Happy holiday season everyone!
This is the first direct continuation of chapters, hope you enjoy!
As always, I am but a humble fanfic writer :) all respects to original writers and artists

~Is it easier when you don't have to count to ten? When you don't have to pretend? I want to know that feeling~
"Good Girls" -CHVRCHES

It costs nothing to be kind. Bubbles had taught Boomer this notion very early in their shared time together. And, as he had also discovered, it seemed to make his world a bit brighter as well.

Amazing what one could accomplish when doom and gloom were no longer your only companions.

Regardless, there did come moments when defending one's self and those they care about became useful.

Particularly when Boomer ran out of niceness to give out. Hey, he was still a Rowdyruff Boy after all.

Today was quickly turning into one such day.

With his Hollywood smile frozen onto his face and a vein pulsing in his temple, Boomer felt his patience begin to evaporate.

"All I want, is a cup of cold water. Nothing else, thank you." He drummed his fingers on the counter of the drink hut.

The drink attendant nodded his head. "Okay, water…water…" his brown eyes searched his POS system. "Ooh! Would you like to try our new Seafoam Water? Its got five flavors and comes with a novelty cup you can—"

Boomer held up his hand. He and this young employee had been going back and forth like this for some time. "No!" He almost shouted, making everyone within earshot jump. He took a deep breath to compose himself. Calm down, dude. "No, thank you. I don't need the new Banana-Rama milkshake, no seawater or whatever collectible cup with the smiling whale on the side, doesn't matter if it's a tall or short glass, no umbrella, or a sugar or salt rim, you don't even need to put ice in the cup, man! I just want, a nice, refreshing drink of water." His blue eyes blazed with electricity as his fingers dug into the wood. "I know you're just doing your job but I would really appreciate it if you just got me that, thanks."

The kid swallowed and all but threw a cup of water from the fountain at Boomer.

Boomer sighed, releasing the counter, leaving behind finger-shaped dents. "Cheers." And he spun off with his drink.

Returning to his brothers and Bubbles and Blossom, Boomer took a quick swig of the cool liquid and passed the cup to his lady.

"Ah, thank you my sweet!" She too, took a sip. "Buttercup was just taking too long, probably started scrolling." She took another sip.

All the anger and frustration began to melt away at seeing Bubbles happy. "Not a problem." He sighed.

Blossom swept her bangs to the side. "She is taking a long time. Maybe I should go check on her…" Blossom gazed in the direction Buttercup had walked off. She made to get up before Butch stopped her.

"Too late for that, Butterbabe at 2 o'clock, coming in hot!" He pointed at the green stripe in the sky which was headed straight for them.

Everyone's eyes widened as a very bewildered-looking Buttercup came into view.

A moment later, she appeared before them. "Girls!" She thrust out her phone. "Trouble, hotline! We gotta go!" She tossed her head in the direction towards the city.

A beat passed.

Then, as if a switch was flipped, Bubbles and Blossom immediately dropped everything and stood up. Together, in true Powerpuff formation, the three young ladies took to the sky and jetted off.

A group of people watched the girls fly away. Their eyes then fell to the boys standing there.

Butch was the first to react. "Hell no they're not leaving me out of the action!" And he followed the fading pink, blue, and green streaks.

"Butch, don't interfere!" And Brick chased after him.

Suddenly finding himself rather alone, Boomer sent an embarrassed grin to the crowd of spectators. "One of those days, right folks?" And then he left as well.

By the time Boomer had tracked his siblings and their counterparts down, the battle had mostly come to a conclusion.

The unfortunate monster who had decided to attack Townsville was severely weakened at this point and barely holding on.

He could hear Blossom shouting commands while Bubbles and Buttercup worked to knock the beast out.

Surprisingly, Butch and Brick seemed to be helping as well, using their powers as an aid to the girls.

"Never thought I'd see the day." Boomer said to himself, flying closer to the battle.

"Buttercup! Status report!" Blossom called.

"Almost done! Its eyes are super sensitive, everywhere else will just bounce off with those scales!" She sent an eye beam straight into the soft eyeball tissue of the monster. It roared in pain, proving her theory.

"Got it! Bubbles!" Blossom dodged a huge arm. "I need you on damage control. Make sure no civilians get hurt! We'll try and knock it away from the city!"

"Okay!" Bubbles immediately swooped down to the streets and round up any shocked people within the vicinity. She swiftly delivered them to safety before leaving to find more.

"Brick! You and Butch with us, we'll need your help taking it out!"

Boomer watched in awe as his normally apathetic brothers lit up the sky with lasers and bolts of power.

"Boomie! You made it!" Bubbles called, herding a group of terrified people out of harms way.

"Heh, yeah but it looks like I'm a little too late." He quickly moved to assist her.

Bubbles smiled, reassuring him. "It's never too late to do the right thing."

Boomer smiled back at her. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
The two floated together for a moment before the monster let out a dying groan and began to teeter.

Bubbles' eyes snapped away and she gasped. "Oh my gosh, Boomer! That stroller!" She pointed behind him.

Boomer spun around and noticed the stroller in question, where two, tiny arms could be seen poking out.

He quickly glanced at the unsteady monster and deduced that the baby was in danger.

"I'm on it!" And he zoomed off, scooping the infant into his arms and flying out of the way of a giant foot. The stroller was easily crushed as the monster stepped on it.

Boomer felt his heart pound at the weight of saving a life. "Whoa," he glanced down at the child, "y'alright little one?"

His only reply was the happy babble of the toothless baby.

Boomer released a breath and flew back to the sidewalk. "Taking that as a yes, heh." He adjusted his hold and looked around.

Immediately a different pair of arms reclaimed the bundle. "Oh thank the heavens, you've just saved my baby!" A kind looking woman with the same eyes as the child said to him. "You've no idea how grateful I am to you." She placed a chaste kiss against his cheek.

Although the whole situation felt rather cliché, Boomer did have to admit that it felt good to be seen as a hero.
"Boomie, that was amazing!" Bubbles threw her arms around him and squeezed. "I'm so proud and impressed and just ahh!" She screamed. "Speechless!"

Boomer's heart swelled at her words, his own arms winding around her.

The monster finally toppled over, falling into the ocean.
A cheer erupted from the people who had watched the battle. "Hooray for the Powerpuff Girls!"

Butch, Blossom, Brick, and Buttercup drifted down to the street. Soon, everyone was swarmed.

"Blossom! Blossom! What was that all about? And why are you all wearing swimsuits?"

"Bubbles! How did you manage to save everyone in time?"

"Buttercup! Where did the monster come from? Will there be any more? Are we safe?"

Blossom immediately began crowd control, declining offers for interviews and questions. "We have no comment as to why this monster appeared or if more will follow. However!" She turned and gestured to the boys. "We could not have done this without the help of the Rowdyruff Boys!" She began to clap.

And, to the boys' surprise, everyone else did too. "Hooray for PPG and RRB!"

Loud cheers filled the air. Everyone's eyes shone with admiration and respect. Not one person seemed to be unhappy at the Rowdyruff Boys' appearance or assistance. Once upon a time, the whole world would have spit on him and his brothers for even trying to step foot into society.

My, my! How the tables have turned on this unfortunate little trio.

Boomer felt his face burn, unused to the overwhelming positive feedback. He gripped Bubbles as if she were a lifeline.

He tried his best to seem like the confident, superhero these people now pictured him to be, but the truth was his knees were shaking.

Somewhere, far away from this celebration, something stirred.

Shapeless, colorless, soundless, it coiled and released. Over and over again. Testing..? No.

Practicing.

"I hope you're ready. Not long now."

Flex. Relax.

Flex…relax…

"Do you think you deserve to be happy?"

This chapter is a bit shorter than the rest, but a longer one is already in the works! Thanks for all your support my loves. Stay safe!
-Mis&Co