A/N: Hello lovelies! As promised on IG the finale of part 6 will be written in "minisodes" (smaller chapters) both to get them out faster (and give the author some much needed respite) XD

Enjoy!

WARNING: The finale of Act 6: Beast as a whole contains disturbing and or frightening images. Proceed with Caution.

Enjoy my lovelies! And stay safe!


It was just one of those nights; those uneventful, peaceful, boring nights.

There was barely anyone out - not even a goddamn moron with a spray can to scold and send off to Mommy! Buttercup would have taken a god damn litterer for God's sakes!

But…nothing. It was one of those rare silent nights in Townsville, and Buttercup fucking hated it.

Step. Step.

She hated the silence even more. Her lips pursed, and she again cast an eye behind her where the moron was lagging behind, his head down, and he hadn't said a goddamn thing in ten...fucking...MINUTES.

Go on patrol, he'd said. Let's kick some idiot criminal ass, he'd boasted.

And not a single one had had the decency to answer the fucking summons!

So what was Buttercup left to do but continue patrolling these infuriatingly quiet nights with a - almost literal if one argued- whipped dog lagging behind her. Seriously was the moron even looking at where the hell he was going!?

Oof!

Clearly not; good thing for Buttercup's lightning fast reflexes, or else he would have been eating concrete. Tch…moron.

His tail curled under his ass, and Butch was still being infuriatingly quiet.

She'd barely been able to even fucking hear him when he'd had the gall to call her in the middle of the goddamn night! Then again with the goddamn yelling roaring on in the background who could blame her!

Apparently someone had left something in the oven when they weren't supposed to or someone had thrown out something they had no business touching or something - Buttercup hadn't been able to distinguish angry dog one from angry dog two, but clearly Butch had been cowering in his room like a terrified little puppy while fire and lightning had threatened to engulf that entire fucking apartment, and tch…

Whatever. Just whatever, Call Buttercup a softie…but she had some everything nice in her she guessed… She'd felt…bad. Kind of. Maybe. Don't look too much into it.

But…

Step. Step. Step.

"Hurry it up, asswipe!" she hissed. "It's fucking cold. It might be April, but it ain't June, you know-" Something hit her in the back. She blinked, and her face furrowed before she threw the jacket back at him. The moron just kept walking…all quiet and…fuck, why the hell had he called her?

Buttercup was shit with this! She was shit with kids, and she was shit with…big kids.

Those eyes had been big and wide and…fuck, they weren't the dreaded puppy dog eyes…but they…were infuriatingly close. All green and…big with that…scared little…

She bit her lip. He looked fucking terrible.

Buttercup was no good with this crap! Her first instinct was to hit! Or go and knit. Yeah, knitting fixed everything and guess what? Needles could be good makeshift…

Why the hell was his hair so…goddamn flat. She…hated when his spikes were gone. He looked too…human.

He almost tripped into her for the third time, and that was that. She whipped around; he started, and she saw the subtle backing away and damn it.

Right so...how would Bubs handle this… She scoured through her brain; she'd seen her sister taking and rescuing many kinds of little beasts over the years. Loud and yappy and…clingy. Way too clingy for her taste.

So…right. Do it slowly. Approach the scared little Butch puppy so you don't get bit…. Or he runs away.

"So, you gonna talk about it, or you gonna keep trying to worship the concrete?" She folded her arms.

Or you could just do a good ole' toughest fighter routine. That always was a clear winner.

He looked up then, startled, but then he ran his hand through those disturbingly flat inky locks and again averted his gaze.

"Just…needed to blow some steam," he muttered.

"No, you needed to get away from the dog fight," she said baldly. Again, why the fuck had he called her? If he was looking for sympathy, he should have called Bubs or Leader Girl - they gave the hugs and advice! Well, okay, Bubbles gave the hugs while Blossom the advice, but…

Okay, and yeah Cap Boy and Little Boy Blue also had two - no question biased - cheerleaders for their side of the argument so…

Goddamn it, being in the middle sucked ass.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek and then dug into her pocket, grabbing a stick of gum and shoving it in her mouth before extending the pack out. He looked at it like a dumbass.

"Trust me, just take one," she said, irritated. Slowly, the moron did so. "Good, it focuses what little brain you have on one action right now. Don't try to walk and chew. Sit."

He did so immediately. Tch. Woof woof. Huh, maybe the Rowdyruffs were that easily trained after all. No wonder her sisters had two of them practically eating from the palm of their hands.

Well, judging from the Everest sized hickey on Leader Girl's collarbone, she'd unsuccessfully tried hiding last week clearly someone liked the taste of Powerpuff… You know what.

Never mind. Buttercup had enjoyed her dinner. Soy chicken stir fry, mmm.

…had this moron even been able to eat dinner before World War III had erupted at the Jojo residence?

Nope. Don't go there. He was a complete pig so he probably had a stash of food hidden in his trough under his bed. Oink oink.

Oink.

Butch just sat on the bench and chewed deliberately slowly. Methodically, almost obsessively. She leaned against the side of the bench, chewing her own. He was focusing on one side, obsessively rolling his tongue around and around his left side. Tch, the idiot's teeth probably hurt. She doubted highly the guy had been to a dentist in years. One look at that novocaine needle would send him flying, no doubt. Even Leader Girl blanched at the size of that thing; was there really a need to make an already unpleasant experience worse with an obnoxiously large needle being stuck in your mouth… No, there wasn't.

He switched briefly to his right. There we go, that's how normal people chewed. Switching sides. Even chomps, just…fuck, even the way Butch Jojo chewed was weird! Why was Buttercup noticing how he chewed his fucking gum?

Why had she given him anything from her stash? Why was there no crime tonight?

...why had he called her?

Just…why the fuck was she even here?

"You know..." She almost jumped. "I was the last one in the kitchen…wanted to heat up a burrito…didn't know Boom hadn't done his Pasta-mac yet," he mumbled. "Just took it out for a second…don't know why he thought…Boss did it."

Buttercup said nothing.

"And you know…I prob am the one who threw that bill out. It was from March, man… I knew he'd paid it…so why'd Big Bro…care so much if one of us threw out the bill… We do it digital now."

She folded her arms.

"So it's...kind of my fault-" She stiffened. "I mean-"

"You don't actually believe that bullshit, do you?" she said in more of a hiss than she'd have preferred. "They're two pissy dogs looking for any to fight, you didn't do shit, asswipe - they're looking for excuses to-!"

"No, they ain't!" He snapped. "That's against the code! A Rowdy got a problem with another Rowdy they..." His voice trailed.

"Bite," Buttercup muttered.

"That's against the code-!" Butch retorted near instantly. "We don't… They don't…" He squeezed his fists. "We...don't fight."

"Siblings fight," Buttercup scoffed. "We fight all the time, the girls and me - we fight over the stupidest shit, and then after a day or two they're back to braiding each other's hair, and the world is kittens and rainbows again." She tapped her fingers listlessly over her arm. "It's just what sisters do."

"Not brothers. Not my brothers." Again a near instant retort. "No matter how bad it gets… We…we stick it out. Or we hit each other once and fucking-there it's all set! Fight over!" He squeezed his fist tighter she saw. "This…this has been a long time comin', even the Butch knew that- Big Bro and Boom...they always…had it weird."

"Weird?" She raised an eyebrow.

"It was always just...them a lot. They knew the Butch was tired and shit from practice, and he knew Boss was tired and crap from work so you just never bother 'im but…try tellin' that to the worrywart!" He grit his teeth. "I'd tell 'im over and over just to leave...Brick alone, but the moron never listened."

He started chewing savagely then. Silently, Buttercup extended the pack again; he yanked a second one out and shoved it in his mouth before he abruptly jumped up.

"Boss didn't need no advice from some lame brain with clouds in his head! That's what Boom does, ya know!" He started pacing the path. Buttercup watched him silently. "He walks around on this goddamn cloud all day, never lookin' where he's fuckin' goin', and Big Bro always has to yank 'im outta the way of some big ass truck or sonethin'!" His hands went up. "He bit a fucking sushi!"

Buttercup nodded. "Easily one of the stupidest things I've ever seen him do."

Butch snorted. "HA! You don't know the half of it, Butters! And Big Bro still fucking lets him get away with it!" He snarled. "The Butch can't do nothin' wrong without being yelled at, but the blond can-!"

And there went the trash can. Shame that. She'd have to figure out where it landed from that kick later. It soared straight and true between two telephone poles. Mildly impressive.

"Not bad, asswipe, you'd be a decent kicker," she mumbled. He gave her an irritated look.

"I'm defense. I hit things." He scoffed. "All I'm good for. Boom and Brick always used to go off alone and talk and shit. He talks to the fucking dummy more than -"

There came that squeeze again.

"And now that they ain't talkin'... He still won't talk to me." His face darkened. "He talks to the turd. I bet that shithead is the one eggin' Big Bro on! Yeah! It's all his fault!"

Or…Mike just made a handy dandy scapegoat for a clearly bigger issue here with the Jojo brothers three. Buttercup wasn't a shrink; she didn't talk, she punched. Again, wrong Puff had been called.

"It pisses me off."

Clearly.

"Yeah, the moron bit the fucking sushi and didn't listen to Boss, but then he went and went in the-!" He trailed. "...never leave a fellow Rowdy...high and dry…but that's what Boss did to us… And what we ended up doing too…but Boomer bit a sushi!" His voice trailed. "And now I'm whinin' like a sorry puss to someone else…so we all broke the fucking...code," he whispered then sunk back down on the bench. "My head hurts."

Obviously because he was using it.

"It just…this was...a long time coming...wasn't it?" he murmured.

He finally seemed to remember he'd dragged her out here. How nice of him.

"...they're both idiots." She shook her head. "Nice that you're finally acknowledging it." He didn't say anything. That didn't bode well or it probably didn't - again Buttercup didn't know how to do this crap. "You know this will blow over. They're just standing on their prides - sooner or later one of them will-"

"You don't know Boom. He's the worst when it comes to this shit. He held a grudge against me for a month once."

She blinked.

"And Boss…tch… He's the only one who can get away with it with Boss…but…fuck, you know, he's right!" He grabbed Buttercup by the shoulders to give her a little shake. "Of course something is going on in that fucking museum! Boom's right and what…what the fuck is Boss doing?" He groaned, and there it was.

Look at that, the Rowdy caveman had finally begun his evolution cycle. First upgrade: a brain.

She folded her arms and he released her.

"What the...fuck, Brick?" Another groan. "What are you doing, man… The code is the code…Boom is right…just… What the fuck…"

"Welcome to the club, Butch. The what the fuck is Brick Jojo doing club?" she drawled. He blinked.

"That's not really a thing, is it?" he mumbled.

"No, but it could be, want to start one?" That groan was loudest of them all.

"Boss…what the helllllllll," he whined.

"Story of his X Team career it seems." Another drawl. "But see, isn't it better to acknowledge both of your brothers are being complete and total baboons right now?" His face fell, but he nodded nonetheless.

"I'm a traitor to the code…"

"No, you're just shockingly the only Rowdyruff with a brain right now- congra-fucking-lations."

"What I win - a shot at seeing your tits?"

She rolled her eyes. "My begrudging respect, and don't push your luck, beast boy."

He chuckled with a fake nonchalance that seemed even more pitiful. "Can't blame the Butch for tryin'."

"Yes I can. Quite easily." She swiped his head. His unfairly flat but...thick haired head. Save the cowlick. That thing still stuck up in the grandest "fuck you" gesture to all the hair products in the world. He irritably tried to shove it down. She snorted at his futile attempts.

"You ever just think about combing it, or do all the Rowdyruff Boys have Brick's little fur problem." He glowered.

"We ain't dogs. We don't have fur; it's hair."

Tell that to all the unfortunate brushes Cap Boy has gone through.

Aloud she only scoffed. "Whatever, Asswipe. I call 'em like I see 'em." He glowered and ugh, there it was again, that stupidly…serious look that was disturbingly familiar. and she hated it because that did not belong on green-eyed morons!

She shuffled her foot before averting her gaze from that unwelcome look.

Then lifted her fists.

"Ow!" He yelped. "The fuck was that for!?"

"Because." She aimed another punch which this time he dodged and gritting his teeth he put up a shield. Her lip curled into a smirk, and that confused…wary look soon turned into that familiar infuriating smirk.

"Oh, I see what you're after- yeah, can't get enough of the Butch, can ya, sweet cheeks!"

She lunged, he countered; she jumped in the air, he followed. A kick, a punch, a stray eye beam- the crash of a green shield rising, a limb going clean through air, their fists echoed, their kicks crashed…

Their laughter…yeah, so Buttercup was a shitty shrink.

…but even she'd admit it was a relief to hear that deluded cackle again…


-Act : Beast -
Part 6a


-VI-

Robin

"Local Authorities still have no comment on the ongoing "ape-hunt" that's underway for notorious Super Villain, Mojo Jojo- prime suspect for the creation and unleashment of the marine mutations upon our fair city.

When asked for comment, the X Team released the following statement."

L

We will always protect and defend Townsville from whatever the scourge that may threaten it- whether a known threat or an unknown waiting to be discovered. We, the Powerpuff Girls and Rowdyruff Boys, will continue to fight for the safety and protection of all.

We ask that the public continue to remain calm but vigilant as the hunt continues, and we will continue doing the same.

We furthermore ask for privacy at this time concerning the personal details of events, but rest assured we will not leave the public without the answers they so deserve; as the X Team, we will bring these horrible events to a close.

We do so promise.

Sincerely,

Blossom Marie Utonium, Brick Anthony Jojo, Buttercup Eva Utonium, Butch James Jojo, Bubbles Anne Utonium, Boomer Kenneth Jojo

The X Team

Robin peered at her phone screen closely and then gave a little nod. For the most part the onslaught of comments that had exploded over the web were positive.

Supportive even.

"Be strong kids! And if you ever need a pick me up you know "Janey's" is always open!" — Jane Believe

"The X Team is the greatest thing to happen to the Tricity area- Townsville, Metroville and Citysville alike- Go ahead! Try to change my mind! — Leslie Pinzarro, TVSU student (sophomore)

"Brick keep your chin up kid! You'll get through this! You're a hero! All of us here at Walter's Auto know it too! - Joaquim Renault

"Boomer stop looking so sad! We know this isn't anything you all did! We love you and your music! Come visit with Miss Bubbles again!" — love the Pokey Oaks class of 2009

"My daughter says "Good luck Butch and come play tag with all of us again soon!" - Love, Suzie-" You were a Godsend the day of the jelly outbreak- Bless you and your entire team. — Amanda Adams and daughter Suzie (7)

And so on and so forth, sure there was the usual flood of nasty things too, but it was overcome by the sheer numbers of support for not just the team…but for the boys.

Yenko May have "forbidden" the spread of photo evidence under pain of suspension, but it had obviously still gotten out. ( Robin strongly suspected Miss Keane, honestly.) The media wasn't allowed inside, but they were circling.

Good! After what had been done at"his" school on "his" watch - let the tub of lard break a goddamn sweat! Yenko was lucky the League wasn't getting involved in what was so obviously an anti-paranormal attack and crime!

Brick had refused to bring them in, and Bloss hadn't argued much - with everything with Boomer and Brick being literally off speaking terms ninety-five percent of the time...

Yeah. Robin didn't push and neither did anyone else.

The public opinion was on their side anyway. Citywide and schoolwide. With a few glaring exceptions, every single student and some faculty had participated in the "X-League" - everyone had worn their favorite member's color or multiple in some form, and even faculty had joined in. Keane's special bracelets came to mind.

Blossom's masterful statement that again - Robin had initially suggested even if it was clearly aided by Ms. Bellum in the narrative...had done its job.

Instead of seeing them hiding in shame - the bold black "Jojo" after each name had been a message. They weren't afraid because they had no reason to be; it wasn't them, they'd had nothing to do with it- legally they shared the last name but nothing else.

One couldn't judge the sons on the crimes of the father.

At least that's what Robin sincerely hoped.

The willowy brunette sighed and stood from her desk chair. She needed a break; Ginger looked at her with that half lidded kitty stare from her lofty perch on her tower so it was best not to disturb her- hmm…

She stretched backwards for a moment- arching her back and wincing at the slight crack- clearly she'd been sitting too long. Sensei would have her head if he ever found out.

She should have been at the Dojo practicing, the preliminaries were next month- and Robin was so behind at this point - well…

She picked up the shinai* and twirled it listlessly. Well, what Mummy didn't know wouldn't hurt her, and it was better than sitting brooding and worrying up a storm.

"Ha!" She called quietly and went to the opening stance. Keeping her focus clear and her grip steady. One couldn't be seperate from the "blade" so to speak- it had to become a part of you. "Ha-Huh!" One practice swing, then another- her balance was off- she frowned. Refocus.

Respect the blade even if it was wood at the moment- and let it become you.

The blade must be respected- respect it, and it will never fail you.

Even if you were a just a Norm…(or a lefty)...

Ginger looked up and watched as Robin spun into an immediate striking position.

There was a power to this- she was strong with this in her hands, no one could beat her or even seek to challenge her.

"I am not weak," she recited quietly as she lunged forward. "I am strong." Another lunge. "I am strong."

Her ritual continued and yeah…it was dumb. Mitchy would likely never let her live it down if he were to ever see it but…when one was the most well…normal of the "Norms"...you just kind of…

Needed your "thing" to be strong.

Mitch was a business man with deep pockets growing deeper as time went by.

Mikey…well, Mikey was a no brainer.

But as for Robin…

"Hai-Ya!" Ginger stiffened and sniffed the stick curiously from where Robin's maneuver had made it end up. The orange tabby met her determined gaze.

"Mreow?" She smiled softly and gave her little friend a good chin scratch.

"I know, girl… I'm weird, huh? Stick out like a sore thumb from all the Norms. I'm surrounded by the extraordinary and I'm just ordinary," she murmured. "You know in any anime some life changing moment would happen any day now revealing me to be some ultra fabulous heroine!"

She twirled listlessly and struck a pose. " I am the champion of Media Justice - Lady Robin, defender of all things X Rep and Townsville's freedom of expression! In the name of my pen-!" Another twirl. " And all citizens' right to the truth! You shall be punished- uh…"

Her eyes flicked around her room: trophy, trophy, pictures, anime figures, that one huge Mech model Mikey had gotten her for her birthday one year (all the way from Japan - her psychic sweetie) and…ah ha!

She pointed her "sword" to the dastardly teddy with its portly overstuffed fiendish haze!

"Ah, Mr. Yenko, you have been found to be violating all common decency and freedom of your student body! How do you plead!"

His silence was telling.

"Ha! A likely response- reform and repent, fiend!" The tip of her "blade" rested against the stuffed chin. "No? Well then- begone!"

And so Teddy fell on the floor. Defeated. Another day saved thanks to-...

The brunette sighed, her shoulders slumped. Oh what was the point?

She could be a kick ass fighter all she wanted…but Robin Snyder...was still in the end…just a Norm.

So what could she really even do?

That thought made her sad and buzzed her lips before flopping dramatically on her bed. Ginger looked down at her from her tall tower as she dug out her phone.

Time for her nightly Mikey session. He always could make her feel better. Yes, he came in handy for that-

As if on cue her phone buzzed, and she grinned before eagerly unlocking her phone and- Hm?

From: Unknown Number

If you want the truth about David Graham- come to alley between DeMarco's Market and Jenny's Flower Spot tomorrow nite at 7. Come alone.

Robin frowned and began typing a reply back before:

From: Unknown Number

Dont reply to this.

She sat up. What the…? Who the….?

Bzzzzzzz. Hm?

Mikey's grinning face beamed up at her; she smiled and Gingi recognizing his distinct ringtone jumped down and cuddled on her lap because she was a jealous kitty cat.

"Hi honey!" she gushed.

"Evening Tweety Bird, and how are we this fine evening?"

"It's like nine o clock you silly boy- hardly an evening."

Alone, huh?

Tch….clearly an amateur.

She may have just been a Norm…but she was never…alone.

…not anymore. Not ever again.

-VI-

Boomer

Crimson King, face as stone

Steadfast but all alone

High up on his throne

These should be reversed. Ugh. This song was being a pain in the ass. Mitch had ambushed him last night concerning a new song, and, yeah Boomer was busy but…ugggh he also needed a break too he guessed.

He'd been hard at work detailing each and every mishap and violation that moron had gone and done to this poor building and fuck…if this is what a "report" entailed like an official one that actually went to SHL headquarters every month…

Tch, no wonder the Puff Queen was always so….pissy when shit interrupted her. Too bad her co-leader was such a shitty speller that...that was mean. Seriously, that was beyond - damn it.

What the fuck, brain… What the fuck. Brick couldn't help that, that was just how his brain worked or whatever; Mr. Walter had explained that to them when he had insisted Brick get the test - put his foot down even and-

It was a Rowdy secret, no one was supposed to know and…why was Boomer even thinking about this? Why was he thinking about anything to do with that…that asshole! You know what- no! Why was Boomer protecting the jackass from the deserved humiliation- except no. No, it wasn't. He was a jerk, but he didn't deserve… Why was Boomer still defending him…

That lying…secretive…asshole with a foot so up his own goddamn ass that - that!

He grit his teeth and crossed out yet another failed attempt at a chorus. Seriously, he'd never had this hard of a time with songs before; they just came to him, man. Came to him and Boomer wrote the words down. Simple.

He flipped through his notebook idly; he was getting more and more frustrated. More and more…he'd seen Butch's face this morning. He'd heard him leave too, last night. Who knew where he'd gone but judging from the black eye- that Brick didn't verbally question so much as give their brother a weird look and accepted Butch's flimsy thumb's up without comment- Boomer was going to guess the village idiot had gone and provoked Buttercup again.

Idiot. They were both such fucking…idiots.

Crimson King… Crimson King…

"Hiya, Mr. Lightning!" He jumped but the little boy just kept…oh. It was the neighbor kid again, right- he did art camp or whatever here. Pretty talented for a small tyke too. Bubbles had exclaimed over him giving him "necks" at such a young age whatever that meant.

Greg O'Donnell was an odd duck. He continually followed Big Bro around like a duckling or whatever, and somehow hadn't ended up being chucked off like a football. Sure, the kid would sometimes end up being carried like one under his brother's arm, but most of the time he'd be perched on the Red Rowdy's shoulder, clutching on Brick's hair (Kim O' Donnell must have loved that, touching that mess) - and…those eyes were unnerving.

Boomer liked kids. Really, he did. But they were also capable of being creepy.

Very. Creepy.

"Hey…Greg?" He shifted himself to the side so the kid could plop on the bench next to him, hugging his sketchbook to his chest and peering over Boomer's arm to- shit, did he have any cussing in this draft? ...yup. His hand went over the anti-paper bill rant. No idea how much this kid could read, but Boomer hardly wanted the first cuss word to come from Boomer's influence and not the more likely culprit of Brick when he crushed his thumb under a car or something!

Would serve him right, but he doubted he censored himself in the garage either.

….ANYWAY - he waited to see what the kid wanted. Probably attention from the superheroes again. This kid was obsessed - most kids were, but Greg O' Donnell was a whole other level.

Honestly there were times Boomer wondered how Brick was able to stay so patient with the constant volley of questions sent his way over the most random of shit - and then some entreaties over 'Mr. Fire action figures!'

Shit, man… Boomer was going to be an action figure at some point, wasn't he? They were still in the preliminary negotiation stage but…he'd seen the letters and crap from you companies before they disappeared into the King's royal study never to be seen again.

Probably negotiating a bunch of solo deals or whatever on top of it…

God, his brother was such an asshole. This kid here needed better taste in heroes.

"So, what ya writing? Are you making more songs like Mr. Fire says you do?" He cocked his head with a wide smile, and Boomer noticed a new gap, he furrowed his brow and Greg's eyes lit up while he nodded excitedly.

"Uh huh! I lost my first tooth yesterday when Jerry threw a ball too hard at my face! It hurt a lot, and Mr. Fire said he'd go and yell at him, but mommy said no so I got to put it under my pillow instead and then Mr. Fire said he'd get me a churro, and he DID!" His eyes were shining. Boomer stiffened.

He nodded excitedly again. "Uh huh! He and my mommy talked a lot in the garage, and Mr. Walter went in too and then they walked out, and Mr. Fire went home, and then Mr. Walter came to my house- mommy and him have sleepovers, least that's what Mr. Fire called it-! Oops, I'm not 'sposed to say that, but it's true, right! Why do grown-ups have sleepovers? But- but Mr. Fire told me a story about the X team yesterday 'fore I went bed 'cause he said he would, and he did! Are you really the fastestest one? I know Mr. Butch is the really strong one, but you are super fast and beat that icky creepy guy who kept smelling Miss Ice's pretty hair - but I've seen Mr. Fire do it too, but it's different 'cause Miss Ice lets him do it he says even though he says he doesn't, but I see him do it! But you saved Miss Bubble, right! She's really nice, but she's really fast too so who's faster you or Miss Bubble? Mr. Fire didn't know, but he thinks it's you 'cause you're a …oh. Wait I'm not sposed' to say that, but he said you saved Miss Bubble from the creepy smelly guy because Mr. Fire had to go help Miss Ice? Why'd he take the girls anyway? Mr. Fire said I had to be bigger, but I grewwww Mr. Lightning see-! Look! I'm this many!"

Boomer blinked, a little taken aback by the sheer...amount of information he had just been bombarded with...like a jet stream.

How…the fuck did anyone understand…any of that? Were you supposed to understand that - oh…right Greg was looking at him with those unnervingly big eyes, and he could almost see that "puppy tail" wagging a million miles an hour and well...shit. If Boomer had known he was about to be quizzed, he would have taken notes…

How the hell did Big Bro keep up with… never mind. Not important. He probably didn't after all. Just pretended to listen. Because Brick is an asshole.

Okay...so questions…uhhh

"Well…err, Greg, according to results, I am the fastest, yeah, but Bubbles is pretty fast too." Greg nodded. Okay, that was one. "It's uh…kind of rude to sniff a girl's hair without permission, yeah." Seriously, Brick, why the fuck would he tell that story to a fucking five year old!?

Boomer hated remembering anything about that night! What did Brick secretly relish in his first kiss with…okay, that wasn't fair.

Admittedly…that had been one of the scariest things Boomer had ever seen. Her skin had been iced over like… how the fuck had Brick…

It wasn't possible. Had Mike been right? Had they really witnessed some kind of miracle? Something out of a…fairy tale?

…no because the idea of Brick Jojo being any sort of Prince Charming was fucking laughable.

"But yes, I did help Bubbles that night. It's a scary story Greg; I don't know why Mr. Fire was telling you -"

He poured. "I'm not scared! Mr. Fire says I'm brave!" He yipped indignantly. He even sounded like a puppy.

"Well yeah, Greg, but- wait, did you say your mommy and had a sleepover?"

"Aheeeeeem." Greg blinked, and Boomer looked up - oh. He shut his notebook, and Greg frowned before…aww, okay that was kind of cute - and a little strange.

The kid just kind of had crept behind Boomer and hid his face in his back. Okay…?

"Hi, Kamile. Sorry, am I in the way?" The woman smiled and shook her head.

"Oh no, I'm just checking in." Her smile was strangely bigger. Almost a grimace. Weird. "And who's this little munchkin?" Greg made a weird sound and ducked lower.

"Oh…this is Greg; he's with one of the day camps. C'mon kid, be nice, say hello," he said encouragingly. Slowly Greg peeked out around Boomer's side.

"Hi." He gave a small wave before he bounded right back behind Boomer.

"Aw, is the little darling shy?" Kamile chuckled.

No. Not in the slightest; it's a miracle when he isn't talking.

"Yeah…kinda?" Boomer was…confused. What was the kid's problem?

"Oh well, that's too bad. Don't worry, little guy." She knelt down to the trembling kid's level. "I don't bite - but Boomer, I was hoping you could swing by my office. I need a tall set of hands to help me clean up -"

"NO!" Now the loud kid returned with a vengeance. And he was clawing at Boomer's shirt like a goddamn - "NO, DON'T!"

"Now, now, there's no need to yell. Listen, Greg, why don't you head back to your camp while Boomer and I."

"NO! COME WITH ME! Come- cooooooooooome!" The wolf's howl echoed through the somewhat deserted hall but not completely (!) And…his shirt was being pulled now, and people were staring, and…fuck Boomer's life, this kid had a big mouth. The last thing he fucking needed was him going off and telling "Mr. Fire" that "Mr. Lightning was meeeeeeean!" Ugh. The things Boomer did for his mission.

For sure Kamile looked annoyed. Had every right to be - this yelling was gonna send Mr. Barrett flat out racing in very soon. Uh…okay, X Team go time!

He scooped the kid up who immediately latched onto him like some kind of sticky…glue.

"OKAY!" Boomer said loudly, "Let's go, kiddo. Let's uh…go find Miss Bubbles, okay? She probably has a bunch of X stories for you!"

"Tch, or maybe drop him back off with his camp?" Kamile drawled. "We really do have work to do Boomer -" She tapped her foot. "Come find me when the wailing is taken care of. Oh, my head."

Whoa…that was kind of harsh. Guess she didn't like kids.

Greg sniffed loudly and buried his head in his shoulder, and Boomer decided now was time for a quick exit.

"That wasn't very nice, kiddo," he murmured.

"She was scawy-!" he hiccupped.

He paused in mid-walk. Kamile? Scary?

"Aw, c'mon, Greg. Kamile's a nice lady; she wouldn't hurt a fly. What's so scary about her?"

Maybe Kamile looked like the lady who apparently had lured "daddy" away as Brick had inferred once over dinner one night. Kamile was attractive, maybe Greg had a thing with pretty older women not his mother -

"Scawy eyes…" He blinked. "She had…scawy eyes, Mr. Lightning."

what?

Scary…eyes? He darted a look behind them.

What the hell…did that mean?

What could be so scary about…a woman's eyes?

-VI-

Bubbles

Oh dear, not again.

She was back here again. The grass was...slippery and slimy, with a thick...goopy texture to it, and ew…ugh, she hated how wet paint felt on her feet…

She was supposed to be entering that glittering crystal palace that she'd seen her Boomie waiting at the door for as she'd exited the diamond carriage.

But then…her glass slippers had touched the ground...and suddenly she was here.

She shivered and hugged her arms. Not again…she knew who had caused this…again. Why was he suddenly going after-!?

"I see you…"

She bit her lip. If she stayed quiet…maybe…maybe he wouldn't…

"You see me…don't you?"

Ignore him. He wasn't real. Dreams were dreams.

Tell that to Blossy.

No. No, that was different! Very different!

Badum. Badum. Badum.

He was tall. She could see he was…probably as tall as if not...t-taller than her Boomie. He had a lean build, but he wasn't as...lanky as Boomer… She bit her lip.

He looked almost like…

She bit it harder. That was impossible. That Bubbles knew!

"You are frightened?"

No duh, Sherlock. She was supposed to be at a magical ball with Boomer Jojo now dancing the night away in her fairytale palace not…not-!

"You have no reason to fear me. I won't hurt you, little one. I see no need for it."

Bubbles was just sooo flattered! Like yay! The creepy ghost STALKER who wouldn't get a hint about her sister and her sister's…kind of doo doo brain at the moment "true love," but…

Bubbles curled her fists and held them up.

"I'm not afraid of you," she hissed. "I am not afraid of you!"

The tall man…who had long inky looking hair, not hidden by that…ragged cloak. He looked… rough to be honest.

His face was a no duh but admittedly this was the...closest Bubbles had been to the...faceless man. When she wasn't lunging for him in a kick or punch that is but…here she was.

Staring up...at him. At this…faceless man.

Man… No...he was…a boy. He couldn't…he couldn't be much older than her…well, looks-wise. He had chiseled features, broad shoulders, and save his extraordinary height… Bubbles could almost swear she'd seen him before…

Badum. Badum. Badum.

…. No. That was impossible.

The ringing in her ears began again. Ringing that…sounded like…whispers. Voices that breathed in her ear, a faint breeze of voices…and more voices.

She bit her lip harder and centered her gaze on the intruder.

"Go. Away," she ordered. "You're not…here. This is my dream!"

He didn't move. "I won't hurt you, little one..." he murmured. "I don't see a point or need to do so."

Bubbles grit her teeth. "And why should I believe you?"

He cocked his head to the side. "Are you not still alive?" She flinched.

Badum. Badum.

He was a threat. He was dangerous. He was some kind of intruder!

She squeezed her eyes shut. "This is my dream."

She hissed. "And you are not welcome in it! Like at all!"

"Dreams are but portals to the soul," he murmured.

She flinched again. "Excuse me…but my Boomie is my forever, I am so not interested in-!"

He made that dumb face again before he… laughed. Wait, ghosts can laugh? Hey, was he making fun of her!? So not only was he a nasty, mean, evil ghost guy, but he was rude too!?

Unacceptable!

She folded her arms and turned her nose away from the rude uninvited intruder who was obviously keeping her from her fairy tale ball with her blue Rowdyruff Boy! Rude!

"...that was uncouth of me. I apologize. That was not my intention. Forgive me, little one, I did not mean to offend you."

She blinked and paused before furrowing her eyebrows. "You didn't mean to offend?" She snorted. "I'm sorry, but I know a bunch of doo doo when I see it. You had no problem attacking me as well as my poor sisters and my Boomie and Butch - oh, and we're not even going to talk about what you did to Mikey and Brick!"

"...perhaps some of...my prior actions were...rash. Yes," he murmured, and Bubbles again snorted. Gee, what gave him that idea?!

"And…what you're doing to Blossy…is wrong," she said quietly. "You're scaring her."

The man went silent before, "...I never wished for it." His head suddenly hung down. "You must understand, little one -"

"My name is Bubbles," she said dryly. He blinked.

"...Bubbles? What sort of name is-?"

She pursed her lips and huffed. "My daddy gave it to me."

After suffering a likely concussion and from the smell on his breath she could still remember, he was also likely…err…drunk.

Daddy didn't mention it, so Bubbles never brought up the fact that Professor Utonium was likely err…drunk as a skunk before that…explosion.

...never mind. Ancient history. Bubbles totally suited her!

"My Daddy liked it so it's my name." She put a hand on her hip. "Just like Buttercup -"

"A more misleading name could not be found for that green eyed witch," he muttered. Bubbles narrowed her eyes.

"And Blossom. As in my sister's actual name. Not -!"

His eye shifted and again he looked away, "...she is lovely. Her new name…it suits her."

"It's hardly new; Daddy gave it to her on her first day of life. It's her only name."

"You are wrong." She clenched a fist.

"Uh, no, I'm not! It's Blossom's name -! Now, see, this is your problem, Ghosty! You won't listen!"

"She is confused!"

"Um, no, she isn't - you are!" Bubbles snapped.

"She's being blinded!" He suddenly snarled. "I cannot reach her! She's being kept from me; I only see darkness where once I would see pure light! Her light!"

Silence.

"...oh…wow," She whispered. "Um…that's…kind of beautiful when you put it like that…" she hugged her arms.

He looked genuinely…distraught. Not like… angry upset…but more…

He was staring at the wall. At nothing. Like he was…destroyed, just staring at that empty space where her sister should have been sitting.

It was like Bubbles was seeing a living incarnation of a broken heart.

"...Pinky…"

Bubbles gulped.

"She's in danger… Don't you realize that… She's in danger, and I can't…reach her. What must I do to make you understand that!"

His voice was reaching a higher pitched, an absolutely devastated…desolate tone that… She bit her lip.

"You need to stay away from my sister," she finally said. "You need to back off; she's not who you think she is! So…so leave her alone and get out!"

She stabbed the air with her finger, teeth grit, and a blue aura reverberated around her hand as she clenched her other.

He didn't move.

"I am telling you - LEAVE!"

"...so you still will not listen…" he hissed.

She stiffened her shoulders. "No. I don't have to."

The air seemed to still. He sneered.

"Very well then… If you will not choose to see…then it seems I must make you see."

Badumbadumbadumbadum

What…what was that supposed to mean!?

Okay… dream…dream time to end now! No fairy tale ball with Boomie! Okay! Fair!

I'd like to wake up now please!

He took a step forward, his cloak swirling about him like…like-

I want to wake up now!

His hand began to rise.

Now…RIGHT NOW!

They were…

Oh...oh, not again. He paused however and looked around…confused.

They were…

"Who speaks?" he demanded.

"You…you hear it too?"

Watch out…don't look back…

They were…they were…

She backed further away. He cried out before…a bright light…and then…nothing.

Badum. Badum.

"...h-hello?" she whispered.

Silence. Nothing but silence.

"Who…?"

They were….

"Who!?" she demanded and then jumped up. "WHO!? WHO ARE YOU!? ARE YOU THE GIRL IN THE PAINTING!? WHO WAS - WHO IS THEY- THEY WHAT-!?"

badumbadumbadumbadum

"Miss Bubble!"

Huh!?

-o-o-o-

She jolted from the touch, the insistent little touch, and oh….

Next to those big brown eyes staring up at her she saw…navy blue irises peering, piercing into her even; her Boomie missed nothing…nothing at all.

"Angel?" He sat on the bench and helped her sit up from where…she'd clearly fallen asleep. Oh...oh dear.

"Miss Bubble!" She blinked again - oh!

"Greg?" she said groggily and rubbed her eyes, all the while Boomie was looking at her...oddly. "Hey sweetie…what are you doing here?"

"I saw Mr. Lightning and then got him away from the scawy lady with the icky eyes, and then we went to come find you!" He beamed with a gapped smile and…

"Scary lady?"

Boomer sighed; he sounded irritated. "He means Kamile; he freaked out for no reason." He shook his head while Bubbles stiffened for a moment but then looked back at the little boy and shook her head.

"Boomie!" She scolded quietly, "If a kid gets scared we don't judge them for it - he's little."

"He had a tantrum in the middle of-!"

"He's. Little." She countered and then he pouted. Greg, meanwhile, had jumped in her lap.

"Can I look at your pictures, Miss Bubble? Please please?"

"Well someones happier," Boomie muttered, but Bubbles only sighed and handed the book to the little boy.

"Little kids get scared of stranger things. Maybe she reminded him of someone," she said brightly in a whisper.

Little kids always know…

She kept on smiling though.

"Whatever, over now." Boomer shrugged before his arm went over her shoulders. "But what's with you, Angel? Since when do you fall asleep in the middle of the day?"

"Oh…well, my muse was being stubborn last night. I guess I...lost track of time?"

He chuckled and curled a strand of her hair around his finger. "The muse is fickle, huh Angel? My newest song isn't…cooperating either." He sighed and suddenly hugged her close.

She closed her eyes almost instantly. He was warm, and…his grip was like steel. Nowhere in the world did Bubbles feel more secure and safe than in her Rowdyruff Boy's arms. No. Nowhere else.

No one could get her here. No one -

They were…

She curled her fingers in his shirt. Go away…just go away.

"Angel?"

They were…

They were…

"Bubbles? Honey?"

Beware…don't…don't look back…

Be…be afraid..

"Miss Bubble?" She blinked and looked down. Greg held up her sketchbook with a confused look on his munchkin face. "What's this?"

She blinked…and then paled.

The garden was beautiful…and dark...dimly lit.

But it wasn't the garden that caught her attention.

It was the two people in the middle. A girl...and a boy. Staring at each other.

Her breathing quickened.

Badum. Badum. Badum.

"Angel?"

"Miss Bubble?"

The girl…the girl in the middle with the long hair and white… robe… She…she…

Badum badum badum.

She had…

If you choose not to see…then I will make you see…

She had Blossom's…eyes.

-VI-

The Warrior stared at the clouded mirror. Fogged up once again, but he could see her almost frantic cheerful nature as she spoke to the fool and the little whelp.

His mouth curled. Soon she would see.

Soon…they would all see.

Although…that voice…

Another presence in one…dream? Another who was trying to gain access to the little one's pure heart and compassion?

...who though… Who would speak with such…desperation in their voice. For it sounded so, the whisper was tight and strained, as if the slightest whisper…was even too much for the speaker.

Who had it been…

…no matter. He was close. So close…it wouldn't be long now.

His hand caressed the cool glass of the darkened fogged up mirror. The images skewed, but she saw the form of his beloved just barely.

A low hiss escaped his mouth.

She was not alone.

"You can tell me, you know."

"Babe, it's nothing. I promise. Just...leave it alone, okay?"

"Brick, you can talk to me. I won't -!"

"Pinky! Drop. It!"

His snarl increased. Wretch. How dare he -!

Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

The Warrior stiffened.

"Hiya, handsome."

He grimaced.

"Did I not tell you before to stay away from me, witch?" he hissed. The wretched woman only smirked more.

He didn't like…that smirk.

"Oh, I know, but you know -" She trailed a hand up his arm. "Like I said my supply is running low; I'm just wondering what you're going to do about that?"

He sneered. "And I already told you - ask me not to do your dirty work!"

She only chuckled that unnerving airy laugh. "Oh, but handsome, your Master and I made a deal… I keep my end of the bargain…as long as you keep yours."

He was silent.

"You wouldn't want me to complain to your Master, now would you?" she cooed before he pushed the wretched woman away.

"...fine then," he grunted. She clapped her hands like a simpleton.

"Ohh delightful! See, I knew a big, handsome man like you would never keep a lady - HRRGH!"

"Do not think I do this for your sake, witch!" She clawed at his hand while he pressed the sword at her throat. "And do not come to my chambers again." He ordered with a shove.

"Ooh, temper temper." She taunted as he threw a cloak on over his shoulders. "Bet you were quite the lady killer." She cackled, and he tightened his grip on his blade.

"Even if I was…it does not matter. Mine eyes and heart belong only to my beloved…and for her I will do whatever I must," he hissed before turning from the foul witch. trying to ignore that harsh grating laughter that continued to echo and sully the refuge if his chamber even after she sauntered out in her sickening gleeful "victory".

"I will do… whatever I must." He whispered, his hand on his blade… trembled for a moment but just one. Just… one.

Wait for me…

"...no matter how damned I am for it," he murmured.

Wait for me...

-o-o-o-

The night was cold. Or he presumed it was; the breath was visible all around him. This grim, dark street.

She was alone. Alone and reckless. Young, she believed the entirety of her life was ahead of her.

She was a lovely, young woman - likely only a little older than his beloved. With flushed up cheeks and a vibrant glow to get. Full of life…

Like his beloved had been…

His beloved…

SHRIIIIIIING

Drip…

Drip…

Drip…

Drip…

My soul...is yours …

F...Forgive me.


To Be continued...


A/N: See you soon lovelies :D