*WHAM*

A vibrant green streak soared across the sky at breathtaking speed, a reminder that the city was always guarded by its sworn protectors.

*BOOM*

"Ngh…Damn! How many times is this gonna take?!" The green fighter dusted herself off as she stood from the crater.

The massive hundred-foot-tall beast towered menacingly above her, its fierce eyes glinting with hostility as it glowered down. Each scale on its rugged exterior shimmered in the fading light, accentuating the sheer size and power it exuded. As it loomed over her, a low growl rumbled from deep within its chest, sending shockwaves through the city, underscoring the palpable tension in the air. It roared and thrust its large hand downwards in hopes of finishing her off.

The teen fighter scoffed and fired off a large green blast that disintegrated the appendage. The creature roared out with pain as it staggered back.

"As much as I love not being in class right now, you gotta go! I'd rather you not destroy what's left of the city before my date tonight!"

She punched it straight up into the sky and let loose a final beam that wiped out the monster for good. She landed and was greeted by the cheers from the citizens of Townsville.

"WE LOVE YOU BUTTERCUP!!!" Someone shouted.

The green Puff grinned triumphantly before dashing back to her school. She snuck back inside through a window on the third floor.

"Ms. Utonium, if you're going to avoid my class you could at least have the decency to take your belongings."

"Sorry Mrs. Yvette. I promise it won't happen again!"

The teacher sighed. "Ms. Utonium, please don't make promises that you won't keep."

She shrugged and grabbed her lime green backpack. The bell rang which meant that it was time for lunch. The girl was in a better mood than she would normally be on a day like today. While she was still somewhat upset with her counterpart for invading her privacy, she was also hopeful at the potential development that would come with it. She'd been up for hours thinking about the date.

"What's got you in such a good mood? Break someone's jaw today?"

She looked at her best friend with her smile remaining. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Mitch scratched his head. "Oh come on, BC! Tell me what's up."

"Umm…Nah! You'd probably just laugh."

He got on one knee and bowed his head. "I swear to you that I won't laugh!"

She folded her arms and tapped her foot in thought. "Alright, fine! Just don't go blabbing to everyone!"

"I'm offended that you'd think I'd stoop so low."

"Alright…" She stood him back up and whispered to him. "I've got a date tonight."

"YOU WHAT?!?!" Mitch shouted.

"Dude!"

"Who? When? Where?! WHY?!!!"

Buttercup glared at him. "Ok dial it back a bit. I'm not spilling if you keep yelling!"

He took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay."

"Butch, tonight at eight, I don't know, and because he asked me."

"Butch? You mean the asshole?!" Mitch

"What is your deal? Why can't you two get along?"

"He's a fucking villain, BC! I don't trust him."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Mitch, he's not that bad. I know what he USED to be but he's changed."

"You know I just want what's best for you right? I don't want him hurting you like that other dickhead whose ass we kicked."

"I highly doubt that Butch is like that slimy little shit."

Mitch gave her a downcast look. "He ain't right for you BC…"

She watched him walk in the opposite direction before turning for the cafeteria.

~THE LUNCH ROOM~

"Yo! Can you please just leave me one fucking fry!" Butch snapped.

Bubbles blew him a raspberry before downing the rest of his milk.

The green Ruff held himself back from lunging at her and instead turned to his grinning brother.

"What's with that look?"

"Oh, nothing! Just thinking about tonight." Boomer said.

Butch gave him a deadpan stare. "Don't start."

"Huh?! Start what?"

"Grr…I'm warning you, Boomer!"

"What exactly is the context here?" Blossom asked.

"Don't you d-"

"BUTCH HAS A DATE!"

"GODDAMMIT BOOMER!!!"

Bubbles glanced at him with confusion. "How did you end up with a date? Unless…"

"He still won't tell me who it is. It's alright though. I already know." Boomer nudged his brother. "Against all odds, you actually went and did it."

"I'm gonna beat you like a bongo you loudmouth shitstain."

Bubbles eyed him suspiciously. "So you must've asked…"

"Please stop." Butch pleaded.

"BLOSSOM-"

"BUTTERCUP-"

"…"

"…"

"Huh?"

*SLAM*

The table went silent save for Butch dropping his head on the table in hopes of hiding the embarrassment.

"M-me? Why me?" Blossom asked Boomer.

"Oh don't act so surprised Bloss! My brother is NUTS about you! I'll be honest, I never thought you would give him a chance but you- GAH!!!"

"Shut up and die you stupid fuck!" Butch snarled with his hands gripping Boomer's throat.

"Wait, I thought that you had a crush on Buttercup." Bubbles said.

Butch eased his grip a bit. "I don't know! I'm still figuring that out!"

"So…Y-your not…dating…B-Blossom?" Boomer wheezed.

"No!" Butch shouted. He didn't even want to look Blossom in the eye.

"Let me get this straight, you like Blossom, but decided to also asked Buttercup out…but you're not sure why?"

"I didn't admit to any of that!"

"It IS true though- GAH!!!"

"Didn't I just tell you to shut up?!"

Blossom stood from the table and bowed. "Sorry, but I have to excuse myself."

They all watched her leave with Butch giving a defeated sigh. "Thanks a lot, you guys…As if things weren't awkward enough between us."

"Sorry about that." Bubbles muttered.

"Where are you even taking Buttercup?" Boomer asked while caressing his neck.

"I was just gonna wing it. I don't know shit about dates. Don't I just feed her or something?"

Bubbles threw a plastic fork at him. "NO! What's the matter with you? You gotta be romantic and sweep her off her feet!"

"Like a double leg sweep or a traditional takedown?"

She threw the empty milk carton next. "You have to make it a night she won't ever forget! This is the start of your love-filled relationship together!"

Butch glared. "No the hell it's not! I never said that I loved her!"

"Yeah yeah…Anyway, you've gotta do something that piques her interest!"

Butch thought for a moment. "She likes fighting. Maybe we could head to Slam Jam wrestling."

"Butch, that is the opposite of romantic," Boomer said.

"Then where the hell should we go?!"

"OH! How about Touch of Etiquette? That's like the fanciest most romantic restaurant in Townsville!" Bubbles cheered.

"You mean the place with the five different forks and overpriced water?! Fuck that!"

"Listen to her Butch! The girl knows her stuff. Any lady would love to go there! I'd definitely take a girl there if I could afford it!"

"Then GET a JOB!" Butch snarled.

"NEVER!"

Butch held himself down and looked back at Bubbles. "Look, I don't have that kind of cash to burn Bubs let alone a suit!" He paused. "No, I'm not wearing my work clothes."

"Ugh! Just try it out! You can swing by my place and change into one of the Professor's tuxedos."

"Why do you guys keep lending the poor guys clothes to me?"

"This time is different! He designed this suit to form around the wearer with threads made of nanobots. This way he can get as fat or slim as he wants and always have it."

"That sounds like it would make a killing!" Boomer exclaimed with joy.

"I dunno…"

Bubbles clapped her hands. "Then you guys could go and watch the city skyline from the outskirts and hold each other passionately after dancing under the stars."

"Gross. I was thinking more along the lines of a fight. Me and her going toe to toe in a passionate clash of fists!"

"Butch! I said romance! Not mindless violence."

"Geez…

Boomer put an arm around his brother's broad shoulders and wiggled his brows. "You also gotta do stuff like this."

"Stop touching me."

"Trust me, dude! It works."

"Okay, so fancy dinner, dancing outside, and random touches?"

The two blondes nodded with goofy smiles. "Yes!"

Butch groaned to himself. "This is gonna end terribly."

"What is?" Buttercup asked as she took a seat next to him.

"Uh…My next class!" Butch said quickly.

"You mean gym? I thought you liked that class."

"I do, it's just that I'm gonna have to kick your ass on the court today." He lied.

"Like hell you are! You're going down!"

He laughed nervously before looking at Boomer who was frantically pointing toward his own arm.

Butch sighed and draped his arm over her shoulder. He turned his blushing head to the side to avoid any eye contact.

What am I doing? He thought to himself with embarrassment.

Buttercup wasn't bothered by the action as she continued to eat her lunch. She was however confused by his sudden display of awkward affection.

"So are you gonna tell me where we're going tonight?"

"Nope."

"Not even a hint?"

"No."

She shrugged and gave a brief grin. "Fine by me. I'd prefer the surprise anyway."

He contemplated his next move. He wanted everything to go well but he still wasn't sure he'd be able to do that with Bubbles' advice.

Lunch wouldn't last much longer with the bells' loud ringing dismissing the students.

The green duo had made their way to the separate locker rooms to change into their gym attire. The class was normally the bright spot in his day. That wouldn't be the case this time. His focus was all poured into his counterpart. Her presence was messing with his train of thought. It was becoming far too frequent for the boys' liking.

Damn…It's so weird. He clutched his chest.

He watched her move around with a subtle grace as she dribbled past a screen and shot another three-pointer.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked towards Butch. "You gonna play or what? Your team is getting torched right now!"

He shook his head. "Whatever. You chumps are finished."

"Alright, rookies, step aside. Butch is all mine!" Buttercup declared with an unwavering smirk.

He struggled to shake off the intrusive thoughts that swirled in his mind, desperately trying to focus on the game. But this time, his efforts fell short. Her fragrance enveloped him, weaving through the air like a familiar melody. It was the same intoxicating scent he had noticed yesterday, only now it was tinged with the glistening sweat of her exertion. He found himself unable to look away, captivated by every detail of her presence.

Even as Buttercup slapped the ball out of his hand, he stood there motionless. Dammit it!

He braved the relentless teasing from her after getting hammered by thirty points in the game. Frustration simmered inside him as he mentally slapped himself, but urgency propelled him forward as he sprinted to his final class of the day. He craved a fresh start, a mental escape from the clutter, hoping that this next class would offer the clarity he desperately needed from the girl that was clouding his mind. Unfortunately, that meant paying attention in geometry class.

~AT THE UTONIUM ESTATE~

Time seemed to crawl at a snail's pace, each minute stretching endlessly into the next. Brick felt a mounting irritation as boredom gnawed at him, his stomach making its own complaints. The combination of hunger and restless monotony was driving him to the brink, and he could sense his patience wearing thin.

The more he waited for the Puffs and or his siblings to free him, the more he was ready to take matters into his own hands.

"You are hesitant."

"Be silent!"

He continued to sit cross-legged inside the bubble with his eyes closed. Deep breaths one after another. Steady and controlled.

"Free us and let's be done with this tiring situation."

"Didn't I tell you to shut up? You're getting on my nerves."

"You think the pink girl's recommendation for meditation is gonna satiate you? The hunger pangs grow louder with every passing moment!"

"You're full of shit."

"You're naive. Do you think that you can push me away by clearing your mind?"

"I can try."

His heartbeat thudded within his chest like a relentless, pounding drum, each beat rattling his ears. The sound felt almost malevolent, as if it were a sinister rhythm building in intensity, drumming up a sense of impending doom. His skin was heating up and his mouth was salivating with that same wicked hunger.

"You can't keep ignoring this. I know all of your desires, Brick. You finally have the power of your brother so use it!"

"…You're wrong. Butch is still leagues ahead of me in terms of raw strength. Devil or not, I still can't beat him."

"Is that what you think?"

"It's a fact that I learned from a hard suplex straight into cement."

"That was just your awakening. You are nowhere near your full potential. Butch has the added benefit of experience. You can bridge that gap if you let me help you."

"I won't kill any more innocent people."

"Are you afraid of disappointing the Powerpuff?"

"It's not just that! I'm not a villain anymore! I've changed!"

"Do you not see this as a weakness? Why do you desire a life among these humans? You are better than them in every way! They should be kneeling before your very presence!"

"NO!"

"YES! You want that! Deep down inside I can tell! You've got the power so take it!"

"I…I can't do it!"

"You could be the best again."

"I refuse!"

"They'll respect you!"

"Not like this…"

"Blossom will be yours! The city will be yours! THE WORLD!!!"

"STOP IT!"

"I'll help you take down the demons. Then you and Butch will have your battle! A true battle! Once we beat him, you'll have the ending that you want! This is your story, Brick! YOU ARE THE PROTAGONIST!!!"

Brick squirmed inside of the bubble. His fangs sharpened along with his nails. His dark pupils turned to the demonic slits that rested in the center of his crimson eyes.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

"No. I won't let you lose faith in yourself! I've seen your memories! I've read your emotions! The facade that you've graced yourself with is crumbling to dust! The real you is trying to claw his way to the surface, Brick!"

"I'm a good person! I help people! I love my brothers! I care about Blossom!"

"Good person? HELP PEOPLE?! Who? Who have you helped?! From what I can tell, you still haven't helped anyone!"

"I won't be a slave to my own inner monologue! I'll decide by myself!"

"Oh really?"

"…"

"…"

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

Brick clutched his head and let out a pain-filled roar. The depths of his mind quickly filled with multiple visions. Several possibilities of what he'd become. It overloaded his brain to such a degree that he couldn't fully process it all.

"You have endless routes that you can take! You can do anything you want!"

"Make it stop! PLEASE!!!"

"Only you can stop this! You can shape this universe! You have all the power you'll ever need! You just have to bring it out!"

"If I do that…I-I'll be a monster!"

"Fool! Monster is a title that's given out by those who can't understand higher beings of power! There are no monsters. Only predators and prey!"

"I won't…"

"You won't be a monster. You'll be exactly what you've always wanted!"

"…"

"You will ascend to the status of the apex! You will finally be free!"

"…"

"With no equals, who will question your words? Who will deny your wants? Who will stop your conquest?! BRICK JOJO! With this power, you will be unstoppable!"

He ceased his frantic movements and placed an open palm on the wall of the yellow sphere.

"Nrrgh…HAH!!!" With a loud shout and a burst of red energy, the containment bubble was vaporized into nothing.

He stepped down to the cold laboratory floor and eyed his glowing hand. He could feel it. The hidden depths of his strength were begging to be put on display.

"Nothing to it. You wanted to be released and with my help, you made that happen."

He looked around and tried to sense the presence of anyone else. When he couldn't, he decided to take his leave.

It was a sunny late afternoon. By now, everyone would be out of school. Boomer would probably be home and Butch was at work. That meant no interruptions.

"What will you do now?"

"I need to pay some folks a visit."

He lifted himself and flew to a familiar-looking club on the rough side of town.

*BOOOOOM*

Five seconds. It took him five seconds to fly across town. He felt good. Better than he'd ever had.

He walked towards the door and kicked it off of its hinges. The large bodyguard flinched and stared at Brick with shock.

"What the fuck is your problem, man?!"

He ignored the larger man and moved towards the back section. Townsville's most wanted criminals all took note of the red teen as he angrily approached one of the tables.

"W-woah! Whaddya doin' here Brick?!" The green man with the shades asked. He instantly quivered under the red gaze.

"Mojo…Where is he?"

"Funny story actually. We were out searchin' but we ran into a bit of a roadblock."

"So you've got nothing?" He hissed.

"I-I didn't say that! It's just not a definitive lead, ya know?"

Brick rubbed his temples and sighed. "You sorry fucks are wasting time! Instead of doing what I asked, you're playing around with hookers and getting drunk!"

"You were too weak before. Show your power and assert dominance!"

"We was just takin' a break! We'll get right back to it, boss!"

Brick's eyes started to glow. Swarms of nearby people made a break for the exit.

"No more bullshit."

He fired off a concentrated beam of scorching hot energy. The beam shot past Ace and burned two flaming holes into the now-dead Grubber.

"Holy shit, man! HOLY SHIT!!!"

"I'm not FUCKING around!" Brick snarled with a twitch in his left eye.

"Y-you killed 'em!" Big Billy said nervously.

"Yes…I did…"

"Now watch! Remember how this feels? Dominating a lesser being with force!"

"This is wrong…"

"Yet you did it with no hesitancy. You took another life. This time while conscious."

"I killed him."

"Yes and what did it cost you?"

"Not a damn thing."

"Ding ding ding! That's correct! One insignificant life means little to you! He wasn't contributing to the world in any meaningful way. He was trash and you disposed of him."

"Yeah…I guess I did…"

Brick looked at Snake and glared. "You'll die next if Mojo isn't found by the end of the week."

"WE UNDERSTAND!!!" They shouted quickly. All of them were filled with grief over their fallen member.

"A much more favorable response, yes?"

"We'll see…"

He slowly turned away from the dimly lit section, his heart heavy as he took his first steps toward the exit. The atmosphere around him was thick with an unsettling stillness, devoid of the vibrant sounds of music and the joyous laughter of dancing couples. Instead, an ominous silence enveloped him, amplifying the echo of his footsteps on the cold, hard floor. Shadows loomed in the corners, lending an eerie weight to the air as he moved further away from the emptiness that filled the space behind him.

~THE CAFÉ~

Butch had just clocked out, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety. It was almost time for his first date, a moment he had been both looking forward to and dreading. With so much on his mind, he couldn't help but worry about how it would unfold. Deep down, he truly hoped for it to be a wonderful experience, longing for a better understanding of love.

Bubbles, true to her word, grabbed him an outfit that he felt he had no business wearing. It was a black tuxedo that had to be worth at least a million dollars. As soon as he put it on, the fabric instantly shaped itself around his body. It was light and flexible while still comfortably hugging his muscular frame. It couldn't fit him anymore perfectly.

"Goddamn Bubs. Ain't no way I can rock this! I look rich!"

"Uh yeah, that's the point! You're going to a fancy pants restaurant with my wealthy yet modest sister. You've gotta look the part!" She opened his jacket and placed a wallet inside of the pocket.

"You know I have a wallet already right?"

"You need a real man's wallet with actual money inside! My credit card is in there plus some cash for tips." She huffed.

"Bubs, I really don't think that this is necessary." He said as she sprayed him with her father figure's cologne.

She shook her head. "Hush! This is a big moment for both of you! Everything has to be perfect!" He rolled his eyes and let her do as she pleased.

"OW! Can you ease up on the hair?!"

"Aww! You looked so handsome! Keep this up and I might let you take me out next." She said with a wink.

"Not in this timeline, Bubs."

He noticed Blossom walk past him and tried to hide his flustered expression. He didn't have to try too hard as she hadn't even acknowledged his presence. She walked down to the lab without saying a word. He'd be lying if he said that didn't hurt.

No! It doesn't matter! Focus on Butters. He thought to himself.

The blonde pivoted towards the stairs and shouted. "BUTTERCUP! HE'S READY!!!"

Seconds passed as Buttercup made her way down the stairs. Butch's eyes finally met hers with unease.

"About time. It takes you an hour to do your hair?"

Butch let out a low growl and sent a look towards Bubbles. "Kinda…"

The green Puff now stood before him and cracked a smirk. The outfit that she had on caught Butch off guard. He hadn't known that Bubbles texted Buttercup about their fancy date plans so that the green heroine would dress for the occasion.

She had on a black A-line dress that stopped mid-thigh. A large green sash was wrapped around her core. Her shoes were a pair of black cone heels that matched her dress.

"OMG! You look amazing, sis!"

Buttercup rolled her eyes at the compliment. "Don't start! You know I hate this stuff!"

Bubbles nudged Butch playfully. "Well, Butch? What do you think?"

"You look good, Butters." He said calmly.

"Yeah? Well, you're alright…for a shithead." She said with a blush.

Bubbles pushed them to the door. "Alright, you two! Hurry and run along. Be safe dear sister!" She looked to Butch. "Young man, have my sister back by midnight or there'll be big trouble!"

"Fuck off, Bubs. I'll do what I want."

The greens took off into the night leaving a smiling Bubbles behind. "The hardest part is watching them go."

Before she could get settled a loud scream erupted from the downstairs laboratory. Soon after, Blossom came up with a look of horror.

"BRICK! He's gone! He escaped!"

"What? How is that even possible?" Bubbles asked.

"I-I don't know! He's missing and doing who knows what! We have to tell Butch!"

"What?! NO! We can't!"

Blossom glared at her sister. "Why is that?"

"He and Buttercup just left for their date! We can't bother them!"

"Bubbles, this is serious! Brick is loose and could be out of control! Butch said that he might lose his mind!"

"Leave the greens out of this! I'll call Boomer and we'll handle this ourselves!" Bubbles scoffed.

"That isn't smart! Butch may be the only one that can stop him!"

"We have to try!"

~IN AN ALLEYWAY~

"GRAAAAH!" Brick stumbled to the ground and held his stomach.

"You need to feed! You're getting ravenous."

"I can't eat people! There has to be another way!"

"It's the ONLY way. You'll have to kill again."

"Shit! I don't want to do this!"

"If you want to keep yourself conscious, you'll have to."

"So I'll pass out if I refuse?"

"The man fades but the devil remains. You will consume flesh whether you want to or not."

He slammed his fist down and glared at the ground. "Why?! I don't want to eat people again!"

"Brick…"

"I know I can fight this!"

Brick weighed his options. He didn't mind being a bit more ruthless. Eating people was just something that he couldn't get behind. It made him sick to think about himself doing such an act. That was what his mind was telling him. His body felt differently.

He walked through the streets with several people noticing him. They were cautious. This was either due to his reputation growing up or the feral look in his eyes.

His nose twitched at the smell. It was like a buffet. All of the people around him…Livestock…

His lips moistened and his breathing grew erratic. His vision went red as his eyes glowed brightly.

"That's it. Fire off your heat vision and wipe them all out."

"No!"

"They're your prey, Brick!"

"KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE IS WRONG!"

"You stand at the top! YOU decide what is right and wrong!"

There were women, children, and the elderly. He could kill them all with ease. But how would he live with himself?!

"I can't! I WON'T!!!"

"DO IT!!!"

"I SAID NO!!!" He shouted as he fired a large red beam into the sky. It tore a hole through the clouds and broke through the atmosphere.

When his heat vision finally faded, he dropped to his knees panting. He was losing his grip on reality. He was breaking down and if this kept up, he'd be lost. His desire to be worshiped fought against his want for change. He was failing himself yet again.

"You need to pick yourself up. You're pathetic! You have so much resolve yet you use it to fight against your true nature."

"Fuck…you!"

"Get up, Brick."

"Leave me alone!"

"You're being watched."

Brick halted his self-loathing and looked around for any threats. He tried to focus but he couldn't find them.

"You're full of shit!"

"They are still here!"

Brick ignored the voice and started aimlessly walking. He wasn't sure where, but he knew he needed to leave.

High up on the rooftop of a skyscraper was a group of onlookers. The devils Lucifer and Asmodeus as well as the three Powerpunks.

"This is just delightful! He's slipping! I wish that arrogant green bastard could see my darling passion project!" Lucifer said with a wicked grin.

"His strength has increased by a large margin. Is he strong enough to take down his brother?"

"I'm afraid not my dear sister. Butch is far more formidable than even I had been willing to wager. I knew he was dangerous but I never would have guessed he'd be THAT powerful."

"Tch! So we have to rely on his weaker brother to lose his mind in order to take him down?" Berserk sneered. Her anger was fully directed at the green Ruff. He had disrespected her and her sisters. The three of them vowed to make him suffer.

"Ease your fears, child. I have several hands that I'm ready to play. As a matter of fact…" He looked at Asmodeus. "How'd your little scouting trip go?"

"The potential is there. It'll be easy to make the fucker bend to our will. Should put a bit more stress on Butch."

"Excellent. Once you carry out things on your end, I'll handle the next step. My search is finally over!" Lucifer said with his eyes back on the downtrodden Brick.

"Y-you found it?" Asmodeus gasped.

"Yes. It was difficult but I found it. Butch will learn what despair is and HIM will surely be pleased with our success!"

The two devils chuckled and vanished back to hell leaving the Punks behind. The three girls pondered their next move.

"Brat, you need to find the blonde boy and begin the first phase. Brute, stand by, and keep the Butch away from Brick." Berserk instructed. Both nodded.

"Are you ready for this? You have the dangerous part." Brute asked her red sister.

"I'll be fine. I have confidence in my own intelligence. He is one step away from being a rabid beast. I'll keep him in check."

They acknowledged each other's roles and parted ways.

~WITH THE GREENS~

"Wow! Touch of Etiquette? Going all out for this date, huh?"

"Ah, shut up." He sighed.

"I won't lie. I kind of expected us to go to some dive bar across town."

He cracked a grin. "We still can if you want!"

"No no! This is better. Can't miss the sight of you struggling to eat a steak with a dessert fork."

He sighed and walked up to a well-dressed man standing at a welcome podium. "Good evening sir, and welcome! Do you have a reservation with us tonight?"

Butch's heart stopped. "Reservation?!"

"Uh…Yes, sir, you need a reservation to be seated." The man said with a judgmental eyebrow raised.

"Why the fuck? You've got like six tables left!"

"It is our policy! You may book a reservation now if you'd like."

"Yes! I'd like to reserve the table next to that big ass painting over there."

The man scoffed. "Sorry sir but you must reserve a table at least forty-eight hours in advance."

"BULLSHIT!" Butch snapped.

"Alright, move aside," Buttercup said while pushing him aside.

"Oh! Ms. Utonium! It is a pleasure to serve you! Would you like your usual spot tonight?"

"Yes Monte. My date and I will require your finest service."

He inclined his head respectfully and gestured for them to follow him down a narrow corridor, leading to a private room tucked away in the back. As they entered, the ambiance shifted dramatically; the flickering glow of candles cast warm, inviting light across a beautifully set table adorned with elegant dinnerware. Rich, dark marble floors gleamed beneath their feet, enhancing the room's sophisticated charm. The subtle scent of polished wood and fresh roses filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was far more intimate and alluring than the bustling, more impersonal sections of the establishment they had just left behind.

"And here you are. Our server will be right with you!"

The two of them took their seats. Buttercup seemed content while Butch was visibly annoyed.

"Uptight smartass…" He grumbled.

"Don't let him get to you. It's kinda his job to weed out the barbarians."

"Yeah? So how did YOU get in so easily? Don't tell me you're a regular."

"No dummy! Back when the Professor was still here all the time we'd come to this place to celebrate an achievement."

"…So mostly for Pinky?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Shut the hell up."

"Must have been nice."

"What do you mean?"

He shook his head. "Achieving something worth celebrating. All I can think of is Mojo stealing us a truckload of toys and candy for kicking you and your sisters' asses." He grinned. "Simpler times…"

"Any sign of that deranged chimp?" She asked.

"Nah, I've got no clue. I've been to all of his favorite spots. Hell, I even checked the damn zoo. There's no trace of him."

"Damn, that's weird. Well once he catches wind of you and your brothers being free I'm sure he'll turn up."

"I hope he's not too pissed."

The waitress came to the table and greeted herself. "Hi! My name is Lauren and I'll be your server tonight! Are you two ready to order or do you still need a few more minutes?"

"Go ahead and pick something," Buttercup said.

"Man, I don't know what to order! There are like fifteen different steaks!"

"Well, I'm getting the blackened bass!" She said confidently.

"Uh…I guess I'll take the sirloin steak."

"And how would you like that cooked?"

"…Until it's edible…" Butch said, confused.

"Medium rare!" Buttercup quickly interjected.

The woman nodded and took the menus away. "Alright! We'll have that ready for you as soon as possible."

As she walked away, the two of them continued their conversation, initially marked by a palpable awkwardness that hung in the air like an uninvited guest. They fumbled through lighter topics, laughter gradually replacing their hesitant words, as they found common ground in shared interests and memories. However, the mood took a sudden turn when Buttercup, perhaps unwittingly, mentioned the diary once more. The air grew heavy with tension, and an awkward silence enveloped them, casting a shadow over their earlier ease. Both of them felt the shift, the cheerful banter replaced by an uncomfortable stillness, as unspoken thoughts and lingering emotions filled the space between them.

The girl leaned forward apprehensively with her elbows on the table. "I wanna know exactly how much you chose to read!"

"Seriously? I said I was sorry!"

"Don't care! I wanna know, so enlighten me."

He groaned and slumped down in his seat. "Just some stuff about you crushing on me and…Matt…"

"Oh my god…"

"Before you flip the table, I only skimmed through that part! Besides, I don't even know who the fuck that guy is."

Her face fell a bit. "He's a rotten jerk that made me look like a damn idiot."

"You wanna tell me what happened?"

"Why do you care? You just said that you didn't know him."

He shrugged but kept his face semi-serious. "I just wanna know."

"He was a cool soccer player that I wanted to hang out with. One thing led to another and he stole my first kiss."

"…And?"

"He asked me to be his girlfriend and I agreed. A few months later he cheated on me with another girl."

Butch sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Dude two-timed the green Powerpuff?! He's got balls."

"Screw you." Her voice seemed shaky and Butch caught that right away.

He stood up and loosened his collar. "I'll go fuck him up if you want." He said nonchalantly.

"Sit down you moron. Mitch and I already beat you to it. Plus, that happened years ago. He probably doesn't even remember me."

"Well, I say that dumbass missed out."

The dark-haired girl tilted her head, searching his face for a hint of emotion. His expression, however, remained a mask of stoicism, devoid of any amusement.

"W-what?"

"I said, that guy is a dipshit!"

"I heard you but…Why?"

"Why not? You kickass, you're not a fucking bore, and as much as I hate saying it sometimes, you really do look great."

She gave him a smile that he felt satisfied with. "Thanks."

"Geez, don't thank me." He waved off her softhearted demeanor and hid his own blush.

The waitress came back with two small, steaming bowls. "While you wait for your meal, please enjoy this complimentary soup." She placed the first bowl in front of Buttercup.

"Ah, I love French onion soup."

The waitress turned to place Butch's down but tripped over herself and spilled the hot broth on the young man.

"DAAAAH!!!"

"OH MY GOODNESS!"

"I DIDN'T EVEN ORDER ANY SOUP!" Butch shouted.

"I'm terribly sorry sir! I-It was complimentary. Please allow me to wipe that off." The lady dried his face with a towel while apologizing a hundred times. Buttercup was enjoying every single moment of the panic.

The young man was livid but also somewhat impressed with the suit's ability to stay both dry AND clean.

After Butch collected himself and was able to cool off, the main course was finally served.

Before they started their meal, Buttercup briefly shared some tips on how to properly cut and eat a steak, even though he found it a bit frustrating at first. Once he got the hang of it, he eagerly dug in with enthusiasm!

"So? Not bad?"

He rolled his eyes. "I could make it better!"

"You didn't even know how to cut it right."

"That means nothing to a chef!" He said proudly.

"It kind of does."

"Well, we're pretty much done here. I mean, unless you want dessert."

"No thanks. Let's just pay the bill before they throw a cake at you next."

"Very funny, Butters." He said sarcastically.

"Shit!"

"What happened?"

"I don't have my wallet or a damn purse to put one in! God, I hate dressing up like this!"

"Relax Butters." He placed a credit card down on the table along with two hundred dollar bills. "I got this."

She chuckled. "Oh, so you're taking me out on Bubbles' dime?"

His face grew red. "I uh…"

"Chill out. I'm just teasing. I'm well aware of how much you make at work." She placed a hand atop his. "Trust me, I don't need extravagant outings and expensive dinner dates. Just do what you normally would and I'll probably love it, dude."

He sighed and cracked a grin. "Well, I hope you mean that because the next spot won't cost a cent."

Once they paid and Butch got praised by the staff for his ridiculously high, accidental tip, the two flew off together with a third-party party trailing not too far behind.

~TOWNSVILLE SQUARE~

Boomer raced through the bustling streets, adrenaline pumping as he searched high and low for his fiery-haired brother. Meanwhile, Blossom and Bubbles soared into the sky, their hearts racing with anticipation as they scanned the horizon for any sign of him. The only clue they had was the dazzling burst of energy he unleashed not long ago, a brilliant flash lighting up the sky! Time was ticking, and the looming threat of his possible rampage fueled their urgency—would they find him before it was too late?

"Shoot! Where is he?! We searched every inch of the area! He couldn't have gotten that far!" Boomer huffed with exhaustion.

"We have to keep looking, Boomer! The city is at risk!"

"Ugh! C'mon Blossom, I'm getting sleepy!" He whined.

"We'll keep looking for one more hour, Boomer."

He pouted before dashing off. He didn't understand what was going on with Brick. If he really was becoming a demon, then things should play out like how they did with Butch. His mind was trying its hardest to rationalize everything.

*WHACK*

His sprinting ended as he went flying into the metal frame of a dumpster.

"What the heck was that?" He asked out loud.

"That would be me," Brat said smugly.

He wiped the blood from his lips and prepared himself for a fight. "You again?! What are you doing here?"

"Giving you a chance to save yourself."

"Oh yeah? And how's that?"

"By giving you a warning." She flipped a few strands of hair out of her eyes and gave a sly smile. "Brick is gonna kill Butch."

"Yeah right! That isn't possible! Brick wouldn't do that and even if he could, Butch can defend himself."

"Brick is currently building up his strength. It's only a matter of time before he's ready."

"So you jerks took him!" His blue eyes narrowed and a blue aura engulfed him. "Give my brother back!"

"Nope! Berserk is taking good care of him as we speak!"

Electricity crackled around his arms and legs. "Last chance!" He said angrily.

"Come and get it, big boy."

He moved even faster than lightning as he punched straight through her body. Much to his dismay, she continued laughing.

"TELL ME WHERE HE IS!" He shouted.

Her laughter echoed through the air, but it abruptly faded as she cupped his cheeks with her trembling hands. "It's incredibly sweet how much you care for your brothers," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye. As her lips met his in a soft kiss, she whispered, "But oh, what a shame it is that you can't stop what's coming for you all."

He stood there in shock as the giggling clone vanished from his sight. "What the hell is happening?!"

"BOOMER!" Bubbles shouted. She landed next to him as he dropped down to his knees. "Are you okay? I heard you shout and saw the lightning. What happened?"

"Bubbles…They took him! Those girls from before! They're doing something to him! I don't know what but they're trying to put him up against Butch again!"

"Oh no!"

"I have to stop this! They're trying to make Brick a full-time devil! Butch told me that when they fought last time he had to make a tough decision and he wasn't even sure it would work. If they fight again, one of them might die for real!"

"Boomer, it'll be okay. Blossom is still out searching and you've got me and Buttercup to back you up!"

He nodded. "Yeah…I gotta keep a level head. We'll figure this out."

"Good. Now come on. Let's keep looking!"

~THE CITY OUTSKIRTS~

The green pair flew toward the open spot on a hill in a lush forest.

"Why this place specifically?" Buttercup asked.

"Well…The view is pretty nice I guess."

She turned and looked out at the city's skyline. She had to admit, it was a nice sight.

"Yeah, it's not bad."

Butch sidled up beside her, his fingers reaching out to entwine with hers. She turned to meet his gaze, an eyebrow raised in a silent question, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

"How am I doing so far? You know…with the date?"

"You're doing fine Butch. You don't have to worry so much."

"Well, help me out. What can I do to make it better?" He asked.

"Sit with me."

He nodded in agreement, allowing her to take the initiative. They settled down on the cool, soft grass, sinking into its embrace as they gazed out at their home. The gentle nighttime breeze caressed their skin, carrying the faint scent of fully bloomed flowers and whispering secrets of the night. The sky, a canvas of deep indigo, began to twinkle with stars, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere that enveloped them.

He gently wrapped his right arm around her, drawing her close in a warm, reassuring embrace. She leaned her head against his broad shoulder, her troubled expression reflecting the weight of her thoughts.

"You seem bothered by something? You good?"

"Just wondering…"

"Wondering what?"

"If this is helping you understand a little better."

His forest-green eyes lowered. "I'm not too sure, but I think so. I'm really glad you're here with me right now."

"Yeah…Me too."

They stayed like that for a bit before an idea came to Butch's mind. "Hey, Butters."

"Hmm?"

"Can I try something?" He asked.

"That depends. What is it?"

He exhaled and faced her more directly. "C-can I kiss you again?"

Her heart skipped at his request, a thrilling heat creeping to her cheeks. For a moment, she thought she might have misheard him, but anticipation surged through her as she realized what it could mean for them.

"Why so sudden? Most people don't get that far on the first date, you know."

"So what? We've done it before."

She sighed. "Dude, that was a part of a game. It…It didn't count."

"Well then let's make this one count." He said quickly. He held a certain air of seriousness.

"…You sure?" She asked nervously.

"Yeah, let's do it."

She readjusted her seating position and pressed her forehead to his. "Okay."

His left hand touched her silky cheek, fingers tracing a path that tilted her chin upward, drawing her closer. The heat of her breath danced tantalizingly against his lips as he leaned in, their eyes fluttering shut in anticipation. In an electrifying moment, they exchanged a playful peck, igniting a spark before their lips collided fiercely the second time. This kiss was a whirlwind of curiosity and intensity, devoid of any hesitation. It surged with a passionate undercurrent that hinted at the fiery connection they had shared before, leaving them both breathless and craving more.

Buttercup playfully yanked on his jacket, drawing him closer as she captured his lips in another intense kiss, rekindling the flame that sent shivers down their spines. The tempo increased as their hands explored their respective regions. Buttercup grasped her counterpart's face with a fierce tenderness, her fingers weaving through his wild, dark hair. Butch's hands slid up and down her back then eventually to her upper thigh. He gave it a light squeeze which gave him the reaction he had hoped to catch again. A light moan that vibrated against his lips.

They slowly pulled apart, their eyes locking as each tried to read the other's expression. Buttercup felt a rush of nerves, flustered and a bit embarrassed by how easily she had melted under his touch. Meanwhile, Butch couldn't hide the grin spreading across his face; he was basking in the satisfaction of their undeniable chemistry. He was enjoying this.

"S-so…How was that?" She asked shakily.

"Yeah, that pretty much seals it. I think I like kissing you, Butters." He said with a bright laugh.

She felt an urge to strike at him for the remark, but something held her back. The sight of him laughing like that was unfamiliar yet heartwarming; it was a sound filled with genuine joy. In that moment, she found it both endearing and comforting, reminding her that whenever they were together, moments of happiness could emerge. She loved it and she knew for certain that she loved him.

"…Thank you, Butch." She said softly.

"Hmm? For what?"

"Nah, don't worry about it."

They laid down on the grass and watched the stars twinkle across the darkened sky. They were at peace within each other's embrace.

"Hey, Buttercup…"

She took note of the use of her actual name. "Yeah?"

"Let's do this some more."

She blushed. "Y-you mean making out?!"

"Huh? N-no! I mean…Maybe…Wait! No, I meant dating. This was cool. Minus the burning hot soup in my face."

"So you want us to officially start dating? You do know that we only went to dinner and laid around in the grass tonight right?"

He laughed again. "Yeah but next time we could go watch a flaming cage fight or we could hang out on the moon or something."

She let out her own laughter. "The moon?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Sorry to say it but you aren't exactly astronaut material."

He shook his head. "Maybe not but I'm confident enough in my powers to get us there."

"How would we breathe?" She asked.

"I'll keep my barrier up!"

"You're such a dumbass." She said with even more laughter.

"My point still stands and I was serious about what I said yesterday. I want to try this. I want to say those words with confidence one of these days."

She gave him another quick peck on the lips before laying her head down on his chest. "Don't keep me waiting too long, okay?"

"Not a chance…"