Revelations
The time ticked by slowly as the two red heads watched the store. Blossom ended up winning two of the games they played, but he won the final match with a queen and his two rooks trapping her king. She pouted as she put the game up and he walked to his bag.
She quickly scanned the store below, but found nothing out of place, "Do you honestly think they'll strike again so soon?" She asked as she felt him walking up behind her.
"Hard to say, probably not, but patterns in Townseville robberies usually happen days apart, although these do seem more spread out. It's probably why it took as long to notice a pattern." He openly theorized.
She could hear the soft sounds of something breaking when she turned over and saw Brick tearing apart a Pomegranate. "Where did that come from?" She asked shocked to see him with something that wasn't junk food.
"Butch found it at a store in the mall earlier apparently. Him and Boomer usually buy these if they find them, I'll admit a weakness for them." He said popping a small cluster of the juicy red seeds in his mouth. "Probably shouldn't say this but it's how they bribed me when we got out of hell." He said while chewing. He handed her a piece of the fruit, "You want some?"
"I don't know I hear they're pretty healthy, but the boy from hell offering the young beauty pomegranate seeds? Would I have to become your wife if I partake?"
"Easy there, I'm not Hades and you're not Persephone." He said before swallowing another small cluster. "If anything you'd be Athena. So want one or not?"
She rolled her eyes and gratefully took a small cluster, "So what exactly would make me Athena?" she asked before popping the fruit in her mouth.
"What doesn't is the better question. You were born of your father's mind, you value strategies in fighting over brute force, but still have a love of fighting. You have her pride and wrath if someones pisses you off, and you're a bit of an over-achiever." He said stopping his list only to eat more the seeds.
"You speak like you've met her." She said holding back shock that he had at least a rudimentary understanding of her.
"No, but I did sit in the realm of Hades once." He said picking a seed from his teeth.
"Wait you've been to Hades? Does that mean the ancient Greek pantheon what lies beyond?"
"Yeah, and no." He said as he looked up, as if trying to recall something, "The way I understand it, the afterlife is what connects the multiverse together." He looked at her and noticed a lack of confusion, "You know the multiverse theory right?"
"Know it? I've actually experienced it," She chuckled, "long story, but I know it's not just a theory." She said shuddering at some memory she wasn't about to share.
"Well good that saves some explanations, but since all the different realities exist, every form of the afterlife exists as well. The afterlife connects all the universes together, and sometimes information gets sent to different realities. Sometimes that comes in the form of imagination, other times, the form of religion. Or at least that's how HIM explained it to us."
"So why did you end up in Hades?"
"We didn't at first, we ended up kinda stuck between them all. We didn't belong to any religion, and our only crime was engaging in a fair fight that we lost, so due to our special cases we were allowed to wander until we found a form of the afterlife to be judged by. We were in the Asphodel Meadows when HIM found us."
"I'm surprised you didn't try for Asgard." She giggled at the thought of the Rowdyruffs marching on the Rainbow Bridge.
"It's hard to navigate, and I think Ragnarok ended it long ago, but I could be wrong." He said with a shrug. "We ended up wandering for what had to be about a little over four and a half years."
"That long?" She said with wonder in her eyes. "How can that be? I mean you were only gone for a few months."
"Time works differently in the afterlife, sometimes it moves faster sometimes it moves slower, but it never moves in perfect sync with the living worlds. Really though what good does time do when you have all eternity."
"That's pretty cool though, so you met Hades?"
"No, we never met any of the gods, of any religion. We were more like tourists. Had we subscribed to a religion maybe we could have seen a god."
"And now the afterlife sounds complicated."
"I think it always was, I mean reincarnation exists, that has a whole list of rules, like being unable to visit the same reality twice in a row, and usually abandoning all memories." She looked confused, but before she could ask something he continued, "We weren't reincarnated, but resurrected. It's a different set of rules."
"Fair enough, so which one would you have joined?"
"Not really sure, I mean all religions exist, not just the ones familiar on this planet, or even this reality. It'd be cool to see some more, but I doubt we're gonna get to wander next time. Not very many souls get the option, most atheists end up in limbo, so I guess it's something I will inevitably have to decide on." He replied placing a hand on his chin in thought. Breaking his thoughts he smiled, "But it should be able to wait a good number of years, I mean I know were not immortal, but I can't see us dying in the near future."
"Yeah my kiss of death is now powerless, unless you can still grow from it that is." she said with a smirk.
"No HIM took that spell away, the shrinking aspect of it made it risky to use effectively against you." He informed with a shudder.
"So why have you never spoken about the afterlife before?"
"Honestly pinkie? You're the first to ask. We can talk about it, but the rules say nothing specific unless someone asks."
"That's a shock."
"I know right?" He said in disbelief, "I mean you think someone would have asked before this, but no. You are the first to ask." She in turn only managed to shake her head, while thoughts of what the afterlife held for her swam through her head.
The pair sat in silence while finishing off the pomegranate while watching the store, "So what did Butch bribe you for anyways?"
"Not really important. Like I said just guy stuff." Brick said lying about the conversation he had just before joining his counterpart for the night.
Letting it go she was looking through the early morning streets when she noticed an early morning city crew posting do not park signs along the road. "Oh yeah the Parade is tomorrow isn't it?" She said with mild interest.
"Yeah, plus the big festival."
"And fireworks after all that."
"You a big fan of all that or something?"
"I haven't been in years, well not as a patron at least. Me and my sisters usually ended up working security, but the city didn't ask us this year, so I guess I can just go enjoy myself for once." She said, her voice melancholic.
"Well that's a good thing isn't it? Won't you and your sisters have fun?" He asked with a bubble of guilt filling in his throat.
"Bubbles and BC both work tomorrow. BC just got a job as a life guard at the city pool, and Independence day is often their busiest days. The festival takes place in the big park right next to it an everything, and the Zoo is trying to get some added revenue apparently so Bubbles will be doing face painting or some other activity for kids." She informed laying into her cheek. "It's no fun going by yourself."
"I can understand that, but we work too ya know."
She was about to agree when a different thought ran through her head, "Why don't we take the day off and go together?"
Brick was thrown by how blunt she was, but had no trouble rebuffing the offer, "Because we need to catch these guys. That's what the city is paying for after all."
"Yeah, but we could use a chance to bond as partners. We'd work better together if we had some fun friendly bonds tying us together."
"We just played five games of chess, wasn't that fun enough for you?" He wasn't expecting her to keep asking, and was having trouble fighting that light in her eyes. "Besides what if they strike a store that night. We'd have let them get away again."
"Oh, no one is gonna try anything, you already took care of the monsters. The majority of super villains have been permanently retired, or otherwise on their best behavior, and starting tonight cops will have periodic checkpoints throughout the city for drunk drivers. Then with all that the traffic would be unbearable." Brick wanted to argue but she wouldn't let up, "It's the one day I can almost guarantee nothing will happen with this case."
"I just don't think it's a good idea Red. I mean I can deal with a night off, but us going together to a festival and all that just seems weird. Why not go with your parents or a friend?" He tried to get her to drop this desire to hang out, but the look of hurt on her face added to the pressure of guilt lodged from his throat to his heart.
"I don't have many friends. Plenty of acquaintances and fellow student council members, but not many friends. When you make enemies from psychotic mutant chimps, demon spawn, monsters and pure psychopaths, you have to stop hanging around people who could get hurt in the process." She said with a heavy heart. Perking up she smiled and pointed at Brick. "That's why it's perfect we go together, no one would think to try anything against the you. You're too durable and violent." Her face dropped her smile and she glared at him and spoke in a threatening voice, "Besides Mr voice box you owe me big time for that stunt at the restaurant."
"If I agree you gotta promise not to hold that over my head again." He said with a grimace.
"Deal." She said grabbing his hand with a shake, "Besides if I need a favor for now on I got ammo."
"Shouldn't have told you about the pomegranate." He said rolling his eyes. The pair continued on their stakeout, the excited mood Blossom had made the last few hours of watching fly by. She was already planning an itinerary of activities in her head.
Brick was angered at himself to be so easily swayed into spending the holiday with her, but he did notice the strange lump in his throat had subsided. A tornado of emotions churned inside him, but he felt anxious about it more than anything else. "If Butch knew I was feeling scared about spending an afternoon with a puff he'd probably call me on being a hypocrite." He thought.
His eyes left the store and looked over at her. The start of the dawn had begun shimmering through her auburn hair, and created a glowing outline over her profile. The storm of emotions calmed, and he felt strangely okay with that. Bubbles telling him he needed at least one friend buzzed through his mind, and he felt almost happy she was so tenacious about this friendship thing.
She could feel the early summer sun warming the air around her, and knew the night had finally come to an end, and not a trinket missing from the store. "I think the store is safe now." She said turning to Brick, who quickly turned his head away.
"Yeah, I'll call Boomer and let him know he's clear to go home." He replied turning away from the store.
"Hey bro." Boomer sleepily replied over the phone, "Whats up?"
"Did your store see any action?"
"I don't know I spent the whole night looking at Bubbles all doe eyed." Boomer laughed as he spoke.
"You better be joking right now." Brick hissed.
"Oh relax I am. The store had no visitors, not even a rat in the alleys." He said with a snide tone.
"Good, listen the suns up and people are out, so we're done for the night. See you at home." Brick said before hanging up.
"So I guess we're taking the night off today as well?" Brick asked.
"Yeah that's a good idea." She smiled while stretching her arm above her head. "Be at my house at 7 O'clock sharp. I want a good spot for the parade tomorrow." She said dropping her arms with a smile. They bid their farewells and split apart.
Blossom had touched down in her front yard and opened the door to the sounds of her sisters arguing. "Well when is she coming home?" Buttercup raged in the kitchen.
"Any second now." Bubbles whined in turn.
"What are you two fighting about now?" Blossom asked walking into the kitchen. She was looking forward to sleeping, but would never even get her eyes closed with this noise.
"There you are, what took you so long?" Buttercup asked with a worried look on her face.
"I got home as fast as I could, I was on the other side of the city." Blossom informed while sitting down. "I literally left Brick and came straight home. Sorry it wasn't fast enough for you."
Buttercup sat down across her sister and took a deep breath, "You have to be careful spending time alone with him."
"Why?" She asked annoyed.
"Cause he's planning something, something to hurt you!"
Blossom looked at her sister waiting for more, "Okay and where did this come from."
"This might sound crazy, but last night I was sleeping, and I had this weird dream-"
"You're accusing someone based on a dream?" Blossom asked with a raised brow, "That sounds like an overreaction."
"Not just a dream." Buttercup said dragging her hands down her face. "You remember when HIM through us in our own nightmares?"
"I remember you being scared by bugs." Blossom giggled at her sister.
Buttercup rolled her eyes, but kept going. "Ever since then I've had these weird dreams. It's like I'm dead and a ghost, except I'm still alive." Blossom rose a curious brow, but let her sister talk. "It happens once in while, and I can see everything going on around me, but no one ever hears me. Though sometimes I can play with light switches, or knock something down. It's how I know it's not just a dream. I wake up to see what I did is still there."
"It sounds like you can astral project." Blossom said, "I never knew you could do that."
"Never knew a good time to bring it up, until now that is." She sighed. "Look last night it happened again, and I ended up hearing something. Something that sounded like Brick is doing something bad."
Buttercups Flashback
Buttercup felt like she couldn't sleep no matter how relaxed she currently felt. Lifting herself off the bed she floated to the bedroom door, hoping a glass of milk might help her sleep. She felt well rested, but wanted to sleep, knowing she'd just feel tired tomorrow. She reached for the doorknob, but her hand went right through the solid object. She reeled at first, but gingerly placed her hand through the door. "So it's this again is it." She said crossing her arms. Turning around she saw her body asleep on the bed, her face in a sleepy scowl. Her chest rising and falling steadily.
"Well no sense in wasting this opportunity." Buttercup laughed with a mischievous smirk gracing her spectral face. She floated through her wall and headed to the city intent on seeing if she can scare her friend at work. She often explored the city when these dreams came, and she never needed to worry about losing her body, there was what looked like a cable attaching her to her body by the left ankle.
It took her a few different locations to find where Butch worked but found him lazily reading a car magazine behind the counter. She smirked at her unaware friend and floated to the magazine rack, focusing as hard as she could to knock things off the shelf and play with the lights.
Butch was annoyed more than anything, but she was enjoying his growing frustration whenever she knocked something down just as he sat back down, and enjoyed watching him get flustered whenever someone asked about the lights when they walked in.
"This is getting boring now, I should probably head back." She said floating over Butch who was sitting there waiting for something to fall. "I've got him pretty wound up." She laughed at the thought of him reacting to her telling him it was all her. "One more customer and I'll head back."
She didn't wait long for the doors to slide open, and Brick walked into the store. She flicked the lights on and off and watched Butch's eyes dart to Brick. "What's wrong with the lights?" He asked walking past the counter.
"I don't know, for some reason whenever someone enters the lights have been doing that for the last hour or two." Butch informed as Brick walked to the coffee pot.
"That's weird, maybe you got a ghost." Brick gave a small chuckle as he grabbed his disposable cup.
"What kind of ghost haunts a gas station convenient store." Butch asked as he grabbed the plastic bag he brought with him. "Brick can't make a scene where I work, so I should do it now." Butch thought as Brick finished preparing his cup of coffee.
"I don't know, a petty former owner?" Brick answered placing a lid on his coffee and walked to his brother.
"I guess, hey I got something for ya." Butch said before tossing the red orb to his brother.
"Where did you find this?" Brick asked looking at the gift with longing.
"The mall has a grocery store, Buttercup helped me find it." Butch said.
"So what do you want? I know this isn't a gift of charity." Brick said slipping off his bag and placing the fruit inside.
"Ohhhh Blackmail time," Buttercup snickered, excited to see what Butch needed a bribe.
"I just want you to listen for a moment." Butch said sitting up straight and dead locking his eyes with his brother.
"I'm listening," Brick said placing his cup on the counter and matching Butch's posture with crossed arms.
"Look, when you first got the idea to hurt the girls, I was in." Buttercup was shocked, and was leaning in wishing she could deck the boys. "I was so excited for a chance to beat Buttercup into dust, but now I found a better way." Butch said with a steady tone. Buttercup was growling between her teeth imagining the ways she was going to hurt him when she woke up. "I finally found someone who matches my speed and gets me in a way no one has. She has been the best person to compete with, but as a friend. If I lose that, I'll lose a part of myself."
"What?" Buttercup said calming down.
"So let me guess, you want out." Brick said with an angry glare.
"Out of what?" Buttercup cried angrily staring at Brick who looked through her to his brother.
"Yes, because-" Butch started, but was cut off by Brick.
"You can't live in a world without the green puff, Right?" Brick said with an eye roll. Buttercup just looked to Butch for an answer.
"How did you know I was going to say that?" He said while Buttercup could feel her heart skip a beat.
"You and Boomer must be talking behind my back or something, He said the same shit earlier today." Brick replied while guilty memories of throwing a tantrum on the roof played in his head. "The puff has become something to you that me and Boomer can't be, right?"
"Well, I mean yeah, but do you really got to kill the wind in my sails like that?" Butch said with annoyance. He practiced what he was going to say all afternoon, but it looked like it was meaningless.
"Because I already had this conversation with Boomer earlier today." Brick stated tilting his head back in annoyance.
"So did you give him his out?" Butch asked both excited and frightened by the answer.
Brick glared for a moment, but let out a sigh. "I had to, and I guess it wouldn't be fair to say no to you."
"Wait just like that? No task I have to do? You're not going to throw me into the sun for treason? Or Murder me in my sleep?"
"I'm a pretty bad guy, but not a monster!" Brick said hurt by the accusations even if it was just Butch making jokes.
"But seriously that easily? I don't have to do anything?" Butch asked, apparently he never learned the saying about a gift horse.
"Look if it means that much to you, just pay for this cup of coffee." Brick said grabbing the drink.
"Done." Butch said with a smile. "So what now?" Butch asked working the register.
"What do you mean?" Brick asked taking a careful sip.
"Are you going to keep up this plan to hurt them?" Butch asked. "I mean I don't think I can fight you, but I really don't want BC hurt when this is all said and done." Butch said with a heavy voice.
"I guess that is something I should consider. I want those girls brought down a peg, but I also want you and Boom to be happy." Brick said lost in his own thoughts.
"Forget that noise, can't you find happiness with the girls?" Butch said dropping a few dollars in the register.
"I'm not like you and Boomer, I don't give up halfway through something." Brick said with disdain.
"You better drop whatever it is asshole." Buttercup said wishing she could be heard right now.
"I'm only giving up because it's better to." Butch said. "What are you going to do when you wake up entirely alone? When me and Boom Boom are gone, the girls will be gone, and you have no one to turn to?" Butch said while Buttercup floated by them in shock.
"You're just gonna abandon me?" Brick asked with a shocked face.
"No, but clearly I'm getting a life outside you. You spend all day in your room, or your fighting crime. Something that has been considerably less lately. If it wasn't for whatever this is with Blossom you would just be in your room hiding from the world."
Buttercup couldn't help but laugh, but felt a growing anger for Brick. He was doing something to hurt her sisters? Whatever it was, it was completely off Blossoms radar. She wanted to chew Butch out the next time she saw him, but she also felt flattered Butch was willing to stand up to Brick for her.
"I really hadn't thought of that." Brick mumbled. He admitted to himself he liked hanging around Blossom, but something in him fought it off. He didn't want to relive some painful part of his memory, but the thought of being left behind scared him.
While he looked calm, Buttercup could suddenly see he was shaking unaware of why he was doing anything. He felt like he did at graduation, like he spent all thing time working just to be stagnating. With Boomer, Butch and Bubbles lecturing him on how he should let go, it hurt somewhere inside. The thought of spending time with Blossom, only made him more anxious. Like she was setting him up for something, and only he could see it, but everyone else was urging him to jump. Fighting it also felt like he was letting down everyone that cared about him.
"Bro you okay?" Butch asked wondering why Brick was quiet for so long.
"Yeah," Brick said snapping his attention to his brother. "A lot on my mind. Mostly just wondering how you and Boomer found it so easy to get along with the girls."
"I just sat and listened, and she did the same for me." Butch said deadpan. "When we had that swim race, she spoke to me. I was way too tired to hold any hate for her, and I saw something I hadn't before. Something I felt like was for my eyes only. Suddenly I couldn't feel anything in terms of hate for her, and we started competing. Every time she won, it didn't annoy me only made me more excited to beat her next time. Having her as a friend is so much better than having her as my hated enemy. We push each other in ways I never knew I could be pushed, and I find myself seeking her out now." He let out a chuckle and finished with, "In a way I'm glad she called me prison rat."
Buttercup cringed remembering how she got him riled up for the race that day. She was happy with the end result, but she really wished she could take back the insult.
"I wasn't expecting an actual answer, but thanks for sharing." Brick said looking at the time, "I really got to head out. I guess I'll see you at home."
"Hey Brick, I don't really know Blossom, but she seems smart. She'll either learn what you're doing and hate you, or just give up on you. It doesn't seem smart to let either of those happen." Butch called out before the doors closed. Leaving him unaware with a gawking Buttercup floating by him.
"I think I've seen enough." Buttercup said admiring her friend, who returned to the magazine he was reading when she first showed up. If she wouldn't just move through him she'd probably give him a hug. She smirked and flew back to her body.
She was unaware of how long she was asleep after returning, but it was deep in the early morning. Her clock said blinked 4:42 by her bed, and the realization that Brick was alone with her sister sent a rage of a fire in her heart. She sat up and was tearing through her dresser for something to wear, when she realized she had no idea where Brick and Blossom were.
Cursing herself for not following him she made her way downstairs. She'd just have to wait for them to come home to tell them what she discovered. A yawn escaped her mouth, and she wished she could just go back to sleep, but the anxiety and anger refused to let her eyes close for more than a few seconds. The hours slowed down to a near still while she waited, but she lost any and all fatigue when Bubbles sleepily walked through the front door.
Back in the Present
Blossom sat in awe during her story, and felt a twinge of pain in her chest. She really thought she was getting through to her counterpart.
"So what do we do Blossom." Bubbles asked with worry apparent in her voice.
The facts didn't add up in her mind, she was sure she was making progress with him, but he has shown to be more manipulative and conniving than before. "Nothing right now." Blossom said. "He still thinks we know nothing about, and we'll have to keep it that way. Whatever is up his sleeve we'll deal with it."
"But what if it's too late by then." Buttercup asked.
"We don't even know what it is though. We can't do anything unless he out right attacks us." Blossom stated.
"At least we know our boys came around." Bubbles said smiling. She hadn't stopped smiling since Buttercup wold her Boomer was the first to defect.
"Yeah, But go figure my counterpart would be the most stubborn." Blossom lamented landing a cheek into her hand.
"Well, whatever it is, we'll deal with it as sisters." Bubbles said while Buttercup nodded in agreement. "You haven't lost yet. All he needs is to see you as a friend, and I bet he'll drop whatever it is."
Blossom gave a sleepy, "I'm hanging out with him tomorrow for the fourth. Maybe I can turn him then." Blossom said fighting back a yawn.
"Hey yeah!" Bubbles said, "I spoke to Brick last night, and I don't think he's closed off to the idea of change."
"Yeah? I guess I shouldn't give up just yet." She said with renewed motivation.
"That's the spirit Blossom, I mean come on you're adorable. If we make you look stunning tomorrow I'm sure he'll see the light." Bubbles giggled.
"You're speaking like it's some sorta date. It's not a date Bubbles." Blossom said.
"I know that, but he's still a boy. He just needs to see you in a different light." Bubbles squealed. "And besides we haven't gone out shopping as sisters in a long time, we should all go later." Bubbles said while locking eyes with Buttercup.
"Hey why am I being dragged into this?" Buttercup cried. "Besides she needs less time around him, not having him following her like a drooling dog."
Bubbles let out a giggle. "I think we just need more time as sisters, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking for an excuse to go shopping just the three of us." she said.
"I think that's a good idea. It can't hurt at the very least." Blossom said. She had to admit the idea of Brick finding her stunning sent a warm feeling in her chest. "But we can do that later. I think the two of us need sleep." She said standing up. Looking down at Buttercup she laughed and gave a smile, "Looks like you're special ability was there the whole time. That's a really cool power to have. It's like perfect reconnaissance "
"Yeah I guess it was." Buttercup said feeling proud. Before another thought entered her head, "My special ability requires me to be sleeping?" She whined letting out a groan. "If Butch ever hears about that he'll never let me being lazy go."
"Why does he think you're lazy?" Bubbles asked standing up.
"Long story, I'll tell you later when we're all hanging out." Buttercup said with a groan.
"So you're joining us then Buttercup?" Bubbles said with enthusiasm.
"Yeah you two get some rest. I guess after my orientation we can head out." Buttercup responded. She wasn't thrilled about spending hours at the mall looking through clothes, but she was sure she'd enjoy hanging out with her sisters. Bubbles was right, it had been a while after all. Bubbles pulled them both into a tight hug, and with that the trio split up, two puffs going to bed and the third starting breakfast before her first day of work.
As Blossom nestled into bed ready to catch up on sleep the memories of the last two stakeouts played in her head. He seemed very different between the two, he seemed so walled off at the start the other day, but this last stakeout he was more relaxed, made jokes, and was able to have a few laughs. "I think, everything will work out just fine in the end." She said as sleep finally took hold of her.
A.N. so this took a bit but I hope you all enjoyed it. I decided to give BC astral projection for two reasons, one I hated the cop out of her being able to curl her tongue, I mean come on what kind of BS was that. Secondly to me, she seems like she wouldn't tell anyone about her being able to project, and if her special power wasn't combat ready she probably wouldn't talk about it at all. So yeah astral projection seems like a cool power to me. Please read and review would you kindly.