The Traitor

by Pretenders

It's been seven years since the Rowdyruff Boys were exiled from Townsville. In hiding, Brick is determined to formulate the cure, Chemical X, after Townsville has destroyed every last drop. But he is not the only one seeking to rediscover Chemical X. Blossom vows to protect Townsville, even if she must remain enemies with the Rowdyruff Boys. PPGxRRB. Scanned. 3 Part. Sequel.

1. Chapter 1

I heard your requests, and here is the sequel! I have decided to upload this now as a way to mark one year since I published "The Truce"

As you all know, I am an avid music fan and listen to lots of it while I write. But I will post all the music in the final chapter.

This is a 3 chapter story. I uploaded a complete story for "The Truce" but I feel it is intimidating to read and decided to split the sequel.

Scanned and read twice. 12/5/2020.

This will be rated M but the final chapter (Chapter 3) is the only explicit chapter (save for some foul language).

Please enjoy and as always, thank you for taking the time to read this story!

---

The Traitor

Seven years before...

Heels stabbed at the floor, the tapping growing nearer as Blossom waited in her office. She was called to meet at this time, sharp, with no exceptions. Nervously, she obliged, knowing why this was an urgent calling. Moments before he was telling her his last words. Possibly their last words to each other.

She thought she could fix everything. Being one third of her sisters, specifically the "everything nice" part of the three, certainly proved that everything is never enough to fix anything. Because in the end, she accepted him, only it was too late.

This is the way it had to be.

"No, Ms. Bellum, don't send the security," Sorrowfully saying this, Blossom interrupted Ms. Bellum from her cell, "Don't you see?"

"Blossom, of course I see," Ms. Bellum held onto her cell and onto Blossom's shoulder, caringly speaking, "We need the boys. This is in Townsville's best interest to have you all finally make amends, and become an incredible team. We must find them,"

"We lost. Don't you see we can't be a team because we'll never win, Mojo made it this way… We'll always be enemies, even if things change, it's who they are. HIM knew this when we didn't. He used it against us,"

"But knowing this, we can learn from it," her voice became a whisper against the top of Blossom's head as the teen muffled the sound of cries in her hold, "Trust me."

Sobbing as she was held in a gentle embrace, Blossom did her best to regress her depressed state to look forward to the future. Her acceptance came late and therefore she had to let him go. It was a choice she had made and one he abided by.

---

"Stop staring,"

A slap hit her in the back of the head. Turning with a grunt, she said, "Berzerk! Didn't I tell you to stop with that?"

"Didn't I tell you to focus, Brute? Now, pay attention and pick which one you want to wear tonight,"

From the outside, they appeared like normal teenagers. Their bodies were slim and kissed with the curves of youth. Their flesh was clear and complexion like a porcelain doll. But the outside never showed the trueness of the inside. Berzerk, with her hair down and bangs lazily straightened against her face, exposed her legs in a short skirt and her belly button in a cut, fitted top.

Brute, who had decided on her outfit with a frown, parted her hair perfectly in the middle and made sure to add a touch of her style with green tips. Her calves hid in the leather of her boots, and even her thighs were scarcely visible beneath her netted stockings. The tears on her shorts and tank top finished her off with a bad look.

She looked for just a moment back at the crowd outside the store. They were dressed in uniform, heading for the building across the street. Berzerk stared at her line of sight and gave a frustrated growl. Brute heard but focused on the crowd.

Most of the men were shirtless, some with a towel laced around their neck. Some were exiting, sweating from the forehead and back. Others had just arrived. Brute wanted to join those who arrived. Wanting to be like them.

She followed them as if a string pulled her, but once outside, Berzerk cut the string and pulled her back.

"I already told you, you don't need to go to the gym. You'll waste dad's money,"

"It's not like he wastes it on his own, already," Brute took the bag of new clothes from her chest, Berzerk pressing it further into her until she did so, "Maybe dancing fits you and Brat, but I never get the moves right. Put me in a wrestling ring and watch me ace those moves," she became enthusiastic at the thought of it, "I'll slam each one of those guys to the ground."

Berzerk listened but didn't truly care. It showed, as when Brute murmured, "That's what they deserve," she retorted, "It doesn't matter if you hate the show. There's sacrifices we make in life, Brute. Someday the things you love most will have to be given up in order to make the best choice,"

Brute's eyes, a piercing green, followed the movements of Berzerk's feet. She went on, "That's what I had to do. You think I want to dance? I hate this life as much as you do, but one day, dad will be successful and we'll be rich and never have to dance again!"

"Give me a break, he's hopeless! All you and Brat do is give him false hope, we all know he's never going to make it as a scientist. He'll never be Professor Utonium," Brute pushed past her, angry in walk and talk, "And we'll never be the Powerpuff Girls."

---

Brat screeched with joy at the feel of her new outfit on her skin, "How do I look!"

Satisfyingly, Berzerk smiled at her, "You'd fool me. I wouldn't doubt Sedusa will give us double for tonight's show,"

Just as she spoke of her, Sedusa entered their room after a quick knock. Her mouth fell at the sight of the girls. With awe she said, "You'll have every man licking their lips tonight, girls. Prepare yourselves, you might drown in your tips tonight,"

Brute faced the mirror, unpleased with the sight. Her green tips-gone. Her boots-off. Her chest-exposed. The dress dipped further down her chest than the slit between her breasts. She couldn't ignore the similarities to the Powerpuff Girls, but she hated pretending to be one.

It was Sedusa's idea to take on the likeness of the Powerpuff Girls when they danced. Their perfect image was twisted in the show, making for a successful club, as anyone who wished to live out a fantasy with the girls could do so with them.

Sedusa's finger trailed under her chin to bring their eyes together. Cooing, she said, "Cheer up, Brute. Tonight you'll make enough to enter that contest you've talked so much about,"

The sound of it loosened her tense brows, rising upward with hope, "Really?"

Berzerk quickly spoke up, "Don't give her the idea, Sedusa. We talked about this dream of hers," she crossed her arms, "You nearly died last time, Brute. You're no match for those guys, and they don't hold back. If dad has to see you nearly dead like last time, he'll surely have a heart attack,"

"Ah, yes," Sedusa frowned, "Plutonium nearly went mad thinking they killed you. Even I had to take a second to contain myself,"

Knowing Berzerk would keep a closer eye on her, Brute's brows shot back down as her hope had. Sedusa and Brat walked out of the room as they finished their touch ups, while Berzerk approached Brute, who was still in front of the mirror, avoiding it's reflection.

"Remember what I said earlier?"

Brute ignored her, taking the powder and brush in a swift, irritating grasp.

"Stop it," Berzerk eased her harsh movements with a low voice, "I hate seeing you like this,"

"I could've taken on those guys!" Brute threw down the brush, "Why didn't we know? How come we weren't told like the boys, huh?"

"Dad didn't know!" Berzerk tried to ease her now with a raised voice, still below Brute's own.

"So now we have to live pretending to be them when we used to be just like them! It's not fair," Calm, Brute fell back down to the seat below her, "Being normal, weak, dependent, it's all unfair,"

Berzerk held her, "We still have each other. Staying together makes us stronger than any superpower would,"

"Do you remember when they were on their knees, and not us?" A sad, pitiful laugh fell from Brute's tongue, "Now look at us,"

"It used to be my dream to be on the TV," Berzerk sighed, "Having everyone know me for the greatest crime of all time,"

"You used to really make them lose their minds,"

"And you used to make them tremble with pure fear,"

Berzerk caught a tear with a finger, her memories played in her thoughts. Finally, Brute tore from the seat and made her way to the door. Berzerk bit her lip, then suddenly said before Brute was too far away, "Promise me you will forfeit if the fight gets too tough,"

Brute bit down a wide smile.

---

As he questioned her appearance with displeasure, he questioned her presence, "You're here for the league?"

"Yes, Brute Plutonium. I paid a week ago, so I should be on there," her hastiness made his eyes roll.

After a few flipped pages, he grabbed his marker and scribbled a number on a notepad. He ripped it and handed it over, "Alright, through the doors, down the-"

Brute slapped a palm to his shoulder, and smirk to her face, "I know where I'm going,"

With that, she left through the doors, hearing the man's shouts behind her. Inside was a bustling of photographers rushing to snap shots of the most popular men there. They gave their muscles a pull for the camera, and Brute avoided the air around them.

She'd seen the faces of a few before at the event. Mostly, she tried to look for anyone from the first time she'd entered the league. Luckily, there was none. However, there were plenty more men than last time. She wondered if the league had really been spread around since she'd seen it broadcasted on the television the night before.

People were stoked inside, taking any available seat before it was gone. Seeing the screen for the names in order of when they were to fight, she noticed her name in the lower columns and decided to sit down and enjoy the show until her time came.

Carefully, she studied the moves of each fighter. There were a few fighters she scoffed at for their amateurity. Some, however, were incredibly skillful. One, especially, had the crowd going wild for his incredible winning streak. He'd been up against Clipsville's best fighters who had proved their potential by standing their ground against him, but none could touch him. He kept claiming the win for Vilestown, receiving a roaring applause from the audience who mostly consisted of Vilestown citizens, clearly ecstatic for this year's choice of fighter to represent them.

It was barely audible above the crowd's great enthusiasm, but Brute wouldn't miss it for the world. It was her name, and it was her time to shine. She stood up, and with a name such as her own, gave everyone a shock. As she made her way through the sea of people, they began to become just as quiet as one.

A still ocean lay behind her as she faced the ring. She could see the paleness on her opponent's face. Even the referee had to blink enough times until he was certain it wasn't his imagination.

Brute was a fighter. Brute was determined.

"Is this for real?"

"She's crazy!"

"Get her out the ring!"

The referee looked her way, "Ma'm, this must be a mistake,"

Brute shoved a hand his way, "This isn't a mistake."

And her stance convinced him this was serious, that she was intent to fight. He stuttered out the first round's start, but was left in complete shock as the crowd when they witnessed the untouchable fighter fall hard to the ground of the ring.

Her fist swelled almost immediately. Her knuckles turned red. It felt painful, even looked painful, but nothing would compare to what was to come her way. She thought she'd won, as the referee counted down those precious numbers.

Then, before she could forget the pain, his foot collided with her jaw. She fell into the sea, drowning in the waves of pain that washed through her. Her vision blackened only for a moment. Those precious numbers pulled her back to her senses, and through the pain, she stood back up.

---

Once again, he overslept. The alarm blared for the tenth time, unable to disturb him from such a lack of sleep. His energy felt faded in the past days, staying up beyond the wake of the sun. There was little to deter him away from his course. The path he was on was long and he prepared himself for it before he began to walk it.

It was a promise. One he wouldn't break.

With care to not wake him, someone slipped into his room with little noise. But he'd already been awake. He said to him as he silenced his alarm, "Thanks,"

"Brick!"

"God, Boomer, quit yelling!" Brick, on the floor from Boomer's scream, rubbed his thigh as he stood up, "You sound like a sissy,"

"Uh, sorry," he said, feeling ashamed.

Brick held a lazy eye toward his brother, "Don't be,"

From the door came a loud burp, "I ate your share, and don't get pissy 'cuz I told you I got a big thing happening today,"

Brick, irritated and tired, said with sternness, "You better not be out fighting, again. I told you you're gonna risk-"

"I hate it when you sound like the old ape," Butch gave out another burp.

"That ain't a bad thing, sure that's clear enough for both of you, right?"

A stare like his could make stones crumble. His eyes were able to pierce into one's soul. Yet they hid his own soul from everyone else. They were his guard.

Over the years, he made it necessary to hide what he felt inside. Locked away, somewhere not even he could find, was a ghost of a boy within the strong shell of a man.

He had to grow up with a guilt he tried hard to forget. But the weight of it kept him in its shadow. He could never forget Mojo, and whenever Butch or Boomer compared him to Mojo, the sting of guilt surfaced.

As if to remind him that only part of the guilt lie with the death of Mojo, his mind always wandered deeper into the shadow because there was a light somewhere in the darkness.

"Look, I stayed up late again, but this one's got to be it," Brick showcased a vile of liquid to his brothers, "We just gotta test it out,"

"Will this one make me puke again?" Boomer groaned.

Butch stumbled a step toward Boomer, throwing his arm around him, "If it does, let me know,"

Brick glared are Butch's sly smirk, "You're taking it, too,"

"Nope! I've got things to do,"

"This isn't about you, Butch. This is about finding the cure and getting us stable!" Brick tailed behind him as he headed for the door, "Those fights are gonna risk everything for us. They're getting more and more publicized and someone will recognize you,"

Butch opened the door, despite Brick's hand on it. He knew his strength faired slightly stronger than Brick's.

Brick's strength wasn't physical. Although even Butch knew Brick could put up an intense fight that would claim him the victor. Because Brick wasn't incompetent. He didn't act out on instinct.

He was incredibly wise for the young man he'd become. He could let a word, a thought, or an idea sit in his mind for hours before making a choice.

So when he said, "You're doing this to convince yourself you're strong, but it's gonna make you weak, whether you like it or not. It's gonna drain you, more than what it already has, trying to think I don't know why you go to that club to see that show,"

Butch grinded the surface of his teeth against each other, focusing his strength to his feet. Brick was right, however. Flying was powerful. He'd craved the rush of power terribly.

"So what if I go to see girls? Can't stop me from living a little," Butch's stare fought against Brick's, "What else is there to live for if you can't fight anymore? I still got that in me. The fight."

Boomer held Brick back, "Let him go."

Brick shrugged Boomer's hand off of him, "He's gonna blow this. If anyone knows where we are, they'll send the security straight for us with all they've got and there's no telling what new weapons we're up against,"

He watched as Butch became a speck in the horizon, "What makes you think they're gonna welcome us with open arms? We destroyed nearly everything. In turn, they destroyed Chemical X,"

Boomer asked, "What if there's something else to cure us?"

"No way," Brick made to close the door, "I've lost too much sleep over this to have missed anything. I'm never gonna let anyone have the upper hand on us, again,"

He headed for his room, "Not even miss goody."

---

"Butch! Over here!"

He caught sight of the old man and went his way.

"Hey, I was about to think you forfeited,"

Butch gave the man a pat on the back, reassuring him, "Just got caught up in my brother's hissy fit, again. I'm not gonna miss this for anything,"

"That's good because I've got tons of bets on you," the old man chuckled, "Vilestown sure likes to play favorites! But how can you blame them? Guy shows up out of nowhere and sends every one of my best fighters crying back to their mommas!"

"Couldn't expect anything less from me because I don't lose,"

"Really, you're going to be famous after today because they've got every journalist making news on this today,"

Butch stepped back, "What do you mean?"

The man chuckled, "You look like you got stage fright! You know what I mean. Everyone's broadcasting today because it's the first time the league has a participant from Townsville,"

Butch knew the physical reaction in his knees had nothing to do with his resisting powers.

"They did their best to stay away from the league since that incident that sent one of the fighters straight to the hospital close to death! Gave them bad press and after the carelessness of that Powerpuff leader with those Rowdyruff Boys, Townsville doesn't want to make anymore poor choices,"

The old man was too focused on the story he told, he was unaware he'd been standing alone. Butch found an open seat, taking to it before someone beat him to it.

That would surely send him off the edge of the cliff he felt himself facing. Being beaten was the final straw he could take for the day. He rubbed his forehead, feeling slight relief.

Although he wasn't the most intelligent, he knew better than to believe she would be there. He almost hated how he knew her. For it was a weakness he had before his powers became a risk.

He realized it when she stood above him and lay beneath him. She was a storm in his mind, each time clouding his thought process. She cut him off from reality because he'd been losing grip on it ever since he'd seen her—that imposter.

The woman was striking. Butch could admit when a pair of legs belonged to a great face. But that was all the woman was to him, yet her face could curse him into oblivion and send him home in a fury.

He'd return to his room in a state of both frustration and absolute desperation. He had to fight with himself to not give into the woman's display. She worked for the attention.

Buttercup made him want her attention. She made him want her anger and her lust as if his DNA consisted of it. As if she was part of him.

"You alright?"

It was the old man again, and Butch jerked to his feet.

He knew he must've looked weak, "Why wouldn't I be? I'm fucking stoked for this. I'm gonna fight like it's my last fight, and I'm gonna win,"

The man was pleased with the show of confidence. He showed his pleasure with a smile, "That's the Blaze I know!"

Butch fixed himself up as soon as he heard the name. He'd made it his alias in order to keep part of him intact. The rest of him had fallen apart years ago. All that was left was his pride.

He stepped into the ring as if it was his home. He owned every corner and every inch of it. He proved it to be true, winning round after round against his match ups.

He felt like his old self, laughing at the sight of the men on their knees, the countdown memorized in his mind. He only wished he knew the countdown to this next opponent.

He would have kept his guard up had he been prepared.

He was prepared for only one thing:

To win.

A surge of power overcame him and he was on his feet before another number could finish this match. Part of him landed the blow to keep his pride from letting her touch him so easily. The other was to escape the storm she surrounded him in.

She proved that striking appearances weren't all she possessed. Getting back up from the ground he sent her deep into surprised him, seeing her manage to make a run for him.

This time, he needed to win.

He blocked her attack with a swift move, and felt a surge of power blow out the candle she held to the true culprit behind his strength. He landed every hit on her. Her tooth flew from her mouth and her eyes swelled painfully in a matter of seconds.

The crowd roared, but not for encouragement. They shouted for the referee to save her. The old man desperately called to him, grabbing his shoulders, pulling to pry him off her as he held her by the throat.

"That's the difference between you and the puff. You're weak."

He threw her to the ground.

Hands were on him, taking hold of the skin on his wrists. He felt the restraint and sting of cold metal. The hands pushed him, ordering him to walk.

He won. But the storm raged on.

---

A flash of bright light reoccurred above her. She could feel the air whip past her. She was moving as fast as a car, heading somewhere loud, hearing shouting coming from all around her.

Her journey came to a halt, and she was lifted from the car. Coldness pinched at different parts of her body as she was carried to a surface, and a woman next to her side touched a hand to her head.

"Hurry! She's growing cold! She's fading…"

She knew her name. She'd sounded familiar but Brute used the time she felt slipping from her to think of her failure and defeat. Her hand raised and the woman looked to her.

She reacted quickly as Brute lost her hand to the weight of gravity, as the rest of her body fell limp.

"Please! Brute, please hold on!"

Her mind began to dim. But the woman wrapped her arms around her, and her warmth cradled her like a mother. Her mind left her, leaving behind the cries of Berzerk as she held onto her lifeless body.

---

Brat played with a hair tie in between her fingers. Berzerk blew on the hot coffee she held, watching her sister in obvious thought. She was worried, but her demeanor was beginning to make Berzerk paranoid.

And also second guessing her decision to let Brute go to the local wrestling contest. She knew it mainly consisted of teenage boys. These days, teenage boys could look more gentle than a five year old. She had nothing to worry about.

Brat gave her something to worry about. Doubt.

"Stop doing that!" Berzerk yelled.

Her blue eyes came down with a creased forehead. She smacked her lips, "Don't tell me what to do! Besides, when daddy finds out, he's going to freak out,"

Picking at the string in her hand, Brat put a leg over her thigh. She let her blonde hair down when they weren't putting on a show. The thought of new clothes always excited her; her reason to continue her content with taking on the likeness of the sweet Powerpuff Girl.

But she enjoyed more skin. She revelled in feeling a breeze between her legs, and the wildness of turning cute into an image of sexy. Her tight dress wrinkled in the right areas, hugging her body with sultriness.

"Well I hate when you get an attitude with me and act as if I'm the enemy,"

"You sent Brute off to a wrestling contest because you felt bad," Brat aimed the hair tie like a slingshot to Berzerk, giggling when she spilt some of her coffee to avoid being hit, "I say let her get sad and destroy her room again! It's always so fun to see her pissed,"

"Dad told us to not get her that riled up again, she couldn't handle those outbursts when she had powers and she can't handle them now," Berzerk set her coffee down, snickering, "But it was satisfying to see her destroy her own room!"

"Watching her pick up the mess was better," Brat sighed, "Dad will be here any minute. If Brute isn't here, he'll freak,"

Agreeing, yet annoyed with the fact she knew Brat was right, Berzerk headed to their father. He was stuck in his lab the entire day. She knew he was lost in another one of his hunts to find a breakthrough.

When he gave into his experiments, he would lock himself in the lab, believing if he didn't stop, he'd figure it out eventually. But the failures caused him to become unbearable.

He would avoid the girls entirely for weeks, treating them like diseases. Berzerk knew he blamed himself for their current state.

"I'm working,"

Berzerk lifted her hand from the door knob, fiddling with her clothes, "Well I wanted to say Brute ran off again,"

"And? Keep an eye on her, I said,"

"She left when I wasn't around,"

"Go get her," he pulled away from the reaction of his experiment before him, "Precisely as I expected! The reaction is going accordingly,"

Berzerk began to retreat, but caught herself admiring the reaction as her father did. She heard him note the color was off, far too light. The reaction was also far too subtle, the bubbles died down as soon as they started.

His fists crushed down on his desk, spilling the liquid, "Dammit! Why can't I get it right!"

"It's not your fault!" Berzerk called to him.

He brushed off the wrinkles in his lab coat, "Incorrect. It's beyond my fault. I had the chance to get my hands on that Chemical X but my pride prevented me from stealing it. If he could do it, I thought, so can I,"

He took a grip of his dark hair, "He oppresses me as he oppressed Mojo! He's always oppressed me! My entire life I felt I had to prove myself worthy as a scientist to the entire world, but I've always been left in his shadow!"

"it just takes time," Berzerk touched his back soothingly.

"An entire lifetime of time? I've failed too many times. You girls are the only experiment I ever successfully accomplished. And I thought I finally did something on par with the geniusness of Mojo. But of course it was all an illusion! I didn't have the true Chemical X then and I still don't!"

"You gave us powers,"

"It didn't last, it wasn't a pure Chemical X," he groaned, "I'd heard of stories about how Mojo made those wonderful boys. So powerful, out of such wretched ingredients and the source of a toilet! All while in prison!"

Berzerk worried for him as he became increasingly cruel to himself, "But who was I to believe I could do the same geniusness and make it last when they threw me in prison after attempting to steal that great Chemical X?"

"I believe you can do it," Berzerk couldn't ease him so easily, "You created us just like Mojo!"

"Yet here you are, drained of your powers because I couldn't even get the right toilet! I miscalculated then and continue to miscalculate the true formula for Chemical X!"

She watched him quiet down, then begin to pick up the broken glass. He called to her behind him, "Go get that girl. I have another hypothesis to try out but I need you to get me more viles, I've broken all the ones you bought last week,"

Walking off, she said to him, "I'll bring her back, don't worry,"

Cleaning his mess and ignoring her words, she left with a sigh. She wasn't bothered by Brute leaving. She was bothered with the feeling of doubt that grew in her.

Taking the car brought her there in minutes. She didn't bother to find parking, as a large gathering outside the building blocked the way to the parking lot. There were a multitude of people and it struck Berzerk as odd.

For the local contest, she was beginning to feel the doubt eat her from the inside as there were more fanatics than she last remembered. She left the car in an open spot on the road, led by her growing doubt to waste no more time and find Brute.

Passing through the crowd without a care by pushing to clear a path, she finally made it inside to a more hectic crowd. They shouted and gawked all in the same direction. There were some leaning over others just to catch a glimpse of what lay in that direction.

She fought through the thickness, as if she was lost in a forest.

"Move out the way!" A man forced her to the side.

She saw the tight hold he had on another man, who was already in restraints. He held his head high, a coldness on his lips. His dark hair faded as it neared his neck, matching the hint of stubble on his face. He had such loose fabric on for a shirt, and his muscles carved his entire body, down to areas not visible.

He looked like he belonged in restraints. Freedom was a death sentence for anyone who sparked trouble with him. What she noticed about him most was the fact he stared at her as she stared at him. He was locked on her so much so that his head began to turn as he locked on her.

She broke the contact as she realized the men created a pathway. She quickly got to her feet and ran through the clearing.

Blood on the floor, on the ring, and on her entire clothes. Berzerk fell to her side, screaming. Those from the crowd tried to calm her, letting her know the paramedics were on their way.

Berzerk was flooded with images of before and her father. He'd completely been overcome with the angers of grief when he had to confirm Brute's identity at the hospital. He'd arrived home destroying his lab, blaming himself to the skies that he gave life and death to beings he felt responsible for.

Berzerk lifted Brute from the blood pooled underneath her. A woman shouted, then a man, then the crowd attempted to pull Berzerk away. But she kept on holding, kept on pulling, and kept on heading with Brute dragging by the legs outside.

Cameras flashed in sounds of sharp clicks. It sounded as if a clock was running out of time, racing through the seconds until it hit its final hour.

She locked the door behind her, not even remembering how she mustered the task of putting Brute in the backseat. It all happened so fast, that before she finished a blink, she was speeding down the road to their home.

Brat saw the scene first. She had little time to scream more than what she already had, Berzerk cutting her panic short, ordering her to help Brute out. They brought her inside, to which their struggle ended in the lab to a large table.

Brat began to panic once Brute's condition fully came to her reality.

Berzerk yanked Brat away from her once the eruption of their father began. In his wake, the lab became a disaster of broken glass, swinging lights from being hit by flying jars of chemicals, and the chemicals covered the floor in a conjoined puddle of chemical reaction.

The exploding bubbles splattered among the walls. They burst with a loud sound. Then the bubbles began to burst in clusters and the sound amplified. He felt the hot liquid splatter on his face, and upon rubbing it off, he couldn't mistake the texture of it.

In between his fingers, he pressed them together and separated them to witness the thinness and the deep color of the liquid. He fell to the floor, diving his hands in the liquid puddled on the floor.

Brat ran up to grab him a cup upon his orders. He gathered as much as he could in the cup and ran over to Brute. Desperately, he opened her mouth and let the liquid fall down her throat.

He expected an immediate response. He watched her for any sign of movement. For any sign of life.

---

Ms. Bellum tapped the keys on the keyboard with lightning speed. The Mayor squirmed with anxiousness in his chair behind her, "Tell me it wasn't us!"

"No, it wasn't," Ms. Bellum heard his relieved huff of a breath, but she was only slightly alleviated of her own concern. She said, "But the poor woman, there's no update on her condition," scrolling down the article on her screen.

"I'm just glad it was not going to trace back here, I've finally recovered Townsville back to its glory! Even Mojo's old laboratory was rebuilt into Professor's incredible lab, he's really outdoing every other city with his inventions,"

"I don't believe it,"

The Mayor scratched at his head, "There's no denying it, Ms. Bellum. It's very clear the Professor—

Ms. Bellum's chair flew behind her as she stood, "No. Mayor. It's the boys, look!"

On the computer screen was the face of the ruthless one of the three. The Mayor now bit down on his fingernails, then demanded a pickle immediately.

---

"Blossom, I want you to know what a pleasure it was having you as my student,"

"Professor, thank you,"

"I'm glad this isn't goodbye like the others," Professor Utonium took her by the arms into a fatherly embrace, "I knew you'd prove the entire class this is not a matter of favoritism,"

Blossom squeezed him in return, her pink eyes closed in joy as a smile pulled her luscious lips upward. Her hair covered her back and ended at its curve. She kept her bangs, but she'd long outgrown her ribbon. Choosing instead to pull the side of her hair to part it with a half updo.

Professor Utonium never outgrew his lab coat. But he had outgrown part of his youthful look. Some grays grew in parts of his hair that was once black. He was a middle aged man now, and his eyes creased when he smiled at the success Blossom achieved in her course.

Blossom said, pulling away, "Did Princess make it?"

"A few points behind you, she was late on a lab,"

"I'm glad she made it," Blossom said, "I'm so glad she found her calling. She's become a good friend,"

Professor took to organizing his desk, "Yes, she shows great potential in her experiments to follow in my footsteps. I thought it was incredible those flying mechanical wings she'd invented when she was only a child,"

Blossom felt a vibration in the pocket of her jeans. She quickly raised the phone to her ear. Professor nodded after she said, "Ms. Bellum says it's urgent,"

"Don't worry about me, I'll see you at the house. She may just be calling to congratulate you on a perfect score,"

"You told her?"

Professor thought for a moment, saying, "I don't recall. But it may have slipped out over dinner,"

Blossom giggled, "You really have to try talking about other things besides us, Professor. Show her your interested in what she likes,"

"But she loves you girls!"

She scoffed as she gestured his comment as absurd, "Ugh, even I get tired of Townsville's obsession with us! I'm really glad Buttercup will get a break now that she's coming home for Christmas break, the paparazzi wouldn't dare follow her home from Clipsville!"

They shared a laugh and a farewell. He beamed at the season coming in which he'd see all three of his girls. They had found their paths after high school. Buttercup secured a highly sought after spot in the richest city's sports team, Clipsville. Bustling, the city was full of famous, well known faces. It was no surprise they did anything to have a Powerpuff Girl represent their athletic division.

Bubbles did not pursue education. Loving art and fashion, she set her sights on travel. Wanting to feel inspiration from the world. and with the ability to fly, she traveled everywhere she'd ever dreamed to visit in the three years since high school. Her love for the season always brought her home, as it was a season for family, a value she cherished.

They would be reunited, all together, very soon. The Professor organized his desk with a grand smile and a jolly whistle.

---

Buttercup tapped her foot as if she was standing on ground level when actually, she was high above the clouds. Awaiting rather impatiently for Bubbles, a cool breeze combed her hair and poked her skin with goosebumps.

Winter in Clipsville was terrible. Really, everything in Clipsville was terrible in her opinion. The wealth of the city attracted so much publicity that Buttercup had felt a prisoner in her dorm. She was used to the cameras in Townsville, and the fans.

But there was definitely a level of tolerance she had developed living as one of the most sought out people in Clipsville. The level was quite low. It was actually so low that Buttercup had to advocate for her privacy outside of Clipsville.

She agreed to all the photos, interviews and fan signing, as long as they stayed far away from her when she stayed far away from Clipsville. The Mayor there happily obliged. It took her a few threats to make the Mayor happily commit but it was a happy agreement in the end.

It gave her the chance to breathe and think. She only wished escaping the bustle of such a large, lively city wouldn't give her the chance to remember. This usually happened when she found herself alone, in the quiet.

The breeze wasn't cold enough to send shivers through her nerves strong enough to change her focus from her memories to the winter, once more.

She thought of colorful words in the hopes disclipning herself would snap her out of it. She knew herself better than to still let the memory of a boy make her feel anything at all.

Years had passed since the last time she cried. The only dream she had was to play soccer for the best of the best. When she received a scholarship and an acceptance into Clipsville State and its team, she hadn't cried.

When she woke up, alone, and slept what felt like months dreaming that he was the one who closed her window and not the Professor, that made her cry.

It used to. It was only once. She'd let him have her hope, almost her faith. He took her trust. He took her body.

But she held onto her heart. She wasn't that much of a fool. She made sure to never surrender anything more to him. Yet he still managed to find his way into her mind at moments like this.

"Buttercup, I said let's go, we're late!"

Bubbles' voice had done its job like it always had. Every year that Buttercup agreed to meet her halfway to Townsville, she always arrived early.

Remembering helped her one step closer to truly forgetting. The only struggle was forgetting the freedom he made her feel. She couldn't let that go so easily.

Buttercup felt a nudge from Bubbles' elbow, seeing a playful grin on her lips, "You were thinking about him again, weren't you?"

"You're crazy!" her defensiveness emitted a laugh from Bubbles.

"It's not easy for me either," Bubbles' smile began to rest, "Forgetting your first love,"

"I never loved him," Buttercup raised her voice, "And I never will!"

Bubbles' playful laugh was quick this time. Buttercup was unfocused on her teasing. Bubbles always had a way with knowing what was on her mind. Whenever she confronted her, it was never with the same gravity as Blossom.

Blossom loved to make a confrontation very confrontational. She was glad they were sisters and not mother and daughter. Though Blossom loved to lecture her like one.

Anything Bubbles noticed was sure to be noticed by Blossom. Buttercup grunted, "Can't wait to get home."

---

The blood in her veins went cold. Struck with open eyes, Blossom had yet to blink.

"It was a shock for me, as well,"

Ms. Bellum caught her attention and Blossom began, "Was he…"

She nodded, "News travels fast, and this happened yesterday,"

Blossom refused to look anymore at the screen, nor at Ms. Bellum. Staring rigidly at the ground, already knowing what Ms. Bellum was going to say, she thought of how to say the same thing for the millionth time.

She interrupted as Blossom wanted to hear no more of it, "We have to move on,"

"That's all I want to do, Blossom. I want to move on but in the right direction,"

Blossom wasn't as calm as Ms. Bellum was, "Bringing us together to form this spectacular team is just a big heap of hope! What makes you think anyone in Townsville wants them here?"

Bringing her eyes to Ms. Bellum, she stayed tough and intended not to falter, "I said what I said that day and I swore I wouldn't lie to Townsville anymore,"

Ms. Bellum eased her growing, hot determination with a rising hand, "This will not be lying to Townsville,"

"So I'm just supposed to be on board with the Rowdyruff Boys returning to Townsville after they almost destroyed it to the ground?" Blossom intended no further to discuss the situation, "Send whatever men you want. Put whatever injections you want in them. Throw them in the jail…"

She walked off, finishing her view and sealing Ms. Bellum's frown, saying, "It won't change the fact that I made sure all Chemical X was destroyed. That's what everyone wanted, that's the reality,"

As the doors closed, Ms. Bellum opened a drawer from her desk. In it glistened the glass securing the dark liquid inside.

"But it wasn't what you wanted," her breath followed, "Why do you try so hard to remain enemies?"

---

Coming home to the sight of Professor, Bubbles and Buttercup in bright spirits should have been contagious.

Buttercup's arms crossed over her chest, "Did you get an A minus in one of your classes?"

Blossom threw her bottom on the sofa in a huff. She sent her a glare, "It's the boys,"

Buttercup now huffed, "Nothing gets past you, does it?"

"This would have, had Ms. Bellum kept it to herself. But she still wants us to come together,"

Bubbles, seeing Buttercup attempting to get on track with Blossom, asked, "What did she say?"

"It's Butch,"

Buttercup hadn't realized she sounded too eager, "What about him?"

Blossom hardened her stare toward Buttercup, "You sound as if you know. Do you?"

"I've been in Clipsville, having paparazzi everywhere I go," Buttercup laughed, satirically, "They'd take photos of me taking a—"

Blossom felt it obligatory to cut her off, "Point made," then shared her stare between Bubbles and Buttercup, "Butch is the one who lost control in the league for fighting,"

Professor came forward, "I saw the news while cleaning the office. I thought it better not to tell you, I know how you feel about the boys. They're holding him in Vilestown jail,"

"But we all know that handcuffs won't keep him down," Blossom said.

Buttercup added with an upturned lip, "That's for sure,"

"This isn't a laughing matter, Buttercup. If he lost control, then we have to be ready, HIM can seize this opportunity,"

Buttercup pondered the possibility, "Why would HIM want revenge with just one ruff on his side?"

"We can't underestimate anyone," Blossom faced Buttercup and Bubbles who were now right behind her as she opened the door, "Not even Butch. We have to be there when he breaks out. Let's go, girls!"

---

As they headed out to the skies in their trio formation, the boys headed out as a duo. They were now far from boys, with their masculine features overcoming their entire bodies.

Brick's hair fell against the length of his back. It was tied low, and his cap still remained, a few strands of messy bangs graced out from beneath it as the wind hit against him. He got used to testing injections on himself that he no longer wore long sleeves, preferring no sleeve shirts at all.

Boomer was not much of a sport for injections, nor for athletics. He stuck to a hoodie, and a color he associated with his softer side. His hair was longer than it once was, but he maintained it well, and his natural blonde locks fell right above the end of his neck.

They were certainly men. Their bodies showed a hardness not to be taken lightly.

Boomer tried to feel the wind hit him over the feeling of knowing Brick was reaching a hard boiling point. He knew Butch had gone beyond making a mistake this time. He'd been thrown in Vilestown jail, and they both knew it was not going to be a successful capture.

Butch would never willingly stay behind bars.

"He's done it this time," Brick said, carrying his frown as they ran through the streets.

---

There was a man shouting in his face, unaware of who he was ordering around. Butch let the man tire out and finally have enough of his resistance. More men came to push him with force into a room. The door slammed and he was left sealed inside.

He remained standing, refusing to sit on the benches lined along the wall. He held his head high, but his eyes closed.

He could hear voices right outside. They were organizing a hefty guard in case he decided to become violent. They assumed that he would, as he was an undefeated fighter, being informed by the old man.

Everything about him also intimidated the men outside. His loose tank scooped just under his firm pecs and exposed his sculpted biceps. The sweat from fighting dripped in between the dips of his athletic stomach, which was firm and defined.

His dark hair spiked up as if he'd just rolled out of bed. He was not one to worry about looks. Only one thing bothered him.

Holding back. Surrender was not a word that existed in Butch's world.

No matter how far he had to dig to find his strength, he would do so before losing his dignity. He pulled apart his restrained wrists, hearing the snap of the metal chain break a part.

His eyes shot open. The color green always meant "go", and Butch was always ready.

---

A blaring headache awoke her. A coldness underneath her crept up her spine. Lifting herself off the metal table, with a hand to her forehead, Brute stumbled onto her feet.

Taking in her surroundings in a blur, she was able to tell where she was. It hurt to remember how she got back home. Or why she woke up on her father's experimentation table.

Recollection began to slowly fill her mind. Her headache began to fade into a gentle beating. She nearly tripped walking out of the lab to her room.

Needing a desperate drink of water, she made her way to her bathroom. Turning the sink on, sipping from a cupped palm, and then opening her eyes to see her reflection, she followed a routine.

Brute grabbed a brush to comb through her messy hair. Her feminine face was clear and perfect. She scratched at her arm, seeing a redness left behind.

"It must've been a dream,"

Tapped to her mirror was a flyer for the upcoming league. She tore it off to make sure of the time. Glancing to her clock, she realized the time.

With a scream of terror that she was late by an hour, she hurriedly threw a jacket on and raced out of her room. She'd sprinted so fast, she swore her feet came off the ground.

Berzerk came into her path as she reached the door, "You've healed,"

Brute made an incomprehensible sound, and Berzerk grabbed her by the wrist. Being too confused to object Berzerk's lead, and the fact that Berzerk was floating off the ground, Brute's throat held a lump from escaping.

"It wasn't a dream," Berzerk lead her into the lab, "I brought you here after he killed you,"

The television turned on and brought Brute's attention straight to it. Broadcasted on the screen was a place she knew in and out. Vilestown Jail.

"They're holding him there,"

Brute couldn't focus, "I… I died?"

"Father doesn't know if you died, but we know that Chemical X saved you," Berzerk took her wrist once more, showing Brute the deep blue of her veins, "It's in us. He did it… he did it!"

Brute heard her sister go on, reminding them of their coming, that this moment was there's to embrace.

"That's why we have to seize this as ours, forever,"

Brute turned to her.

"We have to make them pay. For making us suffer," Berzerk pointed to the screen, "Everyone who ever caused this. Including him,"

Brute fell back when Berzerk flew up above her. An extended hand reached for her but Brute remained shocked.

Her father's voice entered as he and Brat joined, "You're no longer powerless, Brute. I've done it, at last! I've returned you girls to your glory! You're my Brute for a reason. I want to see you show me what revenge looks like on those who've made us suffer. You will kill the one who killed you, and we'll take our ultimate revenge on Townsville for causing this life on us!"

Brat snickered like a rat hiding in the corner after escaping a trap, "I've waited so long for this day to come!"

Berzerk added, "Father's plan is incredible. We'll capture those Powerpuff Girls, steal their identities and watch the Mayor cry as we destroy Townsville by bringing it to the ground,"

His voice cackled, "We'll finish what Mojo began. We've always shared common ground. Like him, I've been oppressed. But it ends today! They'll know who we are,"

Brat grinned, "The Powerpunk Girls!"

"And me! Oppressor Plutonium!"

Brute gripped onto Berzerk's hand. She made one final turn to the screen, her memories no longer a blur. She'll show him what death feels like. She'll destroy Townsville as they destroyed her.

She'll leave them on their knees, begging for mercy.

---

Boomer hurdled himself through the air to slide across the hood of a car that slammed on its brakes, the driver cursing at him as he ran off. Brick flashed the finger to a bicyclist who he pushed with force out of his way and off his bike.

The biker chased them on foot but gave up when he noticed the boys ran faster than he did when he put all his energy in biking. Brick would've enjoyed seeing the man hopeless, but his temper was overshadowing his surroundings.

They both came to halt when they arrived. Brick searched the outside in his view, noticing instantly the news vans and cameras. A woman stood just outside the doors of the jail, covering the story as she looked to the camera.

He motioned Boomer to follow his lead. They passed the camera crew like everyone else. As they entered, they were directed by a guard to visit the front desk before proceeding.

Brick said nothing and Boomer had seen the guard raise a brow. He stammered, "Uh… You know where they've got the fighter?"

Brick heard him ask, but was not one for any help. He was already onto scanning the building for any signs that would give him a clue to where they needed to go.

The guard, instead of answering, began to ask questions. Boomer, the more calm of his brothers, was still a Rowdyruff at heart and became irritatingly impatient. He groaned, "I asked where the fighter is, now are you going to tell me or am I gonna have to make you?"

The guard made a move for the radio on his chest. Brick snapped his attention to him, catching his hand inches away from the security of backup. The lobby would have taken immediate action, but outside a commotion began to rile up the citizens on the streets. Voices came from his radio, commanding all security to gather in response.

Boomer smirked at the guard, giving him a flinch when he brought his fist close to his face. He smiled, "Duty calls, aren't you lucky?"

Brick let the man go while Boomer took the clipboard from the table. Boomer began running a finger down the paper. Meanwhile, Brick's gaze switched between the scene outside the large windows of the lobby and the policemen rushing past to gather outside. They turned sharply as they ran outside, leaving whatever it was that caused the response to be out of sight.

Boomer found what he was looking for and informed Brick, "Says holding cell 19 is the most recent in use,"

He threw the clipboard and caught up to Brick. The quick running policemen passing him did not go unnoticed, and he nudged Brick with an elbow, "Something's going on,"

"It could be Butch," Brick shook his head, "Or it could be the enemy. Either one still gets consequences for pissing me off!"

Before reaching it, something yanked the secured door of cell 19 completely off the wall. The women in the lobby hollered for the remaining policemen as they secured themselves behind their desks. Boomer stood as a shield in front of Brick, who was already face to face with a cheeky Butch.

Brick had no time left to give to Butch and his idea that all of this was entertaining would be put to an end. Butch walked out of the cell as if it was a child's first steps. He stretched his arms out, feeling his best when he had nothing holding him back.

Brick pulled him to his level by the grip of his hand behind his neck, "Don't play cool 'cuz nothing's cool and you don't get any warnings from me,"

Butch pushed himself away, "Chill it down, bro!"

The policemen now shouted threats. Boomer's brows set heavily onto Butch, "You messed up big time, Butch!"

"What did you expect trying to contain me?"

The police now clicked their pistols in a threatening position. Butch ignored their warnings.

"All you gave me was the freedom to fight like anyone else, but I'm not anyone else, I'm a Rowdyruff!"

At that revelation, the police shouted for everyone to evacuate. Above their shouts came a sonic boom that shattered the windows and left a smoking hole in the wall. As the smoke dissipated, three females emerged. The police recognized them, relieved.

Butch was the first to recognize her. Brick couldn't take his eyes off either one of them, and Boomer rubbed his eyes to make sure the smoke hadn't blinded him. They all were convinced they weren't hallucinating Blossom approaching Butch.

Brick suddenly felt his mind get a grip on logic, realizing the destruction beyond the clear hole in the wall. Vilestown police were crippled and spread among the street as if they'd been beaten and thrown to the side.

Then he seen Boomer receive the same as the police, having been thrown across the air.

As Brick made to attack Blossom once he'd seen her make a move for Butch, the harsh air of Bubbles and Buttercup flying past him to gank on Butch swooped past him and he slightly lost balance. This gave the three the chance to attack Butch without counter from Brick or Boomer.

Butch blocked as many punches as he could, but he was hit by Blossom's knee to his stomach. He fought the reaction to bend to the hit, and stood his ground. Buttercup caught his late response to block Bubbles' punch and she successfully landed a striking fist to his face.

Brick and Boomer had now flown to his aid and took on their counterparts by flying straight into them. They each impacted them with force and flew them out of the building from the same hole they burst through. Outside, their gnarly brawl ensued.

Boomer was quick to overpower Bubbles with his sharp reactions. He could last recall her having a look of evil when… his absent memory made him unprepared for her direct kick to his groin.

Brick heard Boomer's grunt just behind him in the distance, and Butch's growls every punch he threw at Buttercup. His sense of hearing was picking up everything around him but his vision stayed tacked to Blossom in front of him.

He had studied her so many times before this day, he knew how she fought and how she preferred to go in and swing just enough times before backing away to analyze him as he would her. But this fight continued on, as if Blossom was acting on emotion.

She tried to collide the side of her fist to him when he blocked it straight on, but she failed to hit him when he caught her by the wrist and then by the other as she swung with her free fist. In that hold, he brought her closer, as if sensing more to her abnormal, emotional anger.

The flash of her eyes as they met his garnered an immediate reaction of shock. Just as she made to head butt him noticing his surprise, he rapidly dodged her then flung her away from him.

Her eyes stayed in his mind and he knew Blossom never held a dim light in her soul. As she looked back at him to enter into a battle once more, a flash of color came at him from the corner of his peripheral vision. He felt a body slam into him and hands grip his sides.

"Brick!"

The eyes he looked into suddenly appeared light and saturated.

Blossom? His mind resounded her name but he refused to let it slip through his teeth.

She yelled at him, then she was stopped by him regaining control of his balance in the air.

"What's going on here, puff!"

"You've hid all these years just so you could do this somewhere else!"

Brick hadn't escaped out of his fight mode and locked Blossom into a tight hold, preventing her from attempting to attack him anymore than she had already tried.

"Glad to know nothing's really changed!" Blossom halted her struggle against him, "I came to stop Butch, but now I have to stop three more!"

"I got nothing to do with this! I don't know where they came from!"

"Just look at him, he's about to lose it on Buttercup!"

He did as she said, catching onto the tension between Butch and Buttercup. Then, surprising both of them, they turned to face the same direction of another opponent.

Brick's lip rose at the corner, "I think they're 'bout to lose it on someone else!"

---

Buttercup's grip on her twin's hair was locked and she pulled with immense might. Butch seen Buttercup take on her twin eagerly, shoving him out of the way to join the fight. He gladly let her shove her way into his fight, because he intended to do the same.

He saw her twin struggle in the grip and knew she was a free blow to the face. He raced to them and kicked her in the back after a solid punch from Buttercup, sending her flying to the ground.

The two bore smirks of amusement at the inevitable crash into the pavement below.

Bubbles flew after her twin as Boomer was sent colliding through multiple walls of buildings from an intense kick to his front. She flew as fast as she could, staying inches behind her. She centered her sights onto her twin, wanting nothing more than to render her weak.

Bubbles screamed, "Don't fly away from me, you baby!"

Boomer finally hit a solid brick wall and sent cracks through the individual bricks. He felt his head as heavy as a brick itself and it fell as his eyelids did. Bubbles saw Boomer knockout from the impact and was stuck in the dent of the wall. Her twin flew away from the scene but Bubbles rushed to Boomer.

She tried to pull him away from the wall but her twin returned with momentum and ready to take her on. Bubbles avoided her first kick but was too late to dodge the second. She was hit in her side and ached with pain.

Her twin hovered over her, preparing to hand her a beat down, "I always knew I'd prevail in a fight against you!"

"Think again!" Buttercup swept her fist across her face in a clear hit. She readied herself to give her a final blow but Butch beat her to it. He slammed her entire body to the ground and although the sight of her blacked out before she even hit the ground impressed Buttercup, she expressed a rough, envious look.

Butch shrugged at her jealousy, "Prove you're faster than me with the last one,"

Bubbles searched all around her, "I thought you guys already had her taken care of?"

Buttercup groaned, "Since you're so fast, go look for her!"

Butch rolled his shoulders, getting himself pumped up. Buttercup pointed to him then gestured to herself, and the message was understood clearly as he sent her an anticipating smirk.

Suddenly, a zapping beam of electricity gazed through the air. Aware of the sudden sound, they all made to dodge the bright light coming for them, but their movements froze them in place. Encased in a bubble of transparent force, they all began to struggle in their prison.

Laughter of a dark source erupted from the lungs of a lab coat clad man, catching their attention. He proceeded to laugh at them while also playing with a contraption in his hand.

Butch's hand closed into a fist, and he noted his anger like evaporating water left too long unattended. He was jumpy like the bursting pockets of hot water, and he felt satisfied knowing his blood was boiling.

"The creation of power and pure strength in one beast! He was without a doubt the most clever scientist, giving each of you boys a distinct advantage. But not even strength will overpower my inventions enhanced by Chemical X. Not even my girls!"

"What do you want!" Bubbles hollered.

Buttercup sucked in a sharp breath and gathered the liquid in a ball deep down her throat then aimed it for him, but the wad of spit failed to penetrate through the force field.

His laughter echoed, "It's indestructible! Nothing can penetrate my energy beam!"

"Who are you and why do you look like Professor Utonium?" Bubbles' eyes began to swell with tears.

"Hah! I'm no copycat! I'm me, Oppressor Plutonium!" He announced with a finger, "Here to oppress everyone who's ever oppressed me! And that includes Professor Utonium, you Powerpuff Girls, and all of Townsville!"

At his side, Blossom's twin produced another gadget from a bag she held. He pointed it toward them, "What a shame that you choose to ignore your life's only meaning, and fight alongside our enemies!"

Buttercup piped in, "You won't get very far once I get out of here! I'll hand you your—"

Bubbles shouted as Buttercup was shot with a sharp volt that sped through the air. She was rendered limp instantly. Butch fought with all his might to release himself and Plutonium rushed to shoot him next as he managed to break his hand free by tearing through the bubble.

Bubbles met the direction of Berzerk who pointed the gadget toward Butch. He went motionless right after the trigger snapped. Bubbles felt helpless.

Plutonium witnessed the fear in her eyes, "When you wake up, you'll find yourself in my shoes. My girls will take your identities and destroy Townsville, destroy Professor Utonium, and make the world ours. There's nothing you can do about it,"

"You won't get away with this," Bubbles tugged every part in her body in a final attempt to free herself.

It was to no avail as Berzerk pulled the trigger of the gadget and her world became black.

---

Brick held her back, a hand over her mouth. He watched the entire scene unfold, their siblings sent into an unconscious state. Blossom attempted to fly to their aid, but when he realized the danger, he managed to stop her before she made their presence known.

Oppressor Plutonium exchanged a look of realization with Berzerk before she headed for the skies and began flying in and out of the remaining buildings still standing. She was searching for them. Brick caught onto her actions.

"Don't make a word, you'll blow our only chance to save them,"

Hastily yet carefully, he released Blossom.

---

Oppressor Plutonium adjusted various buttons and dials in order to find the perfect balance in the four walls of his holographic room. Brat and Brute, recovered, dragged the remaining blue pair into the room.

Oppressor Plutonium checked over the visuals of the virtual reality he planned to imprison the six in, "It'll be as if they've woken up in the world, they'll be unknowing that this is a mere simulation,"

"And if they do figure it out, what then?"

He examined one dial before cranking it higher, "Your doubt needs no further concern. Everything they encounter in here will be the highest level of danger. Even if they managed to figure it out, it'll be too late for them to stop us. We leave for Townsville immediately," he left them to change.

"They were quick to step in on the defense of the Rowdyruffs," Berzerk went on, approaching Bubbles' unconscious body and taking off her blouse, "And the guys knew we weren't convincing enough. Brat, put this on,"

"We'll never be the Powerpuff Girls,"

Brat sent Brute a raised brow. Berzerk quickly confronted her, "This isn't a show anymore. Quick, change. We have to do this as precise and convincing as possible,"

Brute followed Brat but continued as she frowned, "This whole thing is still a show,"

Brat was the one to argue this time, "Berzerk is right, we can't pretend to be the Powerpuffs anymore."

"That's right, Brat," Oppressor Plutonium smirked, "Brute, consider this your final curtain call. As we conquer the source of Chemical X and destroy their world, everyone will know who we really are!"

---

Coursing through her was blood as cold as ice. The freezing sensation stung as it ran through her veins. As if submerged suddenly through a block of ice on the surface of a pool of even colder water, she jolted out of her unconscious state.

A sound came from Bubbles as Buttercup regained consciousness. Standing around Bubbles was Boomer, sighing with relief. Buttercup forced herself on her feet, Bubbles insisting on aiding her but only to have her worry set aside as Buttercup headed for Butch.

His back faced her, but it quickly changed once she stood closely to him. They made an appearance like an electrified magnet, their contradicting forces pulsing lightning between them.

Boomer spoke for their confused siblings, "What's this about?"

Buttercup turned to her sister but pulled her head back and then tilted it. She looked over Bubbles.

"What happened to your clothes?"

Bubbles pulled down the sides of her short, tight dress, her face too hot to look at her cold stare. Buttercup's loosely fitted outfit was not too far from what she'd normally wear, except for the deep slit in her shirt that revealed her eye-catching cleavage.

Buttercup instinctively looked down at her own body, not realizing the brush of air that snuck in between the dip of her own cleavage. Her legs became textured with goosebumps as she took in her exposed thighs, and the air was clearly finding its way to brush against her behind.

Buttercup roughly tugged at her shirt with an obvious annoyance, "Those sluts took our clothes, didn't they?"

"They're going to pose as us,"

"As if they could pull it off! She may look like me but she sure needs a lot of work to fight like me!"

Boomer, shaking his head disappointingly, turned the course of their conversation to that of concern.

"Brick and Blossom are missing,"

Buttercup flung her hands in the air, "Just great! These clothes and now who's going to be the one to lead!"

Butch suddenly stabbed the air with laughter and snapped his head to know acknowledge her, "I don't take orders from weaklings!"

"Who are you calling weak! Look at where we are because of you!"

They all watched his laughter die out.

Buttercup glared onward at his frown, "You just couldn't take the loss, could you?"

"I don't lose, and I don't bend to anyone!"

Boomer came forward, "But when is enough, enough, Butch! Brick told you those fights would put us in trouble! Now we've got three super powered chicks on us!"

"We still outnumber them!"

Buttercup threw his comment aside, "Numbers don't matter! Who got caught in that stupid bubble? We did! The ones who didn't are the ones who always use their brains! Fighting isn't always the answer to everything!"

Bubbles gently looked his way, remaining understandingly calm, "Buttercup's right, we got caught and we let our guards down. We can't fight like this. Someone has to take the lead, if we fight without knowing what we're up against, we'll only lose,"

"This isn't about holding back, this is about taking this fight on the right way," Buttercup held eye contact with his hardening stare, "We had it. We were united,"

Boomer reached out his arm, "I'm in to work like a team,"

Bubbles placed her hand atop his, joining Buttercup, "Ms. Bellum has exhausted all her energy into making this happen," she addressed Butch, "If we work together, we can gain the upper hand,"

He avoided them all, "I mean it when I say I don't lose,"

Buttercup felt added warmth from his hand over hers. As they released their hands toward the sky, she aimed an undeniable glance his way, and suddenly found herself revisiting a far off memory.

Boomer called for their attention, "We all know what's priority here, and that's finding Brick and Blossom,"

"This should be easy, there's no one here," Bubbles took in their surroundings.

The silence sent a chill through Buttercup, "You're right. It's way too quiet,"

"What happened to the cops?"

A vibrations beneath Butch's feet snapped his attention past the others, "Looks like we got other priorities to take care of first,"

They made a sound of agreement before taking off for their first flight as a team.

---

Like a tightly secured rope, her look twisted toward him. There was one requirement to be pristine. She'd nearly cracked that image when she lied. In secrecy, she never accepted Townsville's greatest threat.

It was a moment of humiliation that despite her dignity slipping like water through her fingers, she grasped at what was left and rebranded herself. She proved herself not only a heroine, but a Powerpuff.

Now, as she argued with the one who insisted he take lead, she still kept secrets. It would be the end of her if she'd ever listen to Ms. Bellum. There was now a choice at hand. Either listen to the leader of evil incarnate itself, or go her own way.

She may be seen as pristine, but perfect came with a side of stubbornness. Made more as a full course as she defied him, "You're not welcome in Townsville, they'll riot against your mere presence! No one fans over you and they haven't for years, for your information!"

"I don't need a posey, or support. Wherever those sissies are, they're capable of handling themselves. They're heading for Townsville, and whether you like it or not, I'm gonna get to the bottom of this! They attacked us both, and I won't let them have the upper hand,"

Blossom was left taken aback. His eyes, deeper than the crimson of fresh blood, could pierce under her skin as if they were as sharp as knives.

"You want to solve this and save the day?"

Brick's scowl scarred his features, "That's your job, puff. I think we've made that clear,"

She pulled him back just by her call, "Brick!"

His attention was split by a look over his shoulder, his mind set on his main objective.

"What I said all those years ago, I meant it," her motions came to a still, "But times change. With you gone, I know where my alliances stand. I'll protect Townsville, even if that means I have to face you. This time, I won't back down, because whatever it was that held me back, is all in the past,"

Her eyes tied him to her own as she spoke. He wasted no more time once she flew past him. He flew after her, not with her. They had different agendas. For now, they took the same path.

"Couldn't have said it better, Blossom," he let her name escape his lips just as she escaped his sights.

Townsville already seemed different.

---

Berzerk inhaled the fresh air Townsville had to offer. Vilestown was known for their polluted, poor air quality. She'd forgotten the smell of flowers and the blue of a clear sky.

Oppressor Plutonium awaited them in a secluded part of town that was now their headquarters. He would hide out until it was time to unleash their revenge onto Townsville after they found the Chemical X.

He sent them off with the directions of Professor Utonium's lab, which they now approached.

"Check for a way in," Berzerk led them to the front door but they split to search faster.

Flying around a higher window, Brute wiggled it open with ease. She ducked her head as she entered, then took in the details of the room.

A room very different from hers. Tidy, clean and welcoming. Photos stood on top of a desk. She knew she wasn't staring at herself, but the resemblance was uncanny.

"Buttercup," the name she whispered bounced off the walls.

Setting the frame down, she got to utilizing her time to search the room for Chemical X. She opened every drawer, empty. She looked behind every furniture then under, and she smirked when she'd seen a chest beneath the bed.

It was fitted with a lock but it was useless as she ripped it apart. An assortment of medals lay inside, but underneath was a torn piece of fabric. It didn't take long for her to recognize the face on it.

"Why didn't you tell us this window was open?"

Berzerk and Brat started Brute's senses with a jump. Brute composed herself as she returned the items without care, "Thought I'd get a head start and scope the room out,"

Berzerk had glimpsed over her shoulder to look at the chest. Brute turned her way, "Father always said to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Looks like the Powerpuffs took that to another level. Who knew they weren't so proper behind closed doors,"

"No doubt the truce has something to do with those Rowdyruffs on their side,"

Shaking her head disgustingly, Brute sighed, "I thought it was just a front for that master plan of theirs when they destroyed nearly all of this place,"

"They didn't even flinch when we showed up," Berzerk pondered over ideas, "Whatever the case, they're as much our enemies as the Powerpuffs now,"

Brat, standing off to the side, spawned a haughty grin on her lips, "Isn't that romantic? Dying for the one you love,"

"There's only one way to make sure they die, and that's finding Chemical X," Berzerk's words put forth the three into excavating the rest of the room and then finishing the remainder of the home.

They searched every possible nook and cranny, and Berzerk was able to change into an outfit from Blossom's wardrobe. As they searched the last area, someone entered the home.

Watching silently, they stayed hidden, until an older man's voice was heard.

He was on the phone, "I haven't been able to find the girls at all, I've tried calling them… All that's left is sending the men to search for them,"

Berzerk motioned for them to follow as she came up behind him. His distress limited his guard but he'd turned around fast enough to intervene in their plan.

They'd become stiff as he embraced them, "Don't worry now, I've found them! They're here!" He ended the call and was now joyfully tearing up.

"Where is Chemical X?"

The Professor sniffled and blinked, "Chemical X?"

Berzerk nodded. He stepped back, "What for?"

Brute eyed him, "Do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?"

Brat's grin devilishly played upon her face as she witnessed the Professor's expression twist into awareness. His phone dropped open as he was struck by Brute and he joined the ground with it.

---

The Mayor's small legs somehow managed to move fast enough to match Ms. Bellum's pace. Once they both reached the front doors to the City Hall, however, he was out of breath.

Ms. Bellum spread open the doors and stood before a massive crowd held back by a line of Townsville's security. The crowd roared with fury. They shouted demands that the Mayor heard clearly, making him buckle his head deep into his suit's collar, attempting to hide away from the uproar.

Ms. Bellum strutted toward the crowd, unfathomed. She addressed the crowd, "We are doing all we can to investigate the validity of Clipsville's news coverage of the Powerpuffs Girls' destruction amongst the city of Vilestown! Until then, it is best to remain at home for your safety!"

Shouts did not suffice as Ms. Bellum removed herself from the center of attention. Their protests against the Powerpuffs Girls were made loud and clear. The Mayor shakingly followed suit back into his office, where Ms. Bellum's calm attitude despite the chaos outside continued.

She reviewed the footage on the television, unable to restrain herself from sighing. The footage proved difficult to watch.

"Don't tell me it's our worst fears come true!"

Ms. Bellum terminated the video. The Mayor cried into his hands, "How will we fix this!"

"I just don't understand why the girls would do this,"

"They've gone rogue! The Rowdyruff Boys come out of hiding and now the girls have completely left behind their true personas!"

"Something isn't right here, Mayor, it could be HIM. We have to get a hold of Professor, he isn't answering any calls," Ms. Bellum looked on at the Mayor fighting against himself to watch the footage while in agony wanting to tear away.

The streaks of color flew across the screen in bright flashes. Everything behind the streaks began to smoke and eventually collapse. The footage was abruptly cut as the man recording was knocked off balance. Clipsville's news blasted the footage on every news channel.

Ms. Bellum noted the disgust caused by Clipsville's leakage and coverage of the footage. It was not a secret among secretaries that Clipsville's Mayor had a personal vendetta against Buttercup, who had successfully knocked out a set of teeth after a confrontation.

Their Mayor would surely enjoy the bad publicity on the Powerpuff, knowing she'd be unlikely to be forgiven after such a damaging video. She'd be even less likely to return to Clipsville and have him cowering with the fear that any mishap by paparazzi could have him sporting a toothless grin.

She reached for the Mayor's hand, "We need to head to the girls' home."

---

Butch picked up on the monstrous, rumbling scream and led the others. Sure enough, they found themselves face to face with a horrendous monster. It was jelly-like with a transparent body, and a bevy of eyeballs spread all over its body.

Bubbles covered her unrestrained gag, and Buttercup's gaze upon the monster was equally disgusted. Boomer turned his attention to its two, human-like arms, but its lower body made of suctioning feet caught his attention by how fast the monster moved in on them.

Butch immediately balled his fists, but someone held him firmly in place. Buttercup eyed him, "We need a plan,"

"The thing is heading our way!" Bubbles shrieked.

Butch eyed her in return, "And waste time? We've got to take it on with force! It's a living jell-o cup!"

"And it can prove to be stronger than it looks!"

Butch shook with a grunt of annoyance, "First it's gotta try to be stronger than me!"

She called after him as he broke away from her. They watched on as Butch willfully faced the jelly monster. It was no surprise that he was able to connect his fist with it. The real surprise was the way the monster completely exploded to several pieces and appeared to have been defeated.

Buttercup's mouth hung open for a moment before turning into a rather pleased grin.

Butch stood before the executed monster sharing a similar pleasure.

Yet they watched as the many eyes popped open once more and every piece of the monster stood up, creating various smaller versions of what it once was.

Boomer growled, "It's replicating itself! Now we're outnumbered!"

"Butch stop it!" came Bubbles' vain shouts.

He was already taking on the smaller monsters, knocking each one that came rushing to attack in the air. His success against them was slowly coming to an end as they each realized as they fell and splattered onto the ground, they would resurface as more than before.

"We've got to do something!"

Buttercup heard Boomer behind her as she faced the scene before her. She cursed herself for never knowing which angles to take to devise a plan. She was at a lost and truthfully too distracted with Butch's burliness in a fight that she was beginning to focus on her inner pressure to join without a plan.

Then Bubbles pointed, "It didn't replicate this time!"

They all followed her gaze and suddenly Buttercup caught onto the trick, "The eyes… there's no more eyes! It's the eyes!"

Boomer gave a determined nod, "Let's go in!"

Butch could see them enter the fight as soon as he was held by his skin from the suctioning feet of the monster and becoming overwhelmed by its powerful suction. He felt relief from the release of the hold once Boomer fought against it, sending it into its own puddle on the ground.

"Punch the eyes out!"

Without question, he charged through the army of jelly monsters, hitting his mark every step of the way. They soon stood before a wet scene of massacred jelly. Their heavy, heaving breaths proved the fight to be victorious. But Boomer quickly switched his sights to Butch.

"You could've ruined it for us! Going in without knowing the risks!"

Butch tensed at Boomer's frustration, but shadowed a smirk over his discomfort, "We got it under control, quit your whining,"

Buttercup witnessed Boomer's anger rise again, and his shouts toward Butch finally caved her. Against her will, she knew she needed to settle their argument with the facts of the matter.

"Because of Butch's stupidity, it was distracted and we were able to come up with a plan!"

Bubbles was first to catch Butch's eyes after he'd stared at Buttercup for her defense of him. She gave him a small smile, agreeing with Buttercup, but he refused to acknowledge her appreciation. She'd caught his widened smirk after Buttercup's words. He switched away his smirk like that of a light switch, reverting to his stiff features.

The nuance mingled in the air around him, "Nothing matters unless we win. Let's get back to finding the perfects,"

"Maybe if we think like them, we'll have a clue where to find them!" Bubbles looked ever so optimistic.

While the others seemed to look less excited. Butch was first to cast a shadow on Bubbles' bright side, "They're the wise ones. Who's to say they aren't here for a reason? No doubt to be used against us,"

Buttercup now looked at him in great surprise. He had to have found the missing bolts to his brain, she concluded. He proposed something so convincing. She could see Boomer shake.

"Brick our enemy? I'd rather explode from instability,"

"Don't admit defeat to yourself before you've taken on the challenge, you wimp!" Buttercup had the spotlight, until Bubbles shouts overflowed with hope.

"Brick may be wise and deadly, but we don't know yet what we're all capable of! That's something Ms. Bellum always told us for her reason for wanting this team to happen. We have to try!"

"I'm not going down without a fight," Butch, with his arms crossed, gave a nod to Bubbles. The small acknowledgment made her smile touch her heart. She mouthed her gratitude and they now looked to Boomer, who was more than willing.

Buttercup needed no more to be said. Her nod was firm, and set on their official alliance. She never forgot her earned respect for her sister's counterpart. Because of this, something in her casted doubt on their suspicions.

"We must tell Ms. Bellum what we've become. She'll know how to find Brick and Blossom," Buttercup said.

Bubbles fretted, "But the citizens…"

"We have to think like the smart ones, right?" A smile graced her, "It'll be our secret,"

Not a moment more passed them by. As four, they headed for Townsville, ready to officially become a team. Unbeknownst to them, however, was the simulation's reconstruction of Townsville as the core spawn of near indestructible monsters waiting for their approach.

---

Thank-you for reading. Stay tuned for 2 more chapters.