The red, unveiling cloth drape fell down with a soft thud.

The shining statue of a small – yet great – man appeared in the central square of the City of Townsville, as loud cries of surprise and approval arose from the crowd. They started to applaud; a few tears were shed.

The young and handsome man in his thirties stood in the middle of the stage, in front of several microphones, purposely put there for him. He smiled a sad, soft smile and waited until all the echoes were quietened and all the eyes dried. He looked straight into the cameras with a confident gaze and a serious expression, fearlessly. As if he was already prepared for this.

"Dear brothers and sisters, citizens of Townsville, people coming from all the nearby cities; it is with honour and sorrow that I stand here, in front of you all, as the new mayor of this incredible city".

On the other side of the TV screen, sitting on her light blue sofa and embracing a heart-shaped pillow, Blossom furrowed as she heard the words "new mayor" coming out from those thin, sly lips. Her eyes were still a little red because of the rivers of tears she had been crying during the previous days. Bubbles, though, didn't seem to have finished hers yet, as Blossom heard deep sighs and hiccups coming from her side. Their father stood silently by the door, watching TV with a blank expression and his arms folded. Buttercup showed no emotions as well, as she lay on her back on the round white carpet in front of the TV, her head bent backwards as she followed the flamboyant speech of the man on the screen.

"At least he's hot" Buttercup exclaimed, flatly.

"Oh Buttercup, my goodness gracious!" Blossom grumbled as she gave her a bad look.

Her pink eyes stopped for a moment on the tall, dignified figure of Ms Bellum, who stood by the left side of that filthy careerist as he spoke in the place where she should have been instead.

"Ms Bellum deserved to be the next mayor after the death of the former Mayor. Not that man." Blossom growled, almost smashing the pillow. "Not Devon Darwin".

"Not Devon Fucking Darwin, you wanted to say" Buttercup sneered as she sat up quickly. "I'm pretty sure you have to say thank you to his hottie right-hand man for this fuck-up. God, they look like a couple of models. Probably all the female population of Townsville must have voted for him".

Blossom had to force her eyes to move to the right side of the new mayor. There, on the other side of the screen, in the middle of Townsville crowded square, there he stood as a new hero, a worthy citizen, an honest penitent now playing the part of the personal bodyguard of the new mayor. His hair cut shorter and well-groomed. His perfect suit and tie. His lips curved in a little sneer. His red eyes were starring directly at the cameras. Right at her, she was sure of it.

"From missing criminal to almost mayor, he's climbed the ladder in an impressive way, mh?" Buttercup looked at Blossom with a curious look.

Her pink eyes were sparkling with rage. Brick, where the hell have you been for the last year?

Wildest Dreams

Chapter 1. Look What You Made Me Do

I don't like your little games

Don't like your tilted stage

The role you made me play of the fool

No, I don't like you

I don't like your perfect crime

How you laugh when you lie

You said the gun was mine

Isn't cool, no, I don't like you

Bubbles closed the crystal door behind her back, as the little bell on the upper angle chimed the arrival of a new client.

Immediately a tall, beautiful blue-eyed boy appeared in his waiter uniform, a white shirt with black trousers and black bow tie, as he welcomed her with his best smile.

"Welcome to DolceFragola, Miss. Where would you like to sit?"

"Boomie…" Bubbles sighed with a small smile as she got closer to him.

"Hey, I'm a very professional worker!" he smirked as he took her hand and led Bubbles to her favourite table. It was still early in the afternoon and the small cafeteria was still empty. It was a lovely place, with small white round tables and white wrought-iron chairs. Decorations of pink strawberries were everywhere and all sorts of delicious sweets and cakes were displayed on the counter.

"Boomie… I'm here to…" Bubbles started, a veil of uncertainty in her voice.

"If you're asking, I haven't seen the live of the statue unveiling yesterday" he uttered with a neutral tone.

"Why not?"

Bubbles stopped him by grabbing and leaning against his arm. He had grown so tall during the last three years that she could barely reach the top of his shoulder with her chin. Boomer looked thoughtfully outside the large window decorated with strawberries.

"Why should I have…? I mean, my brothers abandoned me last year, without saying anything to me… not a fucking single word… now Brick comes back in town again and hasn't shown not even once to say hi or to see if I'm still alive. Why should I care about him?" Boomer's expression darkened as his hands clenched. Delicately, Bubbles hands leant on his fists, untangling his fingers with hers as she held his hands firmly in hers.

She knew how much he had suffered. She knew how many hours they have spent – he, her and her sisters – looking for his missing brothers. How lonely and abandoned he had felt. The times he had drunk until he couldn't remember who he was… she had been picking up pieces of Boomer for a whole year. And even though they didn't want to admit it, she had also picked up pieces of Buttercup, when she heard her crying alone at night in her bed. And of Blossom, when she saw her crying while emptying Brick's locker at school. Then, the Mayor had decided to leave their lives so suddenly…Yes, that had been an awful year for most of the people she loved. And pieces of her previously perfect life were being scattered all around her…

"I know you're angry and hurt Boomie… I know that… but maybe trying to get rid of these doubts is better than to live angrily without knowing what has happened for real… maybe you should just meet Brick and ask—"

"Has Blossom told you to do it? To ask me this?" Boomer muttered, nervously.

Bubbles jumped back and puffed up her cheeks, without letting go of his hands. "Boomie! How can you think this?!"

The boy immediately bit his lower lip back and lowered his gaze, feeling guilty. "I know, I know… I'm sorry, it's just…"

"Don't worry, Boomie. You know you come first in this situation. I don't care what my sisters say or do about this, I'll only trust you and support you. Forever. I won't leave you, ever."

"I know. I know it… I'm sorry, baby." He sighed, leaning his forehead against hers. "I love you"

Bubbles smiled softly. "I love you too, Boomie. And I'm pretty sure Blossy doesn't need me to ask you to do anything… Probably she's already trying to solve the case by herself".

Boomer shot her a worried glance. "What the…"

"…the fuck."

Brick moaned as he scratched his forehead nervously. He sighed deeply and leaned back against his comfortable and expensive swivel chair in faux leather. His black tie was let loose around the neck of his white shirt, even though he just wanted to toss it out of the window. He couldn't stand being dressed up like a city slacker.

"I told Ms Utonium to leave since you are very busy". His secretary, who was standing in front of his desk, was a sexy chick, but with a killer look on her face which made her look more frightening than desirable. Probably she was an undercover assassin. Having been hired by Mr Daddy Morbucks or Mr D.D. to work for him, that wouldn't have come out as a surprise. She was just there to keep him in check. "Also I—!"

The secretary's voice – whose name Brick couldn't really come to remember, even because it was probably false – suddenly interrupted, as she stared palely at the large window behind Brick's back. She raised her finger and pointed at it, hissing "she… that little… monster!"

Brick turned and wasn't surprised to see a floating Blossom shooting him a disgusted glance with her arms crossed right on the other side of the glass. He raised his hand flatly to say hello with an amused sneer and then stood up to move closer to the handle of the window.

"Mr Jojo!" the secretary exhaled alarmed.

"You can leave now" he claimed as he opened the window to let Blossom fly elegantly inside.

"Mr Darwin won't be happy to hear about this!" the secretary cried as she strode towards the door.

"This doesn't concern neither you nor him. Get out of here. Now." Brick hissed back at her and then heard the door of his office slam violently.

And then, they were alone.

Buttercup blew a large puff of smoke thoughtfully as she stared at the sky above her. The grass was soft and wet against her shoulder as her arms were crossed behind her head and the cigarette was held between her lips. The guffaws of her friends around her were far away, almost as they were coming from another dimension.

"Hey, Butters!" Mitch's face appeared in front of hers and she blew out some smoke on his face. He coughed and laughed. "Fuck off, bitch. You comin' or not?"

"Where?" she yawned, but immediately added "Nah, I don't care. I'm staying here."

" 'Kay" he replied, leaving her alone with her cigarettes and sighs.

As the others started to leave, Mitch came back and leaned over her once again. "Are you thinking about Butch?"

She frowned at him and sighed huffily. "Why would I?"

"You know, Brick's appeared back in town. He disappeared right after Butch did, so maybe… I was thinking…" Mitch replied flatly.

"Didn't know you could think. Good for you."

"Butters…"

"Try to use this new incredible discovery to do something useful rather than talking bullshit" she growled as she sat up and took the cigarette between her fingers to crush it on the tip of her boot.

Mitch paused for a second, looking at her thoughtfully.

"What?" she snarled back at him.

"You really don't care?"

"No, I don't."

"Mh. So, you don't care about the fact that Brick's not the only one to be back in town." He added with a sly smile.

Suddenly Buttercup zipped close to him, squeezing her eyes at him with an intimidating look. "What do you mean?"

Mitch sneered. "So, you do think about him, don't you?"

Buttercup rolled her eyes and sighed. "Maybe. A bit… sometimes. He was… he is… he's… been… a friend… I guess." She muttered, almost to herself. "Anyway, what do you know, you little fucker?"

"I… saw somebody. Last night, right after the big unveiling. I was coming back home and I passed by the city hall and… in a side road… I'm pretty sure I saw them… I saw Ace… I saw… the Gangreen Gang."

Buttercup's eyes widened and she zipped away, leaving behind her green flash trail and Mitch without a single word.

Blossom was standing with her arms crossed as she was gazing at Brick's back intently.

It was hard. Really hard.

She had come with the greatest intentions but now… she could feel her heart throbbing in her throat.

She had to play it cool, as if she was unfazed by his presence. Yet he was here. After a whole year without him. He was somewhat overbearing.

"Are you gonna turn around or do I have to stare at your back for the whole day?"

She perceived Brick flinching slightly and then turning slowly towards her with a smirk. "Thought you'd like the vista" he replied, his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

His smirk was the same as ever. The same smirk he'd had as a child and during their elementary and middle and high school years. The same smirk he'd had all of his life. Their lives.

Oh Brick, she thought instinctively. The throb in her throat worsened. She had to gulp.

The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up, showing part of his tattoo on the left arm. Tribal flames.

"Ew, Brick, what the hell is that?! What have you done?!"

"Whoah, what's with the language, Princess? Had I known a tattoo would cause you to curse, I'd have got one sooner!"

Those were like small, quick glimpses of memories coming back to her mind every time she saw Brick or something concerning him. A small note or drawing on the school books she had to share with him every time since he always forgot to bring his. Some graffiti he made on the school walls. An abandoned baseball cap he'd left behind in the apartment he shared with his brothers. The pack of cigarettes and his red blazer she found in his locker when the High School Principal had asked her to free it.

"You okay, Miss Commander and Leader?" Brick's voice sounded cold and Blossom had to shake her head slightly to come back to reality.

Blossom felt the throbbing in her throat moving upwards, towards her mouth, her brain and finally coming to her eyes. Which she closed promptly, before starting to rub them in a falsely tired movement.

"What happened Brick? Where have you been all this time? Why are you working with that man?" she blurted out everything. She had come with a perfect plan, with the idea of maintaining her cool throughout their detached conversation and to slyly gather the information she needed. But everything was crumbling down. She was crumbling down.

Brick's eyes widened as he stared at her. That wasn't really what he was expecting.

"Erm… do you think I'll spit it all out that easily? No efforts whatsoever? No battle of brains? Nothing?" he protested mockingly.

"No… nothing" Blossom claimed with a low, shaken voice, her hand leaving her eyes to meet her elbow. "I just wanna know the truth. You owe me."

"Why would I owe anything to you?!" he snapped back at her, almost roaring.

Blossom bit her lower lip. "Because… I took care of your things when you left so abruptly. I took care of Boomer."

"I thought that was your sister's job… anyways, yes, I know that he's now considered the fourth Powerpuff. The Powerpuff Boy." He cackled wryly. "I thought he would be able to survive on his own, but I must have overestimated the poor boy. No surprise, though. That's a reason why he's the one who's been left behind."

Brick jumped back when he saw Blossom's pink trail sparkle as she leapt towards him; his hand blocked firmly her punch as he steadied himself by slightly bending his knees. Now they were face to face, their breaths mingling, Blossom's eyes glistening with rage and reflecting directly in his crimson irises.

"How could you speak like this of your brother?" she hissed, pushing her left punch forward with all the strength she had. He budged slightly.

"That's none of your fucking business, Blossom." He replied and stressed her name with a steady, low voice. He grabbed her right wrist and, as she turned her face to look at her other hand, he managed to push back her punch and to catch her other wrist. Blossom panicked as she realised he had steadily blocked both her hands and she tried to pull back; but with an incredible strength, Brick pushed her backwards to his desk and pinned her wrists down on the wooden surface.

He bent on her so close that their nose tips were almost touching. Blossom couldn't look away and lost herself in his fiery eyes.

Their breaths were melding once again.

His, hotter than hers.

Always so hot. He smelt like coffee and cigarettes. He hadn't stopped smoking, after all.

"Why are you—" but she couldn't finish her sentence because the door opened slowly, with a sinister creak.

Brick leapt back freeing her from his grab and she jumped back, against the window panel.

"Please excuse me, my dear friend" a chanting voice uttered as the tall man entered the door with a seraphic smile.

Blossom felt a hundred shivers running up her spine as she looked at the new mayor now standing at the other side of the room.

"Sir" Brick saluted him with a nod, avoiding his direct gaze.

Devon Darwin clicked his tongue as he scrutinized for a few seconds the situation in the room. His hands were resting behind his back, where he was holding something, hiding it from the sights of Brick and Blossom.

"Please pardon my intrusion, Brick, but I was informed of the most pleasing visit of Miss Utonium and I couldn't exempt myself from meeting her in person" he smiled broadly.

"We've already met in person in the past, though" Blossom snapped back sharply, looking daggers at him.

"Oh my, have we?"

"Yes, of course. I've met you last year, when Butch was arrested for robbery." The air in the room suddenly felt heavier and both men seemed to have frozen in place. "I was wondering how a simple deputy chief of police had been able to work his way up to the top so fast. That's curious."

Devon grinned with an amused sigh. "I completely understand your perplexities, Miss Utonium. Well, you have to understand that some important people in Townsville are very, very fed up with the complex criminal situation of this town. So, they have fully supported me when I suggested my new and innovative security system that will guarantee a full protection of the town and his citizens without any side effects… such as building destruction, aggression, wilful damage to private property… just to name a few."

"Are you accusing me and my sisters, sir?" she barked back.

"I don't think I've ever mentioned you and your sisters, Miss Utonium." His smile broadened. "To whom we are truly much obliged, but we have started to realise that especially you, Miss Utonium, are at your last year of high school and… allow me to give you my compliments for being accepted to some of the most prestigious universities of the whole country."

Blossom glanced quickly towards Brick, whose expression remained unreadable. He was avoiding her gaze, though.

"I've never said I'll be going" Blossom replied with a slight shiver in her voice. How could he possibly know about her university admissions? And what was he hiding behind his back?

"Why not? Barkeley, Yole, Princesston… they're all excellent universities, why refusing such an incredible opportunity?" he insisted.

"Because… I have responsibilities here." She uttered in a low voice.

Devon smirked impishly. "Not anymore, Miss Utonium".

The man got closer to Brick's desk and finally showed what was hiding behind his back. With a heavy thud, Devon laid on the table the white and red telephone she knew too well. Suddenly, Blossom realised that the Powerpuff Hotline wouldn't be ringing any longer in the future and that idea enlarged the already heart-wrenching realisation that the world she knew, the world of her childhood, was inevitably disappearing, turning into dust right in her hands.

"Thank you for your faithful and longstanding service, Miss Utonium. Now we free you from all of your duties towards this city. From now on, Mr Jojo and I will be taking good care of this city in your place."

Blossom took her telephone in her hands and hug it to her chest, as if it was something extremely special. She gave a quick look at Brick, who stealthily met her eyes for a brief moment.

Teary pink eyes.

Dull red eyes.

"If that's the case, then… I'll take my leave." She muttered before zipping towards the door.

"He said WHAT?!"

Buttercup screamed as she threw the desk of their room against the opposite wall, thankfully saved by Bubbles before it could crash.

"That's how it is, Buttercup. A brand new order for Townsville." Blossom mocked Devon Darwin as she tried to make her voice sound steady and nonchalant. But inside she was screaming as well.

And Brick. Every time her thoughts went back to him, her heart ached a little. A lot. She bit her lower lip as she looked at the Powerpuff Telephone lying abandoned on the floor.

"I can't believe the citizens would agree on this" Buttercup growled "We have to organise a rebellion, an uprising against that shithead of a Devon Fucking Dickhead! He wants to turn us into fuckin' Citiesville!"

"I'm certain that your scene will make him change his mind" Blossom commented with an annoyed look. She wasn't really in the mood of putting up with Buttercup's tantrums in that moment.

A slight knock on the door interrupted them. Boomer's golden hair popped up with a mild smile.

"Hey girls. Bubbles told me the news so I flew here immediately."

"Hi Boomer." Blossom replied as she felt a knot in her stomach.

"Hey, Little Mister Sunshine, go tell that asshole brother of yours that he's a fucking moron and that as soon as I catch him, I'm gonna kick his ass until it goes out of his fuckin' mouth!" Buttercup cried out. She wanted to go and kick some asses somewhere because the rage was too much to bear with just words.

"Honestly, I have no intention of meeting Brick. And so does he, right, Blossom?" Boomer asked to the redhead at his side with a resigned look.

Blossom didn't want to repeat Brick's words to Boomer, so she simply nodded lightly before lowering her gaze.

"As I thought." Boomer sighed and nodded in reply. "Any news about Butch?"

Buttercup fell silent as she moved her emerald eyes towards her sister, whose head remained low.

Blossom shook her head lightly.

"Well, such big news!" Buttercup laughed bitterly "Have you even asked about him?"

"I haven't" Blossom sighed.

"Another big news. Who cares about the dumb, criminal brother, right?" Buttercup added wryly.

"I admit that in that moment Butch wasn't the first of my thoughts, yes" Blossom exhaled as she started massaging her temples.

"He was the fuckin' cop who arrested Butch, that Devon Douchebag, he must know something! He has to know where Butch is. And so does that asshole of Brick!"

"Maybe he doesn't want to be found." Suddenly a soft, light voice declared.

Everyone turned towards Bubbles, who had remained silent until that moment.

"What?" Buttercup asked with a killer look.

"I'm just saying… that if he is in no prison as it seems… maybe he's just hiding somewhere and doesn't want to be found. I'm sure that if Butch had the chance, he would already have contacted us."

"Maybe they're holding him against his will! What do you know?!" Buttercup screamed at her sister.

"I don't, I… just… feel it might be this way" Bubbles mumbled almost to herself.

"That's ridiculous" Buttercup sneered incredulously. "And what about this shitty situation?! You haven't opened your fucking mouth not even for saying ah. What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours, Little Miss Sunshine?"

"Buttercup, just calm down" Boomer remarked as he zipped at Bubbles's side, in a protective gesture. "It isn't easy for anyone!"

"Or maybe it's easier than it seems!" Bubbles burst out. "You're making a big fuss about this, but… if you think about it carefully… perhaps it's the best decision for everyone. I mean, we're at the last year of high school, we'll have to think about our futures… Blossy, you want to go to university and you, Butters, you've always said you wanted to travel around the world… but we've always been stuck in here to protect the city… now, maybe, we have a chance of freeing ourselves from this obligation… so maybe, just maybe, we…"

"Oh, just shut the fuck up!" Buttercup snarled at her. "This is ridiculous. Do you really think that idiot with megalomania is really able to keep the city safe?! That's bullshit. Plus, he's working with the support of Mr Morbucks and with Brick Jojo as his sidekick, I highly doubt his intentions can be honest and honourable. Just wake the fuck up, Bubbles!"

"Okay, that's enough Buttercup" Boomer raised his hand as if he was asking a time out, as soon as he saw Bubbles lowering her gaze with teary eyes and trembling lips. "I agree that this doesn't seem to be the best situation, but what's the plan? You can't just think of crashing inside the City Hall to kick the mayor's ass. He's been elected."

"Elected by a bunch of idiots. Maybe this city really deserves to be destroyed." Buttercup burst out as she went to open the window. A gust of cold, winter breeze caressed her face as she started to float. "I'm gonna get some fresh air. You big minds can think of a plan to solve this shit or can decided to accept our honourable discharge. I'm off."

Blossom stood up and looked at the blonds.

"I'm leaving as well. I think some fresh air might help me too. I'm honestly at a loss right now."

The tree fell with a heavy thud at the other side of wood, followed by a high-pitched scream in the middle of the night.

Buttercup crouched on the ground, burying her face in her knees and embracing them with her arms.

She was furious.

After all that she and her sisters had done for that shitty city, here they were trying to kick the Powerpuff Girls out of it, with all the ungratefulness of the universe. She wanted to let off some steam: having a good fight with no holds barred, then drinking some shitty beers and smoking twenty cigarettes, she wanted… she wanted…

"Butch…" she sobbed slightly, her shoulders trembling, hot tears flowing along her cheeks and down on her knees.

It had already been a year since he had disappeared into nothingness, but she couldn't help missing him. She had refused to cry for the first months, she was sure he would be coming back some time soon… but after a whole year, every time her thoughts went back to him, she felt a terrible pain in her chest and more often than not, her eyes would fill up with tears. She hated herself when she cried over him, but she wasn't able to stop those tears from flowing down. What if something horrible had happened to him? It had to be like that for sure. He wouldn't have left without saying goodbye to her. They were rivals, yes, but they were also… they were friends. He would always be there for her whenever she needed to fool around and vent on someone.

Was he dead? Had he been killed?

Had she done all that she could?

Her hiccups intensified. Alone, in the darkness of the forest, she was free to be herself. To cry everything out. It was an unbearable pain. More than the fear of not being able to be a Powerpuff Girl…

If I tell Darwin I'm ready to give up defending the city in exchange for Butch… for a few bits of information… maybe… for…

She stopped for a moment and got suddenly up, wiping her tears with her arm.

"How can you be so pathetic, Buttercup Utonium… how…" she rasped through gritted teeth. "You already have… a bit of information…".

Buttercup shot her head up and started floating, looking with thoughtful – and still teary – eyes the City Hall in the distance.

Blossom landed softly on the rooftop of the building she knew too well. Ms Bellum's house was near the city centre and she had a nice and cozy apartment at the top floor of a high skyscraper. More than once they had met on the rooftop in secret, to exchange opinions and confidences. She was the most motherly figure she had ever had during her whole life. She took out her phone ready to call her: it was 10 p.m. already. Blossom hoped Ms Bellum would still be up watching her favourite TV series. She really needed to go over the events of that day with her: she would surely have a clearer and unbiased view of the whole situation.

"I'd put that down" suddenly, a low voice echoed from the shadows behind her back.

"Good grief…" Blossom hissed as she put down her phone and turned around. Leaning against the closed door that led inside the building, Brick stood with his arms crossed. He looked a little more like himself: the white shirt had been replaced by a black t-shirt, covered by his old red bomber jacket. His baseball cap was back on his head and Blossom could feel a strange, squirming feeling inside her chest.

"Figured you'd come here at some point" Brick claimed as he walked slowly towards her.

"Figured you'd remember how to dress like yourself at some point" Blossom replied, crossing her arms nonchalantly. Suddenly, by seeing him as his "usual" self, she suddenly felt more confident. Safer.

"Thought you'd prefer the white collar type" Brick sneered as she stopped a few inches from her, making Blossom take a step back.

"I… don't think I've ever told you something like that." She claimed, looking straight into his eyes. He totally looked like… himself.

"No, you haven't. But I've always thought you'd prefer the serious type." He smiled to himself, looking at his old, worn, red Converse.

"Brick, why are you here? Can you tell me what's going on? Please…" Blossom asked as she felt brave enough to lean her hand on his forearm.

He looked at her hand and then shook it off abruptly. "I'm here because I know you're stubborn as fuck" he muttered with a cold, serious expression. "Can't you see this is the option for you? You can leave this fuckin' city behind. Go to university. Get the life you truly deserve."

"That's why you're working with him? To get me the life I deserve?" she replied, a veil of irony in her voice.

Brick bit his lower bit. "No. That's just… a juicy, secondary outcome. Which I thought would be convenient for you. Come on, don't tell me you've never ever thought about this possibility."

Blossom crossed her arms and looked at him with an annoyed look. "Brick. My future and I are none of your concern. I'll decide by myself what to do with it, so… mind your own business."

Brick snickered, amusingly. "Well, honestly, I'm here as a friend… to suggest you to do just what's better for you and your sisters…" he closed the distances between themselves, whispering to her ear "…it's gonna be bad if you keep mingling in things that don't concern you, Blossom Utonium. The Mayor is no longer here and this city has changed too much. Accept my suggestion. Retire with honour. Leave the city to us."

"And let you transform this city in a bad copy of Sin City? No, thanks." Blossom answered, keeping as close as possible to his face. She felt his hot breath on her lips and couldn't help but feel the electricity created by their vicinity running along her spine.

"Ouch, your lack of confidence towards my intentions is really hurting my feelings" he moved slightly closer, their nose tips barely touching "I'm no longer the bad boy I used to be."

"Too bad, because I was in love with him" Blossom blurted instinctively, taking a few steps back from him.

That response took Brick aback and for a moment Blossom saw a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. Soon enough, though, he recovered his cool and his gaze hardened.

"Was it love or was it pity?" he hissed back, his red eyes hard and cold.

"I can't believe you're really thinking this" she replied, livid with disbelief.

They looked into each other's eyes for a few, infinite seconds. Then she bit her lower lip and drew a deep sigh.

Brick stared at her as he saw her turning her back and zip away, leaving behind a pink, shiny trail.

In the distance, Blossom thought she had heard him curse in a loud voice, but it was too far away.

"I wouldn't believe Mitch when he told me, but here you are. Hiding in the pubs like a cockroach."

A wide grin appeared on his greenish lips, as Ace looked intently at the whisky on the rocks melting in the glass in his hand. He was sitting on a stool at the counter of his favourite pub, a few meters from the centre of Townsville. He felt her presence as she sat by his side. He didn't feel the need to turn.

"Buttercup Utonium. Such an honour to have you here by my side."

"Ace" she greeted him, flatly.

"I was hoping to meet you soon, now that my brothers and I are back in town. Bring one for my dear friend here." Ace asked the bartender, who gave a dubious look at Buttercup, but didn't complain and served her a glass of whisky.

"Yeah, pretty interesting choice. The last time I saw you, you were all been convicted of robbery and were sent to jail. How did you come out?"

Ace sneered, taking a sip. "Indulgence from the upper plans, I guess".

"So, you work for him, right? For the new big boss of the City."

"Let's say… he's given us a second chance. To seek a better, more honourable life. You know, that bank robbery had been a real mess… I'm lucky to get a second chance in life." Ace took another long sip and finally turned towards her. "You look tired, Buttercup. How's life been, lately?"

"Pretty shitty, thanks" she snarled back.

"You should accept the help that Devon Darwin is offering to you… I guarantee, he's a life changer." Ace said with a mischievous grin. So, he knew. He knew everything about Darwin's plan to get rid of them. She was sure that something was behind all that situation.

"I can only imagine what honourable jobs you're doing for him" Buttercup claimed, ironically, as she took the glass of whiskey the bartender had just given her. She downed her drink in one gulp.

"Hey, that's not a tequila shot" Ace commented, bluntly.

"Ace" Buttercup looked seriously at him "where the fuck is Butch?"

Ace smirked and nodded silently, looking at his glass. "Butch… he was all up for the heist, you know… we were sure that with him on our team, the robbery would be a success… but he was a mess at the time, the poor boy… what did you do to him? Did you dump him?"

"Please, Ace, if you know…"

Ace sighed deeply and gulped down the last drops of his drink.

"He's alive, if that's what you wanna know. He's fine. But his whereabouts… I wouldn't ask too much." He got up of his stool.

"So, he's… okay?" Buttercup couldn't hide her expression to Ace: a mix of shock and anxiety and relief.

Ace looked at her for a brief moment from behind his dark glasses. He then took out a cigarette, put it between his lips and took out a box of matchsticks. He looked at it for a few seconds, closed it and then threw it to Buttercup.

He took the unlit cigarette from his lips and nodded towards the little box. "If I were you, I would go for a ride outside Townsville. The world is too big to spend the night here self-pitying. Goodbye, Buttercup. Remember to pay the bill, I deserve it."

"What the— hey, wait!" but Ace had already left the pub. Buttercup looked at the little box of matches – seriously, who would still be using matches?!

The box was little and black and on the main side there was a white head profile printed, with a jester's hat. A heart, a spade, a club and diamond were printed under the head with the name "JokeR – Citiesville".

"Speak of the devil…"

Bubbles moaned as she felt Boomer's hand play with her nipple under her t-shirt. His tongue was showering her neck and shoulder with kisses and little bites as she bit her wrist to silence her loud moans. She couldn't help but feeling guilty: a few moments before, she was arguing with her sisters in that very room, and now there she was having her way with Boomer on her bed.

She knew she should have stopped him as soon as he started kissing her in search of comfort – both for him and for her. It had started so innocently, but she knew too well how easily Boomer got aroused and she honestly didn't want to deny themselves that pleasure, especially during that stressful period. She loved making love with Boomer – she made her feel so complete, so safe, so… herself.

Bubbles plunged her hand in his golden locks and grabbed it hard as she let her other hand slip inside his jeans to caress his hardened erection. Boomer groaned as he felt her slender fingers playing with his damp tip, drawing small circles around it and then caressing his length up and down. He gulped in search for air, but Bubbles shut his mouth with hers, letting her tongue slip in his and they started kissing again. She didn't want to think about anything else in that moment. She didn't want to…

"Butch… where are you going?"

Suddenly, that flash of memory she was trying so hard to hide popped up in her mind and she stopped her kiss midway.

His shabby backpack, the train station at night, Butch's bruised, hollowed face.

"What's up babe?" Boomer asked, gasping for air, his face a little red because of her hand still lingering inside his jeans.

"Uh… nothing, really" Bubbles forced a nonchalant smile and got up from her bed, kneeling in front of him with a naughty grin. She lowered the zip of his jeans and freed his erection from his underwear, making him shudder. "I want to make you feel better, Boomie."

"Yeah… I know… umm."

Even though she tried to concentrate in pleasuring Boomer in the best way she could, moving her hands and her mouth in the way she already knew he liked the most, Bubbles couldn't stop her mind from raking over it again. And again. And again. And again.

The question was always the same.

Why are you lying to them, Bubbles?

"Oh brother, I can't believe I'd be back in this shithole again".

Buttercup sighed in disbelief as she closed the door of her car behind her. She'd used that second-hand car so few times that she kept wondering if it really made sense for her to own one. But in this case, it turned out to be useful. More useful than just use it to smoke weed and goof around with Butch, anyway. She knew too well that she couldn't just fly into Citiesville after their past experience there – therefore driving there was the safest and the most undercover way to reach that pub. The JoKeR. Why would Ace give that matches to her? Maybe it was just a coincidence, it didn't have any meaning at all. Maybe. But why would Ace have gone to Citiesville? If something was up, she needed to know sooner than later.

She left her car in a parking not far from the pub, hoping she would find it again at the end of her trip. Not that it wouldn't be easy for her to find the thieves, but… she didn't want to be caught around Citiesville. For the same reason, she was wearing her black hoodie, covering her head, and walking quickly towards the position of the pub.

The city seemed to have got a bit better from the last time she had been there. She could see more police cars driving around and less criminality working in open air.

The pub was just around the corner, but she took a moment to stop and read carefully the huge board hanging from a skyscraper at her side. Apparently, Citiesville had a new Mayor as well. Apparently, it was a young, beautiful woman. Apparently, her name was Dana Darwin and she was there to fight crime and to bring peace and order to town.

"Yep, I definitely smell something funny here" Buttercup murmured to herself, as she put her hands in her pockets and turned around the corner.

She immediately saw a small group of young people hanging outside a small pub, a green flashing sign shining above their heads: JoKeR.

Bingo! Buttercup thought as she approached the group of smokers. From outside, it looked like a small, normal pub from the neighbourhood, nothing extravagant really, which made her doubt even more the reason why Ace had come a long way just to drink a pint in that crappy place.

As soon as she reached for the door, a nice girl in a leather miniskirt and leopard-skin top grabbed her by her arm.

"Hey you!" she giggled out loud, her voice tipsy. "Who are you? I've never seen you before…"

"I… erm… I'm on a trip and I wanted something to drink. So…" Buttercup replied with an annoyed voice, pointing at the bar.

"Why you wearin' this?!" she chuckled as she took the hoodie off Buttercup's head. "Oh my, you're so beautiful! You shouldn't hide your pretty face like that…"

Buttercup gave a quick glance at the nice girl with black skin and dark, curly hair standing in front of her. She was sexy and pretty and surrounded by a nourished group of boys, all chuckling and drinking and probably all high and drunk. For a moment, it surprised her the fact that she hadn't recognised her immediately.

Well, the only perk of being in this godforsaken place.

"So, you're new in town, mpf?" the girl took Buttercup by the arm in a friendly manner. "I'm Vanessa."

"Er… hi Vanessa…?" Buttercup greeted her back, but she was feeling rather uncomfortable. She hated clingy people, but that Vanessa seemed like a nice person, so she just shut her mouth and tried to get on with the mood. Maybe it could turn out to be useful: if she were a frequent customer and noticed stranger, she might as well have noticed Ace when he had come there in the past.

"And your name?" Vanesse asked, as she opened the door of the pub to enter with Buttercup.

"Bu… Bud."

"Bud?!"

"Yes. Bud. It's short for… Buderice. Strange name, coming from my grand-grandmother. Old story." Buttercup said, nodding with her head, trying to convince even herself.

Vanessa burst out laughing, covering her mouth. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. But… Buderice! Never heard of it! It's so funny and I'm so drunk right now! Come, I'll offer you something to drink as an apology!" she added as she led Buttercup towards the counter and kept on laughing softly.

The bar was small but cozy, very informal. The walls were covered with posters of different places and car plates coming from all over the world. A soft, greenish light lit up the place and alternative rock music played in background. It was undoubtedly a place where she would have hanged out, were it in Townsville.

"What's so funny, Van?" a muffled voice suddenly came from beneath the counter, where the barman was hiding, probably changing the tap of the beers.

"We've got a new girl in town! Her name's Bud!" Vanessa shouted so that the barman could hear her from underneath. "And where do you come from, Bud?"

"Erm… Townsville…" Buttercup replied, totally unprepared to lie this time. She took a seat on the footstool near Vanessa.

Vanessa's face lit up in a big smile. "Townsville? Really? But this is your hometown, ain't it, Butch?!"

In the blink of an eye, Buttercup turned towards the barman, who got up in that very moment.

Green eyes met green eyes.

"…Butch?"

Honey, I rose up from the dead,

I do it all the time.