Chapter 8: Edge of Tomorrow

"Stop running!"

"We just want to talk!"

"Do as she says and you won't get hurt!"

Brick cursed his luck as he sprinted across the bright rooftops if New Townsville. Behind him flew the Powerpuff girls, Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup all in hot pursuit. From the moment they had spotted them, the girls never failed to keep up.

Brick he bounded over a low wall and leapt over to a lower building. Upon landing, he rolled to cushion his fall. Veering left, he passed through a narrow space between two huge air conditioning units. Then, he ran up a solar panel and jumped over the chain link fence to the other side. On his left and right Boomer and Butch ran alongside him, his two best friends in the whole world. Behind him, he saw the girls, still hot on their trail. Up a wall, he vaulted and hauled himself onto the top. There, he stepped onto a long metal pipe and crossed over a larger gap between two buildings. From here, the street looked so far away; a fall from this height would turn him into paste.

Thankfully, he made it over to the other side without much trouble. Leaping down from the pipe, he and his friends continued through a darkened corridor. Their footsteps echoed through the passageway, but the tell-tale whistling of the Powerpuff girls was nowhere to be heard.

"Something's wrong," Butch said, coming up from his left, "They're not following in here!"

"The girls must have flown over to the other side. They'll be waiting for us?" Boomer said.

"Yeah," Brick sighed, "We'll have to split up. Butch, take this and run as fast as you can."

Without breaking his stride, the redheaded leader unshouldered his pack and handed it over to Butch. The green-clad Rowdyruff Boy took it and slung it on his own back. They reached the tunnel end and stopped, wincing at the sudden brightness. Sure enough, the girls appeared in front of them, waiting.

"Hai! That is as far as you go," Blossom said, smirking. She pointed at Butch's satchel and said, "You have stuff in there that don't belong to you."

"It's not nice to steal things," Bubbles said, summoning her bubble wand, "Please be a dear and give it back—desu wa."

"Yeah, before we beat the snot out of you and take it by force," Buttercups, cracking her knuckles.

"That's if you can even reach us," Brick mocked, hands at his hips, "You'll probably fall short of your goal."

Blossom sneered. "Oh I'll hit you all right. When I give the word, my girls will smash you and then send you flying. You won't be the first to do so."

"Oh yeah? You think they will follow everything you say?"

"What?" Blossom asked, lost.

"I think you are lying about your leadership skills. I bet that you are not even a good at leading as you would think, unlike me."

Blossom flushed. "Hey! I'm a better leader than you could ever be."

Brick laughed. "Well, since you're such a good leader, you might have noticed that I am only trying to distract you."

Suddenly, Boomer stepped out from behind Brick and held up a giant slingshot with a handle that reached down to his feet. The three elastic band, each attached to six separate pegs, were pulled back tightly. In the very middle, where the bands weaved together to form the basket, there sat a little blue sack with a fuse burning brightly.

"Eat this! BOOMING SMOKY!" He let go, and the projectile flew towards the girls. It exploded and enveloped them all in a thick cloud of smoke.

"Split up!" Brick exclaimed, and the Boys broke out of the smoke in three different directions. Brick ran for his right, while Butch went towards the left, and Boomer charged straight ahead, right under the Powerpuff Girls. Coughing, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercups, rose up from the black cloud, and saw their prey escaping.

"They're not getting away!" Blossom shrieked, "After them!"

Without another word, the trio kicked into high gear and split off after each of the three Boys.

"BALLOON CATCHER!"

Bubbles aimed her attack at Boomer's back. The Rowdyruff boy whirled and brought his own weapon around. Another bomb appeared in the slingshot's basket, this one with a hard shell with tessellations of blue triangles on its surface.

"CALTROP POPPER!"

This time, the explosion was much smaller, and out from the core flew a dozen pieces of blue metal, each sharp enough to cut the giant bubble to ribbons. Bubbles had to shield herself from the debris, and when she recovered, the boy had vanished. Rising higher into the air, she looked everywhere for Boomer, but the boy had all but vanished.

Then, she saw Butch climbing his way through some scaffolding. She watched as the Green Rowdyruff boy weaved through the steel bars, poles and girders. She saw Buttercup keeping pace from the outside, watching and ready to pounce. When he popped out onto the open roof, Buttercup was right behind his tail and closing in fast. Bubbles dove from her vantage point and joined in on the chase. She and Buttercup followed Butch around a corner, over a large gap, and down a zip-line. Never once did he stop to catch a breath, nor did he give them the pleasure of slowing down.

Releasing the metal cable, Butch fell with a roll onto a narrow L-shaped roof. On two sides, there were two buildings, each one a story higher, and there was a set of stairs heading up to an overpass, which connected the two larger buildings. Butch had barely reached the stairs, when Buttercups summoned her yellow hammer.

"GRAVITON DRIVE!"

A bolt of green shot out from the hammer swing, and landed right in front of Butch. With a yell, the raven-haired boy flew from the blast and landed with a thump in one corner. Bubbles rushed in to cut off his intended path, and the two hemmed him in, denying him any escape.

"Give it up, Butch," Buttercup said, "There's nowhere to run now.

Butch gnashed his teeth. He was trapped, and out of options.

Suddenly, Boomer appeared on the higher roof, panting. "Butch, I'm over here! Toss it to me!"

Butch stood up. He unclipped the strap and flung the pack towards Boomer. The blonde made a grab for it, but then Blossom came flying in from seemingly nowhere and snatched the satchel out of the air.

"YES!" she cried, dangling the bag in the air. Then she turned around and gaze down to Butch. "Well, that was an annoying chase, but we've got it at the end," She ran her hand through her long mane, and continued haughtily. "I applaud your efforts, gentlemen, but as you see, I have your bag now. We'll just see what you are up to. I—"

"AAAARRRRGGGHHH!"

Before she could react, Brick charged in from behind her. He launched himself in the air and caught her by the waist. She shrieked and flew off wildly, but he clung on tightly. The pack still dangled in her outstretched hand, forgotten.

"EEW! Get off me! Get off me!" She screamed, loud and shrill

"Not until you give me back what's mine!"

Grunting, Brick clawed his way up Blossom's torso and tried reached for the pack. His other hand clutched around her chest, and squeezed.

"Kyaa!" she gasped, turning a furious red. "No! Stop! Please! Not there! Ahhn!"

They crashed onto a nearby rooftop, and both went tumbling along the narrow strip of asphalt.

Blossom rose to her knees and hugged herself tightly.

"How dare you touch me like that?" She screamed, blushing furiously. "Never have I been so violated, y-y-you dirty hentai!"

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

She slapped him hard, and he went sprawling a little farther.

He saw his satchel right in front of him. He grabbed for it and unzipped it. Then he pulled out the laptop and turned it all around, inspecting for any external damage. When nothing appeared to be amiss, he breathed a sigh of relief. There was still a chance that the insides were broken, but at least nothing rattled when he shook the thing. At that moment, he became aware of a familiar whistling noise. He looked up and saw that he was trapped. Bubbles and Buttercup were floating in front of him, blocking his view of Blossom.

They did not look happy.

"Your dirty hands went all over Blossom, you pervert. Prepare yourself!" Buttercup growled, her yellow hammer appearing in her hands.

"What you did was unforgivable," Bubbles said softly, "Come quietly and your punishment may be swift." Behind her back, she held her bubble wand, ready to fight if she needed.

Brick rose to his feed and backed up from their deathly glares. He bumped against the low railing and looked behind him. The glass sloped down to the edge at the building, far away. Beyond it lay another building, its roof top waiting.

If he could time it perfectly...

He looked back at the girls. They did not see what he had seen, and they thought that he was cornered. He would show them.

Quick as a snake, he vaulted over the railing and slid down the slick glass. The wind howled in his face as he went faster and faster and the lower edge rushed up to meet him. With all his might he forced his feed against the glass and JUMPED!

For a moment, everything was in slow motion. Yelling like a fool, he sailed over the abyss, his arms flailing like a windmill. He landed on the white concrete, feet first. Then he tucked into a roll. Head over heels, he tumbled, transforming all his falling momentum into forward momentum. When the roll propelled him back up to his feet, he ran a short burst, and stopped. He and looked back and saw the stunned girls, including Blossom, hanging on the rails back on the other building. They were gaping at him with jaws fallen to the floor.

With a wicked grin, Brick danced a mocking dance and blew out a loud raspberry. Then he turned around, pulled down his pants and mooned them all, his cheeks bright against the Sun. "Hey come on, Old Hags!" He shouted, "Try to keep up!"

That did the trick: Blossom snarled a very un-girly snarl, climbed up onto the railing and dived straight for him. He dodged at the last moment and then ran off, laughing out loudly. He slammed through an open door and ran headlong through the dimly lit hallway.

Up ahead, an elevator opened, and two security guards walked in, attracted by all the commotion. Brick darted through another path; he vaulted over a chain link gate, and snuck through a fenced off area where the back-up generators and other large machines were housed. The elevator was still open when Brick emerged through the other gate. There was a key hanging on the elevator wall, and Brick knew that it kept the doors open. He rushed inside, hearing the telltale whistling of the girls closing in from behind. He took the elevator keys and pressed a button, and the doors rolled shut just as he saw the girls appear around the corner.

Safe within the metal box, Brick let out a tired breath and sank to the floor. Just then, his right wrist vibrated, and he saw that Boomer was calling.

"Did you do what I think you did? Dang man, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Brick grinned cheekily. "Are you guys okay? Can you still run?"

"Of course!" Butch butted into view, "Why would you doubt us?"

Boomer shoved him away. "The girls went after you as soon as you crashed into that tower. They're only interested in that pack."

"Well they can't have it. Not while I'm around," Brick said, "Get to victory square plaza, and wait for me near the subway entrance. Hurry!"

Buttercup grimaced, as she leaned against the elevator door leaving on.

"Come on, open up already!" She pounded on the aluminum sheets, leaving large divots on its surface.

"Stop, Buttercup, you won't get to him like that," Blossom said, "We have to get back outside, and hurry!"

Back up the hallway, the three girls flew. They weaved past the two guards, threaded through the broken door, and flew out into the open sky. Once they were in midair, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup circled around to the building's main entrance. There they saw him running out into the crowded street, pushing his way through the traffic. The girls dove to ground level and chased after him. Down and down, they went, picking more and more speed. By the time they reached ground level, they were going so fast, that even the paving stones were pulled out of there places.

Brick saw them coming, and gave a cry of dismay. He ran until his legs could carry him no faster, and turned into a narrow alley way. Over a fence he climbed, and then through a low space under two heavy crates he slid. The girls, hampered by the low signs and wires, had to slow down to avoid any collisions. When the emerged out of the back alley, the saw the redhead racing towards the subway entrance.

It was a large rectangular building about one story tall. On three sides and the roof, there were large double-paned windows held in place by large metal studs powdercoated to look greyish-white. All the glass were slightly slanted to allow rainwater to drain. At the opening there were two escalators—one going up and one going down—and one set of stairs next to them. Buttercup saw that the other two boys were waiting, leaning against the metal wall. Growling, she raised her hammer to deliver another graviton drive.

Butch saw her and shouted. "No! You're not doing that again!"

Leaping out of Brick's pathway, he summoned a large yellow boomerang. The weapon glowed a light green and then split into a four blades like a pinwheel.

"Go! FUMA SHURIKEN!"

Pivoting on his feet, Butch spun around and then hurled the boomerang towards the girls. The projectile headed towards them in a blistering speed, twirling along a random axis. At the last moment, just as it reached Buttercup, it veered upward and struck her own weapon. The great yellow hammer was knocked out of her hands and landed far away.

When she looked back, the boys had already run off into the subway terminal. The trio hurled themselves onto the escalators and slid down the metal sides into the tunnel below.

Once at the bottom, they landed on their feet, rolled head over heels and used that momentum for a speedy sprint. The Girls chased after them, weaving past the pedestrians coming up the stairs. At last, when they reached a clearing, they flew the rest of the way down. However, they were far from the boys and had given them ample lead to pull ahead. Reaching the fare-gates first, the Rowdyruff Boys vaulted over turnstiles. Ignoring the subway personnel's protests, they disappeared down the stairs to the trains below.

Just then, Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup reached the gates. The girls were about to fly over and follow, when the officer stopped them.

"You cannot pass," He said, "Not until you've paid the fare!"

"What! But they're getting away!" cried Buttercup, getting more enraged with every word.

"Clearly, you're friends with those three earlier," Said the attendant, misinterpreting Buttercup's outburst. "Then you really must not pass. Not until you pay all your fares—both yours and your friends'!"

"But—"

"No more excuses!" He snapped.

With dismay, the two stepped back a little. Then, they heard the sounds of a train leaving the station. They were too late.

Blossom growled. "Okay! Fine!"

Pushing Buttercup away, she rummaged into her pockets and pulled out some coins.

"What are you doing?"

Blossom sighed. "Look, we don't have much time. I'd rather get this over with."

She handed the money the attendant, and the latter went back into his booth. He counted out the change and gave them six tickets to put into the turnstiles. Carefully, the girls put three tickets in the machines and then used the remaining to get in. Buttercup was still grumbling when they hurried passed the turnstiles and flew down the stairs.

They reached a lonely white hallway, empty of all people. On one side were the glass partitions separating them from the dark tunnel. At first, the placed looked empty, and surely their target had escaped. Then they saw the boys at the far end, propped against the farthest wall, too tired to lift a finger. Above them was a square vent, large enough to squeeze one of them through.

…and the Blonde one was not with them.

Looking across the darkness, Blossom could see the opposite platform where most of the traffic were. Most were on their way home, and never even their standoff. Brick and Butch struggled to their feet straight, ready to make their last stand, but they were just too exhausted.

For a moment, the two parties stared at each other, unable to speak after the long chase. At length, Blossom spoke first.

"You're still here," she said, sounding surprised and very amused.

Brick gave a wry smile. "Yeah, missed the train."

There was a brief silence, and then both sides burst into fits of laughter.

"What kept you?" Butch said laughing, "You sure took your sweet time getting down here."

"Well, you know how those attendants are, forcing people to pay other people's ride," said Buttercup, "...and speaking of which, you guys owe us some money."

Brick chuckled and rose to his full height "We would love to give it back, but it seems we are a little preoccupied at the moment."

Blossom watched the pair recover their strength, and she summoned her own weapon, her favorite pink yo-yo.

"So, are you going to cooperate now?" She said, striding forward slowly. "I still haven't disciplined you for being such a naughty boy, but I'll make an exception if you tell me where your little friend went."

"Heh, I don't know what you're talking about," Brick said, smiling. "You will have to beat the snot out of me if you want to find that out."

"Oh, I don't really want to do that." Blossom said, getting ever closer, "You mentioned my leadership skills. Well, I can just send one of my girls through the vent, and she will catch your friend soon enough."

She was so close, that their noses almost touched. She bore into him with those pretty pink eyes, probing for the truth.

"Come on," She cooed, stroking his cheekbone, "Wouldn't you rather tell me yourself?"

"I— uh…I…" Brick couldn't get a single word out. She was so damn close! "I-I uh…I"

Dimly, the red headed boy saw his friend gesturing something and opening and closeing his mouth, but he could hear anything. Only her face mattered at that moment, Blossom's beautiful, perfect face.

Oh fuck me!

There was a sweet scent coming off of her, like peaches just before you take a bite. Her eyes closed. Her mouth was puckered into a rosy point, and she leaned in close. Unbidden, his own head inched closer to hers, and he closed her own eyes, ready for the intimate contact.

Any moment now…

If only just…

Just a little more…

SMACK!

He felt the hand impact his face and nearly rip off his own flesh. He fell to the ground, his limbs all tangled beneath him, and he felt the angry red welt blossom from his right cheek. he saw Butch trying to get to him. He saw Buttercup, tackle him from the back, and the two went skidding across the checkered tile floor. He heard Buttercup shout something to blue Powerpuff Girl broke into a run. She leaped up into the air, and flew into the open vent.

Then he felt something kick at his shoulder, rolling him on to his back. She was on top of him now, straddling his waist with her bare thighs, and her skirt fluttered a little, barely hiding her womanly center—covered, of course. Looking up, he found her smiling a menacing smile, pounding her fists together to get the circulation going.

"Alright, Brick," she said, "Let's get to know each other."

The last thing he felt was his own pants getting a bit tighter. She was totally his type.

Oh joy!

A/N: And that is the end of chapter 8. I hope you all had fun reading this as I had writing it.