A/N: Hey! PeriwinkleFrog here, and I'm back with Chapter 12!

When we last left off, the girls were beginning to get into the Sports Festival arc! But before we get to the action, this chapter takes place right before it.

And even though it's a short chapter, it WILL hold some things that will definitely be directly referenced in later chapters.

But don't let me keep you from waiting! Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's chapter!


Chapter 12: The Lady in Silk

They were right in believing that the sports festival would lead to people hyperfocusing their expectations onto them. The festival starts in 2 weeks, and people were already talking about the Powerpuff Girls participating.

Tides of reporters seemed to have pinpointed where the girls live and started to swarm their apartment complex with cameras and shouting. Eventually, UA had to step in and ban any trespasser within 10 feet of the establishment. That solved it happening at home but that didn't stop reporters from stalking the route the girls take to school every morning, and catching them there. Eventually, the girls, tired of the news, resorted to flying to school.

Every time they encountered a news reporter or a crowd of paparazzi, they were asked the same series of questions.

"Girls! How does it feel to be the most influential students in UA history?!"

"Are you prepared for what the sports festival might throw at you?"

"Have you had an idea of what Hero Agency you want to intern for??"

"Are you sure you can handle this renowned event at your young age?!"

The questions and the cameras had gotten to a point where the girls were nervous to just go home, due to the fear of being bombarded. But, staying at school was also dreadful. Because school life wasn't much better.

They were very well-liked in Class 1-A. That was a fact. But, for students outside of Class 1-A? They were a different story. Jealousy of the girls getting a lot of attention seemed to be getting to some of them.

The girls face merciless taunts and mocking in the hallways that get bolder even when Buttercup threatens to beat them up. Some rumors were starting to spread among the school. A popular one was that the girls had cheated to get into UA. How they did was still a particularly well-known topic students loved to get into.

"I heard that they come from a rich family," a student had said one time, "And that they were put into this fancy classified program that gave them Quirks galore! That's how they got the highest scores in the practical!"

"Someone told me just yesterday that they were top notch robots. That makes a lotta sense! Have you SEEN these girls flying?!" another one said another time.

Those "theories", along with way more, made one thing clear for the girls. People really do have trouble believing that three 12 year old girls could get into UA using just their wits and powers that were beyond their control and understanding.

It wasn't like these girls were FREAKS. Well, they didn't start out as freaks. They were normal girls, born like normal girls, and up until the age of 5, lived like normal girls. How they got their powers was a mystery that even the Professor, who researched the properties of them, didn't know, so it wasn't like the girls could debunk the theories with the truth.

But these rumors? They were ridiculous. And honestly? Downright insulting.

It had gotten to a point where Class 1-A themselves would hear the rumors. But instead of joining in, they defended the girls. The girls were immensely relieved and grateful when they heard that from their classmates. After all, it was very encouraging whenever a classmate would stop to give them advice.

"Don't listen to those dummies! They have NO idea what they're talking about!" Hagakure exclaimed.

"You shouldn't pay attention to them. Their insults will only keep you down." Tokoyami told them.

"What matters is that you keep on moving! It's what Heroes do all the time!" Kirishima encouraged.

And so, that was exactly what the girls did. People REALLY think that they don't belong? Then, they'll prove them wrong. They'll work hard, train hard, and make it all worth it when one of them gets first place in the festival.

Every time they got the chance, the girls were training. Due to publicity issues and invasion of privacy, UA had allowed them to train in Gym Gamma once again, just like they did all the way back when the entrance exam was coming up. While they did not know what the festival would throw at them, the girls set out to be prepared in all aspects: offense, defense, stamina, endurance, just to name a few. They lifted weights, fought mock battles with each other, and took down fake targets made with balloons they bought.

Additionally, the girls put their time into researching Hero Agencies. There were a lot of things they had to think about. Which aspect of Hero Work did they want to do? Which Hero Agencies are the most well regarded? Which ones were obscure? Which Hero Agencies would be willing to take them in? Which ones wouldn't?

But, at the end of each research session, their result was more or less the same. The girls had no idea what Hero Agency they wanted or which ones were more likely to accept them. There were so many choices. Would the girls be better off picking a random one?

And that was considering the possibility that at least one of these Hero Agencies recommended them. What if NONE of them did? What if they're adamant on letting 12 year old kids work for them? Taking the Powerpuff Girls in meant basically inviting news reporters and paparazzi to the Hero Agency. Would they be fine with the publicity? Or even worse, would they like it? Because if they did, that would mean that the Hero Agency only chose the girls for attention and nothing more.

All these worries about the sports festival took up so many days and nights. It took up every waking moment. It was an important event after all. The whole thing was on par with the actual Olympics. So many eyes would be watching. There was a lot on the line.

But, on one fateful day, the girls decided to forget it all for a day of fun. Little did they know that their decision to leave the house would set off a chain of events that would lead them down a very familiar path, with very familiar faces.


It was 5 days before the sports festival officially began. And of course, being a highly anticipated event, people left and right were buzzing about it. After all, UA's sports festival was the most well-regarded festival out of the other Hero Schools' sports festivals.

That day, Musutafu was hosting an open air market/fair in celebration of the approaching sports festival. Vendors everywhere were selling various kinds of things: special merch, street food, handmade goods, and many other things. It was a busy place, with a lot of people coming to check it out.

And some of those people were the Powerpuff Girls.

They originally weren't going to go. But Bubbles was insisting on it.

"Come on, guys! This may be the only time we'll ever get to see something like this when we're in this world! We gotta go! Please!" she had whined.

The reason against going was pretty clear: the attention. But, Bubbles had a fair point. This was a once in a lifetime experience. It wasn't every day that you got sucked into another world. And as UA's research division still works on a way for the girls to be sent home, they might as well enjoy the sights when they can.

So, Buttercup agreed and finally, after the two girls begged some more, Blossom reluctantly agreed. But, Blossom had one condition.

"Don't show your face! The last thing we want is another spontaneous Q with Musutafu News Broadcast!"

Fast forward to the girls walking into the plaza. As per Blossom's condition, the three had worn casual clothes (with neutral tones this time; apparently a big trigger for attention was the colors pink, blue, and green), with the addition of hats and sunglasses (Blossom had to ditch her bow and Bubbles had to ditch the pigtails, to their dismay). And given the fact that summer was around the corner and that it was pleasantly hot, the girls didn't stand out in the slightest.

As soon as they got inside, Bubbles raced straight for the tents, browsing in awe at the products. One particular tent she stopped by had custom made jewelry.

"Hello, little girl! Interested in buying a UA charm bracelet?" the vendor chirped, "We have a special deal! Buy one, get two more at the additional price of one!"

Bubbles squealed before taking out her kitty themed purse, and taking out a handful of cash.

"I'll take them!" she exclaimed.

After taking the money, the lady gave her a round mahogany box with the bracelets inside.

"Thank you for the business! Come again!" she said happily.

Bubbles then ran towards her sisters, who were browsing another tent.

"Look, look, look! I got us some UA themed charm bracelets! Aren't they cool?" Bubbles remarked as she opened the box.

Blossom looked at her with her arms crossed, before glancing around and lowering her voice.

"Bubbles! You can't be throwing money at the first thing you see. Don't take the money that UA gives you for granted!" she chided.

Buttercup rolled her eyes as she stuck her hands into her overall pockets.

"Well, what else are we supposed to do here? Just stand around?" Buttercup pointed out.

Before Blossom could respond, Bubbles chose that moment to squeal, as she spotted a booth with plushie versions of Pro Heroes.

"OMG! OMG! I'M DEFINITELY LOOKING AT THAT!"

With that, she grabbed Buttercup's wrist and pulled her along to the tent, while Blossom followed with a roll of her eyes and a smile. It was hard to be mad for long with Bubbles acting excited.

As the day went on, the girls got multiple things. That included, but wasn't limited to: an All Might plushie, a Midnight themed choker, some Sports Festival themed shirts, a Thirteen puffer jacket, a limited edition artbook of Heroes, and many MANY sticks of dango.

For the first time in a while, the girls were having fun. And what's better was the fact that nobody recognized them. So, they were able to be carefree and joyful as they bought stuff from tents, played some games, and danced to live music.

Soon, the girls had to leave for the day, as it was starting to become late evening and more people were coming for the nightly festivities. But as they left towards the exit, Bubbles spent too long gazing at tents as she walked.

Which caused her to bump into someone and fall to the ground.

As soon as it happened, Blossom and Buttercup froze, as they watched Bubbles fall with wide eyes. The impact of her landing on the ground knocked off her sunglasses, revealing her very noticeable bright blue eyes. As Bubbles rubbed her head, she blinked up at the person, who had looked down with curious and surprised eyes.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" Bubbles instantly apologized, "I hadn't watched where I was going and—"

Suddenly, Bubbles shut up, as she realized that no disguise was hiding her face anymore. And even without her distinctive pigtails, anyone who's been watching the news could immediately recognize her.

But, the woman she ran into didn't seem to know her, or at least didn't show it. She lowered the purple and gold fan she held near her face, before giving a sweet smile.

"Don't worry, darling," she replied in a strange light and airy accent, "Happens to the best of us."

At this point, all three girls were speechless. They had expected the woman to scream with delight and recognition. Or, at the very least, cast a reproachful look, if she was one of the skeptical people that didn't like the girls. But, that smile she gave, along with the seemingly clueless look in her eerily deep purple eyes, clearly showed that she had no knowledge of the girls.

Just then, the woman extended a hand decorated with colorful gems and rings towards Bubbles, who simply stared with wide eyes.

"Now, let's get you up from there." she said in that same calming tone.

Bubbles hesitated before slowly reaching a hand towards the woman, and taking it. As she stood up, she started to take in the nice stranger.

The woman was captivatingly beautiful. She was rather tall, with soft brown hair that fell to her shoulders. Markings that looked faintly like makeup decorated her bronze face, accentuating her purple eyes. She was dressed in silky robes that resembled that of a genie, in shades of purple and gold. Tattoos that resemble henna stretched down her arms, before ending at her wrist.

At the sight of her, it was like the girls forgot how to speak. That, along with the urge to leave as soon as possible.

"There we are. I do apologize for not moving out of the way. I need to pay more attention to things. Sometimes, I live inside my own head too much," the woman said with a soft chuckle.

Bubbles couldn't find a proper response, instead settling on a weirdly awkward smile.

"Erm… I, uh…" she stammered, at a loss of words.

The woman then let go of Bubbles's hands before picking up her fallen sunglasses.

"I believe these are yours?" she asked, handing the glasses to Bubbles.

Bubbles looked at the sunglasses, staring at them longer than she should have, before jumping slightly.

"Oh! Um… yeah, they're mine." she quickly answered.

As she took them, her fingertips met the woman's fingertips for a second. And in that split moment, a jolt of something raced through Bubbles. But after blinking, the feeling went away as if nothing was there.

The woman didn't linger at all, as she let go of the glasses. But Bubbles still stared, completely puzzled.

I could've sworn I felt something…

But before Bubbles could say a word, the woman chose that moment to walk away. As soon as she left, Blossom and Buttercup came up beside Bubbles, all of them staring at the woman leaving.

"Well then…" the lady said, "You girls can go on with your evening. I wish you a good night. And also…"

She then turned her head to look behind her at the girls, before holding up and flashing open her fan.

"Good luck with the sports festival." she finished.

At that, the girls' mouths dropped open. But before either of them could say anything, the woman turned around and disappeared into the bustling crowd.

Once she fully left, Blossom was the first one to snap out of it, as she dragged her sisters away, viscerally annoyed.

"I can't believe this. There goes our cover! Can't go ONE day without being recognized!" Blossom groaned before glancing at Bubbles, "And Bubbles! Put on those glasses unless you want more people to look at you!"

Slowly, Bubbles slid on the glasses before looking back. No sign of the woman was visible in the crowd.

"What a strange lady…" she whispered.

"I know right!" Buttercup sighed, "Did you see all of the rings and tattoos on her? I bet she was a hippie or something."

"That doesn't matter." Blossom snapped, "You guys should NOT be gawking at somebody like they're animals in a zoo. In fact, we should be grateful that she simply had the courtesy to not point us out for the whole fair to see."

Bubbles frowned. "I… I don't think that was courtesy. She seemed genuinely nice! And she wished us luck for the sports festival."

Buttercup crossed her arms. "Yeah, well… I appreciate that. But, too bad we won't see her again. Now stop yapping, I can hear the mint chocolate chip mochi calling my name."

At those words, Bubbles briefly thought of telling her sisters about the zap she felt. But, the enticing smell of the sweet treat tent snapped her out of her puzzled state.

She shouldn't be thinking about some random lady, anyhow. Cookies and cream mochis were way more important.


A/N: And that's it for Chapter 12! Like I said, pretty short.

I left this chapter with a few mysteries. The biggest one is definitely, "Who's the lady?" If you have a guess, leave a review on what you think the role she'll play in the girls' story is. I always like reading the story predictions lol.

Next chapter, we're finally getting into the sports festival, so look forward to that!

Bye bye and see you then!