Chapter Ten

B.C. sat alone on a bench in the Nathaniel Luceid Memorial Park. She stared at the statue of her "ancestor," Nathaniel Luceid for hours. 'He was the one who started this. Because of some dead guy, I was ripped away from my home and family. Because of him, Townsville is nothing but smoking pile of rubble. Because of him, Bubbles, Blossom and the Professor all think they drove me to my death. So why can't I hate him? Why can't I get angry at Kay? She's the one who set me up and took me away from them. Is it because my life was so good? I mean, I've got everything anyone could ever want. A comfortable lifestyle, a wonderful boyfriend who worships the ground I walk on, a bright future as the head of a major corporation. But it cost me so much and I didn't even ask for it.'

"GRRARGH!" B.C. screamed at the top of her lungs, jumping up from the bench. She was frustrated by her situation. 'What the hell should I do now?'

"Hey B.C., are you alright?"

B.C. swung around to find James staring at her carrying two hotdogs.

"I heard you were at the park so I wanted to meet you for lunch." James stammered.

"I'm sorry James, it's just.. well, it's hard to explain. I'm kinda going through some deep shit right now."

"You wanna talk about it?"

"Not now, why don't you meet tonight at the Full Moon Club after work and I'll talk about then."

"Promise?"

"Blood oath."

B.C.'s response was good enough for him. However she was awfully quiet, even more so than when she first got back and that scared the hell out of him. They ate their hotdogs in silence save the ambient noise from the park. After a few minutes of awkward silence, B.C. finally spoke, "James, what would you do if you found out you had another life?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well let's say before you were James Peterson, you were someone else. You had another family, another life, and you not found out but remembered everything about it. What would you do?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"Just think about it."

"Uh, okay." James just gave his beloved a strange look. 'What the hell does that mean?' "Uhh, we should be getting back to work here."

"I'm taking the day off."

"I see. Well, I'll see you later at the club then."

"Yeah." B.C. watched James walk off. 'Poor James. I must be putting him through hell. But how am I supposed to tell him? What if he starts telling people about this? It would ruin the company. No, I can trust him. But still, how can even explain it to him when I don't fully understand it myself. I mean, I'm Bethany Luceid but I'm also Buttercup Utonium. Oh man, what the hell am I supposed to do?' B.C. got up from the bench she was sitting on and walked to the street. She wanted to go home and try and forget she was Buttercup. B.C. waited for a taxi, normally she would walk home but she was wearing pumps and those were no fun to walk in. A blue SUV pulled up to her, it was Kay.

"You want a ride?" her old friend asked.

"Yeah, sure." B.C. climbed into the vehicle and sat in the passenger seat. "Could you take me home please?" B.C. didn't say anything else. Normally the two would be engaged in conversation but B.C. just didn't feel like talking, especially to Kay.

"B.C., I understand that you're upset.."

"That's just it Kay. I'm not upset. I know I should be, but I'm not. I don't know what I am, but I know I'm not upset and it's bugging the hell out of me."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really"

Kay chuckled, "You never did like talking about your emotions, as Buttercup or Bethany."

"..."

The silent drive continued for a few more minutes until B.C. spoke up again, "So why me? Why Buttercup Utonium. What made me so special that I qualified to be the next Luceid's child or whatever?"

"There are so many reasons, I don't know where to start."

(Twenty years earlier, Townsville)

Kay Scion believed she had the worst job in the world. She was going to steal a little girl away from her home, a little girl whom she grew to love as a little sister or daughter. Part of her was more than happy to take Buttercup away from the city of Townsville, the city that she felt was using the girl and her sisters to do their dirty work. She heard the whispering, the accusations that Buttercup intentionally killed Mojo Jojo, the rumors that she was nothing more than a murderous monster. Kay's blood boiled when she heard anyone talking bad about the child. How could they hurt someone dedicated to protecting them? But on the other hand, Buttercup still loved her family. The little girl's worst fear was that they would turn against her like the rest of Townsville. Deep down in her heart Kay knew this wasn't going to happen but still, Bryant Luceid approved of Kay's recommendation of Buttercup and now she had to find a way to claim the girl for the company and the Luceid family.

Kay had thought of a plan to get Buttercup back to Wolf's Ridge and ensure that no one would suspect it was a kidnapping, when a knock on the door interrupted her scheming.

"Miss Kay can I come in?" It was Buttercup. Kay knew the girl would be visiting, it was emotionally challenging time for the brunette and Kay had been the best help for her.

"Come on in, Buttercup." Buttercup entered the apartment where Kay had been staying. The child's green eyes betrayed the hurt that the girl had hidden. "How you holding up sweetie?"

"Not too good." Buttercup admitted, "I can hear them talking about me. Ever since I killed him, they've been talking about me, giving me dirty looks, all sorts of things."

"I know sweetie." It was nearly impossible for Kay to hold in her anger.

"You know, sometimes I wonder why I even bother. We nearly kill ourselves for the people of Townsville and they still treat me like dirt. This isn't the first time this has happened either. Once some cute animals started robbing places and when tried to stop them, we were the bad guys, can you believe that?"

"So why do you bother then?"

"Who knows?" Buttercup thought for a second, "Why should I bother? They don't give a crap about me and I bet they don't care about Blossom and Bubbles either. They just want us to fight their battles for them while they watch and have a good time. You said that people like Mojo Jojo wind up spending the rest of their life in prison out there, why not here?"

"Why do you think Mojo Jojo kept getting released from rpison?"

"I think it's because they like watching us fight. It never occurs to those morons that we're getting hurt, that people are trying to kill us."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"Hmmm." Buttercup thought a few minutes further, "I think I'll stop being their super hero. Yeah, I'm gonna quit this. No more Buttercup saving the day, no more getting hurt for their enjoyment. They don't really appreciate me, so I'm not going to help them anymore."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, I mean I know the girls won't stop and I'll watch their backs, of course, but I'm not gonna go the extra mile for a bunch lazy, stupid jerks who're calling me a murderer. And sooner or later, Red and Bubbles will see where I'm coming from, and maybe they'll even wise up and join me. Yeah, it'll be great." Buttercup seemed to be excited about her plan, "What do you think."

Kay smiled warmly, "I think that's a great idea."

"Really!?"

"Yes, now stay right here I want to give you something." Kay left Buttercup and went into her bedroom. She pulled a necklace with silver wolf's head, it was the corporate insignia of the Luceid Corporation. Since the Morebucks family had virtually shut out all other businesses, there was no way Buttercup would recognize it. But there was more to it, inside the pendant was a tracking device. Kay went back to the living room where she left Buttercup. "Here you go sweetie." Kay handed the necklace to Buttercup.

Buttercup inspected the necklace and smiled, "Cool, it's a wolf's head. This is awesome, thanks Kay."

"You're welcome." Kay smiled back. "How about we have a picnic tomorrow."

"A picnic?"

"Yeah, you and me, tomorrow in Townsville woods. We can forget about Townsville and just enjoy some nice food in the forest."

"That sounds like fun." Buttercup brightened up.

"Great! I'll meet you tomorrow at three at campground #17."

"Okay, I'm gonna go home and work on my resignation speech. I'll see you tomorrow." Buttercup smiled and waved goodbye. The young girl shot off back to her home while Kay watched.

'Tomorrow.. Tomorrow is the day when you get a new life, my little angel.'

(The Present)

"You had so much potential. When I first met you and got to know you, I could see it in you. But they were holding you back, suppressing you."

"Who? The people of Townsville?"

"Yes! They kept you down, turned on you. Everyday I spent in that god forsaken place, I'd listen to them, making jokes about you, talking about what violent little brute you were, how dumb you were, how you were nothing more than the toughest fighter. All you were to them was a stereotype. And you kept acting the part and it was killing me. I knew you were more than just the toughest fighter so I told the Luceids about you, about who you really were." Kay swallowed hard before going on. "You knew the consequences if you fired at that maniac's laser but you did it anyways. That showed me how you were. That wasn't impulsiveness or an obsession with violence, that was self-sacrifice. The people of Townsville didn't know that, they didn't want to know. They just wanted be mad at Buttercup the stereotypical reckless, violent savage. God, when I think about what would have happened to you if I hadn't been there for you.."

B.C. nodded, it was Miss Kay who helped her the most through that tough time.

"I know I hurt your family and not a day goes by where I don't hate myself for doing so, but I don't regret bringing you here."

"I understand." No matter what B.C. could never bring herself to think ill of Kay. The woman had been the closest thing to a mother she'd ever had. Kay had only done what she thought was best for her. Even if did cost her her real family, B.C. knew that Kay had been looking out for her. "Kay, I just want you to know that I'm don't hate you, in fact I love you. I know it couldn't have been easy for you to do what you did. But I do think it was wrong for you take me away from my family, even if I did get in a fight with them and I had given up on Townsville, I still loved them and I didn't want to leave them no matter how bad it was. I know that hurts you but I needed to tell you that."

"I'm sorry."

"I know you are." B.C. sighed and looked out the window. 'My family, what should I do?'

Kay dropped B.C. off at her house. B.C. looked at the mansion and laughed. She felt better, having been able to put her feelings into a tangible thought. 'I'm not mad at her because she has to live with having caused so much pain. It must have hard on her, considering all that happened because of my disappearance. The Townsville riots, the super power conflict, that monster island getting nuked, not to mention the pain my real family must have gone through. I know she's a good person, so it must have been killing her for all these years. It's funny even after having my memories hidden, I still had a temper, but now I hardly ever get mad. I guess growing up under Maxwell's wing must have burned it out. But I can't help wondering what it would have been like if I grew up with the Professor and the girls. Would I be like I am now? Would I be the same as I was as a kid? Should I even let them know I'm still alive?' B.C. pondered that last question a little further, 'What if they figured it out already. Bubbles may have been a little dopey as a kid but now she's got her own business and by the looks of it she's doing pretty good. That takes brains, I should know. Even if she suspected a little, I don't doubt she would've told Blossom. Blossom's probably the smartest person in the world. If there was any way of finding out who I am, she'd find it. But if I told them who I am, how would they take it? Would they be angry? Most likely, especially Blossom, and who knows what she'll do. I could probably calm her down and I think Bubbles will help, but I'm not even sure how Bubbles will take it. She seemed to be about the same as she was as a kid, cheerful as ever, but she's always been emotional. She did get angry, and boy did she get angry. If I had a dollar for every time she shrieked at me for something I'd be twice as a rich." B.C. giggled at the memory of her sister, 'Hopefully, she'll just be happy that I'm still alive. And the Professor, hmm, I don't know how he'll take it. Man this whole deal must have been really hard on him, I hope he'll be okay. But if I don't say anything.. Can I even do that to them? I don't know, on one hand I do want to see them again, but on the other hand it might threaten the company. Oh, what should I do?'

B.C. relaxed in her private booth at the Full Moon club. One of the perks of being the daughter of Maxwell Luceid was that the local businesses bent over backwards for her. She normally didn't use the booth unless she needed to, she preferred mixing with other people her age, but in this case she wanted to be alone with James. She was nervous about what she had to tell him. James was one of the biggest fans of super heroes and now she had to tell him he was dating one, a former one to be more accurate. She was unsure how he would take it. But it needed to be done. B.C. had been putting the poor guy through hell. B.C. looked up at the clock, it was past quitting time for James's shift. B.C. waited patiently and sipped the soda she was nursing since she got there.

"Hi, B.C." James sat down across from B.C.

"Hi James." B.C. answered his greeting., "Thanks for coming out here."

"No problem."

"I guess I should tell you what's been eating me lately."

"Well, to be honest it has been bugging me. I want to know why you've been so quiet and distant since you got home from your trip." James told her.

"Okay, I'll talk, but this stays between us. You can't tell anyone about this and I mean it. You've got to swear to not mention this anybody. Got it?"

All James could do was nod in agreement, he'd never seen B.C. this serious before.

B.C. took his timid nod as his vow, "James, I'm really Buttercup Utonium. Twenty years ago I was kidnapped by Kay Scion and brought here to be raised as Maxwell Luceid's daughter."

James's jaw dropped in pure shock, "Y-you're serious? Oh my God, I don't believe this! All this time I've been dating a Powerpuff Girl." James's excitement grew, "This is the coolest thing ever! Oh man, why didn't you tell me this before? Jesus, I've got so many questions I want to ask you."

"JAMES!"

James calmed down when he saw his girlfriend's expression of anger, "Oh sorry. I didn't mean to freak out on you, but still, why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Well, I just found out myself. They erased my memories twenty years. I think Dad sent me to Townsville to see if I could figure it out, some sort of initiation I guess. Once I realized that I was Buttercup, Dad returned my memories."

"So now you're Buttercup instead of B.C.?"

"I'm both actually. I like being B.C. I got a nice home, a great future, friends and family and you. But I'm still Buttercup. I got her memories, her entire life in my head."

"But what about your powers? What happened to them?"

"Nobody told me, but my guess is that they took them away with that machine they used to normalize other super heroes after super powers were outlawed."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that, that was one of our inventions wasn't it. So what about the other Powerpuff Girls and Professor Utonium?"

"I-I don't know. Part of me wants to see them again but another part of me is afraid of what they might do."

"What would they do?"

"Urrgh, think James. They'd probably tell the media and the authorities and that would be the end of the company as we know it."

"Hmm, that is true, but I don't think they would."

"Huh, how come?"

"Well, I figure the last thing they'd want to do is hurt you, especially after thinking you were dead for twenty years. Seeing as how Max has been such a good father to you, it would hurt you if anything bad happened to him and you are going to succeed him after he retires, so if they went after the company, it would jeopardize your career. I may not know your sisters personally but I know that the Powerpuff Girls stood for everything good and right in this world and there's no way they're going to destroy their own sister."

B.C. smiled while tears formed in her eyes. The young woman got up and grabbed James in a loving embrace, "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, I hope you know that."

"Ha ha, well it's only fair. I feel the same way about you."

B.C. spent the next few hours dancing and having fun with James at the club. After that, she went home to find Maxwell waiting for her.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling pretty good." B.C. smiled.

"Really? You're not mad?"

"Well, part of me is mad. I mean I did miss out on growing up with my real family, and a lot of people got hurt and killed because of this whole deal, but that can't be changed. All I can do is try and run the company as best as I can when the time comes and make it up to the world."

Maxwell laughed, "Unbelievable! When I found out, it took me weeks to be able to forgive Bryant and Mary."

B.C. was perplexed, "Why would you be mad? Weren't you an orphan?"

Maxwell sighed sadly, "Well yes, but there was little girl whom I took care of. She was another orphan lost in the cracks of society like I was. She was like a little sister to me and I loved her with all my heart. I tried to find her after my memories were restored, but she disappeared. I don't know if the Mob had gotten to her or what, but I never saw her again."

"Oh Dad, I'm so sorry."

"Raising you knowing you were stolen from a loving family was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but it was worth it. You've given me lots of joy, and I'll never regret being the father of Bethany Christine Luceid."

"That name.. Why did you name me that?"

Maxwell smiled, "That was her name. I named you after her because you reminded me of her."

B.C. couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" Maxwell asked.

"The Professor named me Buttercup because is started with a 'B.' He wanted me to fit in with the others after he named them because of their personalities, Bubbles and Blossom. Man was I ticked. I felt so ripped off." B.C. sighed wistfully, "Dad, I need to see them again."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yeah, I am. I thought about this a lot and I know what the consequences could be, but I still want to see them again. I still stand by what I told you earlier but they're my family too and I need them to be a part of my life."

Maxwell smiled lovingly at B.C., "Then bring them into your life. You have to chance to so, so take it. I've always trusted your judgement and I'm not about to stop."

B.C. went into her room and picked up the phone. It's been twenty years since Buttercup last spoken with her sisters, the real Buttercup who had been sleeping in the mind of Bethany Luceid. B.C. dialed the phone number of Bubbles Utonium. B.C. tried to ignore the nervous clenching of her stomach.

"Hello?" the voice on the other line sounded irritated.

"Uh, Hi Bubbles it's me." B.C. responded.

"Oh, hiya, B.C., how are you today?" the irritation dissolved into a mixture of nervousness, happiness, and surprise.

"Bubbles, listen, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I'm really Buttercup. I wasn't killed twenty years ago. I've been Bethany Luceid all along."