CHAPTER FIVE: THE SEVEN SAMURAI
Later that night Professor Utonium is in a fitful tortured sleep as a maelstrom of imagery
floods his mind. He sees mathmatic equations intertwining with laws of physics. Her last words
haunt him, "Bye Professor, we'll be careful." Bubbles in the chamber, then no more, "Daddy, she
just dissolved and was gone!" Blossom wracked with anguish, "Where is she, what happened!"
Suddenly he bolts upright, eyes wide..."THE PATTERN BUFFER! Girls, girls, girls!!!" Blossom,
Buttercup and Bunny crash thru his bedroom door together. The RowdyRuff Boys sleeping on the
fold-out couch downstairs do not appear, they are TIRED!
The sudden noises awaken Ms. Keane who also bolts upright from the recliner she was sleeping
in. Due to the Professor's grief she had kindly offered to stay at his side until he felt
better. Her eyes are wide with surprise and her hair is in disarray.
The girls notice Ms. Keane and grimace at having startled her so.
"Sorry Ms. Keane, WHAT'S WRONG PROFESSOR?"
Frantically, "Get me back to Mojo's lab!'
"What is it?"
"Maybe nothing, maybe everything, if I'm right Bubbles is still alive! Blossom, go get Mojo
from jail, we may need him." Blossom nods and zips out the window!
Ms. Keane, "Wait John, I'm going with you. Just let me get the boys." Quickly she goes
downstairs as the others follow.
Professor Utonium is looking for his lab coat to cover himself so he can leave, there is NO
TIME to waste on getting fully dressed!
Everybody, the boys, the girls, Professor and Ms. Keane are all getting ready to haul fanny
when the phone rings! It's late, who could it be?
"Wha?" Annoyed, the Professor snatches up the phone, "Utonium here, make it quick!" he barks!
It's Dexter again! He sounds tired at this late hour. "Professsor, your deeduction aboout
Mojo was correct. His plan is bold and auuddacious, eeven for him. Yewww musst stop him!"
Dexter doesn't know Mojo is in jail already.
"Thanks, gotta run, sorry to be rude, call you soon, bye" The Professor hangs up, "Let's go!"
he orders!
A mass departure rapidly follows. It was so rapid that the suction of the RowdyRuffs and
PowerPuffs leaving so fast caused the front door to slam shut!
In an instant they are all at Mojo's lab. Blossom is there already waiting with a gagged
Mojo! She waves to them all and explains. "I asked the guards to gag him, he wouldn't shut up!"
The RowdyRuffs look around and Brick comments, "I'm really getting to hate this place, ya
know." Boomer, Butch, Buttercup and Bunny all nod in agreement.
"Now that we're all here I'll explain." The Professor continues. "I just had my findings
verified by another scientist." Mojo glares at him but can say nothing due to the gag! "I was
shocked at the worldwide potential for total chaos and anarchy that would follow." He walks over
to a control panel and Mojo's eyes grow wide with appehension! The Professor begins to turn
everything back on as the others look at each other wondering why.
Professor Utonium notices an enormous amount of data stored in the pattern buffer, over 47
Terraquads! The dial indicates a huge potential to hold more, six TIMES that amount to be
precise!
As the equipment is powering up the Professor begins to lecture. "I have something to tell
everybody. It was his plan all along to capture you all," pointing to the PowerPuff Girls AND
RowdyRuff Boys, "and keep you prisoner in the Pattern Buffer. As the world thought you dead he
would use your combined Chemical X energies to power a molecular transporter. He didn't figure
on Bunny being an extra Chemical X child and that threw off his calculations! Am I right Mojo?"
Mojo, still gagged and unable to speak, shoots the Professor a look of utter loathing!
The Professor continues, "He would then use the transporter to disrupt the global economy as
it would totally destroy the transportation and energy industries. Fossil and alternative fuels
would be useless because a transporter could almost instantaneously deliver cargo and personnel
to any location, no matter how remote." The Professor is really angry now, "Mojo, that's THE
most deplorable, dastardly, despicable thing you've devised yet! You would have murdered
innocent children and ruined the world's economy for decades!"
Brick rushes up to Mojo and rips the gag out totally upset at the turn of events. He's ready
to pound Mojo to pieces but the Professor halts him, "Stop, let's hear him, we may learn
something." Brick reluctantly nods his head and returns to his brothers.
Mojo smugly, "Why thank you, I'm rather proud of it myself" He takes a bow. "That was my
plan, I would have been the sole possessor of the transporter and the instant services it
provided. Fossil fuels would have been rendered useless overnight! I would have created an
economic jihad that would have decimated the earth for decades! Can't you imagine the total
chaos as currency becomes almost totally useless! BWAA HAHA HAHAHAAA!"
Brick confronts Mojo again with a trembling, cracking voice, "Is th-that ALL we were to you,
a FUEL source?!" The PowerPuff Girls all look at him with pity. They imagine what it might be
like if the Professor were to pull such a stunt and the deep pain it would cause. The boys are
absolutely stunned and that furthers their desire to reform.
Mojo begins to explain. It is perhaps the singlemost uncaring statement he has ever spoken,
"Did you actually THINK I cared about three boys who looked so much like the girls I loathe!
Did you actually THINK I'd enjoy seeing your faces with those overly round eyes looking so much
like my enemies every single day for the rest of my life!" He begins talk louder, "Did you
actually THINK I wanted human children? I NEEDED massive terraquads of energy, and the six of
you," He motions to the girls and the boys, "would have provided that nicely." He ends his rant,
"That's ALL, you were a means to an end boy, nothing MORE!"
The RowdyRuffs tremble with hurt and betrayal! Boomer looks like he is about to lose control
and cry but a single eye contact with Brick stops him. Brick's face speaks volumes to Boomer.
Boomer sees that Brick wants him to hold on until Mojo is out of sight so that Mojo doesn't have
the satisfaction of seeing how bad he has hurt the blonde Ruff. Boomer is comforted by this and
gets control of his feelings. He sees Brick's expression is an unreadable iron mask and he
adopts the same emotional posture. There'll be time for sadness later.
Butch however is having a much worse time of it! Mojo's statement has sent him in a near
anxiety attack. He is sitting shaking, trembling, and shuddering. Ms. Keane fearing he has been
traumatized goes over and talks to him. "Butch, this is Ms. Keane, we're here for you,
understand? Butch doesn't acknowledge her so she continues, "Mojo is going to jail, and we'll
take care of you and your brothers, you'll never see Mojo again. We could be a family like the
Professor and the girls." Butch mumbles the word "family" and Ms Keane seeing the crack in his
defenses takes the initiative. "Yes Butch, a real family, I'd like that, to show you and your
brothers what a true parent is capable of. Do you understand?"
The whole room is galvanized by Ms. Keane's attempt to help Butch. Butch takes a deep breath
and answers slowly, "Yes, I under...stand...I'd like that too." He sounds so very weary of life
and its trials.
Bunny addresses Ms. Keane, "He's really hurt, but he'll be OK. I have a power, I know."
Ms. Keane looks at the new Puff and they exchange smiles. As Ms. Keane turns back to Butch
she notices some other faces. Brick and Boomer are looking at her with rapturious gratitute! She
goes over and kisses both of them quickly on the head, quickly because she knows boys hate that
mushy stuff and whispers gently to them, "He'll be OK, I promise."
The Professor notices the machinery has finished the start up procedure. He lectures the room,
"Now, if I'm right, all we have to do is set the machinery to undo its last function." He moves
some dials, levers, and buttons. He finishes, "Then push this toggle marked REINTEGRATE." He
moves the toggle, and everybody holds their breath as the machinery begins to make new noises.
A power build up can be heard getting louder and louder. It reaches a cresendo then abruptly
stops! A new voice is heard in the room. It is Mojo's computer, "Procedure halted, unauthorized
use attempted. Password required for further operation. Energy levels below acceptable limits,
autosafeties enabled."
The Professor and everybody in the room are shocked and scared at the implication of the
computer voice! The Professor sadly states, "I forgot about a possible password lockout, what
was I thinking?" He angrily slaps his head in grief!
Mojo begins to gloat, "You may have captured me but you'll never get her back, not without my
password and certainly not without any energy. You have none and if I had it I wouldn't give it
to you because that was not my plan and since my plan was..." Butch gets up in Mojo's face
interrupting his rant, "If you don't SHUT UP I'll snap you like a twig!" He actually grabs Mojo
to do just that when the Professor stops him, "No, son. Don't fall to his level. I have
something in mind, trust me."
Butch sets Mojo down much to his relief! "You're right, why should I ruin my life further!"
He walks away from Mojo.
During the diversion Bunny has been watching and listening. She figures she can sacrifice her
life energy to return Bubbles. Bunny steps toward Mojo's chamber and quickly reactivates the
process.
Everyone's attention is diverted by a curious chant, "I was created to help, I have to help.
I was created to help, I have to help." Bunny, chanting her mantra of assistance is almost in an
hypnotic state. She enters the chamber to sacrifice her life energies for Bubbles!
The Professor screams, "Get OUT, get OUT of there!"
Quickly before the chamber's effect can begin Buttercup fires her heat vision on the glass
paneling. "OH NO, YOU DON'T!" she exclaims!
"WE'RE NOT LOSING YOU AGAIN!" adds Blossom with a touch of ice breath. The combined heating
and cooling shatters the extra thick glass and quick as wink they rush in, grab Bunny, and fly
out again.
Blossom angrily, "Bunny, you weren't created to be our sacrificial lamb, we're stronger with
you than without you! What were you thinking, didn't you hear, it's password protected, you
would have died for nothing, and then there would be only two PowerPuffs!"
Seeing Bunny's hurt expression Blossom softens her tone a bit, "You have to learn to think
things through. Don't go making the ultimate sacrifice at the first sign of trouble. We love
you and we don't want to lose you again. Also, for the last time, this wasn't your fault, OK?"
Bunny's face brightens at this and she begins to understand the reason for the dressing down
from Leader Girl.
"OK, Blossom, after this is all over it's simulator time I promise. I guess I have been kinda
single minded about Bubbles and feeling sorry for myself. I thought the machine would store my
energy for future use. But now, what about Bubbles?"
The RowdyRuff Boys have also been watching and listening. Boomer motions for his brothers and
they begin to whisper among themselves and pointing towards Bunny. After a bit, Brick approaches
the Professor. "Sir, Boomer has an idea that might help Bubbles."
"What's that?"
"You said it yourself. We're larger because we absorbed some of Bunny's energy in equal
portions. It's time we put that energy to productive use."
The Professor thinks for a moment then realizes what they propose! "No, I can't allow that.
There would be four gone if something went wrong!"
Brick pleads, "Let us do this. With the password, it should work. Let us prove ourselves once
and for all! It should bring her back, and we should return to our normal sizes! It all fits,
don't you see?"
The Professor had to admit it made sense. He looks at Ms. Keane and the girls. They look at
the boys who clearly want to do this.
Professor Utonium runs his fingers through his hair then speaks, "Very well." He speaks to
Mojo afterwards, "Mojo, we'd like that password. You can give it to us willingly or not. It's up
to you."
Mojo looks at all the stern faces in the room. He knows he's beaten and begins to complain,
"There used to be only THREE super powered Chemical X children, but NOW there are SEVEN! SEVEN
lousy, goody-goody, get in my way super brats! All I wanted was to ruin the world economy, I
did it again, I did it again! All I..."
"MOJO, THE PASSWORD!" The Professor shouts!
"Goodall, the password is Goodall!" he sulks!
"GOODALL, as in Jane Goodall?" The Professor asks astonished.
"Hey, she means a lot to my people, sue me!" Mojo goes silent.
The Professor talks to the boys, "Well, if you're ready step inside." He motions towards the
chamber.
The RowdyRuffs glance at each other, the girls, the Professor and Ms. Keane. "Good luck" she
adds.
They step inside and the Professor speaks, "You should feel nothing but a tingle, don't let
it frighten you. Afterwards, I'll adjust the settings and hopefully bring you back along with
Bubbles."
Brick reaches out and closes the door and notices it has been shattered by Blossom's and
Buttercup's rescue of Bunny. He motions towards it and shrugs as if to say, "Need a fix here!"
Boomer and Blossom seal the breach with some glass paneling from Mojo's skylight, melting it
in place with their heat vision and then motion for the Professor to begin. He sets the setting
to INTEGRATE and starts. The machine starts again with its familiar whine. He yells out to the
boys, "Remember, it may tingle!"
They hear nothing as the machine finishes its first function. Buttercup goes to look inside
and gasps, "They're GONE!"
"It's OK Buttercup" says Blossom. "That's supposed to happen...right...Professor?"
"Yes, it is. Don't worry." He now resets the settings back to REINTEGRATE and calibrates the
machine to balance the return among four children instead of three. He pauses for a moment,
looking totally focused as everybody else holds their breath. He looks up as if pleading to God
and pushes the toggle forward!
The process stutters for a moment, stabilizes, and begins to proceed. A familiar whine is
heard again as the process continues farther than last time. Everybody is holding their breath,
Blossom, Buttercup, and Bunny are holding hands. The sound changes as colors and flesh tones
begin to appear in the chamber!
A bright light flashes from the chamber then fades! Everybody blinks as the process ends. The
next few moments were kind of strange as several things happen at once! Everybody notices that
the RowdyRuff boys have returned along with BUBBLES apparently all fast asleep in the chamber.
Everybody then notices the kids are completely naked! Everybody gasps and wakes them up!
Bubbles awakens, looks briefly bewildered and slightly like Venus at creation, realizes she
is naked, naked with the RowdyRuffs of all people, lets out a squeal of embarrassment, and
generates a flesh tone streak as she beats a hasty retreat for the Professor's open lab coat.
It is all the Professor can do to keep from squeezing her breathless with relief!
"That's not FUNEEEE!" Bubbles shrieks as everybody else just giggles, relieved that she is
ALIVE!
Buttercup turns on Mojo and yells, "You sicko, you made their clothes vanish!" She grabs his
collar and lifts him off the floor!
"HEY, HEY, HEY" he shouts! "It was all the furniture you threw around, don't blame me!
Besides the autosafeties were on." He looks her in the eye, "Like I did all this just to see
them in their birthday suits, SHEESH! The autosafeties eliminate any non-organic matter in
case of an energy drop. Shoes, glasses, clothes, anything NOT ALIVE will be sacrificed for the
living! I may be a maniacal monkey bent on ruling the world, but I'm a safety minded maniacal
monkey." he proudly stated!
Buttercup doesn't buy it! "With the extra power the boys provided that shouldn't have happened!"
Mojo responds, "Maybe the Professor didn't reset ALL the controls, YA THINK! MAYBE the
autosafeties were left in Manual Override! If so, they would OVERRIDE in favor of the
lifeform's safety! So there! NYAAH!"
The Professor sneaks a quick peek at the controls, "Oops, sorry everybody." He blushes.
Buttercup responds, "I guess that's OK." and begins to set him down. "Aw, the heck with it!"
and drops him unceremoniously on the floor!
At this point the RowdyRuffs begin to stir and Brick asks meekly, "Um, could we have
something to cover up with please? They're modestly sitting with their arms wrapped around
their drawn up legs. They're OK, and back to their normal eye-to-eye size with the PowerPuff
Girls.
Ms. Keane throws them Mojo's cloak. Brick catches it and quickly they they zip behind a
cabinet with the cloak. Ripping and tearing sounds are heard and they appear wearing only purple
loincloths. Brick's loincloth is somewhat even whereas Butch's and Boomer's slant slightly to
the left and right respectively. They girls are all wide eyed as the boys strut around! Boomer,
noticing Bubbles hiding in the Professor's lab coat offers her two extra pieces of Mojo's cloak.
Bubbles slowly, cautiously, accepts the fabric. Afterwards, she too, zips behind a cabinet to
get dressed. When she returns she is wearing a loincloth with a top. Bubbles has not bothered to
put her hair up but has found something she likes better in the meanwhile. It's Brick's
previously lost hat. The hat is too big because it was lost when Brick was larger but Bubbles
doesn't mind.
Bubbles points toward the RowdyRuff Boys, "Why are they here?" she asks alarmingly.
Ms Keene responds, "It's a long story, we'll explain when we get home."
Bubbles, "OK...Daddy what are you doing?" The Professor has picked her back up and has his
ear on her chest and is smiling. "Just listening to your strong heartbeat, right now it's the
best sound I've ever heard." A tear comes down from his eye and Bubbles catches it.
"Were you sad?"
"Very much so, very much so, but not anymore. Is everybody ready to go?"
Mojo laments sarcastically, "Oh joy, back to jail. I can hardly wait, my life is complete!"
The Professor looks at Mojo, Not you, we have something else in mind."
Blossom to Mojo, "No community service."
Buttercup to Mojo, "No probation."
Ms. Keane to Mojo, "No life without parole"
Bunny to Mojo, "No Death Penalty"
Mojo, "ALL RIGHT, that kind of captivity I can deal with!"
Professor to Mojo, "No, for you, something far worse, Professor to Bunny..."NOW" Bunny pushes
a lever on Mojo's control console and he is bathed in the machine's light. Nothing appears to
happen.
"HA, MISSED!"
Professor Utonium points to the machinery, "Girls, melt it." The four girls as one focus
their heat beams on the machinery turning it into so much molten slag. With a hiss and a pop the
wreckage burns through the floor leaving a smouldering hole.
"Missed?" the Professor mocks, he raises his eyebrows at Mojo. "Go check the Chemical X
Intensity settings if you dare."
Professor snaps his fingers and slaps his hand to his forehead, "Oh, silly me, I had the
girls melt your toy, oops."
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO IT, TO ME!? TELL ME!!" He begins to rant and rave in chimpanzee and soon
his words become less and less intelligible. His oversized brain begins to shrink along with his
body. In a matter of moments he is too small for his clothes, and he becomes almost buried in
them.
Professor Utonium reaches in the clothes and goes, "TA-DAH! I'll have JOJO placed in the
Washington DC Zoo where he can have proper surveillance and observation. However, just to be
safe." Professor Utonium reaches into a side pocket and produces a hypo loaded with Antidote X.
He injects Jojo in the arm and releases him. "You will never harm another citizen, and you will
most certainly never touch one of mine ever again." he solemnly states.
The room is agasp with the punishment! Bunny asks, "Is that is how Mojo originally looked?"
Jojo just chatters and moves on the Professor's shoulders.
"Yes, and with his vast intellect gone, he's a normal chimpanzee again. One more thing before
we go, tear this lab down kids, destroy it. The city can use the volcano for a cheap and
plentiful geothermal energy source."
Blossom, "You mean?"
"Yep, it's only fair since Mojo tricked you into building it, go nuts."
Bubbles asks, "Me too?"
"You too, but I want you and the boys for some tests when we get home."
Brick gleefully exclaims, "You mean we get to wreck this place?"
Boomer and Butch lean forward with predatory gleams on their faces!
The Professor modifies his previous statement slightly by saying, "I mean it. Boys, girls,
tear it all down. Leave only the concrete flooring for the geothermal system I mentioned...and
let us," he grabs Ms. Keane's hand, "get outside before you start." They exit hastily down the
stairs with Jojo on the Professor's shoulders!
Butch, "This is gonna be sweet!"
Buttercup, "You said it!"
Bunny bows gracefully, "Shall we?" The others take her cue and proceed to demolish the lab.
Unknown to everyone a small and discreetly hidden camcorder had been recording the events of
the past few days. The camcorder had been placed there by Mojo in case of his capture or demise.
Should he not be seen for a predetermined time or his brainwaves change, the camcorder would
transmit its data to a self-propelled aerial video camera which would fly to a preselected
recepient who would then begin a rescue. Before the lab was leveled the camcorder accomplished
its programming and transmitted its data to the rooftop camera.
After Mojo's lab is destroyed everybody has returned to the Utonium residence. Everyone is
talking and chattering a mile a minute about the recent happenings. Buttercup tells Bubbles what
happened. Bubbles stares in disbelief at Buttercup as Blossom and Bunny relay the current
events! Finally Bubbles speaks, "Died, you all thought I died? The last thing I remember was
being in Mojo's lab, helping Bunny, and then I woke up on the floor with my clothes off, with
them!" She stares at the RowdyRuffs!
Blossom, "Yes, they even built you a memorial, you gotta see it!"
Professor, "Yes, I thought I'd lost one of my little angels for good, but Brick, Butch, and
Boomer gave up some of the energy they got from Bunny and here you are. Bunny even tried to do
the same thing."
Buttercup talks to the RowdyRuffs, "Thanks for giving me back my sister, especially you!" She
plants a big wet one smack on Boomer's lips.
"HEY, STOP!" He grimaces, fully expecting a repeat of what happened when a PowerPufff last
kissed him..."I'm...still...here?"
I don't think our kisses will do that anymore. You're a good guy now, surprised? He draws
back open-mouthed and silent, but manages to smile nonetheless.
"That WAS a surprise," Boomer finally answers.
Blossom slyly, "Oh that reminds me, SURPRISE Buttercup!" She reaches behind and under
Buttercup's skirt, grabs the top of her underwear, and pulls up HARD! The RowdyRuffs, who were
watching, all look wide-eyed at the impending scuffle!
"I know you were upset but please don't ever talk to me like that again, OK?" she says
sweetly as she tugs again to reinforce her point. Bubbles and Bunny just giggle as Buttercup is
surprised to the point of speechlessness.
"You, you wedgied me!" Buttercup finally splutters with wide eyes.
"Yeah, you gonna do somethin' about it?" Blossom responds with a challenge in her voice and
a twinkle in her eye.
Buttercup answers "Just this wedgie woman" and gives Blossom a flying tackle that takes her
sister to the floor.
Bunny asks with concern, "Shouldn't we stop them?"
Bubbles just grins, "That's OK, they do that." Smiling, and satisfied all was right with her
wrestling sisters Bunny asks the Professor a question, "Professor, do you know where my
invisibility reflex came from?"
"I've been giving that some thought. Buttercup tossed in a lizard when your Chemical X
formula was being made. That lizard was a chameleon, and they have the ability to change color
according to their surroundings. Chemical X must have modified that defense mechanism into your
invisibility."
Bunny nods, thanks him, yawns, and floats upstairs to bed. The others, having caught the
yawns from Bunny also decide to hit the hay. Ms. Keane and the RowdyRuffs head out the door for
her place. Right afterwards a loud shriek is heard from Bubbles! The Professor rushes in,
"WHAT'S WRONG!"
Bubbles is crying, but these looks like...tears of joy? She is holding a green envelope. The
Professor takes it and finds a crayon colored picture of the Utoniums grieving for their missing
family member Bubbles. The saddest one of all appears to be Buttercup who has a dark cloud and
broken red heart over her head. The picture says nothing as it doesn't have to, its message
clear. Bubbles takes the card and holds it to her heart with a rapturous expression on her face
and tears in her eyes!
The Professor tells Buttercup, "That was a beautiful gesture, thank you." He looks at the
girls, four of them now, happy and healthy, smiles and leaves the room for bed. "Good night
angels." he says closing the door.
Soon, nothing is heard in the house except the sounds of gentle snorings from a happily
reunited family.
-------
The following morning the phone rings. It is the Mayor calling to further express his
official and personal regrets concerning Bubbles. The Professor apologizes for not calling last
night with the wonderful news that Bubbles is ALIVE, and thanks to the RowdyRuff Boys in the
process!
When the Mayor hears this the Professor can hear him "YAA-HOOing and YEE-HAAing" over the
phone! He exclaims, "WONDERFUL news boy! Now you listen to me. Get yourself and those incredible
girls of yours down to that memorial. I'll make a few phone calls and get something special
rolling. Bring that Ms. Keane also, I have something planned for her also. You got that?"
"Um, sure, we'll be there." The Professor is puzzled, but open to the suggestion. He smiles
and calls Ms. Keane. She is still asleep, but groggily agrees to get dressed, wake the boys, and
go to the memorial.
In about a hour or so the Utonium family arrives at the memorial. Ms. Keane and the boys are
noticed approaching from the other side of town. Soon, all are gathered at the entrance and are
gaping open mouthed at the throngs of people waiting. The Mayor has pulled in numerous favors
and has a platform set up for the media along with a red carpet, viewing table, and chairs.
Numerous television and radio booths have been set up in rapid order. He invites them up to the
table to sit. Flashbulbs are going off like popcorn as Bubbles takes her seat.
The Mayor calls for silence and begins. "I am very humbled to have you ALL in my city. Your
bravery, sacrifices, and willingness to accept extreme responsibililties have made us all very
proud. Like the Seven Samurai of old you each conducted yourselves with great honor and
devotion."
He begins to lecture and point to the individual Puffs and Ruffs as he continues. "Bunny,
you haven't been here very long, but you jumped right in to help your sisters right a terrible
wrong. Blossom, as a leader you must have felt the greatest pressure, yet you stayed focused and
in the end you helped make things right. Buttercup, the guilt you felt must have been
overwhelming but you dealt with your problem positively and returned to your place as a valuable
team member. Bubbles, you were willing to lay down your life for a stranger so that she might
have a chance at life, how noble of you...and you, the Rowdy Ruff Boys, began as mindless
hoodlums yet you recognized your lives needed more and took charge and helped to make things
right and in doing so, made yourselves right as well. I am glad you are here, our Chemical X
Commandos!"
The crowd begins to cheer but stops as the Mayor abruptly raises his hands for silence. He
points ominously towards the RowdyRuffs. "Still, your evil deeds must be recognized."
The Ruffs all stiffen! Butch mutters cynically, "I knew it, shaft time!"
Boomer, "We are so boned!"
Brick even looks surprised, "Guess it was too much to hope for, huh?"
The Mayor continues, "So I sentence you to life." The police advance towards the Ruffs who
are frozen stock still in shock! Blossom starts to speak in their defense as the Mayor gestures
for the police to halt. He clears his throat and continues again, "Harumph, as I was saying I
sentence you to life imprisonment with your new Mom, Ms. Sandra Keane."
The boys all look totally floored, they are taken totally and utterly by surprise!
"Had you going there, didn't I?" The Mayor smirks. "Under her supervision and tutetlage you
will serve out your sentence until such time she determines you are old enough to live your own
lives. May God have mercy on your souls!"
He winks at Ms. Keane who is smiling back at him nearly in tears and whispers, "Let's prove
that orphanage wrong, shall we?"
The whole crowd erupts into a massive round of clapping and cheering that goes on for several
minutes, "BUBBLES, BUBBLES, BUBBLES!" they chant over and over!
Butch whispers in Buttercup's ear, "Does he always go on like that?"
Buttercup admiringly, "Not usually, no. Just when I think he's got several screws loose, he
goes and makes a speech like that. He's really special, you'll see. Oh, by the way, sorry about
the knee thing." She motions with her knee to show Butch what she meant.
"Oh, that" He looked pained slightly and asks, "Why did it hurt so much?"
"Something about boys and girls being different, I'm not entirely sure.
"Maybe the Professor can tell us?"
Butch gets embarrassed at this point and says, "Never mind, I'll find out for myself. I'll
use that internet thingy we saw in the library."
Professor smiling from ear to ear, proud as any peacock had a right to be, takes the
microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may, I have another announcement." The microphone
squeals and Stanley Whitfield, standing nearby, quickly comes over and makes an adjustment.
It looks like the Professor is clearly carrying something, or someone. We CAN'T see because
Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are floating in the way blocking the view. He begins to speak,
"Ladies and Gentlemen, not only did we rescue Bubbles and prove that she was still alive, but we
also gained a new member in the process. Please welcome the newest member of the PowerPuff
Girls, PowerPuff BUNNY!"
The other girls move out of the way. The crowd is silent, all that can be heard are the
sounds of the ducks and geese feeding in the memorial pond. All eyes are upon Bunny and not
missing a beat she stares back at them. Suddenly, the crowd erupts in a LOUD CLAPPING AND
CHEERING welcome that goes on for several minutes.
Bunny, startled, zips from the Professor's grasp and darts behind his legs to hide.
Professor, "It's OK, stay visible. Let's keep that little ability a secret, shall we?" He winks
at her and she winks back clearly pleased with their shared secret.
Ms. Keane is smiling at the proceedings and as the crowd quiets Brick asks her a question,
"So are we brothers?"
Buttercup continues, "and sisters?"
Bunny finishes, "or cousins?"
The Professor answers, "Well, Ruffs and Puffs at this point I just don't know. We're going to
have to learn about, and get familiar with, each other; and that takes time. I know us two
adults will do our best to see that happens." The Professor is getting into his ramble mode
again. "How strong will you be as adults? I bet the seven of you could push this planet out of
orbit."
Ms. Keane jumps in smiling, "OK John, I think they get the idea."
He finishes, "The boys were affected by Mojo's process in another way as well, not only did
they get part of Bunny's size and strength but they got her kindness and compassion also. It
must have lain dormant until they saw Bubbles save Bunny" explained the Professor to Ms. Keane.
"Your constant kindness to them just clinched the deal. WELL DONE!"
He kisses her on the cheek and gives her a big hug as the girls try to look elsewhere and
just whistle nervously. The boys don't know what to make of all this. The Professor looks a bit
nervous at perhaps having made an awkward move towards Ms. Keane. She senses this and states,
"John, I'm calling in my Sadie Hawkins perogative. You've been through a lot lately, this is for
you," and kisses him gently on the lips! Being the dignified and polite gentleman he is he does
not protest!
-------
It is late afternoon and everybody is at the Utonium home relaxing and talking. After the
Mayor's surprise the Professor treated everyone to lunch. Bunny made instant friends with
Buttercup when she took her first bite of spinach and pronounced it, "unfit for human
consumption!"
Bunny again is at the center of attention when she answers the doorbell. She escorts two
people in the living room and declares in disbelief, "Are these people really your Mom and Dad?"
It is Sam and Michiko Utonium newly arrived from Tokyo!
"MOM, DAD!" The Professor is up in an instant. He gives them both a quick hug and tells them
the best news they could possibly hear.
"Sorry to frighten you, but Bubbles is ALIVE!" Bubbles hears her name and steps forward.
Michiko scoops her up and gives her a big hug. She looks a bit nervous at this stranger hugging
her. The Professor explains to the girls, "You remember me telling you about my parents. These
are your grandparents!" Bubbles relaxes and returns the hug.
Sam looks straight at his son and adds, "Yeah, we're here to spoil ya rotten like it or not!
Here kids, Michiko has a something for you." The girls all tear into a package containing color
coordinated kiminos. Michiko talks to Bunny, "Now don't you feel left out, we'll go to Tokyo
Townsville and fix you right up."
Bunny looks at her kind face and smiles back. This dear person is somebody special and it
doesn't take a mind reader to figure that out.
That night in the living room Michiko is reading Blossom and Bubbles a Japanese fairy tale.
They are collectively sharing a plate of cookies totally engossed in the narrative. Sam has
Buttercup in an arm hold tickling her. Laughing, she goes along. Of course she could escape,
but where's the fun in that?
Sam is teasing her, "You're not so tough, I can hold you." Bunny, landing on his shoulders,
covers his eyes. "I'll help you Buttercup!" she adds.
Sam plays along, "OH, double-teaming ol' Grandpa huh? I see how it is!"
All is well.
-------
On another side of town a similiar family scene is being played out. The RowdyRuffs are in
bed at Ms. Keane's. She has bought them a three-tiered bunk bed. All the boys are contemplating
the recent events in their minds when Boomer comments, "Hey guys, we sure got lucky huh?"
"You said it!" Brick comments.
Butch, "Yeah, Mojo almost used us for fuel!"
Brick, "I'm glad we didn't have to fight the girls to the end. They would have won I think."
Boomer, "How so?"
Brick, "They're more experienced, and we have so much to learn, so far to go. We almost went
to jail for who knows how long."
Boomer, "I think Ms. Keane will work out as our Mom, she seems as kind as the Professor."
Boomer and his brothers had just been paid a visit by Ms. Keane to their bedroom. They seemed
really surprised that she had the manners to actually knock out of respect for their privacy.
She had shown them a photo album, and when they had said it was empty she explained that they
had the rest of their lives to fill it. Such was the depth of Sandra Keane's heart!
Butch, "Yeah, we got off lucky and have a real family to sweeten the deal." He wipes a
single tear from his eye. "I'm not crying." he adds.
Brick, "Of course not...my brother."
All is well.
Later that night Professor Utonium is in a fitful tortured sleep as a maelstrom of imagery
floods his mind. He sees mathmatic equations intertwining with laws of physics. Her last words
haunt him, "Bye Professor, we'll be careful." Bubbles in the chamber, then no more, "Daddy, she
just dissolved and was gone!" Blossom wracked with anguish, "Where is she, what happened!"
Suddenly he bolts upright, eyes wide..."THE PATTERN BUFFER! Girls, girls, girls!!!" Blossom,
Buttercup and Bunny crash thru his bedroom door together. The RowdyRuff Boys sleeping on the
fold-out couch downstairs do not appear, they are TIRED!
The sudden noises awaken Ms. Keane who also bolts upright from the recliner she was sleeping
in. Due to the Professor's grief she had kindly offered to stay at his side until he felt
better. Her eyes are wide with surprise and her hair is in disarray.
The girls notice Ms. Keane and grimace at having startled her so.
"Sorry Ms. Keane, WHAT'S WRONG PROFESSOR?"
Frantically, "Get me back to Mojo's lab!'
"What is it?"
"Maybe nothing, maybe everything, if I'm right Bubbles is still alive! Blossom, go get Mojo
from jail, we may need him." Blossom nods and zips out the window!
Ms. Keane, "Wait John, I'm going with you. Just let me get the boys." Quickly she goes
downstairs as the others follow.
Professor Utonium is looking for his lab coat to cover himself so he can leave, there is NO
TIME to waste on getting fully dressed!
Everybody, the boys, the girls, Professor and Ms. Keane are all getting ready to haul fanny
when the phone rings! It's late, who could it be?
"Wha?" Annoyed, the Professor snatches up the phone, "Utonium here, make it quick!" he barks!
It's Dexter again! He sounds tired at this late hour. "Professsor, your deeduction aboout
Mojo was correct. His plan is bold and auuddacious, eeven for him. Yewww musst stop him!"
Dexter doesn't know Mojo is in jail already.
"Thanks, gotta run, sorry to be rude, call you soon, bye" The Professor hangs up, "Let's go!"
he orders!
A mass departure rapidly follows. It was so rapid that the suction of the RowdyRuffs and
PowerPuffs leaving so fast caused the front door to slam shut!
In an instant they are all at Mojo's lab. Blossom is there already waiting with a gagged
Mojo! She waves to them all and explains. "I asked the guards to gag him, he wouldn't shut up!"
The RowdyRuffs look around and Brick comments, "I'm really getting to hate this place, ya
know." Boomer, Butch, Buttercup and Bunny all nod in agreement.
"Now that we're all here I'll explain." The Professor continues. "I just had my findings
verified by another scientist." Mojo glares at him but can say nothing due to the gag! "I was
shocked at the worldwide potential for total chaos and anarchy that would follow." He walks over
to a control panel and Mojo's eyes grow wide with appehension! The Professor begins to turn
everything back on as the others look at each other wondering why.
Professor Utonium notices an enormous amount of data stored in the pattern buffer, over 47
Terraquads! The dial indicates a huge potential to hold more, six TIMES that amount to be
precise!
As the equipment is powering up the Professor begins to lecture. "I have something to tell
everybody. It was his plan all along to capture you all," pointing to the PowerPuff Girls AND
RowdyRuff Boys, "and keep you prisoner in the Pattern Buffer. As the world thought you dead he
would use your combined Chemical X energies to power a molecular transporter. He didn't figure
on Bunny being an extra Chemical X child and that threw off his calculations! Am I right Mojo?"
Mojo, still gagged and unable to speak, shoots the Professor a look of utter loathing!
The Professor continues, "He would then use the transporter to disrupt the global economy as
it would totally destroy the transportation and energy industries. Fossil and alternative fuels
would be useless because a transporter could almost instantaneously deliver cargo and personnel
to any location, no matter how remote." The Professor is really angry now, "Mojo, that's THE
most deplorable, dastardly, despicable thing you've devised yet! You would have murdered
innocent children and ruined the world's economy for decades!"
Brick rushes up to Mojo and rips the gag out totally upset at the turn of events. He's ready
to pound Mojo to pieces but the Professor halts him, "Stop, let's hear him, we may learn
something." Brick reluctantly nods his head and returns to his brothers.
Mojo smugly, "Why thank you, I'm rather proud of it myself" He takes a bow. "That was my
plan, I would have been the sole possessor of the transporter and the instant services it
provided. Fossil fuels would have been rendered useless overnight! I would have created an
economic jihad that would have decimated the earth for decades! Can't you imagine the total
chaos as currency becomes almost totally useless! BWAA HAHA HAHAHAAA!"
Brick confronts Mojo again with a trembling, cracking voice, "Is th-that ALL we were to you,
a FUEL source?!" The PowerPuff Girls all look at him with pity. They imagine what it might be
like if the Professor were to pull such a stunt and the deep pain it would cause. The boys are
absolutely stunned and that furthers their desire to reform.
Mojo begins to explain. It is perhaps the singlemost uncaring statement he has ever spoken,
"Did you actually THINK I cared about three boys who looked so much like the girls I loathe!
Did you actually THINK I'd enjoy seeing your faces with those overly round eyes looking so much
like my enemies every single day for the rest of my life!" He begins talk louder, "Did you
actually THINK I wanted human children? I NEEDED massive terraquads of energy, and the six of
you," He motions to the girls and the boys, "would have provided that nicely." He ends his rant,
"That's ALL, you were a means to an end boy, nothing MORE!"
The RowdyRuffs tremble with hurt and betrayal! Boomer looks like he is about to lose control
and cry but a single eye contact with Brick stops him. Brick's face speaks volumes to Boomer.
Boomer sees that Brick wants him to hold on until Mojo is out of sight so that Mojo doesn't have
the satisfaction of seeing how bad he has hurt the blonde Ruff. Boomer is comforted by this and
gets control of his feelings. He sees Brick's expression is an unreadable iron mask and he
adopts the same emotional posture. There'll be time for sadness later.
Butch however is having a much worse time of it! Mojo's statement has sent him in a near
anxiety attack. He is sitting shaking, trembling, and shuddering. Ms. Keane fearing he has been
traumatized goes over and talks to him. "Butch, this is Ms. Keane, we're here for you,
understand? Butch doesn't acknowledge her so she continues, "Mojo is going to jail, and we'll
take care of you and your brothers, you'll never see Mojo again. We could be a family like the
Professor and the girls." Butch mumbles the word "family" and Ms Keane seeing the crack in his
defenses takes the initiative. "Yes Butch, a real family, I'd like that, to show you and your
brothers what a true parent is capable of. Do you understand?"
The whole room is galvanized by Ms. Keane's attempt to help Butch. Butch takes a deep breath
and answers slowly, "Yes, I under...stand...I'd like that too." He sounds so very weary of life
and its trials.
Bunny addresses Ms. Keane, "He's really hurt, but he'll be OK. I have a power, I know."
Ms. Keane looks at the new Puff and they exchange smiles. As Ms. Keane turns back to Butch
she notices some other faces. Brick and Boomer are looking at her with rapturious gratitute! She
goes over and kisses both of them quickly on the head, quickly because she knows boys hate that
mushy stuff and whispers gently to them, "He'll be OK, I promise."
The Professor notices the machinery has finished the start up procedure. He lectures the room,
"Now, if I'm right, all we have to do is set the machinery to undo its last function." He moves
some dials, levers, and buttons. He finishes, "Then push this toggle marked REINTEGRATE." He
moves the toggle, and everybody holds their breath as the machinery begins to make new noises.
A power build up can be heard getting louder and louder. It reaches a cresendo then abruptly
stops! A new voice is heard in the room. It is Mojo's computer, "Procedure halted, unauthorized
use attempted. Password required for further operation. Energy levels below acceptable limits,
autosafeties enabled."
The Professor and everybody in the room are shocked and scared at the implication of the
computer voice! The Professor sadly states, "I forgot about a possible password lockout, what
was I thinking?" He angrily slaps his head in grief!
Mojo begins to gloat, "You may have captured me but you'll never get her back, not without my
password and certainly not without any energy. You have none and if I had it I wouldn't give it
to you because that was not my plan and since my plan was..." Butch gets up in Mojo's face
interrupting his rant, "If you don't SHUT UP I'll snap you like a twig!" He actually grabs Mojo
to do just that when the Professor stops him, "No, son. Don't fall to his level. I have
something in mind, trust me."
Butch sets Mojo down much to his relief! "You're right, why should I ruin my life further!"
He walks away from Mojo.
During the diversion Bunny has been watching and listening. She figures she can sacrifice her
life energy to return Bubbles. Bunny steps toward Mojo's chamber and quickly reactivates the
process.
Everyone's attention is diverted by a curious chant, "I was created to help, I have to help.
I was created to help, I have to help." Bunny, chanting her mantra of assistance is almost in an
hypnotic state. She enters the chamber to sacrifice her life energies for Bubbles!
The Professor screams, "Get OUT, get OUT of there!"
Quickly before the chamber's effect can begin Buttercup fires her heat vision on the glass
paneling. "OH NO, YOU DON'T!" she exclaims!
"WE'RE NOT LOSING YOU AGAIN!" adds Blossom with a touch of ice breath. The combined heating
and cooling shatters the extra thick glass and quick as wink they rush in, grab Bunny, and fly
out again.
Blossom angrily, "Bunny, you weren't created to be our sacrificial lamb, we're stronger with
you than without you! What were you thinking, didn't you hear, it's password protected, you
would have died for nothing, and then there would be only two PowerPuffs!"
Seeing Bunny's hurt expression Blossom softens her tone a bit, "You have to learn to think
things through. Don't go making the ultimate sacrifice at the first sign of trouble. We love
you and we don't want to lose you again. Also, for the last time, this wasn't your fault, OK?"
Bunny's face brightens at this and she begins to understand the reason for the dressing down
from Leader Girl.
"OK, Blossom, after this is all over it's simulator time I promise. I guess I have been kinda
single minded about Bubbles and feeling sorry for myself. I thought the machine would store my
energy for future use. But now, what about Bubbles?"
The RowdyRuff Boys have also been watching and listening. Boomer motions for his brothers and
they begin to whisper among themselves and pointing towards Bunny. After a bit, Brick approaches
the Professor. "Sir, Boomer has an idea that might help Bubbles."
"What's that?"
"You said it yourself. We're larger because we absorbed some of Bunny's energy in equal
portions. It's time we put that energy to productive use."
The Professor thinks for a moment then realizes what they propose! "No, I can't allow that.
There would be four gone if something went wrong!"
Brick pleads, "Let us do this. With the password, it should work. Let us prove ourselves once
and for all! It should bring her back, and we should return to our normal sizes! It all fits,
don't you see?"
The Professor had to admit it made sense. He looks at Ms. Keane and the girls. They look at
the boys who clearly want to do this.
Professor Utonium runs his fingers through his hair then speaks, "Very well." He speaks to
Mojo afterwards, "Mojo, we'd like that password. You can give it to us willingly or not. It's up
to you."
Mojo looks at all the stern faces in the room. He knows he's beaten and begins to complain,
"There used to be only THREE super powered Chemical X children, but NOW there are SEVEN! SEVEN
lousy, goody-goody, get in my way super brats! All I wanted was to ruin the world economy, I
did it again, I did it again! All I..."
"MOJO, THE PASSWORD!" The Professor shouts!
"Goodall, the password is Goodall!" he sulks!
"GOODALL, as in Jane Goodall?" The Professor asks astonished.
"Hey, she means a lot to my people, sue me!" Mojo goes silent.
The Professor talks to the boys, "Well, if you're ready step inside." He motions towards the
chamber.
The RowdyRuffs glance at each other, the girls, the Professor and Ms. Keane. "Good luck" she
adds.
They step inside and the Professor speaks, "You should feel nothing but a tingle, don't let
it frighten you. Afterwards, I'll adjust the settings and hopefully bring you back along with
Bubbles."
Brick reaches out and closes the door and notices it has been shattered by Blossom's and
Buttercup's rescue of Bunny. He motions towards it and shrugs as if to say, "Need a fix here!"
Boomer and Blossom seal the breach with some glass paneling from Mojo's skylight, melting it
in place with their heat vision and then motion for the Professor to begin. He sets the setting
to INTEGRATE and starts. The machine starts again with its familiar whine. He yells out to the
boys, "Remember, it may tingle!"
They hear nothing as the machine finishes its first function. Buttercup goes to look inside
and gasps, "They're GONE!"
"It's OK Buttercup" says Blossom. "That's supposed to happen...right...Professor?"
"Yes, it is. Don't worry." He now resets the settings back to REINTEGRATE and calibrates the
machine to balance the return among four children instead of three. He pauses for a moment,
looking totally focused as everybody else holds their breath. He looks up as if pleading to God
and pushes the toggle forward!
The process stutters for a moment, stabilizes, and begins to proceed. A familiar whine is
heard again as the process continues farther than last time. Everybody is holding their breath,
Blossom, Buttercup, and Bunny are holding hands. The sound changes as colors and flesh tones
begin to appear in the chamber!
A bright light flashes from the chamber then fades! Everybody blinks as the process ends. The
next few moments were kind of strange as several things happen at once! Everybody notices that
the RowdyRuff boys have returned along with BUBBLES apparently all fast asleep in the chamber.
Everybody then notices the kids are completely naked! Everybody gasps and wakes them up!
Bubbles awakens, looks briefly bewildered and slightly like Venus at creation, realizes she
is naked, naked with the RowdyRuffs of all people, lets out a squeal of embarrassment, and
generates a flesh tone streak as she beats a hasty retreat for the Professor's open lab coat.
It is all the Professor can do to keep from squeezing her breathless with relief!
"That's not FUNEEEE!" Bubbles shrieks as everybody else just giggles, relieved that she is
ALIVE!
Buttercup turns on Mojo and yells, "You sicko, you made their clothes vanish!" She grabs his
collar and lifts him off the floor!
"HEY, HEY, HEY" he shouts! "It was all the furniture you threw around, don't blame me!
Besides the autosafeties were on." He looks her in the eye, "Like I did all this just to see
them in their birthday suits, SHEESH! The autosafeties eliminate any non-organic matter in
case of an energy drop. Shoes, glasses, clothes, anything NOT ALIVE will be sacrificed for the
living! I may be a maniacal monkey bent on ruling the world, but I'm a safety minded maniacal
monkey." he proudly stated!
Buttercup doesn't buy it! "With the extra power the boys provided that shouldn't have happened!"
Mojo responds, "Maybe the Professor didn't reset ALL the controls, YA THINK! MAYBE the
autosafeties were left in Manual Override! If so, they would OVERRIDE in favor of the
lifeform's safety! So there! NYAAH!"
The Professor sneaks a quick peek at the controls, "Oops, sorry everybody." He blushes.
Buttercup responds, "I guess that's OK." and begins to set him down. "Aw, the heck with it!"
and drops him unceremoniously on the floor!
At this point the RowdyRuffs begin to stir and Brick asks meekly, "Um, could we have
something to cover up with please? They're modestly sitting with their arms wrapped around
their drawn up legs. They're OK, and back to their normal eye-to-eye size with the PowerPuff
Girls.
Ms. Keane throws them Mojo's cloak. Brick catches it and quickly they they zip behind a
cabinet with the cloak. Ripping and tearing sounds are heard and they appear wearing only purple
loincloths. Brick's loincloth is somewhat even whereas Butch's and Boomer's slant slightly to
the left and right respectively. They girls are all wide eyed as the boys strut around! Boomer,
noticing Bubbles hiding in the Professor's lab coat offers her two extra pieces of Mojo's cloak.
Bubbles slowly, cautiously, accepts the fabric. Afterwards, she too, zips behind a cabinet to
get dressed. When she returns she is wearing a loincloth with a top. Bubbles has not bothered to
put her hair up but has found something she likes better in the meanwhile. It's Brick's
previously lost hat. The hat is too big because it was lost when Brick was larger but Bubbles
doesn't mind.
Bubbles points toward the RowdyRuff Boys, "Why are they here?" she asks alarmingly.
Ms Keene responds, "It's a long story, we'll explain when we get home."
Bubbles, "OK...Daddy what are you doing?" The Professor has picked her back up and has his
ear on her chest and is smiling. "Just listening to your strong heartbeat, right now it's the
best sound I've ever heard." A tear comes down from his eye and Bubbles catches it.
"Were you sad?"
"Very much so, very much so, but not anymore. Is everybody ready to go?"
Mojo laments sarcastically, "Oh joy, back to jail. I can hardly wait, my life is complete!"
The Professor looks at Mojo, Not you, we have something else in mind."
Blossom to Mojo, "No community service."
Buttercup to Mojo, "No probation."
Ms. Keane to Mojo, "No life without parole"
Bunny to Mojo, "No Death Penalty"
Mojo, "ALL RIGHT, that kind of captivity I can deal with!"
Professor to Mojo, "No, for you, something far worse, Professor to Bunny..."NOW" Bunny pushes
a lever on Mojo's control console and he is bathed in the machine's light. Nothing appears to
happen.
"HA, MISSED!"
Professor Utonium points to the machinery, "Girls, melt it." The four girls as one focus
their heat beams on the machinery turning it into so much molten slag. With a hiss and a pop the
wreckage burns through the floor leaving a smouldering hole.
"Missed?" the Professor mocks, he raises his eyebrows at Mojo. "Go check the Chemical X
Intensity settings if you dare."
Professor snaps his fingers and slaps his hand to his forehead, "Oh, silly me, I had the
girls melt your toy, oops."
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO IT, TO ME!? TELL ME!!" He begins to rant and rave in chimpanzee and soon
his words become less and less intelligible. His oversized brain begins to shrink along with his
body. In a matter of moments he is too small for his clothes, and he becomes almost buried in
them.
Professor Utonium reaches in the clothes and goes, "TA-DAH! I'll have JOJO placed in the
Washington DC Zoo where he can have proper surveillance and observation. However, just to be
safe." Professor Utonium reaches into a side pocket and produces a hypo loaded with Antidote X.
He injects Jojo in the arm and releases him. "You will never harm another citizen, and you will
most certainly never touch one of mine ever again." he solemnly states.
The room is agasp with the punishment! Bunny asks, "Is that is how Mojo originally looked?"
Jojo just chatters and moves on the Professor's shoulders.
"Yes, and with his vast intellect gone, he's a normal chimpanzee again. One more thing before
we go, tear this lab down kids, destroy it. The city can use the volcano for a cheap and
plentiful geothermal energy source."
Blossom, "You mean?"
"Yep, it's only fair since Mojo tricked you into building it, go nuts."
Bubbles asks, "Me too?"
"You too, but I want you and the boys for some tests when we get home."
Brick gleefully exclaims, "You mean we get to wreck this place?"
Boomer and Butch lean forward with predatory gleams on their faces!
The Professor modifies his previous statement slightly by saying, "I mean it. Boys, girls,
tear it all down. Leave only the concrete flooring for the geothermal system I mentioned...and
let us," he grabs Ms. Keane's hand, "get outside before you start." They exit hastily down the
stairs with Jojo on the Professor's shoulders!
Butch, "This is gonna be sweet!"
Buttercup, "You said it!"
Bunny bows gracefully, "Shall we?" The others take her cue and proceed to demolish the lab.
Unknown to everyone a small and discreetly hidden camcorder had been recording the events of
the past few days. The camcorder had been placed there by Mojo in case of his capture or demise.
Should he not be seen for a predetermined time or his brainwaves change, the camcorder would
transmit its data to a self-propelled aerial video camera which would fly to a preselected
recepient who would then begin a rescue. Before the lab was leveled the camcorder accomplished
its programming and transmitted its data to the rooftop camera.
After Mojo's lab is destroyed everybody has returned to the Utonium residence. Everyone is
talking and chattering a mile a minute about the recent happenings. Buttercup tells Bubbles what
happened. Bubbles stares in disbelief at Buttercup as Blossom and Bunny relay the current
events! Finally Bubbles speaks, "Died, you all thought I died? The last thing I remember was
being in Mojo's lab, helping Bunny, and then I woke up on the floor with my clothes off, with
them!" She stares at the RowdyRuffs!
Blossom, "Yes, they even built you a memorial, you gotta see it!"
Professor, "Yes, I thought I'd lost one of my little angels for good, but Brick, Butch, and
Boomer gave up some of the energy they got from Bunny and here you are. Bunny even tried to do
the same thing."
Buttercup talks to the RowdyRuffs, "Thanks for giving me back my sister, especially you!" She
plants a big wet one smack on Boomer's lips.
"HEY, STOP!" He grimaces, fully expecting a repeat of what happened when a PowerPufff last
kissed him..."I'm...still...here?"
I don't think our kisses will do that anymore. You're a good guy now, surprised? He draws
back open-mouthed and silent, but manages to smile nonetheless.
"That WAS a surprise," Boomer finally answers.
Blossom slyly, "Oh that reminds me, SURPRISE Buttercup!" She reaches behind and under
Buttercup's skirt, grabs the top of her underwear, and pulls up HARD! The RowdyRuffs, who were
watching, all look wide-eyed at the impending scuffle!
"I know you were upset but please don't ever talk to me like that again, OK?" she says
sweetly as she tugs again to reinforce her point. Bubbles and Bunny just giggle as Buttercup is
surprised to the point of speechlessness.
"You, you wedgied me!" Buttercup finally splutters with wide eyes.
"Yeah, you gonna do somethin' about it?" Blossom responds with a challenge in her voice and
a twinkle in her eye.
Buttercup answers "Just this wedgie woman" and gives Blossom a flying tackle that takes her
sister to the floor.
Bunny asks with concern, "Shouldn't we stop them?"
Bubbles just grins, "That's OK, they do that." Smiling, and satisfied all was right with her
wrestling sisters Bunny asks the Professor a question, "Professor, do you know where my
invisibility reflex came from?"
"I've been giving that some thought. Buttercup tossed in a lizard when your Chemical X
formula was being made. That lizard was a chameleon, and they have the ability to change color
according to their surroundings. Chemical X must have modified that defense mechanism into your
invisibility."
Bunny nods, thanks him, yawns, and floats upstairs to bed. The others, having caught the
yawns from Bunny also decide to hit the hay. Ms. Keane and the RowdyRuffs head out the door for
her place. Right afterwards a loud shriek is heard from Bubbles! The Professor rushes in,
"WHAT'S WRONG!"
Bubbles is crying, but these looks like...tears of joy? She is holding a green envelope. The
Professor takes it and finds a crayon colored picture of the Utoniums grieving for their missing
family member Bubbles. The saddest one of all appears to be Buttercup who has a dark cloud and
broken red heart over her head. The picture says nothing as it doesn't have to, its message
clear. Bubbles takes the card and holds it to her heart with a rapturous expression on her face
and tears in her eyes!
The Professor tells Buttercup, "That was a beautiful gesture, thank you." He looks at the
girls, four of them now, happy and healthy, smiles and leaves the room for bed. "Good night
angels." he says closing the door.
Soon, nothing is heard in the house except the sounds of gentle snorings from a happily
reunited family.
-------
The following morning the phone rings. It is the Mayor calling to further express his
official and personal regrets concerning Bubbles. The Professor apologizes for not calling last
night with the wonderful news that Bubbles is ALIVE, and thanks to the RowdyRuff Boys in the
process!
When the Mayor hears this the Professor can hear him "YAA-HOOing and YEE-HAAing" over the
phone! He exclaims, "WONDERFUL news boy! Now you listen to me. Get yourself and those incredible
girls of yours down to that memorial. I'll make a few phone calls and get something special
rolling. Bring that Ms. Keane also, I have something planned for her also. You got that?"
"Um, sure, we'll be there." The Professor is puzzled, but open to the suggestion. He smiles
and calls Ms. Keane. She is still asleep, but groggily agrees to get dressed, wake the boys, and
go to the memorial.
In about a hour or so the Utonium family arrives at the memorial. Ms. Keane and the boys are
noticed approaching from the other side of town. Soon, all are gathered at the entrance and are
gaping open mouthed at the throngs of people waiting. The Mayor has pulled in numerous favors
and has a platform set up for the media along with a red carpet, viewing table, and chairs.
Numerous television and radio booths have been set up in rapid order. He invites them up to the
table to sit. Flashbulbs are going off like popcorn as Bubbles takes her seat.
The Mayor calls for silence and begins. "I am very humbled to have you ALL in my city. Your
bravery, sacrifices, and willingness to accept extreme responsibililties have made us all very
proud. Like the Seven Samurai of old you each conducted yourselves with great honor and
devotion."
He begins to lecture and point to the individual Puffs and Ruffs as he continues. "Bunny,
you haven't been here very long, but you jumped right in to help your sisters right a terrible
wrong. Blossom, as a leader you must have felt the greatest pressure, yet you stayed focused and
in the end you helped make things right. Buttercup, the guilt you felt must have been
overwhelming but you dealt with your problem positively and returned to your place as a valuable
team member. Bubbles, you were willing to lay down your life for a stranger so that she might
have a chance at life, how noble of you...and you, the Rowdy Ruff Boys, began as mindless
hoodlums yet you recognized your lives needed more and took charge and helped to make things
right and in doing so, made yourselves right as well. I am glad you are here, our Chemical X
Commandos!"
The crowd begins to cheer but stops as the Mayor abruptly raises his hands for silence. He
points ominously towards the RowdyRuffs. "Still, your evil deeds must be recognized."
The Ruffs all stiffen! Butch mutters cynically, "I knew it, shaft time!"
Boomer, "We are so boned!"
Brick even looks surprised, "Guess it was too much to hope for, huh?"
The Mayor continues, "So I sentence you to life." The police advance towards the Ruffs who
are frozen stock still in shock! Blossom starts to speak in their defense as the Mayor gestures
for the police to halt. He clears his throat and continues again, "Harumph, as I was saying I
sentence you to life imprisonment with your new Mom, Ms. Sandra Keane."
The boys all look totally floored, they are taken totally and utterly by surprise!
"Had you going there, didn't I?" The Mayor smirks. "Under her supervision and tutetlage you
will serve out your sentence until such time she determines you are old enough to live your own
lives. May God have mercy on your souls!"
He winks at Ms. Keane who is smiling back at him nearly in tears and whispers, "Let's prove
that orphanage wrong, shall we?"
The whole crowd erupts into a massive round of clapping and cheering that goes on for several
minutes, "BUBBLES, BUBBLES, BUBBLES!" they chant over and over!
Butch whispers in Buttercup's ear, "Does he always go on like that?"
Buttercup admiringly, "Not usually, no. Just when I think he's got several screws loose, he
goes and makes a speech like that. He's really special, you'll see. Oh, by the way, sorry about
the knee thing." She motions with her knee to show Butch what she meant.
"Oh, that" He looked pained slightly and asks, "Why did it hurt so much?"
"Something about boys and girls being different, I'm not entirely sure.
"Maybe the Professor can tell us?"
Butch gets embarrassed at this point and says, "Never mind, I'll find out for myself. I'll
use that internet thingy we saw in the library."
Professor smiling from ear to ear, proud as any peacock had a right to be, takes the
microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may, I have another announcement." The microphone
squeals and Stanley Whitfield, standing nearby, quickly comes over and makes an adjustment.
It looks like the Professor is clearly carrying something, or someone. We CAN'T see because
Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are floating in the way blocking the view. He begins to speak,
"Ladies and Gentlemen, not only did we rescue Bubbles and prove that she was still alive, but we
also gained a new member in the process. Please welcome the newest member of the PowerPuff
Girls, PowerPuff BUNNY!"
The other girls move out of the way. The crowd is silent, all that can be heard are the
sounds of the ducks and geese feeding in the memorial pond. All eyes are upon Bunny and not
missing a beat she stares back at them. Suddenly, the crowd erupts in a LOUD CLAPPING AND
CHEERING welcome that goes on for several minutes.
Bunny, startled, zips from the Professor's grasp and darts behind his legs to hide.
Professor, "It's OK, stay visible. Let's keep that little ability a secret, shall we?" He winks
at her and she winks back clearly pleased with their shared secret.
Ms. Keane is smiling at the proceedings and as the crowd quiets Brick asks her a question,
"So are we brothers?"
Buttercup continues, "and sisters?"
Bunny finishes, "or cousins?"
The Professor answers, "Well, Ruffs and Puffs at this point I just don't know. We're going to
have to learn about, and get familiar with, each other; and that takes time. I know us two
adults will do our best to see that happens." The Professor is getting into his ramble mode
again. "How strong will you be as adults? I bet the seven of you could push this planet out of
orbit."
Ms. Keane jumps in smiling, "OK John, I think they get the idea."
He finishes, "The boys were affected by Mojo's process in another way as well, not only did
they get part of Bunny's size and strength but they got her kindness and compassion also. It
must have lain dormant until they saw Bubbles save Bunny" explained the Professor to Ms. Keane.
"Your constant kindness to them just clinched the deal. WELL DONE!"
He kisses her on the cheek and gives her a big hug as the girls try to look elsewhere and
just whistle nervously. The boys don't know what to make of all this. The Professor looks a bit
nervous at perhaps having made an awkward move towards Ms. Keane. She senses this and states,
"John, I'm calling in my Sadie Hawkins perogative. You've been through a lot lately, this is for
you," and kisses him gently on the lips! Being the dignified and polite gentleman he is he does
not protest!
-------
It is late afternoon and everybody is at the Utonium home relaxing and talking. After the
Mayor's surprise the Professor treated everyone to lunch. Bunny made instant friends with
Buttercup when she took her first bite of spinach and pronounced it, "unfit for human
consumption!"
Bunny again is at the center of attention when she answers the doorbell. She escorts two
people in the living room and declares in disbelief, "Are these people really your Mom and Dad?"
It is Sam and Michiko Utonium newly arrived from Tokyo!
"MOM, DAD!" The Professor is up in an instant. He gives them both a quick hug and tells them
the best news they could possibly hear.
"Sorry to frighten you, but Bubbles is ALIVE!" Bubbles hears her name and steps forward.
Michiko scoops her up and gives her a big hug. She looks a bit nervous at this stranger hugging
her. The Professor explains to the girls, "You remember me telling you about my parents. These
are your grandparents!" Bubbles relaxes and returns the hug.
Sam looks straight at his son and adds, "Yeah, we're here to spoil ya rotten like it or not!
Here kids, Michiko has a something for you." The girls all tear into a package containing color
coordinated kiminos. Michiko talks to Bunny, "Now don't you feel left out, we'll go to Tokyo
Townsville and fix you right up."
Bunny looks at her kind face and smiles back. This dear person is somebody special and it
doesn't take a mind reader to figure that out.
That night in the living room Michiko is reading Blossom and Bubbles a Japanese fairy tale.
They are collectively sharing a plate of cookies totally engossed in the narrative. Sam has
Buttercup in an arm hold tickling her. Laughing, she goes along. Of course she could escape,
but where's the fun in that?
Sam is teasing her, "You're not so tough, I can hold you." Bunny, landing on his shoulders,
covers his eyes. "I'll help you Buttercup!" she adds.
Sam plays along, "OH, double-teaming ol' Grandpa huh? I see how it is!"
All is well.
-------
On another side of town a similiar family scene is being played out. The RowdyRuffs are in
bed at Ms. Keane's. She has bought them a three-tiered bunk bed. All the boys are contemplating
the recent events in their minds when Boomer comments, "Hey guys, we sure got lucky huh?"
"You said it!" Brick comments.
Butch, "Yeah, Mojo almost used us for fuel!"
Brick, "I'm glad we didn't have to fight the girls to the end. They would have won I think."
Boomer, "How so?"
Brick, "They're more experienced, and we have so much to learn, so far to go. We almost went
to jail for who knows how long."
Boomer, "I think Ms. Keane will work out as our Mom, she seems as kind as the Professor."
Boomer and his brothers had just been paid a visit by Ms. Keane to their bedroom. They seemed
really surprised that she had the manners to actually knock out of respect for their privacy.
She had shown them a photo album, and when they had said it was empty she explained that they
had the rest of their lives to fill it. Such was the depth of Sandra Keane's heart!
Butch, "Yeah, we got off lucky and have a real family to sweeten the deal." He wipes a
single tear from his eye. "I'm not crying." he adds.
Brick, "Of course not...my brother."
All is well.