`Chapter 26: Aftermath of Stain (Needed Care)
The gang are all awake in the hospital room. Some have questions, while others have answers. Buttercup is back and is seeking both from her sister.
Chapter 26: Aftermath of Stain (Needed Care)
In the quiet of the morning, sunlight filtered through the hospital room, casting a serene ambiance upon Blossom as she stirred from grogginess. The walls glowed in soft hues of pale yellow, starkly contrasting the clinical white surroundings. Her head pulsed with a lingering ache, a reminder of the intense battle with Stain and the haunting presence of HIM.
As consciousness slowly returned, Blossom cautiously tried to sit up, feeling stiffness in her limbs. Memories of the confrontation flooded her mind, stirring a mix of relief and worry. With anxious eyes scanning the room, she sought any sign of her friends, hoping for their safety after the night's events.
"W-where am I…?" she mumbled to herself.
"Blossom?" Izuku's voice broke the silence, drawing her attention towards the beds where her classmates lay. She blinked, trying to orient herself in the hospital room. "Izuku… Todoroki… Iida?" Her words were laced with fatigue as she sought confirmation that they were all right after the ordeal.
Her friends and classmates were all wrapped in bandages, indicating their injuries. Todoroki's left arm was heavily bandaged, a stark reminder of the battle they had fought.
"Hey, Blossom, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?" Izuku's voice cut through the quiet of the hospital room, filled with concern.
"Um… just sore. Might need more sleep," Blossom replied with a small, tired smile. She glanced over at Tenya and Todoroki in the beds beside her, relieved to see them mostly recovered despite their injuries. "How about you two? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just sore as well," Todoroki responded stoically, while Iida nodded in agreement.
The room lapsed into an uncomfortable silence, tension palpable in the air. Sensing the unease, Izuku took a deep breath. "Blossom… I wanted to say… thank you," he began earnestly, catching Blossom off guard. "If it wasn't for your help back there, I don't think we would have made it out alive," he admitted, his expression serious.
Blossom stared at Izuku for a moment before turning her gaze to Iida, who appeared weighed down by guilt. "Iida…"
He lowered his head, remorse clear in his voice. "I'm sorry… I put you all in danger, not thinking of the consequences of my—"
"Iida, there's no need to apologize," Izuku interrupted firmly. "I understand why you did what you did—"
"But it was still pretty risky and dangerous," Todoroki interjected bluntly. "You're lucky Kayama was there to help you."
"Yeah… you're right," Iida murmured, visibly crestfallen.
Todoroki then shifted his gaze to Blossom, prompting her to recall the events of the previous day. She remained composed outwardly, though inside, the memories weighed heavily, especially the presence of HIM.
"It was a close call, that fight…" Izuku reflected thoughtfully. "Things could have gone much worse if the circumstances were different."
Blossom's stomach churned with unease as she recalled the harrowing danger they had faced and the malevolent force that had manipulated Stain. She couldn't shake off the lingering tension that hung in the air.
"Indeed..." Iida nodded gravely, turning to his female classmate. "Kayama, I apologize once again and thank you for saving me. Your skills yesterday were that of a true hero, something that I am not," he said, his voice tinged with dismay.
Before anyone could respond, the door swung open, drawing their attention. Manual entered first, followed by Gran Torino, who scanned the room with his sharp eyes. "Well, it seems you kids are awake... now at least," he remarked, his gaze lingering briefly on Blossom.
"It's Gran Torino!" Izuku exclaimed in surprise.
"A-And Manual, too..." Iida added timidly.
"What are you doing here?" Midoriya asked, sitting up with curiosity.
"What am I doing here? You know I could yell at you the whole day for the stunt you pulled?!" the elder hero scolded the boy. Izuku sheepishly apologized, and Gran Torino sighed, crossing his short arms. "But before I do... We had to be here because of you kids. And he wants a word with you."
To Blossom's astonishment, a man with a dog's head entered the room. "This is Hosu's Chief of Police, Kenji Tsuragamae," Gran Torino introduced.
The sudden stiffening of her classmates' postures made it clear that the man before Blossom commanded respect. Just hearing his title, 'Chief of Police,' was enough to instill a sense of caution in her.
"Chief of police?!" Izuku exclaimed in disbelief.
Kenji grunted and walked forward to the others, looking at all of their injuries. "Well, it appears you kids had quite the night. You ended up facing a true criminal."
Tenya looked down in shame, knowing he was the one who led everyone into that alley. He looked back up as the chief scratched his nose.
"The police has restrained the hero killer and taken him into custody. Given our investigation, the villain has received quite a number of injuries, namely: burns, broken bones and, psychological damage, it seems," a knowing glint in the man's eye. "It was quite fortunate you kids were not seriously hurt. However… we have to now discuss what is to happen to you now for what occurred."
The group of teens looked to one another in confusion. "Sir, what do you mean?" Tenya asked.
Without wasting time, Kenji proceeded to address the group, his expression unreadable but stern. "These laws were created to maintain peace and order in the streets. Regardless of the circumstances against the hero killer, using quirks without proper licenses or authorization is a serious offense."
"What?!" Shoto shouted in disbelief.
"You can't be serious!" Blossom glared up at the tall chief, but did her best to compose herself. "Given the gravity of the situation, a hero was about to be murdered. If my classmate, Iida, had not stepped in, that would have been a definite possibility. I can speak for my classmates, saying that we had to step in or both of them would have been dead."
Kenji narrowed his eyes at Blossom. "Using powers on another person is a serious offense. Without the proper paperwork or license, anyone claiming to be doing the right thing could start a whole mess of trouble."
"Hold on…" Izuku stood up, frowning at the chief. "If Blossom didn't stop the hero killer, he would have ended up killing both Iida and Native. She is the one who saved all of us. Are you saying we are supposed to just sit and watch others die?"
"Are you saying it's okay to break the law as long as it works out for you?" Kenji retorted firmly.
"What? Isn't it a hero's job to save others?!" Shoto growled out in anger, earning a sigh from the chief.
"This is why you kids aren't pros yet. You should have Endeavor teach you more discipline," Kenji remarked coolly, his gaze shifting to Todoroki.
Shoto gritted his teeth in anger at that statement. "You damn mutt. I can't believe you—" It was Gran Torino who intervened, calming Todoroki and allowing him to hear out the chief.
"What I've said is the official stance of the police. Punishments could follow if this were to go public," the chief added, garnering another round of confused looks from the teens. "However, given the circumstances and the injuries sustained by the hero killer, we can attribute his capture to Endeavor and Edgeshot. You won't receive commendation for what happened, unfortunately, but that also means no mark will be put on your records."
"Personally, I know where I stand. I don't want to derail any promising young careers over a mistake like this," he concluded with a slight smirk and a thumbs up.
"Either way, we will need to take responsibility for being negligent as supervisors," Manual added solemnly.
Tenya took a deep breath and walked up to Manual, bowing deeply. "I'm sorry, sir. I caused so much trouble for you."
Manual chuckled and gave a small chop to the back of the teen's head. "You caused me a lot of grief, kid. But… Glad you are fine now."
Kenji then was the one who lowered himself into a deep bow. "Despite everything that happened to you all, let me be the one to say thank you for what you did." Blossom, despite her fatigue and soreness, couldn't help but smile faintly at the gesture. A little nostalgic at the scene.
Shoto grunted and looked away. "You could have started with that then." Midoriya chuckled softly and rubbed his head. "I guess we're good now."
Gran Torino snickered. "You youngsters sure are a handful. Consider yourselves lucky everything turned out a-"
But before he could finish, suddenly, the door swung open with a loud bang, causing everyone in the hospital room to startle and turn their heads. Chief Kenji, and the two pro heroes stood frozen in surprise as Buttercup charged in, her voice cutting through the air like a thunderclap.
"BLOSSOM, WHAT THE HELL?!" she shouted, her tone a mix of anger as she rushed over to her sister's bedside. Her presence in a nurse's uniform added an unexpected twist to the already tense atmosphere, catching everyone off guard.
Izuku's eyes widened in shock at Buttercup's sudden appearance, his mouth agape as he struggled to process the scene unfolding before him. Todoroki and Iida were rendered speechless, their expressions ranging from bewilderment to apprehension, unsure of how to react to Buttercup's outburst. Blossom, still recovering from the events of the previous day, could only manage a weak, "B-Buttercup... what are you...?"
Buttercup's focus remained squarely on Blossom, ignoring the others in the room. "You have a lot of explaining to do, Red," she declared firmly, her gaze piercing as she waited for Blossom's response.
Suddenly, a once calm atmosphere, has now been replaced with confusion and slight fear.
After explaining to the Pro heroes and Chief of Police that the girl was a classmate and unfortunately one of Blossom's sisters, they were all excused with the reminder to not let any of the information leak out of here. That garnered a raised eyebrow from Buttercup, but before she could dig for answers, she was forcefully pulled out by a suddenly healthy Blossom.
Blossom and Buttercup then found a place to have a conversation…or in these two's case, a little low rise shouting much.
"YOU FOUGHT THE FREAKING HERO KILLER…AND HE WAS HIM?!" Buttercup yelled out, only stopped by a hand to her mouth.
"Yes," Blossom hissed out, "But as far as the world knows, it was done by Edgeshot and Endeavor. No glory or recognition goes to us if I and the rest of our classmates want to remain at UA," she said evenly.
Buttercup forcefully shoved her hand away. "Geez, not even a medal or parade? These people sure don't want to admit their stupid system is flawed, huh?" she said sarcastically.
"Blossom," sighed in exasperation.
"Relax, Red, I get it. Sheesh!" Then Buttercup did something uncharacteristic. "But honestly, Blossom... how are you holding up there, especially after everything that happened?" Buttercup's voice was unusually calm, filled with concern, empathy, and warmth that Blossom would expect from Bubbles, not her middle sister. Rarely, if ever, would she expect Buttercup to act like this. Blossom looked up, her expression unwavering. The floodgates opened, and the memories of yesterday and this morning hit her hard.
With tears in her eyes, Blossom told Buttercup everything about the battle, HIM's involvement, the moments she felt powerless, her classmates possibly seeing her and HIM's suspicious interaction, and using her powered form on Stain. She admitted that if she hadn't been so tired, she wouldn't have been able to disengage.
At the end of it, Buttercup just rubbed her sister's back as she cried. Like herself, Blossom didn't like showing tears or weakness freely, being the leader she is. She's not as opposed to it as Buttercup, but when she does weep, it hits hard.
"There, there, Red. I understand now. You did everything you could in an impossible situation. You're still the tough leader we all look up to," Buttercup said softly, her voice filled with genuine empathy.
Grateful for her sister's understanding, Blossom nodded. "Thanks, Buttercup. I just... I needed to get that off my chest."
"I'm glad you did," Buttercup replied, offering a small, reassuring smile. "You know we're all here for you, right? Bubbles, me, and Midnight. You don't have to worry, stiff head," she playfully added, which made Blossom chuckle a little.
"Okay, Red, enough of the mushiness. You're snotting up my uniform," Buttercup said, ending her empathetic moment. Blossom gave her a weird look.
"What?" Buttercup shot back, slightly annoyed.
Blossom blinked. "Um, Buttercup, not that it's weird or anything, but... why are you wearing a nurse's uniform... again?" This time, she couldn't stifle her giggles. Buttercup responded with a glare and punches to Blossom's arm, not too lethal but enough to get her point across. "Why you…" she growled.
"Okay, okay," Blossom pleaded, trying to suppress her remaining laughter. "But seriously, Buttercup, what are you doing here? I would think if you had gone to Hosu, it would have been to—Oh, tell me you didn't run away from Recovery Girl just to fight bad guys!" she pointedly asked.
Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Seems like you're back to your high and mighty attitude, huh, Red?"
"Buttercup," Blossom pressed, eyes narrowed in impatience.
"Sheesh, fine, fine, I'll tell you. Don't get your bow in a bunch," she replied, then proceeded to explain her ongoing internship...
-Days earlier-
In the bustling corridors of UA Academy where heroes-in-training hurried with anticipation and ambition, Buttercup stomped down the hall, her green eyes narrowed in annoyance. She had been reluctantly assigned to intern with Recovery Girl, a prospect that grated against her instinctive need for action and battle. After seeing her sisters and friends off at the train, Midnight personally escorted her to the school, emphasizing the importance of the administrative paperwork that awaited her.
As she reached the door to Recovery Girl's office, Buttercup muttered under her breath, "This better be worth my time." With a sigh, she pushed open the door and entered the cluttered office, her briefcase containing her hero suit slung over her shoulder.
Recovery Girl, whose real name was Chiyo Shuzenji, was waiting patiently amidst shelves filled with medical texts and hero memorabilia. Despite her small stature, Chiyo exuded immense wisdom and experience, having seen heroes rise and fall, understanding the delicate balance between power and responsibility. As Buttercup entered, Chiyo greeted her with a warm smile that contrasted sharply with Buttercup's scowl.
"Ah, Buttercup, right on time," Chiyo said cheerfully, motioning for Buttercup to take a seat. "So, you're here for your crash course in hero nursing. I hope you brought your patience along?" Her voice carried a hint of amusement.
'Not like had much of a choice here,' she groaned to herself. Buttercup flopped into the chair, crossing her arms defiantly. "Look, Granny," she began, emphasizing the nickname, "I get that you're good at patching people up. But what can you possibly teach me about fighting? I've got all the power I need right here." She clenched her fists, crackling with plasma energy, as if to emphasize her point.
Recovery Girl chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with a knowing glint. "Oh, dear Buttercup, there's more to being a hero than just punching bad guys. Power without control is like a raging fire—it can consume everything in its path, including yourself."
Buttercup scowled, her impatience evident. "I don't need lessons in control. I can handle myself just fine."
Chiyo leaned forward, her tone gentle but firm. "Being a hero isn't just about throwing punches, Buttercup," she said sagely. "It's about understanding the aftermath of those punches, about helping others heal and recover. That's where your training starts," with that, she gathered a whole stack of books
Buttercup's expression darkened at the sight of the textbooks. "What? Studies?!" she groaned in frustration, her frustration echoing through the office.
Chiyo chuckled again, her demeanor unwavering. "Yes, studies," she affirmed. "Understanding the human body, knowing how injuries affect heroes and civilians alike, that's crucial for any hero worth their salt."
"But I want to be out there, fighting villains, not reading books and folding bandages," Buttercup protested, her tone bordering on exasperation.
Chiyo's smile softened, her gaze steady. "And you will, Buttercup," she assured her. "But first, you need to learn patience and control. Trust me, it'll make you a better hero."
Buttercup slumped back in her chair, clearly unconvinced. "Fine," she muttered reluctantly. "But don't expect me to enjoy it."
Chiyo chuckled softly. "I don't expect you to enjoy everything, Buttercup," she replied with a hint of sass. "But I do expect you to learn."
Next hours coupled with reading and lectures, Chiyo's explanations on anatomy, the physiology of quirks, and the intricacies of hero injuries. Buttercup often sat with crossed arms, occasionally rolling her eyes or huffing impatiently.
"You've got to be kidding me," Buttercup muttered, flipping through a dense medical textbook. "Do I really need to know the exact number of bones in the human body?"
Chiyo glanced over with a knowing smirk. "Well, Buttercup, knowing your enemy's weaknesses is key," she remarked slyly. "Unless you plan on crushing all your opponents with sheer force?"
She assisted Chiyo in treating minor injuries among UA students—bruises, sprains, and minor burns. She learned the delicate art of using her healing light, Recovery Girl having seen abilities like hers, discovering its soothing effects and its different effects on levels on intense injuries.
"This is taking forever," Buttercup muttered one afternoon, applying a bandage to a student's arm. "I could have knocked out ten villains by now."
Chiyo glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. "Healing isn't about speed, Buttercup," she remarked calmly. "It's about care, precision, and giving your patient the time they need to recover fully."
"But what if they need to get back into action quickly?" Buttercup argued, her impatience clear in her voice. Chiyo sighed, but her expression softened. "Every injury requires different treatment. Some can be healed quickly, but others take time. As a hero, it's your responsibility to assess the situation and act accordingly." Buttercup frowned, but a thoughtful look crossed her face. "I guess...it's like fighting," she conceded reluctantly. "You can't always rush in and expect everything to go your way."
Chiyo smiled warmly. "Exactly, Buttercup. Healing is just another form of heroism, sometimes, the most heroic thing you can do is help someone recover."
The next morning followed with another round of lectures, practice sessions in power control, and hands-on experience in healing. Buttercup's initial reluctance slowly gave way to grudging acceptance. The whole ordeal reminded her of when she younger, after the incident and she had the help she needed. Buttercup was just going another one of her mentors big O' textbooks, 'Geez! By the time I'm done, I will be a bigger nerd than Red,' she playfully scoffed at her thoughts.
Just then, Recovery Girl entered the room with her phone to her ear, wrapping up a conversation. "Mhmm, yes, yes, oh thank you, dear. That would be greatly appreciated. Alright, see you then," she said, ending the call before turning her attention to Buttercup. "Change of plans, whippersnapper! We're taking a little field trip!" she announced with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, which immediately made Buttercup skeptical.
Buttercup rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah. As long as there aren't too many 'dumb books,' Granny."
Recovery Girl chuckled warmly. "Oh dearie, you'll learn more than you bargained for, Buttercup. And reading has its benefits, you know."
The situation took an unexpected turn when Chiyo announced a visit to Hosu General Hospital. Buttercup bristled at the thought of more mundane tasks, but Chiyo insisted it was an essential part of her training. "So, what's the plan? More bandages and bedpans? Couldn't we just stay here... not that I'm complaining to get away from the books," Buttercup remarked sarcastically.
Chiyo chuckled softly. "Not quite. And don't worry, I'll bring a book or two," she teased, which was met with an audible groan from Buttercup. "Today, you're going to see the impact of heroism up close," she added cryptically.
Buttercup moved to retrieve her hero uniform, but was stopped abruptly.
"Hold on dearie, since we're going to the hospital, you'll be under me as my assistant. That means you'll need to wear this instead," Recovery Girl said, producing a knee-length white nurse dress from her belongings.
"Oh hell no! I am not wearing that! Why can't I just wear a lab coat over my hero suit or something?" Buttercup protested, eyeing the uniform with disdain. "I'm not wearing that."
"Lab coats are meant for higher professionals like scientists or doctors. As a non-licensed practitioner and intern studying under me for now, you'll need to wear this," Chiyo replied, raising an eyebrow with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "And what's wrong with showing a little respect for the patients and the profession?" she countered, her tone teasing yet firm.
Buttercup grumbled, but reluctantly changed into the uniform under Chiyo's amused gaze.
After informing Buttercup's guardian and receiving clearance, the two set off for Hosu City. During the journey, Recovery Girl briefed Buttercup on the city's high danger and injury rates. Chiyo emphasized that their visit was part of a lesson plan focused on healing demonstrations rather than battling, much to Buttercup's disappointment, though she agreed nonetheless.
They arrived at Hosu Hospital in the early evening. Buttercup crossed her arms in contempt, feeling uneasy in her nurse dress. Inside the hospital, she trailed after Chiyo, observing the bustling corridors and hushed conversations of medical staff. After Recovery Girl attended to all the formalities and greeted the doctors and staff, they finally made their way to the next floor.
"So Granny, what exactly are we doing here? Please tell me this isn't your attempt to convince me to become a doctor hero like you," Buttercup remarked, giving Chiyo a sidelong glance.
Chiyo shook her head with a chuckle. "No dearie, though I still insist that having you permanently under me would finally free me for retirement," she teased before regaining her serious composure.
Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Alright, so what's happening?" she asked impatiently.
"Oh, you'll see, dearie," Chiyo replied solemnly.
They stopped outside a patient's room, and Buttercup felt a wave of unease wash over her. It did not subside when they finally entered, and what she saw in front of her left her speechless.
"Buttercup, meet Tensei Iida," Chiyo introduced solemnly. "He's a hero who faced danger for the sake of others."
That name sounded familiar, but it was left to the back for now. Buttercup's gaze softened as she took in Tensei's bandaged form, lying still on the hospital bed. The room was filled with the faint scent of antiseptic, mingling with the quiet hum of medical equipment monitoring his vital signs. Tensei's face, usually a picture of confidence, was now marred by the evidence of recent trauma—bandages wrapped around his head and torso, and an arm in a sling. His complexion, usually vibrant, now bore a pallor that spoke of pain endured.
"What happened to him?" Buttercup asked quietly, her usual bravado subdued in the presence of his resilience. She approached the bed cautiously, as if not wanting to disturb the fragile peace that enveloped him. The injuries, visible and otherwise, told a story of a hero's courage and sacrifice, of battles fought in the shadows where danger lurked.
Chiyo stepped forward, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and admiration. "Tensei encountered a formidable adversary—an encounter that left him with severe injuries," she explained gently, her eyes flickering between Buttercup and Tensei. "But his spirit remains unbroken. He's a testament to the resilience and determination that define true heroes."
Buttercup nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on Tensei's still form. She could sense the weight of his heroism in the air—the sacrifices made, the battles fought, and the wounds borne in the name of protecting others. It was a stark reminder of the risks heroes faced daily, far from the spotlight.
Chiyo continued, her voice becoming more clinical as she explained, "Tensei suffered multiple fractures to his spine and several broken bones. The surgeries were successful in stabilizing him, but he'll require extensive rehabilitation to regain mobility."
Buttercup nodded again, absorbing the gravity of Tensei's condition. She glanced at Recovery Girl, her expression resolute. "Is there anything more that can be done?" she asked firmly, her voice betraying an underlying urgency.
Recovery Girl paused for a moment, meeting Buttercup's determined gaze with empathy. "The medical team has done all they could for his physical injuries her voice more disheartened next. "They say that he will never be able to work again, much less be a hero," she began, anticipating Buttercup's reaction.
"What?!" Buttercup interrupted sharply, frustration bubbling to the surface. "But there has to be something! He's a hero! We can't just leave it at that!"
Recovery Girl held up a calming hand, her tone gentle yet firm. "Buttercup," she said softly, "they've done all they could with surgery and medicine. However, there are many other forms of healing that are just as crucial."
"But what do you mean?" Buttercup asked, her voice now tinged with uncertainty.
Recovery Girl smiled knowingly. "Healing isn't just about fixing bones and wounds," she explained patiently. "It's also about emotional support, companionship, and encouragement; a gentle hand if you wish. Tensei will need all of that to recover fully."
Buttercup's features softened as the realization dawned on her. "Other forms of healing," she echoed, understanding now dawning in her eyes.
Chiyo nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Buttercup. Being there for him, supporting him through this, that's what will make a difference now."
"I get it," Buttercup said quietly, her voice filled with determination. "Thank you, Recovery Girl."
Chiyo smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Buttercup. Now, let's give Tensei the space he needs to recover. There's much more for us to do."
Making their way out of the room, Buttercup caught one last look at the sleeping hero, as if to burn the picture in to her mind. A thought coming to her head.
The two spent the night at the hospital and begun another day.
Their visit concluded with Buttercup assisting nurses and organizing supplies, her mind buzzing with newfound insights into heroism and healing. As they prepared to leave, news spread through the hospital: the Hero Killer Stain had been defeated.
Buttercup's fists clenched at her sides, frustration evident. "Why does someone else always get to take down the creeps?" she grumbled, her desire for action burning fiercely.
Chiyo hummed softly, her gaze thoughtful. "It was a dangerous battle, Buttercup. Sometimes, victory comes with a price," she replied cryptically.
"I know I could take him," she smugly said as she flipped through medical charts, Buttercup's heart skipped a beat when she spotted Blossom's name. "What's Blossom doing here?" she muttered to herself, scanning the paperwork with growing concern. Then it hit her, and without warning, bolted off.
Chiyo glanced over from her desk. "Buttercup, wait," she called out, sensing her student's unease.
Ignoring Chiyo's protests, Buttercup rushed out of the office, her mind racing with worry and anger. "I have to find out what's going on with Blossom!" she called back over her shoulder, disappearing down the corridor.
Chiyo sighed, shaking her head fondly. "Heroes," she muttered to herself, already planning the conversation she would have with Buttercup when she returned.
"So yeah, I'm wearing a dress and training under Granny or whatever," she said dismissively. She didn't include some other little details from her story.
"Wow... and to think, it took an elderly lady for the tough girl to even show a hint of feminism and empathy. Recovery Girl is surely a hero among heroes," Blossom said in mock awe, finding it all pretty funny.
"I may be a nurse, but I didn't take any pledge to not knock you on your tired ass, Red!" she declared with rising anger.
"And she's back," Blossom said in a deadpan voice. "It was nice while it lasted," she added in a disappointed tone.
Before Buttercup could retort, her phone suddenly rang, cutting the conversation. She took it out of her pocket and realized who was calling—more particularly two people. The caller ID showed both Bubbles and Midnight. Anticipating a backlash of concern and eager to talk off her ear, she had the perfect solution and payback in hand.
Blossom could instantly see the conniving grin on her face. "Buttercup, don't you even—" She wasn't fast enough to finish her sentence or beat the speed at which Buttercup pressed the answer button. "Yes, Blossom will explain while I tend to patients—BYE!" Buttercup tossed the phone to the reluctant girl and, as if a fire had broken out, ran like the wind.
"BUTTERCUP!" her yells fell on deaf ears as the raven-haired girl laughed and disappeared from her sight. Blossom could only groan as she stared down at the cell phone and bit the bullet.
Summoning what little strength she had, Blossom cleared her throat and spoke, "Hello—"
"BLOSSOM?!" "BLOSSOM?!" "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" "I'VE BEEN WORRIED SICK AND THEN I SEE ON THE NEWS THAT YOU WERE IN HOSU CITY!" "DON'T TELL ME IT'S NOT TRUE AS—"
Blossom had only one passing thought: 'I am so getting Buttercup for this.'
In a dimly lit office overlooking the bustling city, a large screen illuminates the room with images of the Powerpuff Girls in action. Seated across from each other are two figure as they watched the screen with focused eyes.
"What's your take on them, ma'am?" the man asked, studying the screen intently.
"They could prove to be invaluable assets, Endeavor. Their abilities are unmatched," she replied, her voice was calm and measured.
He nodded a hint of calculation in his voice, "Should we mobilize our resources?"
Shaking her head subtly, "Not yet. We must exercise patience. These girls... they hold the key to our goals,"
Raising an eyebrow sceptically, "And if they refuse?"
"Then we will need to be persuasive. But I doubt it will come to that," a faint smile crossing her lips.
The screen shifts to footage of the aftermath of a battle…the Hero Killer's final speech:
"HE! HIM! IT'S HIM! DESTROY!" Stain's voice reverberated down the alleyway, each word a furious crescendo. His eyes, wide with manic intensity, scanned the scene before him, locking onto an unseen presence that only he seemed to perceive. "CHAOS! DOOM! END! All powers... not equal! Destinies... align! Lies! LIES! All Might... TRUE!"
His body shook erratically, he slammed his boot into the street as he glared at all those frozen in his presence. A knife pointed at his target, "You speak... lies! No one... greater than... All Might!" His voice reached a fever pitch, words devolving into unintelligible cries of defiance and condemnation.
The heroes in the alley exchanged bewildered glances and instinctively took a step backwards, as did several of the Sidekicks. Even Endeavor felt his skin crawl from the intensity of the hero killer's sheer psychotic rage the Villain was giving off, unsure of what Stain was ranting about, their concern growing with each passing moment. Midoriya and Todoroki stood ready, assessing the situation cautiously amidst Stain's frenzied tirade; but was merely a façade to the fear they were met with.
"It shall not be…Only by his hands will I die! REAL?! FAKES! A BATTLE TO END IT A-" then, without warning, a radiant pink glow enveloped Stain, casting his thrashing figure into stark relief against the darkness. The energy was like a tranquilizer, taking hold of the Hero Killer instantly and just like magic, he was knocked out. The sound of a knife clattering in the street caused everyone's heart to jump, snapping everyone out of the fear entrapping them all.
Silence descended upon the alley as everyone processed the sudden turn of events. All eyes turned to the suspect. Blossom, who now was standing up, out of the hands of the hero Native, seemingly without exhaustion or fatigue. Her eyes were by a glow, as was her hand, raised in the direction of the fallen villain. She offered no explanation, expressionless but focused as well.
Before anyone could speak, the glow faded, leaving Blossom to collapse to the ground, as if the exhaustion came rushing back. The heroes rushed to her side, their minds racing with questions and concerns, but for now, they focused on ensuring Blossom was safe.
In the aftermath of Stain's outburst, the alley remained shrouded in a tense stillness, the echoes of his rant lingering in the air like an ominous warning of things to come. But a message was indeed sent out, and it was up to anyone to decipher it.
Author's Notes:
I am glad that this turned out better than the last chapter, to me that is.
I want to address a few things. I understand that I come out biased in my writing but too bad. I love it and enjoy every minute of it.
In the last Chapter, Blossom fought the Hero Killer, aka HIM and won…till next time. I wanted to fit Buttercup in to this chapter and let aaaaallllll the people who were on my case about Buttercup's internship placement finally see the direction I was going with.
Next Chapter will now be about Bubbles and the other internships.
I wonder if you can guess the voices in the meeting, lol.
Don't forget to RxR.