Thanks for the reveiws y'all! Sorry I haven't posted in ages.. I've been extra busy with school lately, and haven't had much time to write..

But here I am again, and I hope you like! Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Momento Mori

"Can you believe this Paul? Take a look at this story I'm writin'.. 'Mysterious Villain Robs Jewelry Store: Body of Owner Found in Nearby Ally.' I was told that the witnesses, which include the Powerpuff Girls, claim to have seen him alive after he was killed!"

"Yeah Nick, I'm doing a story like that. Some psycho robbed First National, and killed everyone in it! Those Powerpuff Girls claim to have spoken to a little girl in the bank, who was found dead only minutes later. Can ya believe that? It feels like everybody is goin' nuts these days.. even our own superheros!"

Paul turned around in his office chair and looked up and the clock. Seven forty-five. He yawned and stretched and continued pounding away at his computer alongside his buddy Nick, as they rushed to meet the deadline at the Townsville Tribune. The only light was that of the moonlight that poured through the window and the two cheap desk lamps, which provided a soft glow in the large, empty room.

Suddenly Paul stopped writing, a surprised and frightened look on his face.

"Ya think it could be the same villain, Nick?" Paul asked his friend. "Its creepy that he could get away both times, and kill so many people without leaving a trace."

Nick shuddered as he took a sip of cold coffee. "Meh.. He's just a lucky one I guess. A mastermind." He shrugged and continued writing.

"I guess so... but that worries me.. It sounds like we've got a mass murderer on our hands." Paul said nervously, his eyes growing wide in fear. "What's stopping him from coming into people's homes?"

Nick laughed suddenly and slapped Paul playfully on the back.

"You worry too much Paul. Those Powerpuff Girls will take care of everything." He looked at his watch. "We need to hurry up, closing is in ten minutes."

As both men printed up their stories, the lamps on their desks began to flicker; creating eerie shadows on the office walls.

"Well, all finished! ...Man, we need some new lightbulbs..." Nick stood up and stretched, and walked over to the printer to gather the newly printed articles. He hastily threw them aside and grabbed his coat.

"Well, another day, another dollar. I'm outta here." Nick turned to leave, with Paul not far behind when suddenly the desk lamps buzzed and flickered until they finally went out.

"What's going on?" Paul asked anxiously.

"Meh, just another blowout I guess. Don't worry, I'll -ARGH!"

Nick's words were cut off sharply as a powerful force closed around his neck. He gasped and gulped for air, struggling helplessly behind the unknown attacker's grip. After only a moment, he fell to the ground limp and lifeless.

"Nick? Hey what happened, man? You okay?" Paul groped blindly in the dark, until he too felt an incredible force wrapping around his neck. He soon fell to his knees gasping for breath, until finally he fell dead alongside his friend.

The shadow moved towards the articles that had been thrown upon the table of empty coffee cups and doughnut crumbs. He picked up the papers in his icy cold hands and quickly read the reports. With only a simple snap of his finger, an ad had been added to the bottom of the paper in huge letters that no one could miss.

When he was done, he let the papers fall slowly to the ground and had once again vanished into the shadows, his laugh echoing in the cold, dark room.

The morning was bitterly cold. Blossom awoke to the sound of rain drizzling lightly on the window panes. She looked to her sisters and found them to be still asleep. Typical. Although reluctant to escape the warmth of her blankets, she slowly crept out of bed and hovered downstairs to the living room where the Professor was reading the paper.

"Good morning Professor!" Blossom said with a smile. At first the Professor didn't look up from his newspaper. But when he did, his dismal mood was apparent.

"Oh, ..Good Morning, Blossom."He returned to reading his paper, with great interest; enough to pique Blossom's curiosity.

"Whatchya readin' Professor?" She sat down beside him on the sofa and peeked at the newspaper he was holding in his shaky hands.

"Just some articles about the robberies the past two days."Professor Utonium said, barely paying attention to his daughter.

"Oh.." Blossom said. "What did you find out?"

"Well it says here that twenty-seven people were killed at the bank yesterday.."

"Wow.."

"Yes. And what's strange is the cause of death is unknown. Its like they all just.. fell over and died."

"Woah.." Blossom and the Professor sat in silence as they continued to read the article together.

"Professor!" Blossom shouted suddenly, making the Professor jump. "Look!" Blossom pointed to a strange ad at the bottom of the front page. It said in big, bold letters

'Beware City of Townsville, for No One is Safe. Quasi is everywhere. If you Value your Lives, You will Surrender to Me.'

"Quasi? Who on earth is...?"

Blossom and the Professor looked at each other in silent understanding.

"You don't think..." Professor started.

"Yes. Quasi must be it's name. Quasi is doing all of this..."

"Who is doing what?" Bubbles and Buttercup came floating down the stairs, yawning and rubbing their eyes.

"Here, read this." Blossom gave Buttercup and Bubbles the paper. After reading it they each exchanged knowing glances; they knew that they were going to have to stop this creature, no matter how impossible it seemed.

Professor Utonium turned on the TV and started watching the news, continuing with his daily ritual as though nothing was wrong.

The reporter on TV was in a frenzy, speaking so quickly that she could barely be understood.

"It seems that the killings from two nights ago and yesterday was not the end of this horrible nightmare in Townsville. Unfortunately, the newly named villain 'Quasi' has struck again. This time, in the Townsville Tribune newsroom, killing two reporters and leaving behind a threatening ad in this morning's paper. It seems that Townsville can only wait helplessly until this ruthless menace strikes again."

"Not if we have something to say about it! He's gonna be toast once I get my hands on him!" Buttercup shouted as she punched her palm with her fist.

"Well girls, you might want to hurry up. You don't want to be late for school." Professor Utonium said as he glanced at his watch. He got up quickly and headed for his lab.

"I'll see you when you get home, girls. Have a good day."

"Right Professor, come on girls!" And with that, the girls zipped upstairs to get ready and soon enough, were on their way to Pokey Oaks Kindergarten.

Thanks for reading, as always! (and thanks for not killing me for taking so long!)