her stomach as she lets out a boisterous laugh while her other arm is holding her phone. She then noticed that Boomer is looking at her with a confounded look and she turned the screen of her phone around and pressed her display. The video of Boomer's talk and how he realized that he is trapped by Bubbles is apparent, and he soon realized that the entire scene was recorded without him even realizing it. He then realized why Bubbles materialized the orbs; it is to distract him from the phone.

"That's for all the time you made me feel bad! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Bubbles laughed out loud, and Boomer could not help but to feel rather bad about the whole thing. As the laughter died down, Bubbles leans down and gives Boomer a hug, which caught him a little off-guard. As her breast presses on his chest, Boomer realizes that Bubbles is a very big girl now, and he honestly try to control his bodily urges. He could smell her, and somehow she have this very nice lavender smell on her. Suddenly his left ear felt the sensation of her breathing, and that made his heart pump.

"What I said before...about trusting you boys...it's the truth." Bubbles whispered to Boomer's ear.

"Huh?"

"You guys could have left us alone, but yet you guys helped us. You guys saved us. If you hadn't been there, the day wouldn't be saved."

"Bubbles? What's..."

"Many heroes said that their bodies moved before they could even had the chance to think. That's what happened to you back then... right?" Bubbles' words pierced through his heart, and shocked him to his core. No one had ever compared him to a hero before, and he felt a shiver down his body. He finds it hard to breathe, and somehow he is touched by her words. He had always been called a villain in his life, second only to being called an idiot. But this time is different. This is something else entirely.

"I'm no..." Boomer tried to protest but before he could even finish his line, Bubbles completed his line.

"Hero? You moved before you could think. You acted before you could move. You put your life on the line to save someone. And to those people, you're their hero. Never forget that." Bubbles said softly as she lets go of him and backs away. Boomer noticed that Bubbles' smile is a little sad and hopeful at the same time, and in Boomer's mind she look like a saint or even an angel. Boomer was about to say something when Bubbles slapped him in the arm, snapping him out from the sudden solemnity of the situation.

"Anyway! I guess we ought to get back home! I'll just inform the committee tomorrow that there's nothing in our noodles for today! Anyway, more heads are better when it comes to solving a problem! See ya Boomer! Don't forget to lock up!" Bubbles exclaimed before she made her move. Boomer wanted to stop her, but the blue Powerpuff Girl disappeared in a streak of light blue light.

But if you are listening Boomer; you better reflect on what you are, you douchebag buttwipe prick who stands for nothing at all.

Boomer's mind suddenly recalled Buttercup's hurtful remark. His mind could not help but to make the mental comparison between the two Powerpuff Girls' words and how he had changed over the past few weeks. Perhaps helping others really does make a difference.

[Unknown location]

Unbeknownst to the Rowdyruff Boys and the Powerpuff Girls, the nefarious figure known as Him is watching all of them with a big malicious grin on its face and in its pincers are several more orbs corresponding to the colors of the Rowdyruff Boys and Powerpuff Girls. As Him waves its arms, the orbs disappeared away in thin air. Him gets up from his couch and touches the screens showing the Powerpuff Girls and Rowdyruff Boys. Him smiled as it looked at the Powerpuff Girls and the Rowdyruff Boys interacted with each other. From the courtesy afforded by both Blossom and Brick, the friendly rivalry between Butch and Buttercup and the touching moment between Bubbles and Boomer, Him is ecstatic that their emotions are slowly blossoming in such a beautiful manner.

"Welcome home, children." Him's cacophonous voice soon gives out to a high-pitched chuckle before becoming a sinister baritone growling laughter.