Chapter One
Power of the Heart
Black Manor, Magical Quarter, Later That Afternoon..
Nick looked at himself again, dressed in a silver and green dress shirt and a pair of black jeans. As if she had known he was outside (she had, in fact), Bellatrix opened the door, leaning on the doorframe as she took in Nick's appearance. "Mm. Someone cleans up well. Is this all because it's my dad?"
Nick nodded sheepishly. "Good impression, right?"
The black haired girl giggled. "Yes, but that doesn't matter to me. If I have to follow in Andi's footsteps, I will. Anyway, come on. Dinner was just served, so you're right on time. Oh, and since he hates PDA," She leaned over and kissed Nick. "Alright, come on."
As she turned and led him into the Black family manor, Nick looked at what Bellatrix was dressed in, wondering if she expected to go to the party at Locke Castle dressed in the obvious formal wear dress as green as her eyes. "Your father hates PDA, huh?"
"He is from a very old-fashioned family, you know. Oh, hold on, you're actually missing something and.." She waved her wand quickly, summoning a red and gold necktie that tied itself (thankfully) around Nick's neck. "There! Daddy loves when people wear ties, it's odd really. Oh, and please don't pay too much attention to Fayth. She'll ruin the chances of us winning our argument."
"Of course, I follow your lead, Trixie." Nick smiled as they entered the dining hall, Nick amazed at the sheer size of the room even knowing there were several charms Bellatrix and her family could use to reach such results. "Also, isn't the tie color a bit.. presumptuous?"
"Nope. Plus, you embody pretty much all of the Four's ideals. Brains from Ravenclaw, Modesty and Kindness from the Hufflepuffs, the cunning and ambition of us Slytherins, and above all you're the bravest and most noble of the guys we go to school with, so there's Gryffindor. Also, I like the contrast on you." She winked at him playfully as she went to sit beside her father at one end of the surprisingly small dining table.
Nick bowed to his host before going to sit on the other side of Fayth, who was sitting next to Bellatrix with an equally as striking formal dress on, the Keyblade wielder's being a mix of white and pink, flowers made of fabric blooming on her shoulders and along the bottom hem of the skirt. Nick couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Fayth in anything so gorgeous, whereas Bellatrix had a habit of wearing only the most stunning outfits when they weren't in school. It was cute seeing Fayth look like an angel to Bellatrix's more demonic look, if the color contrast was anything to go by. "Evening, Lord Black. Thank you for having me."
Fayth leaned towards Bellatrix. "It's like he grew up with a Pureblood family. The manners are kinda hot on him, though." Bellatrix rolled her eyes, giggling.
Arcturus chuckled at Nick's display. "You're quite welcome, young man. Tell me, how are you so seemingly familiar with Pureblood customs? Did Bellatrix, ah what's the word these days? Oh, did my daughter drill you before tonight for such an occasion?"
"No, sir, honestly I just like to learn. I can talk about things like the Force or your Magic like I have it, but only because I've done extensive research into the subjects."
"Yeah, our Nicky's just a big ole nerd." Giggled Fayth as Arcturus smiled.
"Knowledge is one of the most powerful things, girls, never underestimate it. Now, Nick, I understand my Bellatrix isn't the only person that odd protection of yours is negated by. The rest of her little girlfriends from all over this town, I take it?"
Nick nodded. "Yes, sir. Fayth as well as the other five women in question are all allowed to do whatever they want to me where their powers won't let them otherwise. A human pin cushion, if you will. It's always been there, but none of us really have a grasp as to why it exists. And because all seven of them hate the thought of me actually being hurt, it keeps the peace when they might otherwise turn the situation volatile."
Arcturus laughed. "Indeed, that does seem like it could cause some issues with one's survival. We must count ourselves lucky when such things occur."
"I couldn't agree more, sir." The conversation continued throughout their meal, Bellatrix only saying something when she felt she needed to further explain things to her father. Soon enough, dinner was complete as a knock sounded on the door.
"Bellatrix, could you go get the door, please? Both of your sisters are still out and about."
"Of course, dad." Bellatrix said, removing herself from the table with Fayth behind her for whatever reason.
"Tell me, young man, while we're alone for a moment. What are your opinions on the affairs of someone calling themselves a Dark Lord?"
"Well, there's only two possibilities that come to mind, really. Either a Sith Lord, which hasn't been seen for what? About fifteen years now? And the other would be Voldemort, but he's very tame from what I've seen growing up. My opinion, however, is that we should all be allowed to exist peacefully here in Crystal Springs. I mean, if there's some kind of higher power up there at all, watching us live day in and day out? I'd hope they were aiming for peaceful relations and no evil like that of the more ancient world."
Arcturus nodded as they heard Bellatrix shouting from the door. "What the fuck are you doing here?!"
Nick stood up. "Uh oh, I know that tone. Excuse me, Arcturus, I need to defuse the bombs at your door." He rushed off, leaving Arcturus alone, amusedly chuckling.
"It seems your new abilities are just the tip of the iceberg for you, then. Makes sense, with the women you keep around." He laughed.
*FW*
Nick reached the door quicker than even Fayth had anticipated, signaled by her impressed expression and slow clapping. Bellatrix and Cynthia stood at the door, glaring at one another with every iota of focus they could both muster. "I'm here to pick you all up for the party at Locke Castle. Why are you staring at me like you're going to write my name in that silly notebook that never works?"
Bellatrix frowned. "Believe me, I'll make sure it does." She vowed half-heartedly.
"Cool down, Bella, it's alright. The real question, though, is how Cynthia got into the Magical Quarter."
"I have my tricks." Cynthia smirked. "And don't you look handsome tonight. None of us are going to have to beat the shallow bitches from school away from you with hockey sticks, are we?"
Nick rolled his eyes. "I'd hope not. Granted, these parties are going to become a lot more common for us, but I think most of the girls in school are already scared of crossing any of the seven of you girls' paths, least of all when it comes to me."
"That's true. Especially Sephy and Genie. Those two are usually both one split decision away from ending reality itself, but a lot of those arguments are in fact over Nick in some way or another, according to Tifa and Aerith."
"For best friends, those two are dangerously volatile together."
"True that. Dad, we're going to the party!" Bellatrix called out.
"Enjoy yourself, Bellatrix. If Lucius allows him, keep an eye on your nephew, won't you? Draco's father is starting to deal in some very dangerous lanes, and I'd rather keep that poor boy out of such things." Arcturus called back.
"I will. Bye, father. I'll be home late, most likely." Bellatrix giggled as she heard her father laugh from the dining hall before she pulled her wand out, tapping her shoulder as she conjured her coat, a short denim jacket that ended at about her midriff. "Shall we?"
Cynthia rolled her eyes as Bellatrix lead them all out of the house and looped her arm in Nick's, the Pokémon trainer frowning as she took the other arm. "Girls.." Nick sighed, shaking his head as they walked towards Locke Castle.
Locke Castle, An Hour Later..
"Ugh! Where are they?!" Genesis asked as her and Sephiroth sipped their drinks. Butterbeer, since the Wizards knew how to make a non-alcoholic drink that could still give you the dizziness of being drunk. After a few. "I told you we should have gone with Cynthia to get them. Bellatrix and her hate each other."
"Oh, hush, Genie. While that is true, they won't do anything to each other if Nick is there and neither will Cynthia's Pokémon if she decides to send one out against Bellatrix and her wand. Plus, Fayth is there. She won't let them kill each other. Hopefully."
"Nah, you're right. We seven made a pact. All or none, so if anyone dies, all of us might as well."
"Fuck, Seph, that was dark. All this over a boy." Came a new voice as one of Sephiroth's younger brothers (triplets, no less), came up next to the two girls.
"Oh, hey, Kadaj! I didn't know you came with Sephy. I live right down the road so I walked here. Are Loz and Yazoo here, too?"
"Of course they are, my mother wouldn't let me come if I didn't take them away from their precious COD game." Sephiroth huffed. "Where are Tsunade and Tia, anyway? Don't they live close by, too?"
"Oh, they won't come in without Nick. Us, on the other hand, need a drink first to deal with the drama that is us seven girls and Nick."
"That's so weird that he gets seven women. I mean, what the fuck?" Kadaj said with a sarcastic laugh.
"Don't be jealous, Kadaj, Nick just isn't like other guys. Plus, you and your two brothers are still too immature to handle a woman such as me or Cynthia, not to mention Tsunade or Tia. Nick's drowning in tits more than anything out of this whole thing."
Kadaj covered his ears. "Too much information!" He said, half-shouting as he rushed off much to his older sister's amusement.
"Thank you, Genesis. Jeez, my brother's are idiots."
"All brothers are. And what are friends for? So, should we text them? See if they're at least on the way?"
"Yeah, probably.. Nah, nevermind. Look, lover boy is here with the rest of our posse." Genesis turned to look where Sephiroth was, indeed seeing Nick enter with Bellatrix, Fayth, Cynthia, Tia and Tsunade, none of the five girls seemingly injured in any way.
"Then let's go join them, shall we? Only right the whole group be together for Nick's Keyblade induction party." Giggling, the two walked over towards the door.
Nick looked and saw Genesis and Sephiroth and smiled at them, admiring that all of his girls had apparently dressed up for the night, despite it not being that sort of event. Sephiroth was dressed in a silver dress that was cut on her legs from just above her knees, short sleeves attached to a mesh collar. Genesis on the other hand wore her signature red-brown in a ball gown that was surely turning heads already before he entered. He was already feeling overdressed as Tia and Tsunade were both wearing more traditional Japanese dresses, contrasting them in green for Tsunade and white for Tia in addition to how Bellateix Fayth and Cynthia had dressed, although Cynthia's outfit wasn't much different from any other day's outfit for the Pokémon Trainer. She didn't excel in many styles where dresses were concerned despite being known as fashionable.
"Wow, girls. All of you look gorgeous tonight, but I feel it's a bit much.. This isn't some grand holiday celebration or anything."
"It's just as good, because it's the party welcoming our love into an otherwise very exclusive club. It isn't often Keyblade wielders are chosen, after all. Especially so late in the development of our abilities and power sets." Fayth added.
"I guess that's true, isn't it? Well, either way I still feel we overdressed. Bella, maybe transfigure us into more casual clothes in a bit? I sincerely feel that we're going to regret dressing like we did."
Bellatrix nodded, giggling. "Sure, Nicky. Where are our gracious hosts, anyway? Shouldn't you have been welcomed personally at the door?"
Nick shrugged as the whole group jumped at another voice greeting them. "About time you all got here. Wanna challenge any of the guys ogling your girls while you weren't here?" Asked Vanitas as he appeared from a Dark Corridor in front of them. "You can borrow my Keyblade."
Nick laughed once he realized what he'd meant. "Nah. Pretty sure no one did anything but more than look. I mean, Gen and Sephy can end the world. Tsunade could I'd her mind was put up to it. Tia has potential to be a world-ender and Bellatrix is the worst out of them. Honestly, I feel Fayth is the least dangerous out of them all, but that's more because she's kind of an angel after what her mother's gone through."
"Demigoddess, actually. Technically that makes me more powerful than most of the others even if we seven were all at our peak." Fayth said, making Vanitas roll his eyes.
"Sure, twerp. Come say that once you manage to beat me one-on-one."
"You warp around the arena like a scared diricawl!" Bellatrix called out in defense of her best friend, having witnessed the two spar once or twice.
"Tch. Whatever."
"Stop antagonizing them, Vani. Nick has never even needed a weapon to fight you. You just have to aim at him and fire." Smirked Aqua as she approached. "Welcome, Nick! Masters Xehanort and Eraqus couldn't make it but wanted me to tell you you don't have to move into the castle if you don't want to. Of course, entry for Bellatrix and the others would be permitted any time. Just no overnights unless you're graduated."
"You and Vanitas have overnights all the time, Aqua." Laughed Ventus as he then approached with his Chirithy.
"Hey, Ventus. Aqua is special, being a Master. Riku has Naminé over all the time."
"How do you even know that?" Asked Riku as him, Sora and Kairi came up to the growing group, arms crossed over his chest.
"Because. I have eyes and ears everywhere in this town, see?" Nick asked, imitating a monster's mannerisms in his voice, or at least stereotypically.
Riku was probably about to say something smart when he realized what was indeed true. "Damn. Having a hand in all the pots." He chuckled.
"Come on, Riku. You know it isn't like that. The arrangement of women is purely a circumstance of luck."
"Alright, now that's bullshit." Came Axel's voice as the firebrand appeared with Roxas and Xion behind him. "Someone, somewhere is looking out for you in only the most ridiculously extravagant way."
"Extravagant is a big word for you, Axel. You even know what that means?"
"Fuck off, Roxas!" The entire group laughed at the taller redheads expense as Ventus' twin clapped his hand on Nick's back.
"Enjoying the party?"
Nick shrugged. "Couldn't tell you, really. We've only just gotten here. Most of our group, at least. Where do you guys keep the training blades? Or are those not really a thing?"
"They're not anymore, but I guess you would still know about them. No, now we have to awaken our own Keyblade and then eventually they mature and evolve into stronger forms. Aqua's Keyblade is an evolved form, as is Terra's. Mine is too, but it always feels.. Idk, empty, somehow? Like it isn't finished evolving."
Nick nodded. "Alright, I get what you mean. Like the Keyblade Aqua had in middle school as opposed to now, right?"
Roxas nodded. "Exactly. Ah, it's good Nick's a quick learner. Axel still has trouble remembering simple shit, sometimes."
"Again, fuck off, Roxas."
Nick laughed as he further surveyed the room they were in, knowing there were other students out in the halls outside the chamber as well as in it. "There's a lot of people here. Is this everyone from school?"
"Fuck yeah it is, save a select few." Roxas shrugged.
"Well, Bakugo has been in a mood lately so his powers would likely cause the party to get blown up. Quite literally. Is his sister here, though?"
"Maybe, although Bakugo would end everything trying to end you if his sister wound up falling for you, too."
"That's true, I'd only be asking for trouble at that point. Funny though, then, that Sephy has three younger brothers who are all a little battle-crazy when angered and yet won't make a move against me in her honor."
"As you said before, beloved." Sephiroth said as she draped her arms around his neck, a sweet smile hiding the depths of madness the girl was known to occasionally channel directed at Roxas. "My power is capable of ending the world. Brothers or not, if Kadaj, Loz or Yazoo hurt you, I'd kill them. Point blank."
"You're scaring the nice Keybladers, hun." Nick said as Sephiroth backed off slightly, her gaze softening. "How I manage you all and your moods shifting as often as they do, I'll truly never understand. But I'm thankful I have the skill nonetheless."
"As are many adults, Nick, trust us. Our mothers thank any holy power they know that you keep me and Sephy under control." Genesis remarked with a giggle. "Although it's been a long time since I lost control of myself like that."
Later, Upstairs Lounge..
Nick and his girls were all seated in the lounge up on the second floor of Locke Castle, opting for a somewhat quieter environment. Bellatrix had transfigured one of the many couches in the room into a circular booth like you would possibly find at a diner as the eight of them chatted. From the left most to right sat Genesis, Tsunade, Fayth, Bellatrix, Nick, Cynthia, Tia and Sephiroth. "You're gonna need a bigger bed, Nicky." Came Aqua as she laughed, approaching the group. "We were wondering where you all went to. Needed some quiet?"
Nick nodded. "Yeah, but with Vanitas and DJ Demyx behind the music, quiet is subjective."
"Yes, he is quite a passionate musician. I trust you'll turn that back into a couch before you all leave?"
Bellatrix grumbled. "Yeah, sure."
Aqua frowned. "What's your issue with me, Bella? I'm one of the only girls you all have ever tolerated being close to Nick as I am, and you all know I'm wholly committed to Vanitas in terms of a relationship. So why is it you always have an issue about me?"
"Because of Nick's predisposition! You as well as everyone else in school knows how much he's always looked up to you Keyblade wielders as well as the fucking Jedi! No offense to either faction, but excuse me for feeling a bit disheartened that Nick wasn't found to be Magical like me and the rest of the Magical Quarter, for reasons you as well as most of the girls we go to school with already know. Not to mention that you always say you're so committed to Vanitas but honestly you're still flirting with Nick all the fucking time in homeroom!"
"Girls! That's enough, Belle. Aqua has never flirted with me, not purposefully. You know why she hovers around me? Because she's motherly and due to that she feels protective of those she feels are somewhat like kids or siblings to her. So stop antagonizing everyone over me. You won against your father, remember? You and Draco aren't betrothed anymore, there's no reason to be so cynical."
Bellatrix visibly calmed, deflating into her spot in the booth. "Yeah, alright. You are right, luv. It's just.. ugh I've been on the sidelines in a sense watching it and having denied myself that, been a total bitch. It doesn't help that Aqua is Miss Perfect at school."
"Ha, like I've never gotten into trouble. When you guys were in eighth grade and I almost got expelled because I had to go searching for Ven and Terra. Playing hooky with Vanitas to see the Quidditch Cup match two years ago and being almost declared missing. Or the year before that when Sora went missing and I almost destroyed the school."
"Point taken, sheesh. I'm sorry, it's been a long day already and I'm just feeling the stress."
"It's fine, Bella. I'd be a hypocrite if I said I never had such a day. Just enjoy the party and being with your friends and loved ones. Not everyone has that support system still hanging around anymore, you know."
Bellatrix nodded as Aqua smiled, walking off. "You sure you want to stick around, Trixie? I can take you home if you want. I'm sure the party will go on if I decide to turn in early, you know?"
"No, we should enjoy this. It isn't often a party at Locke Castle is so open to everyone in town, Nick. I want to take advantage of it as best I can."
Nick rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "Well, even if we left I don't think it would be just the two of us. And most likely not with your house being our destination."
"The worst we'll do is string you up and let you watch us make out. Promise." Tsunade said, surprising everyone with her unusual brashness. "What? Can a girl not be kinky?"
"Tsu, honey, I don't think that's the type of kinky you're going for, but it is a nice sentiment. Plus, Cynthia has first dibs. She's been technically the closest to actually dating Nick out of us all, at this point."
"I think that's still not fair, but it is true. Lucky bitch."
"Don't start again, Bella. Let loose a bit, girl. You have to eventually get used to the idea of sharing him, anyway. There's seven of us in this thing, remember." Fayth said, shaking her head.
"I do, as you just love to fucking remind me." Bellatrix replied dryly, making the other girls giggle. "By the way, Fayth. Where are your sisters? They never miss a party at Locke Castle."
Fayth laughed. "Sonia and Miku?" Bellatrix nodded. Fayth's older sister's were twins, but they were more like their parents, not having Keyblades as Fayth did. Miku, the younger of the two, was however dating Terra. "I don't know. You'd have to find Terra and ask him. He knows about where those two are than I do most days." She shrugged, making Bellatrix roll her eyes. "Why? Sonia isn't a part of this harem shit, and if she was it would get very weird for me, you know."
Bellatrix smirked. "Oh, yes, I do. There was once a time where we all thought Narcissa was going to join, after all." She sighed, examining her black and green painted fingernails. "No, I was wondering because I have been studying how the Keyblade wielders and other types of magic-users utilize those abilities and am in the process of crafting several spells to imitate those we wand-users do not currently have a matching spell to. Your sisters are fun study partners."
"I bet, with how often they almost destroy the protected training grounds back home with mom and dad. Well, I'll let Terra know you were asking for them once the party wraps up." Nodding, Bellatrix changed the subject to something school-related.
~FW~FW~
The group continued relaxing in their little corner of the party, the occasional guest coming with the odd topic. Until it began getting late, proven by the party having thinned out to the point Demyx had sadly turned the music down to a truly reasonable level. By that time, Nick and the girls had all rejoined the main party only to find a few guests they hadn't expected. "Hey! Blossom! Bubbles! Buttercup!" Tia grinned and waved at the triplet superheroes.
Blossom, the defacto leader of the three, turned and waved back, her long red hair swaying as she turned. "Tiabel! How are you?"
"I'm good, but what about you three? Where have you been all summer?" The trio had been absent from the city all summer, and no one had been filled in as to why since.
"Oh, that's right. No one knew why we suddenly left. We had to go a bit.. out of orbit. Family matters."
"Family matters? Like what? Other than your dad it's only you three, isn't it?"
"Common misconception, let's call it." Came another voice as Buttercup and Bubbles joined their sister. "We were just as in the dark as anyone else about her."
"Her? Wait, do you guys have another sister? Who isn't one of the Powerpunk bitches?"
"I can't believe dad would even condone anyone else even experimenting with the chemicals he has like that. It's bad enough my emotions overpower and mix with my powers because of Chemical W." Came another voice as a girl aged probably more like Nick and the other girls than the middle school Powerpuffs were, made obvious by the more matured curves the darker-skinned Powerpuff sister possessed. The girl looked at Nick for several lingering moments before she realized what she was doing. "Oh, I'm uh.. Blisstina. Blisstina Utonium, but you guys can call me Bliss." Smiled the neon teal-blue haired girl.
"It's nice to meet you, Bliss. A few of us girls used to help babysit the triplets, so they're practically family. I'm Tia, and these are Genesis, Tsunade, Cynthia, Bellatrix, Fayth, Sephiroth and the only guy with us is Nick."
"Nick? Oh, is this the boy you three were telling me about? The magnetic one?"
Nick laughed. "Guilty as charged. I hope this family emergency business isn't too serious."
"Oh, no. Hopefully. Probably not. What it really was was that Bubbles had a vision of me and she brought the other two halfway across the Milky Way to find me. I'll admit, I'm actually fearful of how school will unfold come Monday."
"Why? School only seems scary." Genesis asked, frowning.
"It's my powers. Being older than these three," Bliss explained, motioning to her sisters. "My powers are more powerful. But, because I was created during an experiment using Chemical W.."
"We never knew there was another Chemical out there like Chemical X, though." Tsunade remarked, using her knowledge of the scientific world.
"You wouldn't, dad destroyed any trace of it after I was created. See, the imbalance Chamical W created within me makes my emotions mix with my powers if and when I get too excited in almost any way. Too angry and I can cause a cataclysmic earthquake or possibly cause the sun to drop out of the sky and vaporize us all. That's why I wasn't here until now. The girls told me there may be a way to fix my powers."
"Well, I hope it works out. Seems like you've been dealt a crap hand for a while. At least there wasn't some devil in disguise running around telling you to destroy them.." Bliss and the other Powerpuffs looked between each other. "Oh. Wow, Bubbles, HIM went after someone other than you for a change?"
"He can't break me anymore, I'm not the little girl he used to stomp all over anymore." The blonde said, shaking her head.
"Well, it's good it seems you all got rid of the guy. Damn devil needs to learn to stay in his own lane. Well, enjoy the restnof the party, girls. I'm honestly kind of beat and would like to go to sleep soon."
"Aw, Nicky's tired. Alright, girls, I guess we bring him home, then." Bellatrix giggled giddily as the group of eight left the party for good, ready to call it a night.
"What was the deal with that? Why are they moving in a unit?"
The younger Powerpuffs looked between each other. "We forgot to tell you there were some more uncommon happenings back here at home. That group was Nick and his harem of girls, each of whom could end the world if they felt so inclined."
Bliss looked at her sister. "And you three were babysat by those girls? Wait, actually, how does that even work? What's so special about Nick?"
Buttercup shrugged. "We couldn't tell you, we don't see him like those seven do. It's kind of always been like that, though. No one really minds it since Nick keeps them all out of trouble, mostly. Bellatrix, Genesis and Sephiroth are all ones to mind your step around, though. They can flip a switch and end us all if correctly motivated to."
"But he's really sweet! They all agree he's the only guy they all know who has never stopped being there for them, even during the harder times like when Cynthia's parents died." The Shirona parents had perished in a car accident several years earlier, and Cynthia's grandmother had since been helping support the teen who refused to leave Crystal Springs for the more isolated town up north where the elder Pokémon trainer lived.
"Both of them? Who does she live with, then?"
"No one. Cynthia lives alone but her grandmother who lives north of town I'd her support net until she graduates. You'll find quite a few of your fellow high schoolers live alone for one reason or another. Like the Jedi kids, they all live in their own apartments and from what people say they aren't allowed guests there, they would have to meet up outside of home so to speak."
"That sounds kind of lonely."
"It is, but they've done things like that for ages. But, not all of them are so set in those ways. Ezra, one of the boys in your grade, is a Jedi but he and his girlfriend Sabine don't let that stop them being together."
"Maybe we should just go home and start drilling her on the who's who in town." Bubbles suggested, realizing Bliss was probably becoming overwhelmed, if what Bubbles' empathy powers told her were any indication. "We're going to cause her powers to melt down with all this too quickly. Plus, with everything in this town, taking the weekend to at least acclimate her somewhat is a good idea."
"Bubbles is right. Come on, Bliss. The Professor's going to be mad we went off on our own for so long as it is."
Bliss was understandably hesitant, having not seen her creator and father for years. Would he even accept her being back, after having the success with his experiments that resulted in her little sisters? "He'll be ecstatic to have you back, Bliss. Now it makes sense as to why there's another bedroom he keeps locked up in the house." Buttercup remarked, picking up on the hesitation.
Bliss smiled at her green-clad sister. "Thank you, Buttercup. I don't deserve you three as sisters."
"Enough of that, Bliss," Blossom said, hugging the taller girl. "Just because you were created with another unstable compound than us which makes your powers spiral out of control means nothing against the fact that we're family, and we have to look out for one another."
Nodding, Bliss followed her sisters out of the dying party, while Axel went up to the karaoke microphone and began singing a very off-key version of The Saga Begins by Weird Al Yankovic. Needless to say, the straggling party goers still at Locke Castle had a great finale to the festivities.
Negron Household, The Next Morning..
Nick woke up with a raging headache, one he couldn't place since Butterbeer only gave you the mentality of being drunk without actually putting you through the hangover and other consequences. It also confused him as to why he couldn't get out of bed, seemingly weighed down by something else on the bed. We don't have a dog, right? I'd have seen it by now.. Nick thought as he tried to pick his head up, his eyesight blocked by blonde hair, a certain hair accessory making it fairly obvious who was in his bed with him. Wait, what? How did this..? His thoughts were interrupted by Cynthia now waking up, sleepily looking at him with a drowsy smile before her head drooped back down lightly onto his chest.
Only for it to spring up faster than before, Cynthia's gray eyes wide as dinner plates. "Nick? What are you doing in my bed?"
"Um, Cyn? We're in my bed. Do you remember how this wound up happening?"
Cynthia shook her head as she sat up, Nick turning away as she revealed she was fully top less. As she realized herself, Cynthia pulled the covers around her. "Nick, seriously. What the hell happened last night after we left the party?"
Nick tried to think, but anything that occurred after the group of eight (Fayth stayed back home at Locke Castle, Nick knew that much) had left the Keyblade Wielder's domain was.. blank. "I have no idea. You don't think the butterbeer was spiked, do you?"
Cy this shrugged. "No clue. I guess it's possible, but Bella swears up and down that no one can spike a wizarding beverage, least of all butterbeer."
"Oh, man. Well, Bella's going to be pissed when she finds out."
Cynthia groaned. "Ugh. Worth it." She said, laying back down despite the unknown circumstances of their current situation. "Her own fault for not owning up to her feelings faster."
"While that may be true, the real question is why was it you? Not that it makes much difference, but if we were affected then why not any of the others?"
Cynthia shrugged again as the two lay there, both trying to figure out what happened the night before.
Meanwhile, in the Magical Quarter, Bellatrix smiled softly at her reflection in the mirror. "Sorry, Cynthia. It's not an apology, really, but it's true you deserved it before the rest of us girls. I just hope my spell didn't go too out of control. Honestly, it's odd enough Nick was affected, too." She giggled, taking one more look at herself before heading downstairs for breakfast.
Utonium Residence, Southside Crystal Springs..
Blisstina sighed as she poked at her breakfast with her fork, looking around at the new environment. Well, not new, but it had certainly changed since Bliss had last been in this house. Professor Utonium, her creator and father, frowned from his seat at the table. "Bliss, it's alright, you know. No one is out to get you here. Least of all HIM."
"How can you possibly know that, dad? Bubbles has been affected by HIM here at home. She almost killed Blossom and Buttercup because of it, according to them."
The Professor sighed heavily. "Yeah, that is true. But, he knows not to mess with your sweet little sister anymore, not after the best down she gave him that time. Honestly, I'm surprised he even tried with you. He shouldn't have even known you existed. Although, looking back, it seems that literal devil has it out for our family. Why, though, would be the mystery."
"You made sure the house wasn't standing on old burial grounds or a satanic ritual site, right?" Bliss asked, much to the Professor's shock as he gasped. "Right?"
"I knew there was something I missed when I bought this place. The price was reasonable, but the eagerness that realtor had to sell it to me.."
"What smells so delicious?" Asked a sleepy Buttercup as she entered the kitchen, sitting next to Blisstina.
"Good morning, Buttercup. Dad and I were just discussing HIM. You and Blossom seriously never got contacted directly by him like Bubbles and I were?"
Buttercup shrugged. "He may have, I don't know. I was a little bitch when I wanted to be back then, so he may have thought I'd just eventually turn on everyone myself. And Blossom is too smart for him to trick, she would out think HIM in no time flat. Bubbles was depressed when she almost took me and Bloss out, and you have a lot of anxiety that he would use to his advantage, although we foiled that plan. Why so suddenly stuck on HIM?"
Blisstina frowned. "I don't know. It just seems weird that out of everyone in town, with all the different powers floating around? HIM should have found a much more suitable puppet ages ago."
Buttercup and Utonium nodded, Bliss having a point. "Anyway, are you sure you don't want to take a week off from school to get used to everything here? I know it's a big change from some uninhabited planet out in the galaxy."
"No, I think I'll be fine. What with the girls and whoever that Nick is, school doesn't seem so problematic." She said, even as she hid her hand under the table, sparks floating around her fingertips. Not now! She thought, cursing her powers for being so out of whack.
"Nick? A boy already, Bliss? Do I have to have the Talk with you?"
Bliss' much darker skin (than her sisters) darkened more with embarrassment as she shook her head. "No, no you don't, dad. As mortifying as this may sound, HIM gave me that talk a few years ago, when I thought he was just an imaginary friend I deliriously created in my loneliness up in space. No, Nick is just.. So different than I imagined most guys to be. Especially after meeting those.. what were they called? Oh, right, those Rowdyruff Boys. Strange how such opposite ends of a spectrum can still be so cute together."
"The Rowdyruffs? They were at that party up at Locke Castle?" The girls nodded. "Huh. I thought Mojo would have had them grounded still, after the stunt they pulled two weeks ago."
"Butch and Brick didn't do it, dad! It was even proven by Blossom's internal lie detecting ability (For Blossom, I feel this makes sense even if it's creative liberty with her powers). And Mojo can't keep them in the house anyway, they know how to get past his security systems."
"Well, you know how I feel about those three. Them and those Powerpunks."
"Powerpunks?" Blisstina asked, her sisters having only filled her in on some of the things and villains the triplets had done or fought in the past.
"Oh, we didn't touch on them last night, did we? The Powerpunks are literally the dark incarnations of Blossom, Bubbles and I. Me and the girls thought the boys would gravitate towards them, but oddly enough the Rowdyruffs aren't as bad as they want themselves to seem." Buttercup giggled. "Butch especially. He's actually such a sweetheart."
"I won't lie, Buttercup. Knowing you, it scares me a bit seeing you even act like a girl sometimes." Utoniu said laughing as Buttercup pouted at him.
"Ugh, dad! Anyway, we told you last night, Bliss. Getting involved with Nick and his harem of potential apocalypse-bringing women is asking for some trouble."
"I don't know, he seemed pretty in control of everything last night. It seems that one who was wearing green is the worst of them all, really."
"Who, Bellatrix? Nah, she's pretty tame, even when she acts out. You would want to watch out for any of the others. I mean, both of Fayth's parents killed a God or two in their heyday, Sephiroth and Genesis were conceived with medical sciences that rivaled our own creation but gave her a serious anger issue when she gets set off. Tia can rend your literal soul from your body. Cynthia doesn't need outward abilities to fight, she uses her Pokémon which are powerful, magical little creatures. You don't find too many around here, though. And Tsunade can use her inner power to make her punches strong enough to crumble mountains to dust. Not to mention all her other abilities. Even if Nick hadn't been found out to be a new Keyblade wielder, he has all the power necessary to take over the world. If he was so inclined."
Blisstina held her head. "Ugh, how do you three keep all of this information straight? There's so much to know, being back home now.."
"Hey, don't worry about it, Bliss. Just take everything a day at a time. And if you do get roped into that group, just show the others you can handle yourself in a fight. They'll respect you much more that way."
Blisstina nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Still, this place is kind of insane."
"Oh, I totally agree. Sometimes it's like living in a fever dream turned nightmare. But it's all good, Crystal Springs is home." Buttercup grinned at her older sister as the two dug into their breakfast with a shared laugh as Blossom yawned as she came down the stairs herself. "Morning, Bloss. Is Bubbles not up, yet?"
Blossom looked at her sister with a look that- to Blisstina- said there were other reasons the bubbly blonde wasn't already awake or with the rest of the family. The oldest Powerpuff let it go as Blossom spoke. "Oh, I'm sure she'll be down soon. You know Bubbles, sometimes she's slow to wake up." The redhead laughed as she shrugged it off, sitting down and eating her own plate of eggs, bacon and sausage.
Upstairs..
Bubbles sighed as she rested her head on Boomer's chest, sensing his unease at the moment. "What's on your mind, Boomy?"
The Rowdyruff looked at her. "Hmm? Oh, it's nothing, Bubbles. Why is there another one of you girls in the house, though? I'm picking up four, not three." Not many people actually knew about Boomer's ability similar to Bubbles' own empathy, but for Boomer it was a sense of people around him. Easiest to pick up on- for reasons that seemed obvious- was the signatures of both the Powerpuffs and their evil twins, the Powerpunks.
"Oh, that's Blisstina. Our older sister." Bubbles explained. "That's why I wasn't home all summer, me and the girls went up into space to find and bring her back home. She was.. HIM was manipulating her."
"Shit. Good thing she has you three, then."
"Yeah. So, why weren't you guys at the party last night?"
Nick's little shindig up at Locke Castle? Nah, we didn't think it would be too enjoyable. Plus, the Punks were badgering us all summer so we didn't want to be around them if they showed up."
"Ahh. Well, you should probably head back home." Bubbles said as she stretched and climbed out of bed, Boomer watching her. "I have to go out with the girls and get Bliss some new clothes. She only has her Puff suit really, which has needed to be enlarged for her for years. She's lucky we found something for her to wear last night when we went. Nick seemed happy."
"Of course he did. He is now known to be a Keyblade wielder which is a dream of his to begin with. Then you have the seven women that worship the ground he walks on."
"I don't think you'd say that to most of those girls' faces, seeing as how Genesis and Sephiroth alone could vaporize us Powerpuffs. But yeah, I guess I could see either of those being a genuine cause. Alright, now seriously, go! Before my dad comes and finds you in here. You know he hates seeing any of your Rowdys here with us, alone in our rooms."
Boomer laughed as he slipped his shirt on, followed by the shorts he had been wearing when he'd shown up in the night. "Alright, I guess you have a point. Plus, our dad isn't the most keen on it either, even with him and Utonium being friends again. Anyway, I'll see you later, babe." He said, placing a kiss on Bubbles' cheek.
"Yeah, Later, Boomer. Don't get into too much trouble."
"No promises." Laughed the blonde boy as he opened Bubbles' bedroom window and jumped out, flying away from the Utonium family home.