Allies and Rivals II
Chapter 14
Outdoing Machiavelli
The City of Townsville, or rather, on some secure undisclosed location…
Dr. William Edwards and Prof. John Utonium had just recovered from unconsciousness.
"Oh, that gas made me sick," William remarked, shaking his head.
"Not as much as that liver and onions that my girls made me," John replied, clutching his stomach.
"So it's bad, eh?"
"Yeah, I didn't know what I was thinking when I told them it was my favorite!"
"Well, I'll bet it's a lot better than anything my boys have whooped!" Dr. Edwards remarked.
"Ah, so the rich Dr. Edwards and the famous Professor Utonium are awake," a small man, about 5'4" tall, thin, about 92 lbs., wearing a stripped purple suit, said. He wears a large dark glasses which covers his entire upper face. He has a carefully combed blond hair.
"And you are?" the six-foot tall John asked.
"The eight dwarf of Snow White?" cracked the six-foot-two inches tall, William, causing the other scientist to snicker.
"Don't make fun of my height! I am not a dwarf! I'm just average!" said the man. "James Madison is 5'4" you know and Napoleon Bonaparte is 5'2"!"
"Okay, okay, you're just average. So, who are you, and why did you kidnap us?" demanded the Professor.
"Ah, so you decided to take this seriously. Okay, seeing that you won't have a chance of getting out…"
"I dispute that assertion!" William interrupted.
"Don't interrupt me! If you let me just finish then you would know that you're in a place that there's absolutely no chance of escape! Anyway, I am Ferguson Ckracknow. I have kidnapped you because I found it impossible in the past few days to steal the data on the monster hide—"
"So you're the one who sent those white eyed men with no fingerprints," William interrupted.
"Will you stop interrupting me, Doctor!" Ckracknow shouted. "You are my captives and you will behave as such! God, you are worst than five-year-olds in a kindergarten, at least they shut-up when the teacher yells at them. You, on the other hand, are full grown men in their forties with positions of responsibility, and you can't let me finish one fuc—"
"Hey, I resent that!" John interrupted. "I do not interrupt anybody when they're talking!"
"See! You're doing that again! Will you fcking shut your traps!" Ckracknow shouted. "Anyway, sorry for the profanity, but I needed to get my point across. Now, to answer your question doctor, yes, I was the one who sent those men with white eyes and no fingerprints. In fact, these bodyguards behind me are just like the ones I sent to steal the data of the monster hide," explained Ckracknow.
Dr. Edwards and Professor then noticed the three bodyguards behind their captor. They were about as tall as they were, wearing black, shades and gloves. They were each holding a .45 gun.
"Seventy-two, One-Hundred-thirty-six, Ninety-nine, could you take off your shades and show these two gentlemen your eyes," Cracknow ordered.
"Yes sir, Mr. Ckracknow," said Ninety-nine. The three bodyguards then took off their shades and bared their eyes to the two scientists. Professor was shocked to say the least to see only whites in their eyes, while Dr. Edwards wasn't quite as shocked because he had seen it before.
"Okay, why do you want the monster hide and why have you kidnapped us?" asked William.
"Well, I only planned to kidnap you, Dr. Edwards, but since the Professor was also there, why pass up the opportunity? After all, after failing to kill the Powerpuff Girls and Rowdyruff Boys these past few days, what better way to demoralize them by taking away their parents?" Cracknow explained.
"What? How did you try killing my girls? I never knew anybody who tried killing my girls these past few days except those monsters," John wondered.
"But you see, I sent those monsters," Ckracknow boasted.
"What? How?" John stuttered, utterly amazed at his captor's last statement.
"Yeah, don't tell me you're the one who created the monsters all along," William added.
"Yes and no," Ckracknow replied. "You see, I didn't create those monsters. They naturally existed on Monster Island, but for some reason, they started attacking Townsville. Anyway, I decided to see if I can make experiments on them, and try to make them work to my advantage."
"But how can you kidnap monsters?" asked a curious William.
"Just bring a giant tranquilizer the size of small log, and instead of shooting it from a gun, shoot it from artillery. Then all you need is two dozen or so transporters to bring the monsters here, and voila, I got my monster. And it's so easy to brainwash these creatures to do my bidding," Ckracknow said. "I added enhancements, like putting duranium armor, or making them spit locusts, to make them invincible so that they could easily kill the Powerpuff Girls. Unfortunately, I was unable to anticipate the Rowdyruff Boys joining the girls, and that messed up my plans. I must say, for former enemies, those boys cooperate superbly with the girls."
"Well, you should at least have known that nothing could defeat the Powerpuff Girls!" John boasted.
"Yeah, and my boys ain't no walk in the park either!" William added.
"But why kidnap us?" asked John.
"Ah, you already know that I want that data on the monster hide," Ckracknow said. "After the failures of the thieves I sent, I decided to change tactics. With those monsters and One as a distraction—"
"Who's One?" asked William.
"Will you please let me finish? One is the clone I made and designed to be powerful enough to destroy the Powerpuff Girls. Apparently, he wasn't been able to do the job! Anyway, with your children out of the way, I easily kidnapped you, Doctor, and to make it even sweeter, I bagged the Professor too!"
"But what do you want with us?" asked John.
"Isn't it clear Professor?" Cracknow answered. "I want the Doctor and you to give me the data on the monster hide. Or if you don't have it, then use my lab to again discover it! And when you do, give it to me!"
"Well, I won't do it! I'd rather have my face shoved into manure than give in to you!" William declared.
"Same goes for me," John added. "I will not use my knowledge to help someone as evil as you!"
"Are you sure about that?" Cracknow asked.
"As sure as hell!" William defiantly said.
"Professor?"
"I'm never been surer in my life!" John seconded.
"Very well! If you wanted it that way, then so be it," Ckracknow gravely said. He then turned towards his two bodyguards. "Seventy-Two, you and your buddies try to persuade those two using the usual methods…hey, what the?"
John had switched off the light in the room while his captor has his back turned on him while talking to his musclemen. Then he and William scrambled out of the room while the four were distracted.
The door to the room was unlocked and unguarded, they found out to their pleasant surprise.
"Just like old times, don't you agree, William my boy!" John replied.
"Yeah, but back then, we were running from bullies and the principal, but this is just as much fun, if not more!" William agreed while running.
"Stop them!" Ckracknow shouted. "Don't let them get away, you idiots!" the two heard him say. The two scientists then rounded a corner.
"Now what?" asked John.
"How the hell would I know?" William retorted. "Look, we're somewhere in the middle on nowhere, we don't know exactly where this nowhere is, and we haven't have the foggiest idea where's the exit!"
"I know! Isn't it great!" John said.
"You're crazy," William retorted. "But yeah, count me as crazy! I'm enjoying this too."
Soon, the entire place was in full alert, with redlights and horns blaring, and soon, the place was full of black-clothed men with shades running around.
"Shh! I hear someone coming!" John warned, covering his colleague's mouth.
They hid in a corner, waiting for the man to come. Soon, a man of average height with a .45 gun in his hand and another in his pocket entered. He was alone.
William quickly went behind him, grabbed his head, and quickly snapped its neck. They then each grabbed his guns and took all his bullets from his pouches.
"Easy as taking candy from a baby," William said, pleased with himself.
"Wow. Where'd you learn that?" asked John.
"Well, I've seen it done lots of times in the movies. I thought maybe it would work," William shrugged.
They soon heard a thud of footsteps coming towards them. "Do you know how to shoot and if you are, are you a good shot?" asked William.
"Are you kidding? We both hunted in your Dad's woods while we were still kids. We both know we can shoot a coin a mile away!" John bragged.
"Good. Just do like I do," instructed his companion. William then went in the middle of the corridor and aimed his gun at the direction where he heard the footsteps coming from.
John thought William was crazy, but did as William instructed. Soon, about twenty thugs appeared, all with guns, running towards them. William began shooting. John did the same.
Two were immediately killed, while the rest began shooting back. In a miraculous gunfight, not one of the bullets hit the two scientists while the two killed each and every one of their enemies. "Ha, ever since they shot me point blank and missed, I knew they can't aim to save their lives!"
"That was absolutely reckless! What if they were better shots?" John thundered. "But that was fun! And exciting too! So I guess I can forgive you for that!"
"Anyway, let's vamoose!" William said.
So the two begun running away, blasting all those who would get in their way.
They ran into a room but it was pitch black. Then, they felt a couple of men grab them. They fought back, but without any kind of light, they were at a disadvantage. Soon, they were pinned to the floor by four men each. Then the lights were switched on. The two scientists saw the room surrounded by the white eyed men with black clothes and with night-vision goggles. It was creepy seeing them all remove the goggles and see all those white eyes and replacing them with sunglasses. At the middle of them was Ckracknow.
"My, my, you two are very naughty today, aren't you?" said Ckracknow, like an uncle scolding his nephews. "No matter, a few hours with my boys should cure you of any of your immaturity and your defiance. Boys, you know what to do, just don't get them too beat up or they might not be able to do all those research! One Hundred Sixteen, make sure they don't get out of hand. Just punch them and kick them but don't do really nasty stuff, okay?"
"Yes sir!" said One Hundred Sixteen.
So for the next two hours, they were beaten up. They were repeatedly punched, kicked, elbowed and generally tortured, though they avoided extreme stuff.
Two hours later…
Ferguson Ckracknow entered the room, where John and William were chained to the wall. They were still dressed, though both scientists coats were taken off. The Professor's white shirt has now several red spots to indicate wounds. His tie is hanging loosely around his neck. He is still wearing his shoes and trousers. His face has several black spots due to being repeatedly beaten up. The Doctor has his vest unbuttoned, though he was still wearing it. His tie is hanging loosely from his neck. His hat is still on his head, though it's obvious that the men just put it on his head because of its position. His body is full of bruises, and his shirt had several red spots. He still wore his thick glasses, though both his eyes are black. Surprisingly, they were still conscious and they could not be considered in near-death condition.
"So, you ready to work for me now?" asked Ckracknow.
"Never! And my sons will find you. I am the father of the Rowdyruff Boys, and they won't stop until they find me!" William declared.
"They won't. You see, after we kidnapped you, my boys machine-gunned your car and sprinkled blood all over you chair. Now, they'd think you're dead, and the girls would probably put two and two together and also conclude that you are dead too, Professor. Now, they wouldn't bother searching for a dead father, would they?" Ckracknow said.
"I still won't change my mind, and neither will William!" the Professor stated.
"Release the prisoners. Can you walk, or are you too weak? I'll let my boys carry you?"
The scientists immediately fell to the floor after being released. They, however, managed to stand, all the while rubbing their wrists. William straightened his hat and grabbed his coat on the floor, while John did the same.
"No, I'll walk," William weakly said, while John said nothing.
"Okay, follow me," Ckracknow said. Flanked by several bodyguards, he walked through a series of corridors with the two limping behind him, straining to avoid passing out. Soon, they reached a metal door with bars in it. Opening it, they tossed John and William in.
The room has two beds with woolen blankets, a bathroom, a small table, an air vent, an electric fan, a fluorescent light, a lavatory, and running water, though it has little else.
"Look, I'm going to make a proposition to you. Work for me, and I won't kill your children," Ckracknow said. "If not, then I will kill not only you but your children too!" He then threw in a bag into the room, and then locked it.
William then grabbed the bag and opened it. It has bandages, adhesive tapes, betadine, alcohol, scissors, cotton, two bags of ice and other first aid equipment.
"Looks like he didn't want us dead," said the doctor as he began treating the Professor's wounds.
"Yeah. I don't know what that mad scientist is up to," replied the Professor.
"Well, one thing's for sure, I won't work for him," declared William.
"Or maybe we could," said the Professor.
"Huh, what do you mean?" asked an astonished William.
"Well, we could pretend to work for him, and milk him in the process," suggested John as his companion cleaned his wounds. "At least he won't send another of those monsters, while we could get access to his files. And we could get out in the process—all the while giving nothing in return, and he won't realize it until it's too late."
"I follow you," said William. "I think that you've got some kind of plan," Dr. Edwards added.
John then told his companion his plan.
After an hour, after the patched up John patched up William, they snickered and laughed before falling asleep.
The next day…
"So, you've reconsidered?" asked Ckracknow as his boys put in a simple breakfast.
"Yeah, we thought about it, and decided—it depends," William slyly said.
"On what?" asked a curious Ckracknow.
"On you following our conditions," said John.
"Look, you're in no position to make demands!" Ckracknow said.
"On the contrary, we are. You see, we know that you want data, but you could only have it with our cooperation," William began.
"We are willing to give you what you want, if you will give us what we want," John continued. "You see, if you kill us, you would gain nothing, and you know perfect well that we are willing to play the part of martyr. You will be back where you started from, with no idea at all on the monster hide. Sure, torture us, but we would never give it to you if you do that, and you won't have what you want."
"However, if you grant us our modest demands, then we would give you what you want. You will have the data on the monster hide, plus you would gain our future services," William followed.
Ckracknow began to think. 'They're right. I would gain nothing if I kill them, and it looks like threats won't work.' "So, yesterday, you're all defiant, now you're ready to make a deal? What gives?"
"Simple," said William. "We still detest you, but we're also practical. We have come to the realization that working for you is the only realistic option for us."
"Okay," said Ckracknow, still unconvinced. "What are your terms?"
"First, our rooms be transferred to a more, let's just say, luxurious ones. Our room was too small, and I need big ones. After all, John and I share the same room," William started.
"Plus, we must have all your data on the monsters you experimented with. Don't worry, with us having no chance of escape, you won't have to worry about us giving it away," John added. "Besides, it would greatly help us in our research."
"And, you must give us a new set of clothes. A suit, a fresh shirt, a fedora hat, a tie, a vest would do for me, while a white lab coat with fresh shirt for John," William continued. "Plus, we must be treated as guests, not prisoners, even though we are."
"Also, all our property on our person stolen from us during our period of unconsciousness, like our money, our wallets, our watches and our handkerchiefs, be returned. You can keep the guns, by the way," John said.
"Plus, our meals must be of first class variety, not like the ones you served us last night," said William.
"What do you say?" asked both of them.
"That is not unreasonable, though I don't see the point in returning your wallets and watches," Ckracknow wondered.
"Oh, you know, they are sentimental items that would make us happier," John replied.
"Well, you'll get it them. Just as long as you work on getting me that data on the monster hide," Ckracknow said. "I must commend you. You two are tough bargainers."
He served them with a delicious breakfast, then gave them a new set of clothes. The Professor again took the tie and shirt with a white lab coat, while the doctor took a conservative business suit, with vests and of course, a hat.
He then gave them a rather large room, with a complete wardrobe, two bathrooms, a vanity, a television set with a cable connected to a satellite dish, a computer without internet connection, three huge shelves full of books, with carpets and paintings hanging in the walls. It has a thermostat.
"Wow, we could really live it up!" John stated.
After that, Ckracknow returned most the stolen items, including John and William's wallets, some coins, some key chains, and John's wrist watch, and most importantly, William's communicator watch.
'So, Ckracknow didn't know this is a communicator watch,' Dr. Edwards thought. 'Sucker!' And it was a very ordinarily looking watch—so banal looking that Ckracknow never gave a thought to it when he gave the watch back. It's a decision the mad scientist will live to regret.
"I'll give you the rest of the day to rest," Ckracknow said as he left the room. "Tomorrow, you start!"
Meanwhile…
Brick had flown rapidly towards the edge of the lake. His heart was heavy. 'Because of me, Dad is dead. If I am really a worthy leader of my brothers, then this wouldn't happen. Oh Dad, you're dead! Sorry for failing you! I don't deserve to be the leader!' He landed at the edge of the lake, where he recalled some of his fondest memories—the time of numerous father-son bonding experiences. The emotions all struck him at once, and he could no longer hold back. Looking around to make sure nobody is looking, the six-year-old former leader broke down and cried.
Meanwhile…
Butch was still stunned over Brick's resignation, and digesting the fact that he was now the leader, while Boomer was still bawling over his father's death. Soon, he heard the phone.
Despite his crying, Boomer wiped his tears and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" said Boomer.
"Hey Boomie, is Brick there? Blossom wants to call a meeting because—" Bubbles said.
"Brick isn't here. Dad is dead and Brick just resigned as leader and gone to some place and Butch is now the new leader," Boomer said and hanged-up so that Bubbles won't hear him cry. He then continued crying. Butch just stood there, fighting his tears, but after a few minutes, locked himself in a room to make sure no one would see, and cried himself out.
Meanwhile…
Bubbles was just stunned at the news. They had just returned from Mojo's observatory after apologizing for their mishap to the angry monkey, and Blossom decided some meeting is in order before they could take their next step. She therefore asked Bubbles to call Brick home, since she didn't want to accidentally talk to Boomer and Butch.
"What did they say Bubbles?" asked a concerned Buttercup.
"Well, Dr. Edwards is dead, Brick isn't anymore leader, and Butch is," Bubbles said, before she herself hugged Buttercup and cried at her shoulders.
"Dr. Edwards dead? How do they know that? And Brick can't resign as leader," declared Blossom. She could not believe that Dr. Edwards is dead. "Buttercup, Bubbles, stay here while I talk to the boys."
Blossom then raced towards Dr. Edwards's house. She was passing over the lake when she saw Brick—crying. She then hid herself behind the trees as she watched Brick cry himself out.
"Why? Why did it have to happen!" he shouted, then repeatedly fired laser in the lake, after which he pounded a large crater.
Blossom watched silently, but something went up her nose and she sneezed. Brick heard Blossom's sneeze, and at once dried his tears and stopped his sobbing. "Whoever it is, show yourself," he warned.
"Hold it, it's only me," Blossom said, showing herself.
"What are you doing here? Why are you trespassing on Dad's property without permission, and why are you spying on me?" demanded Brick, all his past weeping disappeared, though his sadness could still be seen in his eyes.
"Look, I just learned that you thought your father was dead, and that you resigned as leader, and I wanted to talk to you," Blossom said. "I never thought I would see you cry and go nuts. You really must be close to your Dr. Edwards."
"I'm just practicing my moves, and I'm not crying! Some dust just went to my eyes!" Brick lamely explained.
'Yeah right!' Blossom thought. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you something?"
"About what?" asked Brick in a still harsh tone.
"What made you think that your father is dead? Did you see his body?" asked the redhead.
"No. But I found something just as good. A while ago, I received a call from Chief Grulp, telling us to go to the police station. And there, I saw Dad's car riddled with bullets and with blood all over the driver's seat. What else could have happened? Those people who earlier tried to kill Dad must have succeeded, and we failed to protect him," Brick said.
Blossom was speechless at the new piece of information. And couple it with the possibility that the Professor might be dead too.
"Is the Professor too?"
"I'm not sure. There was only blood on one chair. The Professor wasn't in the car when whoever killed him opened fired at the car," Brick admitted. "You're lucky, Blossom, the Professor is only missing, and might be alive, while I'm sure Dad is dead."
"Oh I'm very sorry," Blossom said, touching Brick's shoulder. Brick immediately removed Blossom's hand and moved farther away from her. Tears began dropping from her eyes. She too was close to the Rowdyruff's father, and remembered when he rescued them from Mojo earlier. She then fell down to the ground, curled up, and cried. Brick, deep in thought, just stared at the lake, and didn't notice Blossom's crying.
A few minutes later…
Blossom then dried her tears, and controlled herself more. She was sad, but she was determined not to give up, but she needed Brick and his brothers to do it. So she approached him.
"Brick, I'm very sorry but I think we should discuss our next plans—" Blossom began.
"I'm sorry Blossom, but I'm not the leader of the Rowdyruff Boys anymore. If you want to discuss your plans, or if you want to plan, then go to Butch. He's the new leader," Brick replied.
"But why did you resign? It's not your fault your father was lost you know!" Blossom said. "We were doing our duty, and if you remember, we were battling One when they all disappeared!"
"Yes, but Blossom, when the country is in trouble, the people blame President of the United States, even if it's not his fault. If a company failed, or incurred major losses, the CEO resigns. A leader is always the one responsible to what happens to his organization, to his alliance. As Harry Truman says, the buck stops here, and I cannot blame others. A leader who leads his team to disaster, whether or not it's his fault, is not fit to be a leader for a few more seconds. Even if its' Butch and Boomer's fault, I'm still responsible, and any mistake they make is my mistake too. And never publicly blame any of your people. I never accused them in front of everybody, even in front of Dad. And since I am the leader when this disaster happened, then the only thing to do is for me to resign," Brick explained. "I made a pledge to always protect Dad, and I failed. Maybe Butch would be a better leader."
"But it only works if the leader that replaces you is more competent than you!" Blossom argued. "And Butch certainly is not fit to lead the Rowdyruff Boys, at least compared to you!"
"You have crossed the line, Blossom. Never insult my brothers in front of me again!"
"Okay, I won't," Blossom said, realizing she touched a nerve. She then tried another tack. "Brick, as the leader of the Ruff-Puff Alliance, I order you to resume your post as leader of the Rowdyruff Boys!"
"Your authority doesn't extend to this subject matter. It is an internal matter of us," Brick sharply said. "And why are you asking me this? You have no business and no say on who will and who won't be the leader of the Rowdyruff Boys!"
"Because, as you yourself had said before, it's because it's in my interest, therefore, it's also my business. You see, we both know that Butch or Boomer won't listen to me—and my authority as leader would be undercut if either of them is the leader. My interest is in preserving my viability as leader of this alliance, and in keeping you leader, since you alone among your brothers have enough sense to listen to me. Plus, your advice is invaluable, and I'm a better leader because of you," Blossom explained.
"Well, then tough. I'm sure I can persuade Butch to listen to you, but you'll have to deal with his rudeness, which if you thought mine was bad, his is worst," Brick said. "Your complements are flattering, though hardly enough to convince me to be the leader again. You see, I have failed, and as such, don't deserve to be the leader again."
"You can't just give up," Blossom said. "Especially now! We are in a crisis, Brick, and we need you right this moment."
"I know, but I'll still be a Rowdyruff Boy you know. I'll only be taking orders from Butch from now on," Brick said. "So I'm not running away you know, I'm just demoting myself."
"But your talents are as a leader!" Blossom protested. "You can help us most if you are the leader! You see, your brothers respect and look up to you! And you're intelligent and have enough common sense to lead your brothers!"
"Well, give Butch a chance, eh? I'm sure he'll turn out great," though the tone of his voice indicates that even he does not believe that about his brother.
"Well, I've gotta go, it's late," Blossom said. "I still think what you're doing is crazy, but I hope you change your mind soon."
So Blossom left and went back for home, while Brick went back to his.
Boomer and Butch had already stopped sobbing.
"Brick, are you sure I'm really the leader?" asked Butch, still not believing his ears.
"Yup, you are the leader," said Brick. "Okay, what's your first order?"
"Um well, I think we should get something to eat," Butch proposed.
"What's your plan for catching whoever killed Dad?" asked Boomer.
"Yeah, and Blossom wants to meet with you to plan the next moves," Brick said.
"What, do I have to meet with that girl?" Butch asked with distaste.
"Well, she is the leader of the Alliance, and unless you want her to make decisions without consulting you then you better. But you're the leader, it's your call," Brick advised.
Butch then ordered some pizza using his Dad's credit card. There was a funny feeling using a credit card of someone you thought was dead. They ate dinner that night grimly, without any of the revelry that usually accompanies Edwards family dinners. They were all sad because of the conspicuous absence of their beloved father.
After dinner…
Butch rose and floated above the table. "I have made my decision. I won't be meeting with Blossom because I can't stand her, and I dissolve the Ruff-Puff Alliance!"
Brick and Boomer were flabbergasted by their new leader's first decision. Brick nearly choked on the pizza he's eating, while Boomer dropped the slice in his hands.
"Well?" asked Butch after a minute of silence.
"But why?" Boomer finally asked.
"I don't like any of them anyway, especially Buttercup and Blossom, but also Bubbles. So why continue the alliance? We don't need them. Besides, we're the Rowdyruff Boys! We don't need to work with sissies to get what we want!" Butch explained. "I also have a bone to pick with Buttercup!"
"But you can't!" Brick protested.
"And why not?"
"Because you're wrong! We can't do it by ourselves! And we can't afford not to work with them right now!" Brick argued. "I don't like the girls anymore than you do, but think! Use your common sense! What you're proposing will lead us to disaster! We'll be back to square one! And all the progress that we made since Dad recreated us will be for naught!"
"No. Dad would be proud of us," Butch countered. "He wouldn't want us to be lapdogs to the girls, they way you had been to Blossom, Brick!"
Brick glared dangerously at his leader. "Don't push your luck, Butch! I am not a lapdog to Blossom! I am not subservient to her!"
"I won't argue that one with you, but my decision stays," Butch said.
Brick then mustered all his knowledge and common sense and his rhetoric in a defense of the Alliance to try and convince Butch.
"I know you don't like them, but think! Our future would be much better if we were allied with those girls! We don't have to like them to work with them! We can't kill them or eliminate them, so we have to live with them. We can't avoid them. So it's better to work with them than have them work against us!"
"Besides, we would have been defeated or even killed if we fought alone those monsters," Brick argued. "Our enemies wants both us and the Powerpuff Girls dead, and they would not want anything better than us divided. Remember, United We Stand, Divided We Fall! We'll be as helpless as flies in flypaper if we're divided! It's for our own selfish self-interests that we have an alliance! Even if we can't stand them, then we must hold our noses, for if we don't work with them, then we won't stand at all!"
"We must use our common sense! We must see that our own self-interests are served in making decisions. You must never use emotions in making decisions, because it blinds us to seeing our true interests. That is why I followed Blossom even if I can't stand doing it, because it's in our interests!" Brick said. "Remember, always seek what is best for us, not what makes us feel good, in making decisions. So please, Butch, don't destroy the alliance."
His fire returned to his eyes, and it seemed that he had gotten over his sadness. However, it was not to be.
"Besides, Brick is right. I don't like Blossom as leader, but we really need the alliance," Boomer added, dazzled by his brother's speech.
Butch was also impressed by his brother's speech. He can't make any counterarguments to it and he knew he couldn't hold his own if he debated his former leader. 'Damn! That was good! And what Brick said made sense. But I'm the leader now, and I won't make him make decisions for me!'
"Brick, I'm the leader, and I will determine what is good for us! And I say that it is good that we fight alone, without the girls! I am the leader, and I will dissolve the alliance!"
"But…" Brick protested.
"And Brick, if this alliance is so precious to you, then take back your position as leader. I'll give it back to you," offered Butch. "If not, then don't lecture me on what to do."
Brick was caught in a dilemma. Then, going against his own advice, he rejected Butch's offer. "Sorry, I won't. I don't deserve to be the leader."
"Then you'll accept that the alliance is gone," Butch said. "Because I'm the leader, and you two have to obey me!"
Boomer looked at Brick. Brick was beginning to regret his decision. 'I should have chosen Boomer.'
"Okay, I'll accept it, but I don't agree with it, and I don't like it! You'll drag us to disaster. But since you're the leader and that is your decision, then I'll accept it. But I'm holding you responsible for anything bad that happens, and don't blame us when all goes wrong!" Brick said.
"I don't care, just do as I say. And Brick, tomorrow, go and tell your girlfriend, Blossom, that your precious Alliance is dissolved," Butch ordered.
"She's not my girlfriend, dammit! She's icky, and has cooties, and I don't like her! But okay, I'll tell her. But could you at least delay your order until the day after tomorrow? I want to smooth things over first," asked Brick.
"Okay then," Butch said. "And put it in paper to make it official! I want to sign something!"
"Yes Butch," Brick said.
"I think it's time to hit the sack!" Butch said, yawning. "See you two tomorrow!"
Butch then went to bed, leaving the dazed Boomer and the angry Brick.
"That Butch has gone crazy! Take back the leadership, Brick. He's offering it, why not take it and stop this madness!" Boomer pleaded.
"No I can't. The only thing that could make me take it back is if Dad is alive and tells me that I'm not a failure and still deserves to be leader, but that won't happen anytime soon because he's dead because of me. I just hope that Butch knows what he's doing, because if I'm not mistaken, he's leading us to a catastrophe," Brick solemnly said.
"But what about us now that Dad is gone," asked his blond brother.
"That is for Butch to decide," Brick said, then without saying another word to Boomer, went to the computer to type the document dissolving the alliance.