9. The Truth

Some events will not fade in the memory, even after a decade and a half.

Blossom stared at Brick.

"Run!" she hissed again, but he was in a world of his own. Smashing into a part of the wall near by, he withdrew from the hole a small lump of green rock. He smiled evilly.

"Just something we keep there in case," he chuckled. Blossom was now even more scared.

"Don't… she started, but Superman was back on his feet and dealing a painful blow to her side. Blossom slid down to the ground. Superman sighed.

"Sorry Blossom, but I must…"

"HEY KRYPTONITEY," Brick shouted, "pretty lame last words!" He lobbed the kryptonite at him. Superman looked up and ducked it, as it whistled past his ear. The rock hurtled on, and smacked Louis Lane right on the forehead at full pelt.

The Kryptonite rebounded and landed next to Blossom, but she didn't notice that. Her eyes where drawn to the reporter, Superman's wife, who's forehead was smashed in. She collapsed quickly. The man of steel rushed over, but it was too late. She was dead.

The situation was not helped by Bricks response. As the most powerful, and now angry man in the world knelt over the body of his dead wife, all her murderer could manage to say was, "Ooops."

Superman whirled round, with uncharacteristic anger. He shot an eye beam straight though Bricks shoulder, and as the ruff howled in pain, he grabbed him by the neck, and squeezed.

Blossom scrambled to her feet, unable to believe what was happening. She was terrified and confused. Brick grasped at the hands round his throat, and screamed;

"HELP ME BLOSSOM," over and over, but she couldn't. She just couldn't move. The pain on his face, the blood form his shoulder filled her thoughts, his screams piecing through, but fear bound her in place, until his screams died suddenly moments later with a horrible crack.

It had been ten seconds, but it felt like an hour.

Superman dropped him, barely able to comprehend himself what anger had lead him to do. But he wasn't the only one who could feel uncontrollable rage.

Blossom knew it was her fault. She should have acted but she hadn't. She should have stood by him, but she hadn't. She should have gone to Brick's aid immediately, instead of waiting for that next moment that for the man she loved had never come. Why hadn't she? She knew the answer. She'd let the most powerful emotion be ruled by the second most powerful; fear had over ruled love. She'd lost her self, lost her purpose, lost Brick.

The pain was too much, so she covered it to anger. It spread though her body like wild fire; ripping through her hands, head feet toes, everywhere. Superman turned round, still in shock to see Blossom had changed. She was glowing pink, her body throbbing with power and anger, and energy dancing though her hair. Suddenly, in a scream of anguish, she hit him. And again. And again. And…

Blossom slumped to the ground, trying to piece the last ten minutes together. She stared at Superman's, Louis Lane's and Brick's lifeless bodies, and began to shake. How could this have happened? At the start she'd had a choice; Brick or her sisters, her farther and her job. She'd hedged her bets, and lost both. It was all over. She stared at the Blood dripping down her hands. If wasn't hers, but it might have been. It was all over…

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?" Blossom looked up. At the end of the ally, with his hands on his head, stood Sonic. The first of Superman's reinforcements, he was alone, for now.

"Blossom?" he looked at her, and tried to sound as calm as possible, even friendly. "What happened?"

She blurted it all. Every single second came rolling out of Blossom's mouth in a fit of gabbles and tears. Sonic listened patently, his mind processing at a million miles per hour.

"Okay," he said when she'd finished. Other superhero's were beginning to arrive, looking with equal horror at the scene, but to late to hear Blossom's story. Sonic looked at the wall Brick had been studying earlier, then turned to Blossom.

"Don't say ANYTHING!" he hissed, and turned to the huge crowed, as Blossom sobbed quietly, wondering it she'd escape this without a lynching. She'd probably end up in the chair later anyway.

"FOR HEVANS SAKE, GET BUBBLES, BUTTERCUP AND A BLANKET UP HERE!" Sonic assumed command of the situation quickly. The request was quickly fulfilled, her sisters taking Blossom aside, comforting her. Sonic spoke up over the murmuring.

"There has been a tragedy here tonight," he said. "I'm afraid our great leader, Superman, and his beloved wife, have gone to a better place." He lowered his head. The rest followed suit.

"How?" came a murmur.

"They were killed," - Blossom held her breath, this was the moment she finished her fall, when her sister's turned on her, where it ended – "by Brick," the hedgehog finished. Blossom looked up, her eyes welling with more tears. Murmurs sped thought the crowd.

"He is no more," Sonic finished simply, waving a hand in Blossom's direction. More murmurs came, most about Blossom's bravery and Brick going to hell. There words and that of her sisters meant little to her now though. Nor did the words of Sonic's remaining speech, that inspired the hero's into the base Brick had been trying to access. Through a lie, she'd got a second chance, and what ever was left of the 'old' Blossom didn't like it. But there wasn't much, so she grabbed it with both hands. That was all that mattered, for now.