Chapter Seven



"The destruction is unlike anything Townsville has ever seen," came the voice from the radio. "Although there have been very few serious injuries the property damage is mounting. How long before someone is badly hurt? The police have been unable to stop this madman and the fire department is overburdened. Worse our city's best protectors are nowhere to be seen. Where are the Powerpuff Girls?"

"We're at home trying to figure out a plan you silly reporter!" snapped Bubbles. "Give us a break."

"You tell him Bubbles," thought Buttercup. She wasn't sure if should admit she was impressed by her sister's show of spunk.

"I think I've got it Girls," said the Professor. He held up what appeared to be a T-shaped rifle. "With this electronic magnet you should be able get the weapon from Dr. Lurral. This will pull it right out of his hands if you aim carefully. However, you should split up. It would safer for the one with the magnet to use it if he were distracted."

"I think I know just how to do that Professor," said Blossom. "How does that magnet work?"



Dr. Lurral was a scanning city hall. Should he just set it afire? As much pleasure as he'd get from that, he would need a base of operations. Perhaps it would be better to force his way and drive everybody out.

"Not so fast," said someone.

"Dr. Lurral," finished another voice.

The scientist turned and saw Buttercup and Bubbles floating in the air. He smirked. Those Puffs didn't give up. Or did they?

"Where's your sister?"

"She's at home," raged Bubbles. "She couldn't take any more."

"Blossom's afraid to face you again," said Buttercup.

"Well,' said Dr. Lurral, "I guess I broke her. You two should have followed suit."

He aimed his weapon, and a in a moment it was yanked out of his hands. He turned and saw it fly to Blossom who was holding a T-shaped object. She took to the air, followed by her sisters.

Dr. Lurral cursed at himself. It had never occurred to him to look around for Blossom. He'd just assumed that she wasn't there. He pursued the Puffs into the trees, hoping he'd find them.

And he did.

The three sisters were hitting his weapon with their eye beams at a collective point. He had a pretty good idea of what was coming next and muttered something similar to "Oh shucks."





The rifle seemed to release a geyser of flame. It stood towering for a moment, then took a new shape. Roughly the shape of a man. A man who was laughing.

"Free! Finally, finally free!"

The Powerpuffs took a counter-offensive formation.

"Bring it on Him," said Buttercup.

"If you say so," replied Him.

He lifted his arms and a red, glowing ring spread. The Puffs turned , and were shocked. Everywhere the ring touched, damage was repaired. Shattered windows reassembled, fires put themselves out, mangled objects reverted back to their original form. Soon, Townsville was back to the way it was before Dr. Lurral's rampage.

"All fixed," said Him and vanished.

"I don't believe it," said Bubbles.

"Neither do I," said Blossom. "I'm checking things with my supervision, but it looks like it was all safely fixed."

"Since when does Him do anything good?" asked Buttercup.

"Maybe he was saying thank you," said Bubbles.

"Whatever the reason," said Blossom. "This is only half-over. Let's find Dr. Lurral."

"Right on Sis," said Buttercup.



Dr. Lurral had fled when he saw the eruption, even before it formed into Him. Now he had to stay out of sight until he could escape. Getting out of town seemed to be a good idea. Currently he was hiding in an abandoned building.

How could he avoid the Powerpuffs though? They had X-ray vision, telescopic vision, super-hearing, and maybe a power or two more that would help them search. He'd researched them and knew from time to time one of them discovered a new power she didn't know she'd had. Not to mention their collective power that they could use by getting together.

"What will I do now?" he muttered out loud.

"Good question," said a silky voice behind him.

Dr. Lurral turned and saw who he hoped he wouldn't, but expected he would: Him.

"I going to give you a choice," said Him in a feminine voice. "You can go to the Powerpuffs," Him switched to masculine, "or you can come with me!"

It was an easy choice for Dr. Lurral. He ran from his hiding place, shouting the names of the Powerpuffs.

"So Him's after you? Asked Blossom, quickly figuring out the reason.

"O.K., O.K. Yes. Get me out of here!"

"You know Girls," said Buttercup, "Him does have a good reason to be mad. I know Him's evil and everything, but being trapped in that little gun?"

"I wouldn't like someone else using my powers without asking permission first," put in Bubbles.

"It's not like anyone knows we found him," said Blossom. "We could just sort look away for a little while."

"All right, I'm scared already!" said Dr. Lurral. "Can you take me away now, please?"

"Well, since you asked nicely," said Buttercup.

The Powerpuffs flew Dr. Lurral to prison. Him watched from the building.

"He chose the Puffs," thought Him. "I feel a little rejected."

Him snapped his right claw and was enveloped in red smoke. When the smoke cleared, there stood what appeared to be a uniformed man.

"Good thing Tonwsville prison needs a new security guard!"

Laughing, Him vanished. He'd be seeing Dr. Lurral pretty soon. The rest of Townsville would be safe for a while. Him would be preoccupied.

After all, when you messed with a devil you paid like hell.