CHAPTER 22: WHEN WOLVES BECOME THE PREY
ME: Yes, new chapter, everyone! I'll try and update on October 31 as well. Why...? Because Halloween, duh!
BRICK: Oh joy.
ME: I literally went back to this chapter thinking I hadn't titled it yet, but apparently I have. And I had titled it "When Wolves Become the Prey", which is close to my title plan when I went back to this chapter. *takes deep breath*
BOOMER: ...What?
ME: And some of you guys are asking for more Butch x Buttercup. In the next chapter or next, next chapter, you shall get your greens romance! Oh, and some Ross. *winks as audience groans* We'll also see Boomer going to Ross' house~
BOOMER: Looking forward to it... I guess...
BANANA: Go read this chapter and leave a review, people. Kuku only owns her own OC's and the story.
Chapter 22: When Wolves Become the Prey
"Catch me if you can!" shouted a boy with black hair.
A young boy behind him with long flaming red hair was gasping and laughing as he chased after the boy. But then he tripped on a rock and stumbled, rolling across the grass. He landed face-first in the dirt.
The other boy stopped running as he looked back at his friend. He jogged over to the fallen boy and helped him up. "How you feeling?"
The first boy was sniffling, his lip quivering. Now he burst out into tears.
The bushes beside them rustled as a new figure emerged. This boy also had long red hair, but he had unique red eyes. "Butch, what did you do this time?"
"I didn't do anything, Brick!" claimed the boy who had tried to comfort his friend. "He just fell over."
"I'm sorry," gulped the crying boy.
Brick sighed. "It's okay. Are you hurt?"
"I think I'm fine," the boy mumbled.
"So why are you crying?" muttered Butch, rolling his eyes.
Brick smacked his brother's arm. "Shut up, Butch."
"Ow!" exclaimed Butch.
The tree above them was shaking. An apple dropped to the ground, and then another, and another... A boy with brown hair popped out of the tree, upside-down as he munched on one of the red fruit.
"Braker, can't you pick apples like a normal person? Now they're going to be all bruised," complained Brick, shaking his head.
"They're fine; see?" Braker swallowed and grabbed an apple from the ground. He held it up, turning it this way and that. "They're not bruised in any way." He tossed it into a basket.
Brick rolled his eyes. "Now they probably are."
A raccoon darted out into the open, and behind it came a boy with dark-brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Birds and rabbits followed him.
"Jeez, Bandit; you're like a living zoo!" laughed Butch.
Bandit shot his brother a look, petting a rabbit. "Oh shut up, Butch. You don't understand the importance of animals."
Finally, the bushes rustled again and someone else appeared. This was an older man with kind eyes. Behind him were two blond boys.
"Blaster; Boomer! Where have you been?" exclaimed Braker, holding up the basket of apples he'd collected. "I got those apples you wanted for your pies."
"Oh yes!" cheered Blaster. "Now we can bake a big pie for everyone!"
Boomer took the basket and counted the apples. "That's 24," he said.
The man walked over to Butch and his friend, who was still sniffling. "Are you okay?" he asked the young boy.
"I'm fine," the boy mumbled. "My leg hurts though."
"We'll take care of that," the man promised.
Butch sighed, rolling his eyes as he plopped down beside his friend. He swung an arm around the other boy's shoulder. "You gotta be stronger, Vix! You can't keep crying every single time something bad happens."
Brick stopped chatting with Boomer to shoot Butch a glare. He grabbed his brother by the arm and pulled him upwards. "You idiot!" he hissed. "Vix just recently lost his family, remember!?"
Vix's face was dark as he sat there, staring at the grass.
"Oops," Butch muttered. Brick hit him hard.
Vix had lost his parents in a terrible car crash. They had been hit by a stolen red minivan, and there had been a huge fire. Vix was saved, but his parents had perished. The young boy had also lost an eye, and the entire event had traumatized him. He'd opened up to the man who saved him, but when he was first introduced to the Rowdyruff Boys, he wouldn't even talk to them. Even though his saviour had already told him about meeting the Ruffs and trying to become friends with them since they were his age and could help his trauma.
It had taken four days of gentle prodding until Vix finally said a word. And he had said: "You guys are really funny". The Ruffs had all been arguing and fighting, which had made Vix laugh. But any other time Vix was usually sad and cried easily.
"Are you okay, Vix?" Brick repeated, this time referencing to Butch's inconsideration rather than Vix's hurt leg.
"I'm fine. Thanks, Brick." Vix looked up and managed to smile. He touched his eye-patch, which covered his lost eye. "I just miss my parents...and my eye."
"Don't worry. You may have lost your parents, but you haven't really lost your family," Boomer remarked.
"How so?" asked Vix, looking curious.
"We're your new family, of course!" Braker exclaimed, tackling their friend.
Vix fell over, laughing.
The man picked Braker up by the collar. "Of course that's true, but we don't need to attack the poor boy," he teased.
Braker huffed, pouting as he folded his arms.
Just then, a new voice called out. "Boys; it is time to go!"
"Him!" said Bandit, looking up. Sure enough, the red demon-creature appeared. With him was Mojo Jojo, a mutated ape that also happened to be a scientific genius.
The man with them let go of Braker's hood. "You boys have to go home now."
"Aww, no fair," whined Braker.
"We got a lot of training done today. We'll do more later," the man promised.
Brick turned to Vix. "Bye, Vix!"
"Bye, Brick. Thanks again."
"No problem." Brick smiled before walking over to Him and Mojo. The other Ruffs followed, all waving goodbye.
Vix joined the man, watching as the Rowdyruff Boys left the forest with their fatherly figures. "They're always so much fun," he said.
"Yes," the man murmured, "they're rather lively, aren't they?"
"Why can't I ever go with them?" asked Vix, looking up. "They always have to come here."
The man sighed. "We've been over this, Vix. You can't leave the forest. It's dangerous out there."
"But I want to see the city again," Vix protested.
"You can't in your condition. Your replacement eye hasn't fully matured yet."
Vix touched his eye-patch almost self-consciously. The man had replaced Vix's missing eye with something special, but Vix still had no idea what it was or what it did. He let out a little grumble. "It's not fair."
"Vix, you're my only family now. You have to stay by my side. I can't risk having you go out there when you're not fully ready yet."
"But I've grown up in the city."
"Those days are over," the man reminded him, his voice becoming gentler. "Now come back inside. We can make apple pies and tarts with the apples Braker picked."
Vix followed the man back inside. "Can we have some strawberries? I saw a new patch growing near the big old oak tree."
"Sure thing. You can go pick some later."
"Thanks," Vix said.
"No problem," his companion replied cheerfully.
Vix stopped walking, hesitating.
"What's wrong?" The man glanced back at the boy, raising an eyebrow.
"...No, like really thank you. Thank you so very much; for everything. You've done so much for me; you're like a second father. Just...thank you, Damon."
The man named Damon blinked, pausing. He was clearly surprised, but then he smiled. He reached over and pulled Vix closer, his arm around Vix's shoulder, leading the boy back to the cabin they called "home". "Don't worry about it, Vix. I'll always be here for you, and so will the Rowdyruff Boys. I promise."
You promised you'd always be there for me. Now look at the outcome. Did you lie to me, Damon? Did you not mean it?
Vix blinked hard, forcing back tears as he stared out the window. The weather was gloomy outside, and it didn't make him feel any better. The memory of his fight with Brick was still vivid and fresh in his mind. Every blow he'd received still hurt. Brick was indeed a formidable foe; anyone else and Vix would've been already healed by this point.
But Vix was still hurting and every wound throbbed, especially the burns. Even after his friend Ross had dressed the cuts and scrapes, they were all still screaming in pain. Vix winced every single time he moved.
Before Vix could think any more, a knock sounded on his door. The teen turned slightly, his gaze blank as he stared at the door. Vix's room was draped in a gloomy darkness. "Come in," he rasped.
The door opened and Michael entered, his turquoise eyes dancing around the room until they rested on his friend. "Your room's so dim. Do you know what a light is?" Michael pointed up at the blank light bulb on Vix's ceiling.
Vix grunted, turning back to the window. He felt his eye-patch, remembering the blood that had seeped down his cheek. "I like the dark."
"You're such a loner." Michael sat down on Vix's blood-red bed, leaning forward. "So are you ready for tonight? Uncle Danes has everything set up. We trap them tonight."
"...I know." Vix thought back to himself leaking information. He didn't tell Michael.
"Danes is getting impatient."
Vix snorted. "Of course he is. Everyone here is completely incompetent. Maxim, Coal, Jamel... They're all useless."
"You're not superior to them," Michael pointed out. "If they hear you say that, they would have your head."
There was silence, but then Vix chuckled. "Maxim is an old and fat man who can hardly do anything athletic. Coal is just a man who pretends to be talented when he is actually weak. And Jamel...? Jamel is lazy. I could defeat all of them."
"And yet someone today nearly defeated you, am I right?"
Michael's words stung. Vix turned slowly, narrowing his eyes. "Who told you." He didn't word it as a question.
Michael crossed his legs. "Did you forget that I'm Ross' friend too? Not only that, but I ran into Blaster today." Michael spat the name out like it was poison on his tongue.
Stiffening, Vix watched Michael's face change into one of disgust as he thought about the Ruffs. "What did Blaster say?"
"He was talking to Sidney. I thought Blaster was picking on him, but apparently he was helping Sid. I don't get the Ruffs. They pretend to be nice, and yet they still helped Sidney. It's ridiculous. Who are they really?"
That's pretty easy to answer... Or maybe not. I used to know them so well. I wonder just how much they have changed. Vix thought back to simpler days; days he spent at Damon's cabin playing with the Ruffs. I can't believe I used to want to go back to the city. Now that I am back, everything's changed. Vix missed Damon's cabin, which had been secluded. He hadn't understood hiding as a kid, but now he knew why.
Michael was still talking: "Blaster claimed that you hurt his brother." He paused, eyeing Vix's arm. "And judging from your bandages, the Ruff you fought beat you up pretty badly too."
"Whatever," muttered Vix.
"Did you fight Butch? That Ruff can be rather...annoying," Michael remarked. "His temper is hideous."
"No." Vix shook his head.
Michael glanced at the clock on the wall. "Braker, Bandit, Boomer, or Blaster...?"
"No."
"...Brick...?"
"...Yes."
"You can't be serious."
"I am."
Michael sighed and rolled his eyes. "No wonder you're roughed up so bad. Brick's one tough guy. You chose one of the strongest Ruffs to fight."
"You think I don't know that?" snapped Vix. When he saw Michael's surprised look, he sighed. "Look, I chose to fight him for my own reasons, okay? I roughed him up pretty badly too."
"But he's still alive."
"I don't need to kill every person I fight."
"I know. I don't expect you to kill the Rowdyruff Boys. Even though I don't like them, killing them just feels...wrong. Maybe it's just because I've known them for so long, or because they're the same age as me, but..." Michael trailed off.
Vix blinked. You're right, but you have no idea just how much knowing them makes it all worse.
"Anyway, Danes wants you to be ready soon."
Vix yawned, "I don't care much for this plan."
"It's a trap. You've never liked traps."
"You know me so well, don't you?" Vix raised an eyebrow. He shifted, before wincing. "I prefer the direct approach."
"And yet you use trapping just as much as we do," Michael laughed, "lying is a trademark of yours, Vix."
"Yes, that's true. But it's different. You guys are such sneaky bats," Vix retorted.
"I can't argue with that," smirked his companion, soft blond hair falling into Michael's face. The teen tucked the stray strands behind his ear, aqua eyes teasing. "But you're a big grumpy old wolf."
"I may be grumpy, but I'm not old," Vix shot back. "You're pretty old."
Michael chuckled again, standing up. "Alright, alright. We'll leave it at that." He started walking off. "See you later, Vix."
As the door shut behind his friend, Vix stared at the door for a few moments longer. Then he sighed and turned back to the window, watching as rain splattered the glass. He felt the cold, clear window, staring into his reflection. He was met with a sad green gaze and a lightly blood-stained eye-patch.
"So much has changed..." he whispered, "hasn't it, Damon?"
You promised.
"You guys ready?" Bandit looked up from his packing. He was carrying a small black-and-purple bag.
"Ready," replied Butch, swinging his own bag over his shoulder. He looked out the window, letting out an annoyed huff. "I can't believe we have to go out today of all days. Brick is injured and it's fucking raining cats and dogs."
Bandit ignored him. "Remember just to pack the bare essentials. We're only there for tonight; hunting and trapping. We're avoiding our old hunting grounds for awhile until the hunt for us is given up."
"This sucks," Braker claimed, and Butch nodded his agreement. "I can't believe that now we're the hunted."
Bandit shot them both a look. "Shut up, you two. I'm done listening to complaints. I feel the same way but we can't do anything about it." He shifted his weight onto his other foot, glancing out the window. Since Brick was down, he had been put in charge. It felt weird being the leader. Bandit was usually only second-in-command. I have a lot more respect for Brick now. Being a leader is a lot of work. Bandit looked at his brothers. There's too much pressure. If I mess up, I put everyone in danger.
The door opened and Mojo appeared. "Boys, it's time to go," he called. His voice sounded thin and weary.
"Okay. Just give me a sec." Bandit rushed for the door, weaving past Mojo and hurrying down the hall.
He could hear Butch calling for him, but he ignored his brother. Bandit didn't stop walking until he reached a familiar blood-red door. He lifted a fist and was about to knock, but then he hesitated. Dropping his fist, he reached for the doorknob and opened it a crack.
The room inside was completely dark, but voices were whispering inside. They belonged to Blaster and Boomer.
"I wish we could do more," murmured Boomer.
"Me too, but my energy is completely depleted."
Boomer sighed. "At least Brick is alive."
Bandit took a deep breath. Then he called softly, "Boomer, Blaster; it's time to go."
Blaster jumped, before sharing a look with Boomer. Then the yellow Ruff nodded at Bandit. "Got it." He and Boomer got up and flew out the door. When Bandit didn't follow, Blaster glanced back at him. "You coming?"
"...In a second. I want to check on Brick." Bandit watched as Boomer and Blaster nodded. After they left, he walked all the way into Brick's room and closed the door until only a sliver of light was let in. The room was dark and lonely; shadows crept along the walls like creatures and monsters.
Bandit sat down on one of the chairs that Boomer and Blaster had set up near Brick's bed. "...Hey, bro," he greeted.
Brick didn't respond; obviously, as he was still unconscious. His breathing was ragged and uneven, like he was struggling just to gather air. His chest rose and fell, revealing bandages that were stained with dry blood. Brick's arms were especially bad. Burns and cuts and bruises all lined his arms, all of them pretty ugly.
"So...I'm the leader now. Just until you wake up and feel well enough to walk around. It's only been a few hours and I already feel pressured. You and Mojo and I had planned this awhile ago. When you were still awake and well. I thought it was easy back then; having three thoughtful minds put together. But I'm not a leader. I usually sit on the sidelines; I like to watch and study things quietly.
"But we can't all have things go our way all the time, now can we, Brick? If it was different, and things had went how you wanted, then you would've defeated Vix. I know you hate him the most out of all of us. You never forgave him for changing sides, did you? I wish you were awake. You'd come up with a strategy to defeat Vix, especially now that you've been able to study his moves. How did you get burnt so bad? Fire is your element, Brick. This is rather ironic.
"...Butch fought Vix. He was really mad at him. I think all of us are. None of us are ready to forgive him anymore. We thought he could change, but you were right after all. He is a sneaky little bastard. You're always right, Brick. Sometimes it sucks when you're right. It sucks right now because everything is so bad. We're going to our new hunting grounds tonight. It's pouring rain, and Danes might have a trap set for us. Vix warned us but he has a tendency to lie. If you were awake, you'd know what to do, wouldn't you? But now the pressure is on me to make the decisions. And I don't know if I can do this right. What if I make the wrong choice and put everyone in danger? I don't want that. I don't want this kind of pressure."
Bandit stopped himself and decided to go for a more light-hearted topic: "Brick, did you know? Blossom was concerned after you were gone. Butch wasn't sure if it was genuine, or if she was just irritated you were skipping class"—here Bandit managed a weak chuckle—"but at least she was worried."
Bandit paused, eyeing Brick. His brother had not said a word, still not awake. Bandit murmured, "Okay. We have to go now. I'm done rambling. Sorry." The purple Ruff stood up. "See you later, Brick..."
As Bandit walked out the door, he looked back one last time and stated, "I wonder if we've become the prey. I don't like this. We're not rabbits who go into hiding every single time danger appears. I told Butch and Braker not to complain, but...they're right. This does suck."
When there was no reply again, Bandit sighed and shut the door.
Outside, Him was waiting for him. "Did you have a nice conversation with your brother?" Him asked. His tone wasn't sarcastic or rude; it was more like...curiosity and concern.
Times really have changed, Bandit thought. In reply to Him, the purple Ruff just shrugged in response. "He's not awake, but I suppose that makes him a better listener." He tried to smile.
Him returned the weird smile. Then he glanced at the end of the hallway where shouts were coming from. The other Ruffs and Mojo were already outside. "Let's go."
"Right," agreed Bandit, floating into the air. He followed Him toward the noise, reminding himself that it was his job to keep his brothers in check.
When they reached the door, Mojo looked up in irritation. "You two are undoubtedly late, as in not having reached us in time, by precisely two minutes forty-eight seconds."
Bandit rolled his eyes. "I was just checking on Brick." He pulled his hood over his head and looked up at the gray sky. "Well, I guess it's time. Are you guys ready?"
"This sucks, but we were still born ready," smirked Butch, flexing his muscles in anticipation.
Bandit waited for someone to hit Butch, but then he remembered that usually Brick or him did it. Braker was eagerly waiting with Butch, and Boomer and Blaster were too nice to hit him. They just rolled their eyes. So Bandit reached over and smacked Butch lightly.
"Ow! What was that for?" demanded Butch.
"This isn't the time for jokes," scolded Bandit.
Mojo shuffled his feet, looking impatient. "Enough playing, fooling, and monkeying around," he commanded, swinging his keys on his fingers, "hurry up and move; I wish you boys all to quickly get in the vehicle or car."
"What...? We're driving!?" Braker didn't bother hiding his disbelief. "Mojo, you know we can fly! We're really fast and—"
"And those bright streaks of yours would give you away in minutes, especially against a darkened sky," Him finished for him. "We're riding in the car." He ended his response in his dark voice. Then he brightened again. "At least we'll stay dry."
Grumbling, Braker clambered into the vehicle. Butch followed in a similar, unwilling manner.
Bandit let out a sigh as Him gave him a comforting look...as comforting as it could get from a red-demon thing, anyway. Bandit nodded before also boarding the car, squeezing in beside his brothers. Their car was quite big and spacious, since their family was so big. There were exactly eight seats for eight members of the family.
As Him sat down in the front seat beside Mojo, who was driving, he had to rearrange his legs to be comfortable.
"You and your three to five miles of leg," grunted Mojo.
Him rolled his eyes. "Oh don't start now, Mojo. I'm just taller than you, is all." Indeed, Mojo was short; his feet had trouble reaching the brake.
"The two bicker like an old married couple," snickered Braker.
"Okay, okay." Bandit shoved Braker, having to reach over Butch to do it. "We don't need that image in our heads. Our parents aren't a couple; they're friends taking care of us."
"Some people wonder if they are gay though," mused Boomer aloud, speaking before he thought.
Bandit clamped a hand over his mouth. "Don't let them hear you say that!" He glanced at Mojo and Him, who were still arguing as Mojo started the car. "No citizen in Townsville dares ask them that. Of course I have nothing against gays, but thinking my parents are in love with each other is just...gross."
"Most citizens are smart enough to know this," Blaster added, "they know the story of how we Ruffs were made."
Bandit nodded, falling silent. And I'm sure some citizens out there don't regard us as full heroes like the Powerpuff Girls.
"The rain is quite heavy tonight," remarked Him, staring out the window. He could barely see anything; water was pelting down against the glass relentlessly.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," grunted Mojo.
Him glared at his companion.
The other Ruffs laughed, relieved for the lighthearted atmosphere that had been created in the car.
Soon Mojo braked, trying to gently swerve the car into parking position. Problem was, the road was slippery and riddled with puddles. Bumps and holes dotted the dirt path they had taken. Even though it led them deep into a secluded forest, which was good; the part with the wet roads and nearly unseeable outside world wasn't so good. Instead of smooth sailing, Mojo's attempt at parking ended up being a huge awkward jerk and a tumble into a ditch of some sort. The guys screamed, but would probably never admit to panicking during that moment of crisis.
It took three minutes for everyone to calm down and gather their thoughts. Mojo's head cleared the first: his breathing slowed as his wide eyes became calmer. "That did not go very well," he remarked.
Before he could go off on a tangent, Him spoke: "Really...? I didn't notice"—here he paused—"WHAT WITH FALLING INTO A GODDAMN CANYON AND NEARLY KILLING OURSELVES. We could've died!" Him screamed the last part in his deep, dark voice. His eyes flashed a murderous mixture between red and green, and flames erupted around him.
Mojo rolled his eyes, practically unfazed by Him's explosion. "We are not deceased, or dead, yet, Him—so you may stop with the dramatics now. I, Mojo Jojo, am not so bad a driver I cannot keep us from falling to our deaths in a canyon. This is not even a big canyon; it is only a small—as in tiny—canyon."
"Yes well we could be dead! And you still drove us into a ditch! I don't care if it's small or big; if it was any larger we'd be dead!"
"Well, we are still alive—"
"Don't start with me, Mojo!"
Butch poked his head forward. "Don't you have demonic powers that could've stopped the car from falling?"
"I'm not a magic-maker 24/7. Then I'd be the Mary Sue with all the deus ex machina powers," Him exclaimed, rolling his eyes.
Butch stared at his fatherly figure. "...What...?"
"They're English story-writing terms, Butch," Bandit explained, nudging his brother aside. He glanced between Mojo and Him. "We should probably move the car now." The car was awkwardly dangling from the canyon, stuck between the walls of dirt. Him was right—if the canyon had been any wider, than everything would've been over.
"Thank you," sniffed Him.
Bandit reached for the door handle and was about to push it open, but then Butch intervened.
"I'll go," the green Ruff stated, reaching over his brothers. Braker let out an annoyed protest as Butch awkwardly half-floated-half-crawled over him. He then flew out into the open, ignoring the rain that prickled his skin every single time a drop fell. Grabbing the car with both hands, Butch let out a grunt as he attempted to lift it.
"1...2...and...3!" he yelled, before totally flipping the car into the air. As his family let out an unprepared screech, Butch quickly grabbed the car before it fell upside-down on one side of the canyon. He set it down away from the canyon, carefully placing it on an area where it would be easy to drive off later.
The car door opened and Him came out, looking annoyed. "I really hope we don't have to use these grounds for long if every single time we have to park we nearly die."
"It's only thanks to the rain and how slippery the road has become," Mojo snapped back, clearly frustrated.
"Guys, let's not fight," said Bandit, climbing out of the car. The others clambered out after him.
Butch turned away from his shaken and bickering family to survey the area. It was just as he remembered it; lots of trees and leaves and tall, thick grass. This place had been their back-up hunting area for years; Mojo had found it ages ago. They had stopped using it as dangers faded, but now all of a sudden Danes was on the move again.
Sighing, Butch leaned against a wet tree as water dripped down its leaves. The rain was lessening, but it was still a pretty heavy downpour. Butch sniffed the air. All he could smell was rainwater.
Mojo and the Ruffs had come to the back-up hunting grounds just a week before to check on it. They had found that while it was still plentiful in possible bounty, the grounds had changed. The grass had grown much taller, so it was harder to hunt. Butch felt frustrated at the change of scenery and the need to use different tactics. I have to get used to it, he thought to himself.
"Well, what do you think?"
Butch looked up and turned to see Bandit's deep purple eyes. "...It's okay," he managed to say. "I'm not a huge fan of the grass though."
"It will be nice to change things up a little; we need to learn to hunt in tall grass. We'll adapt." But even as Bandit spoke those words, Butch could tell that the purple Ruff didn't like the grass either.
A howl sounded somewhere further off; sounding like a wolf. Butch shared a look with Bandit. "Looks like we're not the only ones here."
"It's just a wolf." Bandit cracked the bones in his neck. "We can take it."
"It feels good being the predator again," Butch remarked, "I was getting worried we were turning into prey."
Bandit paused. "...Maybe we are," he said softly. "We're still running, aren't we? We're just not at the bottom of the food chain yet."
Butch was silent after that.
Standing in the frigidly cold rain, Vix watched as Danes stood in front of his "troops" and paced up and down. And in 5...4...3...2... Vix counted silently, keeping an eye on Danes' shifting facial expressions.
"Why are they not here yet..." Danes muttered, trudging through mud. His black boots were stained with soil. He marched up and down the area, a humble servant following frantically behind with an umbrella. Danes was pacing so fast he often outstepped the umbrella-holder, and his hair was plastered to his face. He didn't seem to notice the cold, wet rain every single time he stepped out from under the umbrella.
Aaaand...1.
"Why are they not here yet!?" bellowed Danes, his voice rising harshly. It sliced the thick air like a razor-sharp knife.
Jamel moved from beside Vix, drawing his cape tighter around himself as he licked his lips. He stared out at the vast, open area. "I don't know, but I don't like it here," he muttered.
Vix, on the other hand, felt at home despite the rain. The open fields and trees were exactly what Vix had lived with as a child... With Damon, he added silently.
"You're all useless," snarled Danes, looking disgusted at his team.
Darkai shifted but didn't speak. Sidney looked scared at Danes' outburst. Michael seemed to be cautiously silent. Deth Jackson was strangely quiet. Ross had his eyes glued to a tree.
Danes spun around and stalked over to Vix. For a second Vix wondered if Danes suspected anything, but then the older man stopped in front of him. "You're a good tracker, are you not?"
"I suppose so," Vix replied slowly, aware of the glares on his back. They were from the untrusting adults of the group: Maxim, Coal, Jamel... Vix snorted in annoyance.
Shamus, Ross' uncle, wasn't with the group. He had work to do, he'd said. Vix had a feeling that Shamus would've been much more competent there, and would've known how to keep Danes calm. Perhaps he doesn't care for this, like me, Vix mused.
"Then track them," snapped Danes.
Vix didn't flinch at Danes' tone. "As you wish." He marched off and checked the area for clues.
Meanwhile, Ross finally tore his eyes away from the tree. "Blade marks," he breathed.
Spinning around to stare at the young boy, Danes uttered an "excuse me?"
"Blade marks," repeated Ross, pointing at the tree he'd been studying. "Or maybe claw marks. But I think the marks are from the ones you're tracking."
Vix had reached the tree, and he was examining the damaged bark. "They seem fresh," he called over the loud pitter-patter of rain.
"...Good." Danes stopped pacing to narrow his eyes and think. The servant with the umbrella finally caught up, only for Danes to start walking again. "See how efficient Ross and even Vix are? The rest of you are useless."
Vix and Ross shared knowing looks.
Michael, meanwhile, winced. Thanks a lot, Uncle, he thought angrily.
"Thanks to these two young prodigies we've finally found their trail. Now I'm giving you one chance to redeem yourselves. Find them or else."
"Or else what, Danes?" asked Maxim, his gaze flickering toward the tree.
Danes stopped pacing again, causing the servant to crash into him. The poor guy fell to the muddy ground with a splash, and Danes paid no notice to the servant. Smashing into him was like smashing into a brick wall. Instead, Ross hurried to help the servant up, who managed to raise his arm weakly, still holding the umbrella.
The others were still waiting for Danes' response to Maxim's question. The awkward silence hung in the air, thick and heavy as everyone waited for a reply.
When Danes finally spoke, his voice rumbled over the fields and over the sound of pouring rain. It was low and cold, sending shudders down the people's backs. "I believe you know what the punishment is, Maxim. Don't ask stupid questions."
The silence stretched on as they waited for Danes to finish...words that came in a low, threatening hiss:
"You will face my wrath for failure."
Buttercup shivered, drawing her hoodie tighter around herself. Her room was strangely cold, even with the heat on. The green Puff shuffled her feet, crossing her arms as she tried to contain her body heat. The outside world was still being rained upon, and Buttercup couldn't help but wonder why.
She wondered what her sister Blossom was doing. Blossom had come back from the Ruffs' home, soaking wet. She had come back a lot later than Buttercup had expected. The Professor was worried, asking her why she didn't call for a ride. Blossom only answered a short reply before flying to her room.
Buttercup could hear her turning the shower on, but that was the only noise from Blossom's room. Blossom had locked herself in her bedroom for an hour and a half already. Buttercup was concerned.
I'll have to check on her later, mused Buttercup. She wasn't sure if she should do it now or later; she had a feeling Blossom wouldn't answer yet if she knocked on her door.
Tapping her pencil against her textbook, Buttercup couldn't concentrate. Words stared back at her from her book, but the green Puff's mind had drifted somewhere far away. She had just spotted a piece of paper with her and Butch's name on it. It was part of their project, and the green Ruff's name sent her mind spinning.
I wonder what he and his brothers are doing? Did things go well between Brick and Blossom? Bloss didn't seem very happy.
Buttercup pursed her lips together, remembering Butch's doodle of a gray creature chomping on a black creature.*
Sighing, Buttercup closed her book and rested her head on her desk. She wanted to think later.
Meanwhile, behind closed doors, Blossom was finishing up her shower. She turned the tap off and climbed out, shivering as she grabbed her towel. She wrapped it around herself, before looking up and into her mirror.
An empty, pink gaze stared back at her, eyes blank. Blossom's body still felt numb; both from walking home in the cold and from being turned away by Butch. She hadn't even seen Brick. She hadn't even gotten to apologize.
Maybe it would've hurt less if Brick was the one turning me away... Blossom sighed. Or maybe not.
After coming home, Blossom only curtly replied to the Professor's questions. As soon as she got the chance, she flew upstairs and prepared a shower. She had been dripping wet.
Blossom reached for a pink comb, tugging it harshly through her pumpkin-coloured locks. She wanted to scream.
Buttercup had clearly been concerned when Blossom got back, but she had said absolutely nothing to her sister. She avoided all of her sisters. Blossom sighed as she slipped on a plain red-pink tee and a pair of black sweatpants. I need a break.
"Guys, look what I found!" Boomer was waving excitedly, pointing at a cave with his other hand. The Rowdyruff Boys had been wandering around their new hunting grounds, and now they were at the edge of the forest. There was a cave covered in ferns and other overgrown plants, which Boomer had found.
"What?" asked Braker, hopping over rocks to his brother. He inspected the mouth of the cave, looking unconvinced that it was anything special.
Boomer wasn't deterred by his brother's tone. "I figured there could be animals in there."
Butch was less indirect than Braker. He walked over, snorting. "If you want to be eaten by a bear, maybe."
"Oh come on. How do you know what's inside?" demanded Boomer, shoving Butch.
Bandit stepped forward, breaking them up. "Okay, you two. That's enough. Maybe Boomer's right and there is something inside."
Boomer looked victorious as Butch rolled his eyes.
"Well, if that's the case, then what are we waiting for? Cowabunga!" shouted Braker, jumping into the cave. There was a mad scrabbling noise before a scream sounded.
"Braker...!" shouted Bandit, jumping to the cave mouth.
"Now look what you did," Butch muttered to Boomer.
"I'm okay!" Braker's voice rang out from deeper within the cavern...and lower.
Bandit concluded that there had been a slope of some sort that they could use like a slide. "Can you get up?" he called.
"I haven't broken anything!" exclaimed Braker. A streak of orange flashed within the darkness. "Besides, I don't have superpowers for nothing!"
"Then you should've used them going down," Butch muttered teasingly.
A giant rock the size of a backpack shot out of the cave, nearly smashing into Butch. The green Ruff caught it easily with one hand, carrying it like it was a featherweight. "I heardthat!" Braker's voice rang out. "I have super-hearing, you know!"
"That wasn't very nice!" Butch yelled back, tossing the rock into the cave again. "Or safe!"
Another orange streak appeared when Braker moved to catch the rock. "Then don't mock me, you stupid—OW! Hey! Let me go! Ouch! That was my foot, you—mmph! Mmph!" After that, Braker's voice completely faded.
"What was that?" cried Blaster, eyes widening as he peered over the ledge.
"Braker, if this is one of your stupid pranks, then it isn't very funny!" yelled Bandit, cupping his mouth with his hands.
The Ruffs waited ten seconds, but no one replied.
"Guess we're going after him," Bandit sighed, already stepping into the cave.
Boomer watched with wide eyes. "Be careful," he called.
Butch shoved his brother into the cave, causing Boomer to trip. He tumbled down the slope.
"Butch!" exclaimed Bandit, turning to glare at Butch. "What if you just sent Boomer to his doom!?"
"I doubt it," remarked Butch, pointing into the cave. Bandit followed his gaze as Butch explained, "Look deeper with your eyes. There's no one inside the cave."
Bandit squinted, and indeed Butch was right. There was no one besides Boomer inside. The cave had just enough light to make out body shapes. Sighing, the purple Ruff nodded. "Okay, one point for you." Then he slid down the slope after Boomer.
Butch followed, and finally Blaster. Boomer was wandering around when the last two Ruffs got down. Bandit wasn't; he was standing and looked thoughtful. Boomer immediately raced over to Butch and punched him for being a jerk.
Just as Butch and Boomer were about to start wrestling, a crunching noise sounded. It froze all of them in their tracks.
Bandit lifted a hand and snapped his fingers. Immediately his hand lit up purple, creating enough light to see. He moved his hand around and could just make out lots—and lots—of rocks.
"It's musty and gross down here," sniffed Butch, wrinkling his nose. "It smells awful. The stench is so thick it's clogging up my nostrils."
Bandit was about to tell him to quiet down when loud squeals erupted. Flying into the cavern was a giant black wave! Panicking, the Ruffs ducked down as the screeching creatures passed. Bandit turned his head to see that the creatures had wings...and not just any wings. Big, jagged wings.
"...Bats," he hissed. Bandit didn't mind bats, but sometimes they weren't all that great animals. Sure they could be cool and all (like with Batman), but bats weren't exactly a creature you wanted hanging around your house.
Another squeal sounded, this one louder and out of the cavern.
Bandit shared a look with his brothers. They each nodded and in silent understanding, they all started moving out of the cave. They soon found themselves in a tunnel, and that it led into another cavern. The screech sounded again, so they made their way toward the noise.
When they entered, they found a person standing there. On his shoulders were perched two, large bats. Beside him was...Braker!
"Hey, bros; some help here, please?" Braker glanced apprehensively at his captor.
Bandit shook his head with a sigh before looking up at the person with bats on their shoulders. They were dressed in robes, so he couldn't make out who the person was. "Alright, what do you want from us?"
The person standing there slowly slid out of his white robes and removed his hood. The first thing the Ruffs saw were green-and-white eyes.
Bandit's own eyes narrowed as he let out a hiss. "...Vix." He liked Vix a lot less than bats.
*(A/N: Reference to chapter 19!)
ME: I kind of feel like having Vix meet with the Ruffs again in one day is a little soon. But don't worry; they won't be the main focus.
BUTCH: Wait, doesn't this mean they found our new hunting grounds?
ME: You'll see~
BRAKER: Review, people! Happy almost Halloween~