I would've had this a lot sooner, but my crappy excuse for a computer didn't save my file, so I had to rewrite around 5 to 6 thousand words over. I wasn't aggravated at first, but overtime it got really frustrating trying to recreate something from before and to be honest I had to really pull myself through this chapter.
But on a brighter note, thank you for all of your fabulous reviews and follows/favorites, it's been such a huge support and I started working on this the day after I posted the last one. It's because of you guys that I feel motivated to do more (yeah, I know it's corny, but it's true). So I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
For anyone who had the same question as l3rainy, I just wanna say the boys still think the girls are dead, but they still need to keep their identities hidden. Why they would be something I'll explain later on in the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Powerpuff Girls in any way, shape or manner as the rights belong to Craig McCracken.
Chapter 6: The Problem With Being A Heroine
After the encounter, Buttercup now sat in the Principal's office alone as the clock ticked on. She twisted her fingers with restless anticipation as she waited for him to arrive.
The Principal's office was probably the smallest room I've been in so far, but in a good way because I was getting real tired of all the classrooms being filled with the people I hate. The room had a window sitting on the wall across from me with a bookshelf on the wall behind the Principal's desk. The only accessory was a potted plant to my left that made the room feel nice, but that didn't help me feel any better.
You just HAD to get into a fight. On your first day! I ran my fingers through my hair trying to avoid looking at the empty seat on my right for the Professor. I made myself a promise and I blew it by hitting the girl who was gonna get me expelled.
But then again I don't think I feel so bad about that part.
When the Principal finally came, I took a quick peek at the tag on the desk so that I could 'address him formally' like Blossom suggested for when I got into trouble.
Principal Jun-seo Lee. How the fuck am I gonna pronounce that?
"Ms. Underhill?"
"Who-Oh! Yeah?" I'm still not used to those names.
For a principal, he wasn't what I expected at all. He was a little under average height with Asian features and had this studious look that Blossom wears when she's studying. I'm not saying he looked weak, but I guess I was kinda expecting someone a bit more… intimidating.
"So I take it your first day isn't going so well?" he teased with the hint of a smile, but I was too depressed to even make a comment. My sisters aren't gonna get over expulsion anytime soon, especially since it's my fault – again. But at least he wasn't as mean as my other teachers.
When he noticed I wasn't in the mood, he took off his glasses to study me. I fidgeted nervously in my seat and tried to look the other way. Someone as old as him couldn't have remembered someone ten years ago, right? What was my first name again? Bridgit… Becky…
"Bree, I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot."
I could feel myself growing angry again thinking back to how Princess treated Bubbles. The least they could've done was bring her spoiled ass down here and made it look like she was getting in trouble!
"The only reason I did the things that I did was because of how she treated my sister! She threw her soup in her face! You can't tell me she didn't deserve it."
"And you punched her, knocking her over the food line, and then threw her into a garbage disposal." The principal replied reasonably.
Well the bitch said Bubbles got her clothes from the garbage, so I wanted to show her what one really looked like! "Look, I'm the one here instead of her, isn't that enough?"
"Unfortunately no. In fact, Princess wants you three out of the city and has the means to do so."
Like I didn't see that coming. Fuck. My. Life.
"But I managed to pull you guys through."
That came as a surprise. "Wait… No way?!"
He gave me a friendly smile. "Princess can be… a handful. And it's your first day here, so I convinced her to step down…"
"You have no idea how much you helped me, this is really-"
"But…" he raised his index finger to finish what he was about to say. "Only under the condition that her clothes and reparations for the lunch line came out of your pocket."
Right at that moment I heard the door open to see the NSA agent come in instead of the Professor as I clenched the chair's armrests and cursed at my luck. Words can't describe how much I hate her.
"Mrs. Campbell said she was a close friend of your father John Underhill, am I correct?" I was gonna say something until the look she gave me shut my mouth.
"Yeah, but not that close," I muttered
"Oh Bree, you're being so modest!" she said dramatically. "Mr. Underhill couldn't make it, so I decided to come and will be paying for all the damages." I turned to protest but she shot me another warning look. I don't need to owe her shit!
"You don't have to do this you know," I growled.
"Actually I do," she gritted, breaking through her front.
Principal Lee began to look more worried the more he looked back and forth between us. "Do you guys want a minute alone?"
"Yes," we said without turning away from each other
He sat back in his chair lazily to show he'd wait as we walked outside of the room with our teeth bared at each other. Out in the hallway, I turned towards Gladys to see her glowering at me as if I forced her to come.
"What are you doing here?" I hissed
"Saving your butt! Your father went to look for a job and you know you can't afford to pay for any of those things!"
"I don't need your help!"
"Have you even considered what you've done today? You got into two fights, not including your attitude with one of your teachers-!"
"-she my coach! She couldn't earn a degree if it hit her in the face!"
"Do you think that matters to me?! All I want for you three is to have normal lives, so that you can put all that crap behind you! But you apparently don't want that for yourself!"
I didn't say anything after that, having a pretty good feeling at who was going to win this argument. Again. So I stayed quiet as she lowered her voice for what she was gonna say next.
"Remember what I said back at the mall? You don't have a choice in this, and all these fights aren't going to get you anywhere, so I suggest that you stop while you're ahead. So we're going to go back inside and act like civilized people. Are we clear?"
But I didn't say anything as I marched back to the office and sulked into the seat. She followed a few second later and started writing the check to pay for the damages.
"My Bree, you certainly are causing me quite the bill!" She teased as she gave the principal a knowing look like they shared a secret. After scribbling a check she handed it to Dr. Lee with a bright smile. "I hope that settles the damages."
"It's plenty," he replied as he put the check in my folder. "Thank you. Now I hope that this never happens again."
"It certainly won't, Dr. Lee" She gave me a sour look. "Isn't that right Buttercup?"
"Yeah, whatever" I mumbled and sank lower into my seat counting the seconds to my freedom.
"Fantastic. Well now I suppose you should be okay to go back into class. Right now I believe you're supposed to be in Mr. Carter's Government class. It's in Building 2 and I'll be letting him know that you're coming."
Meanwhile in Mr. Carter's class…
As the teacher laid down the Committee system in Congress, he was oblivious to the students' boredom, but then again it wasn't like he cared. Butch and Baser sat all the way in the back as they tried to ease their suffering.
"Okay, I'd rather be in Lee's office than this hellhole," Baser muttered.
"Well how are you gonna get there? You know you can't get a pass from this prick," Butch scoffed in response.
"Watch and learn my young apprentice!"
Mr. Carter turned and gave the two boys an admonishing look. "Pay attention, I'm doing the lecture."
Baser raised his hand and tried to look innocent. "Mr. Carter, if I may ask, who is attention and how much should I pay him?"
The teacher rolled his eyes in response to the class's laughter. "Very cute. Now stop."
"Stop what? Should I stop taking notes?"
He started to grow more agitated with the teen. "Can you please-"
"-stop talking to you?"
"Stop this nonsense!"
"It's making perfect sense to me, sir."
"Stop it!"
"Stop what?"
"Stop playing these games!"
"What games are we playing?"
"If you keep doing this you will find yourself in the Principal's office!"
"I had no idea you could do magic tricks, sir!"
"YOUNG MAN!"
"...Sir?"
"GET OUT!"
As Baser started to pack his things he looked towards Butch with a sly grin. "Now that was the most fun I've had all period." His friend smirked in agreement.
But as his friend started to leave, the spiky haired teen sulked in his chair with a pout, unsure of what to do with the time going so slow all by himself. As he exited the class, the intercom went off with the Principal's voice for an announcement.
::Mr. Carter::
You will be having a student arrive by the name of Bree Underhill. Please let her inside.
This outta be fun. Butch slowly started to grin to himself after hearing this news. He was already thinking of what to do when she came into class and actually wished that class would be a little longer for when she comes.
-Buttercup-
As I was walking down the hallways I started of thinking of ways to pass time. Politics are a complete waste of my damn time and our government is living proof of that. So as I was walking I noticed someone from down the hall walking in my direction. But something about him looked reeaaalllly familiar.
He was wearing worn out cargos, a gray sweatshirt, and had lean muscles with shaggy hair that fell over his eyes. When he noticed me staring at him he glared back at me with an annoyed look on his face.
"If you got somethin to say, then say it!" he snapped.
Holy Shit.
Holy Fucking Shit.
It's Mitch. Mitch Mitchelson! I tried to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn't seeing things, but there was no denying the person standing two feet from me. The hair, his clothes, his face… it was like nothing changed in the past ten years.
Ten Years… Suddenly I started to have cold sweats thinking back to the Kindergarten we grew up in...
The faint ring of sirens out from the distance, the smoldering heat waves radiating from the room, his shirt drowning in blood as his eyes turned an eerie gray sending chills down my spine.
"Please…Please don't die…!" I sobbed. I never felt so useless in my entire life. He was my best friend, my only friend. And all I could do is sit there and watch him bleed to death.
"Please…" - That was the last time I saw him alive. There never was a mistake from the announcements.
Seventeen kids did die, and the one survivor was glaring right at me.
"Heloo!" he snapped his fingers to get my attention. "You still here?"
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't grasp my head around the fact that he was right in front of me. All those years of picturing him dead. The whole thing just seemed surreal.
"You survived…?" I whispered.
He looked at me like I was mental. "Are you on something?" he hissed
I stared back in shock. Green eyes, short black hair and he still couldn't get a clue. "Mitch. It's me! Don't you remember?" I demanded.
For a minute he gaped at me before his eyes narrowed in recognition and showed signs of rage. "Yeah. I remember you." He growled angrily.
I swallowed a huge lump in my throat, wishing I never said that. How could I forget about keeping my name a secret? Am I the only one having a hard time doing this? Now he knows who I am. Now he could go to the press. Now we'd be cursed all over again –
"You're the girl who knocked me out in dodge ball today!" He snapped.
Thank GOD! I let out a huge sigh in relief. Glad to see some things didn't change.
"Ooh -" I stopped when I saw how mad he looked, showing relief wouldn't be very smart. But then I paused for a minute at what he just said. "Wait a minute; you're the retard I hit in the face earlier?"
He raised his eyebrows as he showed me a large dark reddish-purple mark on his forehead that was behind his bangs where the dodge ball hit. I couldn't stop myself from wincing at the sight of the mark.
"Ouch."
"Not very pretty, is it?" he spat.
"Hey Baser!" Before I could mutter an awkward apology, I looked up and saw the redhead from gym class walking towards Mitch with a happy expression before giving him a warm hug. "Where're you headed?" but when she noticed me she instantly looked pissed off. "And why are you talkin to her?"
"Trust me, I wouldn't worry about her." I admit that kinda hurt. Mitch turned back to me still looking annoyed. "Do me a favor, just stay away from me. I don't need any more bruises." He walked past me linking arms with the redhead as she sent an evil smirk in my direction. Bitch.
But as mad as I was, I couldn't come up with a snarky comment. I was too upset. I just saw my best friend from Kindergarten after ten years and not only did he completely forget about me, but he thinks I'm a total dyke. To make matters worse he's dating the girl who wants to carve my face in by the end of this week. Loving this school so far.
There was no other reason to stay in this hallway after getting humiliated like that, especially with the chance that I might see those two again. So I instead trudged to my class before I get in trouble again for skipping, not knowing that someone even worse would be waiting for me the minute I stepped into the classroom.
AFTER SCHOOL, 3:30 PM
-Blossom-
"…So you're waiting in the car? Great. Thanks Gladys."
After shutting my phone, I sat anxiously in the Principal's office ready to get this over with so I could go home and prepare for my classes in advance.
He stepped inside and reached out to shake my hand as we introduced ourselves. Unlike the general stereotype of a principal, he looked really nice and caring, so I couldn't mess up my first impression.
As we sat down he had my records in his hands as he looked through them thoroughly. I could feel myself start to sweat thinking about how many lies had to be made in order for us to even come here in the first place unnoticed.
He looked up at me after he finished reading about my history. "So I hear you wanted to switch programs?"
"Yes." I straightened myself so that I could speak up a bit more. "When I heard about the Townville's Leading Scholarship Program I knew I wanted nothing more than to sign up as soon as possible."
"Well you're one of a select few that choose this path," he said with his eyebrows raised, clearly impressed with my ambition of choosing to do this on the first day. "It's very hard on all the students there as they get twice the workload in half the time."
"Sir, believe me when I say I'm perfectly capable of whatever you can give." I knew today would be the best time to do this after Buttercup's fight. By getting this scheduled now it gives me a chance to show Dr. Lee that Bubbles and I are still good students. It wouldn't be fair if we were on his bad side because of something that Buttercup did, and I was not going to be put under her shadow for what she chose to do and I refuse to let it affect my goals as a new student here.
"Usually I like to get some credentials from other sources, but I love seeing that confidence in you; it's something I haven't seen in years. You will be switched to your advanced classes by next Monday at the very least."
I smile brightened. I'm sure after this meeting he must be changing his mind on all of us, meaning Bubbles's name should be just as clear as mine's. "I truly appreciate this, sir. You won't be sorry!"
"I appreciate it as well. Have a good day Ms. Underhill." As we shook our hands for the last time I turned to exit the Main Office to meet my sisters in our old 1994 Buick Road Ranger.
-Brick-
"Venire contugo al cine en viernes…"
"Iré CONTEEEGO al cine el viernes" Bella corrected, stressing the vowel sound in contigo.
I groaned in response. When I agreed to learning Spanish with her I didn't think it'd take me an entire year. I figured it couldn't hurt to learn one more language. Bella noticed this and gave a look that hinted at a lecture.
"You can't just expect to learn an entire language in under a year!" she scolded, unaware of the fact that that was exactly what I was thinking. "It takes practice and discipline, and years of studying!"
"What's wrong being ambitious?" I reasoned. Spanish couldn't be as hard as she makes it, always prone to over exaggerating to prove a point.
"Corta la mierda. Cut the crap. Let's go into commands."
"Hazme un bocadillo."
"Make me a sandwich."
"Estudia tu español."
"Seriously?" she only giggled in response. "Study your Spanish."
"Corta tu pelo!"
"Okay I'm leaving." Before I could get up she wrapped her arms around my neck to keep me from escaping as she laughed at me.
"Okay! Okay! You win, no more! I'm done!" When I gave her a questioning look, she solemnly raised her hands "Scout's honor."
I sank back into her couch, grateful of that we were at her house rather than mines. There was that, and the fact that we were alone since her mom went on a business trip. Her house was designed in a modern style with Colombian blue walls and dark wood flooring. A few yards to the left of the front door there was the living room with two couches including the one I was sitting on with Bella standing behind.
Wish I could live here for a day.
"Okay, one last command." Great. What else could she say to make me feel worse?
"Besame." She mused. That was something I could follow. I lifted my head and felt her soft full lips press into mines as she pulled me into a tight embrace. I snaked my arms around her waist to bring her to the couch but before a full make out session could start, I heard my phone vibrating off of the table.
"This is ground control to major Tom, you've really made the grade…
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear…
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare…"
Suddenly my phone started to ring and Bella made a grab for it from the coffee table to see who was intruding. After a few seconds of wrestling, she wiggled out of my grasp and held the phone in triumph.
"Nope! It's mine now!" But her triumph changed into confusion from staring at the caller ID. "Who's Butch…?"
"Just someone I know," I mumbled as I grabbed my phone and shoved it into my pocket. Butch knows I hate getting calls when I'm with Bella. I turned back to see the brunette staring at me curiously, probably ready to question me on the unknown caller. As I was about to make up an excuse, she instead smirked at me mischievously.
"What was your ringtone?" she giggled.
I shrugged"It's just Bowie."
"Who?"
"David Bowie. Famous rock artist? Millions of fans?"
She gave me a blank stare. "I have no idea who the hell you're talking about." After seeing my face she started to defend herself. "I mean c'mon Brent that song's probably older than me. And why do you always have these old songs?!" She made a quick swipe for my phone to look at my playlist. "Bowie. Aerosmith. AC/DC, no one's heard of any of these people!"
I tried not to look offended. "Just because they're old doesn't mean they suck. I mean you are in the dance team so I think it'd be better if you actually broadened your scope of music to something besides what's on the radio's top ten."
But when she started to narrow her eyes, I knew went a bit too far and waited for the back lash. "Well excusez-moi Senior-Smartass, but I happen to know a few songs from the past myself!" With that she took her iPod and plugged it into the radio to sing with the lyrics. "You'll love this one!"
"You'll never find…
It'll take you the end of all time…
Someone to understand you, like I do…"
But over the loud music, I heard the door slowly click and turned to see Butch with his phone recording the whole scene as he bit his lip to keep himself from laughing. I was gonna say something but decided to keep quiet; serves her right for makin fun of my Spanish.
You're gonna miss my lovin'...
When I figured that was enough recording I looked up at my clueless girlfriend trying to hold back a smirk. "Bells?" She looked up at me and grinned at the fact that I was smiling. I almost felt embarrassed for her. "Could you do say hi to the camera for me" I pointed to where Butch was standing, who finally started to speak as he recorded the whole thing.
"Posting this to YouTube as we speak," Bella gasped in horror at what she just did in front of millions of people and at that point I was on the floor laughing at her.
"BLAYKE! GIMME THE PHONE!"
"Give a nice round of applause to our performer, viewers!" Butch laughed taking hold of Bella so that the phone camera got a nice image of her face. At this point I felt like my lungs were gonna burst, probably the most I've laughed all day.
"Brent!" Bella started to pout, so I decided she's had enough torment. "Okay Blayke, close the video."
"But this could make millions of view!" I glowered at him to show I wasn't joking.
"But Brent!" He whined in Bella's tone. When I didn't budge he shut the phone irritably.
"Thank you," she said, composed and proper now that she was in front of guests. But after a moment we exchanged knowing glances; we removed the video from the Internet, but that didn't mean that we would delete it off of the phone too.
"How'd you get a key to my house?"
"I didn't. Took Brent's instead." He roamed around the living room without taking notice of my glare.
"Nice place you got! Wouldn't mind throwing a party in here!"
"Don't even. Every party you throw involves cops and the host's house looking like crap, so I don't wanna part of that. Why can't you throw one at your house?"
"Because then my house would look like crap."
"By the way, can you ask Brandon about the dance team one last time?" Bella pleaded.
"Why would he join you're team?"
"Because he's awesome, and plus," her face suddenly fell as she sat back on the couch to lie on my chest as I wrapped my arm around her petite shoulders. "We never really got a comeback after Julian left."
"I think that guys just a sore loser!" He snorted as he joined us on the couch. For once I agreed with him. If he can't get over it in a year, there's no hope for him.
Bella gave him a look in response. "Well, when someone steals your girlfriend would you wanna see her every day?"I snorted to myself.
"I wouldn't give a fuck!" he scoffed. Complete Bullshit. He'd react much worse.
When Butch's phone rang he didn't even take a look to see who was calling before he grabbed his bags and ran for the door.
"Shit! I'll see you guys tomorrow."
I looked up at him in curiosity. "Where're you goin?"
"Out. Later!"
Upon seeing my reaction, Bella chuckled lightheartedly. "Why do you look so suspicious? If anything, he's just going out to get laid."
I sat back on the couch and puffed some strands of hair from my eyes. She's probably right, but something about the way Butch was acting recently made me wonder what was exactly going on in his head.
"Sssooo…" I closed my eyes and waited for her sweet response. Butch could jump off a cliff for all I cared, because all that mattered to me now was enjoying the last few minutes I had with Bell before I had to go home.
"Let's get back to Spanish! Don't gimme that look, we have to make sure you're perfect at this! Now repita después de mi, por favor. Los aves están volando encima de… OYE! DESPIERTATE!"
-Buttercup-
10:36 PM…
"Anger Management Classes?" I tried to glance back and forth between the two to see if they were kidding, but with how stern they looked it sounded like the real deal.
"When you left for class we discussed the idea. Dr. Lee said that your reaction to the news would prove if whether or not you really needed it, and I think he just made his point with you," Gladys responded calmly.
"Why the hell do I have to go there? I'm not a psycho!" I shouted.
"You sure act like it," Blossom muttered from the dining table with her face glued to her textbook.
"Mind your own business, Pinky!" I turned to the Professor in protest. "I don't need to go to any stupid classes!"
"Buttercup," The Professor began as he knit his eyebrows together. "I think if you took a second and thought back to what you did today you'd understand where we're coming from."
I turned back to Gladys in dismay. "You told him?"
"Didn't need to. Your principal sent him a voicemail. Buttercup I really think you should try this. Dr. Lee suggested his brother's anger management classes because it's been highly recommended by so many people who've seen results! And Dr. Lee said he noticed all the signs of someone who needed these classes when he met you today."
"T-This isn't your business either!"
"Buttercup!" The Professor yelled. I quickly focused on the floor under me. "It doesn't matter how you feel about this or how unfair it may be, you're going to these classes. And if I see improvement in your behavior you might be able to stop taking these classes. But until that happens I don't want to hear another word from you on this subject. Do I make myself clear?"
I clenched my fists in aggravation. "Yes sir." I stuck up for Bubbles. I stuck up for someone I met 12 hours ago! Why was I being punished when all I wanted to do was help?
"Good. You'll be starting tomorrow afternoon at six." With a deep sigh he walked towards his room, already tired from raising his voice more than usual. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be in my room researching."
Blossom looked up from her book at this, always ready to get on Professor's good side. Kiss up. "So I take it you found a job?"
The Professor gave her a bright grin at his good news. "Yes, actually. I'm working with other biochemists at a local research facility. I decided to get started on the external research project early." With that he closed the door to work at his desk.
A few minutes later…
I came out with my soccer sweats and an old green hoodie to leave the flat. "Bye."
Blossom rose her head from the textbook,. "Where're you going?"
"Jogging."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "It's ten o'clock Buttercup." I groaned in response. With everything that's happened today, that one comment was all I needed before I finally snapped.
"And? I found out that my teachers are morons, there's a fucking leprechaun in gym that won't leave me alone, go to the principal's office and almost got expelled because of some bitch has a silver spoon up her ass, deal with the most annoying waste of life for two classes, and now I have to go take classes on how I feel while Princess takes a fucking shopping spree with Gladys's check, because apparently it isn't right to stick up for your sister! So if I wanna take some time to myself, I think that should be allowed!"
There was a moment of silence before Bubbles came in. "Well, I hope you have fun!" Only Bubbles…
Blossom just shook her head with a disappointed look and turned back to her book. Giving me and Bubbles that condescending look like she knows everything.
"Oh and by the way I met Mitch today. Be back in an hour."
With that I slammed the door shut just as Blossom's jaw dropped. No, it wasn't going to do anything for me, but at least I could see the surprise on her face. Now maybe I could cool off with an hour to myself, something that's always helped me before.
Midnight…
I hate this town, I hate my school, I hate my teachers, I hate my classmates, and Gladys could burn in hell for all I care!
Since running wasn't going anywhere, I stopped to sit at the curb of the sidewalk where the Townsville City Bank stood, something I passed three times so far tonight. Every time I tried to look up lights from traffic lights and buildings blinded me with how bright they were, and I thought back to how Western Pines would be pitch black by nine o'clock. Even though we traveled out of the state we were in, it felt like I was in a whole new country, none of these things seemed to remind me of the Townsville I grew up in.
How could a place be so familiar yet so unfamiliar to me at the same time? I keep looking for someone I knew from before, who might just take a second look at me. Not something that'll expose us for good, but something that makes me feel like I was… memorable.
It's like the monument we saw yesterday never happened, and Townsville just moved on like we never meant anything to them. Even Mitch forgot about me! We spent every waking minute together. How could he just walk past without even recognizing the girl he used to be best friends with? It was like we never existed.
And I'm not gonna sit here like a kid and say "I'm too tough to feel sad!" It hurts. It hurts to know that I'm just a toy to everyone! That I shed my blood, sweat, and tears over these people so that I could be tossed to the curb like trash, or garbage, or like…
Like I just didn't matter. Funny how you find yourself with all these people who say they love you until you need them most.
And I hate it. I wanna scream, raise my voice, fly to the tallest building in this whole freaking town and yell 'I'm Buttercup Utonium and I'm not afraid to say it, bitches!' to make them sorry for ever forgetting someone guarded this town with her life!
But it won't make a difference. Nothing I do makes a difference anymore. I could feel water stinging my eyes at how useless I felt but I furiously blinked back those tears. Crying wasn't gonna do anything for me.
Move on. Get over it. I flipped the hood over my head and started to jog past the entrance of the bank, my mind made up on this whole subject.
Move on. If I just keep thinking that way, I might just start doing that.
All of a sudden the bank exploded and knocked me back into the crowd. I got up to see people running –no, sprinting– from the flaming bank as burning smoke filled the entrance. I veered around trying to find a way out, but everything was so blurry with everyone running and screaming, trying to find an escape from the chaos. I kept my hood low and used my X-ray vision to find a way out of the hysterical crowd and saw the burning entrance.
The whole place was a mess. All the walls were torn down and the counters were practically blown over. A wave of nausea fell over as the scene looked way too familiar to something else. But no signs of where the blowup started. Definitely a robbery going on here.
But when I looked up to the second floor I could feel the blood drain from my face. There was a small girl up there trapped in a corner behind a piece of the ceiling that broke off. What the hell is she doing here at midnight in the first place!
The way the fire was going to block the entrance and would eventually make the entire floor collapse, and that girl would've been as good as gone. I strained my ears to hear the firefighters coming, but there's no way they could make it in time. Even if they did they wouldn't be able to see her behind that think.
I leaped over the yellow tape and ran up the steps to the main entrance. Sure these good for nothing morons didn't deserve my sympathy, but this girl had nothing to do with my situation. Why should she have to die when I could so easily save her? I couldn't stand there and let her die, that much I knew.
"Hey! Stop!" an officer yelled. But at the rate they're going, they won't even be able to save the girl's body from being turned to dust. I tore through the glass and frantically looked around. All I could see was smog and flames covering the floors. I switched back to X-ray vision to find the stairway and flew straight for it; nobody could see a thing in this smoke.
When I got to the second floor I saw the kid still huddled in that corner by the window just as the fire started to graze the wall.
"HEY KID!" I shouted before choking on the smoke. I wouldn't make it for long in here either, so I had to be quick. I ran towards her as the flames caught onto my clothes. When I saw her she thankfully only had a few burns but was choking under the smoke. There's no way I could escape with her from the stairs without flying, and that's the only way off of this floor.
I raised my head to the window and saw fire trucks wailing from the main entrance below and i got an idea. If I could just get their attention…
I reached for her but the wall blocked my way. "Take my hand!" But the girl tucked herself in even closer at the sight of me. More of the ceiling started to collapse from behind me and I knew if this girl didn't take my hand, we'd both be dead in the next five minutes.
"YOU HAVE TO TRUST ME! YOU DON'T WANNA DIE, DO YOU?!" I shouted over the flames. The girl started to consider her options. The flames were starting to touch at the soles of my sneakers. Please take my hand…
She eventually reached out to grab my hand and I pulled her from the corner just as my shoes were about to get caught in the fire. Lifting her on the open windowsill I tried to get the firefighters' attention.
"You've gotta wave your arms for me okay!" She followed orders as we both waved frantically for help. Sure enough the firefighters took notice and huddled under the two-story window signaling for me to drop her. Not a good idea. I tried to find another way, but by now the staircase was covered in flames. As bad as it sounded, this was her best option at this point.
I tried to speak in a soft voice to keep her calm. "Okay kiddo, now I'm gonna let go…" I couldn't finish before she sent me a terrified look and shook her head vigorously. "…but you have to trust me! Everything's gonna be okay!"
Tears flowed down her cheeks but she slowly started to nod her head. I gazed down at the fifty foot drop. I swear to God if they drop her…
"Make sure you hold your legs together and stay still!" I yelled over the approaching fire. "Got it? Good! Now in Three… Two… One… GO!" I let go of her as she flew down following everything I told her. In a few seconds, she fell right into the arms of one of the firefighters who took her straight to an ambulance. They may not be my favorites, but at least these people could do their jobs right.
I flew back downstairs as the flames were just starting to give out and saw a shadowy figure by the reserves in a fireproof jumpsuit wearing both a ski and hockey mask as he shoved loads of cash into two large bags. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't turn away from him as he shoved the money, not giving a second thought to the people he almost killed. He deserved to get his butt kicked for what he did to that girl, but he was just gonna walk away without a scratch on him!
I slowly flew down to the figure with my fists clenched. I thought of earlier and realized that I didn't need anyone's approval to do the things I want. Fighting crime is something that wouldn't do for anybody but myself!
And I was gonna prove it starting with this asshole
-Butch-
When I filled the bags to the brim I stood back to see how much I got.
Let's see… from the looks of it this is 3…4… 500,000… 700…a million…?
Whatever, this is a shitload of money.
Well Butch, you certainly have done well for yourself. Now that I think about it, ever since those girls croaked every place that I've robbed in Townsville's been a cakewalk. It's like they're not even trying anymore!
It's gotten a lot more boring since Brick stopped coming with me, but now he wants to spend all his time with his 'girlfriend'. This guy used to play with chicks and they would still come back to him like they were lost puppies, why would you give that up? I lost all respect for that species, cause they're all fucking morons.
And then he has the balls to come around and get mad at me for what I'm doing? We've been breaking laws since we were in diapers! And now they want to play the high and mighty card and just quit? Not me. I was born a criminal, I'm gonna stay a criminal, and there ain't nothin I'm gonna be but a criminal!
As I lugged the two bags over my shoulders I turned around to see a small figure approaching me. When I sharpened my vision I could see the person had on a hoodie a size too big and some sweats like they came from a soccer field.
"Uh.. are you lookin for the bathroom or sumthin kid?"
But he didn't answer and instead formed a fighting stance like he was gonna fight me. I laughed so hard I almost dropped the money bags.
"Okay look kiddo, you caught me in a real good mood. So I suggest you leave now while I'm still feelin generous."
But he didn't budge. Typical batman bullshit. I let out a deep breath and set down the bags. Everybody wants to be a hero…
I looked at my watch. 12:52. I grabbed a rock that was a little bigger than my hand, more or less and sized it up a bit to get a grip. The very next second, I hurled it at the kid in lightning speed. He flipped over just missing the rock and landed on the wall before charging at me. I gotta give him credit though; He was fast! Leaping in midair, he sent a kick to my head. I barely blocked it with my left arm and countered with a right hook to his cheek. He avoided it easy and swung a fist straight to my head making my stagger back in shock.
"AGH!" FUCK! Okay, now THAT hurt! I finally looked up to see the figure running towards me and felt a sharp blow to my gut that had me double over. And before I could react, he tripped me from behind, causing me to land flat on my back and knocked the air right outta me leaving me in a vulnerable position.
Move…goddammit MOVE!
But all I could do was groan as I heard his footsteps coming closer. He stopped right next to my face and knelt close to my ear to say something.
"Next time, keep your generosity to yourself." Fury flowed through my veins as I tried to force myself up. I don't lose fights. In fact I NEVER lost in a fight and this sure as hell wasn't gonna be my first! Just gimme two more seconds-
"FREEZE!" When I finally got up I saw a hoard of SWAT team officers pointing their guns at me and the guy in the hoodie was nowhere in sight. I glared angrily at the officers. The stupid kid took off thanks to them!
The leader stepped up front with a gun pointed at my face. "DON'T YOU DARE TRY AND RUN THIS TIME YOU LITTLE SHIT!"
Well I don't think I was planning to till you guys showed up. I measured my odds. There's no way I could take him on my own, or at least not without getting caught. So I took my chances and ran for the back exit. I could feel the bullets tearing through the fabric, but their guns won't make a single dent on me. When I came to the fence in the back parking lot I took a starting leap from a garbage can and jumped right over. After I landed I knew there was no way those officers could catch me at this point, not with how slow they are. Looking back to see how pissed off the leader almost made me feel better about tonight before I crossed the street and took off into the dark alleys.
The minute the Target ran, SWAT team captain Russell Cross charged for him knowing exactly where he was headed. As he tore through the back doors he switched the semiautomatic with a machine pistol and began shooting multiple rounds at the figure running for the fence; he REFUSED to lose the Target this time! If he made it over, there's no telling when they were gonna find another chance like this.
But no matter how many times he shot the felon, he still kept running without a single flinch. When he reached the eight foot fence he made a clean leap over and ran into the streets before Cross could even make it out of the back door, but that didn't stop him from shooting another round of bullets at him until his load was empty, filling him with even more fury.
"GODDAMN HIM!" In rage he threw his helmet to the concrete and spat a round of curses as his team made it to the back parking lot.
Six months, he thought bitterly to himself. Six months and not a single clue. No footprints, hairs, blood or even a scrap of fabric. He was like a ghost that faded away every time Cross had him in his hands. The only bright side to the situation was the fact that no matter how many close calls he was from getting caught, he was always gonna come back to pull another crime, as though he did it just for the fun of it.
With the way he acts he can't be older than eighteen, the captain thought to himself. But why was he so damn hard to catch?
"Captain."
"What!" he snapped, clearly not in the mood for more bad news.
"The majority of us noticed that the Target looked injured as he made his escape?"
"Elaborate," Cross heavily sighed. At least it wasn't bad news.
"Observations showed he had a slight limp from his right ankle, a cut from the left temple, and an injury to the abdomen." The officer, Ian Taylor, cleared his voice at what he was about to say next, knowing it would catch his captain's interest.
"These injuries were caused by someone involved in an altercation with the Target."
Sure enough the captain turned to the officer that had his full attention eager for more details. "Elaborate Taylor! I need specifics!"
"The figure came in with a dark green hoodie, black sweatpants, and Nike running shoes. The figure also protected the thoracic cavity heavily, suggesting the gender to be female. The approximate measurements look to be 5'4 and 121 pounds. But due to the oversized clothing, this is all we know of the subject."
"And she stood a chance?" The captain gave Taylor a skeptical look thinking there was something wrong with his eyes. Someone of such a slender figure couldn't possibly fight their Target, much less make it a challenge.
"Pardon my French sir," he replied with a ghost of a smile, "but the lot of us agree she was kicking his ass." This was followed by muffled snickers by the team.
Cross raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" He turned back to the fence to think about this. Yes, she was small, thin, and a girl, but she had that boy running with his tail between his legs, something that his team had yet to do, not excluding himself. He looked down to the streets where his Target had escaped, probably thinking about how he got away from the police yet again, not even realizing that the captain had just found his kryptonite.
"Is there footage of this encounter?" When the team confirmed this Cross felt a glimmer of hope he was sure had abandoned him months ago.
Something he wasn't about to let go of so easily. "Alright boys let's move it! I want to see every nook and cranny of that girl from hair color to her goddamn shoe size! We are NOT losing this trace!"
As the troops headed back into the building, Taylor stayed behind and observed the captain. "Sir?"
Cross looked towards the officer. "Is there anything else you'd like?"
The captain felt a surge of gratitude for his officer's reliance. "In fact, yes. I need the records of the Townsville Residency Records. See if you could find any new arrivals within the past two weeks." With that officer Taylor set off to do his duty.
Cross turned back to the fence one last time before going back into the building. Of course there would be setbacks. They may have the wrong evidence and may never find this girl, but Cross was sure about this lead. Just hearing about how she fought Townsville's worst nightmare so suddenly made her just as impulsive as his Target.
Like two rats in a cage, he thought. The only question was how to bring them together, and he had a good feeling that that wouldn't take very long.
"Just you wait," Cross muttered to himself. That little bastard wasn't gonna win this – not by a long shot.
Taking his last look at the streets, he finally turned back to where the others were to continue the investigation. And for the first time in his entire career, Captain Russel Cross came out of the crime scene with a smile on his face.
-Buttercup-
As much as I should be worrying about what I just did, I had more important things on my mind, like my curfew. When I finally made it to the flat it was almost two o'clock, way past the twelve o'clock deadline the Professor set. On my way to our floor, I noticed for one thing that the parking lot was empty, meaning that Gladys had to be back at her place, and that the lights were still on, probably the Professor wondering why I'm so late.
I probably looked exhausted with my hair all over the place and my clothes stretched out, but at least it'll look like I actually did a workout, so I might have a decent excuse. I looked at the doorknob as I tried to brace myself.
Please let the Professor be asleep… I turned the doorknob as quietly as I could, praying that I wouldn't find him standing there waiting for me.
When it was just a crack open, I peeked through to see Blossom in the same place as before and Bubbles reading an old edition of Seventeen magazine by the TV, but no sign of the Professor anywhere.
I came in and tore off my sweater fast. The charred burns on my sweats shouldn't be too obvious, but the sweater would've been a dead giveaway. Blossom turned at the sound of the door close and closed her book when she saw me. I couldn't help but notice how tired they both looked, already in their pajamas looking like they hadn't slept at all, making me feel even worse. They were waiting for me this entire time just to make sure I was okay, while I just yelled at them over something that wasn't their fault. Some sister I am.
"Been out for a while. How was it?" Odd. She definitely wasn't in the mood to be friendly when I left.
"S'okay." I shrugged my shoulders like I didn't care and tried to avoid her gaze. If she saw something off about me, she wouldn't stop until I told her about it.
"Feel better?" after this I noticed Bubbles lower her magazine ever so slightly to eavesdrop on our conversation, something she's been doing a lot lately.
"Yeah. In fact," I started to grin inwardly at how truthful I was being, "I feel great."
My sisters looked mildly surprised for a minute, but then they packed their things for bed, almost looking relieved. If only they knew.
Just when I thought I couldn't feel worse, Bubbles turned from her room door and smiled sadly at me.
"It's not like we were waiting to interrogate you, Buttercup. We just wanted to make sure you were okay since you were out so late."
I gave her a dubious look. "Bubbles, I can lift this entire apartment building with one finger, so I don't think I'm the one you should be worrying about."
"That doesn't matter!" she yelled suddenly. "It's dangerous out there! In fact there was this one robbery at the city bank that started a huge fire and had so many people hurt! Then there was this kid-"
"-well that sucks. G'Night!" I said quickly before I sped into my room and locked the door shut. With my back to the door, I slid down to the floor feeling grateful for this one moment of silence all day. I knew they were gonna have something to say about what happened just now, but that's something I can deal with tomorrow.
I opened my eyes after a while and took in my room. Sure it wasn't like the one back at Western Pines, but it still looked pretty cool. Me and Blossom worked on it the minute we came home as a way of decorating the place. The walls were made out of brick material except the pieces came in shades of green. The floor was dark green to match adorned with pictures of rock bands. On the ceiling on top of my bed Blossom painted: BC FR LIFE in large dark red graffiti letters. She had an issue with it at first, but I didn't see the big deal. I'm supposed to be dead anyways.
I looked down at my charred sweater and wondered if I could ever wear it again. But with the gaping holes going through the front, the back and the hood, I don't think so.
Was it even worth it? I mean, what was I trying to prove? 'I'm Big-Bad-Buttercup, so I don't get told what to do' I mean it's pretty obvious I can't do that again, so why bother?
But thinking back to the city bank gave me this incredible feeling, like back when I was five and kicked ass on a regular. I don't know how to really describe it, but it felt…liberating. It felt like I was actually living for something and for once I wasn't so afraid to do something that made me happy. Why is it such a bad thing for me to just be happy over who I'm supposed to be? Heck, I bet the people over there have already forgot about it!
To prove my point, I hopped onto my bed and switch on my TV.
"-An extraordinary event occurred here at the City Bank when a masked hero-"
"-Many lives were spared today thanks to a courageous woman-"
"-A hooded heroine came to the rescue of a little girl who's here to speak with us now-"
"-Who is this hero that suddenly disappeared-"
"-Well I don't know who this girl is, but we could definitely use more people like her in this town!-"
"-Has Townsville found its guardian angel?-"
"-Hero-!"
"-Savior-!"
"-A Miracle-!"
Hooded Heroine? Okay so I was dead wrong. I shut the TV off quick and turned on the radio to try and forget about what I just heard as I sank into my pillows. The sound of the electric guitar gradually filled the room as I cleared my head.
"Where is my mind…?
Where is my mind…?
Whe…re is my mind?" When I looked up at the red graffiti above me, I realized that this thing wasn't going away anytime soon.
But why is that supposed to be a bad thing? I just saved countless people from getting hurt, including a girl who was about to get burned alive! But I knew what would happen if I told them. Blossom would yell at me, Gladys would yell louder, Bubbles would stare at me, and the Professor would give me that look that said 'Did you learn anything?' And of course I did! I learned that you can't disobey orders, you have to follow your leader, and you have to restrain your powers.
…So I broke all of them; but I'm not doing anything wrong! I'm helping people, why can't anyone see that! I was designed to be a hero. It's what I love to do, and I'm not doing it for the sake of the people, but for the sake of my sanity.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy, but it's like we pretend the Powerpuff Girls didn't exist before yesterday; like WE never existed! And if that's what my life's gonna be like, then I'd rather be back in the hick town where people actually knew who I was!
I hugged my knees close to me and looked through my window at a sea of towers to the shore below me, feeling like an alien in a place that I used to call home. Letting out a sigh in defeat, I knew no matter what happened today, I knew that tomorrow I'd be going back to my 'normal' life where everybody steps on us. And I could bitch and moan all night about how it's not fair, but that's not gonna change the fact that I'm still dealing with their crap.
I turned off the lights and laid on my bed to try and sleep for a few hours. I guess I might as well get used to this since my old life is probably gone by now, meaning that nobody could know who really saved them tonight.
"I don't know who this girl is, but we could definitely use more people like her"
But that didn't mean I had to stop.
-Blossom-
Even though my sisters already went to bed, I figured I could clean up the house a bit before heading to my room. After trying to decorate, the whole place looked like a mess. It took a while, but when I finished the place practically sparkled. Grinning to myself with pride I went to Bubbles's door to tell her goodnight.
But when I headed to Buttercup's door, I stopped myself at the smell of burnt fabric in the hallway. Not enough to set off the alarm, but was still enough for me to track it if I strained my senses. As I came closer, the smell got even stronger and filled my lungs. But oddly enough, it seemed really familiar.
Using my X-ray vision I realized Buttercup was fast asleep with no signs of a fire starting at all. But when I looked at her clothes they were covered in burnt marks like she was in a fire.
When Buttercup came inside, I could've sworn I smelled a fire, but I mistook that for the Professor's cooking.
I left for my room to go to bed, but no matter how much i tried, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling inside of me over the whole thing. I thought back to why the smell seemed so familiar was so familiar and it finally clicked.
The Robbery...
Buttercup was out for a while, could she have gotten caught in the fire?
"-well that sucks. G'Night!"
Or was it something else?
-Butch-
I didn't stop running until I was at least five miles away from the bank before I ended up in a secluded alleyway in the middle of Townsville's slums, which was pretty empty except for the large dumpster on the side. After running for close to an hour, I finally lost it.
I bellowed as I grabbed the dumpster and hurled it across the alley hearing the metal clash and screech against the brick wall as it echoed across the alleys. But I couldn't stop there. After a few seconds I threw my fist at the nearest wall, making huge dents that could've drove through the wall if I hit the same spot twice in a row. But I didn't care. All I could think about was the sound of that kid's bones cracking in my hands and wished that he were here right now so I could do just that.
But as I heard the lights come off from the inside of the buildings I trudged away so no one would find me as they came outside.
Bullshit, I thought bitterly to myself. I've taken on just about the strongest people in this goddamn city, so I sure as hell ain't gonna lose to this kid!
That little shit caught me by surprise! How was I supposed to know that someone who was shorter than Snooki could fight like that? I mean it's not like I thought of using X-ray vision on someone who looked like they were twelve! With those giant sweats he looked thin as fuck, but I bet under all that crap was a druggie, cause there's no way someone his size is that strong. I don't care what sort of training you're on, I can lift three freaking trucks on one hand like they were paper, so the only way someone has a chance at beating me is if he's taking some scary shit.
Then again that's the same thing that people said about me… but that's different!
I have superstrength; this guy has steroids.
When I was far enough I took off both of the masks so that I could actually breathe. I only wanted to wear one, but even as a kid, Brick's been serious about this sort of stuff and how we can't give out our identities. I don't see why not! We could take over this entire fucking planet if we wanted to! My phone started to ring from the back pocket of the jumpsuit. Speak of the devil.
::Brick::
I don't care who you're fucking. I want you home. Now.
I snapped my phone shut and made my way out of the slums and towards the back of Townsville to our house. Everybody turns a blind eye to this place anyway (Townsville's apparently to damn perfect to have a ghetto), so there isn't a good chance of us getting caught. As I was getting closer to the border between Townsville and the forest, I came near a flickering streetlight with a puddle underneath it, thinking back to the blow I took from that midget. By now it healed, but the side of my face was caked with dried blood. If Brick saw me like this he'd go apeshit, and I could kiss my criminal career goodbye.
I heard my phone ring off again pressed it against my bloody face."Calm your tits Rapunzel, I'm coming!" hanging up the phone I quickly rubbed some of the water against my face to clean up my face. When I saw my reflection against the light there wasn't a drop of blood in sight, meaning my ass would be spared for another night.
That is if I make it home before Brick loses it.
But as I got up, I couldn't get my mind off of that one moment where I was lying on my back, completely vulnerable to this guy. Why didn't he finish me off? Yeah there were cops but he could've killed me off easy from that position. As I thought about it, I could feel myself shaking with rage.
He felt sorry for me…
That son of a bitch felt sorry for me.
I tore at the puddle until there was nothing left and ran my shaky fingers through my hair as I tried to get him to leave me alone. I was not useless, and I'll be damned before someone else calls me that.
And I'll prove it starting with that kid.
I'll prove him wrong; I'll show him next time that he was better off keeping his damn pity for himself, cause the next time I see him, he's gonna need it.
Just wait. I'll find him. Even if I have to put this city on it's goddamned knees, I'll find that little fucker and have him begging for his life.
It'll only be a matter of time…
Super long chapter again, but yeah hope things kicked up a bit from last time. Feel free to give me a review!
Songs:
- David Bowie: Space Oddity
- Lou Rawls: You'll never find a love like mine
- The Pixies: Where is My Mind
Next chapter there's probably going to be a lot of scenes for the blues, they've been terribly neglected. (I don't see a big chapter coming for reds soon), but it might take a while because I might have to split off the chapter into two sections again.
But I really hope you liked it, review, and Ta-Ta!