It's here! My next story! As a heads up, I won't be updating this nearly as often as I do my other story. This is not my priority story right now but something I'm writing in between chapters of my other story to give myself a bit of a break. I don't know when the next chapter will be posted. All I can say is that it'll be before the end of the year. That's the kind of gap there'll be between chapters for this story. Also, unlike the Number 3, I won't be posting here unless I'm truly happy with the flow of the chapter and story. That'll add to the time between posts. Potentially a lot. Sorry!
I don't own Powerpuff Girls. Sadly.
"Please Mojo, for old time's sake! I've tried everything to get out now but Him just keeps finding reasons to keep me around," a man wearing a white lab coat pleaded. He had dark eyes and messy black hair dusted with grey that clearly came naturally with age. The few wrinkles around his eyes said that the man smiled frequently while the ones on his forehead said he was prone to stress.
The other man sighed and rubbed a temple. He wore a blue suit with a purple tie. His black hair was sleeked back and had one singular stripe of green and purple through it. An odd fashion choice but it had become a signature of sorts for the man over the years.
"John, old friend. I understand the troubles you are in and by understand I mean I have full comprehension. You must see my position, that is my place in things, on this. Him is the only one equal in power and therefore rival to me. If Him has done everything he can to keep you then I do not see what I am able to do that would be of assistance."
"You just said it yourself, you're the only one who rivals Him. If anyone can get me out it's you. Please. If you do this for me you can consider all our old debts squared away. I won't ever ask for another thing so long as I live."
Mojo sighed and looked off in thought for a few moments. "All debts? Including the debt that came from helping me with my sons?"
"All of them."
"Why now? Why must this moment here at this exact time be the time you must leave this life? This is a most awkward time. A new group, that is a congregation we have never seen on the streets before, has been moving in on all territories. Him has a large number, most but not all, of his operations based around your work for Him. For you to pull out now with this group that, again, has never been seen before on these streets moving in, he will not hesitate to do all that he can to keep you in the game."
"The girls, they're graduating college soon. Blossom wants to be a lawyer. She's all set for law school and everything! How can I truly give her my blessing if I'm involved in this life still? You know that everything that I do is for them. This isn't any different."
Mojo sighed again. He looked at his long-time friend before heaving yet another sigh. "Fine. I will do this for you. For now it is imperative that you do not let anyone realize what we are doing. I will need at least a month, at least meaning no less but potentially more, to prepare everything that will be necessary and required for us to start this endeavor."
John sighed in relief. "I can do that. You don't know how thankful I am that you're willing to help Mojo."
Mojo barked out a laugh. "Thank me when we succeed. This is a most ambitious action we are about to attempt to take. It could easily kill us both."
"Anything for the girls Mojo. Anything I need to do to be the man they see me as finally, I'll do it."
"I will be holding you to that John."
"Would. You. Knock. It. Off!" Blossom ground out. She took a swipe at the man next to her only for him to dance away laughing. She glared, knowing her pink eyes for once wouldn't unnerve the person she was focusing them on, as her hair fell around her.
It had been up in a high ponytail, her typical look, which complimented her outfit, and therefore her, wonderfully. High-rise denim jeans with a light pink, sleeveless blouse, a black ribbon around the collar and a white cardigan, her high ponytail had seemed to bring the look together, held up with a small black ribbon as well. The ribbon that was currently in the hands of the man just out of her reach.
Brick Jojo was quickly becoming the bane of her existence. She'd been hearing of him and his brothers for years, even seen him in a few of her classes, but this year had been the first where she'd had to interact with him. She was really starting to hate this year.
Known trouble makers, the Jojo brothers were close and did nearly everything together, with the sole exception seeming to be college. She'd heard that while one brother owned a coffee shop and the other was a trade mechanic, Brick had pushed himself in high school hard enough to get a full ride scholarship to Townsville University, same as her. And the college girls apparently couldn't get enough of him. Oh, they were all over his brothers too when they came to visit but the rumor mill made it clear, Brick Jojo was the alpha dog and that made him prize #1.
She supposed that visually, she understood. He clearly had some healthy habits, the gym probably being top. He had the ideal body type. Broad shoulders, nice Dorito shape, a good 6'3" at least, making him almost a foot taller than her, and all that. His choice of clothing was also mouthwatering. Faded and tattered jeans that fit perfectly, though he let them fall just that tiny amount that had girls drooling, with a nice fitted black shirt and open red, long sleeved flannel. All of which seemed to very nicely show off his well-defined, muscular body. Add in the shoulder length red hair, currently pulled back into a bun behind that annoying red hat he always wore, and the intense red eyes and she couldn't find herself lying about it. Yes. Visually she understood.
Every other way? She decided that if she never saw this man again it would be too soon. Especially with that annoyingly frustrating smirk he seemed to always have glued to his face around her. He was all sexy smiles and flirty looks with other girls but her? She got 100% annoying Brick Jojo.
"What are you, 5? Give me that back Brick," she said through grit teeth, hand held out. He chuckled as he twirled the ribbon around his fingers.
"C'mon babe, you look so much better with the hair down. All that red just like silk laying against those gorgeous curves of yours? Just breathtaking. I ever tell you I'm a huge fan of red?" He said. She growled at him.
"Almost daily. I keep telling you that I don't care. I like the way I look with it up so give. It. Back."
He chuckled but relented, thankfully. She snatched it out of his hand and immediately went about putting it back up.
"Seriously, how on earth did I end up stuck with you? There are plenty of other law firms in town looking for interns. What on earth made you pick this one?"
He shrugged. "Could ask you the same thing babe. Would have thought you'd go for one of the bigger firms."
She huffed. Showed how little he knew about her. "This firm might not be rolling in cash like the others but their morals are miles better. They're all about helping people, putting criminals behind bars, and giving second chances to those who deserve it even. That's why I'm here."
Brick shrugged. "I figured it was just cause the application for here was the easiest."
She rolled her eyes before moving towards the building, hoping her hair looked somewhat presentable. She'd check next chance she got.
"I'm assuming that's why you're here then."
He hummed at that. "Maybe, maybe not." She felt a slight tug on her hair and grit her teeth. She was about to spin and glare at him again but stopped when she felt his hands at the top of her ponytail. "It's crooked. Gimme a sec."
She huffed and crossed her arms as she waited. "I swear to god Jojo, if you just mess up my hair again I'll-"
"I know, chill. I was the one who messed it up in the first place, only right that I fix it. There, almost good as new."
She turned and glared at him. That blasted smirk was still there. She never regretted the decisions she made in life, which would be like admitting she'd make a mistake, but this man was quickly making her regret one. She glanced at the red, beat up sedan parked not far away. They had a class together right before their internship started and the first day he'd offered to drive them both to save them some money on gas. She might not have too much to worry about on that front but she hadn't wanted Bubbles to hear that she'd passed on something like this. Her sister was known for being extremely environmentally conscious after all. Although, his old beat up care was probably anything but good for the environmental. Oh well, she'd accepted the offer and what was done was done.
"It better be."
She spun on her heels and marched to the building, Brick following her with a chuckle. To think, she'd been looking forward to this internship too.
"And you wouldn't believe what she said to that! She had the gall to say that I was the one being overbearing! Seriously! Me!" Bubbles huffed and took a sip from her tea. The man across from her chuckled.
"Maybe she just thought it wasn't your place to step in Bubs, that's all." He said. She sighed at his response. Trust her boyfriend to see the other side incorrectly.
She reached up to twirl a pigtail, slightly annoyed. Cabel was a great guy, really, he was. His one bad habit was that he was too nice, and this was coming from her! At the smallest hint of trouble he seemed to go belly up kind of submissive. She'd originally thought it had been sweet but now she found herself a little annoyed by it. Only sometimes though. Other than that he was perfect.
Tall, 6' even, spiky blond hair, gorgeous green eyes, a nice amount of muscle. He was definitely a looker. Some girls might think he looked a bit awkward, his limbs being rather long but she appreciated it. Being only 5'1", the shortest among her sisters, she had a nice appreciation for people who could grab things she couldn't. Plus, she'd thought it was kinda cute. His fashion sense also matched hers and everything he wore seemed to always compliment her outfits. An overall amazing boyfriend.
She went to take another sip from her tea only to sigh. It was empty and a glance at the clock told her she had another 30 minutes before she had to leave for class. Time for another cup.
"I'll be right back," she said as she went to the counter. Cabel smiled gently at her and nodded. She sighed when she got to the counter.
"What can I get for you?" The cashier asked. She didn't look his way as she sighed again.
"Just a green tea please," she said softly. He hummed at that.
"Same way as earlier? Splash of lemon juice and a spoonful of honey?"
She blinked at this and finally looked at the cashier. He was almost sin on a plate, especially with that delightful smile he was giving her. She felt herself blush. She was sure that any other time, i.e. when he wasn't wearing an apron, the ladies wouldn't be able to leave him alone. Then again, with a glance around the coffee shop, she doubted the apron was deterring many of them anyways.
He was tall, a good four or five inches taller than Cable at least, and clearly more muscular too. She could see he was wearing some old jeans and a basic, but tight fitting, blue shirt under the white apron. His hair was blond, brighter than Cabel's and more similar to her own as well as long enough to cover the tips of his ears. It curled sweetly around them with a slight wave in it giving him an innocent look that seemed very at odds with that smile he was still giving her. He also had dark ocean blue eyes that were giving her a once over as well.
She flushed more. She had put a little more thought into her outfit than usual, something that her sisters had been impressed by since she normally put a lot of thought in anyways, because she knew she would be meeting with Cabel today. A flowery, off the shoulder crop top that highlighted her naturally large chest and left her narrow waist on display with white high-wasted pants to highlight that after that narrow waist was a pair of nice large hips. While Blossom had the largest butt, Bubbles wasn't far behind. The cute cardigan she'd grabbed from Blossom's closet this morning was draped over the back of her chair. It threw the outfit off but just slightly and there was enough of a chill in the air that she didn't care. Much.
Bubbles smiled back and tried to get her blushing under control. It was hard not to bat her sky blue eyes at him with the look he was sending her way but that would have been wrong. She was with Cabel, and even on a date with him. Tall gorgeous men whose names weren't Cabel were not on today's agenda.
"Yes please. Thank you," she said softly, looking away again. She could feel that smile still and nervously played with a pigtail.
"Coming right up sweetheart," he purred causing her to jump. She glared at him, blush still there though. He chuckled and went to make her tea as she waited.
"Here you are," he said as he slid the cup over to her. She took it once his hands were clear.
"Thank you. How much?"
He waved her off. "On the house. I heard your story. Consider it a thank you for doing what's right, even if the bitch clearly couldn't understand that."
She jolted slightly and that darned blush grew again. This man! Every time she got herself under control he found a way to ruin that. She swallowed thickly and felt him watch every movement as she did so.
"That's not necessary, really, and I wouldn't want you to get in trouble. I'm sure the owner wouldn't appreciate you handing out a free cup."
He chuckled and she couldn't help but nervously shift her weight from one foot to another. "You're right, normally the owner doesn't like the employees just handing out free drinks but I promise I'm not about to get in trouble with him. We're pretty much always on the same page so trust me sweetheart. I'm not about to get in trouble with him."
Normally she would have argued some more, tried to get him to take her money for the drink regardless, but he was still giving her that smile. So, instead, she nodded and quickly spun to make her way back to Cabel. She felt his eyes on her the whole way and they didn't leave even after she had sat down.
"You okay Bubs?" Cabel asked. She smiled but couldn't help but shift in her seat again. He was still watching her, she knew it.
"Of course. Now, where was I?"
"That is complete and utter bullshit!" She yelled at the man in front of her. Normally her yelling and being spitting mad like she was currently was enough to have people cowering. This man just looked annoyed back.
"I assure you miss, it isn't. Now if you would please-"
"I know my car jackass! What you just quoted me is wrong! Have someone else take a look!"
Normally, she'd give the guy a pat on the back at this point. Not only was he handling her, and she knew she was a lot to handle sometimes, but he was also keeping it professional somehow. This wasn't normally though and she tended to be a bit easier to aggravate when it came to her car. Blossom loved to get on her back about it and she'd gotten better but sometimes she just couldn't. This was one of those times.
"I'm sorry that you're unhappy with the quote miss but I promise you it's correct."
"Fuck. That. I want another mechanic to take a look. Preferably one who actually knows their shit!"
"Hey Mike, why don't you go take your break? You're overdue for it," another man said as he walked up to the desk. Buttercup turned to glare at him.
He was tall enough that she has to look up slightly, but not too tall. Maybe around 6' she thought, making him about four inches taller than her. His hair, which was as dark as hers, was gelled to stand up in spikes in a fauxhawk style. His green eyes, a few shades darker than her own she noted, were dancing with amusement. He had on a mechanics outfit and was wiping some oil off his hands with a dirty looking rag. Even with the loose uniform, she could tell he was built like a tank. His shoulder alone seemed to fill the uniform to the seams.
"You sure man?" The man in front of her asked. She glared at the two. She didn't really care who she talked to so long as someone took another goddamned look at her car!
"Yeah, go on."
Mike wasted no time on leaving and Buttercup found herself giving the new man her full attention. He also didn't seem to cower like most did when facing her anger. In other words, he was another idiot.
"I want a second opinion," she spat out at him. He walked up to her and held out his hand, a cocky smile on his face.
"Hello, name's Butch. And you are?"
She sighed before shaking his hand. Fine. She'd try to be a little pleasant. Maybe then she'd get what she wanted.
"Buttercup. Owner of the black Toyota Camry sitting out front. That's brand fucking new."
"Right right. Just gimme a sec to look over the other mechanic's notes."
She huffed and crossed her arms but stayed silent as he skimmed the documents. He sighed when he reached the end.
"Well, I can see why you're pissed. I would be too."
He looked up at her as he said this. She watched as he did a super quick once over on her and she frowned. She'd let Bubbles force her to change slightly before leaving and was sort of regretting.
Don't get her wrong, it was still all her own clothing, she just usually reserved this stuff for nights out and hook-ups. She had on her normal skinny jeans, that she should really start thinking of replacing as the knees were just holes at this point, and a tight fitting black tank top that tended to ride up slightly with her black leather jacket. Bubbles kept going on about how sexy the shirt was because it allowed for that smallest look at her abs. She couldn't really argue with her. It was why she'd kept the top.
"Yeah. I want a second opinion."
"Don't think that's gunna be necessary." Before she could say anything he held up a hand and continued. "See there was a mistake. Mike wouldn't have known about it but Kev, the guy who did this, was looking at a different car today. Mike came in late so he didn't know. Simple clerical mistake."
He walked over to where there were a number of reports before sifting through them. He finally found what he was looking for and brought it over to hand to her.
"Here's the right report."
She watched him hesitantly before snatching the report from him. She looked it over and sighed in relief. This was what she had been expecting. She turned to look at the man again who was smiling cockily at her. She huffed.
"This is fine. I'm okay with them doing the suggested actions."
He chuckled at her and leaned over the table to type something on the computer.
"Sounds good. I'll let the guys know when I head back."
"Great." She turned to leave but didn't even make it the door before stopping. There was a voice in her head, sounding suspiciously like her older sister, that was nagging at her about her earlier behavior. She turned back to see the man still watching her. She grit her teeth before sighing.
"Look, tell that guy, Mike was it? Tell him I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone off at him like that. It's just, that thing's my baby you know?"
He chuckled again at that. "I get it. I'll pass it on."
She felt a rush of air leave her at that. Sweet. No face to face apologies for her today!
"Great. Awesome. Gimme a call when it's ready for pickup."
She didn't waste any time waiting for a reply and was quickly out the door in no time, the man's chuckles seeming to follow her out.
Hope you all enjoyed! It was a short intro chapter. Next chapter will be more my typical chapter length.
Be back with more here before New Year's! Ciao!