A.N. time for the greens to cross paths again.

Beach Warfare

The sound of pounding invaded Butch's dream. He had just completed some ridiculous stunt that involved a motorcycle, an alligator, a big loop, and fire. He was basking in the glow of everyone in the stadium cheering his name, the rhythmic pounding of their feet soon became distorted and violent. As he blinked his eyes open to the sight of his bedroom he noticed the pounding was still persisting here within reality.

With a noise of discomfort he flopped out of bed and half asleep walked to the door. He opened it to see Brick standing there with an annoyed expression. "'Bout time, A few more minutes and I would have woken you up by force."

"Good morning to you to bro, what do you want?" Butch said leaning his left cheek and body against the door frame.

Brick shook his head and motioned with his arm, "Not me, but the Doc wants to see ya, he's waiting in the living room. Put on some pants and see what he wants." Brick finally said right before leaving his brother.

Butch stuck his tongue out behind Brick's back and closed the door. He found a pair of blue jeans on the floor, passing the sniff test he threw them on over his green boxer shorts. He then yanked a green tank t-shirt that was sticking out from his dresser, and slapped it on over his black tank top. As he walked out the door he popped a cinnamon candy in his mouth and made his way to the living room. He saw Brick and Langston talking in the living room.

"Morning doc." Butch greeted with the candy in his cheek.

"Ah Butch sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep." He greeted standing up.

"I don't need it as much as Boomer or Brick." He replied with a smirk, earning a glare from Brick. "So what's up?"

"I just got something for you, if you'll follow me." He said walking to the door. "Brick I hope you have a good day." He said bidding him farewell. Butch laid his hands behind his head and followed him out. They didn't say much on the way down the stairs probably because Butch was too tired to start a conversation.

As they walked out into the street Butch's eyes grew as wide as dinner plates when he saw a Escalade sitting out by the sidewalk. "Is that what I think it is?"

"I can't have you thinking I would go back on my word." He said with a smirk. "Found this on craigslist, It needs some work, but it does indeed work." He laid a hand on the hood, "The radiator is damaged, the tires need changing, and the catalytic converter needs replacing, but beyond that she has a solid interior and everything else works." Butch listened carefully as he inspected the SUV. There were few things wrong with the exterior as well. The gray paint was chipping and had a few rust spots, the rims were cracked in a few places, but he was going to replace them one day anyways. The car was solid, and all the repairs he could probably do himself. The only problematic one was the radiator, that would require hitting an auto hobby shop where he can rent out a stall and equipment.

"There is one more thing," Langston said as he hit a button on the fob, opening the back. Butch looked inside and saw a new set of tools, and even some lifting jacks. "Can't have you stealing any tools you would need, so consider them my thanks for doing so good last week."

"This is too much, how did you afford all of this?" Worry filled Butch's voice.

"I'm a doctor, I only dipped a small amount into my savings, don't worry about it." Butch felt relief as he heard those words. Langston wrapped an arm around the youth, "Besides now you got something to keep you busy all summer, I can't have you getting bored and picking fights."

Butch returned the gesture wrapping his arm around Langston's shoulder. "Thanks doc." He was filled with conflicting emotions, but he decided to just be thankful for the generosity.

"I better be the first person you take joyriding with." He said dropping his arm off Butch and tossing him the keys. "And no driving until you get your license. I'll take you to get a learners permit Monday, but no driving, understand?"

With a nod from Butch Langston started walking down the street. Butch figured he drove the SUV here, and was now walking home. Butch couldn't let that happen he flew off and picked Langston up by his shoulders.

He let out a yelp of surprise, but soon calmed down. "Where do you live Doc? Giving you a lift is the least I can do." Butch said looking down.

"I live over by the stadium." He said accepting the ride.

"Ain't that place a bad neighborhood?"

"Not for me, most people let me be."

Butch adjusted his flight path and was flying over the apartments by the baseball stadium. They touched down on the sidewalk, and Butch looked at him, "If you got all this money, why stay in a place like this?" He looked and saw the old building. Even if it looked better it seemed a little too rundown for a doctor to be in.

"I have my reasons," Langston said with a solemn voice, and sadness robbing his cheeks of color. "Like the coffee shop near by, It's the best in the city." He faked a smile, but Butch wasn't fooled.

"I guess you'll tell me the real reason one day, but not today, eh doc?"

"You're quick to catch on. Thanks for the lift, it is better than the taxi or bus. The city looks so small up there, I envy you boys." He said with a more sincere smile this time. "I almost forgot," He pulled out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket, "I have a list of the necessary repairs and parts you'll need for your car." He handed Butch the paper. "Good luck with the repairs." He said as he left the youth.

Butch pocketed his list and flew off. Concern filled him why would someone who apparently has a fair amount of money live in the slums. The words "I have my reasons," echoed in his head, and he decided to leave it at that. He flew off to the downtown shopping area. He landed in front of a strip mall that had an auto parts store on the edge. He walked in and decided to get a price for each thing on his list. He spent a good hour inside writing down prices, the employees there managed to get him prices on parts they didn't carry, like the radiator and catalytic converter. He thanked them for their help and walked out the door.

"What are you doing here? What are you stalking me now?" He turned around to see Buttercup standing to his left with a scowl planted on her face.

"I was here first, I could claim you were stalking me, but that would require work on your part." He said sticking out a curled tongue to her. She let out a growl and stepped to him.

"Why do you keep calling me lazy, I'm a superhero who fights monsters and crime for a living, your just a prison rat let out of his cage." She shot at him.

"Cause it keeps getting under your skin," He said with a laugh. "Besides I fight crime now too ya know?"

"Oh please, You stopped a bank robber, killed one monster and a few muggings I hear Brick does most of the work." She let a smirk grow on her face as his look of irritation grew.

"He only handled the small stuff while we were in school. Besides I haven't seen you do anything in months. Hell what are you even doing here?"

"Not that it's any of your business, I was looking at some sporting stuff." She pointed to the store a few doors down that housed a sporting goods store. "I happen to be on my high school swim team."

"Oh you mean that thing people do to relax? They pretend it's a sport for you?" This time Buttercup's face grew angry.

"Figures, someone as dumb as you doesn't know how challenging on the body swimming can be. It's a perfect workout."

"It can't be that hard, if someone as lazy as you excels at it."

"Oh yeah?" she stepped up to him, having to look up to keep eye contact. "Why not put your money where your mouth is and race me?"

He sighed and pushed her away, "You're not worth it. I have actual stuff that matters to do. I just got a car and it needs repairs." He said. He was telling the truth, but the most he could afford at that time was maybe the oil change it was sure to need. He just didn't want to spend anymore time listening to the Puff.

"Sound's like an excuse, when you can fly why would you need a car?" She laughed, "You must be scared."

He bit his cheek and turned around, "You don't understand how awesome cars and motorcycles are, just because I can fly doesn't mean I have no desire to drive, and I'm not scared to put you in your place!" he was yelling.

"Prove it race me!"

"When and where Butter-runt."

She kicked him in the shin for his insult, "The beach in one hour." She looked at him meeting his angry gaze. "Oh what? Don't know what an hour is? Well when the big hand goes around a clock one whole time," She began but was interrupted by Butch.

"I know what an hour is cupcake, I'll be there. You're the one who will probably be late. Most lazy people aren't punctual."

They both would have kept exchanging insults if Butch didn't fly off to collect his swim trunks. He nearly broke the door off its hinges as he stormed into their apartment.

"Hey Bro? What's got you so pissed?" Brick said eyeing his brother from the computer he was on.

"That stupid Puff-" He said, but was was interrupted.

"Which one?"

"Buttercup, She tricked me into racing her at the ocean."

"And that's got you mad? A race?"

"The fact I was tricked, and now if I don't show I will be labeled a coward."

Brick looked at his brother, he knew there was more to it than that. "OK real talk what's really got you so mad?"

"She called me a prison rat." He mumbled.

"That's all? Sheesh Butch I thought Boomer was the emotional one." Brick smirked. "Look, just don't do anything to actually fight her, just win the stupid race then fly away."

Butch sighed, He didn't know why it got him so mad, but Brick always did calm him down. He always spoke in a way that lowered his temper. "You're right, I mean it's just a swim I can do that in my sleep. Hell most people do that before they die, so it can't be that hard." He walked off to his room shed his pants off and replaced them with green swim trunks that had black lines running down the sides. He removed his shirts and placed a light cotton t shirt on. He walked back out and was met by Brick again.

"Before you go what did the doc want?"

"He gave me another car to work on. It was payment for helping him out last week." He said stopping his exit.

"That's nice of him," Brick squinted at his brother, "You're not taking advantage of the good Doc are ya?"

"You know me better than that dude." He squinted back. "Besides I flew him home after he left. Did you know he lives in a shitty part of town?"

"Never occurred to ask him about his living situation, so no I did not." Brick said with a brow raised.

"Yeah, it was kinda weird to see, anyways I better get going, or I'll be late."

"Okay have fun with Buttercup!" Brick yelled out as his brother took of not seeing the scowl on his face.

A few minutes later and Butch landed hard in the sand, kicking up sand as he slid across it. Buttercup showed up just after landing much softer.

"So you showed up did you? Good I need a challenge." She smirked as she began stretching her legs and arms. She was wearing a one piece suite complete with goggles and swim cap hiding her pixie cut underneath.

Butch removed his shirt and stretched himself. "So why are you so insistent to race me, seems odd to want to race with your hated enemy." he said absentmindedly.

"And what, miss a chance to one up a Ruff? Never." She said determination filling her voice. The two lined up to the ocean starring at the flat horizon.

"So how does this work? We race some 20 feet or something then come back?"

"Pfft, no. There is an island about 20 miles off this coast. First one there wins." She said taking a running position on the sand. Butch leaned forward on his right leg in front and left leg behind. He heard Buttercup count down from three and soon green streaks shot into the ocean.

It was an early lead for Butch who was going all out from the start not realizing he how much the water resisted him. The two super-powered youths were making waves in the water akin to that of a power boat their speed about 60 miles an hour. Butch was cursing about halfway as he felt a pain in his gut, and his legs cramp, but he bit his tongue and kept pushing forward. Buttercup started catching up having paced herself from the beginning. Neither one knew where the other was with the walls of water breaking their peripheral vision, but both kept swimming determined to be the first one to win.

About a third of the way paranoia set in Butch's mind, "Is there even an island or is she just hoping I drown out here?" His thoughts echoes inside his head. His chest was hurting the sharp pain in his gut was getting worse, and his legs and arms were on fire. Soon he saw the dot on the horizon form. As it grew and took on shape he felt his second wind come through. The adrenaline raced through his veins and he picked up speed.

Buttercup saw the island form and let go of any restraint she was having at this point. She did finally see Butches waves pick up speed to the island, but with a smirk of her own waves grew as she steadily picked up speed and passed Butch.

Butch felt the waves of his opponent strike him and rage fueled his adrenaline, with a inward roar he pushed himself as harder than his body should allow. "I'm not losing to her!" He chanted inside his head, thinking he passed her he crawled out of the water and with cries of happiness he touched the soggy sand of the beach. Rolling over with the waves still crashing against his body, he cried out, "Yes, yes yes!" His good feeling was replaced by a smirking Buttercup standing over him.

"Never seen someone so happy to come in last." She laughed. She had reached the beach only moments before Butch, but was nowhere near as run down and haggard for breath as he was.

Ffffffuck," He said as he wiped his face with his hands. His legs felt like jelly, and his arms were red from the repeated slamming against water. He let out a groan of pain as he rolled over.

Kicking some sand on him she let out a laugh, "Hey don't feel too bad, you only lost to me." She said smirking. She tried to help him up, but he slapped her arm away.

"I don't need your help, puff." he spat. He stood up with a confident smile on his face, but when he tried to take a step his legs gave out and he fell. She let out a laugh at his misfortune, and kept kicking more sand onto him. Some sand hit him in the face and he spat out yelling, "Okay I get it you won, would you stop!?"

"Awe does little Butchie not like a little sand." Her showboating distracted her from the fact Butches breathing returned to normal as well as the strength in his arms as legs. He shot up and tackled her to the ground.

"Maybe not, but lets see how much you like it!" he said throwing as much sand as he could in her face as he sat on her tummy. She in turn threw some sand up in his face, making him spit it out and get of her kicking up as much sand as he could.

The sand throwing match lasted for about five minutes, finding soaked sand and trying to hurl it at each other like snowballs ended up getting clumps of muddy sand all over the two green loving heroes. With a huff she finally spoke, "Now this I enjoy." She yelled from behind a rock as she chucked a pine-cone she found at him.

"What do ya mean?" He yelled back.

Running from her cover she started pelting the boy with more pine-cones she found. He managed to catch a few and send them back, but he moved on throwing clumps of dirt he found on the dry area of the beach.

"No one is a challenge to me! I mean, what's the point of getting better when you're already on top." She yelled ducking and throwing.

"No one on your swim team? What about competing teams?" He called out from behind a nearby tree.

"I'm not allowed to compete, I have more or less an honorary position on the team." She said with spite filling her voice.

"What about your sisters, surely they challenge you." His voice was filled with more curiosity than anything.

"Nah, they don't like to compete with me in sports."

"Understandable, if your always pelting the losers with sand and pine-cones."

"I've never been given the chance," she said trying to flank Butch. "even when we're at a pool or the beach Blossom has her nose dug in a book, and Bubbles is always worried about getting her hair or swimsuit ruined."

"Why buy a swimsuit if you don't swim?" Butch called out floating up the tree to take a higher position.

"That's what I've always asked." She said stepping carefully where she heard his voice.

He floated down, got right behind her and yelled, "Boo!" Just as she spun around he threw the dirt-clod in her face point blank and ran to the beach.

Once she wiped the dirt away she ran after him and tackled him to the ground. She threw punches at his head, but between the two of them laughing they were never enough to do any damage. Finally he pushed her off making her roll a bit on the sand.

As the laughter died down and silence filled the beach Butch tried making conversation. "So high school swim team huh, why the swim team? Why not another sport?"

"It was the only one that would let me in." She said with a flat tone.

"No other team would allow you in?"

"Well, I'm sure some way legally speaking I could have forced myself on a team, but it wouldn't have been worth it. I'm not allowed to compete, and with the swim team I still get a decent workout, just training and helping the other members."

"I see, makes sense." He said sitting up watching the ocean come and go.

"Yeah, plus another reason." She said laying down still.

"What's that?"

"Labels." She said with a scowl, "I fucking hate how everyone and their uncle tries to label everything in school." He didn't need to ask her to go on, he knew she would, he just kept listening. "I'm a tomboy, sure I'll admit that, but that doesn't mean I swing a certain way, or am uncomfortable in my skin." Butch looked at her face, which was filled with annoyance. "At school the people who claim to hate labels are always the ones to try and label me to fuel some bullshit agenda. I'm not some political bargaining chip, I'm Buttercup." as she spoke her voice changed to make varying degrees of anger, sadness and disappointment. "It doesn't get to me much, but when it happens all the time, plus idiots throwing paper balls with buses drawn on them at me, it builds and I just need to blow off some steam now and again. So thanks for actually accepting this challenge." She look over at Butch as she said the last line.

Butch nodded in understanding. He didn't let what people thought of him get to him, but he also didn't face it everyday at school like she did. His class consisted of the teacher himself and Boomer. Brick never even joined the brothers classes as he had his own tutor to get him to graduate early. Even if he did go to school, he would probably just send whoever insulted him through a wall, but that's probably why he wasn't allowed in normal school. Even when his brothers got on his nerves he had his car to work on or in he could workout, he couldn't understand Buttercup's situation, but he knew it would be annoying. He sighed and stood up, "Hey we're not done, I've beaten you in a fight and you've beaten me in swimming ain't no way I'm accepting a draw from a sissy like you." He said reaching out his hand. She was about to say something mean back, but seeing a warm smile on his face changed her mind. She grasped it and stood up.

"Wanna swim back?" She said.

"Nah, let's fly last one into the city buys the winner a hot-dog."

"Oh your on. I'm starving." She said smirking and two streaks of green rocketed off the beach and headed to the city.

A.N. so this chapter was a little easier to write for me than the blues, I think its because I've already established the greens competing against each other, I don't know. Why don't you tell me how I did I would love to see some reviews.