I'm back! It's been two weeks right? Not one? Haha I have so lost track of time with everything T.T (almost there. Almost. End. Of. Semester. Kinda.).

Thanks everyone for all the likes, follows, and reviews! I love seeing those.

This chapter is one that I feel really mixed about. I tried to keep everything rather loosely explained to avoid triggers but I do feel this chapter does need a warning on it.

There is allusions to rape and mention of unintentional suicide. Mention of gang violence and drugs as well.

"So that's the plan. Is it doable?" Brick asked as he looked around the table. Bubbles was still giving him that intense look that worried him, while the greens both looked to Mike and Mitch in thought. Boomer munched slowly on his burger not really having much to contribute.

"I mean, it's doable. Not gunna even be hard really. I have an idea or two but I'll need some money," Buttercup said.

"Don't you have a paying job?" Mike asked. Buttercup glared at him while Bubbles shook her head.

"While we're still at home the professor monitors all our spending. If he sees anything weird he'll probably ask Bloss about it too. If she catches wind then, despite the fact she won't want to, shell put a stop to whatever we have planned," Bubbles said.

"Why would he ask her?" Boomer asked. Buttercup pouted while Bubbles giggled nervously.

"He won't trust us. Not after the past few incidents," Buttercup mumbled.

"Bloss is the only one who hasn't abused her money and we all know that she's a horrible liar when she's caught off guard," Bubbles added. Butch raised an eyebrow.

"Abusing your money? Oh I need details puffs. What have you two been buying that good old prof wouldn't approve of?" He asked. Neither would look at any of the boys at the table.

"Really not important. Point is I can't buy what I need," Buttercup said, pointedly not looking at them still.

"Well then it's a good thing we all have a very rich mutual friend who never hesitates to spend her money on us isn't it?" Brick said.

"Fair point. I'll let her know what I need by the time the new semester starts. Should give her enough time to get me what I need."

"Gunna let us in on the plan Butters?" Butch asked as he gestured to himself, Mike and Mitch. She shrugged.

"Sure. After I get what I need," she said with a nasty smirk. Butch gave her a look.

"That's just not cool Bittercup. We're a team in this. Give us something."

"Nah. I think I got this one boys. You can just sit back and enjoy the show."

"Alright, as much as I find it entertaining to watch you two get your asses chewed out by the reds after a fight can you two just not for once?" Mike asked. "Finals to study for and all."

"Yeah yeah," Buttercup said as she waved her hand at him. She turned to take a look at the clock above the mall's doors only to stop and stare at the doors instead. "Bubs, is that...?"

Bubbles turned to see what Buttercup was looking at only to frown. "What are they doing here? I thought they were in jail again? Or at least he was."

Buttercup was glaring as the boys turned to see what she was looking at. "Yeah well, we know that isn't much to stop that sleaze ball. Come on. We should probably see what they're doing here."

"Hmmm, last I checked the maps didn't their turf end a few streets over? I thought Bloss made it clear this was a safety zone."

"She did. If she finds them here they're dead meat."

"Who are you two talking about?" Mitch asked as he and Mike strained to see what they were seeing. Butch turned to look at him.

"Pretty sure they're talking about the Gangreen Gang. They're just at the doors to the mall. Most of the gang at least," he said with a shrug. "Don't see why it matters."

Boomer hit him over the head as Brick got up and followed after Buttercup and Bubbles. "You idiot. They're criminals and what did we literally just sign up to be huh? Come on."

Butch blinked blankly as he watched Boomer get up to follow Brick. "Huh. Forgot about that."

He got up to follow the others as Mike and Mitch shrugged and followed as well. They just left the mall when Buttercup and Bubbles reached where the gang stood.

"Hey. What are you lot doing here? You've been banned from these premises and need to leave now. I know you know this Ace," Buttercup said as she glared at them, arms crossed, feet firmly planted. Ace slid his sunglasses up his head. Him and the other two gang members present were flushed and had a sheen of sweat across their foreheads.

"Butterbabe. Lookin' as smokin' as always. What brings ya in little ol' me's direction?" He said.

Arturo and Snake stood next to him, constantly glancing around. The gang had aged a bit but mostly remained unchanged. They were all slightly taller, with Arturo being the exception. Ace had his hair slicked back and had grown a small goatee and trimmed mustache. His style was more black and white now with a leather jacket sporting a few burn marks on the sleeve. Snake somehow seemed even more boneless than he had as a kid and had his hair pulled back in a low ponytail which left his snake like eyes more prominent. Arturo's hair still covered one eye but it seemed to be more intentional than before, the sheen of hair wax shining in it. All three still sported the same sickly green complexion. Gruber and Big Billy were missing but that wasn't unusual. It was weirder to see three members in the same place outside one of their hideouts.

"Don't want to hear it Ace. Answer the question. Why are you here?"

Said man huffed slightly as Snake shot another look over his shoulders. Buttercup's gaze narrowed in on the action and she couldn't help wonder what he was looking for.

"Now now Butterbabe. It ain't like we meant to. Cut an old friend some slack? We ain't gunna be stickin' round or nothing. Just passin' by."

"Passing by this way? Why? I can't let you go until I know Ace."

"Buttersssss, pleassse. We don't mean trouble," Snake hissed out. Buttercup hesitated only for Bubbles to jump in.

"You know that we have to know what you three were doing that led up to this point. Clause 23 of the city sanctioned hero mandates state that any and all black listed criminals must at all times be prepared to explain in detail all actions leading up to an event. Failure to do so is grounds for immediate arrest. Continued failure to explain after that point is the equivalent of admitting guilt and will earn said guilty party a minimum of three months in jail."

The boys were all standing behind the two puffs. Brick was scowling at the gang while Boomer was giving Bubbles an impressed look. Butch just looked bored. Ace chuckled in a way that had the slightest nervous edge to it.

"Now now sweet stuff," he said as he moved closer to the blue puff. Buttercup was immediately between the two, a snarling expression on her face. Boomer had tensed too but Brick gave a subtle motion that no one else saw for him to stay.

"You don't get near my sister Ace. You can explain everything from right there."

He held his hands up at Buttercup's words and took a step back, the easy smiling sliding off his face and being replace with an almost bored look.

"Easy there Butterbabe. Wouldn't wanna start somethin' now would ya?"

"Depends. Answer the question."

He looked to be debating it but before he could make a decision either way there was a flash of pink that landed in front of the gang forcefully, sending up a small cloud of dust as the concrete shattered under Blossom's feet. She looked up at the gang with a near feral look on her face. All of the gang members paled considerably as Ace quickly backed away.

"Blossie baby, how you do-"

"Not another word Ace," her voice was pure acid and everyone flinched at it, even Brick winced slightly at the harshness. None of them had ever heard Blossom sound so angry. "I've warned you time and time again. You don't ever talk to my sisters."

Ace gulped. "Now lookie here, they were the ones-"

"Never."

Ever bone in Blossom's body was quivering from the amount of X pumping through her body and a pink mist was clinging slightly to her. Ace gulped again at the look in her eyes.

"Blossie-"

"I just finished answering a call regarding suspicious activity from about three blocks away. The cops were positive that a small green man had been spotted running from the scene. They weren't sure what was going on but considering that the suspicious activity was occurring just near one of the central banks, who also reported a break-in attempt, it isn't had to guess. Return what you stole now Ace and I might just turn you over without reminding you again of my rules."

Ace glanced at Arturo who shrugged slightly. Ace shook his head and turned his attention back to Blossom. "Can't do Blossie. Ya see, we's didn't steal nothin'."

"Cut the BS Ace. I'm not five nor am I blind."

Buttercup and Bubbles exchanged looks at hearing their sister very nearly cuss while Brick raised an eyebrow.

"I ain't shittin' you Blossie babe. We really didn't steal nothin'."

"Then explain why they claim that the lock box for someone who was recently identified as a potential gang rival of yours has been emptied without permission. I'm waiting but not for long."

Ace sent a quick harsh look at Arturo this time who winced in response.

"Look Blossie, I can explain. We's had a very good reason-"

"Don't care. You will return what you stole. If not to me then definitely to them," Blossom said as she nodded to the cop cars that were pulling into the parking lot. Ace scowled at them but seemed to relent. He turned back to Blossom to glare.

"Well, guessin' I should be thankful that least your sisters were here to save us the beat down."

Blossom was so deathly still for a second that even Butch worried about her until, in a flash of pink, she was in Ace's face.

"No. You should be dreading that you ran into my sisters. They didn't save you from a beat down Ace, they just gave the cops enough time to get here first. I know you remember that conversation of ours all those years ago. I've warned you Ace. Next time I see you, I won't have any mercy."

"Lookie here boys, miss everything nice finally show her true colors," Ace said with a self-satisfied smirk as he slid his sunglasses back on. "Not so nice after all now are you? What would the city say 'bout this huh?"

"You forget Ace. I was made with spice too. I'm not afraid to remind people of that if I have to."

He humphed at her before turning and walking with his hands up towards the cops. His gang quickly followed. Bubbles swallowed audibly while Buttercup took a hesitant step towards Blossom.

"Bloss, are you-"

"I'm fine Buttercup. No, actually, I think I need to head back. I used a lot of X and its winter. I need to warm up before I start to freeze over. I'll see you both later," Blossom said before blasting off for home. She had barely even glanced at any of them. Buttercup growled.

"Damn it. She's gunna clamp up about it again isn't she?"

Bubbles sighed. "Probably. You know how stubborn she can be and she really doesn't want us to know what her problem with the gang is."

Mike let out a very shaky laugh. "She's always like that with them? Hell, they have balls to face her like that and still go out and commit crimes."

Mitch snorted. "I think they're just that stupid."

"Probably not wrong Mitch. She's put Ace in the hospital a couple of times. Usually earns her a lecture from the city but she still does it," Buttercup said.

"Shit. I mean, that isn't like Bossy at all. I mean, are we even sure that was Bossy just now cause hell, not even I piss her off that much," Butch said. His jaw kept clenching and un-clenching and he looked nearly nervous. Buttercup gave him an understanding look.

"That was leader girl alright. Never, and I mean this Butch, never go against her when she's pissed like that. She won't hold back," she said.

Bubbles nodded. "And she literally means won't Butch. Ace wasn't far off the mark. That wasn't the everything nice talking just now, that was all spice. The last time she went up against a monster like that..." she trailed off.

"That bad?" Boomer asked.

Bubbles swallowed again. "Yeah. Buttercup and I were more in the way than anything else. She-the monster-it wasn't even shattered. It was ice dust."

Brick, who had been glaring in the direction Blossom had gone, turned to look at the blue puff at this. "And she won't tell you why? She also won't allow you to handle them?"

Bubbles nodded. Brick sighed before adjusting his hat.

"Now that you're a hero too and all can you-maybe if you ask..." Bubbles said trailing off again. Brick sighed again.

"Yeah. I'll ask but you know her. She's stubborn."

"Well, it's not like we're getting anywhere. Can't hurt to try," Buttercup said sullenly. She was pouting and Bubbles sighed before hugging her sister. Buttercup scowled but let it happen.

"Knowing her she thinks she's protecting us from something. You at least she doesn't feel like she has to protect. Hopefully that'll be enough," Bubbles said with a sigh.

"So I noticed that look you were giving the red one over the weekend," Buttercup said as she leaned against the door frame of Bubbles's room.

"Hmmm, I want to ask now that they made a decision but I don't want to give away Bloss. I'm trying to figure out how to go about that. In the meantime, I'm making sure not to miss anything," Bubbles said, only really half paying attention, as she reviewed her notes. Buttercup scoffed.

"Right. What do you expect for him to do Bubs? Hold up a giant sign that says 'I love Blossom Utonium'."

"I mean no, but it would be nice. It would definitely make my life easier."

"She won't be happy when she finds out."

"It'll be fine."

"Will it?"

Bubbles paused and thought about it. When a green asked a question like that, the wise thing to do was reconsider. If they thought it might be chancy then chances were high it was a suicide mission. She spun in her chair to face her sister.

"Do you think it wouldn't be?"

Buttercup shrugged. "You know what she's like. She hates when people try to do things for her. I think it might be best to leave it up to her on this one. Plus, she's not the problem, he is. You and I both know that a cornered ruff just runs. Being in cap's face about this might make it worse."

Bubbles tapped her pencil against her lips as she thought that over. Buttercup wasn't wrong but…she didn't want to leave it up to them! The reds were so stubborn and if they left them to it then they might never end up admitting their feelings. That would be a disaster! Especially since Bubbles knew Blossom had been talking to Boomer and trying to help him to admit his feelings.

Bubbles was trying to give him space and time now so that he could do that. She knew where she stood on everything now after all. She just wanted him to make that first proper move so she knew he knew where he stood. She didn't want him to say yes to her like he had all those other girls. He had to want to actually date her for it to work.

"Maybe. I just, they won't want to admit it," Bubbles whined. Buttercup snickered.

"Oh I know. You forget though, you aren't the only blue. Chances are if we suspect then so does your counterpart. I'm sure he'll say something. You blues are too gushy for him not to say something."

Bubbles pouted. Considering he'd failed to ask her out and hadn't tried again, Bubbles wasn't too sure she could count on Boomer for this. Like Buttercup had said, a cornered ruff was a ruff on the run. Why would Boomer feel cornered was the real question. Bubbles honestly wasn't sure how to answer it either.

All she did know was that if Boomer did something to screw up the reds then, whether she liked him or not, he would regret it. She would personally make sure of it.

"Blossom. We need to talk," Brick said as he walked up to her locker. She startled slightly, still not used to hearing him say her name. He seemed to be used to saying it by now and she wasn't sure how. Although, she suspected he was just pretending. He was good at hiding these sorts of things. She turned to look at him, brow furrowing.

"Can I ask what about? There's a practice run tonight that I can't be late to. Oh, is Mayor Bellum coming this weekend? The dance director said she hasn't RSVP'D and I was wondering if you'd heard."

Brick shook his head. "This shouldn't take long and maybe? Bellum asked if we had plans this weekend and other than this hero stuff we don't so could be she plans on going."

"Hmm, well if it won't take long then okay. What's up?"

Brick looked around and saw a number of students eyeing them. Normally he wouldn't care but he had a feeling Blossom wouldn't want to have this conversation in front of people.

"It's about this past weekend. I think we need to talk about it."

She pursed her lips and glared lightly. Humming she turned back to her locker and finished putting her books away. She wouldn't need them for a few weeks now that finals were done.

"Not here-"

"Figured."

"There's a coffee shop down the street," she said with a glare. "Let me grab a warm drink and then we can talk about this elsewhere."

Brick shrugged. "Fine. Let's go."

She glared at him as he turned and walked towards the school entrance. He turned back and raised an eyebrow. She huffed before finally following.

"You're paying though," she said as she stormed past him. He sighed through his nose but didn't argue. He wanted answers and to escape with his head still in one piece after all.

"Here works," Blossom said as she landed lightly on top of a small building. Brick landed next to her and stuffed his hands in his pockets, burying his face in his scarf.

"For someone whose body literally freezes over in cold weather are you sure this is the best spot?" He asked.

She raised an eyebrow. "Why? Cold?"

He snorted. "I don't think it's possible for me to feel cold. The weather makes my X want to overcompensate though and its tiring."

Blossom hummed. That made sense. She was the same way in summer after all. "No one will hear us up here. The hot drink should help me stay functional."

Brick huffed out a half laugh and stepped closer to her, blocking the slight breeze that was blowing across the roof with his body.

"You're shivering and I somehow think this conversation might take longer than you finishing that drink will. You've already chugged a good half of it."

She glared at him. "Well excuse me for not wanting to freeze. It's not easy for me in this weather I'll have you know."

"I think I'm just about the only person alive who can relate Blossom. Now, last weekend."

Blossom huffed and looked away. She supposed she'd put it off for just about as long as she could. Still, she couldn't help but at least try and get Brick to drop it at least once.

"It's really not a big deal. Can you not just trust that I have reasons and leave it alone?"

"No. Spill."

She couldn't help the grimace as a shiver went through her. She felt Brick take another step closer and this time could feel his body heat against her side. She made sure not to turn to look at him now.

"Fine. I'm only telling you though because I know you won't drop it and you should probably know. You and your brothers."

"And yet you don't want to tell your sisters?"

"Ace has shown interest in Buttercup before and as such, I'd like to make sure she stays far far away from that man."

"Doesn't explain Bubs."

"She's my baby sister Brick. Don't try and tell me you don't coddle Boomer because we all know both you and Butch wouldn't let a mosquito touch him if you had your way."

"Fair. What are you protecting her from though? It's not like she's never faced Ace and his gang before."

"True but, well, they aren't the same people we would stop as kids. Things...changed."

She could feel Bricks eyes on her at that. She knew her tone of voice gave away more than she'd wanted to but she guessed it didn't matter much since she was going to tell him.

"Something happened."

It wasn't a question but Blossom nodded.

"Yeah. It was maybe a year after the signing? Mojo was in Lockdown, Him was still AWOL and with you three tied up in a legal document that made your next big criminal act likely your last, well, there was a nice big spot left in the criminal world. The gang stepped up into that and they quickly went from mischievous and slightly dangerous adolescents to full blown gang leaders. The shift was quick too and we weren't sure how to deal with it really."

"What do you mean? Can't have been that hard to handle."

"Except it was. Throw a monster fight our way and that's a walk in the park. We've been handling those since nearly day one. Super powered villains? Typical Tuesday. Mad men? Easy. Drug deals and illegal gambling? We'd never really dealt with that before. We were only 11 after all. They had a knack for it too it seemed. It only took a year for the situation to really get out of hand. The mayor asked other cities to transfer some of their officers our way since even they weren't used to it. That helped a little bit but by that point it was something of a lost cause. New members had moved from other cities to join the Gangreen Gang in hopes of earning a higher position thanks to joining early."

"But that wasn't what changed things."

"Hmmm, not really. It was definitely what led up to it. There's just-" she broke off to pause for a second. So far it had been easy. This next part was another story. "I was only 11. Nearly 12 yes, but not there yet. My sisters and I lost our youthful innocence early in life and, well, I was the first one to really experience the world for what it was I guess."

She could almost feel the furrow in Brick's brow as his mind no doubt quickly went through all the possibilities. "Did they-"

"The actual gang didn't do anything and nobody touched me. That doesn't mean I wasn't slightly...traumatized. Bubbles and Buttercup were doing extracurriculars that day. Soccer for Buttercup and an advanced art class for Bubbles. We didn't yet have a real patrol schedule in place and it was mostly just one of us taking a run through the city. Since they were busy I decided to do it by myself. It was pretty much a typical day but I heard sobbing as I flew over one of the alleyways near the downtown area. Of course I went to investigate."

She stopped there, not able to say what happened next. Brick, sensing her mood, placed a hand on her shoulder. It felt like it burned but she couldn't bring herself to shake it off.

"If this is just going to make me go commit murder..." he trailed of, half-jokingly. Blossom let out a scoff of a laugh and looked at him slightly out of the corner of her eyes. He was frowning and almost looked like he was regretting asking. The problem was he should know how bad things were with the gang at one point.

"No. No one left to murder. When I touched down I saw one of the new members of the gang. He'd been brought in on suspicions of drugs several times and already had a bit of a reputation for being on the...nastier side. The gang was still expanding and it seemed like there was nothing they wouldn't do just to earn a couple bucks. I've heard that you went to an old informant to get caught up so you're already aware that at one point the gang was involved with trafficking. Of people."

Brick took a deep breath, letting it out as he looked away with a glare. She couldn't help but agree.

"The police had been trying to put a stop to it but with minimal success. There was an agreement that my sisters and I were to be left out of it so we didn't know too much about the details and it was the first time I was coming face to face with it. I had come at the end of it unfortunately and he'd decided-no, it was more that he liked to sample the merchandise no matter what it was."

"Shit. Blossom did you-"

"Like I said, I came at the end but it was pretty clear what had happened. The professor, Mayor Bellum and Ms. Keane had all taken turns to discuss some of the more sensitive and serious crimes to us before then simply in case it came up. They tried to keep us away from those crimes but it was only a matter of time. And he broke her Brick. I took one look at her and she was already broken. I don't know if she was already in a bad place or what but he did."

Brick took another deep breathe. "If you don't want to go on I'll understand."

Blossom thought about it before sighing. "Might as well finish the story now. I panicked to put it lightly. Like I said, I was 11. I yelled at the man to step away and I alerted the cops to my location. The man laughed before launching himself at me. He was saying that I would really bring in some big bucks. It took a fraction of a second to stop him but by then it was too late. The woman saw a chance to get away and she took it, frantically. I don't think she meant to run out onto the street but she did right as a car came speeding by. The cops showed up soon after as well as an ambulance but by then it was too late. They took the man and the woman was buried a week later. She was a Jane Doe. Never found out her name and nobody claimed her. I personally monitored all missing person's cases for the next year as well as looked over the past years' worth but nothing ever came up. I still look through them hoping but at this point I've accepted that I'll never learn her name."

"And the man?" Brick asked hesitantly.

Blossom, having finished her drink at this point, crushed her cup. "The gang got him out somehow, we also had a corrupt police problem then because of coarse nothing can ever be easy, and a week later he was killed in a gang shoot out. I can't say I was too upset when I heard that. As for everything else? I demanded we didn't tell Bubbles and Buttercup and although the Mayor and professor thought they should know they accepted my demand eventually on the condition I see a therapist. It helped but I think everyone knew this wouldn't ever really leave me. When the man was killed it helped a little but not because I thought justice was served. The opposite actually. The man never paid for his crimes and death seemed too light a punishment. He never redeemed himself and I couldn't stand the thought of that happening again. So I decided to fix. I'm pretty sure it took me a week. I didn't go to school, barely went home and did the bare minimum to stay functional as I hunted down each and every person in the gang involved in the human trafficking aspect. Once I'd rounded them all up I personally visited Ace and warned him. If he ever so much as tried to get back into that business there would be no telling what I'd do. Same with if he tried to approach my sisters. I wouldn't say I'm ashamed of how much of my temper I lost during that discussion but needless to say Ace spent a good deal of time in the hospital afterwards before going to jail for his first sentence as a crime lord. He didn't stay in for long, on top of the police corruption you yourself know how easy it can be to get out of jail in this city once you know how, but he's stuck to his promise for the most part."

"Why warn him away from them? I get trying to protect your sisters and I get keeping them away from him but that still seems a bit extra to warn him as well."

"If you'd been there for the conversation you'd understand. It was clear that he'd stop but money and power were Ace's priorities by that point. I could tell that if he saw an opportunity to take my sisters and sell them he would. It wouldn't be the first time an X individual was sold on the market after all. People will pay a very pretty penny for one of us. I know there's next to no chance that he could get the drop on them but I felt better making sure Ace knew what I'd do if he went after my sisters."

"And you think he listened? If he's that greedy..."

Blossom shrugged. "Todays the first day that Ace has had an actual conversation with either of my sisters since then and he let the cops take him in. I'm guessing he's not too eager to see how I'll react next time I see him."

Brick was quiet for a second before speaking up. "Don't get pissed at me for saying this but maybe it would be better if you weren't the one to deal with him."

Blossom swung around to glare at him, his close proximity forgotten. He sighed as if he'd expected the reaction, which he pretty much had. He held his hands up in an attempt to be placating. "I do not need protecting Brick Jojo. I've been keeping this city safe my entire life. I do not need coddled or kept away from certain crimes."

"That wasn't what I was saying. I did say not to get pissed at me too. Look, as the leader and commander of the Powerpuff Girls you're caged in slightly. There's certain things you just can't do and you don't have and never will have a street cred. You're the hero, savior of the city. Criminals know that and they know that all said and done you won't go too far to stop them. Me and my brothers are different though."

"You still can't-"

"I know. Were bound by the same rules now. I get that. They won't though. Me, Butch, and Boomer, we're well known on the streets which I'm sure you already knew. Back then, before the signing, if we wanted something from someone we didn't even have to take it. It was given to us just to keep us happy. Not proud to admit it now so much but that kinda rep won't go away easily. Yeah, we'll have a few crooks who'll push it that we might have to handle slightly rougher than we should but that should be enough for people to remember. Let us handle a monster or two by ourselves and make sure it gets televised and we can add to it. Just have to rip the thing apart and it'll be a good reminder to them."

"Maybe," Blossom said, sounding unsure.

"Look, I know for a fact people still talk about our reign over the city. It was one of the first things I checked up on, if people were still warned about us. They are. Add in the fact that Ace actually knows us and trust me, he'd rather deal you with than me. Plus, he won't try and get the drop on me or my brothers because he knows that if he got one of us the other two would kill him, hero gig or not. Plus, Butch has been itching to get a go at them since he heard about the trafficking. There's nothing he hates more than when people take others' choices away. He was mumbling about how messed up it was. Ace'll be shitting himself if he sees Butch riled up and heading his way."

"I mean, fair. I can barely handle him when he's truly worked up."

Brick grimaced. "Yeah, try not to remind me. I don't think my bones healed properly after that last real fight I had with him. Anyways, I'm not saying you can't handle Ace and his goons, I'm not you," Blossom looked away, lips pursed and looking almost chastised, "but it makes more sense that if a call comes through for me or one of my brothers to handle the call instead."

Blossom contemplated for a second before sighing. "Fine. I guess that's fair enough. On one condition."

Brick raised an eyebrow and waited.

"At least two of you have to answer the call. If Ace decides to chance it he won't be able to if there are two of you. I'd rather not have to throw you into Lockdown after all of this. Murder is a big no-no you know?" She said teasingly.

Brick huffed. "I'm aware," he replied dryly. "Fine. It'll put my mind at ease too. Although, why weren't you ever worried about yourself?"

She shrugged. "I was. He tried once but I froze everything to the point that a simply touch shattered the trap. The professor and Mojo are the only two that have access to Antidote X and without that there's no way for him to handle my ice powers. I'm sure he kept trying to find a way though."

"Yeah well, we'll just make sure that Antidote X never gets near the guy."

"Agreed."

"Great. One last thing. You should tell your sisters."

"No."

"Blo-"

"No Brick. I told you only so you were aware of how bad things were and why there isn't as large of a problem anymore. You can tell your brothers but if anyone else finds out about this the damage Butch did to you last time will look like a walk in the park compared to what I'll do to you. Do you understand?"

Brick met her glare and held it for a few seconds before sighing. He wasn't even going to try and fight that battle.

"Fine. Anything else?"

Her glare softened when she saw he wasn't going to fight her on this. "Yeah, when you tell them let them know that that's the price a hero pays for failure. It isn't our lives that are on the line. It's the people of Townsville."

Brick regarded her for a few seconds before replying. "Butch said that back during the Him battle you kept seeing something that seriously put you on edge. This was what it was wasn't it?"

Blossom watched him for a few seconds before turning away. "I'll probably see you over the break, even if you don't get dragged to my recital. Bye Brick."

And without waiting for a response Blossom launched off of the building and aimed for home. Brick watched her go before sighing and taking his hat off to run his hand through his hair. He was going to have hard time stopping Butch from breaking into the jail and breaking Ace in half when he told them this story.

"Wells wells wells. Lookie who's it is," Ace said as the prison guard led him into the room. Brick sighed and waited as the guard forced Ace into the seat and cuffed him to the table.

He shouldn't really be surprised that the prison didn't actually have anything between him and Ace. This place had always been pretty low on security. Even non-supers managed to break out relatively easily still. Sadly.

"Ace. I'd say it's great to see you again…but I'd be lying," Brick said with a dull look. Ace actually snorted at that.

"Yeah and we's all know that you ruffs ain't no liars ain't right?"

Brick shrugged. "Got me. I guess it is kinda second nature but can you blame me?"

"Nah, I knows how it is."

Brick scoffed at that. "Yeah I somehow don't think so. Not really the point though."

"Suppose it ain't. Surprised to see it's you here though. Gotta say, I was expectin' someone a bit…curvier thans you."

"I don't doubt it. She's actually part of the reason why I'm here."

Ace raised an eyebrow at that. They even let him keep the sunglasses Brick noted. Maybe he should talk to Bellum about the policies in this place.

"Oh? You speakin' for Blossie now?"

Brick clenched his fist in his pocket. Ace's use of a nickname for the red puff pissed Brick off but getting angry now wouldn't help.

"Speak for a puff? Come on Ace. You know me better than that."

"Nah, see, I knew you better than that, once 'pon a time. Now a days? I don't know jack shit bout you ruffs. I think yous all got a hell of a…soft spot for a certain girly trio though."

"Well, soft spot probably isn't the right word," Brick said with that kind of a tone.

Oh thank god Blossom would never know about this conversation. He felt kind of sick to his stomach when he said that, worse when Ace cracked up at it. Please, don't let this ever get back to Blossom. He was a dead man walking if she ever found out he talked this way about her, no matter the reason was.

Not that he could blame her.

Still, he had a reason to be here and he needed to clear the air now with Ace before the man managed to find a way out of jail. It be a whole lot harder to talk to him once he was back on the streets.

"Oh I sees. You and you bros playin' for the big haul? Gotta say I don't blame yous. The legs on Blossie alone. Mmm, they be fuckin' divine. Butterbabe's more up my alley though. Bet Butchie be havin' a hell of a time tryin' to tame that wildcat."

Oh thank god Ace brought up Butch. It would seriously speed this disgusting conversation up.

Brick shrugged. "Wouldn't know. You know Butch. Hard to tell what he's thinking till he's at that danger point. Gotta say though, impressive that you were able to push him to that point. Gotta applaud you on that one."

Ace paused at that and cocked an eyebrow.

"Butchie boy mad at me or somethin'?"

"I mean, we've been poking around at a few things lately. Bellum offered us a nice gig alongside the girls. Granted, we needed a different set of rules to operate under but, well, no one needs to know that now do they?"

A sharp smirk was all he needed to put Ace on edge at this point. Not like he'd ever find out Brick was lying through his teeth either so it was all good. Didn't matter that Blossom had literally stood over his shoulder as he signed the hero work contract. What Ace didn't know would help keep someone else safe.

"That so? Sound like a sweet gig. Surprised Bellum would agree ta somethin' like that. Then again, smokin' gal that she is she's probably used to getting' people to play to her tune."

He wasn't going to touch that one. Talking at Ace's level about the girls was bad enough. He was not going there with Bellum. Ever.

Brick shrugged. "I think she's more falling right into the nice little hole me and my bros dug for her, ya know? Hell, we're going to literally get paid to help clean this city up and the girls won't be on our backs. Any fucker out there who messes with us is fair game now."

Ace paused again, thinking this over, before speaking up again. "And yous said Butchie boy ain't happy with me?"

Brick sighed heavily and shrugged. "I mean, we heard about what you've been up to. Great job on the whole drug thing. There was such a gaping hole for it that I'm surprised no one else in the city thought of it first. The rest of it though? Can't say he was too pleased."

"Yous mean the people thing. Look man, I ain't in that business anymore."

"Oh I know. Ran it past Bl-Pinkie too so I know it's true. She really did a number on you didn't she?"

"Now yous look here. I been dealin' with those three for years. She didn't do fucking shit to me that I's wasn't ready for."

Brick shrugged. "Eh. That's a shame then. I was hoping to use that to get Butch off of your case a bit. I'll let him know you haven't actually paid for that yet then."

"No-I means- Look, whys he so upset 'bout it anyways? It's just where the money was at man. Yous gotta believe me."

"I do. Trust me, I get it. Butch though? No dice. See, there's something about losing your freedom when you can do things like fly that really…grates on the nerves. Boom and I get like that too, hell, it's why they could never keep us in here for more than a few hours, but Butch? He's such a loose cannon that it really gets to him. He hates anyone loosing something when they don't deserve too."

"That's bull-"

"Oh, I know. But let's be real here Ace, Butch never did make much sense. Needless to say, he's pretty pissed and I just thought I'd give you a heads up. Especially since from here on out you won't be dealing with Pinkie."

"…who's I be dealin' with then?"

Brick raised an eyebrow. "Really Ace? We both know you're smarter than that. Just thought it was something you'd like to keep in mind you know. Just in case you were thinking of some way to get away from Pinkie. She's already out of the picture. You're a ruff problem now."

He let the X build in his eyes, knowing that they'd glow that deep, dark red that reminded too many people of blood. Usually it would bug him but right now? It was useful. He watched as Ace swallowed and rolled his neck.

"Look, whatevers you three want I can-"

"You don't get it Ace. We have everything we want right now. Steady paying job, solid education, hella nice house," he paused and tilted his head back to look down his nose at Ace, "excuse to beat any fucker out there who irks us. Yeah. We have everything we want."

Ace swallowed again and Brick knew the message had been delivered. He motioned to the camera that he was done and a guard showed up soon after. Ace didn't say anything as he was led out of the room. The guard couldn't move fast enough for the gang leader either it seemed.

Once Ace was gone Brick groaned and rubbed a hand across his face. That was one problem dealt with for a while at least. Ace wouldn't be trying to break out anytime in the next few months at least. That would give them a little breathing room.

And time for Butch to actually calm down because he hadn't been lying about the green ruff being pissed. Boomer could do with a cool off too. Both had nearly flown through the roof earlier when he'd told them Blossom's story. He'd been prepared for that though and managed to stop them before they actually damaged the house. They didn't need Bellum pissed at them. Again.

Still, after that conversation Brick felt the need to wash his mouth out with soap and bleach his eyeballs. Ace was obvious enough that he felt slimy after just being in the same room as the guy. He could see why Buttercup used that word too.

With a sigh Brick stood up and left the room. The guards watched him cautiously as he made his way out of the jail. He had to admit, it was weird walking out for once. Good weird but still, weird. He shrugged to himself. Guess he should get used to it. It was going to be his new norm now after all.

So! That was a chapter. This was an idea of something that Blossom went through since way before I even started writing this story. I feel like she would have been the first one to encounter something like this and it would have really had an impact on her. As someone who has not been raped I don't feel like I have the right to delve into that too deeply (which is part of why I feel so mixed about this chapter) but it is one of those things that, as a women, I grew up hearing the horror stories, especially in the state I live in (as a state that borders Mexico, the stories you hear about the cartel taking women and what happens to them are terrifying). Nobody, man, women, young, old, should ever have to be subjected to a lose of any type of freedom whether it's freedom over their body or freedom over their ideals. We're all people and sometimes that gets forgotten even in today's world. Respect others. Respect their thoughts, opinions, and beliefs but also respect the differences. It's okay to believe differently than other people as long as it's done with respect. I firmly believe that nobody should have other people's thoughts and opinions forced on them. We're all one race, the human race. That isn't respected enough.

Aaand I could continue with this but I'll leave it there. Not here to lecture people. (Hope I didn't piss any of you off either. Not my intention.) Hopefully the chapter wasn't too much.

RainbowColoredHumanBeing! Hi again. I love seeing your reviews. They're great! Yes. Patience is a virtue. I am also testing that patience. My bad. I promise that their moment will come! Soon (ish).

Artemis Raven Courtney! Thank you for all your reviews, seriously. I love reading them! You also just helped me out too! I've been trying to think of ways for the greens to go where I want them to and...honestly hadn't even thought about that scene. Now I have ideas though. Mwahahaha. Hopefully you'll like them.

Seriously you two, thank you for all the reviews you keep giving me. They always make me happy knowing you're enjoying the story. Same to everyone else who reviews. Thank you all!

See you all again in about two weeks.

Ciao!