A New Life

by NerdyGlitter

The girls were separated at birth to be kept safe from a certain well known villain. Our beloved trio have no memories of who they are or what they can do. As the girls start to come to terms with everything after their worlds have been shattered, they are thrown into a place where they have to survive on instinct and their powers that they had no idea they had.

4. Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.

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The last thing Buttercup remembered was seeing a bright light and telling herself to stay away from it. The professor had claimed that his weird machine wouldn't harm them but fuck did it hurt! She could literally feel the chemical being pulled at. It was the strangest feeling she had ever experienced and there was no way to accurately explain how it felt. As Buttercup opened her eyes everything appeared to be one big haze but she knew for a fact she was lying on her back as she could feel the cold hard floor underneath her. She turned to make out who she assumed was Blossom gripping her head as she struggled to sit up, the only sign of it being her by the colour and length of her hair. She looked in the opposite direction to find Bubbles curled into a ball. Buttercup closed her eyes tightly for a few seconds hoping her vision would improve and it had but only slightly.

"Girls! Are you okay? I wasn't expecting that to happen I'm so sorry." Buttercup raised her head to see the professor kneeling over Bubbles. Buttercup turned to see Blossom with her back against the dome wall taking deep breaths. Slowly her eyesight was improving but that wasn't what caught her attention, it was the fact that Blossom was clearly muttering to herself breathe but it sounded like Blossom was saying it loudly. Buttercup had a crazy idea but decided to whisper at a barely audible level Blossom's name but instead of Blossom carrying on her 'exercises' her head snapped up and she looked directly at Buttercup. The professor appeared beside the two girls.

"Are you girls alright? Bubbles I think got a bit of a fright but she seems to be okay now. How about you girls?"

"They are back." Blossom stated.

"Should you not all maybe go rest first?"

"Nope." All three girls said. The professor sighed and opened the door that Bubbles had wondered when they first entered what was behind it. The door had concealed a long room that was filled with machines, buttons, dials and a big screen. The window showed a big white room that was empty. The professor walked in and sat down at chair in front of the machinery and clicked a few buttons before spinning to look at the confused teens.

"I don't know if you girls remember but I had a room built like this in the house and we only used it the once just after you girls were created to try out your powers. This is a training simulator. I can input different scenarios to test your powers ability and then I can program different difficulty levels to improve your fighting skills. Are you sure you girls don't need to lie down first. I mean we did leave the dome only minutes ago."

"No." The girls replied once more with a bit more force.

The professor sighed, "Okay girls step in and we will start to test some of your powers but we will not be doing this for long. You girls need to rest before we can do some of the bigger things. All I want to do is show you girls what you are capable of and for you to be aware of the power you girls can wield."

The girls walked in and stood in a row just a few steps from the big screen. Bubbles playing with the hem of her top to the left, Buttercup with her arms crossed and an impatient look to the right and Blossom observing the room in the middle.

"Okay girls," the professor's voice echoed through the room, "try flying." The girls glanced at each other before holding each other's hand like they had done the night before. The professor didn't have long to wait because just as each girl closed her eyes they began drifting off the floor and into the air. He watched as they opened their eyes and peer down at their feet. Bubbles couldn't quite believe it at first. She was flying. She kept staring even after hearing her sisters chatter in excitement. She was flying! She grinned. She looked at her sisters who were flying around the room, Buttercup doing loops and Blossom twirling. She gained altitude before swooping down on her sisters. Bubbles couldn't quite get over how easy it was for her to fly. She thought she would be shaky or drop a few times but it felt like she had been doing it her whole life.

"Excellent! Okay girls if you look behind you there are three targets what I would like you three to do is aim and blast them. You can produce very strong heat rays from your eyes. Be careful and one at a time please."

Buttercup dropped to the floor and with a silent message decided she would go first. She concentrated to the centre of the target as her vision slowly started to have a red fog. She watched as her vision came back to normal that the target had split into many pieces that had flown apart. As Buttercup stood back and watched her sisters' attempts she felt a rush she had never experienced before. She would experience ones when hunting but this one felt right, better. She felt herself getting fired up for the next task and the one after that. This rush felt like energy she had once experienced but before when she was one of three. As her sisters successfully exploded the targets Buttercup couldn't help but smirk. She had a feeling that she was going to enjoy beating on the bad guys especially a certain red asshole.

"Okay only one more test if you like then you definitely need to go eat and rest. We can carry on tomorrow knowing your powers are back." This time a very large appeared in the middle of the room. "Pick it up, it weighs more than the three of you combined."

Blossom approached it looking a little sceptical but still placed her hands on either side and lifted it. She then balanced it on one hand and laughed a little. She turned to look at Buttercup and threw it to her. Buttercup caught it and realised it felt like it weighed nothing more than a baseball. She then threw it at Bubbles who looked pleasantly surprised also.

"Great work girls," the professor said as the rock disappeared.

"It all still seems so surreal." Blossom said as the girls were eating some soup and bread.

"I know but it feels right." Bubbles said between spoonfuls.

"I think that's the strangest thing out of it all though. How we have never knew of our powers, our previous life and enemies but how quickly we have settled in but also how easily the powers came to us."

Buttercup shrugged, "why wouldn't it be though if we were born like this." Blossom nodded her head whilst she appeared to be deep in thought. The professor appeared.

"Girls I was so impressed with what you did in the training room I'm thinking we should continue with you girls practicing the basics over the next few days till the end of the week before continuing with research or the harder training simulators." But before the girls could answer he left for his lab again.

"I agree even though we did it first time I think we should just practice a little more and get used to our powers again before jumping head first into fighting simulators no matter how desperate we are." Blossom said the last part looking straight at Buttercup who sighed and slumped in her chair muttering about how all she wanted to do was kick someone's ass.

The next few days the girls would wake early to head to the training room to practice their basic powers making sure they could control them to a t. They practiced flying by doing an assault course which involved weaving, changing altitude with a few last minute obstructions for them to react quickly. They learned to control the temperature and distance that they could produce with their heat vision. And lastly they tested their strength with picking up an object heavier than the last and balancing it on one finger. The girls proved that even though they had been out of the picture they were managing to pick up everything again with ease. The professor had been worried at first when the girls had explained they had never experienced their so called powers but they proved to him now that they knew what they were doing. He even had them shot by bullets in one exercise to prove of their superhuman durability. He knew that even though he had hid his girls from the dangers that he had to train them to fight and then send them on their way to face their biggest threat. The girls trained from morning to night only stopping for water, food and rest. During the exercises they started to show their individual strengths which the professor had noted but also he noticed that blossom was soaking it all in. The girls' uniqueness was what would help them survive in this fight.

"I can't wait to start actual training tomorrow." Buttercup stated excitedly whilst they lay on Blossom's bed. The girls had shared Blossom's bed every night since arriving. It was never spoken about or questioned as it was what they wanted. Not only the fact they had been away from each other for thirteen years but that they were introduced to this strange world had them sticking together which also meant when it came to bedtime.

Blossom rolled her eyes but with a small smirk, "of course you can't you thug."

"Hey!" Buttercup exclaimed whilst Bubbles giggled.

"All I meant was so we know how to defend ourselves."

"Yeah yeah."

"Shut it Blondie," which made Bubbles laugh out loud.

"To be honest I am getting pretty tired of picking up stones and hitting wooden targets." Blossom said.

"See!"

"No you're just too violent for your own good all you want to do is kick someone's ass."

"I could do it right now Leader Girl."

"Try it." Buttercup growled before leaping on Blossom and playfully hitting her. Blossom and Bubbles laughed at her attempt.

"Get off my sister you bully." Bubbles said as she pushed Buttercup which caught her off guard and fell to the floor with a thump. The room fell silent with no one daring to move before Bubbles and Blossom burst out laughing.

"I can't believe that's the second time we have got you." Blossom struggled to say whilst gripping her stomach.

"Oh it's so on!" Buttercup said as she jumped on the bed. As the girls play fought in the bedroom the professor was up yet again in his lab. He had noticed that the girls were showing signs of their powers being even stronger than the last time but he couldn't work out how and why. Ms Bellum walked in though interrupting his train of thought.

"Well?"

"We managed to get more clothes for the girls." Ms Keane answered as she lifted a few bags. She was carrying trying to steer the conversation to pleasantries but the professor was too focused on the task at hand like always.

"Did you manage to find out if the rumour is true?"

Ms Bellum sighed before only slightly nodding her head.

"And are all of them in hiding?"

"Yes but I think we ended up asking his informants about them. He may know someone is looking for them."

"It's fine. I may need to speak with him myself. What about the other? Is he back here or what?"

Ms Bellum looked upset as she said, "Him has said he will be back with us in a month."

---

I can't tell you just yet where I am going but if all goes well you will find out when I return."

"But-"

"No Blossom. I'm sorry but all I can say is I'm away to meet a man who may just help us defeat Him."

Blossom slumped in her chair in defeat. The professor had approached the three girls explaining how he was leaving for a few days to meet with someone but he wouldn't say who or where. Buttercup had started complaining about training whilst Bubbles wasn't happy about him just disappearing on them but as the other girls voiced their opinions Blossom had sat back trying to think who was so important that the professor would leave not only the safety of the tunnels but her sisters too. But of course when the professor looked for assistance with getting her sisters to understand Blossom had asked her own questions, who and where. The professor avoided Blossom's questions explaining that he would be perfectly safe and that the other two women, who had disappeared not long after getting them here, knew how to work the machine so they could continue. But once again Blossom asked her two questions but yet again the professor refused to answer by talking more of what the training would involve. The first few levels being faceless drones and once they started to get to harder levels they would be face to face with old enemies. Buttercup had jumped up determined to get going whilst Bubbles stood up to hug the professor. She looked like she was about to cry before she walked off to join her sister however Blossom stayed behind determined for an answer so she asked again and the professor realising how inquisitive one of his daughters could be he gave her a vague answer and when that didn't appease her hunger he put more force into his next answer.

The professor sighed at his daughters defeated but annoyed expression, "look Blossom I don't want to throw names and places at you because it might turn out to be nothing and I can't put that man's life in danger. Danger not from you but a certain someone. If the man agrees to help he will be with me when I return and you can ask all the questions you desire to be answered."

Blossom looked towards her father figure and nodded. She knew she shouldn't push too hard it was done out of concern and her need to know what was going on. She had always been in control and in the know of everything in her own life. When her mum was diagnosed she was there and she asked the doctors heaps of questions and read up about it. She knew what was involved in the treatments, how her mother might be with it all and what she needed to do as her carer. But unfortunately the treatments were quite expensive which had Blossom working a lot. In the end though it wasn't enough she either had to work 24/7 to afford the treatments but that meant leaving her mum to fend for herself or stay at home and not afford the treatments. Her mum had asked her to stop working so much she didn't want her daughter killing herself over this. So Blossom worked only a few hours just enough to get food and water but the majority of her time she sat by her mother's bedside reading. Her mum never cared what it was she read she just liked the sound of Blossoms voice. She said she found it very soothing. As Blossom thought of the night her mother passed a small tear escaped her tear duct.

"I want you to know something."

"What?"

"That no matter what, I love you and I will always be watching over you."

"But mum-"

"I know what you are going to say Miss Science but I will be one of the stars. All you have to do is look at the sky and you will see me. I want you to promise me something."

"Anything."

"Trust your instincts rather than your scientific brain of yours sometimes. There may come a time in your life where you will have to depend on them instead of your brain."

"Yes mother."

Not long after that Blossom's mother had passed. Blossom had never cried over it. Her logical brain took over saying that she could do it after she had organised her mother's funeral and have her buried. But then after that her brain told her she had to work more to survive. Then after a while she felt stupid to grief this late. That her time to do so had passed but that didn't mean that she never missed the woman. Even know she required her outlook on things to make sure this is what she meant by relying on her instincts. But as she watched the professor leave she realised another thing she didn't want to lose him too.

Buttercup probably should of said bye to the old man but she was too excited to train before she realised she had ran out the room. As she approached her destination she saw two woman standing side by side laughing with cups of something hot in their hand.

"Hello Buttercup. You wanting to go first? Where are your sisters?" Ms Keane asked whilst looking behind Buttercup. All she did was shrug.

"Yeah I want to go first." Buttercup said as she walked into the white room.

"Okay Buttercup I am going to do set the level at 3. I know it doesn't sound high but your old enemies start to come in at level 8. So a few warm ups first. Here we go." Ms Keane announced. Just then the whole room turned into what Buttercup assumed as was a city. She had a funny feeling she recognised some of it but she had only ever been in the jungle but before she could think about it anymore a handful of drones appeared out of nowhere. Buttercup smiled before rising off the floor. This was going to be too easy she thought. She swooped down punching one in the face and went for another as the first flew back against a building. She threw a few kicks and punches to the drones and before she knew it she was standing in a room with all the drones knocked out.

"Okay I think we might bump you up a few levels." Ms Bellum said cautiously.

"Level 6." The computer announced.

Buttercup found herself once again in the same scene with the same drones however this time there was quite a few more. But instead of panicking at how many there was Buttercup grinned wickedly and rolled her head to crack her neck. And flew right at them. Buttercup used mostly her strength when it came to fighting them. She relied a lot more on her fists more than anything but she did throw in a few kicks and even used her heat vision a couple of times. After 30 minutes Buttercup yet again appeared victorious coming out of the fight with little damage to herself.

"Okay Buttercup if you would step out please and let one of the other girls go next. The professor wanted all three of you to face level 8 together. I will explain why then." Ms Keane said. Buttercup sighed. She was just getting started too. But she realised the other two might need more practice.

Bubbles walked in at that point. She had watched Buttercup ruthlessness when it came to fighting. Bubbles knew that she was nothing like that but she was determined to show she was more than a pretty face. A few times at her old hometown kids had picked on her claiming her to be a bastard child. Her mother had clearly cheated. One day a girl had gone as far as pulling Bubbles ponytail and pushing her to the ground. Bubbles had gotten up and went straight for the girl. She didn't realise what she had done until Tom, her brother, had pulled her off the girl. It had turned out Bubbles had jumped on the girl and started to punch. The girl had survived but she had needed to be taken to the hospital to be treated. After that her mother had cleared everything up but the damage had been done. Even if Bubbles wanted to make friends she had no chance now as she heard them whispering how she was a freak. But as Bubbles stood ready for the level to begin she didn't care anymore. She obviously wasn't the most violent one out of the three which made her feel better but she wanted to prove her worth so when the drones appeared Bubbles also used her strength which proved to be effective as she cleared the level as easily as Buttercup had. As level 6 began Bubbles couldn't help but feel a big smile spread across her face. She felt like she was earning her place on this team. She realised that her speed was better than her strength so in the next level she used that to her advantage, throwing a few more punches and kicks but with her speed finishing the level again just as quick as Buttercup.

"That was amazing Bubbles. Okay great swap once more girls."

Blossom walked in with a huge smile and gave Bubbles a huge hug which had knocked the girl a little but she reciprocated. Blossom then whispered, "Don't ever doubt yourself. You are one of us baby sis." Bubbles at first was surprised that her sister had picked up on her feelings from behind the screen but eventually she was just grateful that her 'older' sister had voiced her fear but managed to squish it.

Blossom was surprised but proud of her younger sister's strength that she had shown during her turn but the youngest one proved to be tough especially with her speed. Blossom had been taken mental notes during both sisters' attempts. But as Blossom readied for her level she realised she would need to make mental notes on herself too so when the level started Blossom had a face of concentration comparing techniques, skills and pace. She dropped to the ground after defeating the level just like her sisters. She realised that she was probably stronger than Bubbles but not Buttercup and she was faster than Buttercup but not Bubbles, a happy medium if you like. So when the next level began again she concentrated on what she was able to do whilst continuing making notes. People may think she was being a little too thorough but that's why Blossom had excelled where others failed. She was organised for anything and everything that may be thrown her way. So when she landed after defeating the level with ease she knew what each sister was capable of and her brain began forming battle formations. She loved it. Her intelligence was being used, pushed to the limit that she didn't realise that her sisters had joined her till Bubbles spoke up

"What you thinking about Blossom?"

"Hmm? Oh nothing I was just thinking how we each got on." Bubbles nodded slightly confused but she wasn't about to question exactly what was going on in her brainy older sisters head.

"Okay girls level 8, meet the Gangreen Gang." Ms Keane said as 5 green teens appeared in front of the girls. They looked to be paused in time so Blossom found this a perfect opportunity to inform her sisters of their youngest enemies. She walks towards the smallest of the group.

"Lil' Arturo, little brawler but his punches don't pack any real strength but he does had a switchblade so don't' get cocky with him. He also has super speed. Big Billy, not very clever but has super strength but I suspect Buttercup, you are still stronger than he is. Grubber, doesn't appear as much but don't underestimate him, he can morph into anyone he likes and he is definitely more intelligent than he appears. Snake, second in command, more of a yes man to Ace. His name was earned by his reptile like features. He has superhuman elasticity so careful with him. And finally but far from least Ace, the leader and decision maker of the group. He has cyrokinesis, can produce snow and ice easily. He is a bully and mean spirited," As Blossom took her place between her sisters she said, "they may look young and stupid but they are quite powerful in their own way so please girls don't underestimate them." Not long after Blossom had finished the level had begun.

"Well if it isn't our three favourite girls." Ace drawled.

"But boss I thought we hated them?" The littlest of them said. All Ace did was roll his eyes.

"We ain't going to jail." Ace said forcefully. Blossom cringed at his grammar.

"Can we kick their asses already?" Buttercup said whilst squeezing her fists tightly.

"Remember what I said girls. Ready?" Blossom said looking at each girl with her own mischievous grin. The two girls nodded and face their enemy. Blossom flew towards Grubber and punched him in the face which lead him to fly back and hit a wall. Bubbles had kicked Lil Arturo in the back before punching Snake in the face. Buttercup went straight for Ace who produced an ice ray from his mouth but Buttercup easily dodged it before delivering Ace an uppercut. Blossom had flew above Big Billy and blasted him with her heat vision. Bubbles flew past and kicked him in the stomach which had him crumpling to the ground. Buttercup delivered a few more punches and kicks to Ace before flying straight for Grubber who was picking himself off the ground. Blossom flew straight to Snake and threw a few punches of her own to him before picking him up.

"Girls group them together quickly before they can recover." Blossom yelled. Both girls nodded to the leader and quickly swooped down and grabbed the members and dropped them next to a dizzy Big Billy. Blossom then quickly flew down towards the group with an unconscious Snake in her arms. Buttercup and Bubbles watched as their older sister did circles round the group only visible by her pink streak before seeing her stand in front of her work. She had wrapped the four teens with the remaining stretchy member. All the girls proceeded to laugh as they watched a conscious Ace struggle with his bindings.

"Damn it!" Ace exclaimed before the girls found themselves in the white room once more.

"Girls that was fantastic!" Ms Keane said excitedly, "We knew you girls would do well but that was unreal especially for your first attempt."

"How did you know all that stuff on them Bloss?" Buttercup asked as she approached the eldest.

"I did more research on them looking at newspaper articles and YouTube videos of our fights," Blossom shrugged, "I thought it would be useful. I did it on all the enemies we had looked into." Blossom looked away as her blush started to appear on her face.

"Well that was cool. Ace tried to freeze me and if I wasn't aware of it I might be a popsicle by now." Buttercup said half laughing.

Blossom returned the smile. "I know I'm a bit lame being a book worm and maybe a little too organised but I want us to be prepared for anything. We just found out about each other and I won't risk losing you guys." Blossom said looking over at Bubbles. Buttercup wrapped both her arms around her sisters' shoulders. "I think we can forgive you for being a bit lame if it's going to save our skins in the long run."

All three sisters smiled at each other before leaving to get some well-earned food unaware of the two older ladies blowing their noses.

---

Buttercup silently stood looking at the shower head letting the water run down. They had been training for 3 days and had managed to reach level 13. But the girls were starting to feel it especially Buttercup. Even with their powers they still felt tired and their muscles felt like they had never been used. Ms Keane said that their physical bodies where adjusting to the change and it was expected. But as Buttercup stood under the flow of water she wished her body would adjust quicker. It wasn't expected to last long but that meant that the training sessions were cut short much to Buttercup's dismay. She wanted to carry on and push her body into submission. It was going to have to get used to it so why not now but the woman disagreed saying to give her body a rest. They felt it was a side effect to the experiment and once the chemical x was properly settled in their bloodstream then it wouldn't hurt. But to be honest her body wasn't feeling as sore as it did on the first day. Buttercup hung her head. She knew they were right but after learning of who she was, who she could become she wanted to see it and feel it for herself. This was what she had been looking for when she was with the tribe. For a bigger adventure and people to understand her which they seemed to and Buttercup secretly loved. She didn't have to explain why she was a little more violent than the rest or why she didn't behave more like a girl because these people understood that that was not who Buttercup was. She was a violent, badmouthed tomboy and to Buttercup everyone seemed to like her despite that but also they didn't expect anything less from her. But secretly what she had most wanted at her time at the camp was family and now she had it she would protect them with everything she had. She had always felt lonely when it came to the tribe not that she would ever let it show or she would admit out loud but she had. For a while she didn't even want to admit it to herself because at the time it would make it all the more real but being here she could. Buttercup could admit that she was alone because now she wasn't. The sisters' personalities appeared on the surface to be very different but they overlapped in so many ways. It wasn't just the need for justice, that they were honest or even the superpowers. It was more than that. It was the girls need for control over their own lives, Blossom more so, but each girl felt they needed control in most things. For Buttercup she had lived by rules she never truly understood like never venturing out to the cities and other places but now that she could she didn't want to let this freedom up. She liked the fact she could control whether she carried on with this life or choose another. They also felt a strong sense of protectiveness over each other but Buttercup suspected hers was a lot stronger. Now that they had found each other they all knew that they had each other's back. Buttercup reckoned knowing she was the stronger of the three she felt more responsibility for keeping them safe but even Buttercup knew this wasn't entirely true. Buttercup was loyal especially to the ones she cared about. She didn't have much friends back at the tribe but she was quite taken with the tribe chief so when anyone was hostile towards her elder she would be quick to defend him. She knew she would be even more with her sisters. Buttercup turned the shower off and stepped out. As she was grabbing a towel a soft knock came from the door. Bubbles. Once she was wrapped in the soft material she allowed her to enter. Her younger sister walked it with her hair wrapped in a towel and wearing the same clothes they had worn when they first arrived.

"Ms Bellum and Ms Keane would like us to come through to the main room once we are dried and changed."

"Why?"

"They said it was a little surprise welcome back present from them." Bubbles shrugged. The hairs on the back of Buttercup's neck stood on end. She didn't like the sound of that. It wasn't that she thought the woman were up to anything bad the exact opposite in fact which kind of scared Buttercup a little. She wasn't used to female attention so she had no idea what to expect but she had an idea. Bubbles must have registered that Buttercup's silence meant she was worried or Buttercup had let the emotion spread across her face because Bubbles tried to reassure her.

"I'm sure it's just like some nice new clothes or something." Bubbles said with a small smile. Buttercup returned the gesture and with that Bubbles left. As she watched the younger of the trio leave Buttercup frowned she felt like Bubbles was holding back. After the girls had watched the home movie of themselves the younger Bubbles looked care free, happy and full of smiles whilst the older was quiet, reserved and shy. She wondered if the oldest had noticed this also but knowing the leader she probably had. She knew the girls had all changed due to their different lives but she felt that Bubbles' change was quite drastic to the other two. Just as Buttercup had finished changing she opened her bathroom door to come face to face with Blossom with her fist in the air obviously ready to knock. She had on the same as her sisters and her long locks was tied into a high wet bun.

"Sorry I just came to say-" Blossom started to say whilst lowering her hand but Buttercup interrupted her.

"I know Ms Bellum and Ms Keane want to see us. Bubbles was here like 5 minutes ago."

"Oh. Okay well you ready? I think Bubbles went ahead." Blossom said walking towards Buttercup's bedroom door. Even though the girls had pretty much slept in Blossom's room every night they still used their own rooms when it came to showering considering they had small en-suite bathrooms and their clothes were in their wardrobes.

"Sure." Buttercup said. The girls walked out and started heading towards the room where they had first met. There was a few doors going along the tunnel but a few had big rocks in it where they had caved in and the others were spare rooms some obviously housing the professor and the women. The room they were heading to had a large table that could easily seat 20 or more. They had used it to eat and also do the research on their old enemies. The screen they had watched the home video on sat on the wall at the top of the table with two large whiteboards on either side. At the other end of the room sat a few sofas and the door that led to the lab. It was probably once the largest room in the tunnels after the training room. As they were approaching the door Buttercup grabbed Blossom's arm signalling her to stop.

"Can I ask you something? It's about Bubbles." Buttercup said softly. It wasn't like Buttercup to approach subjects carefully but when it came to Bubbles she felt the need to be gentle. Blossom's look of confusion from being stopped by her sister dropped and Buttercup watched her face especially her eyes take on a soft expression.

"I'm worried too. I don't know what her life was like before she came but by the sounds of things it wasn't all that. I thought she had had the better life out of the three of us." The two older sisters, when heard of the brief life Bubbles had lived, had become slightly jealous at how easy she had had it. But the feeling had been quickly wiped with the feeling of relief at thinking at least the younger, softer one had the better life. But as the sisters stared at each other in thought she realised that maybe it wasn't all that. When it was just the three of them Bubbles seemed to become more of herself but sooner rather than later she would quickly draw back into her shell.

"I know she felt like she needed to prove that she deserves to be on the team. I tried reassuring her the first time we trained but I don't know if that was enough. Let's talk to her. She might be needing the chance to vent." Blossom said looking towards the door in deep concentration. Buttercup nodded in response. They needed to find out what was wrong with their baby sister.

Bubbles sat waiting on the older ones to arrive. Ms Keane and Ms Bellum had been walking in and out the room grabbing bags amongst other things but Bubbles wasn't really paying attention. She had found paper and a pencil lying around so she had grabbed them and started drawing her sisters and herself. She drew them as they had been at the age of five flying in the air, joking around about being the Powerpuff Girls. Blossom in the middle with her arms on her waist with a proud smile stretched across her face, Buttercup to Blossom's left arms crossed with a small smile playing on her features and herself on Blossom's right with a huge grin that looked like it belonged on the young girl permanently. Bubbles felt strange seeing herself with such an expression. Sure she was happy to be back with her sisters and the professor but her whole life, and everything about it being a lie, had not sat well with her. She understood why they were split up and she even kind of understood the lies that they belonged to that family to avoid them flying off to fight Him and everyone else. But what she didn't like was her mother had lied to her. Liars had never sat well with Bubbles even her mother knew that. After what thought were lies about her at the time being some other man's child she had despised people telling lies as she had been driven to loneliness by them. Her mother knew her feelings about them as it was then that Bubbles realised how much she hated them.

"Why did they make up those lies mummy?"

"They just didn't understand."

"But their horrible lies hurt my feelings and they kept saying them."

"People don't always tell the truth and sometimes that can hurt. But there is also not very nice people who don't care if they hurt people in fact they sometimes do it more."

"I hate lies. I really hate them. I will never lie ever. I don't want people to feel like I have because of them. You haven't lied to me before have you mummy?"

"Of course not dear."

Bubbles wiped the tears from her eyes. Her mother had looked in the eye saying that then kissed her forehead before putting her to bed. But it was more than that, Bubbles had become more isolated than before. Her mother had noticed the changed and didn't do anything to stop it. Bubbles could have been more like her old self had she knew a little of the truth. Bubbles didn't hear the door open and her older sisters' head towards her. She was only aware of their presence when Buttercup sat down next to her and wrapped her arm around Bubbles shoulder whilst Blossom kneeled in front of her, holding her hand, wiping away stray tears. Bubbles looked at her older sisters. She knew that she could rely on her sisters especially their honesty learning from the first night their dislike for lies. Their views were a bit more practical than hers, Blossom hated them as they wasted valuable time to get things done and Buttercup because she always felt the need to be honest so why shouldn't others.

"What's wrong?" Blossom asked. The concern that showed on her face laced with her tone of voice made Bubbles cry more. When Bubbles started to calm she realised she was engulfed in a huge three way hug which made her start to feel a lot better. Blossom leaned back with even more concern present but she made no move to pressure her for an answer so that's why Bubbles felt herself start to explain before she could think what her sisters would think.

"I have always hated lies. They can be so harsh. When I was younger the kids claimed I was a bastard. I thought they were calling me horrible names which was hurtful to start off with till I learned what the other meaning was for the word was. I had doubted my place in my family for a few years. You see my whole family had olive skin, dark almost black hair and deep brown eyes. As you can see I'm the opposite so for ages I believed them. That my mother had had an affair and that I was the result of it, even the adults whispered it. Anyway one day it became really bad one girl getting a little physical so I started hitting her and she ended up having to go to the city hospital for treatments. My mother came out and spoke with some of the people apologising about my behaviour. She had no idea the rumours were circulating because I had believed them I had avoided my family. Especially her. But she came out saying that I looked like her mum. Her mother had very fair skin, bright blonde hair and her blue eyes had always been complimented on. The rumours seemed to die down but only for her. I was still faced with people and their whispering so I isolated myself from everyone and everything. I asked her that night she had told everyone the 'truth' if she had ever lied to me and she said no. She could have stopped what I was doing to myself by at least saying something but no she left me to hide and disappear." Bubbles had barely finished before Blossom had answered.

"Her loss. Her stupid decision made her lose out on the chance to get to know what an amazing person you are. You don't need to hide from us though. You know we won't lie to you."

"Plus you are stuck with us now so you might as well make polite conversation." Buttercup joked. Bubbles smiled and nodded her head. Blossom looked over at the paper to see what had had Bubbles in deep concentration.

"Bubbles this is amazing!" Blossom said grabbing the paper, "Wow! I am jealous. I wish I could draw even a little but all I can manage is stick men." Blossom handed the paper to Buttercup whose eyes lit up a little.

"This is kick ass Bubbles." Bubbles smile grew. No one had really seen her work before only her mum who at this moment in time she didn't want to think about.

"Girls." Ms Keane said. All three looked to see three piles of bags along with the table set up with bottles, bowls and scissors.

"We would like to give you girls a makeover. Nothing big before you dash Buttercup." Which made Blossom and Bubbles hold back their laugh at Buttercup wide eyed stare.

"We just wanted to do something nice for you girls. You have been working so hard lately and to be honest it is only going to get harder so we wanted you girls to kick back and relax." All girls looked at each other. Blossom looked like she may like the idea of getting pampered, Buttercup bored by the idea however Bubbles couldn't help but nod and run over to take her place. The older sisters smiled whilst they stood and sat in the chairs next to their sister.

"All we want to do is trim your hair or cut it more if you want. Don't worry we have been cutting each other's hair since we have been here and after that we have bought clothes for you girls to choose from. A wide variety." Ms Keane said looking at Buttercup.

"How about Bubbles you try on the clothes and choose what you what to keep. That means we can do Buttercup and Blossom's hair." Ms Bellum said eying the bun on Blossom's head. After Ms Keane pointed out which pile was Bubbles, all the four woman in the room saw was a light blue streak disappearing behind the door leading to the bed rooms.

"Okay girls what we looking for?" Ms Keane asked as she brushed Buttercup shoulder length hair.

"I want mine short." Buttercup shrugged.

"I have an idea do you mind if I just go ahead?" Ms Keane asked. Buttercup looked scared but before anyone could see it she wiped it from her face and replaced it with a bored expression and uttered a quiet sure. Ms Keane got straight to work.

"I want it shorter but keep most of the length." Blossom sighed at her conflicting statement. The only time she got a haircut was when her hair sat behind her knees and she only usually got it cut just above her bum but that was practicality not because she wanted it. She loved her hair but she didn't know if the length was all that practical but she didn't have the heart to cut it short.

"Leave it with me." Was all Ms Bellum said before she started pulling her hair out of her bun. The women had been working for 30 minutes on the girls' hair. Ms Bellum only starting to cut Blossoms hair after dealing with the knots. Ms Keane however claimed she was almost finished. As she started blasting Buttercup with the hair dryer. Bubbles walked in with a huge grin.

"I have kept everything. I loved it all." Both women laughed at Bubbles' over excitement. They didn't mean to but they had heard the conversation from earlier. They had realised that they weren't the only ones to notice that Bubbles inner light wasn't shining as bright as it had before but looking at her now she was starting shine bright again.

"Buttercup your hair! It's so you! It's super cute! Sorry." Bubbles said clamping her hand over her mouth realising that it was probably not the best thing to say to her. Buttercup could feel herself starting to panic. But before she could start lashing out like she normally would a mirror was placed in front of her. She stared at her reflection with wide eyes not recognising herself. Her once unkept long hair was cut into a longer pixie style. Her hair was darker and a lot shinier and her vivid green eyes were framed with a sweeping fringe that sat to the right. She realised that it was left longer at the top giving her the chance to mess it up. She didn't realise the whole room was waiting for her reaction until she heard her older sister complaining.

"I can't move my head so I can't see it. Come on Buttercup get off your butt and let me see it." As Buttercup stood up she couldn't take her eyes off her face in the mirror. She had never really considered herself good looking but at the same time she wasn't hideous to look at but what she saw in the mirror surprised her. She was quite attractive with her dark hair, lightly tanned skin and her bright green eyes. A weird sense of pride and confidence over took her. She had always felt like the girls had treated her like she was a boy not only because she acted like one but they thought she looked like one. She handed the mirror to Ms Keane and turned to face her older sister. Blossom's face instantly lit up.

"Wow. It really does suit you. Your eyes really stand out that way. Not that they didn't before being an unusual shade of green but now they look even more intriguing." Buttercup could feel a blush creep up her neck and just shrugged as a response. After she felt herself cool down she turned to thank Ms Keane who only nodded to show that nothing needed to be said and handed her the bag that contained her clothes and with that she left.

"She looked cute but total bad ass too." Bubbles mumbled when she sat down. Blossom laughed.

"I think she just realised how pretty she was Bubbles. I don't think it was you." Bubbles frowned.

"I could have told her way before now."

"She wouldn't have believed you. You know her Bubbles." All Bubbles did was nod.

"Bubbles?" Ms Keane asked.

"Oh right. I would like it shoulder length." Ms Keane smiled and nodded. After another 30 minutes Buttercup walked in and sat at the sofas.

"The clothes are actually awesome thanks." Buttercup mumbled. Ms Keane and Ms Bellum started blasting their hairdryers at the same time. Ms Keane after another 5 minutes handed the Bubbles the mirror and everyone heard Bubbles gasp. She couldn't quite believe her hair was that bright. Ms Keane had stuck to length having it a little longer so now the ends lay across her shoulders. She had done it in a side parting adding a longer bangs and subtle soft curls to the end of hair that framed Bubbles round face perfectly.

"I love it! It's so nice. Thank you." Bubbles said as she jumped up and stood in front of Blossom who smiled and agreed. She looked towards Buttercup who smirked and nodded. Ms Keane came towards with two thick pieces of blue ribbon. Bubbles looked confused as she turned round, her back facing Ms Keane. Once Ms Keane finished, she once again had the mirror placed in front of her to reveal her hair in two high pigtails, her bangs however still in place. She just stared she had never imagined what she would look like with her hair in the same style as her 5 year old self but she loved it. It felt strange but she felt more like herself.

"You really suit that too." Blossom complimented. They didn't look one bit childish on Bubbles. She watched her baby sister look her way and say, "you think?" Blossom nodded. She watched as Bubbles looked from her eyes to her hair and her face fall. Blossom started to panic. She knew she should have told them her hair was fine. But after looking at her sisters' hair she had felt calm but looking at Bubbles expression the panic rose back and quicker. But she watched as Bubbles wide eyed stare turned into a wide eyed huge grin stare. But before anyone could say anything it was Blossom's turn to face her own reveal. The length sat just above her bum but it had a few layers cut in with a slightly thick front fringe which only seemed to emphasise Blossoms fair skin and sparkling pink eyes. But the front of hair was clipped into place at the back of her head with a beautiful red bow similar to the one she wore when she was younger. She lifted her head when she heard Bubbles squeal.

"We all look so good." Blossom chuckled at Bubbles statement. After their small talk this morning it looked like Bubbles had cheered up. Maybe all she did need was a vent Blossom thought.

"Thank you Ms Bellum. I really like it." Blossom said turning to the older lady.

"It was nothing. Here." Ms Bellum said with a smile as she handed her the bag of clothes but Blossom had other ideas. This was the perfect opportunity to find out what was going on with the professor. She had been thinking about speaking with them but they never had the chance between training and sleeping but as she sat next to Buttercup on the sofas she knew this was her best shot.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Blossom no. I know what you are going to ask but we cannot tell you more than what the professor told you." Ms Keane said putting on her strict teacher's voice. Damn!

"I'm just really worried about him. I do not know if he may be in danger. For all you guys know he was caught on his journey by Him's minions. One of us should have went with him."

"He will be fine. He used a lot of underground passages to get where he was going. We can't risk Him knowing where you girls are yet. We don't know what he has planned when he next shows." Blossoms snapped towards Ms Bellum's answer.

"Has he made contact?" Ms Keane and Ms Bellum looked at each other. Ms Keane wanted the professor to talk to them in his own time but Ms Bellum felt that the girls needed to know this piece of information. So before Ms Keane could come up with a clever reply Ms Bellum had an answer of her own.

"Yes. He spoke through the Mayor to say he would be back in a month. He didn't say what was planned just that he would be back and he was pretty tired just keeping an eye on us." Ms Keane looked at Ms Bellum with a fierce scowl.

"Look girls you need to speak with the professor on this. In the meantime get some rest tonight we have more training tomorrow. The next round is Princess Morbucks and Sedusa. After you, Blossom, voicing your concerns over not finding them the professor programmed them together in one level for you girls to face because there is a high chance that will happen." Blossom barely heard her as she processed what was said. She wondered why Him was waiting so long before he next showed, why had he announced when he was returning but more importantly what did he in fact have planned.

"We both know that we need to join forces to take him down."

"Why should we fight? We have managed to hide for this long."

"I never took you as a coward."

"I am no coward John, I would rather be alive than dead." The deep voice hissed.

The professor sighed, "Look I have something that will prove an advantage, a huge one at that."

"What is it?"

"I cannot say just come with me. Him has already said he will be back next month. You must have heard."

"Yes." The man said deep in thought, "this doesn't change a thing between us."

The professor's features hardened and as he replied he spoke through gritted teeth, "not even in the slightest."

---

"Princess Morbucks is selfish, childish and irritating. Once we had refused her demand to join us she had 'Daddy' pay for a suit that gave her similar powers; flight, strength and agility. The fact she was very rich helped with getting the villains to do as she said. However the suit she once wore has had a major upgrade; weapons. She has a few nasty but very powerful weapons attached to her arms that pack a real good punch even for be careful with them, a hit with them may hurt but it will cause an impact of such. She has not been seen wearing the suit for a while however there has been rumours that she has no need for it at this moment. She uses her money and status to get things done just now as she is heavily involved in the politics of the town. So be careful when meeting for the first time she may have a few surprises." Princess stood before the girls with her hands on her hips and a vicious smirk on her face. Her once before bright frizzy orange hair was now dyed and straightened into an elegant strawberry blonde shoulder length style. She wore a thin golden suit of armour that covered her entire body. The same evil glint she once had as a child still evident in her eyes. All three girls stared at the older version of Princess realising that she may have changed slightly in appearance but the frozen program still held the unearned authority she had always worn. Blossom slowly walked to the other frozen female in the room but not quite ready to take her eyes off Princess began speaking aloud.

"Sedusa. She earned her disgusting nickname by the tactics she uses to get what she wants. She also has been working her way through the ranks in the political side of Townsville. She has a few very important people wrapped around her finger so we have to watch our movements especially around her. One slip up could have us exposed quicker than the new mayor of Townsville being announced. She can manipulate her hair to extend and lash out."

"Cause that's not gross and creepy," Bubbles shuddered.

Blossom's only sign that she heard was a small smile that played on her lips other than that she ignored the interruption and acted like it never happened, "Him made it obvious that he needs them by having them both disappear. He needs Sedusa's political influence and Princess' money." Blossom never said it out loud but she wasn't quite sure how they fit in, if Him could control anyone he likes he could easily just do so for things to happen around him. The mayor was the only one to be under his spell all these years and Blossom couldn't put her finger as to why. She hadn't had a chance to research into it. She had been reading up on the old enemies and training she barely had time to sleep but after tonight once she looked into their 'arch enemy' she would be clear to answer her own questions.

"Sedusa is also a very good fighter but I couldn't find any background information it was like she just came into existence around the time we were born. Any questions?"

"Men find that attractive?" Buttercup said in disbelief. Blossom smiled not exactly what she meant but Buttercup could always be trusted to lighten the mood slightly as well as twist 'orders'. Blossom turned to look at the female in question. Sedusa definitely had the figure, her perfect sized bust teamed with her tiny waist and long toned legs she could have men falling at her feet. Her face was the same big expression filled eyes with long lashes that could easily bat to get what she wanted, a small button nose and full lips. She was deadly pale and her long black locks fell down her back. The beauty on the outside was evident but even though it was a hologram and she was frozen you could still feel the evil that surrounded her. She was a dark creature not to be messed with and she carried it with pride. Her green eyes even though were beautiful to look at still held hatred and deception. She was dark and evil on the inside and it was clear to the girls. They saw past the façade of her cheap beauty and saw her for what she really was. A force to be reckoned with. Blossom turned to her sisters and made her way over. She could see both the girls sizing up the enemy. Blossom knew they were not going to be their hardest enemy to beat but that didn't mean that these women were going to go down without a pretty good fight. Blossom nodded her head towards the mirror and turned her head as she watched the females come to life.

"Well if it isn't the Powerpuff brats." Princess sneered. Buttercup growled softly towards the snotty blonde.

"Now now Princess that's not how we say hello to old friends." Sedusa said with a soft smile.

Buttercup scoffed. "Friends?" Bubbles said with such distaste.

"We could be. We could even join forces and run this crummy town. Don't you think Princess?"

"We don't need them."

"But of course we do. They are powerful just like us, a great ally in this war."

Buttercup couldn't believe that this woman was treating them like the men in suits. She pulled a disgusted face to think this woman was buttering them up either to really join or more than likely try to take them down. She turned to see her sisters weren't buying it either which brought a small grin to her mouth. She was really going to enjoy kicking their asses, especially Princess who needed to be put in her place. Everything about her screamed that she deserved respect and Buttercup hated that. She should have been given respect back at the tribe after everything she did for them and could have but instead they treated her like she never existed. This girl however obviously felt like she was inferior with her class and money and Buttercup couldn't wait to teach her a lesson. Buttercup looked towards Blossom again. The red head obviously read something in her eyes as she gave her a slight nod and turned her body to face Sedusa a little more. All three girls took up a fighting stance.

Sedusa sighed, "I really didn't want it to come to this. We could have run the whole world but you stupid brats are too wrapped up in this super hero personas to realise the true power you could have!" She screamed the last part in exasperation.

"Enough! You tried but these stupid bitches would rather die." Princess said with a hard gleam. Buttercup chuckled.

"You are going down little girl and I'm going to have so much pleasure in doing so." With that Buttercup flew towards Princess and delivered am uppercut to the girls jaw. Buttercup noticed her sisters had both flown at Sedusa at the same time. She quickly zoned in on Princess who had recovered quickly before flying into the wall.

"Bitch!" Princess screamed before leaping towards Buttercup with a punch to the face of her own. Buttercup wasn't quick enough to dodge it so she took the full force of the punch to the side of her face. Princess went to throw in another one but Buttercup was ready and dodged it before sending a kick to her opponent's stomach. It had winded her slightly which had Princess bend over clutching her stomach. Buttercup didn't waste any time and connected her knee with the girls face. Princess staggered back clutching her nose.

"You broke my fucking nose you bitch!" Princess brought her hands down to see blood covering her hands and it dripping off her chin. Buttercup smirked at the dent and slight turn of the opposition's nose.

"I think I improved that face of yours no?" Buttercup said innocently. Princess growled and lunged for Buttercup who had expected it and stepped to the side and delivered a knee to Princess' ribs. Buttercup smiled when she heard a few cracks. Princess staggered forward clutching her stomach her pain showing on her face. Buttercup studied her opponent a little. The girl wasn't the best fighter, she left herself open and was slow to react. She could deliver a hit Buttercup could admit that much as she rubbed her slightly swollen cheek but she couldn't understand why she was a massive threat. Buttercup reckoned a few more hits and the girl would be out for the count. She tilted her head as a confused look crossed her face. She couldn't think why Blossom had stressed she would be an ad worthy opponent maybe Blossom's sources were wrong but as that thought started to form Buttercup quickly scratched it. She knew her sister, she wouldn't give them unnecessary information and have them chasing wild strung theories so Buttercup thought back to what the older one had said. But as Buttercup was deep in thought she didn't realise that Princess was standing again and preparing for round two. Buttercup looked towards the space that Princess should have been in to see the young girl standing next the crater with a gun pointed at the Puff. Weapons. Buttercup eyes widened and she jumped to the side feeling the blast skim by her. Princess laughed, firing a few more well aimed shots at Buttercup who managed to dodge all but the last which had hut her shoulder. Buttercup grunted in pain and looked at the injured shoulder. It had been badly burned and stung to lift. Buttercup glared at the smirking girl in front her. No more games she thought, the bitch is going down. Buttercup flew towards the girl dodging the girl's attempt to slow down the raven hair girl. Buttercup smiled as she grabbed Princess and started to deliver a few blows to her face whilst she continued to fly. The girls flew into the side of a building. Buttercup pushed back to see a unconscious Princess and left the girl to fall to the ground but before she could hear the satisfying noise of her body hitting the ground everything went white and she was back in the training room.

Bubbles watched as Buttercup flew towards Princess. She turned her attention back to her own target when she watched Blossom send a flying kick at Sedusa's head. Sedusa gripped the side of her head and flung a few kicks and punches towards Blossom who seemed to easily dodge them. But as Blossom side stepped the last swing of Sedusa's fist she didn't notice the older women's hair swing towards her gripping her four limbs. Bubbles watched as her oldest sister struggled and her body beginning to be covered in the vile woman's hair. Bubbles didn't think twice and sent a ball of blue energy towards the enemy's body. The hair that had Blossom in a death grip didn't let up and Bubbles turned to see Sedusa glaring at her.

"You little brat." With that Sedusa tried to throw a few hits at the blue puff but every one of them was unsuccessfully due to the speed of Bubbles and her being weighed down by the Pink one. Bubbles watched as the hair starting choking Blossom and Bubbles sent a blast of heat vision towards the hair wrapped around Blossom. Sedusa screamed out as in pain as she watched the hair around Blossom drop and the ends of her hair sizzle. She charged towards the youngest Puff hitting her with a few successful hits but just as she was about to send a deafening blow to her Bubbles watched as she contorted in pain. Bubbles peered round the side to see Blossom aiming at the woman's back with her heat vision. Bubbles took this as an opportunity and began delivering few painful blows of her own sending the woman flying back. Blossom then delivered a resounding punch to the woman who hurtled down and crashing creating a crater. She lay very still which had Blossom listening carefully for a heartbeat which she found seconds before the room went white again.

"How's the shoulder?" Bubbles asked.

Buttercup shrugged using her uninjured shoulder, "Ms Keane said the Chemical X in my blood will help heal it. She doesn't know how long it will take but I have to keep it covered up for the time being." She had it wrapped up in bandages. Bubbles turned a ghostly white when she saw the toughest Puff injured but she brushed it off when Blossom tried to treat it. Eventually Ms Keane had sat her down to deal with it. They also said that we did well and they wanted to advance us a few levels ahead. We were to fight the same faceless drones tomorrow and if we were up for it against Mojo Jojo. Bubbles screwed her face up trying to picture their worst enemy when they were younger but all she could picture was a monkey and white. She looked to see the oldest eating very unladylike. Bubbles realised that she was eager to begin her new research about this mystery character. It seemed all three girls were struggling to remember him but that would all change tomorrow. They would get the chance to meet the evil genius that had been their biggest threat when they were younger. He apparently was very clever carrying an assortment of weapons and having robots at his disposal built with his two hands. Buttercup stood up. She looked exhausted, the healing process must really be taking its toll. Every night they had finished Buttercup looked buzzed like she was ready for more but tonight she looked like she could sleep were she stood. She tried her best to hide it but Bubbles was good at reading her sisters. They had been injured when fighting but nothing serious as the burn that Buttercup was sporting. Bubbles stood up and stretched trying to push her older sisters' decision. Buttercup looked over to Bubbles and smiled. She knew the youngest Puff's plan and even though Blossom probably did too no one said nothing knowing Buttercup's nature.

"I should probably get you to bed." Buttercup said. Blossom looked between the two and said with a slight blush forming on her cheeks, "I'm just going to read up on Mojo so I will join you guys later." She watched as her younger sisters left and couldn't help but cringe a little. She knew she was nerd but she had to. They all needed to be prepared and ready for anything. She hated to think what would have happened had she not known that Princess had powerful weapons at her disposal or Sedusa's hair. She stood walking towards the computer. She was exhausted herself. She had been wrapped in hair fighting for her life but she knew she needed to do this. For herself. For her sisters. For the future of Townsville. For the future of Earth.

"You girls are showing incredible strength and durability. The new powers you have come to discover is incredible." Ms Keane stated when they girls were sitting eating lunch. They had gotten up extra early this morning eager to carry on but more so to face this character that everyone seemed so worried about. Buttercup looked towards the two older woman, who were discussing the rest of the afternoon. She was buzzed to keep going and to beat the shit out of this supposed scary and powerful enemy. So far none of them had come up to scratch. The women yesterday proved to be a small challenge if that especially the snotty one with the unfair advantage of weapons.

"Are we facing Mojo Jojo today then?" Blossom asked. Just then a phone by the laptop started to ring. The girls looked at it curiously not realising that there was a landline in the building. Ms Keane jumped up from her seat and practically ran to the phone. She picked it up without saying anything but the girls could hear a male voice saying something on the other line.

"John?! You could have least gotten in touch sooner, we have been worried so much." The girls turned their head to watch Ms Bellum shake her head slightly

"When? Tonight? Okay. Sedusa and Princess Morbucks yesterday. Who? Do you think that's a good idea? If you say so. Okay. Goodbye." With that Ms Keane placed the handset back down.

"Change of plans girls. The professor would like you to face Fuzzy Lumpkins this afternoon, get some rest and face Mojo Jojo this evening when he is back."

"Why?" Blossom asked instantly.

"He says he wants to see how you would do against Mojo and facing Fuzzy will give you some more practice." With that Ms Keane left with Ms Bellum scurrying behind to catch up.

"I don't like this." Buttercup said.

"Nor do I." Blossom said deep in thought. Bubbles looked between her sisters and said nothing. She too felt like something was a little off. The woman had said that they would be filming every session they had to let the professor see if he so wished but she kept quiet knowing that was what her sisters were talking about. Buttercup stood up and rolled her shoulders. The injured one had healed up perfectly before they had fallen asleep.

"We might as well do this. If we do it we can figure out what's going on or should I say Leader Girl will figure it out." Buttercup said with a smirk. Blossom was too much in thought to realise what was said. She had already headed towards the door that would lead them to the lab.

"Fuzzy is certainly not the cleverest of the lot of them but he loves two things; his banjo and his land. He isn't much of a challenge but when he is in rage mode he grows in size and sees only red. That's what we are facing with him today but please pay attention we can't afford any slip ups with him. He can be really quite dangerous." Buttercup scowled she knew Blossom was only warning them but it reminded Buttercup of her stupid mistake yesterday.

Ms Keane pressed the button for the pink bear to come to life just as the door opened to reveal the professor.

"John! I thought you said tonight."

"I know but I couldn't have the girls over hearing. They came back with me and are currently upstairs." He said but he wasn't looking at Ms Keane when he spoke he was watching his three powerful teenage daughters take on the brute that was Fuzzy Lumpkins. He watched as his eldest pointed out strategies and obvious openings to strike whilst the middle one took full delight in diving for said open spots. The younger one was distracting the big oaf taking the instructions from the Pink Puff. They were working as a team again, filling their old roles again like nothing had ever happened. Professor couldn't help but smile, his girls were back.

"Did you tell him about the girls?" the professor looked at Ms Keane.

"No. And we both know why. They look like they have exceeded themselves." The professor said looking back to see that the girls had almost completed their task.

"I cannot begin to tell you what they have accomplished in this room. They are stronger and better than before! You will see when they face with Mojo later." Ms Keane pushing a button to clear the training room.

---

The girls had left the training room to go straight to their rooms for a rest but they couldn't keep their mind off the bigger task. Everything they had face had presented them with a challenge even Fuzzy the clueless oaf had been a big challenge but they had overcome it together. It felt great Bubbles thought. She felt like she was finally a part of something, this strange family was everything to her now and she would fight. For it. She turned her head to see both her sisters' eyes closed but Bubbles knew they weren't asleep they were too much on a high from the win this afternoon as well as knowing the professor was back to fall asleep. Buttercup was itching to get back in the training room and face the bad guys once again, she would rather face the real deal but she could stick with the fakes as long as she could kick some real butt soon. Blossom was too busy coming up with theories as to why things were happening, Him's announcement of his arrival, the professor's sudden need to leave and his mysterious guest they had yet to meet. A soft knock on the door had all girls jumping to their feet. Ms Keane popped her head round and smiled.

"The professor would like to see you but first maybe shower and change." Ms Keane said. The girls looked down to see the same clothes they had had on when they had been training the whole day and thought it best to clean themselves up and look presentable to their guest. Buttercup came out wearing tight black combat cropped trousers with two green bands going around under each knee. She had on green converse which weren't laced and looking a little worn as she had been wearing them the whole time they had trained. Her green t shirt had two black lines going down either side. She had black elbow pads another attire she had started to wear when training. Her hair in an organised mess that suited her perfectly. Blossom was next to appear wearing white skinny jeans that bunched slightly over her new pink converse. Her pink t shirt had a darker pink star at the front and her hair was down but still pinned back with her signature bow. She was fiddling with matching dark pink sweatbands when Bubbles popped out. She wore a black tank top with a long strapless bright blue top over it. She wore black skinny jeans with a small light blue see through tutu style skirt. She had blue trainers on with her hair up in her pigtails. The hair and the skirt should have been enough for the youngest to look childlike but it suited her style and personality. It made the blue puff look older in a strange way.

"Let's get this thing over with," Buttercup said tilting her head towards the roof.

"I would rather be doing other things too but we need answers here. I hate how much we have been kept in the dark." Blossom stated. Bubbles nodded. She may not be the one that comes up with the plan or the one who enforces them but she hated being kept out the loop. Bubbles walked towards her two sisters with a big smile on her face.

"We have each other, at least there's that." Blossom and Buttercup both smiled back. Bubbles had been the optimistic one of the group before but when they first met her she was quiet and distant. The girl in front of them now had changed and she was once again the one they looked for when things were down or tough. She could see the silver lining in anything. The girls began walking down the hall towards the conference room when they heard yelling. They picked their speed up but not too much as they were curious and eager to hear more before they would have to interrupt it.

"How are we supposed to beat him hmm? What stupid creation have you come up with that I haven't thought of before?!"

"Calm down-"

"Don't tell me to calm down, professor. You have dragged me to this hell hole for what?!" Bubbles and Blossom looked at the door with anger as Buttercup was clenching and unclenching her fists. Blossom calmed herself a little and indicated they enter but silently. As she quietly pushed the door open she couldn't quite get a look at the culprit yelling as the two woman were standing directly behind him. Blossom glanced to the left to see three shapes huddled together but her attention was quickly taken by the yelling man.

"I'm leaving John. There is no point in being here." The girls watched the woman separate to let the rude ape of a man through. And how right they were with that description. A small ape wearing strange clothes stood in front of them and the girls instantly recognised him without any introductions.

"Mojo Jojo." The girls said in unison. The girls watched as Mojo's face drained of colour. Blossom stood in the middle with her hands on her hips with a vicious smirk painted on her face. Bubbles stood to her right smiling at the monkey glad to have face to the name with Buttercup to the left arms crossed, looking extremely pissed off.

"The p-p-p-Powerpuff girls?! B-b-b-b-but you were supposed to be dead!" Mojo exclaimed looking between the girls.

"Aww we missed you too Mojo." Blossom said slowly making her way over to the monkey. Mojo was terrified but as much as he wanted to cower he knew he couldn't show fear to these girls. But he knew he was failing just the look on Buttercup's face said she knew he was scared. The three shapes that Blossom had identified before recognising the monkey started shifting and approaching the monkey. Blossom smiled even more.

"Of course you brought your bodyguards. The RowdyRuff Boys." Blossom said the last part with distaste as she stood with her sisters glaring at the monkey and the dark figures standing behind the monkey. The way the light was hitting the six teens represented them perfectly. The girls were doused in light showing every feature that they had to offer whereas the boys were clouded in darkness where very little was shown. Light and dark, good and evil.

"Girls please." The professor attempted to sound stern but he knew it was falling on deaf ears.

"It's so good to see you after all these years. Geez those years haven't been too kind huh?" And Blossom wasn't lying the monkeys once vibrant black was starting to look dishevelled and grey. His face was starting to sag a little too. Buttercup chuckled whilst Bubbles giggled slightly.

"Where have you three been hiding whilst the world around you burns especially your special little town?" Blossom knew he chose his words careful to get a reaction but her sisters had easily learned to hide their feelings. Even though the thought of innocent people hurting caused a pain in her chest she placed a bored expression on her face whilst inspecting her nails.

"Oh you know around, I suppose. Here and there." Blossom heard the monkey clench his teeth tight.

"You stupid selfish brats. The whole city falls apart and you three go on vacation-"before he could finish his sentence Buttercup had the monkey pinned the ground in front of Blossom who was now glaring at the ape.

"Don't start to assume you know what we have been doing these last 10 years monkey." Buttercup growled before letting him go and standing where she was before.

"Girls…" The professor said before Blossom interrupted.

"You want us to work with the boys and the monkey." The room feel deadly quiet and Blossom turned towards the professor, "No."

"We aren't so keen to work with you guys either, Pinky." All sisters turned to the boy who decided to speak up. The three boys had seemed to have stepped closer when the leader had spoken as the girls could see them each clearly.

Blossom glowered before saying, "Girls meet the RowdyRuff Boys. Boomer is the blonde one, Butch is in green and Brick is the one with the hat. I guess you girls can work out which one is your counterpart." Bubbles couldn't take her eyes off her counterpart. She hated to admit it but he was gorgeous. His messy long hair which sat just below his ears was a shade darker to her bright blonde. His navy blue eyes shone against his pale skin but his features were sharp and prominent reflecting a man not a mere boy. Her thought process however was broken by Buttercup.

"Counterpart?" Buttercup was confused. She wasn't a hundred percent sure what Blossom meant by it. She began looking her enemy up and down, sizing him up. His hair was shorter than the blonde's but he had it spiked. His forest green eyes were focused although his mouth was turned into a seductive grin. Buttercup was going to love wiping that smirk off his pretty face. Wait what? Before she could dive more into that thought Blossom's voice was again filled the room.

"Yes Mojo tried creating his own version of us if you like but he wanted boys not girls. They have powers like us." Blossom stared at her counterpart. His equally bright and unruly hair sat at his shoulders but it seemed to be kept under control with a bright red hat he wore backwards. His crimson red eyes looked to be evaluating her so when she finished her small explanation Brick's mouth turned into a smirk. She obviously had him impressed.

"I didn't think you would know of us, Pinky."

"The name is Blossom. And of course I know of you. I read up on Mojo and of course your three ugly faces popped up." As much as Blossom hated to admit it the word ugly would definitely not of been a word she would have used for the three boys had they met under different circumstances. Bricks grin seemed to grow.

"You read up about us? Impressed are we?"

"Hardly. But neither was Him so that's not saying much." Bricks smirk dropped and he glared at Blossom. Her two sisters stopped staring at their counterparts and looked at the reds with a little confusion.

"Did I hit a nerve?" Blossom giggled, "Mojo wanted in Him's good books so when he heard that Him was looking for us, Mojo went and created his own to show Him his worthy. But Him wasn't impressed. Not one bit and hasn't included them in his circle of friends." Brick continued staring but broke out into a smile after a bit.

"Ah but Pinky we wouldn't be able to bug the shit out of you girls if we were joined forces with him. Actually we would have to destroy you and we all know that would take two seconds flat." Buttercup chuckled.

"You guys would be easier to defeat than Sedusa and Princess."

"Don't bet on it Doll." Butch said. Buttercup growled in response and Butch grinned even more. The professor stepped in before any fights could break out.

"They will be helping girls. Regardless of your guys opinions on each we need their help. Him might not want them helping but they can still mingle with the villains of this town especially the ones that are helping Him. You girls can't reveal yourself too early, not with Him's return happening shortly. What is it?" The professor said referring to Blossom zoning out in thought.

"It just doesn't make sense." All 5 super teens looked towards the Pink Puff.

"What doesn't?" The professor asked generally intrigued to hear what his eldest had to say.

"A number of things. I get why Him would announce his return but a month before? Also why specifically a month why not just return now? Why is he controlling the Mayor of Townsville? If he could control anyone like he suggests why not a president or prime minister? He would have money, power and weapons at his disposal. I also don't like his little obsession with us. The boys are just as powerful and were built to be villains. It would be so much easier to work with them and not us." The blues and greens seemed to be thinking this over whilst the Red Ruff looked to be slightly impressed.

"Look I know you six don't want to be working together but I think you all know deep down that if you team up then this will be easier and get done quicker. I need you all to start looking into how you are going bring Him and his empire down and hopefully you will find your answers on the way." The teens looked at each other. They knew the professor was right but it wasn't that they didn't exactly want to work with the boys they just couldn't trust them. Blossom looked at each sister before saying, "Fine but we are the heroes so we are in charge."

The Blue Ruff looked to his leader for his opinion whereas the Green Ruff looked like he was about to argue until Brick said, "fine by us." The Green Ruff closed his mouth and kept quiet. He knew that Brick probably didn't want them running the show and would have a plan of his own so if that meant listening to the girls yap then fine. He would endure it. Blossom nodded her head before heading towards the big table.

"I suppose we should start now. We should swap information, get more Intel and figure out who are Him's main players then we can start to take down his empire." The girls sat down at the right side gathering the notes they had accumulated over the last two weeks of being here. The boys sat across their counterpart studying each of them freely without glares or snappy remarks. Boomer was curious to learn who his counterpart was. He wanted to know how similar they both were, he knew they were counterparts and would share some same aspects but how much was what he really wanted to know. The more he looked at Bubbles he felt something flutter in his stomach which was a feeling that Boomer had never felt and had no idea what it meant. What he did know was that the blonde girl sitting across from him was beautiful. She raised her head from her notes and looked right at him. Her clear blue eyes seemed to asking the same questions but both their attentions was grabbed by the leader of the puffs.

"So we know that Sedusa and Princess have a role in this and possibly Fuzzy too. Have you guys heard anything about him?" Brick shrugged.

"Helpful. Let's just get started looking into things. Buttercup and Butch I want you looking into Sedusa more see if you can find out what she has been doing recently. Bubbles and Boomer look into Princess same thing. Brick look into Fuzzy. We need to know what they have been doing and who they have been making friends with." With Blossom stood up and headed for the laptop.

"And what are you doing, Pinky?"

"Getting some answers."

The group of teens had been working close to two hours before they started breaking off for sleep. The boys were the first to leave considering they had been travelling for three days. Then Buttercup had thrown the papers down admitting defeat and muttering profanities about how she hated reading. Bubbles and Blossom were the only ones that had remained. Bubbles realised that she had read the same line a few times and she was struggling to keep her eyes open. She looked towards Blossom who had not moved or said anything since she had sat down at the computer.

"I think I'm going to head to bed." Blossom nodded her head slightly to acknowledge she had heard the blue puff but she could clearly see the eldest wasn't ready to call it a night. Bubbles sighed. She knew her sister would be a hard worker putting her mission before herself. She deep down envied her slightly for it. Bubbles know she would do almost the same too if she didn't need sleep or food. Bubbles got up and headed towards the door. She looked back one more time over her shoulder at her older sister mentally pleading she would take a break but Blossom didn't move one muscle. As the Blue Puff got ready for bed Mojo had entered the boys' room.

"Get up. I thought you were supposed to be smart?! How can you sleep when your arch enemies sleep across the hall?" Butch scoffed.

"I think we can handle a couple of girls." Mojo growled low in his throat.

"Do not underestimate them. They are very powerful. That's why I have come here tonight to tell you guys to keep a close eye on them." Brick rolled his eyes.

"Of course we would do that. Give us some credit as to realise that we are working with the enemy that could easily take us out if we aren't focused." Mojo smiled.

"At least one of you guys get it." With that the monkey left.

"Do you honestly think they are as powerful as Mojo says?" Boomer asked. Butch chuckled.

"Yes." Brick simply answered. The Blue Ruff looked slightly worried whilst the Green looked as though Brick had lost the plot. But before either of them could voice their opinion Brick said, "Get some sleep."

Buttercup stretched out and realised that she was alone in bed. She raised her head slightly and looked either side needing visual confirmation she still wasn't dreaming. She heard the shower being turned off. That accounted for one but where was the other but before she could think clearly Bubbles stepped out the bathroom.

"I don't think Blossom came to bed last night." Bubbles tone had Buttercup looking towards her younger sister. She looked worried and truth be told Buttercup was a little too. Their sister was known to stay up to ridiculous times in the morning trying to figure out their next move but this was unlike her. She herself had made the point of saying they needed as much sleep so they could focus properly the next day. Buttercup decided to forgo her shower just now and start to search for her sister. She knew she could handle herself but with the boys turning up yesterday she wasn't taking any chances. Buttercup and Bubbles headed to her last known location to find Blossom preparing breakfast whilst humming a happy tune. The boys were already sitting at the table staring at the Pink Puff in confusion. Once the sisters approached the table not taking their eyes off their oldest sister they heard Boomer ask, "What's up with her?" Both sisters shrugged their shoulders and sat next to the boys to watch the show.

"So I will have whatever you had Bloss." Buttercup said with a smile. It was strange to see the Pink Puff let loose a little. She wasn't completely stuck up although Buttercup reckoned that was what people saw when their older sister was on a roll. She was just eager to get going and do it right, she was a perfectionist to a certain degree. But she knew how to laugh and have fun when she was 'off the clock'. The Pink Puff raised her head and for the first time acknowledged that there were others in the room. She looked to her two sisters to see them holding in their laugh.

"Was I dancing?"

"A little bit." Came Buttercups response. Blossom groaned and hung her head.

"So what is with the happy song and dance this morning?" Blossoms head snapped up with a huge grin plastered on it.

"I got my answers. It took me all night but I got them." That's when Buttercup noticed the slight darkening under Blossoms eyes and the crumpled state of the clothes she had had on yesterday. But before she could say something Brick stepped in, "Well?"

At this point all the adults walked into the room and stopped when they saw Blossoms huge smile and obvious lack of sleep. Blossom seeing she had her desired audience took the floor.

"First off Him is a liar. He has no power from where he sits. He has a very loyal army headed by Sedusa making sure to keep the illusions going. How do I know this? The buildings he has supposedly blown up in anger or set on fire, Sedusa and her team had been to each prior to Him's attack. Her team? Trained mercenaries, out for the pay. I also think as much as it pains me to say it that the Mayor is in on the scheme. I need to confirm this before I say more to run his name into the dirt. He has Princess for her money and Daddy's impressive science team. For what I'm not sure just yet." Blossom said looking into the distance.

"What about his arrival back to Earth?" Bubbles asked. Blossom looked at her sister.

"That's a bit more complicated. It's all to do with physics but basically the planets in our solar system are about to align for the first time in thousands of years and it opens small worm holes. There not big at all so they are hardly spoke of and the government can hide it but I believe one of them may lead to Him's dimension. He didn't need it last because he came through a portal. I'm not sure who built it or calibrated it but I know it was Fuzzy who kept it hidden on his land."

"So one team should check into Sedusa, another with Princess and lastly Fuzzy?" Brick asked looking eager to get going for once.

"Exactly. I was thinking Greens on Sedusa, Blues on Fuzzy and Reds on Princess. Each team prepares then we head out."

"We wouldn't want to be caught before we got started."

"Exactly." Blossom and Brick stared at each other with a little new found respect before the professor cleared his throat.

"And us?"

"Guidance. It's up to us now." Blossom stated.