It was evening in the City of Townsville. About 7:00 PM. A tall green man was sitting on a bench at the park, smoking a cigarette. He wore his signature sunglasses, and his jet black hair, long, straight, and greasy, was slicked-back, just like it was back in the days. He had changed a little, but not much. While he still wore his black boots and white shirt, he no longer wore wristbands, he wore dark blue jeans instead of his beige pants, and he seemed to have traded his orange and blue ski vest for a black leather jacket.
This man, without a doubt, was Ace D. Copular, the leader of a notorious gang known far and wide as the Gangreen Gang.
Or at least, a former gang. Ace and his boys have been turning their lives around for years now. After working with Sedusa and finding out about her betrayal (See the episode Aspirations) years ago, a life of crime was something that just didn't appeal to them anymore. So they decided to try their best at reforming. And not that they would admit it, but they were sick and tired of living in the dump. They didn't want to wake up one day, in their 30s or 40s, and still at the dump, with nothing but each other.
So, they tried their best at getting a house and jobs. It wasn't easy at first, as they were convicts and had little skills, if any at all, but as the years went by, they got some skills and got some jobs of their own.
Ace and Snake worked at a connivence store, selling supplies to customers, sweeping the floors, and stocking. Of course, even as years pass, they were a few customers that still regard them with suspicion. Their boss had been suspicious as well, but warmed up to them eventually.
Arturo worked at a Mexican restaurant, serving food to the customers, and was even placed as top chef.
Billy and Grubber were the only ones who didn't have jobs, as Billy lacked common sense, and Grubber's appearance was still a bit ugly for some.
But the Gang was starting to survive on their own, and they even had an apartment of their own. It didn't have much, but it was at least better than living in the dump.
Then, another thought came into Ace's mind. The Powerpuff Girls. He was wondering what they looked like now, as years have passed and who they were still fighting. He didn't think much about Blossom or Bubbles, but when the girls came into his mind, he always thought about Buttercup.
Buttercup. The toughest of the Powerpuff Girls. She was rough, easily angered, and always ready for a fight. He remembered when she had a crush on him back then. And he took advantage of her by using her as a tool to kill Blossom and Bubbles. (See the episode Buttercrush). It almost worked, but Buttercup accidentally punched a wall in the shack and saw everything. And beat him and his gang like there was no tomorrow.
He sighed and cringed at the same time at that memory. That was about 9 years ago. He was 17 at the time. He was 26 now, and he still sometimes thought about the green Powerpuff.
He was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the all-too familiar sound. The sound of a Powerpuff Girl arriving. He sighed and braced himself, as the girls got closer, only to see that it was just one, and it was the one who he was thinking about.
It was Buttercup.
Now Ace could look and see how she changed over the years. The tomboy was now a teenager, about 14 years old, and she had developed B-cup breasts, small curves, and if Ace could guess, she stood at 5'6". She still had her short black hair, and she seemed to have traded her green dress, stockings, and mary janes for more boyish clothes. She was wearing a black leather jacket with a black t-shirt underneath, grey pants, and black combat boots. The one thing however, that caught Ace off-guard, was her expression.
It looked somber.
Ace was taken aback by this. He had never seen the green Powerpuff sad before. He only looked for a second before she turned away, showing her back, and put her hand in her jacket pocket. Ace didn't know what she was doing, but his eyes soon widened behind his sunglasses when she pulled out an extremely sharp knife and started to cry.
Ace knew this was serious. Buttercup never cried. And by the look of it, it seemed like she was going to kill herself. Slowly, he got up from the bench and slowly approached the black-haired girl. He stopped a few inches behind her and was hesitant at first, but very slowly and gently, put his hand on her shoulder.
Buttercup jumped and she dropped the knife. It fell on the ground 2 feet away from her. The realization of what she was going to do hit her and she began sobbing loudly.
"UGH! Don't you get it?!" She screamed between her sobs. "I'm nothing! I can't do anything right! Why can't you just let me DIE?! Can't you see that's what I want?!"
"Buddacup...?" A very familiar voice asked from behind. Buttercup slowly turned around and saw Ace looking at her with concern. She was shocked at first, but then her surprised expression turned into a scowl.
"Ace..." She said sourly. "Of all people, you're here."
"Cryin' don't suit ya, Cuppo, and neither does suicide." Ace said honestly. He picked up the knife and put it in his jacket pocket. "Wanna talk about what's buggin' ya? Dat could help."
Buttercup looked at the Gangreen leader in disbelief. He was her for crying out loud! Why was he worried about him?
"Why do you care?" She asked, her expression turning sad again. "I thought that you of all the villains would be happy to see me dead."
"Maybe years ago, but the boys and I ain't criminals anymore. We got jobs of our own, an apartment, and we're survivin' on our own as well." Buttercup looked at him for a while before speaking again.
"Ace... can I have the knife back please?" Ace started at her in shock.
"Hell no! Yous just gonna try ta kill yerself again!" Ace shouted, taking Buttercup by surprise.
"Please... why can't you just let me die...?" Buttercup asked, and Ace swore he could have heard her voice crack. He even managed to see tears falling from her green eyes, but she turned away quickly.
"Kid, it's okay ta cry."
"I'm not crying!"
"You are."
Buttercup then felt Ace's hand touch her shoulder. She stiffened at the touch for a moment, but then slowly turned around and looked up at him to face him. Even though she couldn't tell as he was still wearing his sunglasses, she saw a look of concern on his face.
"Buddacup, why do yous wanna die? Yous a Powerpuff Girl."
Buttercup sighed heavily. Ace (or any member of the Gangreen Gang) was the last person she wanted to talk to.
"Fine. I'll tell you." She said in defeat. "She took a deep breath and started talking.
"I don't feel like I belong in my family anymore… Compared to my sisters, I've always been the black sheep. Blossom is the smartest. She's the perfect daughter, and she has a bright future, something that the Professor is so proud of. Hell, he even supports her in her academic skills! Bubbles is the most kind and giving. She loves bringing smiles to everyone's faces, and even many boys ask her out on dates! But for me… " Her voiced began to wobble. "I'm the fighter. The problematic child. The disappointment. The one who always gets into trouble. I'm not the smartest like Blossom. In fact, I've failed more tests than I passed. I'm not the sweetest like Bubbles. I have a bad temper and I get enraged easily. I'm nothing… " Tears began to roll down her cheeks. "The Professor is so proud of my sisters, especially Blossom, but I can't do anything to make him proud anymore… " She couldn't hold it any longer. She put her face in her hands and began crying.
In the middle of her crying, she got a note out of her pocket and handed it to Ace. Curious, Ace opened the letter, and his heart broke when he read it.
Dear Blossom, Bubbles, and Professor,
I'm sorry… I just can't do this anymore. For most of my life with you guys, I've caused nothing but trouble. Bubbles, I've teased, bullied, and made fun of you a lot, and I'm still shuddering from the time I smashed your chalk when we were 5. Blossom, I've always argued with you, kept on disobeying your orders, and kept on thinking that I was a better leader. But I'm not. You are. Professor, I don't blame you for lecturing me many times. It's not like I'm the best daughter in the world.
With all that said, I'm leaving for good, and I'm not coming back. Ever. That way, Bubbles, you will be safer, Professor, you won't have to deal with me, and Blossom, you won't have to strain your voice yelling at me. Don't come looking for me. This is better for the family.
I love all 3 of you…
Sincerely,
Buttercup
"My god…" Ace whispered to himself. He then looked at Buttercup.
"What da hell, kid!" he shouted, and Buttercup flinched at his volume. "Yous can't possibly think killing yerself will make things better! Don't say yer a disappointment, cause yer not! I know we fought a lot, but you always beat us in da end! And what do ya think yer family would do if you died? Forget about you and leave? HELL NO! They would want to stay in Townsville and would probably blame themselves for yer death for da rest of their fuckin' lives! Dat's so fuckin' selfish and ya didn't even think 'bout dat!" He stopped in the middle of his rant when she started to cry.
"I-I'm sorry!" She buried her face in his leather jacket and began to cry. To her surprise, Ace gave her a hug.
"It's okay, kid... let it all out..." He said quietly.
She cried in his chest for god knows how long before stopping and wiping away her tears.
"Feelin' betta?"
She sniffled. "Yes..."
"Now, I think yous should go home now. Yer family must be worried sick right now."
"Can you take me home?" He looked shocked at her question. But she then continued. "Don't worry, I'll explain to them."
"Alright, kiddo."
The two walked down (More like Buttercup flew) toward the City of Townsville until they reached the Utonium household. Ace looked hesitant at first, but Buttercup gave him a look telling him that it was alright. Without any hesitation, the ex-villain knocked on the door.
A second later, the door was opened with a distressed Blossom, a hysterical Bubbles, and a few seconds later, a stressed Professor. When they saw that Buttercup was there, huge smiles grew on their faces and without warning, they ran to Buttercup and gave her huge hugs.
"Oh my goodness, Buttercup!" The Professor said, strong relief in his voice. "We were so worried about you! We were just making calls to people to see if they've seen you! Thank goodness you're home..."
"Where were you, Buttercup?" Bubbles exclaimed. "I thought I was never going to see you again."
Blossom said nothing, but hugged Buttercup, relieved to see her back. She, Bubbles, and the Professor then looked up with huge smiles on their faces, but when they saw Ace, the smiles fell.
"Buttercup, you did not-" Blossom began to reprimand, but Buttercup cut her off.
"I did." She looked at Ace with a smile. "He's not a villain anymore, and neither is his gang." Ace nodded at that.
"She's tellin' the truth. And by da way, I think yous should read dis note." He handed them the note. The Professor began to read it, and so did Blossom and Bubbles. Their hearts ached after they read it.
"Oh my god..." The Professor whispered. "You were going to run away?" Buttercup nodded.
"And dat's not all. She was plannin' on killin' herself." Ace told them. He pulled the knife out of his jeans pocket. "Dis is what she was gonna use ta kill herself." He took a look at their faces.
Blossom was in denial, Bubbles looked like she was going to cry, and the Professor looked utterly broken.
"Oh God..." The Professor said shakily, and he looked at Buttercup, tears falling from his face. "Buttercup..."
"I'm sorry..." She said quietly, and hugged her father and her sisters. Blossom and Bubbles then looked at Ace.
"Thank you, Ace..." Bubbles said, crying.
"Just please don't hurt her anymore..." Blossom said, crying as well. "She may be tough, but she's still our sister..."
"Don't worry, goils. I ain't gonna hurt her anymore." Ace said honestly.
"Thanks for helping me, Ace." Buttercup said, smiling at him. "For an ex-villain, you're not too bad."
"Take care, kid." Ace replied. And with that, the Utonium family went inside the house.
Ace decided to go back home as well. He started walking away from the Utonium household, back to his gang.
The end.
My first PPG fanfic, as well as my first fanfic in general. Sorry is this sounds a bit too angsty. It's my first attempt at a fic.