zoom

Time Assassins - Part Two

zoom Herb Montes

Narrator The Professor and Ms. Keane with the mysterious little boy Cody, have taken refuge behind the locked door of his laboratory while the Powerpuff Girls deal with an attack of robot ninja monkeys upstairs.

Professor said "It's become quiet up there, too quiet."

Ms. Keane looks worried as the little boy falls to sleep in her arms. Suddenly there is an insistent knocking on the locked door.

Blossom said "Professor, it's us! Let us in, Buttercup is hurt bad!"

When the Professor opens the door they see Blossom holding up an unconscious Buttercup. The stump of her arm has been tied off with a tourniquet made from a strip of cloth torn from Blossom's dress. Bubbles is behind them holding Buttercup's arm wrapped in a towel.

Blossom said "One of those ninjas cut off Buttercup's arm!"

Professor said "OH MY GOODNESS! Quick, get her on the table in the medical room. Give me the arm so I can pack it in ice. If we act fast enough I may be able to reattach it."

Moving quickly Buttercup is prepared for surgery. The Professor has Blossom and Bubbles wait in the other room to watch over Cody while Ms. Keane assists him. The Professor and Ms. Keane quickly prep for surgery, donning surgical masks, gowns and gloves.

First the Professor gives injections of antibiotics infused with Chemical X to Buttercup to prevent any infection from setting in and strengthen her immune system. Then he starts an intravenous drip of plasma plus pain killers to keep her sedated and her blood pressure up.

The Professor reattaches the severed bone of Buttercup's upper arm with a titanium rod and screws. Then he sews the major blood vessels and veins back together. He cauterizes the ones too small to reattach. After cleaning the incision he sews her muscles and sinews together before closing her skin. Then he wraps the wound with a bandage.

Ms. Keane wipes the sweat from the Professor's brow after he completes the procedure to save Buttercup's arm.

Professor said "There, if she's lucky she'll regain full use of her arm."

Ms. Keane said "I didn't know you were so experienced in advanced surgery."

Professor said "When you have to mend these girls so often it helps to be prepared for any medical emergency."

Ms. Keane said "Have the girls ever recovered from an injury this serious?"

Professor said "Nothing this bad, they do have remarkable healing abilities because of the Chemical X in their bodies. But I don't know if it can rebuild bone as healthy as before. We have to hope for the best."

Ms. Keane watches as he holds Buttercup's other hand in his and rubs it gently. Her heart goes out to this man who cares so much for his girls.

Ms. Keane (thinking to herself) "How can one not love this man?" There is a faint tapping at the door and Bubbles' blue eyes can be seen peeking through the small window at the entrance to the medical room. Ms. Keane goes over and joins the girls in the other room. She sits down next to the chair where Blossom is cradling the sleeping Cody in her lap. Bubbles sits in Ms. Keane's lap and looks up at her with tearing eyes.

Bubbles said "Is Buttercup going to be all right?"

Ms. Keane said "It looks like she's going to be. Don't worry, she's a fighter."

Bubbles buries her face in Ms. Keane's chest.

Bubbles said "Poor Buttercup."

Ms. Keane said "Be strong for your sister, honey."

Blossom said "The Professor thinks Buttercup will recover?"

Ms. Keane said "He's quite sure. You girls have amazing powers and it takes more than a bunch of nasty robot ninjas to take you down."

Blossom said "I just wish I knew who was sending these things against us."

Bubbles said "Can we see Buttercup now?"

Ms. Keane said "No, wait until she gets better. We got to let her rest and heal."

Narrator

By nightfall it looks like there is not going to be another visit by the ninjas. As the Professor stays by Buttercup's bedside to monitor her healing Ms. Keane helps the girls to clean up the living room while Cody sleeps up in the girls' room on their bed.

Bubbles said "Blossom, why didn't these nasty things explode like the first ones?" She tosses pieces of a robot in a trash bag Ms. Keane is holding open.

Blossom said "Hmm, these must have been different ones sent to finish the job the first ones didn't. They were tougher and faster. I have a bad feeling when they come again they'll be even tougher."

Ms. Keane said "What will you do if they do come?"

Blossom said "I don't know, with Buttercup out of commission Bubbles and I will have a real fight on our hands."

Ms. Keane said "I would hate to think what would happen to Townsville if we lose all three of you."

Blossom said "I don't like to think about that myself."

Then they hear Cody crying upstairs.

Ms. Keane said "I bet he's hungry."

Blossom said "You go to him, Ms. Keane. Bubbles, go into the kitchen and fix him something to eat. I'll stay here and guard the house."

While Ms. Keane goes upstairs and Bubbles floats over to the kitchen, Blossom sits on what's left of the sofa. As she stares at the front door which had been repaired with broken boards the Professor enters from the lab. Blossom can see the haggard look on his face.

Blossom said "How's Buttercup?"

Professor said "She's doing better. She's still under but it looks like her arm is going to heal well. I don't know if she'll get full use of it again, time will tell."

As the Professor sits down next to her she puts her arm around his.

Professor said "Did I hear the boy crying?"

Blossom said "Ms. Keane is with him now and Bubbles is fixing him something to eat. You need rest yourself."

Professor said "I'll be okay, it's just been a hectic day."

Blossom said "Are you worried about what may be coming?"

Professor said "Yes, I didn't want to show it in front of the others but I think someone or something now has us targeted for destruction. And they have the capability of doing it."

Blossom - said "They won't succeed. We'll do everything to protect you, Ms. Keane and Cody."

Then Ms. Keane comes downstairs with Cody in her arms. The little boy yawns and looks around sleepily. Bubbles returns from the kitchen with a tray full of snacks and drinks.

Bubbles said "Everybody needs to keep their strength up so I brought a lot."

Blossom said "Thank you Bubbles."

Bubbles said "Professor, how is Buttercup?"

Professor said "Much better."

Bubbles said "Can I see her now?"

Professor said "Let her rest a while more, she's still under the influence of the pain killers and medicine."

Blossom said "Something wrong, Ms. Keane."

They can all see a puzzled look on her face.

Ms. Keane said "It's the strangest thing. I decided to get the jump suit Cody was wearing off and put one of Bubbles t-shirts and shorts on him so he can be more comfortable. I found a birthmark on his back."

She pulls up the back of Cody's shirt and shows them a small brown star-shaped mark on the middle of his back.

Ms. Keane said "I got one just like it on my back."

Blossom said "That's right, I remember seeing it when the class went to swim at the city's public pool for a field trip and you wore a yellow bikini."

Bubbles said "You looked so pretty in it. Come to think of it I do remember seeing that thing on your back too."

Ms. Keane said "The mark is very common in my family. I wonder if this boy is somehow related to me."

Cody said "Mama..." He pats his tummy.

Ms. Keane said "Okay sweetie, how about some applesauce."

As they watch Ms. Keane feed the little boy in her arms Blossom suddenly sits up straight.

Blossom said "My super hearing has picked up Buttercup waking up."

Professor - said "She must be recovered from the anesthetic."

Buttercup's eyes are trying to focus at the room around her when the others enter. The Professor leans over her and whispers.

Professor said "How do feel, Buttercup?"

Buttercup (hoarsely) -"Hungry, what's for dinner?"

Blossom said "That's our Buttercup."

Buttercup said "I feel weird and all numb. I thought I had lost my..." Then she sees her arm wrapped in bandages.

Professor said "Don't move, give it a chance to heal. I was able to reattach it and you should regain use of it soon."

Buttercup said "I'll be able to punch with it again?"

Professor said "I don't see why not. You have a titanium pin in your bone which will stay in there. And there will be some scarring but you'll be one hundred percent." The Professor touches the exposed part of her hand of her bandaged arm.

Professor said "Can you feel me touch your hand?"

Buttercup said "Yeah, a bit."

Professor said "Good that means the nerves are rebuilding themselves."

Bubbles said "Is there anything you want, Buttercup?"

Buttercup said "Dry your eyes and fix me a sandwich."

There is the soft laughter of relief in the room.

Narrator All night Blossom and Bubbles take turns guarding the family. Blossom is sitting in the living room trying not to nod off when Bubbles comes downstairs.

Bubbles said "It's almost morning, Blossom. You should get some rest."

Blossom said "I'll be okay. I want to be ready."

Bubbles said "Are you scared?"

Blossom said "Yes, I am. But I can't let that stop me from protecting the others we care for."

Bubbles said "I learned to face my fears thanks to you and Buttercup. I wish she was here with us."

Blossom said "Whatever happens we'll always be together as one team."

Suddenly a flickering light can be seen flashing through the front windows.

Blossom - said "COME ON!" Bubbles"

Flying outside the two remaining Powerpuff Girls look up to see a vortex appearing in the sky over their house. Robot ninja monkeys are emerging from it like a mass of locusts. Now they all have fours arms each with a sword in each hand.

Bubbles said "Blossom, there are so many!"

Blossom said "No matter how many they throw at us we will never give up. Remember who you're fighting for."

Bubbles said "Yes."

The morning sky is almost blacked out by the armada of ninjas hovering over them, as though waiting for some silent command to attack. The vortex behind them shrinks and then disappears. All is quiet, not even a songbird is heard. It is as though the entire world is holding its breath.

Then the Powerpuff Girls are startled as another vortex appears with a crackling of electricity. They are expecting even more ninjas to appear but this time a single object comes through. With a loud roar and spewing black exhaust what looks like a jet-powered motorcycle with wings zooms toward the mass of ninjas.

Riding on it is a woman wearing a short green dress with a black belt, black leather jacket and long black boots. Her short black hair flutters in the wind as the morning sun glints off her dark sunglasses.

The ninjas all turn as one toward the rider and begin slashing their swords in the air. The woman raises her arm and fires an energy bolt at them from her hand. Then she plows her machine into the ninjas while swinging a fist and kicking her legs at them. With a crash and crunching of metal many of the

ninjas fall to the ground in pieces or explode. Blossom and Bubbles stand there dumbfounded as they watch the mysterious super-powered woman on her amazing skycycle trash and defeat the army of lethal robots. Soon, all that is left of the threat is a pile of metal on the front lawn.

The woman brings the machine in to land in front of the girls.

Woman said "Sorry about the mess."

Blossom said "Wha'...what...who are you?"

Woman said "Uh, I better not say right now. I just want to be sure you and the others are okay."

Bubbles said "Yes we are, you saved us from those meanies, thank you!"

Then the Professor and Ms. Keane are at the front door of the house, she is holding a sleeping Cody in her arms.

Professor said "We saw everything from the window. Thank you for helping."

Woman said "That's what I'm here for. May I come in?"

Blossom - said "Wait a minute, I have a lot of questions for you."

Professor said "Blossom, we must be gracious to our guest, especially after she possibly saved our lives."

Woman said "You were always a cautious one, Blossom."

The woman gets off her sky cycle and walks into the house followed closely by the others.

Woman said "Can I have some coffee? I missed my caffeine fix this morning when I rushed over to deal with those robots."

Blossom said "About my questions..."

Woman said "They'll be answered soon enough."

Professor said "Just let me a pot started."

Woman said "Good, bring it down to the medical room."

Blossom said "What?"

Before anyone can blink the woman zips down to the lab at super-human speed leaving a green light trail.

Bubbles said "She's faster than us!"

Blossom said "Come on!"

They all rush down to find the woman standing by Buttercup's bed who looks up at the woman with sleepy eyes.

Blossom said "What are you up to?"

Woman said "Well it helps if we're all together before I answer your questions. What I'm about to say you may not believe at first."

Blossom (crossing her arms with a mistrustful look in her eyes) said "Try me."

Woman said "How about that coffee?"

Professor said "Oh, just let me brew some in my pot down here."

Woman said "You always made the best coffee, Professor."

Blossom said "You act like you know us."

Woman said "Well I do." She takes off her dark sunglasses and they can see her large green irises. Then she loosens her jacket and pulls down one side exposing her upper arm. On her upper shoulder is a small tattoo of a heart with the letters "PPG" in the middle. Just below the tattoo is a scar that runs all the way around her arm.

Woman said "You did a good job of re-attaching my arm, Professor."

Professor said "What, I never..."

Bubbles said "You look like Buttercup all grown-up."

Woman said "I am."

Blossom said "That's impossible!"

Buttercup's eyes go wide when the woman looks at her.

Buttercup said "She is, she's me from the future!"

Adult Buttercup said "She knows the score, of course she would recognize her own self."

Professor said "Then those time vortexes are portals from the future?"

Adult Buttercup said "Yes, they are."

Blossom said "Who's sending those robot ninjas?"

Adult Buttercup said "Mojo Jojo, of course."

Blossom slaps her forehead.

Blossom said "Of course, the Mojo Jojo of the future."

Bubbles said "But why, and why try to hurt this boy and us?"

Adult Buttercup said "The boy's name is Cody Utonium. He's the Professor's and Ms. Keane's son."

Ms. Keane said "WHAT?! But we're not married!"

Adult Buttercup said "Not yet you're not."

The Professor and look at each other and blush. Then Ms. Keane looks down at the sleeping little boy in her arms.

Ms. Keane said "He's my son, my own child." She hugs Cody closer to her and a tear forms in her eye.

Professor said "That rocket that brought the boy into our time..."

Adult Buttercup said "Your future self built it to send him to safety."

Blossom said "Why?"

The Professor hands the adult Buttercup a cup of coffee who sits down in a chair next to the bed.

Adult Buttercup said "The Mojo Jojo of my time had been laying low for months. What he had been doing is building a huge army of robot ninja monkeys. He unleashed several thousand at Townsville to destroy everything and everybody."

Blossom said "Everything and everybody? Didn't he want anything left to be master of?"

Adult Buttercup said "Nope, he's gotten bitter in his old age and just wanted to wipe us all out."

Blossom said "Didn't our future selves try to stop him?"

Adult Buttercup said "Oh sure we did. The first wave at least. As we Powerpuff Girls had gotten older we have also gotten stronger. But he held some back in reserve and decided to get his final revenge on our loved ones. He especially went after the Professor and Mom's son."

Ms. Keane said "Mom?"

Adult Buttercup said "Well since you married the Professor we think of you as our mother now. Anyway, Mojo was miffed that the Professor has things he did not have. Besides the accolades and respect for creating the Powerpuff Girls he has the love of a wonderful woman and offspring."

Professor said "So I sent my own son back in time?"

Adult Buttercup said "You did it during our major battle with Mojo's robots. You wanted to be sure Cody was safe and sent him back to this time because you knew our younger selves would protect him. Once Mojo found out what you did he sent some of his reserves through time after Cody. Later he sent them after Ms. Keane, hoping if she was killed Cody wouldn't be born."

Bubbles said "That awful monkey! I'm going to kick his heinie!"

Blossom said "There will be plenty of time for that, Bubbles. How many more of those robots will we have to expect?"

Adult Buttercup said "Those were the last of them I just wiped out."

Bubbles said "That's a relief. So you're going back with Cody soon?"

Adult Buttercup said "Not yet, we know Mojo won't give up too soon."

Blossom said "That's for sure. He'll try anything next."

Adult Buttercup said "So I'm staying around until you're back to full force."

Buttercup said "I'll be back on my feet as soon as they fix me some breakfast."

Professor said "You'll need some time to recover. But you do deserve a big breakfast."

Adult Buttercup said "Sausage and pancakes?"

Buttercup said "Yeah!"

Professor said "Coming right up."

Meanwhile, Mojo Jojo is eating breakfast in his lair when he is interrupted by a vortex appearing in his kitchen.

Mojo Jojo said "What is this? Who dares to to disturb my morning repast?"

Then a figure steps out of the vortex that startles him. The person is almost mirror image of himself, with wrinkles around his face, graying hair, and stooped over leaning on a cane. The older looking Mojo Jojo walks toward him with a prominent limp.

Old Mojo Jojo said "Do not be so surprised. I am here to enlist your help in my plans for the final elimination of the Powerpuff Girls."

Mojo Jojo said "Do you mean we will finally do it?"

Old Mojo Jojo said "Yes, I am from the future and with the technology I have created we will be victorious."

Mojo Jojo said "How far from the future? And why do I need my past self for help?"

Old Mojo Jojo said "Very far as you can see. I am getting very old and I need my younger more vital self to complete my final plans."

Mojo Jojo said "Very well then, I will help you. Thus assuring my future will be a brighter and happier one without the Powerpuff Girls."

Old Mojo Jojo said "Indeed..."

The Buttercup of the future balances a plate of sausages and pancakes on her lap, eating heartily as she watches Bubbles help Buttercup with her breakfast. Still only able to use one arm Buttercup needs Bubbles to feed her.

Buttercup - said "Mmm, the Professor makes great spicy sausages."

Adult Buttercup said "He knows the way we like them. He sprinkles on a bit of cayenne pepper on them while he heats them up."

Bubbles said "Eeek, they're too spicy for me."

Buttercup said "They're not for wimps anyway."

Bubbles said "Don't call me a wimp or I'll spill orange juice in your lap."

Buttercup said "Okay okay, I'm sorry. Now give me a bite of a pancake."

While she chews her food she looks up at her older self. Besides being taller the adult Buttercup is more filled out and muscular.

Buttercup said "Can I look at your tattoo again?"

Adult Buttercup said "Sure." The woman pulls down the sleeve of her jacket to let Buttercup get a closer look.

Buttercup said "Cool! Do we have anymore?"

The woman leans closer and whispers in Buttercup's ear.

Adult Buttercup said "There's another one on my butt."

Buttercup (whispering) "Wicked!"

Adult Buttercup (chuckling) said "Aren't we?"

Bubbles said "What are you two whispering about? It's not about me, is it?"

Buttercup said "Nope, big girl talk."

Bubbles said "You two are so weird."

The two Buttercups laugh together.

Upstairs in the kitchen, Ms. Keane feeds breakfast to Cody as the Professor and Blossom watch.

Professor said "I can't believe I have a son."

Blossom said "It certainly explains the resemblance to you both."

Ms. Keane said "I can't believe we'll be married and have a child."

Blossom said "Come on Ms. Keane, it won't be so bad being our mom."

Ms. Keane said "But how can I love a man enough to have his child." She looks at the Professor who looks admirably at the boy. Then he notices her gaze.

Professor said "Maybe over time we will accept our differences and we will eventually..."

Ms. Keane said "Get married and have a baby?"

Blossom said "That also means having to fall in love again."

Ms. Keane said "Love? What you and your father had between us earlier was just a fling. An innocent infatuation."

Blossom said "Was it really?"

Ms. Keane sees Blossom looking at her with a skeptical look.

Ms. Keane said "You're certainly being impertinent young lady."

Blossom said "Well excuse me for being so blunt. I'm just that way I guess. If you'll excuse me I'm going to see how Buttercup is doing."

She leaves the kitchen showing the adults a sly grin.

Professor said "Don't let her bother you."

Ms. Keane said "I just feel everyone expects me to walk down the aisle and I don't have a say in this. This is my life too."

Professor said "Take a good look at that boy. Would you regret having him?"

Cody said "Mama?"

Ms. Keane said "Oh, I never would regret having this beautiful little boy. I feel like he is a part of me already."

Professor said "Is there room for me as well?"

Ms. Keane said "I don't know, I need time to think about it. I feel so helpless to what the future holds for me."

Professor said "Don't be, it is possible for the future to come out differently. Maybe you'll have a girl instead. Or maybe we never will marry...the future is what we make of it now."

Ms. Keane said "Do you want to see us married in the future?"

The Professor looks out the kitchen window with a far away look.

Professor said "I always thought my life was complete when I created my girls. But lately I have felt the need for even more companionship. The girls are wonderful but there are times when I need another adult to talk to."

Ms. Keane said "I can understand that."

Professor said "That is why I was so vulnerable when a certain Ima Goodlady tried to take advantage of my loneliness."

Ms. Keane said "I had heard what that awful Sedusa did to you."

Professor said "I almost didn't trust another woman again, until..." Then he looks straight into her eyes.

Professor said "You...the girls really trust and love you. I thought I did too. Maybe you're right. Maybe it was just foolish infatuation."

Ms. Keane moves her hand over to place it on his.

Ms. Keane said "Maybe it was more than that and we didn't realize it."