*Blossom*
It's been less than 20 minutes since Brick confronted her, how did he find out? Did Bradley tell him to get back at me? Did Brandon double cross me? She looked around the abandon warehouse she told her red counterpart to meet. Brick insisted to see her so she said to meet her off a highway towards Roseville, there's a warehouse which has been abandoned for decades. Blossom and her sisters discovered it in their early teens, they used the warehouse to train before the villains hit retirement. It's been years since I last came here she thought while nostalgically looking around the warehouse.
It was dark, the only light was the moon shining through the busted roof Buttercup flew through during training one time. It was a cold January evening, Blossom wore three layers beneath her rose gold jacket, a pink beanie along with a pair of gloves and a scarf. She shivered as she felt her nose getting cold. She heard footsteps coming towards her, she peered into the darkness to see a pair of ruby eyes staring back at her, he stepped into the moonlight with his signature red hat worn backwards and his hands in his pockets. Blossom's heart warmed until she seen the look of dissatisfaction, anger and betrayal written across his face.
"I can see why you wanted to meet me here..." he nodded while looking around the place, "...no witnesses." He finished, landing his gaze on the pink Puff.
She stayed silent, she didn't know what to say, what could she say?
Brick opened his mouth again, "Are you working for the Rowdyrock Boys or are they forcing you to do things you don't want to? I'm warning you, don't think about lying." He threatened, raising both brows to show he wasn't putting up with any shit.
Blossom frowned, "Don't speak to me like I'm some sort of toddler" she snapped, "and no, I don't do business with them anymore."
Brick's eyes widen, "Do business? - what the fuck?" He muttered to himself in disbelief. "Blossom, what've you gotten yourself involved in?"
"Nothing I can't handle." She shot back
"Seriously, you're looking at time for this-"
"Like you haven't been in a prison, you were born in a prison." Blossom raised a brow and curved her lips in amusement
"Correction; I've been in jail not fucking prison!" Brick shot back in anger causing her to be taken aback.
"How do you even know? Did Brandon tell you? Bradley? Or was it Boomer?" She crossed her arms, staring him down.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about... I seen the police reports."
"Oh, so I see you already went snooping through your boyfriends house in order to find that out."
"He's not my boyfriend!"
"-Right, cause you were only using him, weren't you?"
"It wasn't like that at the beginning-"
"-So, it was just a heavy case of a coincidence of who his Mom is? Get real, what do you take me for?" he narrowed his eyes
She sighed before looking down towards the ground, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, so what's the point?"
"Why did you do it?" He simply asked, trying to understand her.
Blossom didn't know how to respond she took a second before lightly smiling, getting Brick off-guard, "I liked it." She simply replied. "I like breaking the law, I like running from the police." She said stepping towards Brick, "I like making illegal money, I like being in illegal business with illegal distribution," she continued circling around him before finally stopping barely two inches away from his face, "I like lying and people being gullible to believe me."
Brick's face was very still however, she could see a glimpse of sorrow in his eyes almost feeling sorry for her as he slowly shook his head, "He's gave you everything you ever needed...and he found a way to turn you into a monster."
Blossom was half expecting an answer like that therefore she stood very still before looking up into his eyes, "Isn't that what you and Berserk did to him?"
Brick was gobsmacked he didn't recognise her anymore, "Who even are you?"
Blossom chucked before stepping closer to him, "I thought you already knew... I'm Professor X, bigger than than Skull Savage, bigger than Outlaw, bigger than Princess. Bigger than the Rowdyrock Boys. This is the life you used to live, aren't you impressed?"
"This isn't you..." he whispered
"This is me!-"
"This isn't you, Bloss! You've just lost a line in the only drug trade you were involved in, you're power-trippin' right now cause you're breaking bad. I've seen this all before-"
"You don't know me, Brick! You think you do but you don't." She shot back, getting irritated.
"I know you a hell of a lot better than you think! Don't you ever dare doubt me on that." He said backing away, leaning his lower back on an edge of a counter top, "I'm smart enough to figure you out, how long do you think it'll take before the cops figure it out? I know this type of shit better than you."
Blossom frowned as she approached the redhead boy and held his hand causing him to look down on her with no emotions showing, "Yes you do. You know this type of stuff, you were raised on this type of stuff. Together, we could accomplish so many amazing things..."
Brick raised a brow
"So lead with me..." she said.
"What are you asking?" He looked unsure of where she was going with this.
"Come with me. We can start our own thing, together we'll be unstoppable." His eyes were glued on hers as she leaned forward, "Come with me..." he wanted to pull back, he wanted to shove her away but he couldn't. Their lips locked and it was like a burst of energy the couple experienced as tongues met and passionately intertwined with one another.
She leaned in for more until he pulled away, "I don't want what you want, Bloss."
She blinked in surprise at his response, "What do you want, Brick?"
"I want you to drop this Professor X bullshit and put it all behind you, if Boomer ever finds out about you he will take you to the cops but he might even kill you before putting your ass behind bars." He said, regretfully shoving the pink Puff away.
"Unless I take myself to the cops first" Blossom said, making Brick look back at her confused of her response
"What are you even talking about?" He was growing tired of Blossom's mind games as he folded his arms, still leaning on the counter top.
"Brick, I have a plan." She said as she reached out for his hand, touching his arm while he kept them folded against his chest with a hard look on his face as he gazed his ruby red eyes down to meet rosy pink eyes. "The plan is do-able but I need your help...please?" She pleaded, begging for his help.
"What do you need?" His emotion plain, keeping on his best poker face but Blossom couldn't see that his heart was breaking seeing her behave like this, he expected better from her.
"I need you to see if you can set up a meeting with Prince Megabucks, I need him to invest in me before I go to prison-"
"Jesus fucking wept." Brick cursed as he grabbed Blossoms wrist and shoved her off him again, not wanting her to touch him. "Listen, I don't want to hear your plan I ain't even in the game no more-"
"Since when? You're Brick Jojo, the leader of the Rowdyruff Boys who deal drugs, smokes weed, rob banks and have sex with girls that you just throw away like a used toy when you're done-" Blossom was about to continue mocking him until he cut her off.
"-Do you remember when my brothers and I started going to Townsville High? Mid sophomore year, it was after lunch you and your sisters had maths and me and my brother walked in your class promising that we turned a new leaf."
"As if, you guys were still smoking weed" Blossom shot back as she folded her arms, mirroring Brick's position.
"Oh, hell mend us for being normal fucking teenagers but from the moment I saw you sitting in class, that was the moment I stopped being in the game, all those other girls you saw me with was to make you jealous. Blossom, why can't you see it's always been you..." Brick's tone got softer but his arms were still crossed, "but every time I gave you an inch you just kept taking a fucking mile off me." He spat out, taking Blossom by surprise. "I always knew it was you that was ratting me and my brothers out to the Principle but I didn't say anything cause I just fell for you that hard."
It's true, every time Brick promised he's changed he would invite me to skip school, or go out the school premises with his brothers for a smoke or even out to a party. Every time he invited me I was right behind him reporting him to Principle Keane she looked down in shame as she dropped her arms, "I need you more than ever right now." She managed to get out, feeling fresh tears warming up her eyes.
Brick sighed, not knowing what to do or say next, "Why do you want out of Bradley's business now? Why did you have to wait this long?"
"Because I found out he was using kids from Boomer's youth centre." She said looking back up at him
"Through using Mac?" He asked sarcastically, knowing it was a rhetorical question.
"It wasn't like that-"
"Then what was it like, Bloss? Because it looks to me that you were using-"
"I wasn't using him!" She screamed back, letting a tear roll down her cheek.
"Then what else was it?!" He roared out as he paced to the opposite side of warehouse, feeling himself getting angry he couldn't even look at her.
"I wasn't using Mac, I didn't even know who he was until..." she stopped herself from sobbing making Brick turn round, "Bradley tricked him into asking me out."
"How the hell did he trick him into dating someone?" The red Ruff asked, not buying anything that's coming out of her mouth.
"It's hard to explain, Brick! You left and I was an emotional wreck, I was depressed, I had to move on from you - I don't know what you want me to say, I fucked up big time! Okay, I'm admitting it now but I promise you as soon as I found out about Bradley using Boomer's kids I left the business I swear to you!" She was hyperventilating, like a child being told they can't have any more candy until after dinner. "Please..." she whimpered, "...I need you.."
*Brick*
Say no, say no, say no Brick wanted to tell her she's on her own, she made her bed she can lie in it but he couldn't. He hated seeing her cry, his heart ached every time she brought out a fresh tear. He slowly walked back to his counterpart with sympathetic look on his face, he used his finger to bring her chin up softly, "Why did you just kiss me when you're already going out with Mac?"
She squeezed out the excess tears before opening her mouth, "I broke up with him."
"Why?" He asked
"Because I don't love him...I like him but I don't love him. But I love you..."
"Don't. Just don't go there." He said dropping her chin and walking away from her, making his way towards the worn-down exit sign
"I'm telling the truth, Brick!" She screamed to the top of her lungs after him, sending an energetic wave which caused the nearby counters to fly the opposite directions of the warehouse, Brick's hat almost went flying off until he caught it, placing it back on his head and turning around to face Blossom, "That's the problem, Bloss I don't know when you're lying or telling the truth anymore!"
Blossom collapsed down to her knees in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. I can't leave her like this, he sighed before making his way towards the pink Powerpuff and swatting down to her level as he gazed into her eyes, "You really love me?"
She nodded as she used the sleeve of her jacket to wipe away the tears, "I do, Brick I really do but I didn't mean to use Mac if I did it wasn't meant to be like this-"
Brick could hear her voice breaking up again before he leaned into her embracing her in for a hug feeling the cold winter weather coming off her jacket, fuck I hate seeing her like this he thought as he lightly kissed her forehead, "Come on get up."
"Where are we going?" She looked up at him as she got up from the dirty warehouse floor
"You're gonna tell me where Bradley's hideout is, I know he'll have one in Townsville and then you're gonna go home." He said with a firm yet softer tone
"What are you going to do?" She asked, sounding a little scared of the answer
"Take care of business." He replied as he narrowed his eyes into hers, hell fuckin' mend him.
*30 minutes later*
After Blossom mentioned that he may be hiding at Fuzzy's old cabin he took her home and flew through the dark forest. He stood at front door seeing the light was on indoors, he knocked harshly and waited for a couple minutes to see no one had answered him. Fuck this, he kicked the door open, leaving it hanging on the broken hinges.
He heard girls screaming in horror and Bradley's voice confused of the sudden break-in, "What in the fresh fuck?"
As soon as Brick entered the cabin he could smell weed taking over the full place, he looked straight ahead to see Bradley sitting on the middle of the couch with his shirt off and two pretty girls, one on either side of him. One was blonde and one was brunette.
"Party's over, laddies." Brick announced as he looked over at Bradley who looked quite amused by his sudden appearance.
"You heard him. Party's over." Bradley repeated while lifting his arms away from them. Both of the girls glanced at each other before getting off the couch and timidly walking past Brick, avoiding eye contact with him, making their way to the front trespassed door.
"Brick Jojo." Bradley stated as he stood up, placing his shirt back on, "how long as it been, eight or nine months since the Berserk drama?"
"Not long enough." Brick said as he stood his ground, keeping his eyes on the red Rock
"You're telling me. Anyway, I'm gonna go ahead and guess you've been talking to our 'innocent' pink friend." Bradley strained his voice when he said 'innocent' as he sat back down on the couch.
"What the fuck did you get her into?" Brick spat out as he crossed his arms
"Nothing she didn't want involved in" Bradley shrugged
"Bullshit. If you wanna talk about 'innocent', why the fuck are you using Boomer's kids?"
"C'mon man, you remember being young on the streets having to steal our meals cause we didn't have parents to feed us. We had each other, these kids had a good thing going; they were getting weekly cash, more they could ever make to feed themselves, clothe themselves, hostels- hell one kid was saving for college!" Bradley yelled across the room but stayed very calm with his response.
Brick never thought of it like that before, "There's two sides to every story."
"Seriously Brick, go ask her yourself. We offered her a job to make drugs, she declined at first but came back with her tails between her legs. I didn't force her to join us, I didn't force her to make the drugs; she did all of that on her own."
"Well I'm here to personally tell you she's out!" The red Ruff barked as he slowly approached closer to his male counterpart, "and if I ever catch you going near her again I'll fucking kill you myself."
"I ain't gonna touch her, Red. But no doubt she'll get bored and come back for more...just like the last one." Bradley cackled knowing the comment would get under Brick's skin.
Brick raced towards the couch before grabbing Bradley by the throat, wrapping his full hands around it, "I'm warning you; leave her the fuck alone." He shoved him away
Brick turned his heel to leave the cabin until he heard the leader of the Rowdyrock speak after his coughing fit, "You're too late, Red."
Brick turned back around with the look of anger on his face, "What are you going on about now?"
"Saving Blossom. You're too late. She's already a criminal, a drug lord even. Something me and you could never achieve. If you come busting down my door again I swear I will put the bitch in her place." The red Rock threatened as he pulled a tray out with cigarette papers, cardboard paper for roaches and weed. "Like I said, you're too late. I already won." He said looking over with his blood red eyes.
"We'll see about that." Brick spat before leaving the cabin.
When he was halfway through the forest he could still feel his blood boiling, that fucking prick. He had to put an end to Bradley and his drug shenanigans once and for all. He reached into his pocket for his phone, dialling a number and placing it to his ears. A couple rings went before he had an answer, "Hey, Bloss it's me. Tell me about your plan real quick..."
*The following day, noon, Blossom*
Brick and Blossom waited in a fancy office located in Citysville waiting for Prince to show up for his meeting, so far he had two minutes to spare before the meeting began. Brick wore his black jeans, red and black hoodie and he wore his signature hat on backwards while his arms were folded as he scanned the room, staying on-guard.
Blossom had her all black Professor X outfit on, this time she purchased a pair of brown contact lenses but she still had on a pair of shades to look the part. She was sitting on the chair that sat directly opposite from the desk as she fiddled with her fingers getting nervous. Brick could see the nervousness as she twiddled her thumbs, "You good?" He checked in
"Just a bit nervous, do you think my plan is okay?" She asked as she turned around, facing Brick as she still had her shades on.
"It's a solid plan but we just need to see how today plays out. Don't worry, you'll be fine." Brick replied as he curved the corner of his lip to show whatever happens, he's got her.
Both couple looked towards the door as they saw a young man enter the room. He was smartly dressed with black slacks, a crystal white button up shirt with long sleeves and a plain yellow tie. He had a black blazer on and his shoes were black and shiny...and expensive looking. Blossom looked over her glasses, she didn't expect Prince to have blonde hair and blue eyes, his hair was quite long maybe just before shoulder length and it was neatly combed back with very light blue eyes but his eyes were icy blue, almost cold and evil looking. I thought he's be exactly like Princess with the red puffy hair, piercing brown eyes and freckles spread across his face she thought to herself, surprised of the outcome.
The blonde man walked over to his desk and seen the girl looking over her glasses as he smirked acknowledging her. He looked behind her to see Brick was still standing with his arms crossed, "Brick, it's been some time" he nodded towards him. "Professor X, pleased to be acquainted." He said as he shook hook her hand, "Now how can I help." He continued as he took a seat on his leather office chair and crossed his legs.
Blossom opened her mouth but no words came out, what do I say? Why am I so nervous? Is it maybe because I'm on my own now? Brick noticed she wasn't answering so he started the pitch on her behalf, "Prince, we're here to offer you a business opportunity." But I'm not on my own...
"A business opportunity?" Prince raised both his brows in amusement, "please enlighten me, what sort of business opportunity?"
"If you're familiar with Professor X's work I'm sure you know what type of business we're talking about." Brick said as he stepped closer to the desk and Blossom
Prince scoffed showing his white perfect teeth, "I see. I appreciate you coming all this way but unfortunately, I would need to decline your offer, Professor X. Now if you could excuse-"
"Wait, you haven't even heard our proposal yet." Blossom interrupted as she stood up
Prince looked up before sighing, "Listen...I know what type of business you do and I don't know anything about drugs but I know that you're special-'
"So invest in me." Blossom suggested, maybe sounding a little too desperate
Prince used his hands to rest on his lips before talking again, "Professor X, I invest myself in legit businesses if you catch my drift. Drugs, on the other hand? I wouldn't even know where to start, who to sell, how to throw off the police. Drugs is a very basic market but that's something I'm not trained in, sadly."
"And that's why I'm here." Brick commented as he looked at the blonde
"With all due respect, I don't take my business out onto the street." Prince objected
"Who said anything about selling on the street?" Brick raised an eyebrow with a smirk causing Prince to tilt his head in curiosity.
Blossom took off her shades showing her brown eyes, "Mr. Megabucks, where do you know that we can sell stock without paying tax?"
"I don't know, Wall Street?" Prince guessed
"Black market." Brick answered
"Close enough. However, how would customers pay for their products? It's not like they can use a credit card to buy drugs online."
"coins." Blossom answered
Prince scoffed again before unbuttoning his blazer, "Alright, I'll play along here; let's say I do accept your offer, would the dark web be our only market?"
Blossom smirked, "Of course not, we have other markets that are available...right under the governments nose." She said, copying Bradley's saying.
"Such as..."
"Prison." Blossom said looking Prince dead in the eye
"Prison?" He raised a brow again
"Well think about it, drugs do get into prison very easily you see it in all the movies whether it's through kitchen delivery, laundry or even the guards but we won't complicate things by involving the guards. If words spreads, which it will, there will be prisons all over the country that'll want a taste of what I'm offering."
"Okay..." Prince nodded, "but it's still not an investment."
"Okay, how about a deal?" Blossom proposed
"Ohh, I'm never too keen on deals." Prince replied
"I'm going to hand myself into the police and get a sweet deal of sixteen months. Whatever prison I end up, most likely Headwood, everyone will know my identity. Now, you probably recognise me-"
"Your face looks very familiar but I just can't seem to put my finger on it." The blonde said as he leaned forward on to his desk
"And when my identity becomes common knowledge everyone and their pets will want a taste of my shit. You will make more money than ever..."
"Sounds like a major gamble, to be honest."
"A gamble that'll be worth your while." Brick assured
"And if you're in prison how are you gonna make the drugs if you don't want to involve the guards?" Prince questioned
"My colleague, Brick, will make the drugs on my behalf all I need to do is teach him the recipe." Blossom said
"Hmm.." he didn't look convinced, "Would I be allowed to have time to think about the offer."
"Unfortunately, we're running on a very tight schedule but how about I change your mind..."
"Sure, why not?" Prince responded, still looking uninterested.
"The Rowdyrock Boys.." she continued making Prince sarcastically scoff at her response
"Ahh yes those down and outs, smoking weed on the school premises or skipping school to get drunk at a park. You remember those days, Brick after all most of those ideas were yours weren't they?...not that you bastards ever invited me."
"That was our loss, ain't it." Brick responded, rolling his eyes
"Don't kiss up to me now that you need something." Prince spat back
"You're right Brick was a bastard." Blossom spoke up causing Brick to widen his eyes and Prince to chuckle, "But he's changed now and he's looking for revenge, same as me."
"And the revenge involves me?" Prince asked, still amused of the topic
"Of course it does. If you invest in me right now and give me time to become 'top dog' in prison while you sell the drugs in the black market you will notice your money going up and Bradley's going down. I was announced his best seller for his empire, molly is the new in-thing."
Prince rubbed his chin as he thought about it, he's changing his mind, come to mama she slyly thought to herself.
"When you put it that way it sounds tempting..."
"It's a solid plan, this can work - it will work if we play our cards right." Brick added, trying to convince him.
"We all get our revenge and most importantly we get our money." Blossom said
Prince leaned back on his chair, "Hmm...it sounds pretty solid but I need bulletproof."
"When have you ever seen the Rowdyrock being successful when it came to the drug business? Never! Until they met Professor X...she gave them power that they never experienced before and a successful drug empire on top of that. She can do the same for you if you give her a chance." Brick pitched, backing-up the pink Puff in disguise.
Blossom seen a hint of hope in Prince's eyes, he was re-considering the offer, "What would the cut of the business be?"
"So far, a fair three-way split until Professor X gets out of prison. Once she's out then I'm out and you two can stick to an even 50/50. I'll do the black market work and you deal with the finance while Professor X moves the products behind bars."
"Finance?" Prince raised a brow finding the negotiation more and more amusing.
"Methylenedioxy, methampetamine, propanamine - it's all gonna cost money." Blossom added
"And where are you making the drug?" Prince asked
"We have a place in mind but not for long, Brick is going to need a lab to work from when I self-surrender, but I bet you can maybe help with that" Blossom replied.
Prince nodded, "I guess that does sound like a solid plan when you put it that way. But what makes you so sure that your product will sell once your identity is realised to the public?" Prince' eyes travelled towards the mysterious woman in black.
Blossom turned around to Brick to see he nodded giving her the green light. Prince raised a brow as Blossom took her black wig off unleashing her auburn hair and poked both fingers in her eyes removing her contact lenses which made her eyes water. She looked back across to see Prince's face dropped with the look of shocked expression across his face. "Dear, Mary & Joseph..." Prince slipped out in disbelief.
"A former super-hero formed into a criminal. Who wouldn't want to buy my drugs?" She simply asked.
Prince had an evil grin spread across his face but Blossom stood her ground, "Blossom Untonium...who'd of thought it, eh?" He smirked, "So this is purely just to get back at the Rowdyrock Boys?" He asked, scanning both redheads.
"And to become an independent businesswoman with an independent investor...so what do you say?"
Prince smiled before standing up and and walking towards his fancy cabinet. He opened the cabinet and brought out two empty glasses and a bottle of malt whisky, he poured the two glasses and handed one to Blossom, "You got yourself an investor, Professor X." He said as they both cheered the glass making a clinking noise as they necked down the whisky.
Blossom could feel her stomach burning but she wouldn't show weakness in front of her new investor, instead she took it like a champ, ignoring the horrible after taste.
"I would pour one out for you but considering you never invited me to any of your parties..." Prince said in a petty manner towards the red Ruff.
"Shame on me." Brick muttered back sarcastically
"Right." Prince said as he took a seat back down and held the office phone to his ear before pressing a button, "Hey, Sally. Yeah go ahead and cancel my next two appointments I'm gonna be in this meeting for a while. Yeah, just head to lunch. Thanks." He said as he put the phone back down. "Okay...lets make this solid plan bulletproof, business tactics."
"Business tactics?" Blossom looked confused
"If you're going to be charging coins online then those coins will have to be transferred into cash."
Blossom wasn't too sure on what to say until Brick helped her out, "He's talking about money laundering."
"I don't know anything about money laundering..." Blossom was embarrassed to say.
"Good thing I cancelled my next two meetings." Prince said as he stood up from his seat taking his blazer off and hanging it up. He rolled up his sleeves bringing out a broad from the corner of the room and into the centre as he started writing; 'Legit business', "First you need to come up with a business like selling clothes or something like that."
"But I'm not selling clothes..." Blossom was confused
"I know that but the government don't. I will go to the bank first thing on Monday and open up a business account, everything under my name to keep it legit as possible." He said as he continued to write on the board;
'Placement' and Prince turned around to the pair, "Placement is when we put the 'dirty money' into a legit financial system such as a new business account which is what I'm doing on Monday." He said as he noted this all down.
Then next to that he wrote down 'Layering', "Layering basically conceals the source of the money through a series of transaction and bookkeeping tricks, basically transferring the money from the black market into the legit business account in small amounts under different names.'
He continued to write 'Integration' "And finally, integration. This is where we withdraw the money from the legitmate account and do what we please with it." He said dropping the pen on to the desk.
Blossom was amazed, "How do you know all this?"
"I'm an investor and a businessman, it's what I know." He shrugged
Blossom turned around her seat to see Brick was standing rubbing his chin and nodding in approval still watching the board, he's impressed. Brick looked at Blossom, "we are gonna wipe the floor with Bradley." He smirked.
Blossom turned back around to Prince, "So how are we gonna make a business?" She asked
Prince smirked, "That's what I'm here for." He winked before proceeding on the ideas.