In these silences, something may rise

Part 3

Acceptance

The city of Townsville, where now the good Rowdy Ruff's await the decision of Professor Utonium on what should be done with them.

'Well I think that it may be best to carry out some tests on the boys, to see if there is anything we can use to stop their other halves. The tests should not take more then a few hours to perform and...' The Professor stopped when he heard the thud of Boomer falling off his stool as exhaustion defeated him. Brick had also nodded off, leaning his head on the energy field which kept them trapped, while Butch held on to consciousness by a thread. Every few seconds his head would drop then snap back up as he forced himself to stay awake.

'Uh Professor I don't think doing tests on them now would be a very good idea.' Bubbles said.

'Yes I think you maybe right Bubbles.' The Professor said rubbing his chin and now wishing he had his pipe, but had given that up years ago after the girls nagged him about it. 'Then the best solution is to keep them here over night and do the tests tomorrow morning.' Professor Utonium went over to the confinement laser and started the shut down procedure, but as he did Buttercup flew up to him.

'Professor don't let them out of there!' Buttercup said as she tried to pull his hand away from the controls. 'As soon as they are out who knows what they might do!' The Professor looked at the three boys, one fast asleep on the floor, one asleep where he sat and the other one struggling to find the strength to keep his head up.

'Buttercup we know they are not evil anymore, and even if they were right now I don't think they have the strength to hurt a fly.' The Professor finished switching off the beam which caused the shield around the boys to disappear, and thus Brick's support was gone. The red Ruff fell to the floor next to Boomer and instantly jumped up looking half asleep.

'I'm awake, was just resting my eyes and such...' His cheeks started to go a little red as realised he had dozed off at some point.

'Boys I would think it best you stayed here the night, your obviously tired and I wish to perform some tests on you. You can sleep in our guest room tonight and then we can get the tests done in the morning...' The Professor was about to lead the three to the room when he heard a loud growling noise, almost equal to a bear roar. Brick and Butch looked at their stomachs as the growls became a little quieter.

'Heh, guess we forgot to eat today.' Brick said as he put a hand to his stomach, the sound of its acid bubbling getting louder again. The boys had not actually had anything to eat all day; they had been too busy for most of it.

'Ok then first we will feed you then you can go to sleep...' Professor Utonium stopped again as his nose wrinkled up as the powerful stench of the boys hit him. He had not noticed it earlier with the field holding it in place, but the three Ruff's had a stench bad enough to wake the dead. 'On second thoughts, you can have a bath and then eat before you go to sleep... and I will even wash your clothes.'

'Hey what's wrong with the way I smell?' Butch asked as he sniffed both of his armpits, lucky for him he had some immunity to his own body odor.

'Right now you smell like you have not had a bath in months, and I speak from experience.' Buttercup said, the three girls had noticed the smell earlier and had been careful to keep some distance from the boys when the shield went down.

'I had a bath only a little while ago... lets see it was um... shortly after Christmas!' Butch said. 'That's only nine odd months ago, so there is no way I am going to have a bath now.'

'Oh I don't know about that Butch.' The Professor said with a sly smile crossing his face. 'Girls please show these boys the way to the bathroom.' Butch suddenly looked extremely panicked as the three Power Puff Girls started to come closer.

'This does not look good...' Butch said as Buttercup jumped him, Blossom grabbing Brick round the neck and Bubble just having to lean down and pick up an unconscious Boomer.

'This is humiliating.' Butch said as he sat in a bathtub with water that had gone instantly black when the three were thrown in. The Girls had dragged them all up here, Butch trying his best to escape but failed miserably. The Professor had then gotten them in tub, threatening if they did not go in willingly he would get the girls to help, and that would be too embarrassing.

'Hey it's not to bad Butch.' Brick noticed the bubbles coming from the tub and put a hand in to drag Boomer back to the surface. He had not woken up once, even when the Professor had thrown them in the tub. 'At least the Girls did not see us getting undressed.' Brick put Boomer so he leaned half out the tub but at least was not drowning.

'I think maybe two baths would be a good idea.' The Professor said looking at the pitch black water. He had the boy's clothes in one hand and the soap in the other. 'Ok let that water out then run another bath, use the soap to clean yourselves and by then I should have your clothes cleaned.' He looked at the boys clothes which smelled as bad as they did, sighing he left the three to put the clothes in the machine.

'Ok Brick now he's gone what's the plan?' Butch asked as he looked at the soap like it was an alien device.

'The plan is simple; we let this water out and clean up. Then get our clothes, get some food and sleep here the night.' Brick said as he pulled the plug letting the dirty water out. 'Don't look at me like I am crazy Butch, we don't exactly have any where better to be right now and I am tired and hungry. Tomorrow we will be fed, rested and clean for the first time since... I can't even remember a time like that. We will then help the Professor in anyway we can, he is been very kind to us and seems to understand we are not bad guys anymore. We owe him at least that much for not killing us when he had the chance, but hearing us out.'

'Ok fine Brick, we stay here and help them out... but I am only doing it for the perks like food and actual beds.' Butch said folding his hands as Brick started to run the next bath.

Down stairs the Professor had put the boy's clothes into the washing machine and had put some dinner on to cook. His daughters sat in the living room watching TV and talking about the Rowdy Ruffs, from the sound of it Buttercup was still for killing them while Bubbles and Blossom at least wanted to give the boys some chance. Professor Utonium was about to go up and see how the boys were doing when he heard Blossom speaking.

'Buttercup I know why you don't trust the boys, I don't fully trust them myself, but killing them would be wrong. You heard the Professor explain they are good now, and they did save our lives. If they had not come when they did we would have been scattered all over Townsville right now.'

'Lucky they have TV at the orphanage, and Brick likes "Major Glory" cartoons as much as you do Blossom.' Bubbles said holding tightly to her Octi toy. Bubbles mentioning the orphanage reminded Professor Utonium that the boys had been gone all day and would be gone all night. He quickly changed path from the stairs to go to the house phone, quickly glancing through the phone book for the right number. When found it and had dialed he was greeted by an elderly voice that could have been of either sex.

'Townsville orphanage how can I help you?'

'Hello this is Professor Utonium, I just wanted to talk about three boys who go to you're...' He was rudely cut off by the voice.

'Which three and what have they done this time?' The voice sounded tired and exasperated.

'Brick, Butch and Boomer. They are brothers, triplets actually.'

'We have no children here by that name, and no triplets for that matter. Unless you're talking about those three Officer Thursday keeps complaining about.'

'Officer Thursday, why would he keep talking about them?'

'The three Houdini's as he calls them. One Brian Ruff, one Benny Ruff and one Buster Ruff. Three street kids who have been avoiding us for a year now, and officer Thursday for that matter. If you know where they are sir it would be a great help...'

'Sorry my mistake, I will call you back. Bye now.' The Professor took great pleasure cutting off the monotonous voice and then hanging up. Now he knew the truth about the Rowdy Ruff Boys, they had never mentioned they did not go to an orphanage, but they had deliberately not told him they did not go to one. The best way to trick someone is to let them tick themselves; at least they were intelligent in that respect. Now he understood why they seemed so in awe with his home, he had thought it was just because it was such a nice home but to homeless children it must seem like a palace.

'Come on we've been in this thing for ages, where are our clothes!' Butch yelled out from upstairs, pulling professor Utonium out of his thoughts. Looking at his watch he could see that he had been in deep thought for well over half an hour and the boys had been waiting all that time. Quickly he ran to the washing machine to get their clothes out and then went to give the boys their clothes.

'Sorry I was distracted for a moment... I did not have time to dry them.' The Professor held out the soaking wet clothes as the Ruff's finished drying off with the spare towels.

'No need to worry Prof we can deal with that easy.' Butch said firing his eye laser beams at a low level, the heat drying their clothes in seconds. Without a word Butch took his and started to get dressed, Brick however did thank the Professor for cleaning their clothes.

'Your welcome Brick... is he still asleep?' Professor Utonium said pointing at Boomer who just lay on the floor in the fetal position wrapped in a blue towel.

'Boomer can sleep through nearly anything Professor, its one of his many talents.' Brick said, his brother having never woken up had to be dressed by Brick and even through this never so much as flinched, he was like a rock.

'If he is so tired maybe we should just put him to bed, he can't eat if he is asleep.' The Professor said.

'Don't worry about Boomer, just take us to the food I am sure he will manage to eat something.' Brick said making sure his back was to the Professor so as to hide the smile that crossed his face. The professor just shrugged as the now much cleaner Rowdy Ruff's came down the stairs, Boomer been carried by Brick.

'Girls dinner is ready.' The professor shouted from the kitchen where the three boys were now sat waiting. A second later and three beams of color light shot into the room and the girls were sitting on the other side of the table.

'Oh man sitting next to his ugly face is going to put me off my food.' Buttercup said quietly to herself as she glanced at Butch, who at least no longer smelled like ten year old gym socks.

'I'm sorry but I could only cook something simple tonight, with so many to feed and such short notice and all.' The Professor placed down three large plates with three different pizzas on them, the second Butch and Brick saw these their mouths started to water and their stomachs growled so loud that neighbors thought a dog was at the Utonium house.

'Err is he ok?' Bubbles asked looking at Boomer who was still dead to the world, his head dropped over the back of the chair and making very quiet snoring noises.

'Boomer's fine, just give it a moment.' Brick said, the smell of the pizza now starting to reach them he knew that Boomer would be up soon. The very second the aroma of pizza touched Boomer's nose his eyes snapped open and he was wide awake.

'FOOD!' Boomer yelled so suddenly that Bubbles and Blossom jumped with fright, Buttercup felt her heart leap up but kept her cool so as not to look like a sissy in front of the boys. Boomer could not be stopped; his hunger was just too much for him as he looked at the pizza laid out in front of him. He grabbed the first slice and started to wolf it down, as soon as he took a slice both of his brothers followed him grabbing at the food and eating it as quickly as they could. As soon as they were done with one slice they moved onto the next, they seemed to hardly stop for anything but a few breath of air and the occasional sip of water.

'Wow, you guys must be hungry.' Blossom said, her hand tentatively going out to take a slice of pizza, worried one of the boys might grab it and try to eat it at the rate they were going. In only a minute they had decimated at least a pizza and a half and showed very little sign of slowing down.

'Well we were hungry; we did not have very much to eat today.' Brick said between eating a slice and getting the next one. 'And to tell the truth we have not eaten something this good in along time.'

'Last time we had anything like this was our Birthday last year, we saved all of our money and went to eat at "Burger Barn"... but that was nothing to this pizza, wish we had tried it before.' Boomer said as he finished off his last slice for the night, having eaten at least ten large slices.

'Wait a second you had to save a year to eat one meal at "Burger Barn"? We eat there all the time and its dirt cheap to do it; I can afford it off my allowance.' Buttercup said as she started to eat a slice of the remaining pizza.

'And you have never had pizza before?' Blossom asked now nearly full from eating on two slices of the pizza.

'Well we don't get that much money, and have better ways to spend it then on fast food.' Butch said, he was now full himself and leaned back in his seat feeling tiredness taking over him again.

'Girls please don't ask the boys anymore questions right now, they are practically asleep.' Professor Utonium said to his girls, and then said to the boys. 'Come with me, I will show you your room and you can get some sleep so we can start those tests in the morning.' Boomer let out a long yawn before he jumped down from his chair followed by Brick, Butch stayed for a moment longer grabbing one final slice of pizza before following the Professor up to the guest room.

The room was rather bare, three beds a chest of draws and a small closet been the only real furniture in it. It was completely white, from the walls to the bed sheets, but to the three boys it looked like a royal bedroom. Butch walked in eating his pizza slice and just went to the first bed saying nothing, Boomer shuffled in at first then seemed to find the same energy he had when food was there and ran to his bed in the middle. He jumped onto and started to roll around onto of the soft mattress.

'Look Brick real beds!' Boomer had never been on something as comfortable as a bed before, he had been used to making do with the sleeping bags they had been given by a charity for so long now. Brick just smiled as he went to his bed and jumped in.

'Thank you Professor, we were really tired and these beds are just great.' Brick went under the covers as the Professor switched off the lights.

'Your welcome boys now have a good night,' He closed the door; before it had even half closed he heard the slow breathing meaning the three had fallen asleep. Leaving the Ruff's to sleep he went down to see the girls who had just finished cleaning up after the Ruff's eating frenzy.

'They sure did eat a lot.' Bubbles said as she finished counting how many slices of pizza had been eaten by each of the boys.

'At least they don't smell after that bath they took.' Blossom said, she was just finished with loading up their dishwasher and feeling ready for bed herself.

'Well I am glad that after the tests in the morning those three are out of here.' Buttercup said as the Professor walked in.

'Girls I need to talk to you for a moment.' Professor Utonium said as he sat down at the kitchen table, the Power Puff Girls floated slowly over to sit next to him.

'What's up Professor?' Blossom asked as she took her seat.

'It's about the boys; I think they might be staying a little longer then one night.' The Professor said. 'You see they don't have anywhere else to go after they leave here, they have been living homeless ever since you defeated them two years ago. You girls have helped out at the shelter on Christmas and know what kind of life they must have been leading.' The three girls were quiet, even Buttercup who had been all for kicking the boys out. All the questions they had asked the boys, like why eating at "Burger Barn" was such a big dead for them, came back to them and made them feel awful. They also now remembered how the boys reacted when they were shown pizza, and how they looked around the house like it was the most amazing thing they had seen. It also explained why they still wore the same clothes they had two years ago and had not bathed for so long.

'Why didn't they tell us Professor?' Bubbles was the first to break the silence.

'My guess is both pride and embarrassment.' The Professor said. 'They may think that we would think less of them if they told us they were homeless, after all look at our home. I know we are not the richest people in the world but we are far from poor, to those three boys this place must seem like Buckingham palace. Now because of this I don't want you to let the boys know that we know they don't live at the orphanage. If they deicide to tell us on their own that's fine but until then we will leave it alone.'

'So you are going to ask them to stay here then Professor?' Blossom asked.

'Yes, I think it might be best for everyone if they live here for now.' Professor Utonium said. 'With the evil Rowdy Ruff Boys out there and those boys having only a cardboard box to go back to I can't think of a better solution.'

'Aw come on Professor we don't need them to stay here!' Buttercup said, swallowing the guilt she had felt and replacing it with her hate of the boys. 'We can handle the evil Rowdy Ruff Boys on our own...'

'You mean like you did today?' The Professor said, his eyebrow lifted up but Buttercup did not stop.

'...They would just get in our way. Besides they have lived on the streets for two years, I am sure they can live there just as easily when we kick them out tomorrow morning. And I think they deserve to live on the streets after what they did.' Buttercup said shocking both of her sisters and the Professor.

'Buttercup!?' Bubbles said.

'How could you say that Buttercup? It's such a mean thing to say.' Blossom said, as she did professor Utonium's shock gave way to anger.

'Buttercup Utonium!' professor Utonium was going red with rage, he had to control himself to make sure he did not go into a swearing fit or shout so loud he would wake the boys. 'Is this how I brought you up? I have told you that you can't just judge people by single actions they did in the past, no matter what they have done. Now these boys are not the same ones who tried to kill you, those three boys have done nothing to you but saved your life! Now I don't care if you do or don't like them, but you will not treat them like criminals. Do I make myself clear Buttercup?'

'Yes Professor.' Buttercup said, she felt guilty after the Professor had grilled her so badly, but sill thought that they did not need the boys to stay here.

'Good, now I think you three should go to bed and rest up.' The three Power Puff girls jumped off their chairs and left for bed leaving Professor Utonium alone in the kitchen. He had stopped feeling angry now, he could never stay mad at his girls, but he did feel sorry for Buttercup who was so stuck in her ways. More though he felt bad for the boys, in all likeliness the city would treat them just as badly as Buttercup did. It was the thought of the city which reminded the Professor he actually ha done last thing to do. Checking his watch he saw it was not to late to make one more phone call before he went to sleep himself. Getting up he went to the Kitchen phone and dialed a number by memory, after three rings he was greeted by a familiar voice.

'Miss Kean, how can help you?' Miss Kean was the girl's teacher in Elementary school; she had decided to move up with them when they had finished Kindergarten.

'Hello Miss Kean, this is Professor Utonium.'

'Well hi there Professor, are the girls all right? I saw the fight on TV and it looked like they were hurt, will they come in tomorrow?' Miss Kean sounded very worried, if there had ever been a mother figure for the girls she was it and the relations seemed two ways at times.

'Don't worry; it will take a lot more then that to stop The Power Puff Girls. They will be in school tomorrow with out fail.'

'Well I am glad to hear it Professor. But if the girls are fine why are you calling?' Miss Kean asked.

'Well I was wondering if there was room in your class for three more students.' The Professor replied.

'Three more students, well I do have three more places left but its three weeks into the term, will they be able to catch up on the work?' Miss Kean said.

'I will make sure they do it Miss Kean, that's a promise.'

'Well all right then. Now who are these three then Professor?'

'Err; this may take a moment to explain so please hear me out...' The Professor said, he was worried if this was the right choice to make, but if Miss Kean did not accept them then no one would.

The next day at Poaky Oaks Elementary school six students arrived by flight, three girls leading three boys. The Rowdy Ruff's had been dubious about the idea of going to school, but in return for a place to stay and a meal they would have dressed up as girls and done a musical act. So for the first time in their lives they were at a school, the Professor giving them supplies and promising to have their room more livable by the time they got back. The only thing Professor Utonium had said before they left was that the three were to do anything Blossom ordered them to do and anything Miss Kean asked them to do.

'Ok boy's this is the school, and while we are here I am in charge.' Blossom said. Boomer nodded while he played with the straps on his backpack, Brick made a small nod and Butch just made a huff noise and looked away for Blossom. 'And as your leader I have one order strait away, not under any circumstances are you to use any of your powers while you are in school.' Butch started to make some protest but Brick put a hand over his mouth to shut him up.

'Ok Blossom, we wont use any of our powers while we are here, promise.' Brick let go of Butch who grabbed him by the arm and dragged him off to one side.

'Man why are you taking orders from a sissy girl for!' Butch said in a low conspirator's voice.

'Look the Professor told us to obey Blossom while we are at school so that's what we will do, or don't you like sleeping in a real bed and eating good food?' Butch stayed quiet, he knew that they had never had it as good as they did now. 'So if it makes you feel better I order you not to use any of your powers at school, and I will make the same orders Blossom does if it makes you feel better. Or will you stop following my orders now Butch?'

'You know I wont, if you say so then I will follow Blossom's little orders, but only because you say so Brick.' Butch said, to this Brick just nodded before going back to where the others were waiting.

'Sorry about that, Butch just needed a reminder of who was in charge.' Brick said. 'Now can you show us the way to class?' Brick asked Blossom who just smiled sweetly at him.

'What's the magic word?' Blossom asked, Brick just looked mystified as he tried to figure out why magic spells were needed to gain entry to a class room.

'Please can you show us to class Blossom?' Boomer saved his leader from looking like a complete ass, all the while still trying to get his backpack to fit right.

'Of course I can Boomer, follow me.' Blossom said, now she knew at least one of the boys had some manners and it was no surprise which one it was. She walked ahead of the group with Buttercup walking next to her, Butch and Brick followed after her while Boomer was still trying to stop his bag falling off his shoulders every time he let go of the straps.

'Here let me help you with that.' Bubbles said, she went over to Boomer and in three quick movements got his bag to stay still.

'Thanks!' Boomer said cheerfully as he tested out the bag, seeing it stayed no matter how much he moved or jumped.

'No problem Boomie' Boomer went bright red when her heard Bubbles call him "Boomie".

'My names Boomer, not Boomie.' Boomer said, he did not wait for Bubbles to answer before he ran after his brothers who had now gone into school. Bubbles just stood there giggling for a moment before she started off for class.

'Now class today we have three new students joining us, I have been assured that despite past events they are very nice boys and are welcome in out class.' Miss Kean stood at the front of the classroom, the students all sitting in place with only three empty spots at the very back of the room. 'Now come in boys, don't be shy.' At that the three Rowdy's walked into the classroom to the sound of shock gasps, followed by muttering rumors and insults.

'Brick I don't like the looks of this...' Butch said out of the corner of his mouth as he saw the looks of despise on the faces of their fellow class mates. Brick did not answer him, he just scanned the room looking for at least on friendly face and the best he could come up with was the Power Puff Girls.

'This is Brick, Boomer and finally Butch.' Miss Kean pointed to each boy as she said their names then pointed to the three empty seats at the back. 'Those will be your seats today boys, please go and sit down and take out your history books.' The Three boys walked to the three seats, moving past thirty odd glares of hate as they did. The moment they sat down someone threw a paper ball which hit Brick on the back of the head, he looked round but could not tell who had thrown it. He opened it up and saw written was 'Get lost Rowdy Ruff, you suck!' in angry red letters. Brick tossed the note to one side then sat down in his chair taking out his history book.

The rest of the lesson was very similar to the start, when ever Miss Kean turned her back something bad would happen to the Ruff's. First it was more hate notes thrown at them, then some idiot with a spit gun started to pelt Butch with them. Brick just managed to stop his brother from ramming the straw down the kid's throat, ordering him to just ignore it. A few more pranks like those were pulled on the boys, who just sat there and took it, tattling was for sissies after all. The class ended with someone pouring water on Boomer's lap and pretending it was an accident before he left laughing.

'Tough it out Boomer, remember you're a Rowdy Ruff Boy.' Brick said as he saw the tears brimming up in Boomer's eyes. Boomer quickly wiped them away before they could start to flow and packed up his books.

'Come on boys its lunch time, I'll show you the way to the lunch room.' Blossom felt bad for the boys, but knew if she had told Miss Kean or had done something to stop it herself then the boys would hate her. Blossom thought they were been idiots but respected their need to keep their pride and did nothing.

'Thanks Blossom, but I have to dry myself and... check something in my locker.' Boomer said holding his books over his pants to try and hide the wet mark which had been left there. 'I'll catch up with you later.' Boomer ran out of the class in the direction of the toilets.

'Ok I was promised food, so lead the way.' Butch said. He was not enjoying the day, and had the strong urge to beat someone up, he had some ideal candidates listed in his mind but could not touch any of them.

'Say the magic word.' Blossom said in the same sweet voice she had used in the morning.

'Take me to the food... Now.' Butch said, he was now only looking forward to food and could not be bothered with fake pleasantries.

'You're as bad as Buttercup; the magic word is please...' Butch just looked at Blossom who waited for an apology or at least for him to say the word. 'Ech, never mind just follow me.' Blossom said, showing Brick and Butch he way to the cafeteria, Bubbles said she would wait for Boomer and show him the way. She sat down in the classroom looking through the open door waiting to see Boomer.

The Blue Rowdy Ruff had finished drying himself off, using the towels and hot air dryer as best he could. Now at least he did not look like he had just wet his pants, now he had only one thing to do before he went to eat. He went to his locker and entered the combination but did not open it right away. He looked all around to make sure no one was looking at him before he opened the metal door. Inside was his backpack, a few books and hidden at the back was a tiny teddy bear. The toy was no bigger then the palm of Boomer's hand, looking scruffy and older then the oldest toy on earth. This was his only toy, a gift from Brick years ago when Boomer had been in a bad spot. He felt so bad about things he had done, especially getting them kicked out the orphanage that he had trouble sleeping at night. Brick had saved up some of the money he got from donations and bought this tiny teddy bear from a charity shop. Ever since then Boomer had kept the small bear with him, and when ever he felt bad he would hold it for a moment. It reminded him that he had two brothers who cared about him, that it was the first gift he had ever been given and that most importantly he was a Rowdy Ruff Boy.

Unfortunately for Boomer as he put his hand in to hold the toy three boys from Miss Kean's class walked by and saw the bear. The first one knocked into Boomer forcing him away from his locker.

'Oops sorry about that chump.' The boy said smiling as he saw Boomer try to get back to his feet. 'I just did not see you standing there, right Mark?' The boy said to one of his friends who proceeded to hold out a hand to Boomer, but extended too far so as to knock him down again.

'Whoops looks like you slipped again buddy.' Mark said laughing; the other boy now could see into the open locker and laughed himself.

'Hey Mark, Joey look at what the baby has in his locker.' The last of the bullies put his hand in and took out the small teddy bear out tossing it to the one called Joey.

'Well what have we got here Tom?' Joey said as he started juggling about with Boomer's beloved toy. 'Looks like the baby is into baby toys.'

'Give that back!' Boomer shouted, his throat filling up with a lump and tears threatening just behind his eye lids. 'Please give it back, its mine!'

'Aww does da baby want his twedy bewer?' Mark said to Boomer in a baby voice; Joey tossed the small toy to Mark who held it up just out of Boomers reach. 'What's the matter, why don't you fly up and get it?' Boomer wished he could, but he had promised not to use his powers and would not break a promise even for his favorite toy.

'Oh look I think he's crying.' Tom said as Boomer lost his control and the tears started to stream from his eyes. 'How does it feel? You made everyone else cry when you tried to kill the Power Puff Girls, so how does it feel now the shoe is on the other foot baby?' Mark threw the small toy to Joey he threw it to Tom and in this triangle kept Boomer running round trying to catch his toy as it move from one bully to the next, but he never could quiet make it. Now there was a circle of people round them watching, most laughing at Boomer who just ran round after his teddy bear, the tears falling freely from his eyes.

'What's going on?' Bubbles asked, she had gotten bored waiting for Boomer in the classroom and had gone to see what was taking him so long. She could see a circle of people most of which were laughing at something. Bubbles wanted to see what was so much fun; all she could see is some hands in the air throwing what looked like a small teddy bear around. She tried to get past but no one moved for here, she was going to give up and go around when she heard Boomer shout again.

'I never did anything to you; just give it back to me!' Bubbles could hardly recognize his voice, the crying turning it into something weak and watery. When she did realize who it was who was shouting Bubbles floated up over the crowd to see what was going on. Now she could see Boomer running himself ragged trying to get his toy back, and three boys she knew, but never really liked, teasing him. Moving quickly Bubbles caught the small teddy bear in mid throw surprising the three bullies.

'Meannies!' Bubbles stuck her tongue out at the three boys as she floated back down to the ground. 'Get lost before I decided to show you Bubblevicious.' Her eyes started to glow red as the laser beams started to charge in them. The three bullies saw this and decided it was best to run; they could handle a powerless Ruff but did not want to try their luck with a Power Puff.

'Baby getting a girl to fight your battles for you!' Joey shouted as he pushed his way out of the crowd and started to run for his life.

'Yeah baby, can't even stand up for your self!' Tom said, he was already half way down the corridor when he shouted that last remark.

'Next time your girlfriend won't be able to help you loser!' Mark said looking at Boomer with such cruelty he made the blond Ruff flinch, even though he was much stronger then Mark ever could be. Bubbles got tired of waiting for Mark to clear off so fired a weak laser blast at his feet which got him moving in a hurry. With him gone the circle of onlookers started to dissipate leaving only Bubbles and Boomer in the hallway.

'Here you go Boomie.' Bubbles said. Boomer was on the floor hugging his knees and keeping his head down to try and hide the tears again. Bubbles knelt down beside him and held out the small teddy bear she had taken off the three bullies. For a while it did not seem that Boomer was going to take it, but eventually he lifted up his head to look at Bubbles. His eyes were red rimmed and he was still crying, his face was bright red as the blood had rushed there and he looked sick. Bubbles felt terrible for him, he did look awful but she knew it was worse for him because of his pride. If something like this happened to her then she would be expected to react like this, Buttercup might think she was been a baby but would still understand. Boomer was a boy and was meant to be tough, never meant to cry and never act the way he had done.

'Why did you do that!?' Boomer surprised Bubbles by shouting at her as his facial expression changed from sadness to anger. 'Why did you have to go and do that!?' Boomer wiped away the tears with both hands as he stood up, his body shaking with rage.

'I... Boomie...what did I do?' Bubbles was taken back, she could not understand why Boomer was shouting at her, she had only helped him out.

'My name is Boomer and not Boomie!' Boomer yelled at Bubbled, his face pushed right up to hers as he did. 'Its bad enough they hated me, it's bad enough they teased me for having a stupid toy but you had to come in and stop it. Now they think I am a sissy, a little girlie boy who has to get girls to fight his battles for him! What do you think my brothers will think when they find out a Rowdy Ruff Boy had to get a Power Puff Girl to stop people teasing him? I HATE YOU!' Boomer shouted the last three words at Bubbles with all the hate and anger in his body, the words he wanted to shout at everyone else but could only find the guts to shout at someone who tried to help him. Boomer felt tears threatening again, his anger giving way to the sadness, so as quickly as he could he ran away from Bubbles to hide somewhere.

Bubbles was left there for a moment feeling numb as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Boomers last words then came home to her and she to started to cry. She just sat down in the corridor and bawled her eyes out while Boomer was hiding else where doing the exact same thing.

'Boomer where in the heck are you?' Brick said, he and Blossom had decided that both Bubbles and Boomer were taking to long. Butch had started joking about how they were probably making out some where, while Buttercup said they were probably distracted by something shiny. The two leaders had decided to go and find out where their missing siblings had gone.

'Bubbles, its Blossom where are you?' Blossom yelled out as she walked with Brick down the school hallways. 'I can see Boomer getting lost but Bubbles knows this place inside and out Brick, where could they have gotten to?'

'Shush a second...' Brick said, he had a hand to his ear and was straining to hear something that was close by. '... Sounds like a girl crying, down there.' He pointed to the corridor which lead back to their classroom.

'I can hear it, that's Bubbles!' Blossom said. 'If your brother has hurt her Brick so help me...'

'Hey Boomer wouldn't hurt a fly if he did not have to, so lay off him.' Brick said as he started to jog down the corridor where the crying was coming from, Blossom hovering next to him. The two reached Bubbles who had not moved since she had started to cry, though her tears were now just a trickle.

'Bubbles, what's the matter?' Blossom said as she floated over next to her sister.

'Hey that thing is Boomers.' Brick said as he saw the small teddy bear in Bubbles hands. 'I can't believe he still has that old thing, the baby should really grow up and junk it.' When Bubbles heard Brick call Boomer a baby she started to cry again. 'What did I say?' Brick asked while Blossom did her best to comfort her sister, he could not understand why Bubbles was crying he just decided it must be a "girl thing"

'Bubbles what happened?' Blossom asked when she had finally gotten Bubbles composed enough to speak.

'I was waiting for Boomer when...' Bubbles told the whole story she knew, starting with her looking for Boomer and ending with how he had shouted at her and then ran off. '... He said he hated me, why does he hate me?' Bubbles asked, fresh tears all ready spilling from her eyes.

'Don't worry I am sure Boomer did not mean what he said, he was just really upset after what had happened.' Blossom said. She felt sorry for Boomer, and a little guilty after making him promise not to use his powers at school. Boomer had seemed the nicest of the three boys, an actual human being who had some manners and did not seem aggressive all the time. Now it seemed like the very things that made Boomer nice where the reasons he was suffering so much.

'Well I better go find Boomer.' Brick said, this was not the first time he had to go hunting for Boomer after he had decided to go on a crying fit. He started to walk in the direction Bubbles had sad Boomer ran off in when Blossom stood up.

'I'll go with you.' Blossom said but Brick just shook his head.

'You have your sister to deal with. Besides I think you girls have messed Boomer up enough for one day.' Brick said, leaving the two girls to find his brother.

'What did I do wrong?' Bubbles asked Blossom as she finally regained her composure and was able to get back to her feet.

'Nothing Bubbles, boys are just weird at times.'

'Boomer, come out wherever you are!' Brick shouted as he started to look in the usual sorts of places Boomer liked to hide in when he lost control of his emotions. He looked in any corners, containers and every empty room for his brother. Eventually he found him curled up in the corner of an empty class room; the quiet little sobs just enough to give him away.

'There you are Boomer, been looking all over for you.' Brick said closing the classroom door behind him.

'Go away Brick, I don't want to talk to you right now.' Boomer said in a muffled voice, he was biting his own hand to try and stop himself from bursting into tears again, something he hated to do in front of his brothers.

'You know you say that every time and I don't listen to you every time.' Brick said, he pulled one of the chairs out from the desk and span it round to face Boomer. Brick sat down and put his head on his hands waiting for Boomer to start.

'So you heard what happened then?' Boomer said after a very long silence.

'Yup, and to be honest I don't really care.' That was a little lie, deep down he felt humiliated as a rowdy ruff had acted like such a baby. 'But I have marked those three idiots; no one messes with a Rowdy Ruff Boy and gets away with it. We just have to wait until the others start to trust us, right now if we did anything we would be kicked out of town.'

'I don't want to leave Townsville again, that's why I held back.' This was almost the truth; the rest was that Boomer never wanted to break a promise. 'But I had to be saved by a girl Brick, that's the worst thing.'

'It's not brilliant, but you did not ask for help and there was nothing else you could have done... so it could be a lot worse.' Brick also hated the idea that Boomer had been saved by a girl, Bubbles no less. 'The only thing I really care about is the fact you're sitting here in the dark crying like a little baby.'

'I'm not crying Brick.' Boomer said as he took his hand out of his mouth, little beads of blood ringed around where his teeth had sunk in.

'Then stand up and face me Boomer.' Brick said. 'Come on Boomer are you a Rowdy Ruff Boy or not? Rowdy Ruff's never give up, never lose and they never cry so if you are one stand up and look at me.' Brick knew just what to say to make Boomer pull himself together, he knew it was tougher then what Blossom must have to do for Bubbles but it was the only way he knew how and worked.

'I am a Rowdy Ruff Boy!' Boomer said as he stood up and turned round to look at Brick, his face still puffed up from the crying and his eyes still red but he had stopped crying.

'Good to have you back with us Boomer.' Brick said as he jumped off the chair and put a hand on Boomer's shoulder. 'Now I know its tough, but we're Rowdy's and we can take anything no matter how tough. Put up with the idiots a little longer, stand tall and just remember what group you belong to. We have two more lessons left today, then this living heck ends for us and we can go home. So what do you say, can you act like a Rowdy Ruff Boy until we at least make it home?'

'Yes Brick, I promise you I will make it through the day like a true Rowdy Ruff.' Boomer said. Brick just nodded as if he expected no less, and he did not expect anything less then that. He took his hand off Boomer and left to go to the next class, Boomer stood there for a moment more praying to anyone who would listen that the day would not get any worse.