Hi! I'm back! Finally. Yeah I'm done with predicting how long acts are going to be. Just start thinking of these as individual episodes and we basically got Inuyasha length ok: I promise it won't be One Piece length though XD

Enjoy my lovelies. Phew... I am tired. XD

-VI-
Bubbles

It was never easy being a superhero. There would always be sacrifices you had to make for the good of all.

Birthday parties. Sleepovers. TV watch sessions.

Officials will neither confirm nor fully deny the latest alleged victim of the Townsville Blood countess is an eleven year old attending Townsville middle school-.

"Well you just confirmed it for them! Thanks so much Channel 18!" The television was abruptly shit off and Professor Utonium… looked so mad before he went to go make a phone call. Probably to yell at the news or get Auntie Bellum to do it...if she wasn't already.

It was...never easy being a superhero… especially when…

"It was a hit!" BC snapped and punched the table, leaving a big dent in it. "No way did that witch not know who she went and took!"

The room was in chaos. Everyone was talking at once, in rising volumes that made Bubbles' ear ring.

"Robin is a tall girl, I can't tell you how many times we've been cat called because we' look older not that's that an excuse(!) Just...it's not persona towards usl...it ... it's a case of mistaken identity." Blossy said it as calmly as possible but … she was pacing as she did it. Mikey just sat dully on the couch. He'd been the one after all who had come running to Blossy like always as soon as it had become obvious Robbi…. R-Robbi hadn't gotten home after all.

"I should have walked her home. I should have walked her. Why didn't I walk her!" Mike continued to moan it over and over.

"And then what? You would have gotten hurt too! Or maybe Madam Sedusa would have decided little boy blood was just as good as little girl blood!"

"Buttercup please!" Blossy gulped and continued to pace. "Losing our cools… won't… won't do anything useful… we… we just need to… need to think through this logically."

"Logically!? Leader girl this is-!" BC railed.

"I know who this is!" Blossy snapped back before her scowl fell. "I know… who this is Buttercup. But… this breaks Sedusa's pattern- no do not interupt me! This is not normal behavior!"

"So what!? You know what else isn't normal behavior! Sucking out girls blood into test tubes and drinking it like The Bath witch or whatever her name is!"

"...Elizabeth Bathory actually took baths in it…oh...oh God there's nothing to Tweety why didn't I walk her home!"

"Mikey this isn't your fault."

The psychic was too far gone to listen and objects began to float ominously...oh dear Daddy liked that pen.

"It's going to be fine- she'll realize her mistake and just… they'll find Robin probably dropped off in the park somewhere you know Sedusa is inherently a coward she doesn't want too much media attention. Like a child abduction would cause:. This was done in error on her part-." Blossom attempted to soothe, putting on her big sister tone and commander and leader all at once. Oh dear, she did not like that glint in Buttercup's eye.

"Do you forget the chick is bat shit crazy!?" Buttercup snarled . "You really think she'll just go 'ohhh oopsie poopsie I just picked up the BEST FRIEND of the Powerpuff Girls to add to my blood spa- better just put her back! No harm done!' Are you out of your mind Blossom?!"

"It's a mistake Buttercup! Robin is a tall girl, she and I both have been mistaken by men to be older for God's sake- this isn't a personal vendetta Buttercup she's a coward! You know this!"

"Yeah and I don't CARE!"

"We cannot rush into this Buttercup! You saw the other girls-!"

"EXACTLY WHY WE NEED TO GO IN NOW!"

"NOT WITHOUT A PLAN!"

Oh God fighting amongst themselves wasn't going to help anything!

"This is all my fault! I knew it! I knew that shortcut was a bad idea-!"

"Mike it is not your fault, you're not helping here!" Buttercup snapped.

"Tweety's… Tweety's little, there's nothing. . there's nothing to her! Not like those older girls… just...j-just-!" And… there went the entire bookshelf with all of Blossy's binders toppling to the floor. He looked down in horror then his face crumbled. "Aw that's just great- that's just- FUCK!"

"MICHAEL!" Blossom snapped, he froze. "LANGUAGE!"

"AW PUT A SOCK IN IT BLOSS-." He trailed. Bubbles saw the faint magenta hue and straightened up as Mikey just… gulped then slowly began to pick the binders up with a mumbled 'sorry' as he did it.

"...one of these days you need to teach me that trick Leader Girl, it'd come in handy with Twiggy." Buttercup mumbled. Blossom just gave her a confused look before picking up a few binders herself.

"Seriously he always listens to her, it's insane." Buttercup leaned over to hiss in Bubbles' ear.

"She's his best friend." Bubbles said quietly.

"Oh just a best friend? What's this? No more matchmaking? Finally listening to reason Love Doctor?"

Her cheeks flushed, that...had been a disaster Bubbles would admit. Poor Mikey though, the poor boy had been soaked, Bubbles still wondered how he'd managed to trip into a fountain of all things but well Mikey had done worse to himself she guessed…?

"You thought so too." Bubbles only mumbled defensively.

"Yeah but only until I saw Robb's face that sort of vetoed that possibility." Buttercup mumbled back but her face suddenly darkened and she grit her teeth before turning away and returning to yet another argument only this time it was in X fueled hisses versus yelling… but just as unhelpful. Blossy was stubborn… Buttercup was stubborn.

They'd hit a stalemate. Just like they always did when two Puffs were fighting…

Badum. Badum.

Robin was in trouble. Bubbles… Bubbles knew time was running out and Buttercup was right… they had to go but...but without a plan… Sedusa was smart… really...really smart and a cornered animal who had messed up. She'd messed up badly or her lackey had messed up who had picked Robin in the first place.

...but a cornered animal was a dangerous animal. A cornered… scared animal… bit.

And inevitably...would draw blood.

Lots...and lots of…

"... Veto." She whispered not really hearing herself… but at the same time she very much did. "Girls!" She said louder. They both stiffened before turning.

Badumbadumbadum…

"I… I call… I call… I call a veto! A Puffy VETO!"

VETO….

Veto…

Veto….

Badum. Badum.

The air was still. Unnaturally quiet, she hated it: she hated it when there was...quiet. it wasn't natural! It was like… like the mime who stole all color...all life from the city with a single cruel silent touch…

Her sisters both touched down next to her- their breathing was the only thing that seemed to break the unnatural...quiet.

One look to Bubbles left and Buttercup stalked ahead, another to her right as Blossom followed the quiet order of their acting leader.

Silence … nothing but silence… until finally… Bubbles heard it.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Tapraptap

Tap….

Tap….

Tap…

Fainter… coming from multiple directions below their feet… she squeezed her eyes shut.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Tap.

Tap….

Tapraptaptaptap

"... It's below us. Girls move!"

Bubbles stamped her foot down and Buttercup mirrored her as Blossom attempted to see past the natural earth: of all the powers to fade… Bubbles couldn't think of that right now.

"Here!" Buttercup yelled out before wrenching open a wooden storm door buried deep underground.

It was dark within… but it wasn't quiet anymore… it was… muffled whimpers… crying…

"Helpppppppppppp!"

...and screaming.

"... G-Girls! GIRLS MOVE! WE'RE COMING ROBBI!"

Tap….

Tap….

Tap….tap….

…...

-Act 6: Beast-

Part 6D

-VI-

Bubbles

The room had gone grimly silent as Butch had gone and grabbed the remote from Blossy and was scrolling through the pictures at a dizzying speed, Bubbles couldn't even keep up with it, Boomie next to her was writing like crazy and Brick… Brick hadn't said a word as he just kept going through the piles of papers.

So much so Bubbles couldn't help but sidle up to him quietly, "Brick." She murmured. He said nothing just kept reading. "Mikey heard… Robbi in the factory didn't he?"

She wasn't expecting an answer but shockingly…, she actually got one. He nodded. "...yeah." He said quietly, still not looking at her, like he wasn't even really answering her so much as the wall. "Yeah he did."

"Fucking- slow down asswipe, will you slow down!" Buttercup finally grabbed the remote back.

"How the fuck did she manage to grab four chicks like that-!"

"Five." Blossy finally rejoined the discussion, holding a red mug and poked Brick in the brow before handing it to him- oh gee, thanks for offering to anyone else- like it was cute yeah but… was it healthy for Brick to drink that much coffee… that quickly.

"Five victims… only one survivor…, cripes no wonder Believe freaked out like that." He shook his head, "Never thought I'd see the day he turned so pale…" Bubbles caught a tremor of the mug and Blossy held it gently still. "What's the plan then Pinky, what can we do?"

Boomie was still writing quickly, "This is no regular police matter I'm going to guess- an X matter despite her human origin." He recited quietly.

"You're correct Boomer." Blossom turned to all three of them. "I won't sugar coat this boys, this is a very bad situation: Sedusa is by far the most dangerous human villain we ever encountered. She will kill again… it's only a matter of when."

It went silent, the only sound was the frantic scratching of Boomer's pen.

"So how do we find her?" Butch finally broke the quiet. "Wait until she decides on her next beauty routine?"

Bubbles flinched at the crass wording and both the brothers gave the green Rowdy a withering look.

"What? Oh like you weren't thinking it!" He snapped, BC flicked his forehead.

"Self control is your friend, remember who one of the aforementioned "treatments" was supposed to be."

Another flinch, this time from Butch. "oh… right...Snyder." he muttered. "Well that explains Kung fu badass chick."

"... And why Mike ran the way he did." Brick murmured fully, the haunted undertone in his voice was unmistakable, and Blossy squeezed his hand more. "So again… what do we do? How do we find her?"

"More like, when she'll find us." BC muttered as Bubbles averted her gaze from her sister's hard stare but Boomie stiffened before he closed his notebook.

"She has a grudge against Bubbles?"

He never missed anything her blue Rowdyruff Boy. Blossy sighed but nodded.

"Bubbles… was responsible for her ultimate capture… yes."

"You…. You…. YOU WITCH!"

The glass cracked but didn't break no matter how many times her head was smashed against it. It was splattering everywhere and Blossy was whispering about evidence - but Bubbles didn't care.

CRASH. CRASH. WHAM.

"HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU!"

Again Bubbles heard Buttercup holding the poor girl with the pretty curly hair whisper a plea for Bubbles to stop… stop!? STOP WHAT!?

SHE DESERVED EVERY-!

CRASH. BANG. CRASH.

At least someone was yelling. Someone was reacting the right way...to ...to this horror show! This nightmare!

CRASH. BANG. CRASH. CRASH.

"Bubbles! BUBBLES ENOUGH!"

A warm hand was atop her own and her hair was moved from her face as Boomer's grip increased.

"So she's carrying a grudge." He said baldly. Bubbles bit her lip as Blossy… Blossy averted her gaze but BC scowled.

"Well… seeing as Bubs… is the one who ultimately smashed her head into a tube and made her go permanently bald…" she muttered.

Brick and Butch's eyebrows both shot up at that and her cheeks warmed.

"Imogene Guttenheim...is a master of disguise." Blossom quietly took the remote from Butch and resumed the meeting. "She can turn into anyone if she so pleases- it's part of why she was so difficult to apprehend the first time."

The pictures all showed different looking women: different hair, eyes, facial features, you named it. The chill in Bubbles' skin only increased, Brick even looked unnerved.

"We're sure… this is all the same woman?"

"As far as we know yes."

"What the fuck… none of those chicks look the same! What the fuck is she even human!?" Butch demanded, BC scoffed.

"A question we've been asking for years."she muttered. "And now with this whole thing at MCIPE, clearly she's not a solo act anymore." Blossy flinched. "So what's the plan O' Smart ones?" Her hand went on her hip.

The Reds were quiet, only exchanging a look, but Boomer folded his arms and cleared his throat.

"It's obvious isn't it? Her priorities? We need to alert the schools."

That was less than a "brotherly" look from Brick, Bubbles noted but he nodded nonetheless. "The city needs to be notified, schools should go under lockdown so to speak especially with the girls."

"Tch, if Yenko will even bother listening." Butch grumbled. Brick's face darkened but Blossom shook her head.

"Oh he will, the media will be on top of this within hours, if they're not already; he can spout whatever bullshit fake excuse he wants, TVHS is going into lockdown regardless. I'll get a city order if I have to." She took a deep breath. "You're correct… she's not working alone and this time her… stooge is far more dangerous than any infatuated hoodlum." Buttercup flinched somewhat at that but shook Bubbles hand off when offered it.

Rude. Whatever.

"Exactly, Pinky I don't think-." Brick began but Blossom's

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence."

"...Pinky, you saw the tape and I'm pretty sure you heard-."

"I heard every word but I'm a Powerpuff Girl, my city is in trouble: priorities Brick. Priorities."

"Exactly my point…." He mumbled.

"I'm not just going sit here and just twiddle my thumbs while that sociopath is on the loose!" She hissed before turning away from him. Bubbles turned to catch BC's eye but her sister just stared straight ahead.

"So what about the Snyder's?" Boomer interrupted. "What's the plan there? We should warn them especially right?"

"They've been alerted, everyone is on high alert, the best thing to do now is just to stay…. Calm as best we all can." Blossom said quietly. "The last thing we need is a panic-All hands on deck team this isn't a matter we can take lightly-." Blossy's leader voice was on and Bubbles squeezed her hands together, wringing them quietly. Brick still looked…, very much ill at ease and Bubbles couldn't blame him either, the Greens both looked tense too, and Butch's gaze returned to the screen with the chameleon like woman.

"...Boss is right though Boss Woman… if ole' Casper… really is the one who… you know broke the crazy bitch out then…"

"It's hardly a matter of "if" Butch." Brick folded his arms and inhaled deeply.

"Which more than likely means you know what is involved too Big Bro…" Boomer said quietly before he opened his notebook again. Brick was silent. They all were. "Which means it isn't random, there's a pattern here."

"What sort of pattern?" Blossy said warily.

"I'm… I'm not sure yet." He ignored the scoff from Brick's direction. Meanie. "BUt there is one- H.I.M doesn't do this shit without a plan! When have you ever known that thing to be… without one. If it wanted Sedusa… out then there had to be a reason… why else send the Lackey to go break her out…?" Again Blossy flinched somewhat. Bubbles frowned but…, nodded.

"He's right. H.I.M… never doesn't have a plan… no matter how random it seems…don't forget…,the diner." She muttered. That diner…, hadn't been fun...or fair…, but it had been absolutely… begrudgingly brilliant.

Bubbles also decided not to remember they had technically "lost" that little…, incident. The boys looked confused well Butch and Boomer did… Brick just looked… annoyed and once again he gave Blossy a pointed… look which she refused to meet which only seemed to irritate him more.

"Plan or not we have a class four situation on our hands Team." He finally muttered. "All hands on deck- the faceless situation will be handled seperately-." What?! Oh no… Bubbles recognized that look. That was the same determined look she'd seen before… oh dear…

Okay… yes Bubbles shipped it. Bubbles shipped it hardcore but… this.. Really wasn't the time to go off on a super romantic cute heroic rescue mission… no no…, um… oh dear Boomer was getting up.

"Separately?" He said quietly. "The fuck do you mean seperately? H.I.M. involvement no matter how big or small automatically makes any situation a class five- which means full team. No lone wolves!"

"He's right Cap Boy, stand down." Buttercup joined quietly. "You too little boy blue."

Brick went rigid but… shockingly remained quiet. Boomer plopped back in the chair with a scowl on his face. Bubbles released the breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding, that look between the brothers wasn't… good but… they weren't arguing at least…

Not yet.

Poor Butch looked sick. Real sick.

Blossom cleared her throat.

"Precautions…are being taken on all counts-."

"By who? Townsville? Oh that's comforting." " Wait…, oh dear. Boomie no! Her Rowdyruff Boy continued glaring up at her over his folded arms. "The chick has a screw loose and clearly has a grudge against Robin and your sister-!" He pointed with his thumb in Bubbles' direction….oh dear.. Boomie… Boomie no! No, no!

"Boomie honey, we're not strangers to… to villains with grudges so don't worry-!"

"Mmm, yeah we all learned that pretty well already, didn't we honey? You know, back from December-! So pardon me for not really having a lot of faith in the city's sad attempt at "precautions"." He snarled.

"Boomer we were all admittedly taken by surprise by… Lenny. Our efforts were focused on the wrong individual for too long but-."

"And what if this is just another Red herring?" He stood. "Listen, Blossom I get it, okay, this is bad, real bad- the Lobster is upping its game but again doesn't this seem strange to you? First Ace of all people or whatever is given some kind of weird deal to fuck shit up around BC-!" Buttercup openly flinched.

"Oye! Boom, ix nay with the asshole!" Butch snapped.

"And now we got a crazy chick who clearly- very clearly would have a grudge against Bubbles! We got spice on one side! Now we have Sugar… so what about everything nice… oh wait… we have that too!"

"Okay Boomer, you've made your point- now sit down." Brick waved him off.

Which seemed to set him off even further… oh no.

"So what about the Faceless Man's involvement eh? What about Casper- Or are you planning on taking that assignment alone - Samurai Brick!" He spat and oh… oh no Boomie… Boomie no…

Blossy had gone stiff as a board, "Precautions… Precautions will be taken-."

"What precautions Blossom?! Is that all you can really say when its so fucking obvious this is part of something way bigger than some crazy chick with a youth complex!"

"Boomer- Sit. DOWN!" Brick finally began standing.

"No! I will not sit down Brick! If Casper is involved that means HIM IS INVOLVED! Yeah!" He snarled and looked around. "Yeah I said its name, wanna fight about it? Because we may as well get used to saying it… because its fucking up to something and you can play "Prince Charming" all you want Brick but that's not going to change the fact something bigger is up here!"

The silence was ominous and Boomer met the fierce red glare evenly, without even a tremble.

"You know I'm right Big Bro…" He murmured. Blossy bit her lip and BC averted her gaze and folded her arms. Butch gulped and stood up slowly. Carefully it seemed. Buttercup followed, hands up somewhat, almost like she was readying herself for a pounce if needed.

"He's.. Boom's got a point Boss… but its fine cause you know… the Rowdyruff Boys… the Puffs… we kick ass together and the stupid… the stupid lobster ain't gonna… it can't beat us when we fight together."

"You're totally right Butch- X Team-!" Bubbles began ebuliently.

"Exactly, so maybe if someone would stop trying to be Batman and actually-!" Boomer interupted.

"Look whose talking Detective Boomer!" Brick snarled. Oh… oh no. Oh God. Blossy took a subtle step forward.

"Enough! And now she had him by the arm. "Ruff, enough!"She hissed and gave a quick look to Bubbles-oh! Right! Boomer's arm was stiff when she took it gently.

"Boomie, honey please."

The Red and Blue Rowdy were thus taken to two seperate corners so to speak, the Greens both stood in the middle but Buttercup slowly sat back down, a tug and Butch was next to her. The air in the room was… unsurprisingly tense. Almost choking even, the simmering… anger that just seemed to be floating around them. Bubbles could see Blossy's hold on Brick was just as strong as her own on Boomer.

But at last…her knight exhaled and his muscles relaxed. "Fine, what's the plan then?" He murmured. "I take it Sedusa is the immediate threat."

"She is yes." Blossy said quietly somewhat… coldly? Hmm. Hey what was this what was with the look?! "Sedusa as the immediate threat means as was previously stated all hands have to be on deck which means all outside assignments are now on hold- Greens your jewelry investigation-."

"On hold got it Leader Girl." BC folded her arms. "It wasn't going anywhere anyway, nothing but dead ends."

"It was probably a distraction." Butch muttered. BC scowled but nodded.

"Wouldn't surprise me, the bitch is smart." She muttered back.

"Agreed. she's a master of disguise but she was also unfortunately quite clever, probably still is."

"So we have to be on our guard, she could be anywhere and anyone." Brick declared but then his eyes narrowed and centered on… uh oh. "Which means-."

"The Museum has been alerted to our changed priorities, they'll be hiring extra security now until the Anubis Head is successfully-." Blossom began but-.

"WHAT!" And here we go again… "NO!" Boomer shook his head, "No way, uh uh! You cant be serious there's something going on in there and it-!"

"People's immediate lives are at stake Boomer, innocent young lives, Sedusa's next victim could be anyone!"

"Human security guards won't be able to do a thing against a paranormal threat-!"

"Cripes… here we go." Brick muttered and removed his hat briefly as he rubbed his brow. "Boomer, here's the pure facts- the cold hard facts- we have a four time serial killer who will kill again and now she's getting help from a proven supernatural threat-!"

"And if you actually bothered reading my fucking report you'd know that I'm right and there's something going on in that museum with that fucking painting!" He howled.

"HAS THE PAINTING KILLED ANYONE?!" Brick roared. "HAS IT LOCKED INNOCENT WOMAN IN TUBES, AND SUCKED THEIR BLOOD OUT LIKE A FUCKING MOSQUITO FROM HELL!?" He grabbed the papers and shoved them in Boomer's face. "THIS! LOOK AT THOSE FACES BOOMER! LOOK AT THEM!"

Boomer froze, and Brick sneered.

"I don't want to hear anything else about some fucking "hunch" or whatever, we have a real fucking problem on our hands, with real consequences so how unfortunate Detective but as of this moment your case is closed."

The notebook in his hands shook.

"But-."

"is that clear?"

The silence was even worse this time than the last. Boomer bit his lip.

"I said- is that clear Boomer!"

His eyes squeezed shut and his bottom lip was trembling but he finally nodded.

"Y….Yes sir." He said quietly. Bubbles bit her lip, he just sounded so...defeated then and Brick… ooooh that big meanie! Hmmph, maybe Bubbles was going to have a talk with Blossy because is he could be so mean to his own little brother then God knows what he could do to-!

"Good." He said curtly but then sighed. "Boom, listen to me bro- I know you think you're onto something, and fuck you know what you might be, but this is a priority now- mentally unstable curators are unfortunate and I'm sure this Kamile lady or whatever is a nice person just-."

Bubbles stiffened at that. What did Kamile Deguise have to do with anything?

"Boom, listen I know I've been harsh but it's for your own good, not every problem in the city is an X problem-."

" But-."

Blossy finally stepped forward. "Boomer, please, I've read your report, well skimmed it as it's quite detailed, well done and yes… there does seem to be a strange series of events in the Museum and I thank you for discovering them, job very well done but… your brother is right- this is our priority right now." She snuck a glance over her shoulder and Brick's hand slowly came to rest there. A united Red unit, Boomie didn't stand a chance.

It was a closed Red order and was Bubbles ... admittedly slightly relieved at it… yes. Yes she was and oh how horrible circumstances for it but… just a few days even off from that...melancholy thick air and…

Oh Boomer dear can you help me in my office, I'm far too short silly me.

And… other things… yes yes the Blues could use a break from the Museum-.

"Boss." Brick stiffened"boss I get that museum is closed and cool, yeah crazy lizard lady is priority here but-."

"Good, then I don't see a point in standing around here, Greens, Blues you have your orders, Sedusa or whatever is our main priority. Any other X business that needs to be discussed that's actually relevant and not just a fantasy?" He gave Boomer a pointed look but her knight… just was silent. Butch gulped and put a finger up.

"Uh… I might have somethin', you and Red might wanna know about- when I went to the museum to pick up the moron uh… uh I um… I." He gulped because that look wasn't very… "brotherly". On either side.

"What did I just say Butch. Something relevanti."

"But Boss, I- something ain't right there, he's right, I hate t say it but yeah… Boom he's right Boss. SOmething is weird." He looked at Boomer. "Like I saw it man and the lady… the lady had fucking… fucking evil eyes she looked like she was gonna eat me or some shit!" He yelped. Brick raised an eyebrow. "She did…. Seriously scared the life outta me."

"That doesn't take much." BC drawled.

"If you'd seen it you'd have flipped too! That thing ain't normal!"

"Exactly!" Boomie threw his hands in the air. "That's what I've been trying to tell you Brick! What if this is all connected!"

"Oh now isn;t that convenient!" Brick snapped.

"Brick!" Blossom scolded.

"No, no, let's hear it, okay Detective Boomer, Go ahead, Detective- solve this 'mystery'" Heleaned against the door frame. "Let me tell you something first however, I do my job as a leader and I investigate ahead of time potential threats to my city and my team before I do my oh let's see here- orders." He took out his cell phone. "Allow me to read something to you, to you both." He cleared his throat. "Ahem, Though "The Goddess Bride" (artist unknown) is a treasured historic artififact the Tokyo Museum has exhibited since 1959, it is not without its own mysteries." He gave a pointed look.

"So it's old!" Boomer snapped. "So what!"

"Reports have been made over the decades that upon looking at the scroll, some patrons have reported the young woman within as having numerous different facial expressions. Including sadness, anger, laughter and fear .Dr. Toshio Jun of Tokyo Universiy and a specialist of paranormal phenomena has declared the ancient wall scroll a hotbed of potential paranormal but has also deemed it perfectly harmless- It is merely a curiosity.

Furthermore, Dr. Toshio and art historians have theorized the unknown artist very well may have painted in his frustrations over an unrequited admiration and love for his obviously superior in rank subject and more than likely possessed a minor paranormal ability himself."

Brick set the phone down.

Boomer was silent.

"You know where I found this Boomer? Wanna take a guess?"

He was silent.

"What nothing? Nothing at all to say? But you're always so full of theories and conjunctions. But you know… maybe, if you'll take this suggestion for next time: Start at the beginning." He held the phone back up. She didn't recognize the kanji of course because that was more… Blossom's specialty but… there it was: The official website of the Tokyo Museum… and the picture… clear as day of the painting…

...Oh Boomie.

Blossy sighed and tapped her foot somewhat, "... I suppose that;s that then. May we continue with the Sedusa investigation?"

"Can do." Brick pocketed his phone. "Boomer."

He was still silent.

"Boom, look at me." When he wouldn't Brick sighed this time, "Do you think… I like to be this way with you? Do you think I enjoy it? Well news flash, I don't."

"...Liar." He whispered.

"You can choose not to believe me, at this point I don't care. But as far as the X Team is concerned- the museum investigation is over." He flinched. "Is that understood Boomer?"

The Blue Rowdyruff's lip trembled but he nodded. "But-." He whispered.

"Brick this isn't the time-."

"No, No Pinky it is, I've been silent long enough."

"When were you ever silent?" Another whimper.

"You've deliberately ignored orders, gone off on your own way, did I stop you? No! Now I am. Now sit down we have a city to look after!"

Butch averted his gaze and Blossom sighed, "... I suppose that's officially that." Bubbles squeezed Boomer's arm.

"Boomie, honey-."

"...But-." They all turned to the Green Rowdyruff Boy who was… just shaking his head.

"But what Butch?" Butch flinched and seemed to freeze in place.

BC noticed first. "Got something you'd like to add to the conversation there asswipe?" He started,

"Me? Uh…. No- well kinda but the crazy lizard lady is uh…" He tapped the table. "Boss closed the investigation for now so… it's fine, it's just… a weird feeling the Butch got, no… no big deal."

"... You too?" Blossom folded her arms and then held out her hand. "Boomer if I may?"

"Shouldn't we be focusing on Sedusa?" Brick said baldly. Blossom skimmed the page and then seemed to stiffen herself when she took out the photo Boomer had taken and apparently printed out.

: :... Brick."

"Its documented Babe, it's not dangerous- unlike the crazy Madame Bathory wannabe!"

"Yes I know, that's obviously our priority but-." She blinked, once, twice, and then shook her head slightly before closing the book quickly. "... You're right. Boomer, Right now Sedusa takes priority which I'm sure you understand, but-." She flinched again and pressed her hand to her temple. "If it'll soothe your fears, I'd like to go and take a look myself."

"Oh c'mon Pinky-!"

"No Brick…, call it...an odd feeling myself but for some reason I feel as if I should see it."

….That was strange. Bubbles exchanged a quick look with BC.

"Perhaps Brick, we both should. Harmless maybe, but it's still another paranormal object in my city. I need to assess it myself and so should you." Brick stiffened but then his shoulders slumped.

"Cripes fine, fine -You win Boomer, we'll investigate your stupid painting after we get the vampire bitch. Agreed?" Boomers grin was instant. Big and toothy. And oh thank goodness, Bubbles hated seeing her Boomie so sad so maybe this would be the beginning of a reconciliation and-!

Blossy's eyes were dark. The chill down Bubbles' spine was instant, Buttercup stiffened, "Leader Girl, you okay?" She said quickly.

The magenta faded as quickly as it had come. "Hm? Yes, of course, well… actually- Ruff would you mind-?" Her voice trailed and Brick lunged forward to catch her as she stumbled and they all jumped up

"What the!? Babe! The fuck!?" He set her back in her chair.

"I just got a little lightheaded, I think the seriousness of the Sedusa situation is finally getting to me. Oh, thank you Butch." The Green Rowdy gave her a wary look and exchanged another quick look with BC. So he'd seen it too…

Brick was too distracted ( obviously) to have noticed- or even care probably. "Have you slept at all?" He hissed.

"I'm fine Ruff." She was still holding her head. "Just a headache."

"Yeah bull. Just drink that water." She winced but looked up at the rest of the Team. "As for our strategy, we'll return to assess the museum situation after Sedusa is found and apprehended. Agreed?"

"If that's our only option." Boomer mumbled.

"Yes. It is. Now sit down Boomer." Brick hissed.

SLAM. Boomie… just plopped himself in his chair in a pique. Oh dear… maybe no reconciliation yet after all.

Their Puff leader was still silent, clutching her head occasionally as Brick watched her like a hawk. Bubbles caught BC"s eye again. A slight Puffy moment so to speak.

"So we're agreed then, right- perfect: orders Reds?" Buttercup interjected. Brick stiffened. "

"Right, of course, fine." He looked down at Blossom she who just waved him forward. Yikes, it must have been one bad headache this time. That's what she got for not taking care of herself(!)

Brick cleared his throat. "We need to obviously do the two and two strategy, and we also have to be sneaky about it with… other potential ….paranormal factors"

He grit his teeth and Boomer smirked. Oh dear, that wasn't helping Boomer… so we have to change strategies so Butch, I want you and Bubbles to assess the streets, while Boomer and Buttercup take the air- Pinky and I will -."

"What? Excuse me! No, no no! Back up if you think I'm leaving Bubbles when a class five is after her-!" He snapped.

"That's why we have two on two: your speed and Buttercup's Mange are a much more effective offensive line while Butch's shield keeps Bubbles safer as they patrol." Brick folded his arms. "I'm no fool I'm not about to leave Bubs wide open." He scoffed. "It's obvious who target number one more than likely is and we're not about to let that happen."

Well… that was...nice but… um… she cast a quick glance at her sisters, both looked grim. At least the color had returned to Blossom's face.

"So if there's more defense on Butch's side which yeah… I'd agree with- reluctantly." Boomer continued.

"... Thanks " Butch muttered.

"Then why the fuck isn't Blossom with them then too, we take the offensive search. You, me, and Buttercup. Butch takes shield duty and fuck it Brick, it's Robin right? Get Mike in here too." Brick froze.

"Michael is a civilian!" Blossom interrupted.

"With psychic powers, and if offensively we're down two Puffs- again no offense ladies."

"None taken… should we have Robin with us too then, Butch is that fair to you?" Bubbles wrung her hands. The green Rowdy flinched somewhat but then puffed his shoulders up.

"It's no problem, the Butch will protect all the fine ladies of Townsville from jealous psycho bitches with bad hair-."

Boomer however… it didn't seem was willing to just let it go. "Bloss, you're right he is a civilian but he's the best we got right now, plus Big Bro's already been training him so it's not like he's completely helpless!"

One could hear a pin drop save the sharp inhaled breath that came from Brick.

"... what?" Blossy murmured. But Boomer just kept going, too fixated to notice the sudden chill in the air no…. Boomie… Boomie just kept going...despite the pallid hue Brick's face had taken.

"Ghosty's already afraid of him for some reason- order fire or whatever the fuck he keeps calling him - look how freaked he got when Mike sent him flying in that fight with the greens when you went to the harbor!"

Butch scoffed. "I still say the Butch didn't need no help from anyone"

"The guy has kicked your ass twice already Butch let it go!"

"Once! Only once and he cheated anyways!"

"... WHAT!" And that...was louder and Butch paled.

Silence.

Oh….oh dear. Blossom's jaw had dropped, while BC groaned.

"Well this was inevitable." She muttered.

"What are they talking about? What- Harbor?"

Brick flushed before clearing his throat. "I've been giving him some pointers and… might have followed me on a stake out or two...he has the better camera, come on Babe you know how he is! Even if I'd told him no he'd have followed me anyway!"

Her eyes furrowed. "He's still a civilian! His powers are completely erratic, you know this, how could you be so-!" She folded her arms. "What the hell does Boomer mean by training?"

"I...I might be giving him… a few pointers...he said, after the factory he wanted to...you know...learn how to…..protect himself better! You know!"

"Self defense?" She said baldly. "Really?"

"Y-Yeah?"

"Funny why don't I find myself believing you?"

Goodness Brick's face was a picture. His cheeks were flushed and his voice had gone up a pitch by decibel or two. For a seasoned liar… he was certainly nervous.

Boomer though… Bubbles didn't like that look. Oh...oh no, no, not the time Boomie.

"Exactly why he's a good stand in for this, I'm just saying. He's fought Ghosty before."

"I was under the impression Michael had barely interacted with the specter in the factory- and especially not since." Every word was like a pointed dagger aimed straight Brick. "Surely I know as much as any of you how incredibly reckless that boy can be but I'm surely not hearing what I think I'm hearing! Brick you would never bring in a civilian on X matters now would you!"

Brick was silent, at least he didn't dare lie straight to Blossy's face. He only hung his head, and Blossom's narrowed to slits.

"We'll talk about this later Ruff." She hissed before turning back to Boomie. "I understand your reasoning Boomer but by no means will I authorize such a move. I don't even think you want to imagine the consequences if he were to get hurt, let alone… the paperwork." She moaned the last word. " That imbecile in the mask is already bad enough we don't need...any more surprises in this."

"But Ghosty is already afraid of the Trickster Blossom!" Boomer refused to let up. "He called him an Oral…. Fire or whatever and flipped a lid, seriously if he could still go the damn bathroom I'm pretty sure he'd have pissed himself!"

Bubbles winced while Buttercup openly snorted.

Blossom only tapped her foot impatiently, " I believe the wording was actually "orafira" it sounds like a term of some sort but I highly doubt that its of any-." She suddenly froze and her words hung in the air. Brick's face had gone pallid, and her eyes went wide, her mouth opening then closing in silence… before….

"YOU-!" Blossom whipped around, eyes blazing magenta once again and Brick jumped back. "You little- MICHAEL!?" she snapped. Brick openly winced and put out his hands.

"Babe, Babe I can explain-!"

"Explain what!? What are you going to explain Brick!? How my stupid little brother has apparently been running around MY city in a cape and a mask acting like a lunatic and YOU not only kept this from me but have been ENCOURAGING IT!?" She shrilled.

"Pinky, Pinky look I know what this looks like but you have to understand-!"

"Understand what!?" Oh….oh dear that magenta was dangerously… dark. And yes she had a point! A big point but… but oh God that wasn't pink at all. Oh no… that… that was red wasn't it?

"The eclipse Blossom!" Boomer interrupted. "The eclipse."

Silence. Bubbles bit her lip and Buttercup averted her face. Butch only kept staring at the table.

"... What?" Blossy whispered. "What are you….?"

"Big Bro and Mike were given a warning in the factory Blossom. A big one, they've been training for it..for something. Right Brick? That's what you're doing?"

Brick only nodded. Bubbles saw her sister got stiffer and the magenta….slowly dull.

".. I see." She murmured. "... And you knew of this as well Boomer." Those pink irises trailed the room though no one dared meet them. "And you Buttercup?" BC flinched. "Butch?" Butch said nothing. And...oh… oh God.

There was no anger in those eyes….not anymore but Bubbles still couldn't directly… oh

"You as well Bubbles?"

Badum. Badum.

"Blossy… Blossy it wasn't-!" She began but her sister turned away.

"... You all knew the Trickster's identity then. And purposely kept it from me."

"Not at first!" Brick finally had found his voice. "Pinky…. Blossom… I swear I was going to tell you, I was going to, but….I...I owe him. He saved my fucking hide down there and… he just wants to help Pinky." He murmured. "Blossom, the dark…" Butch and Boomer both froze. "The dark… it's coming after-."

Blossom just turned away.

"You lied to me." She whispered.

"No I-!" Brick began but… then he hung his head. "I just wanted to protect-."

"The city." She finished for him and put a hand up to quell his immediate protest.

"Understandable, you did your heroic duty the best you could, next time if you and the team wish to recruit another member I'd prefer if I be alerted in a prompt fashion…. There's quite a bit of paperwork involved." She said distinctly… Business like. Oh….oh no.

"Blossy…. Blossy we were going to-!" Bubbles began but felt a heavy hand on her shoulder and Buttercup quietly shook her head.

"Under….understood. I'll…. I'll fill you in now, everything. You guys can hold the fort, plan- plan a strategy of your own!" He waved wildly at Butch and Boomer. "Let's go talk Pinky, I know I've been an ass, I know, I just, I didn't -!"

Her expression was….empty. "you did your best job as a hero Brick." He paled. "Your judgement I'm sure was sound."

"Pinky-!"

"If you'll excuse me, I'm due for a call to Ms. Bellum further explaining our plan."

".. right, yeah we can-."

Again her hand went up. "In the interest of time… I'll take this alone."

"But we're co- leaders."

"We are yes but nonetheless…. How can I lead with someone who lies to me so easily." She took a deep breath. " Discuss more detailed strategy with the team I'll be right back."

Bubbles sucked in a breath, Buttercup's grip only grew tighter. Butch was like two deer in headlights, even Boomer...had gone a ghastly white. Brick just...stared.

"...Pinky-." He out a hand to her arm but she immediately shook him off.

"Don't." She said in a… choked rasp. "Do not….touch me Ruff."

"Blossom-." He said in a quiet voice… almost… in a dog like whimper.

"The city and it's safety is our priority. Nothing else. I'll be right back."

"Wait- Blossom! It's really not a big deal! I was I didn't mean-I'll tell him to forget it-! Pinky!"

Click.

The door closed right in Brick's face.

The rest of the room sat in an agog silence until…

"Oh shit…." Butch groaned.

"We knew this was coming, we should have told her earlier." Buttercup rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Seriously…. Really should have told her earlier and Believe is a fucking dead man walking."

"... Should we call him...to warn him?" Bubbles murmured. This was a complete disaster.

"... Fuck… yeah probably."

"Should I do it?"

"No I'll do it. Be right back."

Brick continued staring at the door. Silent. Emotionless. What a shock! She clenched her fists. Boomie on the other hand… looked completely destroyed. Oh her poor knight…

She should go to him. Yes. In just a moment, one, as soon as her legs worked again.

"Brick." The blue Rowdy said in a ... dog like whimper of his own. "Big Bro… I… I didn't mean to… you just….you just got me so mad you know how I get when I'm mad! I don't .. I don't think- I'm dumb when I'm mad you know that!"

His voice hitched and Bubbles felt her own anger rise.

"You are not dumb!" She snapped but she was ignored (!?) Hey!

"Brick…. Brick please I'll talk to her, I'll tell her everything, she can be pissed at me you know! Just… J-Just-." He reached a tentative hand out. "I got….mad Big Bro… I don't think when I'm mad."

Boomer Jojo was apparently the Rowdyruff known for his….temper though it was honestly more likely from frustration in her own opinion. It couldn't be easy being constantly dismissed and treated like dirt by an egocentric doo doo brain genius so called!

Though…. What was that low growling? Hm? Had someone...let a dog in?

WHAM.

They all jumped and Boomer especially because those burning crimson eyes looked to be on fire. Brick's teeth were clenched so hard Bubbles almost feared for his teeth (!) And… oh… oh dear.

"You think you're some kind of lame ass superman don't you…Boomer." It was low

… and almost sickeningly ...sweet sounding. "Oh yeah, you think you're the "good" Rowdyruff, you're the cute, innocent, good boy." He enunciated every word as he removed his fist from the cracked wall and Bubbles felt the chill in the air increase.

"He's not answering. Okay we'll peel his corpse off the floor later -. Uh…" Buttercup stared at them. "Whatcha' doin? Do we have time for this?"

Brick only...continued to smile and….it was creepy. Okay that smile was kind of creepy.

"But you know what Boomer you're none of those things oh no… you're the fucking manipulative Rowdyruff Boy ain't you!" He inhaled deeply. "Because at least when I still do… my fucking evil shit because I admit yeah I've broken the law a few times to keep not only this fucking city and team safe but this family safe!" And now came… a breathy laugh. "But at least… I don't call myself a fucking hero for it."

The room was eerily silent but Boomer… Boomer gulped but kept his ground. Defiantly.

"How long did you really think you could keep it a secret-!"

"Oh secrets? Secrets huh? We're talking about "secrets" now- okay, fine Boomer I'll bite, how's about you and this museum chick eh? Kamile is it? How's Bubs gonna feel about the fact you talk about her incessantly all fucking day? 'Kamile says this, Kamile that!'- lalala- oh whoops! Sorry Bubs didn't see ya there!"

Badum. Badum.

"Y-Yeah! Yeah! I'm doing my job working with that weird woman but what about you! When you ain't sneaking around playing Batman with Mike what are you doing- oh yeah- Sneaking a Puff into your room at night- that's what!"

"... WHAT!?" Bubbles yelped and Buttercup slapped her brow.

"Oh wonderful. Great. Just what we need during a criminal investigation, teen drama." She muttered but oooooooh! She also didn't sound surprised at ALL! What on earth was that about!?(!)

"What you think you're so slick?" Boomer snarled. "I ain't deaf Brick! I can hear her in your fucking room!"

The Red Rowdy's cheeks were beet red. "That's none of your business." He hissed.

"Oh is it official "X" business then?" Boomer mocked and… yes it was deserved because it was obviously nonsense but… Bubbles still felt a chill in her from the tone regardless. This wasn't like him. He was just so...angry.

"What Pinky and I talk about is none of your business!" He snarled.

" oh yeah talk- uh huh! Sure that's all you two do!"

"It's none of your fucking business!"

"Oh give me a break! Is this really the time!?" BC snapped. "Oh my God Butch stop cowering!"The green Rowdy jumped but stood regardless.

"None of my business!?" Boomer snapped. "It's my fucking house too! I think I deserve to know when you're sneaking a Puff in through the damn window like some kinda -!"

"It's more convenient to fly!" He hissed. "She wants her-!" He paused.

"Privacy? That it? Or maybe…." Bubbles didn't like that look. That...wasn't her Boomie's look. It was too…

Mean.

"Or maybe it's more to keep you under wraps, after all she won't even be seen with you in public as anything but her 'co-leader'!" He air quoted mockingly.

"That's not true!" Brick pointed in his face. "You have no fucking idea what Pinky goes through! None of you do!" Um excuse eh mois? What was that? Pardon? "Every fucking night-!" His eyes were wild but then he swallowed. "We talk. That's it. And that's all you need to know- because that's how it is for leaders." He folded his arms. "she can talk to me and I can talk to her. If she doesn't want to deal with nosy door men or nosy baby brothers then yeah, I leave the fire escape unlocked. Whoopty fucking do!"

""Don't mingle with a Puff Boomer, it's for your own good Boomer-!" He snarled. Brick stiffened. "How long did I have to listen to that shit! And then what- one fucking second you're anti Puff the next you're fucking sneaking one into your room so Daddy doesn't hear!" He laughed aloud. "By the way Brick have you even been introducedto the Professor as something otherthan a co-leader yet or are you still just Blossom's little secret!" Brick went white and he turned towards the door, with big… almost frightened eyes. Wait… that wasn't… "Besides who can blame her… with your track record… you don't really take very good care of those you claim to… give a shit about. Look at Dad."

The breath left him and Brick staggered- he literally staggered.

"Boomie… that's not-." The glow in his eyes wasn't… good. And the way he was smiling. "Boomie…" She put a hand up. "Boomer-?" "Boomie…. Boomie c'mon, you made your point-." Bubbles took his arm but he shook her off (!) - huh!? What on earth since when was Boomie this… mean?

"What?" He said lowly. "Tell me I'm wrong- Your Majesty."

"Boom… enough!" Now finally Butch stood up. "What the fuck man! What the FUCK is wrong with you! You've been a fucking prick since you started going to that fucking place! Maybe it ain't the fucking curator maybe it's you!"

Bubbles sucked in a breath and staggered. Slowly Brick turned, his eyes narrowed. "... He has a point."

"It's not the museum it's everything, he's been lying to us since fucking day one Butch! Open your fucking eyes!" Boomer backed away as both Greens… hey! What gives! Buttercup pulled Bubbles back silently.

"What exactly was in that report Butch."

"I didn't read it."

"Yeah well I did. Heightened emotions and we both know our baby brother has hell of a temper on a good day." He snarled. "You've been awfully pissy lately. More so than usual."

"Maybe because I'm sick of you-! Rowdy Code my ass- should really be the Butch and Boomer code seeing as Brick is apparently exempt from it! Look at the goddamn trial! Look at that shit! Maybe if one of us had been allowed to testify then they wouldn't be holding that shit up!"

Again Brick clenched his jaw.

"Like you could have handled it." He said lowly.

"Did you ask! Or did you just assume!"

"We only had time for one testment, that's all we were given."

"Oh bull shit Brick! That's not how a fucking trial works!"

"It was in this case."

"So none of our teachers! None of our friends- no one but you! Oh I bet you would have let Blossom testify though."

"No I wouldn't have! We didn't even want the girls there!"

PARDON!

"Excuse me there was no way I wouldn't have been there for my Boomie!"

"So,we couldn't pick our own lawyer, he was a fucking moron, nice guy but a moron! We couldn't give evidence and we were only apparently allowed to have one testimonial and that had to be you-! What kind of trial was this!?"

The answer was obvious. And Bubbles felt her heart sink down her chest until there was nothing but a gaping… void.

"A show trial! You're correct. We lost Boomer! There are you satisfied now!"

Buttercup's hand silently went to her mouth and Bubbles managed to get her arms around Boomer's waist,

He was simply stunned into silence. Butch gaped.

"Lost? What do you mean we lost? What we lose? What-!?"

"We can't be legally emancipated, outside concerns… objected and they were listened to."

"Outside- what do you mean!? We're the fucking heroes of the city! Who the fuck would-!" Butch's eyes widened but Boomer… Boomer just ripped himself free.

"You… this is your fault." He hissed. "You were completely emotionless on that fucking stand! Of course the judge didn't believe you!"

"It's hardly a matter of "belief" Boomer, the fix was in before we even got in there-!"

"No!" He shook his head. "We're the good guys now! We're good! This doesn't happen to good guys!" His voice hitched.

The Red Rowdy only snorted. "if you honestly believe that then you really are the dumb and the dumbest."

"Brick-!" Butch snapped (!) - "Enough man, just enough you made your point, lay off."

"Seriously Cap Boy, you've made your goddamn point- just...fuck. well Bubs, you got anything to add to the X Team Drama hour or should we continue with our actual investi-." Her hair began to rise somewhat and she felt prickles in her skin, static… prickles….

"I…. Am…. Not…" The sparks crackled ominously in that clenched fist. "THE DUMB AND THE DUMBEST!"

WHAM.

It had been so fast they'd barely seen it but Brick crashed against the wall, ominous cracks and black plastic rained down - RIP Brick's glasses but … but…

Boomer had frozen in place and was staring at his fist as Brick slowly got back up. Eyes blazing.

"B-Big Bro I…-."

SLAM.

And now Boomer hit the floor as Brick loomed over him and oh God those eyes… those eyes looked positively… horrifying.

And the noises. How… how literal was that recipe of Mojo's!? Because… because that wasn't even- ! The snarls were loud and the growling was growing louder….and more and more….doglike. oh… oh dear Bubbles… Bubbles had seen… how bad a fight between two dogs could be(!)

"Oh...oh shit." Butch whispered. "Guys… guys NO!" He bellowed.

They leapt simultaneously and now they were on the floor and WAIT A MINUTE!

"STOP IT! STOP IT! GET OFF MY BOOMIE! GET OFF HIM RIGHT NOW!' Bubbles screamed and the door flew open as Blossom came zipping out.

"What the-!? BRICK! BOOMER CONTROL YOURSELVES!"

Boomer went crashing against a wall and just barely dodged a savage blow while he managed to scramble away and landed a quick hit on the big bully!

Blossy however shrieked and lunged, grabbing Brick around the arm and pulling him away. Bubbles grabbed her own Rowdy's waist and also pulled him back.

"OH...OH MY GOD STOP IT! BOOMIE! BRICK! STOP!"

"CONTROL YOURSELVES! RUFF! BOOMER! STOP IT!"

But they weren't having it. Immediately he broke away from her and went after Brick again - who shoved Blossom away - the BRUTE and caught the punch. They were in a lock, and neither was going to back down.

"Oh fuck this!" The lime green streak was in sync with the dark green one and again rude! Brick just shoved them away and held out glowing hands while Boomer held out his own sparking palms. The two circled each other ominously still growling like two enraged…. D-dogs(?)

A loud guitar solo rang out, and for a moment Brick's gaze flicked to his wildly vibrating phone on the table, which cautiously Buttercup reached over to grab.

"Mike that you? Yeah sorry dude, not a good time, not a good one at all!" She said quickly.

The fight restarted. Brick shoved him back, Boomer shoved him forward. Teeth grit. Growling even louder. A shelf was teetering and oh… oh God Daddy was going to hear this and come running down!

Their hair was beginning to stand up again.

Oh no...Boomie no…!

The attack was instant and hit Brick straight in the face that time, he bellowed out and slumped to the ground- Blossom's scream that time was shrill…. And HUH! WAIT A MOMENT!

The pink flash erupted and the hiss was loud. Boomer jumped back but those eyes were scalding, her hand was up and glowing and she stood in front of Brick.

"Enough!" Blossom snarled. "Both of you!"

That should have been the end of it, but it wasn't…. No much to Bubbles horror, Boomer didn't back down, sparks only continued flying through his fingers and Brick shot back up. His glasses were broken but that growling didn't cease.

It was like they were both so angry they weren't even-!

"Fucking hell - Leader Girl move!" Two green streaks finally joined the fight and Blossom got shoved against a wall, Buttercup pinning her while Butch… Butch held both his hands out, one left, one right. Like an animal trainer.

"Okay… okay easy… easy you guys- you know the Butch don't wanna hurt ya!" He was only met by two distinctive sets of growls.

Two very angry Rowdyruff Boy growls.

"C-C'mon now… c'mon we can't go and break Prof U's house. He won't like that much… r-remember the uh… ha… hey remember the first...kitchen in the observatory?"

...that sounded ominous. Had Brick gone and destroyed a kitchen in one of his rages!?

"You remember that...don't ya Boom. You remember that, we don't want that happenin' in your girl's house do ya?"

"...the fuck did he do?" Buttercup mumbled.

"Well it's Brick so he probably started a big fire." Bubbles mumbled and hey-! Why was she getting a pink glare like that! It was true! Brick had always had a temper.

"And Boss, you're always sayin'... We gotta prove we turned or they'll all turn on us again right? Well this won't help us for that if we break U's lab."

"... Oh Ruff." Blossom murmured. Ugh, bias much! So unfair! Also paranoid much?! Did he have no faith in this team at all!

Honestly Blossy… and Bubbles frowned at this but it really was becoming the truth. What her sister saw in this meanie she didn't know and they were going to have to have a sisterly discussion at some point because while yes Bubbles still shipped it- BOOMIE NO!

The Blue Rowdy snarled aloud and the Red one followed suit and once again like two angry dogs they were atop the other, fists and feet flying- at least Brick wasn't setting the lab on fire…- but, Butch… Butch just jumped in the middle.

"GUYS! STOP! STOP!" he roared. "THIS AIN'T PART OF THE CODE-!"

"Fuck the code!" Bubbles felt the air chill as Boomer stamped his foot. "It's not like HE follows it!" He bellowed.

"I DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO KEEP YOUR SORRY ASS ALIVE!"

"WHO ASKED YOU TO!"

They both stared at each other and Butch kept his hands up but nonetheless the green Rowdy found his voice first.

"Because… you're a Rowdyruff Boy." He said quietly. "Because that's just what we do-!"

"Well then maybe I don't...want to be." Boomer said quietly as Butch staggered and Brick tensed. "... I quit."

"You can't quit being a Rowdyruff Boy." Butch hissed. "It's- it's the one thing we all have- it's in our blood - it's who we are!" He looked at Brick. "Plus...plus we're the Jojo brothers! Ya can't just quit being bros!"

Well of course not! One couldn't just quit being-!

"Brothers? Yeah right- maybe we're the brothers Butch but him- his royal Majesty over here- yeah right, he ain't a brother as much as a fucking dictator!" His eyes flashed an eerie sort of dark blue. "A wannabe Mojo even! Like father like son-!"

"WHY YOU LITTLE-!"

"COME AT ME ASSHOLE!"

The snarl was as loud as the gasps in the room, and Bubbles would admit she didn't know who aimed first. Brick's eyes were wide and crazed and Boomer's electricity crackled around them before the red and blue flashes shot through and the green light filled the room despite the sickening crash that now framed the tableaux before them.

Brick on one side, Boomer on another.

Butch...in the middle holding the shield up with two Rowdy fists crashing on either side of it at FULL force and… speed.

It was like time stood still at that moment as the shield's flat glaze began to crack. And crack- the sheer magnitude of physics… was not on their side….until finally-.

CRAAAAAAACK

With a loud burst the shield finally shattered like glass and two Rowdy fists smashed into Butch's head at once(!) - the crunch was absolutely sickening and blood gushed from his mouth as he went down and the shockwave from the broken shield also sent Brick and Boomer flying back as the lights suddenly gave out with a terrible sparkstorm in their wake

The scream was loud but it wasn't Bubbles or Blossom oh no, to Bubbles' utter bewilderment Buttercup was the one who near jumped over the table to reach Butch.

"Jesus Christ- are you alive!? Asswipe! Butch! Can you hear me!" Snap. Snap. Snap.

He groaned and put a thumbs up weakly but… oh God how was even moving!? His jaw-! It… was completely caved in!

"Oh cripes… oh fuck, Butch!" Brick scrambled up.

"Shit… shit Bro!" Boomer followed suit but Buttercup with a snarl of her own and ominously glowing eyes lurched up and stopped both of them in their tracks.

"YOU SIT DOWN!" She threw Brick in a nearby chair.

"AND YOU TOO!" And then did the same to Boomer before whirling around to face both of her sisters. Bubbles felt her chest clench from the determined look in those lime green irises and she saw Blossom stiffen, and shake her head quickly but Buttercup only nodded before whipping back around. "Listen up you idiots!" She snapped. "Puffy Veto is in effect and so guess what, now I'm in charge! So here's the deal, you-!" She pointed at Brick. " You're officially benched for the next week for being an overbearing, hypocritical lying prick!"

"...WHAT!" The Reds both yelled. Ugh. Again. Biased?

"HA!" Well served him right, maybe a vacation would do Brick some good? Oh honestly Blossy! Stop looking so angry! It's for his own good! Clearly there was going to have to be a Puffy discussion at some point concerning her obvious bias-!

"And YOU-!" She turned to Boomer… wait hey! Wait a minute-!? BC glared. "You are benched for being an insubordinate, paranoid probably possessed at this point ASSHOLE!"

"...WHAT!" Boomer and Bubbles both now cried out but, but-! NO! Boomie didn't do anything! It was all Brick's fault!

"BUTTERCUP THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AN ABUSE OF-!" Blossom snapped but Buttercup… pointed at her...now? Huh?

"And you…." She trailed. "You're benched for like… two days… because… because you can't just go attacking people!" She finished quickly. Blossom staggered back.

" excuse me-?! When did I-?!"

"Point is you're done. This fight? Do it on your own non X time! There are people, innocent people at stake here and we don't have the fucking time to deal, with two bruised big manly man egos! So you two get over yourselves, talk it out like two adults and fucking be BROTHERS not this … this power play tug of war you two are insisting on dragging us all into!"

She finished and both boys ( and sister) looked completely agog but BC only turned back and hoisted Butch up. "If you'll excuse me, I got a tub of sorry Rowdy lard to bring to the ER so they can reconstruct his jaw.

"Oww…"

"Yeah, yeah, don't talk idiot. Pretty sure you just lost a good chunk of your teeth. That's going to hurt growing back. Let's go."

"... Shouldn't we call an ambulance?" Bubbles yelped but no one bothered to answer her.

"She can't be serious. It's a class five situation(!)- Pinky!" Brick began but Blossom shook her head.

"It's out of my hands Brick, it's… a Puff thing, something similar to your code, just, just-." She raised her hands to eye level. Staring at them like they were two foreign objects. "What on… earth did I?"

His eyes widened but Boomer…

"Oh… oh fuck this!" He hissed. "Fuck this bullshit!"

"Boomie… Boomie wait!" Too late. The blue flash was instant and zipped straight out the door and not even Bubbles would be able to catch him.

SLAM

"WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN HERE-!? Hmm!?" Daddy looked absolutely frazzled and his eyes widened. "What on-!?"

"There… there was a disagreement Father… but we have it handled-!" Blossy began but Brick… Brick just shook his head.

"Just send me the bill for any structural damage Professor Utonium… if you'd excuse me."

He began heading out and Blossom sucked in a breath before grabbing onto his arm.

"Ruff!" She began but faltered when he pulled away. "... Call me when… you hear about Butch." She said quietly.

"I'll keep you posted." That tone was lifeless. Utterly… oh now he felt guilty!? Now! Bubbles clenched her fists, too little too late in her opinion!

There was no red streak, he just calmly went through the same back door Boomer had gone flying out of and oh her poor knight.

Her poor, poor knight.

"Girls." Professor said with folded arms. "Care to explain?"

"Oh well let me tell you-!" Bubbles began but of course she was interrupted(!) - um again how rude.

"There was a disagreement, Father. Things got a bit out of hand but the Sedusa investigation will continue despite some setbacks. You can reassure City Hall of that… now I… I have paperwork to fill out ,excuse me."

And pretty soon the pink one had fled the scene too.

Oh…. Oh dear.

-VI-

To: Twiggy

From: Buttercup

It finally happened. Dog fight red and blue. Greens at Townsville General ER. Kindly get here before I neuter two angry puppies and make my sisters very angry.

-VI-

To: Robb

From: Buttercup

Code White:

Mike is a dead man walking. Warn him.

To: Robb

From: Buttercup

Also you are not to leave the house unaccompanied for the time being. Consider that a Puff order. One of us is with you at all times when Believe isn't.

From: Robb

O_O - Ummmmm okay but WHY!?

From: Robb

BC? Uh hello? BC?

-VI-

To: Butterscotch

From: Mitch

I got your message and I'm on my way.

From: Mitch

Parking sucks. Pablo is using his mom's pass. We'll be there soon.

-VI-

To: Boom Boom, Red Pup

From: Mitch

WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO YOUR BROTHER'S FACE!?

-VI-

To: Butterscotch

From: Mitch

So I called Mum, she's getting the guest room and rec room ready for our green friend yeah.

-VI-

Hey, you've reached Mike B. Sorry I missed your call I'm probably on the rink or in the dark room. Ha! Leave a message and I'll get back to ya as soon as I can.

[Beep]

Michael,

I'm going to be kind based on our long, LONG, friendship and so I'm going to give you exactly twenty -four hours to give me a thorough and detailed explanation as to… WHAT THE FUCK YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!

BOTH OF YOU!

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR GODDAMN MINDS!? WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!?

AND WHAT IS THIS ABOUT BRICK TRAINING YOU!? FOR WHAT!? WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT FACTORY!?

One of you is going to tell me the truth so help me God or the consequences will be dire! Do you hear me Michael! Twenty four hours or so help me GOD I will tell the Professor exactly WHY he's had to synthesize you so many pills!

Not forgoing….your mother!

Twenty hour hours- Tricky.

-VI-

To: Jojo

From: Mike

Oh my God I'm a dead man.

-VI-

To: The Puffy Ladies

Um, ladies? Why are there...police cars around my house?

-VI-

To: Jojo

From: Mike

WHY ARE THERE POLICE CARS ALL AROUND TWEETY'S HOUSE!? AND WHY IS THERE A PATCH OF SINGED GRASS ON THE PROFESSOR'S LAWN!? ARE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELF BANNED FROM BLOSS' HOUSE!? WTF HAPPENED!?

From: Mike

Also call me when you get this. Seriously I think she's actually gonna kill me this time.

From: Mike

Dude she sounded like an angry demon from one of Tweety's animes, I'm gonna DIE! you owe me Jojo! Save my life! I'm your best friend!

From: Mike

I took the fall for you! Everyone thinks I'm the one who PISSED my pants back there - Dude locker rooms SUCK! You see what I do for you! Calm the crazy Puff down! Use your Charming Brick self to SAVE ME damn you!

Fron: Mike

BRICK. ICE. CREAM. YOU. OWE. ME.

From: Mike

…. Jojo…. What the fuck happened to Butch's face?

From: Mike

Dude! Dude are you okay! Answer me! The ice cream was a joke! Seriously though she's gonna kill me.

From: Mike

…. Dude?

-VI-

To: Brick

From: Blossom

One: I've sent you a PDF of all of the known aliases of Sedusa and the autopsy reports of her victims. It doesn't make for pleasant reading. Just as a warning.

Two: I've done further research into the Tokyo Museum security records. There seems to be an influx of temper related incidents in that wing of the museum more than any other. You were correct. I don't think it was the right time to bring up that piece of information but I'm not questioning your judgement. He is your brother and as agreed I left it to you.

Three: Someone, I'm going to guess Bubbles has now put salt around my bed. I don't think kitchen grade sodium chloride is the correct choice in terms of exorcism.

Four: We need to talk about Michael and the Trickster Situation.

From: Blossom

I'm not… well I am upset but this isn't the time for that. I'm expecting a call from Michael at some point. Likely groveling, I'm sure his intentions were good and I'm sure yours were too but he's still a civilian Ruff…

From: Blossom.

And you lied to me. You all lied to me. Why I don't know, and I'd like an explanation from you especially. Brick… how could you? I specifically asked you not to lie to me and you did?

From: Blossom

We're partners … Ruff but more than that we're…I trust you...Brick. I'm not… angry. I'm not, I just want to know why everyone lied and why...you lied."

From: Blossom

I had no choice in the benching Brick. It's a Puffy promise, Buttercup has taken the leadership mantle for now. I'm benched too.

From: Blossom

Ruff. Please answer me.

-VI-

To: Bubs, Leader Girl

From: Buttercup

Dislocated jaw, two broken teeth, broken cheek and sprained neck. Plus he's burned. But he'll live. They have him hooked to a monitor. He's bullshit.

From: Bubs

Because Brick clearly has no self control! : (

From: Leader Girl

I'm glad to hear Butch is doing well. We can't be down four Team members.

From: Bubs

Okay, that's fair but Blossy we need to talk about Brick. I know you like him but he was completely out of control tonight!

From: Buttercup

Um no Bubs. No, we're not playing this game. The burns are electrical. Most of the damage is on the left where Boomer was. Hate to break it to you sweetie but Boomer did the chunk of the damage here. Not Cap Boy.

From: Leader Girl

So Brick was holding back then?

From: Buttercup

Can't say that either for sure but the hit was slower, if not his jaw would have definitely been shattered.

From: Leader Girl

So this hypothesis about Boomer's increased temper could be correct then….

From: Bubs

EXCUSE ME! BOOMIE DIDN'T START THAT FIGHT! IT WAS ALL BRICK DON'T YOU DARE ACCUSE MY BOOMIE OF DOING ANYTHING BUT DEFENDING HIMSELF!

From: Buttercup

Bubbles. Uh uh. Boomer was baiting him with every word and he threw the first punch. You saw it don't deny it. Come on Bubs you know better.

From: Leader Girl

So his anger was abnormally high? That's concerning if Boomer has been affected this badly. His element is external….

From: Bubs

No Brick was being a Doo Doo brain and calling him names! He was defending himself! Again Blossy, he's nothing but a big bully! Boomer wasn't any angrier than any of us would have been!

From: Buttercup

He was PISSED yeah but he was also coming up with some real winners, even Butch was fucking horrified. He's never seen Boomer be that nasty before in his life. It freaked him the fuck out.

From: Bubs

Are you just going to ignore me! : (

From: Leader Girl

This isn't good. The painting?

From: Buttercup

It could be yeah or Little Boy Blue was honestly just pissed as fuck and not thinking and he clearly needs anger management therapy. Who knows. All I know is Butch now lives with Twiggy until they both get their acts together.

From: Bubs

ANGER MANAGEMENT!? EXCUSE ME! BOOMIE DID NOTHING WRONG HE WAS PROVOKED!

From: Leader Girl

It seems to me Boomer was baiting first.

From: Bubs

Oh here we go! Defending Brick tooth and nail! He LIED to you Blossy! And you're STILL defending him!?

From: Leader Girl

It also seems to me it's not just Brick who did the lying, how long did either of you know about Michael's masked adventures!

From: Leader Girl

I'm waiting.

From: Buttercup

… a while.

From: Leader Girl

That's what I thought. Right now my priority is the investigation into Sedusa's whereabouts. No more. No less. Buttercup I highly recommend you keep this punishment as brief as possible. The Boys have no doubt learned their lesson and we need everyone on board.

From: Buttercup

No dice Blossom. Butch is out until his goddamn jaw heals straight so Cap Boy and Little Boy Blue are benched. Period. Until they pull up their big boy pants and make nice they're a danger sis. You know that.

From: Bubs

A danger!? Excuse me!

From: Leader Girl

As much as I hate it, I have to agree. Until we know more about Boomer's condition especially.

From: Bubs

Oh so now BOOMIE is the "dangerous" one!

: (

From: Buttercup

Bubs calm down.

From: Leader Girl

Both of them are at fault Bubbles. And something tells me if it was Brick or Butch who was the one exhibiting these temperamental episodes you'd be completely nonplussed by this.

From: Bubs

Brick growled like a DOG!

From: Buttercup

… so did Boomer, Bubs

From: Leader Girl

There is no denying their canine attributes. This is also not the issue.

From: Buttercup

And Bubs, Boomer brought up Mojo. That...was low. You can't deny that

From: Leader Girl

HE WHAT! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HIM!?

From: Buttercup

Exactly what Butch said…

From: Bubs

Maybe he had a point Blossy! Maybe Brick "DOES" tend to leave people behind. He had no problem lying to you after all!

From: Leader Girl

And frankly neither did either of you! I'm glad to hear Butch's injuries aren't too serious. But if you'll excuse me I'm going to leave this conversation I have work to do.

From: Bubs

Oh and ANOTHER THING! what's this about you sneaking off to Brick's room at night! Are you sleeping with him!? YOU'RE NOT EVEN FACEPLACE OFFICIAL!

From: Leader Girl

That is NONE of your goddamn business Bubbles.

From: Buttercup

Oh my God - NOT the time for this!

From: Bubs

AND YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS TOO DIDN'T YOU! I BET YOU'VE BEEN COVERING FOR HER! YOU TWO ALWAYS GANG UP ON ME AND LEAVE ME OUT OF THINGS!

From: Leader Girl

It wasn't a matter of leaving you out of anything! It's private!

From: Bubs

So did you sleep together!?

From: Buttercup

Girls! Is this really the goddamn time! Need I remind you both we have a class five situation here? Now whether you like it or not I'm now in charge and I am thus ORDERING you both to knock it off and focus! People's lives are at stake! I did what I had to fucking do now stop being catty bitches and get to work!

From: Bubs

Still haven't answered me!

From: Leader Girl

I have nothing to say.

From: Bubs

HE LIED TO YOU!

From: Leader Girl

DON'T YOU FUCKING TALK TO ME ABOUT LYING BUBBLES!

From: Bubs

DON'T YOU DARE SWEAR AT ME! ITS NOT MY FAULT YOUR "RELATIONSHIP" IS A JOKE! ITS NOT EVEN FACEPLACE OFFICIAL!

From: Buttercup

GIRLS. CITY! CLASS FIVE!

From: Leader Girl

WE DON'T CARE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA! IT WAS A MUTUAL DECISION!

From: Bubs

Was that before or AFTER you slept with him!

From: Leader Girl

THATS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

From: Bubs

I LIVE HERE!

From: Buttercup

Jesus Christ I'm out! Enjoy your cat fight! I'm going to do Class five things now!

-VI-

Hey! This is Boomer, sorry I missed your call I was probably jamming! Or fighting a mutant fish? Err just leave a message after the beep, oh wait does that mean anything with cell phones or is it just landline? Aw crap, Big Bro I think I messed up my-! Beeeeep

Bro! You went and broke the Butch's face man! You and Big Bro both! The fuck! You proud of yourself!?

Whatever, you feel better now ya big dummy? Seriously that really wasn't cool man...you can't go and bring up Mojo like that to Boss just… that's not cool. I mean both of you were kinda assholes but don't worry the Butch is A' okay! Just uh, Butters isn't letting me come home. Not in in the nice way either, kind of shitty but the Butch ain't arguin'.

So anyway, what'd I miss? Butters won't tell me shit but what's the plan with crazy vampire lady? Boss and Red got a plan right?

They must, he's not picking up his phone. Ah well, gimme a call back later with the all clear so I can come home. Thanks little bro!

Hey! This is Boomer, sorry I missed your call I was probably jamming! Or fighting a mutant fish? Err just leave a message after the beep, oh wait does that mean anything with cell phones or is it just landline? Aw crap, Big Bro I think I messed up my-! Beeeeep

Boom? You serious man? Again the Butch is fine, Butters is being mad paranoid just go knock on Boss's door and get him to call her or something, seriously man I wanna go home! My tv is there!

Hey! This is Boomer, sorry I missed your call I was probably jamming! Or fighting a mutant fish? Err just leave a message after the beep, oh wait does that mean anything with cell phones or is it just landline? Aw crap, Big Bro I think I messed up my-! Beeeeep

BOOMER. WHAT. THE. FUCK! WHAT YOU MEAN BENCHED!? THE FUCK YOU DO!?

And fix your voice mail message dumbass!

-VI-

To: Brick

From: Blossom

Are you up?

[Delete]

From: Blossom

Ruff…. Please I'm afraid to sleep… what if he's there?

[Delete]

From: Blossom

Brick please… just I don't want to be alone, he killed a man! what if he goes after my father next!?

[Delete]

From: Blossom

He's going to take me...isn't he?

[Delete]

-VI-

To: Boomie 3

From: Bubbles : D

Are you okay? Oh please answer me Boomie this is absolutelyunfair! She's so biased it's disgusting! This was all Brick!

From: Bubbles : D

AND NOW HE'S NOT EVEN ANSWERING BLOSSY! HOW RUDE! OH MY GOD I CANT BELIEVE I EVER SHIPPED THEM!

From: Bubbles: D

….Boomie?

-VI-

To: Pinky

From: Brick

One: I've been taken off this investigation last time I checked. Your dear sister has also taken the liberty of kidnapping my brother and they're apparently holed up in Mitchelson's rec room until further notice.

Two: The Museum's security reported an influx of anger incidents in the weeks before it was taken off display. They couldn't get rid of it fast enough it seems. That's a shame.

Three: Salt isn't going to do squat shit against a sword. All it'll do is ruin the carpet. Lock your damn window.

Four: Mike is the least of my priorities right now Pinky.

From:Brick

I'm aware however I'm an asshole. With all due respect I really don't want to hear it. I've got shit I need to focus on that isn't ghost stories and wannabe vampires.

From: Pinky

The trial you mean

From: Brick

Yeah.

From: Pinky

Do you want help?

From: Brick

No

From: BPinky

Why?

From: Brick

Because I have plenty of free time and I just want to fix this.

From:Pinky

I'm benched as well. With plenty of free time.

From: Brick

That's your own fault. I didn't need you to jump in. I didn't need help. You really need to stop jumping into shit where you're not needed Blossom.

From: Blossom

Is it so wrong to care about others?

From: Brick

It is when it's a bunch of shit.

[Call from "Pinky"]

-VI-

"Yeah what?"

"You can't say that kind of thing to me and expect me not to-!

"Say what? The truth?"

"It is NOT the truth! Ruff I do care about you-!"

"But not enough to be seen in public with me right?

"I'm always… what...we agreed- if this is something we need to talk about then it should be in person! This is not a conversation for over the phone, I'll be right there-!"

"I don't want you coming here! Don't go flying around at fucking night, stay in your fucking magic salt circle. And stay the fuck home! Lock your goddamn windows! Get a fucking security system or whatever!"

"... I'll talk to father...yes. but-!"

"But what?"

"... nothing. Never mind. But… you know I… What Boomer said was wrong I do care… I care about you Brick… more than-."

"Tch, yet we can't be seen in public. No, I get it Babe. "

"If this is about social media Brick-!"

"I don't give a fuck about social media!"

"Then what is it!? Brick. Please just talk to me, I'm… I trust you, I want to trust you, just...just tell me what happened down there. What are you and Michael so afraid of!?"

"...this was a mistake."

"What was? Ruff you're not making any-!"

"... Everything. Everything that's gone wrong it's all my… you're right, I never should have lied to you and the fact that I did-!... I haven't changed at all."

"Brick?"

"I haven't changed at all from that fucking punk whose own father -! … forget it. Just… you know no one gives a shit about the Rowdyruff Boys as anything but glorified sushi chefs anyway! So just forget it!"

"No, I most certainly will not! I care about you, and so many people care about you and your brothers and we're not going to let anything happen -... Not without a fight! So get whatever self pity nonsense you have out of your head right now! It's NOT happening do you understand me! I will NOT allow it! Even if I have to storm that decadent mansion myself-!"

"Don't bother. There's no point and you know it. I'll handle this. Like I always do. Alone."

"You don't have to-! God damn it Ruff! You don't have to! I'm here!"

"Yeah and-?"

"...just we're…"

"Yeah…?"

"... We're leaders. We're the Reds together we can-."

"Spare me the leader pep talk Pinky. Listen I get it, the city is the priority, I have to get my shit together-."

"That's not what I'm saying at all!"

"I understand my duty- listen I'll fix this mess with Boomer, so don't go blaming Believe either… he doesn't deserve it. I recruited him. I put him up to keeping the mask on for… my own gain. My own investigations. Just…it was all me"

"Brick…. That's it. No I'm not hearing otherwise. I'm coming over right now-!"

"STAY HOME PINKY! … And just… forget it. Focus on the case. Please."

"The case is Buttercup's responsibility up until she decides otherwise! At this moment now my priority is-!"

"The city's safety. Your safety. Stay in the fucking magic salt circle!

"... Fine. I'll gather Bubbles magic salt in a bag… and I'll bring it with me."

"... Cripes you're not listening to a word I'm saying are you!?"

"Not when it's nonsense. Not when it's someone I care about!"

"You don't care."

"I do. I'm on my laptop, I can switch to that social platform and change my profile settings right on this call."

"... Don't do that."

"Give me a reason not to."

"... Babe…"

"... I see."

"No you don't."

"I do."

"Blossom… just-."

"Just what Brick?"

"... Be careful. That's all I ask. Stay in your salt circle. Stick with your sisters. Don't go off alone… just…"

"... You know I care about you… more than anything else I've ever felt… I've never felt like this before...and- and I don't know what to do… tell me what I can do to help you… Ruff...please. "

"... just leave me alone."

"... I..I see. S-So… that.. that's it then?"

"... There was never...an it in the first place. We tried...Blossom."

"... We did...didn't we Brick."

"..."

"..."

"... Be safe Pinky."

"... You too...Ruff."

[Click]

-VI-

Robin

"The City of Townsville" posted: [ 18 hrs ago] :: Due to an active investigation we are calling for am immediate curtailment of all after school activities for all public and private middle and high schools. Townsville University has also announced similar policies for their student body indefinitely.

We at City Hall urge all citizens to watch out for each other and stay in groups. Please do not walk to your cars or wait for public transportation alone. TVSU Security remind all students an escort service to the parking garages is available upon request and TVPD has begun plans for a similar service.

We thank you for your cooperation and patience.

Shirley Kingston: Oh great what now?

Arnold Shortman: I'm really beginning to rethink moving my wife and kids here…

Leslie Pinzarro: Everybody just needs to calm down, the X Team has got this.

Arnold Shortman: Is it really ethical to trust a bunch of teenagers to this? I mean seriously?

Leslie Pinzarro: These aren't your ordinary kids man, trust me. They can handle it. X Team Go!

Shirley Kingston: Didnt they break up? My daughter heard from someone who goes to school with them they're having problems.

Arnold Shortman: Exactly my point. These are teenagers, shouldn't the police be handling this?

The Talking Dog: Listen Out of Townie, I've seen these girls grow up their entire life. They'll get their stuff together Just focus on the curfew or whatever!

Arnold Shortman: How…,. Are you typing with paws?

Leslie Pinzarro: X TEAM GO!

The phone was swiped away irritably and Mikey scowled. "You know this guy's got a point. How the fuck does that weirdo type… and have better spelling than half of this comment thread."

Robin waved him off, oh great, that chick's comment had started a comment storm on the fanpage. Oh great. Fabulous. Could this get any worse?

It was bad enough Daddy had put Robin under lock and key, from sunset to sunrise. Guess he couldn't be blamed but she could take care of herself! Hello, Kendo champion here! Just…

Badum. Badum.

The hag wasn't that scary. She'd been scared out of her wits when she realized who Robin was and who would come running. "Sedusa" was a goddamn coward. So how could Robin be afraid of her? Tch, it was fucking insulting honestly.

Just leave Robin alone in a room with her honestly, she'd end this reign of terror or whatever before it even started. Her fingers twitched and she put them into fists, her phone was continually vibrating and this was going to be so much fucking fun wasn't it.

Bubsy had been hysterical. Both about the Hag and apparently Brick and Boomer had tried to kill each other. Yes, equally, the blonde was convinced her Boomie was completely innocent here sure but...Robin had seen the pictures of Lenny Baxter from December.

Boomer was very capable of causing real harm. Just look at Butch. The guy was walking around with a neck brace for fuck's sake! And it looked like both sides were equally affected. According to Mikey it looked honestly like side Blue may have been worse but there was bias there too so take that with a grain of salt.

Speaking of perhaps biased point of views however…

She… Blossom that is... looked… awful. She'd been walking around like a zombie all day. There was no sadder a sight in Townsville High than a Puff with a broken heart.

Except maybe there was an equally broken hearted Rowdyruff Boy looking like an equally undead husk of super humanity but sorry not sorry because a break up over the PHONE!? Oh, ohhh that boy was going to meet an A'X laced stick right up his rude ass as soon as Robin got him alone! Oh just wait! She wasn't scared!

Her sisters were being ignored. She'd thrown herself into the Sedusa case almost headfirst. It'd been barely two days, but no rink visits, no tearful calls for ice cream or sweets, just… nothing.

The Red Rowdy ( Jerkface) had also completely shut himself away. Doing his classwork in silence. He'd even moved seats and that creepazoid with the butterfingers had tried swooping back in if not for Mike's immediate seat switch of his own and menacing look before flashing Brick an utterly flabbergasted and hurt look when he'd blown them all off at lunch and just disappeared somewhere(!)

Needless to say the Red Norm was utterly in a panic.

"It's just a couple's spat." He said quickly as Robin led the way from their final class. "Tweety, it's fine, no need to be concerned!"

"I'm not." She said dryly. "Though sorry honey, but I'm still sticking a shinai up his ass."

He winced. "Can you not do that?"

"No, and you know it. It was over the phone."

He whimpered, "I knowww- god damn it Jojo." He moaned. "This is all my fault." Another whimper.

"Unless you told him to do it over the phone I fail to see where Tricky caused Brick Jojo to pick up his phone, and tell Blossom Utonium that how did she put it-?"

"No one cares about him and his brothers as anything but glorified sushi chefs." Mike mumbled miserably. "I care!" He whimpered. "He's my best friend! He knows that! Just… what the fuck...Maybe he doesn't." His lip trembled. "We had a moment man! A moment in the damn labyrinth! Do fist bumps mean nothing anymore!? Anything at all!? We had a bro moment man!"

Robin swallowed the groan over her boyfriend's existential crisis involving the sanctity of the bro fist bump but was this really the time?

She folded her arms. "I get it Mikey but honestly Bubsy is going to pop him over the head with a rolling pin, she already was getting ready to from what happened with Boomer." He stiffened and paused in his lament.

"You know- seriously yeah Jojo fucked up and shit but Boom ain't innocent in this either!" He scowled. "So with all due respect Bubs can't go around yelling about Bloss being biased and not see the kettle for what it is."

Robin's ire instinctually rose along with her admitted protective streak over her own Puff but… one also couldn't deny the truth in what Mikey was saying either.

"I know, I know." She muttered. "Honestly I'm waiting for the Puff fight next."

"That's gonna be hell of a cat fight. Hide." He muttered.

"Honestly… the only real innocent in this whole situation is Butch. Seriously… did you see his…face?" She shuddered.

"Two hits on either side from angry X' punches? Honestly I'm shocked he still has a jaw.' Mike muttered back."Seriously BC is just guarding him like some kind of pissed off momma cat."

"That's Buttercup for you, honestly I don't get why Bubbles is pissed at her too. She didn't do anything either. She just did her job that's it."

"Still went a little harsh with it if you ask me."

"Butch was unconscious Mike."

"... Yeah that's true."

Click. Clack. Click.

"Speaking of Puffs." Robin murmured. The Pink Puff was at her locker and Mikey pounced. Oh lord.

"Bloss!" She said nothing. "Bloss, I swear- I swear it wasn't him! It was all me, I told him not to tell you, actually I blackmailed him to keep it quiet." He said in a whiplash. "I've been black mailing him all along you know! Ever since ice cream!"

Oh Mikey…. No. Robin held her brow.

"Blackmail?" She said quietly before her lip trembled. "I wasn't aware… a crush on me so called could be so socially mortifying." SLAM..

"Wha-? No! No no! Not like that! Uh… Uhhhh It's… It's a guy thing! Just you know- ego thing?"

" Mikey just stop talking." Robin mumbled.

Blossom gathered her books. "Ego? Huh, Wasn't aware I was a blow to it. How much else have I not been told lately? Tricky." Mike went stone still but the pink Puff simply breezed past him.

:"Aw fuck…. Okay Bloss be mad at me! Fine! But it wasn't Jojo I swear-! Bloss-! I'll talk to him I promise! He's just upset! I'll get him to see-!"

She paused before those miserable eyes were dull and lifeless. "I have more pressing matters to attend to. As does Ru-... Brick." She said quietly. "Please don't bother Michael."

"Like hell I won't! You two are made-!"

"... Of two very different sets of ingredients. And it doesn't matter having X or not." She sucked in a deep breath. Oh...oh Bloss Bloss. Robin's heart went out to the poor girl. This poor, poor girl. The Puff clenched her fist and Robin saw the tremble of her lip. "Now… if you'd excuse me, I have paperwork Buttercup should see." She quickly turned.

"Bloss-!" But the Puff just kept watching.

Robin grabbed his arm. "Mikey. Don't. Just leave her be." She murmured.

"But this is my-!" he began again and oh her...silly sweetie. Robin shook her head.

"No. It's not. Well… mostly. This is a Brick and Blossom problem and… honestly probably Boomer because he knew first and told no one to one up Brick. You know what- no, no this is definitely a third Boomer yeah." His face crumbled and she rested her head on his shoulder. "... And Bubsy… and Butch and BC and… Mitchy." He gave her an odd look. "Me." She finished with a buzzing of her lips. "Honestly we all fucked up here. We all made the conscious decision not to tell her about… well you."

"...I'm the worst brother in the world."

"And I'm the worst friend, but honey just…, you know how she is. Don't approach her until she's calmed down. We have to... " She gulped. "We have to be on our guard anyway…"

He stiffened and his grip on her waist increased. "The neighborhood is pretty quiet."

"Tricky patrol are we?"

"You can't blame me."

No, but I don't want you in any more trouble either.

Speaking of trouble, here was the red zombie now- no seriously Robin highly doubted the Red Rowdy had gotten any sleep in the last twenty four hours. She whistled lowly under her breath.

On one hand he deserved a stick in the ass. On another Robin just wanted to give the guy a hug because to be fair Brick Jojo here looked completely destroyed.

His glasses were fixed haphazardly with tape as he stared into his phone. And oh yeah - Robin saw him looking longingly in the direction Bloss Bloss had fled in.

She tapped her foot irritably. Destroyed or not- still a phone call! Oooh… this… this stupid boy!

As if he sensed the anger in her Mike put a steady hold on her arm.

"Tweety, ixnay on the vengeful friend vibes." He muttered.

"I can't help it! He broke the ultimate taboo in dating!" She hissed.

"They weren't technically-."

"They may as well have been!"

Brick didn't even look at them as he walked quickly towards the garage. He was probably hiding in there. Jerk.

Oh well… the Norms… the Norms had their own mission today. They had one lunch hour. Well forty six minutes technically. Best make it count.

"You ready honey?" She murmured. Mike jumped. "For interrogation part two I mean?"

"I guess but I feel that at least someone from the team should be here." He mumbled.

"The kid is too spooked and honestly we can't blame him, but if we can't help out with the major problems we can at least help with school shit." He grimaced but nonetheless nodded and Robin led the way into the Sophomore student council office. Pablo was already waiting, wait Pablo?

"Mitch is indisposed, he asked me to come in his place." Pablo looked uncomfortably around the room.

"Lemme guess,, BC has him on Butch duty." Robin perched on her desk.

"You mean as she's trying to talk some sense into Boomer. Yes."

"Boomer huh? Not even gonna try talking to Jojo then." Mike muttered.

" That's your privileg according to Mitch.." Pablo said dryly.

" Oh goody- cripes I'm gonna die." Mike groaned before slumping into a chair.

….no comment.

Pablo clearly shared the same sentiment but wisely said nothing more on that subject. "So… is the kid really going to talk?"

"Let's just say he's willing to be a bit more cooperative." Mike muttered.

"After you scared the shit out of him you mean."

"I just gave him a little warning." Robin rolled her eyes.

"He fainted."

"Not my doing. Probably his power. Paranormal shit uncontrolled or at least undisciplined takes...a lot out of you. And that power is strong… very strong."

"You think?"

" He was able to mask three people from security for at least ten minutes. And Graham's one thing but Wenkins? Pete ain't small."

"So… he's used to hiding and he's strong. What the hell makes you think he's even going to show up?"

The door abruptly opened before immediately shutting and a chair got slammed in front of it. By nothing. Mike jumped.

"Um.. yeah is this uh- am I late? Sorry my um teacher wanted to talk to me." The...chair mumbled.

"... uh… Adam?" Robin cleared her throat as both boys were gaping. "No you're fine but uh…?" She pointed to her face.

"Oh! Right sorry." A hood came into view abruptly before the freshman's face came into view,

"Fuck man." Mike muttered. " I didn't even sense him."

That was a feat. Even the Puffs couldn't escape Mikey's little… quirk.

"You really do become… invisible that's for sure." Pablo shook his head. "Increíble."

The brunet blushed. " Ha, yeah I guess…my mom didn't think so but-" He mumbled. "I went missing in the hospital, code uh… baby missing I dunno...you didn't need to know that sorry. I'm kinda dumb."

Robin frowned and once again that bruise looked so… ugly. Pablo was clearly disturbed by it, but Mike… Mike only gave him a long look.

"That you talkin' or Graham?" His eyebrow rose. "Or his Momma."

Adam gulped, "What? Uh no, I just know I'm you know- I mean-." Another gulp. " did the USB help or did I make it worse, I heard about the… the-." His hands began to shake, "Dave was bragging about the Team, the X Team I mean, and how they… um they broke up is that my fault too? I'm sorry! I was trying to help!"

"Okay, kid stop." Mike put a hand up. "One, breath, two- it's not like that, there's been a disagreement but it's fine, it had nothing to do with you, I honestly didn't even get it to Jojo yet, Graham's deluded and we'll take care of that. Now. Cripes, Tweety get the poor kid a chair before he keels over."

"Mm, we can't have that can we Believe." Pablo drawled and set the kid on a roll chair, Mikey had the grace to look somewhat discomfited at least.

"It was an accident." He muttered. "But listen Adam, we need you to tell us exactly what your cousin has been doing. I know-!" He stopped his protests. "Trust me man I know, it's not easy and we'll keep your secret we promise. Until you're ready our lips are sealed. Agreed?"

Pablo and Robin exchanged a look.

"You don't think a Freshie in here won't be suspicious already?" Pablo folded his arms,

"No one saw me. Honest." Robin almost jumped a foot when once again Adam vanished and then reappeared at the other side of the room. He splayed his fingers on the wood of the chair...which soon vanished along with his arm.

"So you can spread it too? To inanimate objects! Holy…-." Pablo threw a look at Mikey who was grilling the kid still like no tomorrow.

"No one ever does." The freshman laughed awkwardly. "I've… done a lot of things people don't know about."

"Like the hole in the locker room last year." Mike spat. Adam flushed but nodded.

"Yeah...I did that." He said quietly. "It was the only way I'd make junior varsity, and Dave had an in with the Coach." That look was haunted. "He's gonna be captain you know….sorry but you don't have a chance Number seventeen…. Yenko promised it to my aunt. And he always delivers."

So Yenko was involved.

"Of course he did the fucking tool... We'll deal with that later." Mike muttered. "Graffiti first then we'll deal with bringing down a prejudiced douchebag."

Adam flinched, "... I didn't want to do it. You gotta believe me I didn't! It… it was supposed to be like a...a kind of warning to scare em' away!"

"Scare them?" Now Pablo was the one to snort. "With all due respect, I think all you managed to do was piss the Rowdyruffs off."

He winced. "... Yeah I know….but they wouldn't listen. Dave… Dave was just really...really pissed. So…he and Pete went into school early….well Dave and me the only way Pete would be up in time would be him sleeping in there so he stayed the night outside." He wrung his hands as the chair reappeared and disappeared. "Aunt Karen told us….to focus mostly on the Red one … but not to leave his brothers….out. they needed to be gone….too. Just definitely drive the Red one...away."

"... Why? The hell?"

Now… Adam looked...sick. genuinely ill and he was avoiding Mike's piercing silver white gaze like the plague.

"... Because he was in the way." Finally he mumbled. "Of...Dave and...Blossom." Pablo acted first and thankfully got Mike in a chair. "It's fucked up… he doesn't even really like her but she's a Puff and she's famous."

"... Excuse me?" That voice was frighteningly small and pointedly correct. Oh they were in for hell. Adam was almost wilting in his chair.

"She….she's kinda...shy right? Pete says she's snobby but… I think she's more shy...than that… but a Puff can't be shy so...yeah I'm dumb but- A-Anyway - um yeah… that's why...Aunt Karen told Dave to… go for the pink one." Mike sucked in a breath. "Because… she'd be the easiest to...flatter and…if Dave dates a Puff… he'd get… noticed he had to do...was seal the deal before junior prom...she said and the recruiters would come...running."

There was an agog silence.

"Seal...the deal?" Robin repeated because…. There was no way. There was absolute no fucking way a grown ass woman said that about a sixteen year old! No. Fucking-! She turned to Mikey but he was ominously silent. His grip on the arm rests sure got tight though.

… maybe someone from the X Team should have been here after all...

"That…. Is utterly despicable." Pablo finally managed to get out. "You're sure that's-?

Adam nodded quietly, "I was there… they didn't see me… but yeah… the fam knows ...Dave's not smart enough to get into college on his own. Everyone but Auntie at least but… Dave said the pink one was um...she'd be...easy-."

Crack.

Robin and Pablo both looked quickly in Mike's direction, the psychic still being eerily silent. The kid gulped.

"No one was expecting the red one… like at all. Aunt Karen… got kinda really pissed when those pictures broke a few months ago…but bet she's happy now." He muttered.

"Yeah well that bitch can just keep deluding herself- The Reds are just going through a rough patch right now like any normal couple!" Robin spat. "Just because Brick's an idiot doesn't mean anything, they're too... Into each other to keep this up for long."

Adam frowned, "Dave was bragging about it though. He said, he broke the reds up and now the pink one is... Going to be looking for...comfort?"

SLAM.

A chair hit the wall.

Oh shit. The psychic stood and oh….fuck.

Eyes are white…. Fuck he's gonna bite.

Adam was stock frozen, though who could blame him, Mikey with white eyes was…. Genuinely unnerving even still for Robin.

Angry white eyes being thrown right at you and into your soul….uh yeah no. No thank you.

"Mike… down-." She began.

""One." He raised a finger. "That's a barely legal excuse for what's arguably fucking prostitition." He said quietly,before he snapped his fingers, and the locks all clicked at once. Oh great. Pablo began muttering to himself in Spanish as he backed towards the frozen Freshie. Yeah that wasn't going to do shit, if Mike went off on a psychic rage with no Bloss Bloss here… ha! Ha...ha.

"Two." Said psychic continued. "That piece of shit wouldn't have gotten near Blossom Utonium even before Brick Jojo finally fucking manned up and you wanna know why Costa?"

The kid gulped loudly. "B-Because… because y….you… were-?"

"That's riiiiight, good boy- smart too. And the piece of shit knew it too, I'd already warned him, three times before Jojo swept in and made the shithead jock piss himself."

Annnd….more objects were suddenly floating ominously.

"And now you're telling me, that this wasn't because he was just a horny hound dog panting over a pretty girl but oh no this was his mother's idea! Well! You gonna answer me!" He snarled. "Because you think I'm scary!? Oh wait until BUTTERCUP hears about this! She'll get ya to talk!"

"No! No please no! Anyone but that! Please! Can't you just tell the red one and he'll beat me up!"

"Jojo doesn't beat freshman up…. As far as I know… then again I guess I don't know anything about him because bro code means nothing to him-." He sniffed loudly and aw hell Robin's book shelf! Her office! She lunged and grabbed for his arm.

"Mikey DOWN!"

"Did you not just hear what that douchebag and that cunt of a mother of his wanted to do to my poor sister!" He railed.

"S-Sister?" Adam blinked. "Wait… there's a Puff Boy? Huh? Wha-?"

"It's an expression, please continue-! Mikey calm down! And don't you ever use that word again!"

"OKAY!" Pablo put his hands up. "Okay, everyone just calm down… Believe calm down. I'm furious too, this is beyond… okay the Briners knew something was going on- we both know that, so honestly save the...arguable underage trafficking… this isn't much of a stretch. Dude. Look, we all knew that family was trouble but let's listen to the kid that might just bring them down. Okay?"

The white eyes were still ominously flashing but then they seemed to dull and he went limp in Robin's grip.

"Fine. So basically prostitution aside this locker shit was intimidation towards the Rowdyruff boys as a whole not just Brick: why?"

"... Because she's nuts." He murmured. "She's just...nuts number seventeen. She hates them."

"... why? What has Butch or Boomer ever done to her? To them?"

He was silent.

"Adam, you're aware it's a federal crime what you did. What they made you do. We can't help you if you don't talk." Pablo folded his arms.

"You can't help me anyway. She's my dad's landlord, we're going to lose the salon… mom's freaked out but I don't have a choice-."

"Paranormal extortion is also a crime." Mike murmured. "A pretty big one too. Lots of jail time."

"Not if you work for Reggie Morebucks'." Adam interupted and the three Norms stiffened.

The kid was shaking but… he nonetheless gulped… and continued.

"Dave is the only thing my Aunt gives a shit about… and she's willing to do anything to see him get into an Ivy league. He's supposed to go to Yale. That's the plan."

Mike almost choked and even Pablo had to clear his throat once, twice, three times.

"He's a fucking dumb ass." Robin finally drawled. "She can't be serious."

"Hockey." He mumbled. "Hockey...and connections. Adam took a deep breath, "Look… she… she has this big corporate job with connections everywhere, and my Uncle Fred he's…" he looked over his shoulder and side to side again. "He's one of his lawyers okay? Morebucks' lawyers- you get it?"

"Oh I'm starting to…" Fuck. Fuck….fuck…. Fuck.

"Yeah, and guess what, I dunno what the guy did but Morebucks'? He ain't just anti X… he's anti Rowdyruff- he wants the Red one outta town man. I've heard it. They don't know I have but Morebucks' is hell bent on making Brick Jojo especially disappear." He folded his arms. "it's so….it's so messed up!

Badum. Badum. Badum.

"They're all…. They want the Rowdyruffs out of town, out of the way…. especially the Red one. I dunno why Seventeen you gotta believe me-!"

"No .. no I do." Mike muttered. "Fuck. God damn it Jojo." He mumbled. "Fuck."

Badum. Badum. Badum.

"Because it's easier to control a group of little girls… than… a group of hot tempered boys." That's what they said but they clearly don't know Buttercup Utonium and… and..and...ummm… oh God I really don't want wanna say this but I gotta but fuck… fuck it's so….screwed up." He moaned, averted his gaze and looked more embarassed than anything else before he took a deep breath. Bracing himself, even cowering in the chair, looking at Mikey and...her especially.

"They don't…. Want them to…" he gulped before he gripped his chair. "B-Breed."

The sharp intake of breath was unmistakable and oh FUCK NO!

"ROBIN! GRAB HIM" Pablo yelled out and lunged before pulling the raging psychic back.

"BREED!? WHAT ARE THEY FUCKING ANIMALS!? ANTI X!? THEY SOUND FUCKING ANTI PARANORMAL!" He roared.

"Mikey! We knew that! Honey! Honey you need to calm down!"

"And look at what they're doing! Oh they're soooo against it unless it benefits em' right! Oh lemme guess! - It's the family SECRET!'- Right- RIGHT!"

"If I don't do what they say they'll report me as being an unregistered abnormal!" He yelled back. "I didn't wanna do it! I know I'm going to jail! But if I don't my parents could get in trouble we'll lose the house! The store!-!"

"BULLSHIT!" Mikey was on a rampage. ""Do you have any idea how many fucking Paranormals there are kid? Do you know how many are in Townsville alone?" He heaved. "Why the fuck do you think I ended up moving here in the first place!"

"I '… I don't know?"

"That was a rhetorical question, now listen up!" He pointed. "You're going to Keane!"

"I… I can't do that! Dave will know!- I know I'm goin' to jail already! So can't we just say I did it and just let it go?"

"You? Oh please kid, Keane ain't stupid." He took a deep breath. "Adam, you didn't do this on your own, no offense but what fucking freshman is ballsy enough to challenge not only the X Team but a bunch of upper classmen to boot- no offense Adam that ain't you!"

He flushed and looked down again but winced when Mike put his hand on his shoulder.

"Listen Adam, exploiting a Paranormal is bad enough but a kid? That's even worse. It's not flying. I refuse." His grip tightened and he finally caught Robin's eye.

"Adam… do you know about the SHL?"

"... Kinda. I'm no hero, maybe a sidekick, just not a very good one.." He mumbled. "Guess I'm more a villain if anything."

"You know being a sidekick ain't that bad. But a villain...mm, no. Yeah sorry kid." He patted his shoulder. "You're no evil mastermind, more a minion if anything but-." " He shrugged. "How many minions are the key to taking down their big villain bosses in the end?"

A flash of gold and the USB was between Mike's fingers. His eyes widened.

"More than you think. Now if you'd excuse me, I got me a delivery to do, a royal parcel so to speak- an audience with a king."

"How'd you -?"

"Magic." He wiggled his fingers mockingly and of course little illusionary "magic sparkles" appeared. Mike was such a show off. Even Pablo rolled his eyes somewhat.

But Robin also didn't like that smile. Oh hell.

"Mikey." She began but that grin was… oh hell. Oh no. "Mikey don't be rash, you're on thin ice as it is! Don't -!"

Annnd he was gone. Oh fuck their lives.

"... Well that's a problem."

"Yup."

"Uh… what's going on-?"

"Don't worry about it. Listen kid." Pablo leaned against the wall, "You know you're in deep trouble, but you came to us - well to Robin, so you want to help, don't you?"

"... Yeah." Adam murmured. "I do. I can't do much but…" The freshman lifted his arm and pulled up his baggy sweater sleeve. Six distinct colors flashed on a bracelet. "X- Team go." He murmured.

"... Yeah kid." Pablo flashed his own matching bracelet, and Robin's wrists of course were lined with them.

"X Team go." She murmured back.

And Norms too…

"So listen Adam, don't do anything rash okay? Let me….make a phone call. Kid you need help. They can't do this to you."

"Who you gonna call? The X team? What X team I broke it. just like everything else!" He whimpered as his head went in his hands with a shuddering sob and Robin's...heart went out to the kid honestly.

Pablo turned her around and walked her over to a corner.

"Listen, Robin, let Mitch and I handle this one. You better go calm Mike down."

"Pablo I don't think-."

"I'm a Norm now right? Isn't this our job, handling the behind the scenes stuff?" He typed in his phone quickly. "Let me take this one." He frowned. "And frankly I can't just sit here and do nothing but watch. It goes against everything I've ever known, my mom's a doctor remember? The kid needs help. Look at the bruises. Those aren't new."

She winced. "No I know… so what? Keane?"

"Unless you've got Sara Bellum on that speed dial of yours I don't know who else."

"... No I don't unfortunately, Bloss does I'm sure but good luck talking to her right now." He was the one to wince that time. "How did the school not-?"

"If Yenko is involved, maybe they couldn't."

"... That's a scary thought."

"Yeah, here I was thinking at worst... he was a plant to get the bitch through school…but it might be bigger than that."

"Yeah… but let's just focus on Adam right now-."

Bang. Crash.

They whirled around and the chair was empty… the door was wide open and the sound of scraping sneakers echoed down the empty hall

Adam was gone.

-VI-

Boomer

He had every right to be upset. He had every fucking right to be pissed and call the almighty Rowdy King out on his bullshit and serves him right for finally getting fucking caught- !

… but his big brother…. Hadn't said… another goddamn word to him since. And Butch… fuck… why the fuck had he-!

He'd seen the green light, he'd seen Butch's face. He'd seen Brick's realization and trying to reel back

But Boomer…

He'd just kept going.

He'd just been so...angry. It had all spilled out in a furious onslaught Boomer hadn't had the….drive to even try to curb. No, it had needed to be said , even Buttercup had agreed with his assessment of Brick being a hypocritical lying prick!

So why did Boomer feel like some kind of two ton weight was on his shoulders…

It wasn't like the Blue Rowdy had anything to feel guilty about! Everything he'd said had been the truth and… Butch would… well he'd seen his brother recover from worse, both of em'. Just…

They were and them he meant. Boomer had almost laughed aloud when he'd seen the table and the way it had been set up. Oh like Boomer hadn't seen enough "interventions" on TV to see exactly what the Green Puff had been trying to do.

-o-o-o-

He shouldn't even have come. Why he agreed to this he had no idea because not for nothing this wasn't fair at all! Brick being benched maybe but Boomer was just doing his job!

The almighty Rowdy King was being his usual dictator self. Tch.

The Green Puff was lounging on the chair, strangely alone- he was pretty sure the Norms all had this lunch but apparently they'd been warned off their usual table today, he looked behind him briefly but no sight of sign of an obnoxiously loud Green Rowdy. Weird, this was usually their err "brother" lunch.

She was idly examining her nails but looked up briefly and waved Boomer over. Honestly, he should just leave, he didn't have time for some bullshit "intervention"- he'd meant every fucking word and he wasn't about to apologize.

Boomer always had to be the one to apologize! It was His Majesty's turn!

Fuck this, he was out of here.

"I already see you Little Boy Blue- this ain't a trap, just sit down."

He bristled but…. Damn it he was hungry and it was shitty outside, so whatever. He flounced on the chair in front of her, crossed his arms and leaned back. All he needed was a damn toothpick and he'd look all… intimidating or whatever.

"I have nothing to say."

"That's fine. I've always been a firm believer of actions over words in most circumstances anyway." She took a deep swig of her milk.

"So this isn't an intervention?"

"Nope. Your brotherly spat ain't my business unless you go and cause a city wide black out." Sip. "Or put your idiot brother in a coma." Sip. "Green loyalty or whatever, bullshit but counterparts as Bubs is so fond of going on about." SIP. "There a reason you ain't talkin' to her too?"

Boomer flinched as Buttercup scoffed.

"You know, I was supposed to be the bad guy here, you and Cap Boy were supposed to be pissed at me versus the Blue and Pink ones." She sobered. "That's what I get for thinking a Rowdyruff is capable of common sense."

"Hey! I am too! It's not like I picked up the damn phone and told my Angel it was over- though what exactly was "over" I still don't get because they weren't even together-!" He ripped his own milk open and began chugging. "Seriously! You should be dragging Brick here for some stupid intervention or whatever not me! I didn't do shit wrong!"

Her eyebrow rose.

"...Okay I hit Butch pretty hard yeah." He muttered and Buttercup nodded curtly before steepling her hands and giving him a piercing glare over them and Boomer despite himself stood a bit straighter.

"Let's get something straight Little Boy Blue." She murmured. "I am neutral here, were some maniac wannabe vampire not running around threatening the safety of more or less every young women in Townsville that has finished puberty - I'd have benched you both for a month." He bristled. "Due to Butch's injury."

….okay fair.

"As for your little brotherly spat, I don't really give a fuck to be honest. Go ahead, fall to blows, beat the shit out of each other, never speak again, change your name to Boomer Blue for all I care but I am going to tell you something-."

"Oh? Like what?" He spat.

"Your brother is an arrogant dick, I'll never disagree with that but sorry little boy blue- so are you."

"What! I am not!"

"Oh please Boomer. Stop it with the saintly good boy act- it's complete bullshit and the world knows it. Major Glory you are not and thank God- because oh my God is he insufferable. Poor Leader Girl- 'she's his protege'." Buttercup mocked viciously before clearing her throat. "So that's not you. This ain't like you-. No no no- you're gonna let me finish, sit down!"

Boomer slouched over and the green Puff snorted, "You're sick of Brick lying? Being a hypocrite? Yeah, well I am too. Of both of you."

"Excuse me!?" He lurched up. Like hell was he going to listen to this! Like hell was-!

"Yeah Little Boy Blue you heard me- is Cap Boy the big hypocrite here? Yes. Yes he is, he lied to my sister and got all of us to do it too, how I'm going to make up for that on a sisterly level I don't know but-!"

"But what-!" He snarled.

"Maybe… just maybe if Brick had known who Mike was in the first place… maybe Cap Boy would have called for backup in the factory after all."

The air seemed to still. Buttercup folded her arms.

"Damn shame no one else knew huh. No one knew what Mike was up to in his well meant but… idiotic little adventure." She picked at her nails. "No one figured out who the Trickster was."

His mouth went dry. He opened it but no sound came out and so he closed it as Buttercup shrugged.

"Damn shame he had us all fooled. Right Boomer?"

Badum. Badum.

"... He was going to come clean." He murmured. "I told him-!"

"But yet you didn't tell Brick. Or Leader Girl. Or us. No one. Only you knew...and you kept it a secret… because ultimately you wanted to lord it over your big brother's head. Didn't you?"

...gulp.

"That's just the Jojo way...ain't it… Boomer- its all about the glory in the end." She snorted. "Huh… maybe I was wrong. Maybe you are Major Glory after all."

He could barely swallow and that look was puercing- fucking terrifying in that sickly lime color that no one could avoid no matter how hard you tried. Fucking…

One lime look was just as deadly as any pink one-!

Or Red….

He shook that disturbing thought away. Buttercup and Blossom on the same level? No… no way, it was an unfortunate fact that no one could compare to a Red when it came to… scoldings.

Badum. Badum.

But… Buttercup was Blossom's… second in command wasn't she…. Yeah...his angel had mentioned it… not very happily but when the Puff Queen was err...out of commission so to speak for any reason Buttercup would usually be the one to step forward and take over.

….like she was….now? She certainly looked intimidating enough. Arms and legs crossed with that sharp edge to her eyes and tone. Fuck Butch couldn't do that… so how come the green Puff could?

"Listen Boomer, necessity means I have to cut your benching short- don't get excited, you're still on the hook for the next three days- Cap Boy too. So three days from now you better be fucking ready and have cooled your paws long enough to be of use to the city."

"What about Butch-?"

"He's on medical leave for at least two weeks with C'X. Apparently his heart got quite a bad jolt, the equivilent of a fucking defibilerator."

Boomer's blood turned to ice and he sucked in a sharp breath.

"...what?" He whispered. Buttercup nodded.

"I have a question for you little boy blue- when you get mad, do lights around the house happen to go crazy? Like the same as the temperature rising a few degrees or lowering by a few for example?"

Badum. Badum.

"... Sometimes." He murmured.

"Huh." She cocked her head. "Weird. So almost like an element is acting up?"

Oh God…

"I took the liberty Boomer of looking up your file as well as Cap Boy's. He's got quite a bit of minor arson charges, mostly garbage cans after say a bad test or just plain not having a good day. You know when the coffee runs out, Leader Girl? Tch- my house turns into an ice rink practically. Especially if it's 'time of the month- you know- emotionally charged."

"Y-Yeah: so what!"

"My what Boomer, is you have the exact same capabilities as your brother and my sister! Your powers are external - and clearly they react when you're having a bad day- tell me something does Bubs know out of all three of you- you are the one who put more playground bullies or whatever in the nurse's office?"

Boomer gripped his chair.

"You going somewhere with this?"

"No, I'm not a hypocrite, I once put Sally Friedrich in the nurse's office with a broken nose- I don't care, bitch deserved it for what she said about my dad."

"Wasn't she like three years older than us?"

"Four, like I said I don't care- but my sensei did." She leaned her chair back. "You got a temper Boomer, that's pretty clear. All three of you do but it seems to me that out of our elementals- you're the one in least control of it. And I think… your brothers have been covering up for that little temper of yours for quite a while now- it being a "Rowdy" problem" according to Butchy Boy." she air quoted.

Badum.

"I got mad."

"Yeah, we all get mad- but this isn't the first time you've gotten angry Boomer, look at the incident with the creep and Bubs' uniform a few months ago-."

"You got mad there too!" He snarled.

"You're right, I did, and then I went home and punched a hunk of meat for a few hours and meditated." Her eyes pierced his. "What did you do?"

"... Nothin'." He muttered. "Big Bro bugged the house remember… we couldn't do shit."

"Probably a good thing looking at it now." She said dryly. "You're impulsive Boomer, I get that - it seems to me to be a Rowdy trait in different ways-." He scoffed. "Hey don't shoot the messenger I'm just saying how it is- obviously the king of the impulse is Cap Boy- we all found that out the hard way-."

Yeah! Yeah they did! At least Boomer wasn't stupid enough to go running head first into a WALL and hope it wouldn't crack his head open!

"But you two are right behind him- and you, little boy blue I think would give the "king" a run for his money in some situations- not all(!) - but some."

Badum.

Badum.

"Just a thought." She stood up. "Your benching ends in three days. I did my leader duty and made a point, but do me a favor Little Boy Blue- take some advice from a friend." The green Puff folded her arms. "Watch the temper and for the love of God just call Bubbles- I can't have both of them in Rowdyruff induced breakdowns."

Boomer winced- he couldn't help it. That image…

"... How is she doing?"

"I just told you-."

"No, I know, my angel I know and I will but the ...Queen-. Blossom I mean!" He flinched at that withering look. "How is she-?"

"I already told you. She's a fucking mess. It's a good thing that brother of yours is in hiding…"

He hadn't been himself since. Walking around like a zombie… serves him right because...because how the fuck-!? Why had he-!

It didn't make sense. Boomer had expected a… a fist fight not a- not a break up! Was it a break up? No! Yes…. Maybe? Fuck "it's complicated" didn't even bevjnyk

"I don't know what's wrong with him - I feel like he's having some kind of-." Episode? It had just come… it had just done from nowhere.

Brick had just meant to… to you know rile him up a bit .. to… except no it was screwed up! It was like she was hiding him except… no it had been a mutual….

"You sure Big Bro?" Boomer looked at the….giddy redhead next to him. His brother was just...beaming and it was...kinda nice.

"It seems weird I know but...yeah. I don't want to fuck this up Boom… and she said the same thing."

"Blossom Utonium fucking something up? That's a good one."

"She's still human Boom. We both are… just…" his cheeks tinged red.

"Juuuust-?" Boomer elbowed him. "c'mon Big Bro don't leave me hangin' c'mon!"

"I dunno Boom... We're just learning the human thing together is all." He mumbled.

"Aww!" Boomer grabbed him in a one armed hug. "That's so sweet!"

"Get off me Tweedle Dum!" He snapped.

"Nooooope! Learn to be human together eh? Brick Jojo a poet. D'aww can I borrow that line for a song?"

"S-SHUT UP!"

"I don't care Boomer. I don't. But if you do? You better talk to your dear brother and figure out what the fuck that was all about… or so help me God I will."

Boomer gulped loudly and the bell rang. He gathered his things. His mind was racing.

"See you in three days Boom." He extended out a fist but she grabbed him in a one armed hug instead. "Don't be an idiot. Talk to the red one. Figure this shit out. Cool down and talk with a clear head."

"Brick won't listen BC-!" His voice choked. She grabbed his cheeks.

"Then make him listen Boomer. And then you listen to him. Compromise. Be brothers. You want your green one back? Prove you care enough to try." She shoved him back before turning on her heel and throwing over her shoulder.

"And get some anger management will ya!"

-o-

It was ridiculous! Boomer did not have a…. A fucking anger problem! No way!

See, anytime Boomer did get kinda mad it was absolutely one hundred percent justified!

He hadn't meant to hit Butch! Butch hadn't done anything except jump in the middle! Brick had been the one who's deserved the punch! And he would have gotten it too again if Butch hasn't interfered-!

Brick would have been fine! A little shaken up but then he would have finally seen Boomer meant business and-!

The blond raised his hand to his face. Slight sparks wanted through his fingers. His bolts weren't that strong….were they?

He'd zapped Butch plenty of times in their scuffles over the remote and who got the last piece of pizza...and telling him off for making Brick's life harder-.

… see? He was not only a liar and an asshole but he was also an ungrateful asshole.

Butch should have just stayed out of it. He frowned and continued writing in his notebook.

A defibrillator sends out an immediate 3,000 volt charge and the acting responder is then immediately told to start CPR to restart the heart.

He frowned, see? She was exaggerating. Butch would have been unconscious and he'd been talking and a little groggy….but he had been conscious.

He'd just wanted to screw with Brick's hair a little. Not send him three thousand volts. That was insane! Boomer was pissed not insane!

One charge from the device is enough to fully light a common light bulb for an estimated 23-seconds.

…. Boomer looked to the side and then shifted away from the far too bright lamp in the exhibit hall. It was a weird art piece, he didn't really see how it was supposed to be art. He supposed his angel would be able to explain it to him.

The light went dim like it was apparently supposed to and Boomer frowned.

It was supposed to be a broken nose. Not a heart attack.

Tap. Tap. Rap.

Boomer hated modern art. It did nothing but confuse him. He frowned and discreetly took a photo, Bubbles could explain it later…

….oh wait. Right. Boomer technically wasn't supposed to be here…. But wait no he was a...civilian right now!

He sneered. No one could tell him what to do, he wanted to just explore a perfectly legal public building then guess what- he was gonna!

… Sure he should probably have called his Angel for back up because she at least saw how ridiculous this was and was fighting her sisters tooth and nail for justice but-!

...seriously Brick...what is your issue?

He flipped through the pages of his notes carefully. He'd dated and timed every one of His Rowdy Majesty's outbursts in the last two weeks and it was….telling. Yeah he was under a lot of stress but… still…

It just seemed….odd.

Whatever, Boomer just needed quiet place to think. Collect his thoughts and here at least was quiet seeing as no one fucking came around here anymore. The only ones around were him, a few wary tourists and of course…

Her. Kamile DeGuise was just a bundle of energy today. It was kind of gross. Seeing someone that fucking happy right now. Call Boomer an asshole but in this shitty place, anyone who managed to stay that chip and chipper…

…. Ugh. It just seemed so…. Fake.

….And kind of weird if not… suspicious.

Click. Clack. Click.

He stiffened his shoulders and closed his notebook firmly. Kamile looked delighted to see him but all Boomer could see behind that way too toothy smile was Butch's warning.

Stay away from her…

But… Boomer had read the reports before...well the incident. Sedusa as she was known...wasn't one to directly confront a "threat" as the X Team obviously would be.

She was sneaky. A Chameleon…. She'd hide in plain sight and….oh...God damn it.

Kamile... Chameleon… oh for the love of-!

…I owe my Angel an apology.

See, that's how a relationship worked Brick. You didn't just run away as soon as you had a goddamn tiff or fall into this self putting oh why me! You worked on it! You humbled yourself and -!

… But had they even had anything to work on? Maybe it was just...physical? But why would Blossom be acting like this if it had been purely-.

Snap. Snap.

He jumped and WHOA-! Too close! Way too close! Boomer jumped back and this grown ass woman giggled like a fucking teenager. That was creepy.

"There you are, I was wondering where you'd just wandered off too." She crooned and ugh- damn it.

On one hand this was too obvious. Kamile and Chameleon that was almost insultingly obvious… on the other-.

He tightened his grip on his notebook. Either way… He knew there was no way he could let this woman see the inside of this.

Her glassy green eyes sure were fixed on it.

"So do you have anything new to report to me?" She beamed and God damn it…. Butch's warning kept repeating in his head over and over. She looked around. "No? Oh that's a shame but oh what's thisl, here all by your lonesome? Where's the nervous nelly who's always flittering around you?" She giggled.

Seriously this grown woman needed to stop giggling. That shit was just creepy. But also nervous… hey! Was she talking about Bubbles!?

Flittering!? How dare this-! His angel wasn't...wasn't some kind of- why that-! That-!

She's got mean eyes...

"Bubbles isn't here at the moment. No." He said snidely and his grip on the notebook only increased.

"Ohooo trouble in paradise?" Another creepy giggle. "Oh what a shame. Ah young love. It never lasts."

He felt a shiver crawl down his back.

"She's with her sister." He snapped. "Nothing wrong with that!"

"Ohh, did I hit a nerve. Oopsie."

Boomer growled before he stood up.

"Oh don't be like that. Goodness it was only a joke." She frowned. "Temper Temper."

He stiffened. She only continued.

"You and that brother of your both are just so… jumpy. Shame, I can only imagine what that other one must be like...you ought to bring him around sometime-."

"He's busy." Boomer said quickly. "And so am I, sorry, I have to go-."

The grip was like a vice even underneath that "charming" smile. "Oh but Boomer I was hoping you could help me get something in the office- those shelves just aren't made for short little ladies like me….we need a tall-." And now her hand was trailing his arm. "Strong young men like yourself to help us out-."

"AHEM."

She stiffened and Boomer was able to grab his arm back and take a few steps backwards.

Kim O'Donnell, his neighbor stood there, tapping her foot and if looks could kill Kamile here would be six feet under. That look was piercing underneath those glasses. Holy shit, he knew the lawyer was scary but… fuck man. Don't mess with her- Maybe the whole New York attitudes thing wasn't just a saying….

"Can I help you ma'am?" Kamile said churlishly.

The New Yorker didn't seem phased in the slightest, "No, I'm just here waiting for my son's day camp to let out/" Huh? The day camps weren't until-. She immediately turned to him. Oh hello Boomer! How wonderful to see you!" Kamile was shoved aside pointedly. "You know when Greg told me that you were kind enough to spend time with him here- well…" She shook her head. "I just thought, that's Boomer for you- such a nice young man this city has watching over it. It's just so hard to believe you're only sixteen! Wouldn't you agree madam?"

….That…. Look was genuinely scary. Fuck… no wonder… even Brick straightened up when this lady was talking. Kamile herself had seemed to shrink back a bit but the returning smile was just as wide if not wider.

Uh…. was there some kind of weird woman language being spoken here? Because… no offense Boomer didn't get it. He'd seen Bubbles do it a few times too in Julie Smith's direction, and Mitch had once called it the "smile contest" - not that Bubbles could ever be beaten in that regard, his angel's smile lit up an entire room with one-.

And now Boomer was being pulled. Why was Boomer being pulled?

"But on that note, Boomer I hate to take you away from your… duties- but I have something I'd like to discuss with you." Kim's grip was solid and that smile had turned gargoyle like as- whoa! Fuck man, for a tiny lady Kim was strong!

"Do excuse us. Thank you."

Kamile's mouth opened but Kim didn't wait to hear whatever she had to say, oh no, Boomer just found himself pulled flat out of the modern Gallery and down towards the cafeteria.

"What the-? Ms. O'Donnell I didn't think Greg's camp was today?"

"It's not. I just heard from Jamie that you would likely be here and good thing I did." She said while pointedly looking backwards with a sneer. Again, she was walking so fast even Boomer had a bit of a time keeping up with her. "Boomer, how long has that woman been bothering you?"

"Who Kamile? Uh- I wouldn't say bother I mean…. Wait…. You don't think?"

"Oh Boomer." She shook her head. "I guess at times it's easy to forget you're so young." She threw him a wistful smile. "Well, anyway- are you hungry? We have things to discuss."

"What kind of things? I mean… Ms. O'Donnel…. I'm technically uh…. Benched?" He cleared his throat. Oh that still stung. "To be honest you're…kinda brave… most people won't come near me at the moment." He muttered the last part.

"Ah, yes. Jamie told me. Well I can't say I approve of… violence but… the stress you're under…. All three of you… I guess I can understand it. So no Boomer I'm not afraid. I'm from New York, I've dealt with worse tempers."

He gulped and scratched the back of his neck. "That…. I highly doubt." He mumbled but she only laughed and shook her head.

"Oh you doubt me, c'mon- let me at least buy you a burger."

Why was she being so…? They were just neighbors… but…

"... Sure I guess Why not.." He shrugged.

-VI

To: Bubbles

From: Blossom

BUBBLES! WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE AROUND MY BED! YOU'RE GOING TO STAIN THE CARPET!

From: Blossom

I have the faceless man situation under control! Focus on Sedusa!

From: Bubbles

NO YOU DON'T HE KILLED SOMEONE BLOSSY!

From: Blossom

You're being paranoid Bubbles

From: Bubbles

Blossy! Just listen! Fine I'm coming down! I'm going to make you listen!

-VI-

Bubbles

Like Bubbles was going to just wait for Madam Bias pants, oh no not when it came time for a sisterly intervention! Oh no no!

The lock came undone- tch, why she was allowed to have a lock but Bubbles wasn't in her studio well that blatant favoritism was another topic for another time but right now-!

Blossom looked up with a start as Bubbles fumed in the doorway. "I thought you were benched?" She said snidely.

"Buttercup said it was for a period of two days. That has passed."

Curt. Perfectly correct and ugh. Bubbles hated that snotty tone… she really did. Like she'd never really let herself notice before but Boomie was so right in both of those redheads bad attitudes(!)

"Did you break my door!" Blossom snapped before she zipped and grasped the knob. "Oh, oh that's just great Bubbles! Thanks a lot!"

"Is there a reason you can have a lock and we can't!?" Bubbles hissed right back and Blossom slammed the door shut. Hmmpth. Now look who was breaking things!

"This is classified material, not a doodling room." Her sister snarled and EXCUSE MOIS!?

"Doodling-! Excuse me my studio is not a-!"

She was ignored because of course she was and the redhead flounced into the storage room because not only did Madam "Leader" get a swanky office but she also got a nother room too! You know BUbbles could have used the extra storage for all her canvases too! And BC's yoga and exercise equipment! Just how come she got a supply closet! HMM!?

She tapped her foot impatiently and the redhead bristled, Bubbles sniffed imperiously,

"I did knock. You just didn't bother answering!"

"I was busy." She said dully.

Sure you were.

"Blossy." The pink Puff breezed past her, um rude! Hello, Bubbles was right here! Oh she had so been around Brick for too long. She was losing her manners at an alarming rate! Hmmph!

"Are you going to listen to me now?" The redhead had returned to her desk and was writing quickly. "If it's quick. I have paperwork to do. Buttercup is acting leader but that doesn't mean she's going to file out the incident reports."

Probably not no. But she was acting leader so Blossy here had no authority at the moment! "I mean, she is on watch to make sure Butch's jaw doesnt get worse,, you know that thing that Brick went and shattered."

"Boomer." She said quickly and Bubbles clenched her fists. "It was both of them and according to Buttercup, the burns are electrical." She said in the same emotionless dull tone over the paperwork.

"Yeah I know." She said curtly. "But who got him that mad. Hmm? It's still his fault, you can't blame Boomie, he was driven to it."

Blossom was silent and her bias was honestly disgusting. She folded her arms. That was definitely going to be a discussion at some point but for now…

She bit her lip. "Blossy, you know it's true but I'm not going to argue, right now, but I put protection around the room but I don't think it's going to hold-!"

"You put kitchen salt all over our carpet, my bedsheets now smell of it so I'm going to presume you put it in my bed as well." She winced.

"It's purified salt. I looked it up on the internet and sage… I burned it in the room yeah."

"Isn't the Professor allergic to sage?"

"... I mean Daddy's allergic to everything…" she mumbled. Blossom scoffed.

"And your raiding of the pantry but God forbid replacing anything you've gone and taken for your little exorcism. " She air quoted. "You're being ridiculous, I have it under control, the specter is not the issue here."

"Is that why you went to Brick's?" She froze. Bubbles folded her arms. "You're making fun of me but you go and hide behind a guy with a sword-?"

"I was not hiding!" She snapped. "I…" She tapped the desk quickly with a finger. "Alright Bubbles you know what, I'll admit it yes, Brick and I slept together. Fully clothed. I just at times fell asleep-."

"You fell asleep? Really?" She raised an eyebrow. Did she literally think Bubbles was stupid? A dumb blonde? Tch- if this wasn't so serious Bubbles would have burst out laughing.

Tap tap tap.

"You know Blossom, you might think you're slick but you're not- but honestly I don't care what you did. I mean Daddy might but-!"

Tap tap tap.

Blossom froze and the tapping abruptly ceased. "You wouldn't."

Bubbles raised an eyebrow.

The papers slapped down and she plopped downon her chair.

"I don't have time for this."

" You're aware Brick doesn't even know to use that stupid thing?" She tapped her foot impatiently. "All he does is swing it around like a crazy person!"

Blossom just buried herself in the work.

"What did you think he could protect you from him better than BC or me!?" She demanded.

Blossy put a hand up. "I told you already, the situation with that…, specter is... " She took a deep breath. " It's under control. I didn't go there because of-!"

"So he could protect you? Is that it? Blossy he doesn't even know how to use that thing-!"

"I don't need protection!" She hissed and Bubbles jumped back. Was that… was that magenta? Blossy grit her teeth and grabbed a stack of papers. "I'm a Powerpuff Girl… I've… I've been fighting beings of unspeakable horror since I was a child!" Her fingers began to crush the metal in the desk. "Nothing…. Nothing scares me. If a zombie magician hell bent on trapping me into … an iron maiden... -!"Her lip trembled but she swallowed and she gave Bubbles a hard…, almost cold look. "I'm not afraid of anything."

"Could have fooled me." She sniffed. "But this thing is nuts Blossy and seeing as Brick is being a doo doo brain right now and you're not going to get able to just show up at his-!"

"Do not call him that!" She snarled and again Bubbles flinched back. Blossom only glared and well… well Bubbles glared right back!

Magenta or not she wasn't scared!

"You're still defending him?! Even after he did… that over a phone!?"

She was the one to hesitate this time before she again buried herself in papers. "It was a mutual decision." She said quietly. "Sometimes things don't work out-."

Nonsense. That was utter and complete-!

"You're crazy about each other." Bubbles whispered. "He might be a doo doo brain right now but-!"

"Do not call him that I said!" She hissed. "Ruff-." She paused, bit her lip and squeezed those big pink eyes shut briefly. "Brick… and I… we acknowledged a relationship of...that sort is not…" tap tap tap. "It just didn't work out. It happens."

"You acting like it doesn't bother you isn't helping anyone either Blossy! And him just disappearing to God knows where -! No." She shook her head. "Listen we all know he's clearly going through some things and I personally would have recommended I dunno… anger management or something first but-!"

"The only one… it seems in need of anger anything would be Boomer more than anyone." She began gathering papers again.

Oh not this again. This ridiculous bias!

"Blossy just stop okay. Like seriously I'm sorry, it's time for a sisterly intervention. I get it okay, Brick is smart sure- he's brave and he's kinda cute but honestly Blossy you have got to face the music and acknowledge that Brick was absolutely the one at fault here-!"

SLAM.

Bubbles jumped back when Blossom slammed the stapler so hard she was shocked it didn't end up broken.

"Yet ultimately Butch was struck by a severe electrical shock."

SLAM

"Enough to have caused Butch heart palpitations."

SLAM

"And the left side of Butch's jaw was left barely intact."

SLAM

"But it's Brick who was the only one at fault? Really?"

SLAM

The Blue Puff frowned before shifting her feet. Blossom had the audacity to roll her eyes before clicking a pen and writing furiously.

"I'm sorry to be curt Bubbles but I really need to get some work done so why don't you go find Boomer" she waved her hand and oh...this little…-!

"Oh I think I really don't have to. I think you and I still have plenty to discuss."

Blossom's eyes narrowed. "Oh I really must insist. You should keep an eye on Boomer anyway, he seems to obsess over things." Bubble started.

"What is that supposed to mean?!" She demanded. Blossom said nothing. "You….you aren't mad at my Boomie! Are you!? I already told you and everyone agrees this was not his fault!"

Blossom flipped another page. Completely ignoring her and ooh- that's it!

The blue burst hit the desk and the Pink Puff jumped upwards while the papers went flying.

"Bubbles!" She started.

"No, you listen to me Blossom Utonium! I've had it up to here with your bias in this-!"

"Bias!? What bias! I am entirely neutral to this disagreement they both were at fault and the only thing I'm concerned over now is first and foremost Butch's recovery and two: the city-!"

"You not biased! Don't make me laugh! You've been defending the Doo doo brain this whole time-!"

"I told you once already to cease calling him that! I mean it Bubbles!"

"Why when he totally deserves it!"

SLAM.

And… there went the stapler. Crushed to pieces.

"You….don't know half of what that boy goes through ever day- and frankly I think Bubbles your boyfriend should show a little more respect for how much his older brother does for him and Butch alike and cease making an absolute nuisance of himself to make a "point"!"

Bubbles' jaw dropped. "You...You…,-! That is not fair! Like at all! Boomer didn't do anything!"

"He directly went against an order! An order for his own safety! A habitual pattern I've noticed in fact!" She slammed her hands on the desk. "And I have watched it long enough!"

"YOU ARE MAD AT HIM!"

"DAMN RIGHT I AM!" She shrilled. Bubbles jumped back. "He doesn't understand how much Brick does for him, every goddamn day and does he ask for anything in return? NO! And I'll be damned if I have to continue just sitting here watching Brick suffer through this!"

"Suffer!? SUFFER! Brick started the whole thing by being so mean to Boomer-!" Bubbles snarled. "BC was right in benching you! You're completely biased in this! And worse you don't even realize it!"

SLAM

"I AM NOT BIASED!" she shrilled.

"YES YOU ARE!" Bubbles screamed back. "And frankly I don't see why because when it came down to it Brick didn't hesitate to lie to you either-!"

Bubbles wasn't even able to finish, the pink shot went flying towards her and she barely dodged.

"Lie….oh really? Is that what you just said? Because I do so hate to break it to you…. But it seems that lying with this entire team, norms included by the way (!) Just seems to be second nature!" Another shrill scream. "The only person in this entire fucking household that hasn't been lying to me this whole time is the fucking Professor!"

She winced. "Blossy…. Blossy that is not the point-!"

"Point? Oh is that what this was about? Just making a point? Pulling the rug from under my feet and purposely leaving me the only one in the dark not just about Michael but about these other investigations too!? How much have I not been told Bubbles!? Do you have an estimate!"

"I…. I don't know ask him!"

"Why just him, you all have been going behind my back and leaving me the fool!" She stamped her foot. "So you call me biased? Well fine - maybe I am- because not for nothing, despite the fact he was keeping this from me for God knows how long- he swore - SWORE- that he was going to tell me... everything eventually. I knew he was keeping something from me… but you?"

Her voice cracked. "My own sister… born of them… and my own brother too… my friends.. and ultimately the boy I…" she bit her lip. Hard. "I care deeply for… perhaps in a way I shouldn't… but I do… you all lied to me… and unlike Brick… I never got any sort of… inkling that you'd ever tell me the truth someday."

Badum. Badum.

"... Blossy-."

"No, you're going to let me finish Bubbles, because I'm going to tell you the truth now, of this entire situation that you have blinded yourself to." She grabbed a paper. "First and foremost, Boomer defied a direct order that could have gotten him killed! KILLED Bubbles! What if that flesh had been poisonous hmm! Marine life poison is particularly nasty I've discovered!" She slapped the papers away from the desk. Bubbles grit her teeth.

"It was a seahorse!" She scoffed.

"Laced with an unknown biogenic chemical mutation." She said in a hiss. "He's lucky… I let Brick handle it." She snarled and again Bubbles found the urge to back away only continued to grow. "Because if it had been me? He would have been benched weeks ago."

"Because you're playing favorites!"

"No Bubbles, because I'm not blind! Do I have a bias towards my partner? Yes. You're correctm I admit it He's my co-leader first and we make decisions together. In my opinion he was actually too lenient with Boomer.

"Lenient!?" Bubbles shrilled. Oh to...to heck with this! Bubbles had had enough of this blatant favoritism and BIAS! Just- ENOUGH! "Are you even listening to yourself!? Brick was running around swinging a sword that no one knew about but Boomer gets yelled at for figuring out the answer to our problem!?"

"He. Disobeyed. A. Direct. Order!"

"And got us answers! What about the factory huh! If anything how'd Brick get away with putting a CIVILIAN in danger scot-free Blossy!- HMM!"

"And did not that also get us "answers"!" She air quoted. "one can't ignore in favor of another. Either both were at fault or both were in theory… done with good intentions but ultimately a mistake. Which do you choose Bubbles?"

"They're two completely different-!"

"Which one Bubbles!"

"... I… I don't know? I - he didn't do anything bad no one got hurt-! And Mike got hurt in the labyrinth that was Brick's-!"

She paused. Except wait… no. He hadn't forced Mikey down there he'd been followed… but- but he'd had- but-!

"It's still not fair! It not!"

"Being a leader Bubbles, means hard choices. And I'm not talking about the sushi. If you really think Brick relished in causing his baby brother such emotional pain… then let me be the first to tell you… you are sorely mistaken. I watched, I listened, but I stayed out of it, but no more."

"... You hardly stayed out of it-!"

The flash of that snarling… magenta eyed moment, as she'd stood poised to attack over the Red Rowdyruff's sorry heap on the floor went through Bubbles' brain.

Would Blossom...really have attacked Boomer? She'd looked pretty serious but Brick had gone and shoved her back before catching both of Boomer's hands in his and wrestling him backwards because… because Boomie was… he was absolutely justified in-…

"…He was defending himself." She continued quietly. "Brick…. He… he made him mad."

"So he lashed out violently."

"He was frustrated!"

"So was Brick, why does Boomer get to hit him but Brick can't? And he didn't- according to Buttercup half of those "blows" so to speak that you're railing about… were defensive in nature, blocking him, sending him back while Boomer lashed out like a wild animal! Tell me something Bubbles, does that seem normal to you? Or little sister- could it be possible that Boomer's already known and volatile temper… has been…. Taken advantage of by an outside influence? Hm? As I stated before if this were anyone else…. Would you be this defensive of this "odd" behavior?"

…. Bubbles averted her gaze.

"And she calls me biased." Blossom sniffed before returning to the paperwork. "There's something odd going on, I actually do agree with Boomer's findings in that regard." She winced and held her temple. Bubbles frowned.

"Blossy?"

"What?" She said somewhat harshly and Bubbles flinched somewhat. "What is it now Bubbles?"

"…. I… I just want to make sure you're okay… you kind of fainted back when- you know the fight?"

That look…was weird. "What?"

…Ba…dum.

"Blossy…. You do remember when you looked at that picture….right?"

It was a horrifyingly blank look. "What picture? You know what never mind, now Bubbles I really have work to do and I have a lot of backlog with…" She scowled. "Vigilante reports for one thing- oh that little shit is in so much trouble" She growled and whoa…. That was… awfully aggressive. "What Bubbles!" She snapped. "I've said my piece, I have work to do, we have a class five situation and I am on my own because my dear dear family and my beloved Ruff have decided to leave me high and dry playing CATCH UP!" She slapped the paperwork. "Because the people I love decided it wasn't worth telling me anything and are instead speaking in riddles, you think I don't hear you- red eye alert, Code Red, eyes are red you're fucking dead- blah blah-BLAH!" She mocked mercillesly before she pounded her fist into the table. "You all think… I'm some kind of fool, that I can't hear you, that I haven't seen the looks on Michael's face, or the boyss, or my Ruff's. Or even you or Buttercup… but none of you… not one… has ever had the decency to tell me what the fuck it means."

Oh… Oh Blossy. Oh… Bubbles gulped. She….She was right. They'd been so centered on…. Keeping… keeping it calm that….

…I'm the doo doo brain.

…This wasn't about Brick at all. Clearly… this was… oh God how could Bubbles have been so blind? How could-!

She had to fix this. Now. Buttercup could yell at her later!

"…You're right, Blossom you're right. I never should have listened to them… we… BC and I should have told you as soon as-. As soon as it happened… the first time. We were…. We were-." Her vice shook.

"What? You were what?"

She gulped. Blossom's eyes widened and she took a shuddering breath before she steadied herself on the chair. Bubbles' X hearing picked up the accelerated… pounding of her sister's heart.

"….You were afraid of me."

"…. No." She shook her head.

"Yes… It makes sense. All of you…. You were afraid of me."

"We were afraid for you- we don't know what-…. But…. But BC and I we just… and Mikey too we… we all knew it would upset you and… we didn't want to see you like you were before, you're getting better, you were getting better! And then Princess just… just she made you so mad and… and Blossy-… Blossy we love you…. I love you!"

"….I'm a threat."

"No you're not. You just. Everyone has their quirks- look at Mikey, he gets mad and things go flying and look… look at Boomie! He becomes a walking defibrillator-you're totally right and…. And-."

"…I'm a threat. I'm a…threat to the city."

"No. No you're not! Blossy, you're human, it's nothing bad we just- it…"

She was pallid. "…I'm a threat. And I don't even know…why or how?" She held her hands up, they were trembling. "What….What's happening what…. How-?"

Bubbles lunged and grabbed her sister's hands. "We don't know but we will, we're not-!"

"Scared of me?" She laughed…. Bitterly. "It makes sense, all of it makes sense- its all… a sense of safety, placating the beast so she doesn't….so she doesn't-!"

"You are not a-!"

She ripped her hands back and backed away. "…From any threat….big or small…. We do so swear… to protect all." She choked. "I'm a threat. Oh…Oh God." Bubbles threw her arms around her. "Let go of me Bubbles! Let go!"

"No! You are not a threat! Blossy! Look at me! Look-!" She grabbed her cheeks. "Look…." She whispered. "Blossom Utonium… you are not a threat to anyone… and we never should have…. Even considered not telling you that… every day after it happened… and I am sorry… I am sorry Blossom…. And Buttercup is too… and I know the boys are and the Norms and… God even Brick… we never… and I swear on my Chemical X and I…I swear on Octi-…. We never wanted to hurt you… please… please believe me."

Her sister pulled away however and only hugged her arms before .

"… I'd like you to leave now Bubbles." The chill wasi instant. "….The Beast of Townsville has work to do." She said quietly.

"Blossom I already told you-!"

"Bubbles. I mean this with love…." Her voice was shaking. "…. But get out. Please. Just… go. Just leave me alone. Please."

The blonde only grabbed her by the waist. "No. Because sisters don't leave sisters this upset! And we're going to figure this out! First thing's first, I'm gonna go and get Brick and he's gonna come and he's gonna give you a hug and a cinnamon roll. And then I'm gonna get Boomer, and they're gonna talk! And then then we're gonna catch Sedusa and we're gonna keep that creepy… creepy thing away from you and…and….Blossy…p-please look at me."

"…. I don't think I can Bubbles. Not right now." Her voice was dead. "I have work to do."

"Then I'll help you! I can staple! You broke yours, I'll go get mine-."

"No. Bubbles. Just go away."

"…Um… no. I can't. You're too upset, what kind of sister would I be if-!"

The shove was harsh and Bubbles fell back out the door, "GET. OUT!" Blossom shrilled. "Just… leave me alone, for once!"

"But…?"

SLAM. The door shut in her face.

Click. The lock was still broken.

SLAM. That sounded like a table against the door.

…No. No no no! Oh… Oh God what had she done!? Oh no, no no!

Her frantic knocks were ignored.

"Blossy! Blossy please! PLEASE!"

"GO AWAY!"

"BLOSSOM!"

She didn't answer. It went ominously silent in there and…. Bubbles staggered backwards…

…What have I done….?

"Bubbles!" The Professor came running over, panting, "What on earth is going on, I just heard you two yelling where's your- oh this is getting out of hand, when I ever get my hands on that boy I swear-!"

"… It wasn't him." She whispered. He blinked.

"Excuse me? Then what's going on? Bubbles what's wrong then!?"

The ear shattering scream echoed and both of them slammed their hands over their ears- the numerous glassware in the kitchenette sink cracked and in some cases shattered,. Bubbles' hands flew to her mouth and the Professor immediately ran to the door. Knocking frantically himself.

"Blossom! Blossom honey it's the Prodessor! It's Dad let me in honey! Let me in!"

She sunk down into the couch, and she was a coward… she was…such a coward but… she covered her ears again regardless…from the harsh deep sobs that were echoing the lab. The screams just remained incoherent, a long loud wail of….of… this wasn't the emotional laments of a lovesick teenage girl who had lost her first love like the Professor… thought… no… no this was…

Heartbreak… but in another… in another form.

And… in one chilling… moment of sheer… unmistakable horrififying… realization Bubbles suddenly realized...

That it was all her fault.

-VI-

Boomer

Thankfully,Freddy's wasn't crowded and as strange as a sight it probably was, no one looked twice at the tiny brunette and the extremely tall blond boy sitting in the booth. He ate his burger cautiously, hyper aware of every spare drop of sauce. She didn't seem the least fazed and frankly… that was kind of strange.

Sure they'd all had lunches here before- Boomer and his brothers, Kim and Mr. W here after the hearings but….

"...What did you want to talk about?" He finally blurted out. Because Boomer had no finesse with this kind of stuff. She paused in mid bite but then sighed.

"Jamie-... Mr. Walter… asked me to come speak to you."

Boomer blinked. Big W?

"...Why?"

"Well, one- he's very concerned about… well the three of you and as Brick's teacher… he's extremely concerned for your brother. Did he really end things with his girlfriend?"

"They weren't really dating." Boomer said quickly and Kim's eyebrow shot right up.

"Oh?" She blinked a few times. ""Well…. Uh well then, that's certainly news to me."

"Yeah, no it's bullshit they were just… they never labeled it." He muttered. "Brick…. He's not…. He isn't doing good… no." She frowned but then nodded.

"I see…. no , James told me. He's… very concerned Boomer. This is not like your brother."

He winced. "Yeah well…. Butch got hurt and he-."The frog in his throat continued to grow. "It was my fault… I lost control… I always.." He trailed and fuck… he wasn't supposed to say this kind of shit, he couldn't scare off the only lawyer who gave a flying fuck about their case! "We just…I said...some stuff I shouldn't of. It's my fault." He murmured and the table went silent.

…. Fuck maybe if he offered to pay for the meal she wouldn't leave the case- maybe if Boomer offered to… to do house chores or something- anything-!

"... Because you were angry." She finally broke the silence.

"...I just got so mad… and… I don't think when I'm-." The frog thickened deep in his throat. "I'm sorry, you don't need to hear this I'm just your neighbor..,. And… I-. I'd never hurt anyone! Or at least I… I never did I just-."

He paused when she put a hand on his palm. "No, Boomer. I know. And James does too." Why was it….so warm? So…. accepting? This touch… it wasn't the same kind as Bubbles' but Boomer felt… a strange warmth from it regardless. And that smile… he recognized it. It was… like… Keane towards the student body or Ms. Believe her customers or even….

….The Professor… towards the girls.

It was… almost...maternal. He stared at the hand and felt the absence when she pulled back.

"Boomer I want to ask you something…. And honestly it should have been asked of you long before this."His gaze drifted towards the table. "But it might be… painful and therefor I want to ask if I can?"

He swallowed the frog down finally, but it clung in parts. "I… sure." He croaked. She nodded.

"Alright, I just want to know… have you… or either of your brothers for that matter, have you ever… spoken to anyone about what happened to your father?"

"He's not my dad." Boomer said quickly. She put her hands up in a conciliatory manner.

"Yes, I know, I misspoke- have any of you talked about what happened with Mojo… I mean in a professional manner?"

"... You mean a shrink." He said badly. "No."

She nodded, "I see… not even with a school counselor?" He stiffened but she was an out of towner, she didn't know so Boomer couldn't get mad at her for her… ignorance to how the world around here worked back then.

"No. Because if we had… they wouldn't have done anything." He folded his arms. She frowned.

"I don't know if I believe that Boomer."

"That's cause you're coming from outside of Town. You're lucky, you weren't here during…" He buzzed his lips. "Mojo's prime." He tapped his arms. "He was the supervillain of all villains, the Puff's worst...nemesis… in theory." He muttered the last of it. "... and we were his kids… his… successors…we were going to take everything over, divide it up, Mojo and the Rowdyruffs(!), Father and….sons." He took a sip of his drink. "At least… that was the plan."

"It didn't work out then?" Huh. She seemed strangely calm even after being told of the evil terrible fate Townsville had only just narrowly avoided.

"Well it was a long term one, we had to get through school first no… sons of his weren't getting...an education. " Boomer sighed. "Look, you didn't bring me here for me to whine about my… former guardian's problems so-."

"Actually Boomer, on the contrary… I'm listening."

"... you are?" He blinked. "Why? No one here…" he looked over his shoulder. "No one here gives a fuck about hearing about Mojo Jojo as a….dad." He murmured the last part under his breath. That stupid nip was still in his chest. Damn it….go away.

"Well, I for one am. So please Boomer. Continue. Help me understand this entire situation."

"... you sound like such a lawyer." He laughed quietly. She smirked.

"Well I am after all, and not for nothing, I've cracked tougher nuts before and gotten them talking soooo-."

Again he snorted, "Fair enough. So… where was I… I mean there's not much to tell Mojo was the world's most evil villain who love-... saw his kids as assets and… then one day he wasn't. It was like… a flick of a switch. It was...almost random and… it happened after we hit you know… X puberty." At her confused face he tapped his nose. She blinked but then her eyes widened.

"Oh… OH! …. Oh God you were… aware of…I've seen pictures but-."

"We don't...like talking about it much… it uh… yeah. Not fun."

She frowned and dug in her purse before taking out a notebook. "I...I can imagine…. Do you mind?"

"Hey I do that too! That's cool… Butch says it's stupid."

"Taking physical notes helps you analyze later, you have a very analytical mind Boomer, you ever thought about law yourself?" She wrote quickly.

"Me? No way, I'm not smart enough for that."

"Oh I beg to differ Mr. Jojo. But please, if you're comfortable go on."

… he shouldn't. Boomer knew… he was breaking all the unspoken rules in one sitting. Never talk about it, never think about it, hell… just… leave it be. No one cared about their past so much as used it as a weapon if possible. Best to let it fade completely as non relevant.

He should go. He really should but… something… no. Something wasn't letting him.

So he just...continued to talk.

"So about when did Mojo's… memory loss begin to occur?"

"... we were…it was small… little things, like forgetting where he'd put the keys or Brick having to shut a stove or a bunsen burner off, they were accidents but they freaked him out. A lot… and Mojo… he's… kinda paranoid." He wrung his fingers. "Like father like son." He mumbled the last part. Not that he'd ever say it out loud or… dare to even think it most times but there was an unmistakable...similarity-.

"I'm going to assume then… Brick was Mojo's...protege?"

" He was the fucking favorite. Yeah. He'll deny it every day but...we knew. Brick worshipped the ground that ape walked on. Taught him the basics of engineering, the basics of bureaucratic with evil doing… even the basics of cooking." Boomer bit his lip. "He taught us things too… taught Butch how to throw a ball and… patch up wounds I mean we all learned that but Butch… fuck." He shook his head. "He was a natural Kim… it was ironic, the so called "crazy" one… was the best with the first aid kit."

She continued to write but looked up. "And you? What did he teach you?"

Boomer went stiff, "Nothing um-."

"I don't think that's true."

"It's dumb and not important." He squeezed his own notebook in his hands.

"Dad? What'cha doin?"

The blond floated up as the ape removed his reading glasses and closed the notebook.

"Boomer what are you doing up, it is far past the time you are supposed to be up and about but instead sleeping and gathering strength for the days ahead of evil and educational learning."

"... I had a bad dream."

"... oh." He blinked. "I see."

"I know it's lame but… can I um… stay here for a while?"

"... of course my son." He patted his knee and the tiny boy floated down on it. Mojo reopened the book and resumed writing.

"What are you doing' anyway? You're always scribbling in there. It's kinda weird."

"I am simply chronicling I, Mojo Jojo's everyday accomplishments, evil schemes and thoughts….and stories from fatherhood , as I do everyday."

"... why you do that?"

" simple, so I can learn from it."

"... but you're not in school."

"Every day for the rest of your life you will learn something my son."

"You mean I'm gonna be in school forever! What! Nooo! School's lame!"

"School is not lame young man who is not a man yet but it is simply an expression! School is very important and so is the reflections upon every day that I have right here. Like the great Napoleon and others like him knew!"

"Napamo who?"

"... that is a bedtime story I will tell you later on in your maturing cycle- the point is,,I, Mojo Jojo keep a written record of my life and shall every day until I am no more to further enrich my existence and also keep a record of my sons and their own evil accomplishments."

Boomer blinked. "...so you got Butch breaking another vending machine at DeMarco's this morning?"

"... What!? I've told him multiple times he doesn't need any more sugar in his already hyperactive state-! Curses….Boomer always remember the evils of commercialism and capitalism are far greater than any we can do "

"Capa- what?"

"... You will understand someday. Now." He sighed. "Tell me more about this unauthorized vandalism of local merchant property and how much I, Mojo Jojo as your legal guardian and father figure must pay this local merchant accordingly."

"Boomer?" He blinked and the nice lady was giving him a concerned look. Oh...right. uh…

"... Any….Anyway yeah no where was I… um...oh yeah…Mojo uh… he just... he just kept getting bad, worse I mean… and he freaked out… so he tried to fix it."

"He didn't ask for help?"

"Who the fuck was going to help him? Who was going to help us?" He snapped but then frowned. "Sorry, that was rude."

She shook her head, "No it was a bad question. I apologize. So… he attempted to cure himself?"

"Yeah and that just went great. According to Brick it just made it worse… faster even." He shrugged. "We were kids when… Brick got called down in his lab and he told im' to… destroy everything down there….Y was a disaster."

"Y?"

"... An enhanced Chemical X substitute… it was nothing but a drug...and one day he just...overdosed." Boomer shrugged. "It sounds do stupid to call it that. Brick would have my head...but what else can we call it?"

"What else indeed."

"Mojo was… a goner after that. It went from where the hell are my keys to…who the fuck are you? I don't have a son…" Kim winced. "Male Chimpanzees… are very territorial, come to find out…"

"... That's where the physical abuse...came from."

"He didn't even know who we were half the time… he attacked Butch for startling him… Brick started fighting back… he didn't have a choice. Half the time we'd lock him downstairs until he came to his senses… we had to keep going to school but we had to keep it quiet...or they'd seperate us again."

Kim quietly continued to write. "... You're talking about your juvenile detention."

"... They sent us to Juvey without even bothering to listen! We were just locked out because the stupid monkey forgot he had kids and went to go rob a bank!" He snarled. "We didn't do anything and they still used it as an excuse! So us talking to someone? No. Never." He took a deep breath. "... We were just kids… it was freezing… it was midnight… I just wanted to go to bed… Butch can sleep through anything and Brick… he just… he just had his stupid book and… he told me to go to sleep, it wouldn't be that long… the next thing I know I'm in an armored car."

Kim was silent. Her face was grim, and her hand was slightly raised but then she lowered it. He took a bite out of his burger before he stared down at his plate.

"We were there all summer. It was the first time Butch had been seperated from us. He took it bad… Brick had to get his hair cut… that didn't go well either, he… kept freaking out… last time he'd had short hair he'd… he'd been kissed to death. Cooties killed him"

"...Cooties?"

"... A sensory overload. Our first creation we weren't stable… I read the monkey's notes… Brick doesn't know I did but… that's how I knew that… it wasn't a kiss… that killed us. The first time."

Kim took a deep sip from her drink before clearing her throat. He should have stopped…. But for some reason he...couldn't. It was like some kind of...flood gate had opened. Fuck...what was he doing? This went against the code didn't it? Never tell anyone anything- except-!

…. Fuck codes. Fuck them.

"Brick blames himself. I know he does. It's why… worked so hard to… keep it a secret. Butch just… he shut down man and it was scary… he just… I don't remember anything from Juvey except… when I didn't hear Butch crying anymore and… that scared me more than anything.. You know he… doesn't remember… he somehow convinced himself it was….me and…. Brick was far away...purposely kept from us… so…. It's just easier for it to be me...who was the crybaby." He snorted. "Because you know… I'm the baby… and I did cry…. I just…, stopped faster."

"...How long were you there?"

"... Three months. School had already started when we came back. But… we knew we were on our own after that… so yeah." Boomer took another quick swig. "Sorry to talk your ear off." He murmured. " I dunno just… no one asks usually so-."

"No, don't apologize, I'm glad you told me." She took a deep breath. "It certainly explains… Brick's behavior amongst other things."

"Would it have gotten us a better trial verdict you think?" He mumbled.

"That trial was a disgrace to United States law." She hissed before she cleared her throat. "But I take it this code that you three continually mention-."

"It comes from that yeah. Juvey freaked Brick out, Butch has never been the same since, he's clingy as hell to me and Brick and then as for me… I dunno… I… I guess I.. mad sometimes." He said the last part in a hush. "Really….mad."

….what have I done...fuck...what did I do?

His eyes burned. "We swore…. We swore on our lives as a Rowdyruff Boy we would never break that code and here Brick has gone and done it twice! He claims it's to protect us- to protect everybody- but Kim….who was going to protect him? Why can't we ever protect him huh!?" His voice cracked. "Mike claims and I believe him… that he wanted to call me and Butch into that factory… he asked my brother three… times to call us and every time… Brick said no… why did he say no!?"

Boomer swallowed hard and fuck...fucking hell was he really… was he really losing it to this...to his neighbor!? Why the fuck had he agreed to this!? Why the fuck…

He touched his cheek and oh...oh fuck was he fucking crying now!? Crying like a complete and total -!

He grit his teeth. "... But that's just what he does. He doesn't accept help and that screws everyone else. That trial was a goddamn mockery you're right but maybe if other people had been allowed to talk or we'd had more time or anything… maybe we could have pulled it off."

It was silent. His cheeks were burning. He'd never hear the end of this from… fuck just everyone.

"I agree with you Boomer. As I said, that trial was a disgrace- I hesitate to even call it one."

"... Well that's just great." He muttered.

"That's why I've filed an appeal with the court to throw that entire debacle out and we start again."

Tick. Tock. Tick.

"I'm sorry what?" Boomer sputtered.

"This entire thing was rushed, ill-run and there were far too many "outside opinions" that were given far too much sway in this case." She folded her own arms. "And not for nothing, your brother is a very smart young man but the fact that the court expected him- a sixteen year old to more or less carry this entire case: by himself-! Well Boomer… in any other circumstance… that would be considered… most peculiar."

"... I mean Mojo he got arrested well kinda but-."

"That had absolutely no merit on this case- to be brutally honest that should have just made it a foregone conclusion. This entire situation, excuse excuse my crassness -stinks."

Badum. Badum.

"What are you saying… you think we were set up?"

"To fail? Unfortunately yes. Why else was no one else allowed to testify hmm?"

"... Time?"

"Court doesn't run on normal people time, we make the time. You boys were only allowed, correct me if I'm wrong but one preparatory meeting? In the same week?"

"... Yes? We didn't talk much but-."

She quickly wrote something down before looking at her notes. "And City Hall was not allowed a presence? At all, you're telling me you met with a counsel… but weren't allowed your own?"

"I don't know what that means…"

She inhaled. "It means Boomer, Sarah Bellum despite her volunteering to sit in and be support for you three wasn't allowed? You were only allowed this "court appointed" counsel not your own."

"... Ms. Bellum wanted to-!?"

"... I knew it." She exhaled. "I knew it, I told Jamie… Boomer I'm filing this appeal and I will bring it up all the way to the California Supreme Court if I have to. You boys were wronged and I'm not going to stand by and watch this any longer."

Boomer's heart was pounding. A new trial? But… but wouldn't that take forever?!

"But… what if they still-!"

"That's why I need you."

"What?"

"I need all of the evidence Boomer, I need written records, statements, witness statements and yes that does include you and your brothers but not just you. Do you understand?"

"... I think so?"

"Good, because it's not an easy process- but you're well organized and you have a head for detail and even remembering the smallest of detail, sometimes that's all it takes to break a case."

"... Kim I don't think-."

"Boomer, what was our waitress wearing on her vest? Can you describe it?"

Huh? Cindy? She was a familiar face around here, a college junior who was majoring in architecture and minoring in Music. She and Boomer would sometimes talk yeah but- what did she have to do with anything?

"... She has a bunch of pins on her vest, they're musical notes and they make a new song every week…and this time it's "Row...row row your boat."... Because her girlfriend has a Crew meet."

Kim raised an eyebrow.

"It's obvious if you look at it." He mumbled.

"Well most people don't look that carefully Boomer, my God if I didn't know any better I'd think you had a photographic memory or something-!" She paused. "... Do you?"

Boomer blinked. "uh…"

"Do you?" She repeated and Boomer wrung his hands. "... Oh my God you do...don't you?"

Boomer cradled his drink. He shouldn't be here. He really shouldn't be here. He was breaking so many rules and protocol and…

"... Of course I don't. I'm the dumb one remember." He finally spat out. "And if I did...who the hell would believe me. I'm just Tweedle Dee… the dumb one...no more no less."

"Boomer I don't think I believe that in fact I think you've been hiding it all along, including from...your brother….but why?"

"... Because I'm the dumb and the dumbest… Brick said it himself...a long time ago." He shrugged.

Kim's mouth dropped, opened, but then closed again. She looked like she was completely dumbfounded… err…

"Look,Kim I'd be happy to help… however you need me to I'm just saying maybe you'd be better off asking Brick or Bloss-."

SLAM.

He jumped back. "That-." She pointed a finger up. "Is single handedly the worst nonsense I think I've heard in my entire time in Townsville-! So far. You never know in this city but regardless-! Right now it is!" She tapped her fingers once again irritably on the table. "You're sixteen correct? When's your birthday?"

"... Uh… well that's kinda complicated uh we had two.. technically uh… we just do it in the summer it's easier that way." He mumbled.

"So you'll be seventeen this summer then?"

"...yeah?"

"Well good." She closed the notebook and stood. Boomer politely followed suit but she again had him by the wrist in a strangely strong grip as she paid then marched him outside. "It's going to be quite a challenge putting all this paperwork and building a proper case and argument so I'm grateful for your volunteering to help!"

"... I did?" When had that happened? And why was she smiling so big? Boomer was confused. And hell man for such a short lady Kim could walk. Like was there just one speed known to New Yorkers? Fast and faster!? They were already halfway up the street(!)

"Yes, you can start next week in fact, we have high schoolers come in all the time, albeit mostly seniors but this is a special case and I'm sure you'll be fine." She finally stopped walking. Phew. Boomer finally had a chance to catch his breath even as she whirled back around. "And we can work with your schedule, something tells me any firm in Townsville- is going to be….acutely aware of what you do and be understanding-."

"Uh well-."

"And if not one phone call to Sarah Bellum and they will be."

… this was true. Very true… no one fucked with Ms. Bellum. No one. The mayor was only mayor...on paper. The whole world knew it.

"I mean… if you think it's a… good idea I guess… I reverse with a band at least once a week and well X duties but…":

"Brick seems to be able to balance working part time at James' auto shop and his X duties just fine." She ventured.

And cooking...cleaning...doing the bills… and being Townsville Batman…

… hey so why couldn't Boomer do it too! Yeah! And if it was just one case then… then…

"... You really think I can do it? Like… you're not pulling my leg?" She threw him a big smile and weirdly enough… Boomer actually got the feeling it was… genuine.

"I truly do Boomer. I mean anyone who keeps a journal to the extent you do has to be quite observant." His cheeks flushed.

"H-Huh!? Uh no I don't!" He squeezed the book tighter. "I uh it's X notes… case files… uh song lyrics… that's it." He cleared his throat. Kim smirked.

"Your secret's safe with me kiddo. Don't worry but-." She put her hand to her mouth as she bent up. "Us diarists, we can recognize each other a mile away."

Again his cheeks warmed. "You keep a diary?"

"I have since I was sixteen. Nothing to be ashamed of, a lot of historical figures did like-."

"Napoleon." He blurted but then cursed under his breath. Damn it.

"Yes…I do think he did, are you a fan of him?" She chuckled. Boomer's teeth grit somewhat.

"No. I just read it in a book." He said curtly. "But… I guess I owe you, well the three of us do so if you want me help though I don't get why… I'll help. Is there a dress code or anything I don't think I have a lot of-."'

She put a hand up. "We'll figure that out, just business casual for now. I'm sure Bubbles would be able to help you. The three of us can go out this weekend if you'd like… I get the distinct feeling Bubbles would have no problem whatsoever with it in fact." She chuckled and Boomer joined albeit warily.

"She does… like to shop…. I should call her."

"Yes you should, you're good for each other. Jamie mentioned that too… I sincerely hope that Brick gives Blossom a call as well. Jamie says he's been moping around like…" she cleared her throat.

"A sad puppy." Boomer drawled as he looked at his phone and fuck how many missed calls… he was the worst. Yeah texting wasn't going to do it. "Sorry Kim I should really-."

"No, no take your time, honestly if she's not too busy right now we can go today if you two don't mind Greg tagging along."

"Nah, he's a good kid I don't care."

"H-Hello?"

… She sounded hysterical. The hell?!

"Angel hi, what's going on!?" I'm the worst. I'm the worst boyfriend in the world. Brick has nothing on me. Fuck. Fuck.

"Oh…. Oh Boomie I… I messed up, we messed up, she's so upset, and she won't talk to me, and she won't talk to Buttercup, or Daddy, or anyone she's just locked herself in the office and she refuses to come out! I can hear her- listen!"

Boomer furrowed his brows and…. Oh… uh oh. That… really didn't sound good… at all. That was… pretty loud in fact. Shit… guess it had finally hit her about Big Bro…? Maybe, but that didn't sound like… Wait?

"How is this your fault? You didn't do anything though- what?"

"Oh but we did! We did-! We lied! We were yelling at Brick about lying and look at us! LOOK AT US! Oh God what have I done!? What have I d-d-d-done!"

"I, I don't know Angel- what-I can barely hear you honey, it's hard to hear over-?

Another shriek sounded but it was a bit closer and whoa-! A crowd had almost stampeded to the source of the scream.

"Someone- someone call 911!"

"Screw 911, call the X Team!"

"What X Team they're all fighting!?"

"..Angel hold on a second-. Excuse me, excuse me!" Kim Kim had her hands to her mouth and the crowd outside was all staring… down at the….river? What?

"Boomie? Boomie are you there? Boomie?"

"Oh my God what happened!?This poor girl! !?"

"Yes I'd like to report a body… a body on River street! No I'm not kidding! She just washed up on shore- I don't know drowned, isn't that your job to figure out?!"

"Angel, Angel I gotta go- I'll talk to you later I love you, bye!"

For the love of-! "CRIPES MOVE!" Boomer snarled and shoved his way through and…. The smell hit him first. Oh God, sushi had nothing to this smell and fuck- fuck man! What the FUCK!

She couldn't have been any older than in her twenties, and he held up his phone.

"Move aside! X Team here! Blue Lightning! Whatever!" He ordered, The crowd around the woman just… fuck her limbs were all weird and her skin was all grey and-he shuddered. This may have been part of the job but Boomer could honestly say he'd never been this close to a dead… a corpse before.

His stomach churned, and he put his hand to his mouth again.. fuck… fuck never mind! He backed away into someone and a pair of arms latched to his waist and he was kept from going any farther. The red and blue lights and a faint siren in the distance made everyone turn.

"Boomer, Boomer let the police handle this."

She was… she couldn't have been much older than them! College kid maybe just… just fucking… what… what the fuck-!

What the fuck- how did someone-!

….Wait. What was…?" He narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath before kneeling closer. Kim hissed behind him but… the girl's shirt was barely on but wait.. what was-!?

"Boomer!" Again he was yanked back. "Boomer let the police handle this, come on!"

There was something there-! Something on her torso! A mark… a…

He managed to free himself and get close again, just through a rip in her shirt he could see it. He could see a distinct… bruise… a cut? But that coloration… that distinct… color…. It looked almost… black. But how would a drowning turn a cut…?

His eyes popped open. Wait…

Boomer looked to his right where Butch was fast asleep on a chair and Blossom was also finally getting some food from the cafeteria.

Brick was fast asleep. Or maybe he'd just been put under but he didn't even twitch when Boomer reached over to adjust the bandage on his arm.

The bandage was sleeping with pus and God knows what else even as Boomer stared at it. The thick lines of red...and black spreading all around the wound. And the shape…

He was still mumbling to himself but… all Boomer could see was that ugly...open wound in his arm. It was no ordinary cut, it was a deep gaping jagged…. Hole. Like something…or more someone had gone and stabbed clear through Brick's arm with… with a crooked knife or something!

He'd never seen…anything like it.

"The fuck happened down there Brick…?" He whispered. "Big Bro what happened?"

"... Dark." He stiffened.

"Brick?"

"Dark…shadow..stay away...from...Dark."

The wound was hideous. But that shape… that jagged… shape.

The creature's head bounced at their feet and it was no clean cut...no… it was angled and it looked more like it had been torn but the blade in that… specter's hand.

It...wasn't even. Weird one could think it was almost like a katana… except it was… a makeshift one? Different blades were different lengths. He shuddered.

Getting hit with that thing would hurt.

….Wait…

NOTE FROM DR. AMANDA DELISTLE: CORONER: MR. BAXTER WAS DISCOVERED WITH NUMEROUS UNEVEN WOUNDS EXTENDING ACROSS HIS TORSO AND CHEST AREA. CAUSE OF THESE WOUNDS IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT EVIDENCE SUPPORTS A SERRATED JAGGED EDGE- LIKELY AN IMPROVISED WEAPON:

"Step aside kid!: This time he was more roughly manhandled away from the scene to back amongst the crowd but…

"Shit…"

"What is it Hills?"

"…. No blood. Fuck- call it in. We got the first Vic. She's here."

"You sure? Looks like she's been stabbed- its pretty clumsy."

"She doesn't have any blood in that arm- nothin'."

A clumsy stab wound… an ugly stab wound.

His mind was racing as he followed the dispersing crowd, Kim was utterly horrified and well he couldn't blame her, no one liked seeing a dead body but…

A clumsy… ugly wound.

"Fuck man! Jojo you gotta get that looked at! Jesus Christ how many times do I have to tell you!"

"Lay off Believe it ain't that big a deal!"

"It's BLACK. Dude cuts don't turn black normally! It's probably infected or something!"

"Will you keep your voice down you idiot!"

"…Shit." He murmured. "Fuck… oh fuck. Fuck. Fuckfuckfuck!" He grabbed his cell. "Kim, uh,…. Thanks for lunch, we'll um- we'll talk later I uh- X Team go!"

He slapped his phone to his ear, ignoring her protests but c'mon. C'mon!

Yo, It's Buttercup- If I ain't here then I'm probably out fighting a mutated clownfish. Leave a message and I'll get back to you whenever I can. Thanks.

"Buttercup. Buttercup it's Boomer. Obviously you knew that- but you need to call me as soon as you can- Buttercup, turn on the news, they found a body in the River- it's her- she's back but she's not alone. Casper's moved on to victim number two."

-VI-

"The Faceless Man"

"Are you frightened?"

The hands so tiny, yet so dexterous, even while blinded didn't stop winding the cloth around his arm.

"I am never frightened my Lord." She took the bowl he offered to her and she crushed herbs between her fingers within. "My fate has long been decided. It matters not how I die. I shall die regardless."

"If you were to die due to an angry beast… it would cause problems my Lady."

Though he could not see them through the opaque black cloth the man could nonetheless feel that burning gaze piercing him from within.

"But I am destined to die in the fires my Lord…. It has long been decided- So how can I fear a beast… when they are not the fires?"

"You fear fire then?"

"...no. No I do not… how can I when the fire is ultimately… my deliverance."

"... No your fate is not the fires!" He seized her hands. "I won't let them do this! I won't! My Lady…"

"My Lord…"

"Are you frightened?"

The hands so tiny, yet so dexterous, even while blinded didn't stop winding the cloth around his arm.

"I am never frightened my Lord." She took the bowl he offered to her and she crushed herbs between her fingers within. "My fate has long been decided. It matters not how I die. I shall die regardless."

"If you were to die due to an angry beast… it would cause problems my Lady."

Though he could not see them through the opaque black cloth the man could nonetheless feel that burning gaze piercing him from within.

"But I am destined to die in the fires my Lord…. It has long been decided- So how can I fear a beast… when they are not the fires?"

"You fear fire then?"

"...no. No I do not… how can I when the fire is ultimately… my deliverance."

"... No your fate is not the fires!" He seized her hands. "I won't let them do this! I won't! They won't… take you La'el."

"My Lord…" he seized her hands again.

"Say it." He breathed. "Say my name… I want to hear you say it… please " her skin was so soft, as delicate and smooth as fine parchment. "La'el please." He kissed that gentle hand.

"It wouldn't be meet… you know what they would say." She whispered.

"I don't care!" His grip tightened. "I don't care!" He continued to press kisses on her hands. "La'el you can't lose faith now!"

"The time is fast approaching my Lord…"

"My name! Say my name!"

"I cannot…"

"La'el-!"

She pulled away and he scrambled up. "La'el! La'el don't do this! Don't look away! My love!"

My love…. Wait for me…

Wait….

The fires… they are burning…

No… no no no no!

The smoke was choking and he lunged for the figure within, that small tiny figure… No! No! Unhand him! Release him! RELEASE HIM AT ONCE!

He was thrown to his knees. Pain… slicing….burning pain.

Screams… screams echo… but then…

There was silence…

Silence and….laughter.

She stood tall in the shadows, her long glorious hair wafting in the air. She was free. He reached out as she held her own.

My soul...is yours.

And yours...is mine.

BANG. BANG.

Obnoxious laughter rang out and his eyes opened irritably. The clenching pain in his head may have become but a dull ache with his meditation but seeing as it was constantly being interupted by...by those IMBECILES!

What….the Master was thinking… recruiting those… those idiots the Warrior hadn't a clue but… he clutched the hankerchief. It was fading… how many petals were left… her sweet perfume… her scent… he inhaled cautiously. He couldn't…

He reached out but the whisp of a hand vanished in the darkness. He grit his teeth and kicked at the wall. The mirrors shook but what good were they!?

Completely fogged up and covered! Even the loud mouthed buffoon's mirror with the dreams of grandeur and greed had gone dark. A deep green mist of sorts. A hazy shade of green shadow. He narrowed his eyes and looked to the other mirror with the matching green haze.

Together then. Useless! She was protecting the fool wasn't she- the warrior again pounded the wall. Wretched…. Bitch.

He'd been the weakest of the three.

Of course the red glazed mirror the Warrior had finally turned around, not even wanting it in his sights with the depravities that occurred within, the low born thoughts of a common thief.

His blade wept obviously in the wretched dog's hand. He didn't even know a proper stance! Watching the imbecile attempting to use this sacred blade would have been great entertainment if it weren't so blasphemous!

The mirror with the darker blue next to it however was filled with nothing but thunderous storm clouds. Anger. It didn't make sense.

Intriguing admittedly, the thoughts within were comically derogatory to the Red dog and the Warrior did so enjoy hearing the thief belittled and scorned.

One of the few things that made him crack a smile.

Especially now. The pain… within her mirror was almost choking. Nauseating even, all consuming. She was firmly keeping him away but he would never harm her! Was it wrong to just...wish to offer her comfort…?

She was so young in this life after all. She still put great importance to things that didn't matter in the grander scheme. The fates of all…their destiny and the strings guiding them towards it.

She'd understood that. Once. Ironically it had been her who had….taught him that.

Yet now she seemed completely unaware if not… he didn't want to say ignorant. Truly he didn't but… her behavior was treading dangerously towards that. She was being completely unreasonable.

He had a feeling who was feeding this foolish paranoia of course, but the thief and his familiars including the green witch, the loud mouthed buffoon and the other quieter one… they were there and he was not. So how could be possibly-!?

His teeth grit and he glared at the line of them.

Click. Clack. Click.

The warrior stiffened immediately when long arms draped over his back.

"Oh poor little boy." The sultry voice, artificially alluring and false as any painted woman filled him with instinctual bile and he shook her off angrily.

"Touch me not witch!" He snarled. I'm"how dare you intrude here!" Again.

She had no shame this woman. She merely rolled her eyes and perused his quarters. She especially seemed intrigued by the glass. "I prefer a soap to reality TV but each his own." She adjusted her far too visible cleavage and he averted his gaze in disgust.

"You can go." He snapped. The witch only snorted and insolently ignored him. She just kept exploring the room, picking up the warrior's belongings and examining then with a critical, judging eye.

I was respected once… this never would have occurred while at I had living flesh-.

"Sir."

"My Lord."

"Your Highness."

The pain was but a twinge and the cacophony of voices… tolerable. He just had to focus on the quiet one of his beloved. It made the others fade away.

"So let me get this straight." She interupted. How dare she-! "You just go around sneaking into the little bitch's dreams like some kind of horny Freddy Krueger." She scoffed.

"... I do not go by that name." He drawled.

She only again belligerent ignored him and stepped over to his beloved's mirror. "Clearly." She skid a long jagged fingernail against the pink tinted glass. "Looks like you suck at it."

"Don't touch that!" He snarled and grabbed that claw. "Don't you dare sully my love's purity with your….your-!"

"Purity?" She laughed aloud. "Oh you really are out if touch there lover boy besides, looks to me like lovey doesn't want you around." She tapped the clouded glass again with a smirk.

He bristled. "She...is a guarded individual, yes. Her thoughts are carefully guarded."

She rolled her eyes, "mm, looks like they all are. Except… ohh my. What do we have here?"

He bristled again and stopped her in mid reach before she tarnished the crystal clear tiny one's glass. "That is nothing to do with you. She is of no importance. The little one is innocent."

Those eyes immediately flashed angrily, "innocent? Oh please. She's got you fooled too dies she?" The older woman snorted. "Bubbles Utonium always was a spoiled little brat." Her fist clenched. "The little bitch is going to regret messing with me."

The warrior for his part admittedly was confused. "She has been nothing but a bye stander to this conflict. Admittedly I regret harming her the way I have-."

"Oh don't be fooled you lovesick buffoon." She interupted. "Bubbles Utonium is no innocent." Her eyes narrowed. "So… you're after the pink one no? The one with no ass to speak if? You're fixated on...her?"

His ire grew at the insult. "My love is beautiful. More beautiful than I could have ever imagined."

The lowly witch made a mock gagging gesture before….running her hands down her own body. "Most men prefer something to cling to….like this for example." She further emphasized her...behind. "but whatever you do you, but I've decided to help you out."

"I do not need your help." He growled. She pouted her overdone lips but then smirked.

"Oh I see, so your attempts are working then? She'll just-." She dramatically slouched over his sitting area. "Fall into your arms like a lovesick simpering fool?" She chuckled. "Sorry lover boy, but I don't see a red cap on you. She's not interested in your kind of loving."

He froze. "She would never."

"Oh you poor fool." She shook her head. "Poor delusional fool. You really are out of touchover boy. You've been doing this all wrong." He stiffened as she walked back over to the line of mirrors. "instead of wasting your time trying to get to the Puff…" that smile was ominous. "Make the Puff...come to you."

" .. what?"

That laugh ugly. Truly ugly and shrill as it echoed.

"Oh little boy, every villain in Townsville- knows there's only one, teensy weensy little thing that'll make any Powerpuff Girl come running, no matter to where."

"Oh...and that is?"

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The jagged nail again sullied the glass. And that look was again….disgusting.

"Her sisters of course."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly...darkened. He scowled.

"... As if I'd resort to such low-."

Again with that unpleasant laugh, "Mm, yet you go strolling about in a dream world and that's perfectly alright?" She chuckled. "You've got to do better than that big boy."

He scowled. "I will not fall to such low methods! She is an innocent-!"

Scraaaaaaaaape.

He flinched from the scratching of the blue tinted glass.

"But isn't your lovey more important? Wouldn't you do anything to get her back? Hmmmmm?"

His fist curled...then uncurled.

"... Get out." He seethed.

"Oho did I strike a nerve?" She cooed.

"OUT!" He roared.

"My point still stands, you still think you're done kind of hero don't you lover boy? But here you are being such a good little helper haven't you big boy… providing me with-" she flipped her hair. "Passable specimens. They'll do for now."

He winced. He couldn't hide it. Just imagining the look in her face… it had been necessary and he'd purposely found…sorts that matched this woman in value but…

His love was not going to be pleased...to see him have fallen so low… to have…

Forgive me my love…

"Sir!"

"Your Highness!"

"Just pick one, there are plenty more to choose? Why must it be that one?"

"The fires...will they hurt?"

"My Lord!"

"Sir!"

"Brother!"

His eyes widened and he clutched his head. She raised an eyebrow. But no matter. Focus...focus on her voice! He grabbed the cloth and stuck it to his nose, the faint soothing scent cleared his mind, focus on her...only her.

The other faceless, nameless specters faded away. The odious woman raised an eyebrow bit then laughed lowly.

"I'd suggest big boy….getting off the high horse soon and facing the obvious. If you're going to be a villain like us….best learn to be a good one."

"I am not like you!" He snarled.

She only laughed and finally took her leave of him. The pain was increasing again.

"I am not like you…" he whispered. "I am not like them… I...I am a-!"

"Sir….orders?"

"Your duty is your duty… do not be distracted from it."

"The Gods have decreed your place in life my Lord...as they have mine… we cannot fight it."

"You will bring an end to the darkness… I know it."

"You are the Warrior reborn...will you accept the challenge?"

His hands hit the floor and yet they kept coming. His head pulsed and he bit down the scream.

Warrior…

Hero…

The blade chose you...will you take it?

"My Lord...wait for me…"

He reached for the wispy hand once more but again... it dissipated.

My Lord….

We will meet….again…

Wait for me… my love

The Warrior grasped the wall, dragging himself back up and he hit only glass. The murky pink wait… yes! Yes! He saw her! The diminutive form of his beloved… weeping?

Why… why was she…?!

To weep in dreams… was but the strongest pain of all. And why was she alone?! She was never alone in her dreams! It was infuriating but…

To see her standing amidst a darkness..such a small figure… standing in the rain.

So...alone.

Such a shame…

He stiffened. That voice… no…

All alone...they don't trust you…

No… no.

He doesn't care about you. They don't care about you…. No one cares about you….

"L...Leave her alone!" He choked out. The mirror was beginning to fog up once more. NO!

"Don't listen! DON'T LISTEN TO-!"

CRAAAAACK

His eyes widened and he grasped the mirror's sides. But the glass was cracking regardless, and he watched in horror before the image finally faded- and

CRACK.

It was broken.

"No!" He hissed but the mirror like all the others had gone dark. But...but-! The room was ominously silent

….save...melodic laughter. He turned.

Three little girls, a dark haired, a golden haired and a….red haired all sat in huddle giggling within the blue mirror. Their bond...was indisputable. The way they clung to each other, the wide smiles on their faces…

He went closer… the girls skipped along with hands joined and...changed.

But those grips never loosened. The golden haired innocent...the green witch and..

Wait for me….my love.

Only one thing… will make a Powerpuff...come running.

They stared at each other however unknowingly on the other side… those sunset eyes… pierced deep within his very… soul.

Wait for me…

Wait….for me…

"... My soul is yours…" he whispered.

But no reply came.

His fingers trailed the pristine glass. Before he folded them in and turned away.

There's only one way… to make a Puff come running…

Then he stared upon the broken glass once again… had he a heart to stop beating it would have,… What…

What was going on?

-VI-

Blossom

"That is not the issue ladies! We do NOT keep secrets in this household! Especially from each other- I am APPALLED at you both! You should have known better- How could you have deceived your own sister for this long! Does Jane know about this!?"

"…No Sir."

"No Daddy."

"Well she will, but that is not my priority right now- you two are in BIG TROUBLE DO YOU HEAR ME! ALL THREE OF YOU ARE! Lying? Lying in my house!? I'm aware of X matters, I'm aware that your responsibilities merit me sometimes being SOMEWHAT out of the loop but you're telling me that there is some sort of… some sort of CREATURE threatening your sister's safety and you didn't think I needed to know!"

"She said she had it handled-!"

"Brick and Mike kept it away from her-!"

"I'M SUPPOSED TO LEAVE THE SAFETY OF MY SIXTEEN YEAR OLD IN THEIR HANDS!"

"….No."

"It was stupid… I know I'm sorry."

"When this investigation is over, all of us- are having a very long discussion over honesty as a family. And we are having story hour girls- I'm going to get a very distinctive and DETAILED explanation of all of your whereabouts this past month! And then I think Jane Believe and Sandi Keane would be most interested! Who else though? Should I contact Margeret Michelson perhaps? The Snyders? Hm? I suppose I should also contact Mr. Walter as well."

"… He could probably get Brick to listen to him."

"…. And I will be having a talk with Brick as well. Make no mistake about that. I think you both have been covering for your sister long enough."

"I didn't do anything!"

"Bubbles shhh! just shut up. Seriously!"

"Don't you start yelling at me too!"

Blossom squeezed her eyes shut and lay back against her pillows. She should go down there. She'd had her… fit after all. But…

No… she couldn't… not yet. Oh she was a coward but… but…

Buttercup…. Bubbles…

She shouldn't carry on… about something so… so unimportant in the scheme of things. There was… There was a Class Five… A class five threat on the loose and-!

Michael… Robin…

What threat will I be classified under…?

She'd never… felt so alone in her life. No matter what… had ever happened…there'd always been someone to call, to sit with and… whether old…or new…

Butch… Boomer…

Like an even further coward she gripped the jacket for dear life, inhaling it like a drug addict- feeling the burn behind her eyelids but…

…Brick….

The yelling was only getting worse, Father was furious, of course he was, he had a loathing for dishonesty in general and… she shouldn't leave her sisters to receive the brunt of it… All three of them in different ways had… deceived him.

That wasn't fair. She reallu should go down. Brush her hair, ah see there was her brush waiting in it's proper spot on the vanity for once but her eyes lingered on the many pictures that covered the mirror's edge… and the one framed one all three of them had agreed upon.

Michael's photography skills really were top notch and with the exception of the remains of food plastered in Butch's hair from Buttercuo having shoved it in his face earlier… it was nonetheless the only true group picture of all of them. Mike having actually allowed a chaperone to touch his precious camera and…

They were all smiling… and they looked… genuine. The smiles… she meant. But… They'd always… been there. But now… now she knew the truth didn't she….

Eyes are….red…

You're…fucking dead.

It was fear. Fear propelled…

Soothe the beast…

She could see the strain in those smiles now. The forced happiness- especially the tight grip Blossom had on that Red Rowdyruff Boy's waist… she was… she was worse than Princess Morebucks then wasn't she…

Placate the beast…

Michael's smile was tremulous too- his other arm looped around Brick's shoulder and the foolish peace sign he was throwing up but she saw now the wariness in his gaze. Butch was shoving forward… probably in an attempt to be at Brick's side if and when the beast… awoke.

Boomer she noticed was the only one smart enough to keep his distance as well as Bubbles from her- he was yelling something- she couldn't' remember exactly what argument had broken out- Buttercp had become involved and Robin as well Mitch had been so busy laughing, they hadn't even had time to smile… Pablo looked downright confused…

And there Blossom was… in the middle…

Eyes are red…

Her eyes burned again before she pressed the horrifying picture down. Another glint of of all things glittered pink heart – just… look how forced that smile was! Oh…OH God she was the worst. She was… she was-!

"Are you sure I'm not bothering you?"

He continued to silently run his fingers through her hair.

"I'm sure."

She closed her eyes and rested her head in his chest. Listlessly she laced her fingers with his free hand and closed her eyes.

Had… any of it been real? Ever… or was it just a necessity… for the good of the city…to soothe the sleeping beast.

Again… the yelling was continuing. She should… go. But she was so… tired. Had she slept last night?

… Had she?

Had… she?

-o-o-o-

It was raining again.

Of course it was. When wasn't it raining here. Wait… oh not again. Not now. Not-!

She bit her lip and hugged her arms.

"…Stay away from me." She whispered. "I don't…I don't want you! I want-!"

He was there and she stiffened. Brick stood with his arms crossed and a… menacing look on his face. She flinched.

"Do what you have to for the city man."

"You wanted to show you're a good guy now right?"

"We all gotta do it Jojo. It could be worse."

The huddle all surrounded him. Michael patted his shoulder while his brothers nodded in agreement.

"Worse comes to worst Big Bro… we'll be right behind you."

"Exactly Boss. Three against one you know?"

JOLT.

The blow was almost staggering. What… What was-!? No… No this wasn't… no they wouldn't-!

She backed away and heels weren't made for wet soggy grass and she fell with a yelp. The boy all had vanished however.

"I'm scared BC… she was so… loud… so angry."

"Do you think its happening?"

"We knew this was inevitable ladies… "

The three all stood in a circle, Robin's arms were around Bubbles' shoulders. Comforting her… obviously she was so… badly frightened and… Blossom… Blossom hadn't meant to yell that loudly… just… just she wouldn't leave her be! Didn't she have the right to be-!

Sugar… spice… and everything nice…

Such a shame…

Her breath quickened. That… that voice.

"… Stay away."

Such a shame… shame… shame.

She continued to back away. Her sisters and Robin had vanished.

"Stay… S-Stay away!" She hissed. "This… This isn't real… you're not-!" She pointed. "You're not… really here."

The red skinned crab like creature only threw her a venomous smirk. "Oh? Am I reeeeeeeeally not here? Are we so sure about that little Blossom."

She jerked back from the claw extended towards her.

"You are not here! This isn't real! Leave me alone!"

Oh… poor little girl… all alone…

She froze and then gulped.

They all left you… They don't trust you… they simply… fear you.

Blossom shook her head, wildly. Once, twice, three times.

"… You are not here."

Isn't that always the case… sooner or later… you're always alone.

She clenched her fists. "… It won't work… I know your tricks… you're… you're going to pay for what you did to them… for what you did to Michael and… and my-!..." She faltered before taking a deep shuddering breath and swallowing down that damned frog in her throat. "… You're going to pay for what you did to Brick and Michael." She hissed. "And I'll make damn sure of it."

Oh… Will you now?

Click. Clack. Click.

The grass was gone and replaced by… cold hard stone. Industrial… she clutched her mitts wait… Mitts… was she-? Was she back-!?

"Blossy?"

"Leader Girl… You sure this is the right way:

They stared back at her… innocence and… trust… in their eyes.

"Seriously Red… you sure this kind of seems weird?"

"Like we're going around in circles Your Highness."

…What?

"… Butch?... Boomer?" She murmured. The two Rowdyruff's raised their eyebrows and folded her mitted arms in sync.

"Yeah?"

"What's the plan Puff?"

"….What are you doing here-?"

"Pinky?"

She stiffened when a mitt touched her shoulder and she came face to face with a pair of large red eyes… though they were heavily… bruised.

"Seriously what the plan? You're the one that asked for our help."

I…I did? No… I would never expose civilians to danger- I would never-!

Oh! How delightful a family reunion!

The group all turned in sync and… and oh God! The creature floated above them with a large toothy grin. Before dark tendrils clamped around them all leaving Blossom… standing alone in the middle as they… as her team was hoisted above her.

"….NO! NO LEAVE THEM ALONE! LEAVE THEM ALONE!"

Oh…? Then go ahead little Blossom… try and reclaim them.

It swelled within her- a raw heat that encompassed her entire body before she lunged towards the demon- it blocked every hit, every kick but she only continued- a snarl growing in the back of her throat as she punched. Over and over. Like Buttercup's precious hunk of meat, the Demon was battered and bruised until finally- it went down.

Leaving her heaving and holding her hands up. Brimming with… Brimming with Power… raw….pure… power. Her mitts shook, as she trembled.

"I… don't… fear you." She hissed.

Who says its me you should fear…Little Bride.

The blow was savage and sent her sprawling- another to the side, yet one more to her shoulder before a slicing edge to her throat and she was hoisted back up. Choking, gasping, gripping at the claw but… it kept firm.

Perhaps it's someone else… the world should fear Little Blossom…

The pressure only increased, but they stared blankly ahead… just… watching. Why weren't they…Why weren't they-!

Eyes are red…

You're fucking dead…

Her mitts went limp, and her head lolled back. What happened when one died… in a dream… was… was this going to be her fate… the death… of the Commander… and Leader…

As her….team watched.

….And did nothing.

Step. Step. Step.

The demon's grip suddenly abated and she slumped to the ground. Blossom looked up weakly but…, huh…?

Who…?

The grimy walls and industrial flooring vanished once more.

"Who… Who are you?"

The woman was silent.

"Who…" A slim hand trailed to a pair of red lips. Shushing her before she extended the hand up… and Blossom's fingers delicately traced… silken soft skin. The hold was gentle and another milky white finger rubbed away the mascara underneath her eyes.

She wasn't very tall… but she had a presence… a calming… somehow soothing presence. Their fingers laced in a decidedly intimate seeming gesture.

But… she couldn't see her face… her entire face. The blindfold over her eyes.

"…I-."

"Shh." Blossom quieted and the woman walked her down the familiar dusty floorboards and the crisp cool smelling air filled her nostrils. She closed her eyes and inhaled that… wonderful icy aroma.

They were at the rink.

"My poor… sweet little girl."

She sucked in a breath. Even her voice was…

"You're so tired… aren't you?"

Tired…? Yes… She supposed… she was.

The touch was like a wisp of air that breezed over her face… gently… so… gently. Blossom didn't even realize how heavy… her limbs seemed to have become. Everything… she was… just so tired.

So…. Tired.

And this touch so gentle… It was strange but.. she recognized this sort of touch… a gentle yet firm one, with soft smooth hands.

"It'll be alright Blossom. Sweetheart it's going to be okay… listen to the music sweetheart, watch the skater… watch her spin…"

Spin….

Spin…

Spin…

The song began to echo through her ears, the gentle constant monotonous tune that Ms. Keane… that this person in front of her… was humming. Their hands linked silently.

"I hurt him… I hurt them all… I don't know what to do…I'm so tired… I don't have the answers, I yelled at Bubbles.. and… I've lost him… and it's my fault… it's my fault! They're afraid of me… and I don't blame them… I'm a monster."

The hot tears began to fall and fall, as her face fell into the warm chest and she was embraced.

No… My sweet child. You're just tired… you need to rest…

Rest… how could Blossom rest? There was a danger out there! A terrible danger!

"…I can't. The team… Townsville they…need me"

Shh… they need you to rest…

Her eyes were growing heavier… and heavier… their hands linked again and Blossom stepped over the rink entrance… when had she gotten her skates on? When had… many… things happened?

I will fix this little Blossom… You need only spin…

"Spin…" She repeated.

Spin… dance upon the ice… I shall handle everything else."

"…Spin…"

Blossom's feet began to move and the musix swelled around her, the swishing of ice echoing in her ears…

And she closed her eyes.

Listen to the music sweetheart, watch the skater… watch her spin…"

Spin….

Spin…

Spin…

-o-o-o-

Knock. Knock.

"LEADER GIRL! WE NEED YOU DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!"

Blossom silently rose before she walked over to the vanity, and began brushing her hair.

Knock. Knock.

"Blossom it's urgent I'm coming in" Buttercup came in and paused. "Oh… Blossom. Sis." She hugged her from behind. "Fuck… I'm… I'm so sorry. I really am…. you know I love you right… so so much."

She continued running the brush through her hair.

"I know Buttercup I… I just need some time if you don't mind." She wiped her face. "I don't really want to come downstairs like this."

"No… No totally understandable." She gave her another brief squeeze. "Come down when you're ready okay?"

"I will… thank you."

The Green Puff threw her a wan smile before closing the bedroom door with a click and Blossom only continued brushing her hair. Carefully, deliberately. Her head cocked to the side and her reflection followed, she arched her head to the other side, it followed.

She narrowed her eyes as she peered closer into the glass.

"Time they say… well…" She examined her face, cleaned and no more sign of tears in those bright pink eyes… She rose.

"I think… I have waited long enough." She murmured though she paused and looked over her shoulder briefly one more time as she adjusted the red ribbon around her hair.

"…Wouldn't you agree…. my Love?"

Her reflection… with those bright scarlet irises flashing… only smiled back.

To be Continued….