Chapter 2 Hero In Her
The City of Townsville! Where gossip is growing greatly at the glamorous Pokey Oaks Kindergarten!
(We zoom in on Pokey Oaks, where all the students surround new girl Monica.)
Robyn said Your parents work for Platinum Records? That's so cool!
Monica said Yep. They're working with the coolest musicians out there. Like... I don't know... the one and only Leslie.
(Everyone grows into excited chatter amongst themselves.)
Bubbles (excited): Will you take me to Platinum Records one day? I love Leslie!
Mitch Michelson (also excited, interrupting Bubbles): Ooo! Take me! Take me! I wanna go meet Kiss!
(Before Monica knew it, every student of Pokey Oaks Kindergarten was pleading with her to take them to Platinum Records.)
Monica said Of course! Whether Ms. Keane will allow it, I don't know... But I'll see what I can do.
Students: YAAAAAY!
Princess Morbucks said Pfft! Puh-lease!
(The bratty Princess Morbucks slowly descends from the shadows, walking towards a slightly intimidated Monica.)
Princess said My daddy's building a partnership with Camberson Records. For the fools who don't know, it has contracts with singers that leave Platinum in the dust, like Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes!
(Robyn and a few other girls nearby look like they're about to faint the moment they hear Shawn Mendes. Monica looks crestfallen. Blossom grits her teeth as she stomps over to Princess.)
Blossom said Nobody gives a damn about your daddy's business deals, Morbucks! So what if he's now buying a bunch of companies? He can become Disney for all we care.
(Everyone laughs at Morbucks as Monica pulls on a small grin.)
Princess said I am merely trying to tell everyone that if this business partnership dies, then Camberson's will become the more successful record company and Platinum will go bankrupt and all of their musicians will have to move to Camberson's, where they'll see the light to success.
Blossom said What's this 'light to success'? Wealth? Because if that's so then that explains your black eyes if you've seen it your whole life.
(Everyone is sniggering at this point. Princess is absolutely furious.)
Blossom said You gonna take that, Morbucks? You gonna cry back to your daddy? You're gonna buy lil gadgets that you think can kill me, but you'll just end up in prison again? God, you're predictable.
But it was at that moment when Princess snapped.)
Princess said Yeah? Well I bet you'll be back with Bunny before I'm back in a prison cell.
(Blossom shook in rage as the Princess grinned in glee. The entire school looked like they were going to pounce on Princess, especially Buttercup, but only new girl Monica looked confused. All of a sudden, a monster in Townsville roared and began tearing down buildings.)
Princess: said Go on. Fight it. Without the other one.
Blossom (staring at Princess long and hard): This ain't over, Morbucks.
(The girls fly off furiously. Everybody walks off;
Princess clearly puts them all in a mood. Monica stays strong on her bench, unable to take her eyes off Blossom's pink flying trail.)
Monica said That pink one... she was brave...
(Princess just so happens to hear this, and pulls on a cunning smile. She sits next to Monica without her consent.)
Princess said I know! The audacity she had to speak to me like that! Ugh! I've always hated these Powerpuffs, but Blossom's definitely my least favorite. How dare she act like that to I, Princess Morbucks of... of... (Morbucks sighs and leans in closer to Monica.) Take it from me: those girls can get quite rude at times, just because they're superheroes!
Monica said But if they're superheroes, they can't be that rude!
(At that moment, Princess Morbucks looked like she had the most perfect plan planned.)
Princess said No... they're not... They're actually quite kind! In fact, they're taking in recruits! I'm on the verge of becoming the all new Powerpuff Girl!
Monica (narrowing her eyes): Really now?
Princess said Yes! Really!
Monica says Hmm... If I get to snack talk people and save the world and do good... Then I wanna be a Powerpuff Girl too.
(Princess began laughing maniacally, like an evil plan was falling into place. When Monica looked concerned, she slowly stopped. There is a small awkward silence.)
Princess Morbucks said Oh! Great! Well, I have the perfect idea that will help you and I become Powerpuff Girls!
Monica said You serious?
Princess said Of course, I will never lie! Just come with me back to my beautiful mansion and we'll talk more about it there.
Monica said OK, but I need to ask my parents-
(Princess leaps off the bench and runs off, dragging Monica along by the arm. They leap into Princess' limo, which drives off to Morbucks Mansion. However, the two had no idea that Robyn was secretly watching them behind a bush.)
Robyn says Hmm... This doesn't look good...
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(In Princess' room at Morbucks Mansion.)
Princess said Think of one thing you've always wanted to have. Anything at all!
Monica said Hmm... Well, I've always wanted a Deluxe Princess Pals Castle Playset! My mom and dad can afford it since they are rich, but they don't wanna waste their money on stuff like that.
Princess GASP!) That's it!
Monica said That's what?
Princess said I've the perfect idea for how I could be a Powerpuff Girl! Tomorrow, we won't be at school, but outside Mr Giuseppe's toy store! You'll be dressed up in a plain black unisex criminal outfit and you'll steal the Princess playset. Don't be so worried! I'll pretend to beat you up and save the day! Everyone will praise me, so they'll be distracted while you make your escape. Blossom will definitely allow me in the team for sure! Then the next day, you'll do your heroic act, which I have not thought of yet, but when you do yours, you'll be rewarded with the Princess playset and will get to be a Powerpuff too!
Monica said You really think we can pull this off?
Princess said Of course! It's so gonna work! Believe me.
(The two share friendly grins. A cat begins to purr at Monica's feet.)
Princess: said Oh! That's Sapphire. My pet cat. She's cute, isn't she?
Monica said Yeah, I guess...
Princess said Let's sing!
Monica said Sing?
Princess said Yes, sing. To celebrate the new relationship between Platinum and Camberson Records!
(Monica was slightly suspicious... Why had the Princess gone from Bratty to brazil?)
Princess said What do you wanna sing?
Monica said Dunno; choose a random one.
(Princess puts a disc in a CD player and a song starts to play.)
Monica said I think I know this song...
Princess said Well if you do, sing along and dance!
(Monica looks hesitant at first, but sighs.)
Monica said Alright...
Hero In Me Lyrics -Emily Osment
The two dance and sing along to the song above, having a good time and relieving the stress that will follow tomorrow. Monica sees Princess in a new light throughout this. She was just a kind rich girl like her, who was just misunderstood and had a bad day at times. But a week from now, they would both be Powerpuff Girls...)
(After the song, the two collapse on Princess' bed laughing.)
Monica said I've never had that much fun... ever! You're such a great friend... um... What's your name?
Princess Morbucks! Don't you know that already?
Monica said Well, your real name can't be "Princess", can it?
(Princess sighs and hesitates, she leans in closer to Monica and whispers her real name in her ear. Monica gasps and giggles as the Princess backs away slightly in regret.)
Princess said Don't tell anyone, you hear me.
(Abruptly, Monica hugs Morbucks.)
Monica said I won't! I'd never do that to a friend.
(Princess hugs her by, but carries an evil smoke while she does...)
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The next day at Pokey Oaks:
Ms Keane said Blossom?
Blossom: Present!
Ms Keane said Bubbles?
Bubbles Present!
Ms Keane said Buttercup?
Buttercup: Yeah, over here.
Ms Keane said Elmer:
Elmer : Peasant...
Ms Keane said Mitch?
Mitch Mitchelson (picking his nose): Here.
Ms Keane: (quietly:) Goodness gracious... (loudly:) Um, Monica?
(Monica is missing.)
Ms Keane said Hmm... Robyn?
(Robyn is missing.)
Ms Keane said Alright... (She looks like she's about to say Princess' real name, but quickly says) Princess Morbucks?
(Princess is missing.)
Ms Keane said Three of us are not here today? How odd...
(As Ms Keane continues the register, the Powerpuff Girls go into a deep conversation.)
Bubbles said That's odd! Princess, Monica and Robyn aren't here! They're probably just sick.
(Blossom and Buttercup glare at her incredulously.)
Buttercup said Really? One villain and two innocent students not here today? Don't you think that's a bit... suspicious?
Blossom said It definitely is...
(The Powerpuff Hotline rings. Buttercup makes a slight attempt to reach it first, but Blossom beats her to it.)
Blossom said Yes, Mayor? ... Mr Giuseppe's toy store being robbed? AGAIN? ... Alright; we're on it! (She puts the phone down.) Alright, girls. Let's roll!
(The girls fly off through the ceiling, prepared to stop the criminal ahead.)
(HOWEVER, A FEW MINUTES EARLIER: smile:
(Princess Morbucks and Monica are outside Mr Giuseppe's toy store. Princess is dressed up in her Powderpuff costume, while Monica is in a plain black unisex criminal outfit.)
Princess Morbucks said Alright then! Just sneak in there, blend in with the shadows. Take that deluxe Princess Pals play set off the shelves...
Monica said OK... and then wha-
Princess Morbucks: AND RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN OUTSIDE!
(Monica almost falls to the ground.)
Princess (calmly and kindly): And I'll be waiting for you outside the shop's doors. That's where I'll pretend to punch you, you'll pretend to be unconscious and while others are praising me, you'll sneak away, but I'll become a Powerpuff Girl! Just repeating the plan just in case... You got that?
Monica (nods uncertainty): Yeah... A bit... but I'm just really nervous...
(Princess starts to push her to the store.)
Princess said You'll be fine! Now go!
Monica falls through the door and into Mr Giuseppe's. Surprisingly, the store was slightly packed, perfect for Monica to slip into the shadows. She made her way to the aisle full of the Princess Pals toys secretly. Once she reached it, she saw the biggest toy of all of them there, right in the middle column... The Deluxe Palace Playset. Monica adorned it for a bit, as if it were a shining star, but soon brought it off the shelf. She was tip-toeing her way outside, to chicken to run for it, but Mr Giuseppe caught her.)
Mr Giuseppe (kindly): Aren't you supposed to be in school, young man? Or... wo-man?
(Behind her mask, Monica looked a bit shocked. This outfit really was unisex!)
Monica said Why... um.. well, I'm from Europe! Yeah... a country called... um... Prektoslavia!
Mr Giuseppe (looking suspicious): Prektoslavia?
Monica said Yeah! That! It's beside Poland, Sweden, Portugal and Indonesia!
Mr Giuseppe said You know, I'm not sure i-if that g-geography i-is corr-
Monica said I recently moved here! My parents haven't found a school for me yet, so I hurt my ear! It is 'Halloween in Prektoslavia now, so that's why I am dressed up because I Would l love my 'one country! My parents are riding over there! (She points to a far distance.)
Mr Giuseppe said Really now? I can't wait to find out more about this Prektoslavia!
(As he is turned around, Monica takes this as her opportunity to leave. She runs outside hearing people and Mr Giuseppe screaming behind her. It was so terrifying... The moment she reached outside, then Princess punched her in the face. It was an actual punch! But Monica thought that it was just accidental... right? She falls to the ground, dropping the playset.)
Princess said A-ha! See, citizens of Townsville? I am a true hero!
Crowds begin to surround them, looking surprised, but begin to applaud Morbucks. Monica looked so proud of her. Now she's gonna be a Powerpuff Girl and she will too. Monica remembered that she was supposed to escape here. As she was slipping away, a policeman lifted her off the ground.)
Policeman said Young man, or wo-man, you're under arrest.
Monica said What? No! Please, don't arrest me, officer! Please! It-it was just a set up my friend here and I did so that she could become a Powerpuff Girl! Right, Morbucks?
(Princess stares at her blankly. And laughs.)
Morbucks said I'm afraid I have no idea who this person is. Please arrest her. She was an idiot for joining whatever crime business she's a part of.
(Monica looks absolutely heartbroken. How could she... The real Powerpuff Girls fly in.)
Blossom said What the? Princess? MONICA?! Oh, God... What have you done, Princess!
(Princess slowly walks over to Blossom, putting a hand on the side of her face, moving it slowly down to her neck.)
Princess said I've done nothing wrong. I was just stopping our silly little classmate here from robbing the toy store! You should be thanking me, sweetie. I'm doing well. In fact... I SHOULD BE A POWERPUFF GIRL! TAKE THAT CRIMINAL AWAY!
(The police arrest Monica, carrying her over to their van.)
Monica said NOOO! Blossom! Buttercup! Bubbles! This was all a misunderstanding! Princess promised me that I'd be a Powerpuff Girl too! She said she'd help me get into the team as well!
(The police throw her into the back of their van. They begin to drive away; Monica looks out through the bars of the back door.)
Monica said GIRLS! HELP ME!
(Bubbles was about to fly after the police, but Buttercup held her back, telling her that there's nothing they can do. And within a few seconds, the van was gone. There was a sad silence for a few seconds until Blossom shoves Princess.)
Blossom said You've done it this time, Morbucks! How could I do that to Monica? She's only new.
Morbucks (giggling): The newer they are, the more naïve they can be.
(Buttercup begins energizing a laser blast in her hands, but Bubbles slaps it, telling her to calm down.)
Blossom said What you did was wrong, Princess. It doesn't matter what you do. BECAUSE YOU'LL NEVER BE A POWERPUFF GIRL!
(A dramatic silence rings in the air as the crowds watch on to see what will happen next.)
Morbucks said So... what's your little policy then? 'Cause I think I've figured it out.
Blossom said What?
Morbucks said You can be a Powerpuff Girl! Anyone can! Just as long as you have a righteous heart and are a good person in life. And also if you're a bug eyed freak who has a bow growing out of your head, has stubs for hands and feet and is Voldemort noseless! ... Just... like... Bunny.
(Blossom is boiling in rage.)
Blossom said PRINCESS MORBUCKS, FU-
(ZAAAP! Princess Morbucks zaps Blossom with her black tech gloves and she disappears; her jetpack becomes shinier. The crowds gasp in shock and fear. Bubbles and Buttercup aren't bothered to hold each other back anymore as they fly towards Princess, who also blasts them, causing them to disappear. She laughs maniacally.)
Princess said Who's next?
(Princess begins to blast any citizen she sees, causing them all to disappear.)
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(Monica is crying at the back of the van.)
Monica said I don't believe it. She betrayed me. Why did she do that?! I this ught we were gonna be Powerpuff Girls together...
Policeman: said Oi! Kid! Quite talking to yourself back there!
(Monica was too upset and angry to respond. This absolutely sucked.)
Robyn said Now you know how I felt.
Monica ARGH!
(Robyn comes out of the shadows of the back of the van.)
Monica (whispers): How did you get in here?!
Robyn (whispers): I followed you and Morbucks. I had a feeling you'd end up in here, so I snuck in.
Monica said No! That doesn't make sense... why are you here? What do you mean by 'how you felt'?
(Robyn obviously didn't want to talk about it. But she spilled the beans.)
Robyn said A while ago, I became best friends with Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup. But they were ALWAYS fighting crime, so I got no real chance to hang out with them. Princess came along, saying that she'd help me, so I agreed. She put me in a very similar situation that you just went through!
Monica said Jeez! Don't be so mad! And jeep it down-
(She stopped, feeling sorry for Robyn as she started to cry.)
Robyn said The girls arrived just in time to save me. But I was being used, Monica! It's a horrible feeling to have. When I saw you two chatting in the playground yesterday, I knew that Princess was going to be put in the same situation. That, I could not allow. I want to save you, Monica. I want to stop Princess. I wanna make sure that she never makes anyone feel like this again!
Monica said Oh... I see now. Sorry you had to go through that.
Robyn (smiling through her tears) That's fine.
Monica said At least I know her real name.
Robyn said Really? What is it?
(Monica whispers it to her.)
Robyn (laughing): No way!
Monica said Yep! Don't tell anyone else though... How are we gonna get outs here?
(Robyn breaks through the bars, using a hairpin to cut them. The two jumped out of the can as it was just about to reach the police station.)
Monica said OW! That was a rough fall...
Robyn said you will Get used to it! They'll be more of that from what's coming ahead. We're heading to Mr Giuseppe's! I'll explain when we get there!
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(Princess Morbucks is blasting more and more people and laughs maniacally during this.)
Princess said That's half the city's population! I think I'll either head over to Town hall or the Powerpuffs house next. Town Hall can give me full control of the city, but I can also destroy all the Powerpuffs belongings. Tough choice...
(In the corner of her eye, Princess sees something. And turns around. Only to be slightly shocked. It's Robyn and Monica, dressed up in Princess Pals knight's armor costumes. They have wooden swords, Super Soakers, Nerf guns and shields to arm themselves.)
Robyn said MORBUCKS! You have used people for the last time!
Monica said Yeah! Today's the day you stop all of this!
(There is silence in the deserted streets.)
Princess said And you think you can beat me with Nerf darts? While I'm rich? With highly advanced technology?! Wow, you guys are stooped.
Monica said No, we're not! We are brave! We are strong! We are taking you down!
Princess said Bring it on!
(Princess presses the button of a remote control, and robotic bees rise behind her.)
Monica said Robot bees? When did she have the time to build those?!
Robyn said Anything's possible with dem dolla dolla bills... You take on Morbucks and I'll handle the bees.
Monica said Really? You're not gonna pull off that 'I have a score to settle' cliché?
Robyn (giggles) Na, that's not me. And a little tip: whenever Princess blasts someone with her gun, her jetpack glows.
I think you gotta destroy that to free the citizens .Monica said .
(The battle commences, and you can imagine the instrumental of 'Hero In Me' playing in the background. Robyn uses her wooden sword to whack all of the bees, eventually destroying them.)
(Monica takes on Morbucks, using her shield to block her laser blasts. She swipes her sword through the air, hoping to hit Princess, but always misses. Princess kicks her back, but she lands on her feet. Monica uses her Nerf gun to shoot Princess, and the darts get in her eyes. As she's screaming in pain, Monica uses this as an opportunity to hit her with her wooden sword several times. She then trips Princess and she collapses to the ground. Just as Monica is grinning in triumph, she turns around upon hearing a scream. The bees have thrown away all of Robyn's weapons and are now poking her hurtfully with their razor sharp stingers.)
Monica said ROBYN!
(Princess Morbucks leaps up and punches Monica in the face. She falls to the floor, her nose bleeding. Princess climbs on top of her, holding her arms down.)
Princess said Your a fool, you know that? An utter fool for ruining the plan.
Monica said It's not my fault you had a change of plan. Listen, Princess, you don't have to do this. Money can't buy you a spot on the Powerpuff Girls team!
Princess said No! You listen. Those Powerpuffs have been on the verge of death many times. I could've helped them and I could've prevented those from happening! But they keep ignoring me! Pushing me to the side. I just want to help them, yet they keep rejecting me! It's the sane cycle that's just repeating and repeating. I... I just can't take it anymore! This is what I have to resort to... Do you even know what it's like for me?
(Monica considered this... she did feel some remorse for Princess... those Powerpuff Girls... turning her into a monster...)
Monica said I don't know what it's like for you...
(Princess looked hopeful.)
Monica said But frankly I don't want to!
(She kicks Princess away from her, and she slides back. Monica then jumps over her, and traps her in a headlock.)
Monica said Guess who's gonna get arrested now?
Princess said Good luck with that! The city still thinks that I had no involvement in your little bank robbery. You'll be behind bars in no time when I rule Townsville!
Monica said Oh really now? What if I do... THIS?!
(Monica uses her Super Soaker to squirt Princess' jetpack. As the jetpack sends on lightning and eventually explodes, all the citizens of Townsville begin to reappear from thin air, including the Powerpuff Girls. Just as Morbucks points the gun at Monica, prepared to blast her, Robyn grabs her gun and stamps on it.)
Princess yelled NOOOOO!
(Princess Morbucks sinks to the ground, defeated.)
Robyn said Face it, it's over-
And just then, she accidentally says Princess' real name. She covers her mouth as a silence spreads around the area. And all the citizens end up laughing at Morbucks.)
Princess said No. No! NO! Monica, you turd! You said you wouldn't tell anyone! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO ME?!
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The next day at Pokey Oaks Kindergarten, Ms Keane is showing the morning's newspapers, featuring Monica and Robyn on the front page with Morbucks, who is in a prison cell. The students ooh and aah.)
Ms Keane said Yes, students, is this excellent? Let us congratulate Robyn and Monica for their acts of bravery yesterday!
(The whole class applaud Monica and Robyn who are blushing and sitting at the same table where Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup are.)
Blossom said You two did prove yourselves to be quite brave yesterday! Well done! I know exactly how to congratulate you.
(She brings out a certain something from under the desk.)
Monica GASP!) A Deluxe Princess Pals Palace Play set!
Bubbles said Yep! Just for you and only for you!
Robyn said Hey... Do you think you could ever allow people to be Powerpuff Girls?
Blossom: said Only people who look like us and have our abilities. I know that sounds offensive, but here me out: fighting crime, serious dirty business and we can't handle anyone getting hurt. That's why we need to be careful about what we fight with... and why. Do you understand?
Robyn & Monica said Of course.
Buttercup said Hey! Look who's at the bottom of the front page?
Ms. Keane: Hmm... Mr Giuseppe? 'This man has been arrested for making up absurd ideas for a fictional European country he calls... Prektoslavia?
Monica said I may be partially responsible...
(The class stare at an embarrassed Monica and laugh at her playfully.)
: Don't worry, Monica! I was never great at geography either... And so once again the day is saved. Thanks to The Powerpuff Girls!
Author Note
Princesses Real Name's Alice Hale Morbucks but since Princesses don't want her real