Author

Author's Note: Contact me at theak472@aol.com. Ha ha. Yes. Evil. Cliffhanger for this one? Maybe. And fine, call me Twisted Rey. I don't care. Hmmph. Hey, and I noticed my story got pushed back... like way back. -frowns, with cracking noises- Oh, and thank you for your... um... nice reviews. ^_^;

Maybe I'm Twisted
by Rey

Chapter 12 - Forgiveness and Victory
"You can write a thousand words, sing a pretty song, but nothing else will move my heart as much as an 'I'm sorry'."

But it never came.

Buttercup's tensed muscles relaxed slightly as she opened an eye. The fist which had been held up, threatening to crash down into her face, was now unfurled into a hand flexed over Brick's rugged features. And were those tears in his eyes...?

"Brick?" She tried her voice; it sounded insecure, insignificant, and was still slightly guttural. Brick lifted his head, his eyes tightly closed. A single tear's path was a jagged mark across his cheek.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Buttercup," Brick whispered. "I... wasn't myself..."

"It's alright," Buttercup said hurriedly, lifting her battered body up carefully. "Really, Brick. But you know what we have to focus on, don't you?" Brick self-consciously wiped his eyes clear and nodded; they were safe for the moment, for Butch was busily taunting a barely conscious Boomer. "You know where my sisters are..."

Brick quickly understood and was off in a flash. Him, now quite unconcerned with the whole situation, lounged on his couch, his attentions once more focused on the movie. Buttercup flew over to Butch, who leaned over the unconscious Boomer in the corner, nonchalantly tapping him on the shoulder.

"Hey. Sup, yo?" She pronounced casually. Butch froze, but otherwise didn't respond. Discouraged by this, she tried again.

"Yo, Butch-man. Pay a lil' attention h -" But she didn't get to finish, as Butch's fist swung around without warning, striking her in the side of the face. She went flying, her head ringing from the force of the blow. Butch twisted around, cat-like, and lept after her eagerly, nothing but his thirst for blood loitering in his mind.

Slammed into the wall once more, Buttercup slid towards the ground dazedly. But her path downwards was interrupted from another clout, courtesy of Butch, sending her sideways across the wall. He began to rain punches on her, until her already-battered body was further bruised and very sore.

She had barely enough time to draw a rattling breath before the next stroke came. Just as Butch drew back, as he had done over a Boomer in quite the same state, a new presence entered the room, and stopped him dead.

"Butch..." The voice rasped slightly, but it still had the same perky ring to it. The haggard form which slowly flew up to them was none other than Bubbles. Her arms were scored deeply, her face battered black-and-blue. But she was still alive.

Opening her wide, innocent eyes, and staring towards Butch, she slowly asked, "What are you doing, Butch?"

He uncurled his fist, arm dropping back to his side. At the same time, the rough grip he held on Buttercup's collar loosened slightly. "I... I... ... I didn't..."

"..I forgive you, Butchie," she said, her twisted face graced with a smile. Butch, as if coming out of a trance, let go of Buttercup completely. The evil glint in his eye was no longer there, him having been brought back to his senses by none other than sweet Bubbles.

Out of the corner of his eye, Butch saw Brick return, an unconscious Blossom in his arms. He tensed himself as Brick's mouth dropped open and he almost dumped down Blossom to drive him away from Bubbles. He quickly retreated, his hands stretched out. Bubbles, confused at his behavior, turned about sharply to gaze at Brick.

"It's alright, Brick," she called quietly. "He's back to normal."

Him, who had finally realized that the boys and girls were no longer fighting, turned about on his couch. His eyes widened in shock, and he screamed, "What is going on here?!"

Butch turned towards him cool as a cucumber, eyes narrowed slightly. "Good, he's finally with us. Well, Him, what do you make of all this? Me, Bricky-boy over there, and the girlie," he said, gesturing towards Buttercup near the ground. "Oh, and Bubbles. You gonna have the guts to fight us, eh?"

Blossom, in Brick's arms, began to stir. He hushed her, looking slightly nervous, and flew towards where Boomer lay, setting them in one spot. Then he streaked upwards to join Butch, as Buttercup did as well. Bubbles, still rather weak, faltered in mid-flight and settled to sitting near the two unconscious children.

"Yeah, watcha gonna do, huh?" Buttercup snickered, rather painfully.

A slow, sick grin spread across Him's face, unnerving the three fit heroes. He raised his arms and laughed, and as he did so, began to grow in size.

And grew. And grew. Until he was humongous, the top of his head brushing the roof like a tale out of Wonderland, and ridiculous in his frilled dress and high heels. But none dared to say so, for their mouths were all wide and hanging.

"What am I going to do?" He echoed mockingly, a derisive grin on his evil face. "I'm going ... to fight you!"

A red streak, closely followed by two green streaks, sped towards Him, as he simply laughed. Though they didn't notice it, energy gathered at Him's fingers, and soon his hands glowed with power. Just as they reached his face, he brought his hands up, and let loose the energy, intending to take all three of them out of the fight easily. He knew this was a one-shot deal, as he would be drained of power for a few minutes after the incredible blast he would unleash.

The forceful burst, for Him had not aimed quite as well as he thought, struck Butch head on. It was clear Butch was racked with pain as he stopped in mid-flight, electricity sizzling over his flesh hungrily, his mouth open in a silent scream. A moment or two later he fell, dropped to the ground like a rock.

And now, the three remaining participants in the fight paused; Brick and Buttercup staring down at Butch fearfully, Him cursing himself. He laboriously began to gather energy towards himself again, though not as easily as before. He wouldn't get to finish the attack he had begun, though, as Brick slowly lifted his head, eyes burning with fire.

"You... son... of... a... B_TCH!" Brick screamed. The flames blazing in his eyes appeared to spread over his entire body, and he lifted his arms, now a barely recognizable ball of flame. Buttercup looked up towards Him, the same rage burning down into her heart, into her core. Green fire engulfed her, and together, as if they had practised it, done it a million times before, the fireballs sped towards Him faster than they had ever flown before, and he was powerless to stop them.

Synchronized in their movements, they assailed Him brutally, somehow burning his skin with every touch, though he spent his life in fire. This was a different fire, and many would question what kind of fire it was, but there was no real answer. Was it a blaze of love, of rage? The only thing anyone would ever come to a conclusion for was that it was very, very effective. Him tried his best to intimidate them by mustering up his powers and growing larger, but this only succeeded in blasting the roof of his house off, and he weakened once more. Around them, the walls fell outwards, but Buttercup and Brick fought on obliviously.

As the two of them pummeled at him mercilessly, he turned to begging them to stop, but they were beyond reason. Together, with one final flourish, they struck Him to the ground, where he lay unmoving.

Slowly, the fire on their bodies burnt out, leaving them somehow unharmed. Buttercup, breathing heavily, descended towards ground towards the unconscious form of Butch. Bubbles was already leaning over him, tears running down her cheeks, the awakened Blossom and Boomer sitting dully beside her. As Brick and Buttercup touched down, they stared at Butch sorrowfully.

His body was scorched completely black, his clothes practically in ashes. Possibly only through the strength given to him by the chemical X was his body able to withstand the great heat and electrical shock, preserving him, but his mind...

"Is... is he..." Buttercup began, her voice trembling, and she trailed off. Brick, beside her, remained still.

"...Butch..." Bubbles closed her eyes, huddling down, her body racked with silent sobs. Boomer, though it was against his nature, reached over and lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. The five bowed their heads sorrowfully, in mourning, Blossom herself shedding tears, the rest struggling to hold them back. Bubbles' glimmering tears stained the charred flesh on Butch's face, as slowly she bent towards him and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"I didn't know you very long," she whispered. "I guess I didn't know you at all... I'm not like Buttercup... she's always so sure, she knew who she loved, and... she's happy... I'm sorry, Butch, I never got to tell you... I love you, Butch. I love you..."

"...mmmph..." The body shook, and gave a rasping, hacking cough.

"..Butch?" Blossom blinked slowly, her eyes still slightly unfocused. The four of them jerked in sudden realization that Butch had just moved.

Bubbles' tearstained face broke into a smile and she gave Butch a hug, as they all looked at Brick expectantly, Buttercup alternating glances at him and Butch, with an unasked question: What do we do?

Brick looked down towards Butch, who sat up painfully with Bubbles' help. "I... we ought to get him... ho - To a hospital. Bubbles, you, and..." He stopped, frowning slightly in confusion. "Can you fly?"

"I can carry him," Bubbles offered. Blossom, who stood up behind her, smiled knowingly. Boomer limped towards Brick, standing nearby.

"Let's go see the Professor first. Think he'll be a buncha help," he suggested. Buttercup nodded, advancing to help Butch into Bubbles' arms. Blossom, unsteady on her feet, was supported by Boomer - they supported each other. Brick, though he dearly wanted to help, knew his role.

The red streak slowly ascended into the sky, leading the way back towards the Utonium house.

Her, in her leather duds, leaned over an unconscious Him in the rubble of his home, with some smelling salts. Needless to say, within moments Him had been awakened from what seemed like a dead sleep.

"Nyah nyah," Her mocked, although she really had no need to, helping him to his feet. Once he was standing, he brushed her aside angrily, and folded his arms across his chest.

"Shut up. I have to get a new demon servant now, because of you, and a new house, AND a new army. Dad'll be upset, and I'll tell him it was your fault."

"Oh yes, always blame it on the goody-two-shoes, huh?" She frowned, feigning a hurt expression.

The pair walked - and limped - onwards, away from Him's crushed home. Brother and sister exchanged banter, though it was difficult to tell if it was good-natured or malicious. But it wouldn't matter either way, as both of them eventually disappeared into the distance.

Rey: Oh, lovely... Finally. But guess what, it's not the end! I hope not, anyway. I'm planning for at least an epilogue to this; I can't leave you with them just going off. And if you want more, .. tell me! By e-mail or by IM, or even by MSN Messenger. Or by reviews. (Hint hint.) Anyway, I'll leave you with that thought. Thanks for reading.