Disclaimer: I do not own the Powerpuff Girls or any characters from the show. They are the property of Cartoon Network and its affiliates.
The Alchemeister
Chapter Four: Something's Missing
By the time the Powerpuff Girls made it back to Pokey Oaks, the broken glass had been swept up, the brick and message put away, and the rest of the kids were now out playing at recess.
Perfect timing!, cried Buttercup. Looks like it only just started.. The girls then rejoined their classmates, who were now looking up into the sky, watching their return.
Hey! They're back!, shouted a girl as the Powerpuffs landed on the playground.
Yay, I can't wait to hear Blossom tell us how they defeated the Gangreens this time., said a girl.
I wanna hear how silly Bubbles made them look!, said another.
How bad a beating you give em this time Buttercup?, asked a boy. Yet before the girls could get started they heard Miss Keane calling out to them from across the playground.
Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup! I need to speak with you!. After assuring their classmates that they would be back, they ran over to Miss Keane, who was taking the time between class to remove some of the glass shards from the window frame. Ah, there you three are..
What's the trouble Miss Keane?, Blossom asked. Do you want us to help with that window?.
Oh, I think I can manage., she said dropping another piece of glass into a trash can. However, the mayor kept calling while you were out. He was saying that his office was haunted....
Let me guess, his pen rolled off his desk and he thinks its possessed., muttered Bubbles.
Blossom just gave a sigh. Probably... Let's check it out anyway. Maybe we can get this settled before recess is over.. They then flew off towards downtown.
Opening the door of the mayor's office, Blossom spoke, Alright mayor, what is it this time?.
Ah, Powerpuff Girls! Thank goodness you're here. My favorite pen has been acting funny all morning. I don't know what to make of it!.
Blossom and Buttercup glanced at Bubbles. See? I was right.. She then flew over to the mayors' desk and started looking around. In no time, she spotted the pen lying underneath the front of the desk. See, mayor, here it is. Nothing's wrong, it just fell off the table..
Aaaah! Keep it away! It's messed up a lot of important documents already!.
With your signature?, Buttercup chided.
No, not like that. Here let me show you.. He then presented the girls with a piece of parchment. On it was a series of finished games of tic-tac-toe. See? I never lose to myself when I play X's..
I... see.... Blossom replied.
Um, maybe you're just having a bad day Mayor., suggested Bubbles.
I'm positive it's possessed! How else would it fly around the room by itself?.
Flying around the room? What.... Blossom was cut short as the pen shot out of Bubbles' hand and then proceeded to hover in one place nearby.
Aaah! Help! It's going to draw a moustache on my face! I know it!. He yelped before diving under his desk.
Wow, the mayor was right?.
Enough Buttercup. It's just a possessed object. We know what to do with those..
Right Blossom., finished Bubbles. The pen then started flying away, but before it could get too far, a trio of Powerpuff optic blasts hit it dead on, causing it to explode with a shriek.
Aha, a banshee!, proclaimed Blossom, shielding herself from sprayed ink.
Banshee? Those screaming things?, said Bubbles, just uncovering her face.
I don't know what a banshee is, but I don't know what that is either., said Buttercup as she looked to where the pen was. There was, in its place, an ink-blackened claw with spots of ink behind it as if there was an invisible arm attached. Before anyone could say anything, the claw hovered over to a map on the wall. Once there, it used the ink on its fingers to write out follow me'.
Blossom was puzzled. What's going on? She could get no answer as there wasn't enough ink left on the claw to write more. Instead, she saw it hover out the door to the mayor's office.
Buttercup started up, Hey! You're not getting away from us!. The girls zipped into the next room where they saw the claw holding itself up as if to say stop'.
Who are you?, demanded Buttercup.
And... what are you?, Bubbles asked timidly.
Suddenly they heard a voice come seemingly from out of nowhere. Girls, don't you recognize me?. The claw then moved forward and held out its fingertips. Upon closer examination, the girls saw that these talons' were instead well-filed, and long fingernails.
Miss Bellum?, all three of them said incredulously.
But you're... I mean..., Bubbles stammered.
, she replied. Yes... I can't fully explain it myself. I don't know what happened to me..
Why didn't you just say it was you in the first place?, asked Buttercup.
I tried that on the mayor. He kept thinking the intercom was broken because I didn't stop talking..
And what about the pen?, asked Bubbles.
Well, I gave up on trying to talk to him, so I tried writing a message down. The only problem was that he kept thinking it was a law he needed to sign or just something I scribbled to remind him of something else. As for the tic-tac-toe, I figured once he called you, I could have a little fun....
Blossom was now in a typical thinking posture. Miss Bellum? Are you sure you haven't a clue why you turned invisible?.
I can't say that I do. All I do know is that I was working here overnight, and I fell asleep at my desk. When I woke up, I was invisible. The mayor didn't even see me when he came in before that..
Most people don't even know you're there, but this is ridiculous., Bubbles commented.
Things are getting weirder and weirder..., said Blossom.
First the Gangreen Gang starts acting weird, and now Miss Bellum has gone invisible., Buttercup followed up.
You mean there's more going on than just this?. The girls nodded in response. Well maybe you should get the Professor to look into this.
Good idea., Blossom said in approval.
Yay, we get to go home for lunch!, squealed Bubbles. Just as the three were about to leave though, the Mayor stopped them.
Powerpuff Girls! Wait!.
Blossom turned around. Yes Mayor?.
Thank you so much for getting rid of that haunted pen! I can finally get back to work. Oh, and one last thing girls. If you see Miss Bellum, will you tell her to come back to the office as soon as possible. It just isn't the same without seeing her face around..
Umm, okay Mayor., Blossom replied, with all three of them looking at the hand in the background giving them a thumbs-up.
If we see her, we'll tell her., Bubbles added before they all flew off giggling.
Meanwhile, in Townsville's industrial district, the Alchemeister was approaching a factory marked Cal. Chem. Inc.. Although not indicated by the book, this is the logical place to look. Among these factories, foundries, and refineries, there could be something that will bring me ease.. He then began walking towards the door.