Shadows of the Past
A roar shook the night air. A sleek, metallic green convertible raced through the previously quiet streets of the Townsville inner city, barely heeding the stop signs and traffic lights that crossed it's path in a reckless pursuit of speed, the retractable roof open to showcase a shiny black leather interior.
At the wheel a young woman sat reclining against her seat, one hand perched on top of the steering wheel while her free arm rested atop the car door. She was dressed for a night out on the town, sporting a high cut, neon green halter top and pale figure-hugging denim shorts, the ensemble completed by a pair of black, knee high combat boots. Her short, jet black hair danced wildly in the wind as she pushed ever faster in the little sports car, head bobbing steadily to the heavy metal blaring over the stereo. Sitting in the passenger seat, white converse perched atop the dashboard with the seat tilted back just so, a young brunette gazed nonchalantly down the road ahead, unfazed by the reckless speeds they were traveling. In contrast to her companion she was decked out in a white, spaghetti strap camisole emblazoned with glittering gold calligraphy and a pair of baggy red cargo pants. Long brown hair flared out from beneath a red beanie, A single thin purple braid dangling from one temple.
The sports car sped into the lot of a dingy old apartment complex, screeching to a halt before one particular tier of units. The driver honked her horn and a few seconds later the golden blonde head of another young woman emerged from a second story window, large blue eyes eagerly scanning the lot below. She grinned broadly at the sight of the car and she waved enthusiastically at its two occupants.
"I'll be right out," she shouted, and then she quickly disappearing back inside.
"I'm sure she will," the dark haired woman said to her companion in a voice dripping with sarcasm. The brunette only chuckled, throwing her friend a knowing look before reclining her seat all the way back and making herself comfortable.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Bubbles hissed under her breath as she raced from the living room back to her bedroom at super speed, crossing the length of her apartment in the blink of an eye, the ensuing vortex scattering loose belongings in its wake. Of course Buttercup and Robin would have to show up now. She hadn't even picked out her dress yet, still only wearing the lacy thong and strapless push up bra she had spent the past thirty minutes carefully selecting from out of her vast collection of undies. Then there was her hair and makeup that still needed doing. Why did this always happen to her? In a rush she ripped an armful of outfits from off her closet rack and tossed them on her bed in a heap, spreading them out before her haphazardly, and began scrutinizing each one in turn. Finally she settled on a dark blue tube top mini dress and she quickly threw it over her head and tugged the snug fabric into place over her shapely figure. She gave herself an approving look over in the full length mirror mounted to her bedroom wall, unable to resist pulling a few sexy poses, admiring the effect the clingy dress gave to her appearance. She quickly caught herself, remembering she was on a timer.
Shoes!
Bubbles dove back into her closet and quickly snatched up a pair of glittery ice-blue heels and slipped those on as well. All that was left now was hair and makeup. Hopefully the girls could wait just a little bit longer.
forty-five minutes later a fully decked out Bubbles leapt out from the open window of her second story apartment, landing gracefully on the pavement below. Her hair was done up in an elaborate updo, the normally straight locks teased into extravagant golden curls. A rosey blush decorated her cheeks, her eyes smoldering under dark eye shadow and her lips painted a deep red. Glittery jewelry hung on her wrists and neck, completing the whole ensemble.
"I'm ready!"
"Finally!" Buttercup said in a long, drawn out breath, and she glared severely at her sister. "Get the fuck in the car, Bubs. God, do you always have to take forever to get ready?"
Bubbles vaulted over the door into the back seat of the car. "Oh, just shut up and drive."
With a roar they sped away from the apartment complex, and Buttercup now drove them deeper into the city. In short time they arrived at a busy nightclub, the entrance brightly lit by spotlights with crowds of well dressed people littering the sidewalk. The booming pulse of dance music could be heard as well as felt thumping through the brick walls. Buttercup eyed an empty parking space along the curb across the street ahead of her, saw the other car coming from the opposite direction not too far off, its blinker indication its intention to claim the same space. She narrowed her eyes in defiance.
Like hell you will.
With a combination of practiced skill and, no doubt, insanity, she downshifted and jammed the gas petal to the floor, sending the odometer spiking into the red as the car launched forward full acceleration. Bubbles gave a pitched shriek as the car went sailing forward, pressing her hard against her seat from the sheer force of acceleration. Robin let out a thrilled whoop and threw her hands into the air as if she were riding a roller coaster, giggling madly as they rapidly closed in on the other driver. At the last second Buttercup cut the steering wheel hard and yanked the hand brake. The car drifted flawlessly in a tight arc that cut cleanly across the street, forcing the other driver to slam on his brakes as it carved a path just in front of him with a hair's breadth between them. The car turned a full 180 degrees as it slid to a halt beside the curb, perfectly parked, leaving not a scratch on its shiny exterior. The other driver, too stunned to react, simply gaped in slack-jawed astonishment.
"Christ, Buttercup! Your gonna get somebody killed!" Bubbles jabbed her sister hard in the arm. Buttercup gave her a playful shove in return.
"Lighten up Bubs. I've done a lot worse in this baby, believe me."
She pulled the key from the ignition and pocketed it. The three jumped out of the car and made their way towards the club entrance. Buttercup took an opportunity to turn back waggle her fingers at the other driver from over her shoulder in a demure wave with a smile, before they all disappeared inside. He was still clutching his steering wheel in a white knuckled grip, gaping stupidly long after they were out of sight.
The first thing to hit them was the throbbing pulse of intense club music, heavy bass pounding their eardrums and vibrating the air against their skin. Then there was the heat and humidity of many human bodies packed into a limited space. Dancing beams of multicolored lights dazzled their eyes, scattering in glittery motes off the thin mist being pumped into the air, and gave the space a surreal, otherworldly feel. The place was packed with people and the dance floor was a mass of writhing bodies. Women and men alike were in varying states of undress. The smell of alcohol hung heavily in the air. Buttercup's eyes were aglow as the raw energy of the space overtook her and she made a beeline to the dance floor, her two comrades in tow.
"Yeah! now this is is what I'm talking about."
They lost themselves in the sea of bodies, surrendered themselves to the crowd and the music and the need. Buttercup, Bubbles and Robin unleashed themselves in an exhibition of wild, provocative movement, alternately bouncing, swaying, gyrating, arms carving through the air in lithe, sweeping gestures, the three of them falling in and out of sync of one another like the rise and fall of ocean waves. They danced through song after song, hooking up with partners from among the crowd along the way. But dancing wasn't the only thing the club was good for, and it wasn't long before the lure of alcohol had become too strong to ignore.
"I'm going to get a drink," Bubbles called to her comrades. "Anyone game?"
"I'm right behind you Blue," Robin said. "You want anything BC?"
Buttercup shook her head wordlessly, still dancing tirelessly to the music, so her companions left her to it as they broke away from the dance floor and made their way over to the bar.
From amidst the shadows in a far corner of the room several pairs of eyes watched the three girls intently. One pair in particular had its gaze fixed solidly on Buttercup, following her movements as she graced the dance floor. He was tantalized by her movement, the grace of her step, the movement of her hips, the way she tossed her hair. He put a cigarette to his lips and drew in a deep breath exhaling in a puff of smoke paired with a nearly inaudible whisper of "Buttercup,"
The song that was playing had ceased and energy of the dance floor had momentarily subsided. The man got to his feet and drew another breath from his cigarette before extinguishing it in an ash tray. "Lets do this," he said to his comrades. They crossed the dance floor forcing their way through the crowd with little regard for the people in their path. As they approached Buttercup the man waved his hand signaling to his posse to remain where they were. He continued his way forward coming face to face with the her.
Buttercup smiled as she looked upon the face she knew so well. He still had that same arrogant smirk he always carried with him. He had changed much from what she knew him to be so many years ago, the once thin lanky body now laden with toned muscle. He was much more mature, much more focused, having lost much of his childish arrogance in the years passed. His eyes were still hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, but then that had always been his trademark. "Fancy seeing you here Ace," said Buttercup in a sweet tone.
"I'm always where the party is," Ace replied in his usual smooth and confident voice. He reached out and ran his fingers down Buttercup's cheek. "I've had a lot on my mind you know."
"I'm sure you have," Buttercup said throwing a mischievous grin towards Ace. She took Ace's hand into her own and drew it closer to her face. "You know after our last little get together I thought you'd be afraid to see me again."
"It takes a lot more than a few bumps and bruises to keep ol' Ace down babe." With blazing speed Ace flung his free arm at Buttercup. His arm, which was just a moment ago flesh and bone, was now a shiny metal. Buttercup seemed to vanish completely, leaving the arm the pass through thin air.
Ace grinned as he saw Buttercup standing several feet away from him. "Still as feisty as ever, but your not getting away from me that easily." he called. He snapped his fingers and the rest of his crew came to his side. Like Ace the others had changed considerably from their former selves. Grubber's eyes no longer stared aimlessly into space but looked on with an intense amount of focus. His body was solid as a rock and he had become much faster as well. Snake seemed to have transform into a literal example of his name. His skin was even greener than the others covered with shiny scales and snake like markings. Big Billy who was once plump and round was now a hulking mass of muscles, giving new meaning to his name. He was still intellectually challenged, but his mind had been honed as such so that he would follow any command without question or distraction. The smallest member of the group Arturo who would not have much luck in hand to hand combat had compensated himself with psychokinetic abilities.
Buttercup looked up indifferently at the Gang Green Gang giving a little smirk. "You boys wanna dance? Well lets dance," she said not bothering to take on an offensive posture.
"Whatever you say little lady," Ace said returning the smirk. He removed his sunglasses, revealing a mechanical eye in his left socket. He folded them up neatly and placed them in his pocket. "C'mon boys," He said, his left eye gleaming bright red, "lets dance."
The first to launch the attack was the ape like Grubber. He lunged full speed at Buttercup throwing a whirlwind of kicks and punches that whizzed at such a speed that the untrained eye would have a great deal of trouble seeing them. Buttercup ducked and dodged effortlessly between the strikes allowing a few to meet her arms just for the pleasure of showing she could block the attacks. Big Billy came in close behind Grubber shaking the earth beneath him with each step. He threw a powerful downward forearm strike, which Buttercup dodged with a graceful leap. The arm sunk deep into the ground causing a network of deep cracks to span outwards.
Snake had transformed himself into a giant cobra baring his giant fangs that were the size of a samurai sword each. He lunged at an elusive Buttercup, his fangs sinking deep into the concrete floor. Buttercup landed atop his head and she raced down the length of his body, stopping at his tail which she clenched in her fists. With her superhuman strength she launched Snake into a nearby wall. She then flipped out of the way as Arturo sent a wave of furniture flying her way.
All this was happing in the span of a few seconds. Bubbles and Robin watched from the bar as they were casually sipping on their drinks.
"Do you think you should help her?" Robin asked.
"Nah, Buttercup can take care of herself," Bubbles said in reply. She took another swig of her beverage, ducking as Arturo came flying overhead. There was a loud crash and the sound of many bottles shattering. Arturo staggered up between the girls in a daze and hoisted himself atop the counter, preparing to re-enter the battle. Bubbles gave a swift backfist to his face sending him flying back into the wall and knocking him out cold.
Buttercup had just taken Snake out with a punch to the base of his skull. He lay unconscious on the floor returning back to his human form. Looking smugly at her work she didn't notice Big Billy coming up behind her. He scooped her up in his burly arms and hugged her tight against his chest. Buttercup could feel her breath slipping as the behemoth squeezed her tighter and tighter. Not one to be beaten so easily she pressed hard against Billy's solid grasp. Despite his tremendous strength Billy's grip faltered ever so slowly. When Buttercup had spread Billy's arms far enough apart she threw her elbows back with all her might into his gut. Billy dropped Buttercup and placed his hands on his stomach, keeling over with the intense pain of her strike. Before Buttercup could follow up un her attack Grubber was upon her again. She was becoming annoyed with the wired up warrior. He was fast, almost as fast as she was, but even more so he was tough. His solid hide made him very a very difficult foe to extinguish. For every blow she laid upon him he only seemed to bounce back unscathed.
Grubber came soaring down upon Buttercup who sidestepped so that he landed just next to her. In a flash she grabbed him by the neck and twirled twice around gathering up speed and power before hurling him straight into the ground. Grubber plowed through the cement floor burrowing several feet into the ground. He lay there in a mangled heap unconscious and unmoving. Buttercup turned her attention back to Big Billy who by now had recovered and was rounding up for a super punch. Buttercup braced herself as the monstrous fist came flying towards her. With a great effort she stopped the fist dead in its track, bracing it against her outstretched palm. She then leapt forward and kneed Big Billy in the head with all her might. He fell to the ground with a loud crash, knocked out clean by the blow.
The club had long since emptied of its patrons who had all fled for their lives in the heat of battle. The brawl had considerably trashed the place as furniture lay about in splinters and broken glass littered the floor. Ace gazed at Buttercup with a mixture lust and admiration. A wide grin crossed his face as he watched the last of his comrades fall.
"I'm impressed Buttercup. My boys were too easy a match for you. I'll have to make things a little more interesting." Ace extended his metallic arm and a blade handle emerged from his wrist. As if carried by a current it migrated into his open palm. He clenched the handle tight and at once a broad photon blade emerged. Ace took an offensive stance and rushed full speed at Buttercup. He attacked swiftly, striking with blazing speed and deadly accuracy. Buttercup nimbly dodged the first slash, but as quickly as she had escaped it Ace was upon her once more. In a deadly light show Ace came at Buttercup with a flurry of slashes and thrusts. Each strike would come dangerously close to its mark only to pass through thin air as Buttercup effortlessly avoided it. She quickly found an opening in Ace's stance and closed in fast, grasping his right arm tightly in her left hand. She threw a right punch at the unguarded face, but in a flash Ace's hand was tightly wrapped around her wrist. They stood deadlocked each pushing against the other's grip. Buttercup slowly wrenched Ace's right hand in her grip, eventually forcing him to drop the blade. She threw her right knee at Ace's gut, but he blocked with his left knee and kicked his heel into the crease of her ankle forcing her leg back to the ground. The two were deadlocked once more both refusing to give way to the other as they leaned all their weight forward into the other's grasp. The floor cracked and crumbled beneath the weight of their struggle as they dug their heels deeper into the earth.
"You always had a fiery attitude Buttercup," Ace remarked. "It's no surprise I fell in love with you,"
"It's a shame your just piece of criminal scum," Buttercup retorted. "We might have had something together."
They glared into each other's eyes in a fierce yet intimate staring contest unyielding in their struggle to overpower one another. Finally the two broke off from each other putting several feet of distance between them. Ace fired a laser beam from his mechanical eye at Buttercup who leapt over it, crashing straight through the ceiling. Ace followed suite and both emerged on the rooftop.
"Enough of this foreplay," Ace said removing his jacket and throwing it off to the side. "I say we heat things up here." The metal on Ace's right arm began to writhe and expand stretching over his chest and left arm and then down his waist and to his legs. It encased his body like a suit of armor leaving only his head exposed. Ace rushed Buttercup with colossal speed tearing up the roof in his wake. Buttercup met him head on leaving a green trail flaring behind her. They collided in a big explosion, their fists connecting with such force that large shockwave tore across the rooftop.
For several minutes Buttercup and Ace traded blows, neither one able to land a successful strike through the other's defense. They attacked each other with such fury that their blows echoed across the night sky. The two combatants eventually broke off their assault and took to separate ends of the roof. Buttercup began charging her fists with green energy and at the same time Ace transformed his right arm into a large cannon and took aim at Buttercup. They both fired upon each other simultaneously, their blasts connecting mid way. It became a contest of who could force the most energy into their blast. Ace began laughing maniacally.
"I hate to break it to you baby, but this time I've got you outmatched." Ace intensified his beam to such a degree that he pushed back Buttercup's beam. It came so close to her that it was nearly touching her outstretched hands, stopping mere centimeters from her palms. Buttercup only smiled.
"Sorry Ace, but this is not your day." Buttercups palms glowed brighter than ever and the swirling green energy began to encompass the blast coming from Ace's cannon. In one mighty thrust Buttercup forced the beam back in Ace's direction. The green energy consumed Ace, tearing at his flesh and stripping away at his metal shell. He fell of the roof and landed in a heap on the ground not dead but badly injured and unconscious.
Buttercup dusted off her skirt leapt off the edge of the roof just outside the entrance. Robin and bubbles were standing by the entrance and they rushed out to meet her.
"You seriously trashed the place Buttercup. I don't think they'll ever let you back in there," Robin commented.
"Yeah, who cares," Buttercup replied. "There are plenty of other night clubs in this city. C'mon, lets get outta here." The tree girls made a move for Buttercup's car., but stopped short as a voice spoke to them from the shadows of a nearby alley.
"That was a pretty impressive show you just put on there Buttercup. You have grown much from the last time we met." The voice was deep and mysterious, echoing slightly in an unnatural way.
Buttercup turned sharply shouting "Who's there." From the shadows a hooded figure emerged, dressed in a black cloak that encompassed his figure.
"Who are you," Buttercup demanded taking an offensive posture.
The cloaked man chuckled loudly. "Just as I remember you Buttercup. Always so quick to take the offensive. You always had a warrior's spirit."
Buttercup glowered at the hooded figure, her eyes narrowing on his obscured face. "If your looking for an ass whooping I'll be happy to give it to you buddy," she snarled.
The hooded figure burst into a menacing laughter. "Oh, this would just be too easy. You are so naïve Buttercup. You still think you are invincible don't you, just because you are a Powerpuff Girl." He laughed even louder than before. "I will have so much fun destroying you and your sisters."
Buttercup became incensed. "If you think you are so tough than bring it on buddy," she shouted, shaking her fist menacingly in the air. The hooded figure made no move and only peered at her silently. Her frown quickly faded into a satisfied smile. "I thought so."
Suddenly the man waved his hand and Buttercup's car burst into a pillar of flames, flying high into the air and landing out in the middle of the road, a mere pile of smoldering scrap. Buttercup looked at the remains of her car, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and horror. "M-My car," she screamed. "You trashed my car." She turned to the hooded figure, her expression quickly changing from one of shock to one of rage. "You are seriously gonna pay for that," she shouted, clenching her fists so tightly that her forearms were bulging. She made a mad dash at the stranger, rearing one fist back and taking aim at the hooded face. She struck her mark head on, her fist disappearing beneath the black hood. There was a loud crack and Buttercup felt a sharp pain jolt down her arm. She let out a shrill cry and recoiled he hand, cradling the arm against her chest. The hand was badly mangled, the fingers dangling at improper angles while the wrist was crunched in slightly. She staggered away from the figure clenching her arm tightly.
"So this is what the toughest Powerpuff has to offer," the hooded figure cackled," I'm rather disappointed. I thought you would be more of a challenge."
Despite the pain Buttercup charged the figure once more, rearing back her good hand for another strike. She closed in on him and swung hard, but before she could connect she was hit hard in the chest. The force sent her soaring back, crashing through a nearby street lamp. She skidded to a halt in the middle of the street and remained there unmoving. The figure stood there silently with an outstretched palm cackling loudly to himself. Bubbles and Robin stared in complete shock at what they had just witnessed. Bubbles quickly became enrage and she charged at the hooded figure. He leapt nimbly of the way landing several feet away from Bubbles.
"Ah ah ah Bubbles. Now is not the time for that. You will have your chance soon enough, but right now I've got a city to take over." The figure backed into the shadows of the alley from which he first emerged and seemed to disappear altogether in the surrounding darkness. Bubbles rushed in after him, but found the alley to be completely empty with no traces of the man whatsoever. She rushed back to her fallen sister who was beign tended to by Robin. Her expression was wrought with fear as she tried to wake the unconscious Buttercup.
"She's badly injured. We have to get her to a hospital," Robin exclaimed.
Bubbles lifted her sister into her arms. "I'll taker her to the hospital. You go and call my father right away," she commanded. Robin did as she was told and approached the nearest payphone. Bubbles flew off with Buttercup in her arms, heading in the direction of Townsville's hospital.