Allies and Rivals II
Chapter 42
Tying Up Loose Ends
The Town of Citiesville was slowly recovering from the devastation that occurred as a result of the invasion of Ckracknow. Most of its tall buildings were wrecked, more than half of the original inhabitants were dead, and a small but sizable minority fled to neighboring Townsville.
Mayor Malarkey worked hard to rebuild the pieces of his city. Getting a five billion dollar check from Dr. Edwards, he used the fund, plus those donations from concerned citizens, to clear the rubble and hire a ferry to provide temporary transportation to the city. He then had the power plants and the wire connections to the city fixed so that the people could have power, and he fixed the water system, all in just a few days.
Julian Malarkey grew in stature and affection among the citizens of his city and that of Townsville, but the old mayor himself knew of a secret that could sink his reputation. The tapes that caught him conspiring with Ferguson Ckracknow were the smoking gun that could ruin him forever, but he knew, that unless he reneged on his agreements, it was unlikely that Dr. Edwards, the one who possessed the tapes, would bring it to the media.
Most of the refugees who fled to Townsville had returned, and are now rebuilding the city. Finally, four days after the defeat of Ckracknow, Mayor Malarkey decided to keep one of his promises—to hold a ticker tape parade in Citiesville, and to publicly thank the heroes for the service they have done.
It was December 28…
The Mayor of Citiesville grabbed the phone of his temporary, makeshift office, and called Dr. Edwards. But no one answered the phone, so he called Professor Utonium instead.
"Hello," answered the Professor.
"Professor, this is the Mayor of Citiesville, Julian Malarkey."
"Yes, Mayor," the Professor replied with a polite, though cold, voice.
"I'd want to arrange a ticker parade in honor of the saviors of Citiesville, and to formalize my apology to Mr. Edwards," Malarkey explained. "So could you get in touch with Mr. Edwards? I'd like to set the schedule for the event, so I need to know when he is free."
"William is not here. He is on vacation, I think, and I don't know where he is right now," said Professor Utonium. "He'd be back by the second of January, by the way. Sarah Bellum also called so Townsville could arrange a victory parade."
"Hm. Professor, are you willing to help me arrange the affair? I know that I have done you and Mr. Edwards wrong, and I want to make it up, especially now that I'm indebted to you for saving what's left of the city. I'm really really sorry for what happened—especially the riots."
"I forgive you," the Professor said. "But you need to apologize to William. He does not forgive easily. Trust me, I know, so you might want to work with your apology, especially since he had a bone to pick with you long before he moved back to Townsville."
"I know. Will you be an intermediate between me and Mr. Edwards? Just tell him to come to Citiesville, let's say, January 3?"
"Okay, I'll try. But try to make a back-up schedule in case he doesn't return," said the Professor. "But in the meantime, I'd suggest you start your preparations."
It was January 2, the next year, and Dr. Edwards and his sons had just returned from their vacation at Maple's Farm. It was an enjoyable time, even though it was freezing in the North Dakota Farm, and all there were was plains as far as the eye can see. Dr. Edwards used the time to help his cousin in her work by chopping firewood and such, while the boys also did their bit of work. They, as Dr. Edwards stipulated, studied in the morning, but as they were bright young lads, they quickly finished the schoolwork they missed by December 27. They spent the rest of the vacation playing in the snow, and did their best to ignore their distant relatives. After celebrating New Year's Day, they went home.
Dr. Edwards was reading his newspapers while his kids were skating in the frozen lake. There was a knock on the door.
He went and opened it, and there was Professor Utonium, Ms. Keane, Ms. Bellum and the Powerpuff Girls with skates and sleds. The girls immediately dropped their stuff and suddenly hugged the father of the Rowdyruff Boys. After all, it was the first time they saw him after he was buried in the rubble.
"I, Doctor, I knew you were alive, but seeing you stand there—actually alive—is kinda, well, you know what I mean," Blossom said, for the first at a loss for words.
"Yeah! The Professor told us how you survived, and wow! It's so cool! I mean, I never thought you'd wear an armored suit! I'm just glad you're alive. Now the boys won't be evil again!" Buttercup said.
"Oh you're alive!" Bubbles shouted as she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly around the neck. "I'm so happy when I've heard. The boys, well, they were so sad, and well, here you are!"
"Thanks," said Dr. Edwards.
"Congratulations. You, the Professor, your boys, and the girls have defeated Ckracknow and the five teen-agers. After watching your performances, both of you, I, on behalf on Townsville, thank you not only from ridding Citiesville of those five teen-agers, but for preventing them from wreaking havoc on Townsville," Ms. Bellum said.
"Oh don't be so formal, Sarah," the Professor said. "We all know that although we contributed a lot to this victory, both William and I know that our kids did more. A lot more."
"Um, Professor, where are the boys?" asked Bubbles.
"Oh they're outside, in the lake, skating I think," said Dr. Edwards.
"Thanks!" said the girls as they raced out of the house.
The girls went to the frozen lake, where they saw the boys skating, and trying to outdo each other in performing outrageous stunts, liberally using their powers.
"Hey, bet you can't do this!" shouted Boomer as he wrote his complete name on ice in two seconds.
"Heh, that's baby stuff!" Brick said. "Look at this!" He then raced towards the middle of the lake and made a line—a perfectly straight line. He then went back to them, and then drew two perfect circles.
"That's nothing!" Butch said. "Here! Watch me!"
He then stomped his foot on the ice, and it broke up.
"You imbecile!" Boomer shot back. "How the hell is breaking the ice better? Any heckler with strong feet could do that! And you ruined our lake. How could we skate if the ice is broken up?"
"Brick could easily fix that with his ice breath. And you did notice that all the pieces of broken ice have the same size?"
"By golly, you're right!" Brick said as the three boys looked into the lake and saw blocks of ice floating in the lake with the same size as each other, though it had of course, different shapes.
"Boys!" the three of them heard. Turning their heads, they saw that it was the girls.
"Oh what do they want now?" asked Butch, annoyed. "Can't they leave us alone?"
"I think they want to join the fun, you know, skate with us," suggested Boomer.
"Hi boys!" said Bubbles in a friendly tone. "What are ya' doing, and can we join in?"
"How are you?" Blossom said enthusiastically.
"I didn't remember you acting like this when we last saw each other," Brick said pointedly.
"Look, I'm very very sorry for saying that you were the one to blame for what happened to Dr. Edwards," Blossom said. "But you already know this since I wrote it in the email."
"What email?" asked Brick.
"What, you haven't read it yet?"
"How could I? They didn't have any internet connection there, you know, and I haven't opened my computer since I arrived," Brick replied.
"Oh! But still, I'm very very sorry for what I said. It was mean and insensitive of me to blame you. But you also blamed me! And you blamed me first! But I shouldn't have blamed you back. It only added fuel to the fire. I wasn't thinking clearly, you know."
"Look, I don't give a damn if you apologized or not," Brick said. "It was clear that you weren't thinking right, and I don't blame you. You're right. I shouldn't have blamed you. I was wrong. Seeing Dad die screwed up my thinking, and it only came back when I saw Dad alive again. I'm not angry with you now, and I'm glad you're not angry with me either. But this is not an apology! I am not going to apologize to an ugly girl like you!"
Blossom simply ignored the last part and hugged him. "Thanks Brick. I accept your apology, as you did mine."
Brick was surprised and roughly pushed the pink puff away. "What? I never gave an apology, and I sure as hell didn't accept any apology from you."
"Yes you did! You just won't admit it!" Blossom said. "It's clear from your face, and the actual words, you know. I know you well enough that I can read you like a book! Anyway, I'd like to re-form the alliance."
"Oh yes, the alliance," Brick said. "I haven't had my mind on that for a while. So we re-form, and I remain the leader, and that's it."
"Wait a minute, who says you are still the leader?" Blossom said, changing her expression from humble and sincere to defiant.
"Well, why am I not?" asked Brick. "Nothing's changed."
"Well, because when we agreed to dissolve this alliance, then your leadership of it was gone, because how could you be the leader of the alliance if the alliance itself didn't exist?"
"Oh not another who should be the leader argument!" Buttercup said to Bubbles.
"I hope this doesn't ruin our friendship wit the boys," Bubbles worriedly said.
"The nerve of that girl, saying Brick is no longer leader," Butch said to Boomer.
"Yeah," Boomer can only say.
"Ridiculous! If re-form the alliance, then the status-quo at the end of the earlier alliance should be what prevails in the new one, which means I should remain leader. Of course, if you want to hold another election with the rules you previously agreed to, we can."
"Oh no," Blossom said. "Since the alliance was dissolved, then all the rules go with it! Sorry. We must make new rules!"
"I don't think so!" Brick then drew his ultimate trump card. "If you don't agree with me continuing on as leader, then I won't agree with re-forming the alliance."
"Well, if that it's how it is to be, then fine!" Blossom said. "I demand that we make new rules to select the next leader! If you don't want to, then fine! No alliance!"
"Okay, let's change the rules. How about this? We play poker," Brick, who regularly played poker with his brothers, said. "The winner will be the leader."
"No. I'm not that good at poker," Blossom replied. "How about this? We answer a science pop quiz from the Professor and whoever gets the highest score wins!"
"No," said Brick, who was not as good at science as Blossom. "I say history!"
"No. I know, we'll see who'll look better wearing a dress, or a gown, or a skirt!" Blossom said.
"How about trimming your hair to only half an inch and the one who looks better will be the leader!" Brick replied.
"How about those that didn't resign as leader before becomes leader now?"
"How about you not get yourself kidnapped three times, and if you don't, then you'll be the leader. Oh I forgot, you already got yourself kidnapped thrice, so I should be the leader!"
"Will you two shut up?" Buttercup suddenly shouted.
"Stay out of this," both Brick and Blossom suddenly shouted at Buttercup.
"How about fishing, and the one who catch the most wins?" Brick suggested.
"How about the one with the longer hair be the leader?"
"How about an eating competition?"
"Okay, okay, we're not making any sense here. I suggest we meet again tomorrow, and in the meantime, we should find ways on how to resolve this," Blossom suggested.
"If that is what you want, then okay," Brick said, smirking. "But I'm going to remain the leader no matter what."
"We'll see, Brick, we'll see," Blossom replied, folding her hands confidently. "Go to our house at nine in the morning."
"Sure. Whatever," Brick said. "I'll even go alone. Though I won't budge at all."
"Um, by the way, guys, uh, could we girls play here the rest of the day?" Bubbles asked.
"What did Dad say?" asked Brick.
"We can," replied Buttercup.
"Well, I'm not stopping you," Brick said.
"Thanks!" Bubbles screeched, grabbing both her sisters towards the ground, where she started building snowmen.
"Come on guys, let's go to the mountain and snowboard," said Butch.
"Yeah, before that poor excuse of a girl called Blossom makes me insane," said Brick, and the three boys headed towards the mountain.
Meanwhile…
"So you're saying, John, is that sonofab!tch, Malarkey, after all that he had done, is doing all this for us?" asked an incredulous William Edwards.
"Oh come on, William, he did say he was very sorry you know, and he wants to tell us how grateful he is," said Professor Utonium.
"That poor excuse of mayor is full of bull!" replied Dr. Edwards. "I wouldn't trust any word of his."
"Come on William," Ms Bellum argued. "Go to Citiesville tomorrow afternoon! I mean, I'd like to see you, John, and the kids honored! You could just see the pride, the exhilaration, when the people of Townsville see you on television, the eight of you riding in an open car, people on the streets, and on the windows cheering you on in gratitude, the ticker tape falling off on the sky, all in honor of you, and in another town I might add! And that after going through another ceremony in Townsville thanking you eight for your contribution."
"Besides," Ms. Keane said, "it'll be good for your business, because think of the image of you and your sons receiving a thank you from the Mayor of the town that threw out your company from his city. Think of all the millions of dollars it would draw!"
"Well, if you put it that way, I'll go," the doctor finally said.
"Good. Anyway, William, I want you and your boys to be prepared at seven tomorrow. Make sure you wear your best. I think the suit you're wearing right now we'll do just fine, and your kids needed to wear suits and ties too. Professor, you should wear a dark colored suit, and your daughters should wear something more formal," Miss Bellum instructed.
Dr. Edwards and Professor Utonium nodded.
The four adults spent the next few minutes engaging in small talk, talking about their vacations, what happened in their personal lives, how he survived and finally, the fight.
"So, how did you defeat Alpha? You already told us how you survived the laser blast, so tell us now how did he die," said Ms. Keane. "I know both of you men told us that he self-destructed, buy why? I mean, he is all powerful, then he suddenly just explodes?"
"I don't know. I still have no idea," Dr. Edwards replied.
"But I do!" the Professor said.
All eyes then turned to the scientist.
"You see, it's really simple. I've read and studied and analyzed the data we took from Ckracknow's second island. Normally, you can increase your power and energy, and you can have as much power as you can as long as it is accompanied by physical training. You see those happening with our kids. As long as your physical strength corresponds to your energy and power, you'd be alright."
"Now, the problem with Alpha, was that, his physical strength and training didn't go up commensurate with his increase of energy and power. According to Blossom, he got so strong not because he trained hard, but because he used a device that artificially increased his power and energy, and even his physical strength. I don't know what glue Ckracknow was sniffing when he made the device and ordered Alpha to use it, because, according to my research, his physiology was strained at that moment, but it was still capable of holding it. What really brought down the house was when he absorbed not only the energies of the six kids, but he absorbed it after the kids had also used that device to increase their energy. It was too much. In the end, his body couldn't hold it, and he self-destructed as a result. And the funny thing was, he won't have self destructed if he absorbed the energy of only five of the kids after they used the device. But five is the limit. Six is too much. And he paid for it."
"But how about the kids? You're saying that since they also used the device, then not only are they significantly stronger, but they too are put at risk since they got a large amount of energy and power artificially?" asked Dr. Edwards.
"I thought that too, but according to tests I conducted, my girls remained at the same level, at 32, before they used the device. Now, reading Ckracknow's notes on the subject, I came to the conclusion that during the explosion, the original power and energy of the kids came back to them, but the power that they got from using the device was lost. And it is good news indeed. If they retained the power, it would be very dangerous for the kids, since it would make them extremely unstable and might cause them to break down into their ingredients."
"Wow, that was a lot of work. I bet you spent the entire Christmas season studying Tracknow's notes?" Dr. Edwards said.
"Yeah!" the Professor said. "But from what I learned, it was worth it."
"The funny thing is," Ms Keane added, "that because of this crisis, even some of the resident villains got some rewards."
"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Dr Edwards.
"Well," the Professor began, "the city, after releasing the 20,000 rioters and sending the refugees home, decided to honor the citizens who participated in quelling the riot. You know, after Brick made that speech, ten thousand Townies went and beat up the Citiesville rioters?"
"Go on," said Dr Edwards.
"Well, we decided to give them ribbons and a certificate thanking them," Ms Bellum said. "Did you know that Mojo Jojo, the Gang Green Gang, Fuzzy Lumpinks, and Femme Fetale actually were part of the 10,000 townies?"
"Really?" Dr Edwards said. "Why would they do that?"
"Well, we asked, and it seems," the Professor said, "they just want to beat someone up, and joining that anti riot brigade was a legitimate way to do it. Did you now that Mojo beat up about twenty rioters with a stick, Fuzzy about a hundred with his banjo, and the Gang Green Gang seemed to have five hundred between them all? They told us it was the most fun they had for a while!"
The next day, January 3…
It was the day when Townsville was to thank their heroes. First, at seven in the morning, an open air limousine went to Professor Utonium's house. The Professor and the girls were ready. The Professor was wearing a black suit and a blue tie, while his girls were wearing long puffed up frilly formal dresses that touches the ground, the kind that parents like to make little girls to wear. Having already eaten breakfast, they went to the back of the limo. The driver drove to the center of Townsville. The girls and the Professor waved at the people who went out to see them.
At the same time, another open-air limousine stopped by Dr. Edwards house. Dr Edwards and his three sons were all wearing suits, ties and such, and the only difference was the color of their ties, with Brick wearing a red one, Boomer a blue one, while Butch a green one. Brick and his father wore a vest and a hat in addition to those. They quickly went to the limousine, having already eaten their breakfast an hour ago. Soon, they were driving towards the city.
A half-hour later, the two limousines met in an intersection near the center of Townsville, and both of the cars slowly went towards City Hall where the Mayor and Ms. Bellum were waiting. The limo containing the Utoniums came first, the one containing the Edwardses came next.
As they entered the streets lined with tall buildings, they were greeted by a hearty, loud welcome. The limousine slowed, as well as the accompanying motorcycles. Thousands of people lined the streets, and from the windows of the buildings, cheering and shouting, throwing confetti, while a band played Stars and Stripes Forever, and other patriotic songs. Flags were everywhere, draping every possible space. There was a warplane that skywrote the words "thank you" on the sky. All the Utoniums waved and smiled at the crowd, as did Dr. Edwards and Boomer. Brick just smiled without waving, while Butch scowled.
The path of the modern triumph went through a zig-zag pattern, covering as much space in the city as could be, the limo going painfully slow.
At City Hall, the Mayor and Ms. Bellum, plus councillors and scores of other city officials, waited. Finally, at ten, after two hours of slogging through the streets amid the throng of adoring crowds, confetti, and police, they finally arrived at City Hall.
The eight then took seats besides the officialdom. Each one of the city officials gave lengthy speeches on how great the kids were. Soon, the heroes became bored. Brick stifled the desire to yawn, clutching in his hand his tiny fedora hat as his mind drifted to other things. Boomer continually adjusted his tie, as if he can't decide if it's too tight or too loose. Butch fiddled with his handkerchief because there was nothing else to do. Blossom sat erect and proud, though she was bored as hell. Buttercup can't wait for this to be over so she can ditch the large confining formal dress and wear her more comfortable green dress. Bubbles fiddled with the ruffles and frills and ribbons of her dress. Professor Utonium kept looking at his watch, and at the schedule of events, wanting it to be over. Dr. Edwards just sat and listened to the speeches, though it became boring and his mind drifted to other things. The crowd simply cheered at every reference to the kids.
Pretty soon, it was the mayor's turn to speak, and it was quite forgettable. He then opened the awarding part of the ceremony. In all, Dr. Edwards and the Professor got a silver medal, a cash prize of ten thousand dollars, and a plaque honoring them.
The kids each received five trophies, a one hundred dollar cash prize, gold medals, and a ribbon of approval.
Brick also formally laid down the dictatorial powers he was given during the crisis. And because he was known and recognized that he was the leader of the six kids, and that he organized and directed the entire operation, he received a leadership plaque award and an extra gold medal, a trophy, and a blue ribbon. His brothers and Bubbles simply applauded in appreciation, Buttercup politely clapped, while Blossom was jealous of the extra honors bestowed upon her rival and fellow leader.
After that, they immediately went to Citiesville. The kids were by this time grumbling about having to act and dress so formal and so long.
They expected that Citiesville would give a cool reception. They expected silence, since much of the people of Citiesville would remember how the refugees were treated. They even feared that they might be booed.
They soon arrived at Citiesville at about half past two, where a pontoon bridge was hastily constructed over the water in the past few days. The limos passed it over.
What greeted them were dour expressions, frowning faces, and total silence. The kids and the two scientists shuddered.
Suddenly, there was a definite roar of approval from the crowd. The frowns turned into grins, the dour expressions became cheerful. "Long live the Rowdyruff Boys! Long live the Powerpuff Girls!" "Thanks for saving our city!" "You're the greatest!" "For they are jolly good fellows!" were just samples of the shouts coming from the crowd. It was deafening. Then there are the signs and placards. "PPG and RRB rocks! Ckracknow sucks!" read one, while another read, "We're sorry for how we treated you". Another has a drawing of Blossom standing on the carcass of Delta, while another placard saw a drawing of Dr. Edwards shooting Ckracknow, with the words, "Don't Mess With Us!" Another has a sign that read, "Babes for the RPA!" (Ruff-Puff Alliance) Another sign says, "Billy and Jack rule!" (a reference to William and John). There were giant photographs of each of the six kids. There was tons of red, while, and blue, and lots of flags. The band that marched before the slowly moving limos played the same patriotic songs. Tons of ticker tapes could be seen, and it was raining confetti. Even the refugees that rioted in Townsville joined in the celebrations.
The city itself, nine days after the final battle, had improved. Mayor Malarkey certainly did a fine job. After holding a mass burial for the victims of the attack, they began cleaning-up the mess, first by clearing the rubble, then restoring the electricity, water, and telephone lines, and constructing a temporary pontoon bridge in addition to employing ferries, using the five billion loan. Mayor Malarkey was at his finest and most inspirational as he summoned his city to rise again, and at the moment, his approval ratings were in the 90's. Soon, the city began humming.
Dr. Edwards, Professor Utonium and their kids saw a lot of blank spaces on the sides of the streets, indicating buildings that were destroyed and cleaned up after the fight. Business was in full swing, as the newly recruited police were able to keep law and order (it helped that a lot of the criminals were killed during the crisis). The construction boom, the work or restoring services to the city, and the fact that many people died, meant all people in Citiesville were gainfully employed. Morale among the people were high.
The Utoniums and Edwardses were stunned, shocked, and surprised. They were also happy. It was so unexpected that they would receive such an enthusiastic reception that they began to wonder if this was indeed Citiesville. Indeed, as they passed through the streets, many Citiesvillans would go and offer bouquets of flowers, presents, and other things.
As a result, both men and all the kids, including Brick and Butch, waved and smiled at the crowds. After one hour of touring the city and having their cars filled with confetti, they finally arrived at the makeshift City Hall where they were seated besides the officialdom of Citiesville. It was perhaps the most telling that Dr. Edwards still refused to shake Mayor Malarkey's hand—and was the only one not to and the only official whose hands Dr. Edwards did not shake. The kids again had to endure listening to at least a dozen wooden speakers. Then Malarkey spoke.
"On behalf of the Great City of Citiesville, I want to say, thank you from the bottom of our hearts," he began. "In the last month of last year, Citiesville was put to greater test that has ever befallen city. We were attacked. Much of the city was destroyed. Half of our people were killed. Nothing seemed to able to stop them. And it seemed as if this great city of ours would sink to the abyss. Yet, when we were in the deepest valley gorge, stuck in the darkness, we looked up, and we saw the light emanating from above. And our hopes were up. We owe our lives, and our city to eight people; six of them superheroes and hardly seven years of age, while the two were their fathers. Yet, as much as we like it to be, we do not deserve their help. Who can forget the time when Professor Utonium and his girls went here to live the first time? And we treated them like dirt. And how do they repay us? They saved our city. I, on behalf of the city, am very sorry for how we treated you. Please forgive us, Professor, girls."
That part reduced Bubbles to tears, and the Professor became emotional. It had zero effect on the boys and their father, though Dr. Edwards himself was surprised at his apology.
"But a greater sin I have committed against the father of the Rowdyruff Boys," Malarkey continued. "How could I have shown my face to him, and on top of that, begged him to send his boys to help us? Yes, we all know that William Edwards lived here for nearly twenty years before leaving this city in disgust. I can only say that I was the cause of it. My short-sightedness, my greed, my pride made me persecute him just because of his wealth, his power, and his intelligence, and because of that, our city lost him. So, Dr. William Edwards, I apologize to you. I am very sorry for having acted the way I did."
Dr. Edwards was stunned. He never expected Malarkey to publicly apologize. He thought that he was too proud to do that. But he was wrong.
"And, I admit, how I acted from the day Ferguson Ckracknow attacked was a disgrace. I am very sorry. Now, because of you eight, our enemies were vanquished and our city could once again heal itself and grow. God bless and thanks."
There was a standing ovation as he ended his speech. All the kids, Professor Utonium, and even Dr. Edwards stood and heartily applauded his speech. Professor Utonium went and shook his hand, went to the podium, and said before the cameras and the crowds, "Don't think about it! Of course we forgive you!" he said with a smile.
Dr. Edwards then went and in gushing symbolism, shook his hand. "You bastard! You've put me in a box and I would have to forgive you! Rest assured that I will forgive you, but I would still keep the incriminating tapes in case you try to renege on your agreements," Dr. Edwards whispered to the mayor.
"Fine by me!" Malarkey said.
Dr. Edwards then went and replaced the Professor in the podium. "I'm glad you realized your mistakes. So you are forgiven," before going out and joining his kids.
Later that night…
It was about nine in the evening, and the girls were getting ready to sleep. Blossom already had gone to bed, and Bubbles, already in her nightgown, was about to join her when Buttercup yanked her by the arm.
"Hey, I'm going to bed," Bubbles shot back.
"Look. I've got a feeling that tomorrow morning, Blossom and Brick won't agree on who will be the leader, and as a result, there won't be an alliance," said Buttercup, with a sneaky grin on her face. "Now, I have a plan that not only would force them to settle who is going to be the leader and continue the alliance, but would teach them for being too bossy!"
"I don't think we need to do that," Bubbles said. "I mean, they can settle that leader thing you know. They've done so twice in the past so why would they fail now?"
"Look, they both want to be the leader, and I don't think they'd fall for any trick of the other designed to make him or her the leader. And if they don't, this alliance will break apart," Buttercup said.
"So who do you prefer to be the leader?" asked Bubbles.
"Blossom. But frankly, I don't care, as long as those two settle it. And with my plan, they would have to settle their dispute."
"Wow, I never knew you'd be so attached to the alliance as I am," said Bubbles.
"I'm not. I just want to get back at them for being so bossy all this time!" Buttercup said. "We can have our revenge!"
"But how do we get back at them? I still don't get it!"
"Well, you know Brick is going here alone tomorrow morning at nine, right? So here's what we do…" Buttercup then revealed her plan.
"Um, don't you think they might not like it?" asked Bubbles, concerned after hearing about it.
"Well, we did it before, so they did it to us, and nobody got upset too much, so they have no right to complain! Besides, the point is that they would not like it so much that they would have to settle their dispute. Besides, you'd get your alliance preserved for sure, while I get my payback!"
"Well, if you're so sure, then okay!" Bubbles said.
"Then let's shake on it!" Buttercup said.
"Okay," Bubbles said, then they both shook hands before joining Blossom in bed.