Since the monster attack a week ago, Buki had been grateful for the quiet. While he didn't want his skills to dull, he was also grateful to just learn and hang out with his friends.

And speaking of friends, the bond with the Utonium girls were coming along nicely:

Bubbles was an utter sweetheart and rivalled Fluttershy as the nicest person Buki knew. Plus, she was a skilled artist and had an appritation for older and cuter anime and manga, which she and Buki would binge read and or watch on occasion.

Blossom was admittedly very proud of herself and her smarts, but she was also a protective sister and good team leader. She and Dexter were starting to get along better, even debating topic against each other. Buki tried in vain to follow them, but most of their vocabulary made his brain hurt.

The lead Utonium girl had since made it up to him by helping him use an awaked Ice power with her own ice breath.

But it was Buttercup that Buki was clearly growing the closest to her; Buki found her determination and strength beyond admirable, even if she was a bit hotheaded and stubborn to admit when she had erred. All the same, she loved her sisters (fights with Blossom notwithstanding) and her being the most hands on made her a great sparring partner.

On her own end, Buttercup, while she could never forget Mitch, troublesome as he had been, was quickly growing to see Buki in a similar light to her former best friend, albeit with a much kinder heart and being able to keep up with her.

And Dexter?

The genius boy was quickly becoming Buki's best friend; tutoring him when he could and Buki often catching Dexter on the TV that he missed due to his experiments.

Jack, the Eds and Mane 7 were delighted at these developments….But a new major change was about to occur for everyone. And nothing would ever be the same...

KAI

Mojo Jojo, after being coerced by Bell, was thrown into the middle of a large room surrounded by eldritch-like machinery.

"Where are we?"

"Home."

"Wha...What is this place?"

"Welcome."

Mojo looked up to see a short green-skinned alien dressed in a pink suit with black gloves and boots plus solid pink eyes and two antennas protruding from his head sitting in a throne, grinning wickedly.

"You are now in the realm of Black Eden. And we...are the future rulers of this puny little planet."

"Love puppy! Love puppy! I'm so huggable...Eat me!" Chanted a strange green zipper dog as he rolled around.

"GIR! I thought I told you to get rid of that stupid outfit!"

"What do you think you're doing?"

Hearing the cold, authoritative voice behind him, the alien known as Zim turned to see a tall man with orange skin, six eyes four of them being on his stomach, golden buttons on his body, one on his forehead, and a bald head wreathed in flames. He wore gray pants with black shoes, a black belt, gray sleeves, and a gray cape.

"Uhhh...Just enlightening our guests of our future plans of world conquest?" Zim awkwardly said as the man picked him up.

"Don't you have work to do?"

Zim grumbled as he was plopped down unceremoniously on his feet and made to pick up a mop and bucket as he stormed off in a huff. Bell simply made her way over to GIR, giving the little robot disguised as a dog a sweet smile.

"Pardon for that unruly introduction, Zim is young but like you, he is very ambitious, Mojo." The man said.

"Who are you?" Mojo asked.

"I have reasons not to reveal my identity. You may call me 'X'. Dr. X." The man introduced. "And these, or should I say...THEY….."

Dr. X then presented a group of individuals behind him. One was a young girl with brown hair and red marks on her cheeks as well as some kind of red tattoo painted on her forehead. The others were more unique; they were all robotic individuals, one looking like a bat, another like a grasshopper, and another a bulky purple individual covered in spikes.

"…They are members of the Darkstar Council, special elite force sent by The Cluster." Explained the purple robot with spikes.

"We have chosen Earth for the construction of our machine empire..." The green robot said.

"And to enslave all its inhabitants. All for the glory of our Queen Vexus." The bat robot finished.

"Why exactly did you bring me here?" Mojo demanded, folding his arms.

"Allow me to begin with a little bedtime story: Once upon a time, there was a mad scientist, who, like any other crazed genius decided to use his gifts in an attempt to rule the world." Dr. X began explaining. "Later on, alien beings from other galaxies far, far away decide that they, too, wish to rule the Earth. Since these aliens and the scientist have a common goal, they chose to form an alliance, together seizing control of Earth and the humans that inhabit it."

"That story was the lamest thing I've ever..." Mojo began but Dr. X wasn't finished.

"However, no goal can be achieved without getting past a few...obstacles. Soon, Superheroes of all shapes and sizes would answer the call for help, ready to oppose this global threat. These were problems the scientist and the aliens expected to face...Though, their greatest challenge would not come from the usual men and women in colored tights...No...Their greatest threat would come from three little girls."

"The Powerpuff Girls." Mojo scowled, realizing what Dr. X was getting at.

"Correct. And that's where you come in, Mojo. You of all the girl's archenemies know them best. Their capabilities. Their weaknesses. I am in dire need of every minute detail and bit of information concerning these...mini-titans. I must take every necessary precaution to make sure nothing can interfere with my plans."

Mojo could understand what Dr. X was getting at, but he was still somewhat confused but how this intimidating figure could consider the Powerpuff Girls, who he normally considered his own personal problem, a serious threat.

"Why are they your biggest threat? Shouldn't you worry more about other Superheroes? The Avengers? The Justice League? The Men in Black, even?"

"You raise a good point, Mojo. The girls are the most unlikely of all superheroes to actually threaten our plans, but at such a tender age they possess and wield a power they themselves cannot yet even hope to comprehend. I know, because I have seen it." Dr. X clarified. "And that's not even getting into...HIM."

"Him?" Mojo questioned when he spied Buki's image. The monkey felt a little incredulous; yes, the boy was strong, but….

"Buki Touya." Dr. X explained. "Suddenly appeared less than a few months ago. With powers that most find beyond comprehension. Tell me Mojo, did you ever hear the story of 'the Fruit of the Devil?'"

"Mojo has not." The chimp stated.

"Well, in the time before time?" Dr. X began. "There was a tree that produced magical fruits, no two ever the same. In exchange for great powers, the ones who ate these fruits could never again swim in sea water…and yes, we are already working on a plan to take advantage of that, but if the users were that easy to deal with there would be no story."

Mojo kept quiet, motioning the doctor to continue.

"Eventually, the greed and arrogance of man lead to the tree being destroyed, its fruits scattering across the world for years. Until then, suddenly…they vanished."

"Mojo Jojo has not heard this story until now."

"As well you shouldn't have; for it came from another reality." Dr. X explained. "The multi-verse is indeed real, little monkey…and I have no doubt that the Touya boy is somehow connected to one such reality. Such is among the reasons for the foundations of my work and alliance. Which of course, you will now be joining."

Mojo, recalling how he had been brought here, held his tongue. He'd find a way out eventually.

"I have scoured the world in search of people like you. People with the skill and knowledge great enough to aid my cause..." Dr. X said as he gestured to a large screen. "Take this individual for example."

The person on the screen was a young boy with blue glasses, black hair in a bowl cut and his fingers pressed together in an evil plotting way.

"Who is he?" Mojo questioned.

"He is Mandark. Like you, he is a genius. An EVIL genius, if you will. Also like you, his passions are what he lives for." Dr. X explained. "His very existence thrives on but one thing: REVENGE."

"….Mojo thinks he will get along with this human."

"Be sure that you do." Dr. X said. "Our Grand Commander is not one to tolerate failure and infighting in a…civilized manner."

"And this is?" Mojo asked. "HIM?"

Dr. X looked at the monkey as if he had grown a second head. All he said, in total seriousness was:

"Worse."

KAI

Within his relam, HIM, the prince of darkness and among the greatest threats to not just Megaville, but the world, suddenly felt a chill. Looking down into his bath water, he saw something that shouldn't have bother him:

Two red eyes and a sharp grinning smile.

"Oh. Oh, no. No, no, no….Not….HIM!"

KAI

Meanwhile, Mandark was observing Dexter's day-to-day life at Megaville Academy, taking a keen interest in his budding friendship with Blossom.

"So my archrival Dexter has found himself a female companion. How touching, this is the perfect opportunity for me to have my revenge." He sneered. "Dexter! I will make you suffer for what you've done, for what I've been through, and for the pain that I have experienced for so long. You will pay for your sins, Dexter. I will have my revenge."

His gaze focused on Blossom in particular, a wicked grin spreading over his face as he began to burst into maniacal laughter.

"And your little flower will be the bait!" He cackled. "Excellent! EXCELLENT!"

His laughter echoed throughout his lair, his plan already set in motion as he prepared for what was to come...

Knightmare Lord A/N:

We take a break from Buki and his friends to focus on the bad guys and it seems Dr. X, while still being one of the Big Bads, isn't the worst threat our heroes will have to face. There's somebody out there...hiding in the shadows, waiting to make his appearance...

And yes, he'll be an OC, just FYI. Then again, Dr. X is Snafu's OC, so it's not too out of place, am I right?

Anything you'd like to say, Mrotrax?

Mrotrax A/N:

Forgive the delayed upload. Hope I did okay on my end!