Chapter 38: Aftermath of the Storm
Let's train with the girls, because honestly, punching your problems is probably better than therapy! Lol!
But seriously, have the girls ever had any therapy growing up? I mean, they've been the only protectors of a whole town—tasked with saving it from danger, while dealing with a town full of grown-ass adults who rely on little kids, still in kindergarten, to handle the heavy stuff. I'm sure it's fine though…right?
Chapter 38: Aftermath of the Storm
-Saturday Afternoon-
"Alright, girls!" Nezu's voice echoed through the speakers. "As always, you are free to display the level of strength of your abilities but please do keep in mind to not go overboard. Do I make myself clear?"
Back at U.A., the girls were stationed in a high-tech training ground, specially designed for advanced students and teachers to improve their stamina and strength. The gym resembled a standard training space, equipped with various gym equipment, but it also featured reinforced concrete walls, bulletproof glass windows high above, and hidden panels embedded in the walls.
These panels could shift, revealing surprises and unpredictable challenges to push the students to their limits. Nezu had advised the girls to use the facility for their serious training ever since they arrived in this world. With the school having a steady flow of funds, Nezu had no issues allowing them free rein to showcase their powers, though he did warn them to hold back just a little, not knowing the extent of their abilities.
"Right!" The trio responded in unison, their voices brimming with confidence.
"Good… Begin!" Nezu announced, and the speakers retracted into the wall with a soft click.
The girls stood facing each other in a triangular formation, eyes closed, barely moving. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, and the stillness hung in the air for what felt like an eternity. Then, in an instant, their eyes snapped open, glowing with intense energy before quickly fading.
Blossom, unlike her usual strategies, took the initiative and quickly slammed her palms together, her energy flowing between until she separated them and out came five energy discs floating in front of her. "Get ready, girls!" Was the only warning before she backed up and shot the discs outwards, aiming at her two sisters. Both sisters were on guard. Bubbles went on the defensive and quickly resurrected her force-field, blocking two of the attacks. Buttercup went with a more heads on approach. She took the three remaining attacks at face value, lighting fast reflexes, she punches all three energy discs, even as they exploded in her face.
"Nice try, Red," Buttercup said with a smirk, casually dusting herself off as if the attacks were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "Now, let's see if you can handle this!" This time, her body glowed in her own energy and without missing a beat, charged after her sister at great speed. Blossom did not flinch, she stood at her spot and just when Buttercup was well in reach to land a punch, Blossom, in her own show of her reflexes and speed, sidestepped the attack, allowing Buttercup to miss by a hair, crush landing her fist in to the wall.
"Coward!" Buttercup growled out.
But Blossom just smirked at that. Just then, she turned just in time to see a flurry of blue spheres launched at her. She immediately flew out of the way, just in time it collided on the spot she once was and detonated in to a ripple of sonic sound waves. Blossom, now high above the floor, quickly looked around, "Where did she-" but was cut off when she was knocked back by sonic scream.
Blossom's body was sent flying back by the powerful shockwave of Bubbles' sonic scream. Her back slammed into the reinforced wall, leaving cracks spiderwebbing across the surface as she slid to the ground. Dazed for only a moment, she quickly pushed herself to her feet, her eyes flashing pink as she readied herself for another strike. She couldn't let her guard down for a second, not with her sisters pushing their limits like this.
"That all you got, Bubbles?" Blossom called out, already back on the offensive, her body flickering with a pink aura as she coated her hands for the next attack. With a snap of her fingers, she effortlessly tore chunks of the floor free, raised them in the air and hurled them at Bubbles in a flurry of debris. The pieces flew through the air like missiles, each one aimed with precision, but Bubbles was quick to react.
"Not quite…" With a grunt, Bubbles raised her arms, her aura flaring around her as she released another devastating array of sono-spheres. The energy from the spheres collided with the incoming projectiles, shattering them in mid-air with a deafening boom. Dust and rubble filled the air, and Bubbles' blue glow intensified as she launched herself into the fray, moving with a fluid grace despite the chaos surrounding her.
Buttercup, not wanting to be outdone, charged in once again, her body glowing with bright green plasma. She barreled forward, launching plasma blasts from her hands, each one sizzling through the air like bolts of lightning. She aimed for Blossom, but the older sister was ready. Blossom took a deep breath and exhaled, unleashing a heavy ice breath that quickly formed a big enough barrier, that although shattered, blocked the first wave, but Buttercup was relentless, charging through with a series of rapid punches—each one crackling with energy and leaving fiery trails in its wake.
Blossom did her best to dodge or block each one of the plasma punches, her mind already calculating her next move. In a fluid motion, she managed to grab hold of Buttercup's wrist mid-punch and yanked her off balance, sending the middle sister crashing into the floor. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the arena, and the floor cracked beneath them.
"Not today, Buttercup!" Blossom taunted, her confidence rising as she hovered above, ready to strike again.
But before she could act, Bubbles was there, her body glowing with intense energy. With a fierce cry, she lunged forward, launching a flurry of powerful punches aimed directly at Blossom. Each blow came with a burst of force, the sound of her fists slicing through the air like thunderclaps. The air vibrated with the intensity of her assault as she attacked with pinpoint precision.
Blossom barely had time to react as Bubbles' fist collided with her, sending a shock of pain through her chest, knocking the wind out of her lungs; although they were all a lot tougher to bruise, it still hurt nonetheless. Blossom staggered but quickly recovered, summoning more of her telekinetic energy to shield herself, her hands glowing with a fierce pink light. She thrust her palms forward, pushing back against Bubbles' relentless assault. "You're really pushing it, Bubbles!" she shouted, frustration lacing her voice as she gathered her focus, preparing for the next strike.
The walls around them groaned, and deep cracks appeared as the sisters continued their onslaught. Their attacks were vicious, relentless, and the air hummed with raw power. Buttercup, now back on her feet, let out a battle cry as she charged again, her plasma energy raging like a storm. She collided with Blossom with a ferocity that sent shockwaves through the training facility, both sisters locked in a fierce struggle as their powers collided, sending arcs of energy into every direction.
Bubbles, seeing her chance, extended her hands, and a massive sonic pulse erupted from her, sweeping across the entire battlefield. The wave of energy tore through the arena, blasting chunks of the floor into the air and knocking both of her sisters off balance. The explosion of sound echoed through the facility, the vibrations too intense to ignore.
The girls were standing on the edge, pushing themselves to their limits. The air around them was thick with tension, and the damage to the training room was catastrophic. Dust filled the air, and the walls were battered, showing signs of imminent collapse. Each sister was breathing heavily, their energy reserves thinning, but their desire to dominate and prove their strength kept them going.
Buttercup wiped a bit of sweat from her brow, grinning fiercely despite the exhaustion. "You've got some fight in you, ladies. But let's see how long you can last!" She exploded into action again, launching herself toward Blossom with a flurry of strengthened punches, but Blossom kept up her defense, barely phased by the heat given off. She blocked, countered, and redirected, her speed and control on full display.
"Not yet, Buttercup," Blossom muttered, her eyes glowing bright with intensity as she summoned a massive wave of psychokinetic energy. She unleashed it with a devastating force, sending her sisters flying backward. The impact of the blast shook the entire building, and the force of the energy left a crater where Blossom had stood moments before.
Bubbles, struggling to regain her footing, glared at her sisters. "This isn't over yet!" She rushed forward with a fierce expression, her aura surging as she prepared for the next attack, shapes forming around her.
Blossom's aura blazed out, "Bring it!" And charged forward.
Buttercup eyes glowed fiercely as she barred her teeth, "Now we're talking!"
But just as the girls were about to really let loose.
"Enough, girls," Nezu's voice echoed, firm but patient. "Training is over. Thank you. You may rest now."
For a brief moment, the world stood still. The tension in the air dissipated as the three sisters slowly lowered their fists, their glowing eyes dimming. Panting heavily, Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles stood, their bodies humming with the unreleased energy, sweat dripping down their faces. The room around them was utterly destroyed, walls cracked, the floor torn apart, debris scattered everywhere.
Blossom took a deep breath, trying to steady her growing powers. "I…really let loose this time," she muttered, looking around at the destruction with a look of embarrassment.
Buttercup grinned, looking at the ruins with pride. "Yeah. That was fun," she said, wiping a bit of dust from her cheek. "Maybe we should do this more often." Blossom gave her a withering look, as if reminding her to pull it back.
Bubbles took a longer time to steady her emotions, sighing, her shoulders sagged in exhaustion. "I think we all might have needed that…" she took a glance and continued, "But I hope Nezu doesn't mind the mess."
It had been two weeks since Bubbles' encounter with HIM at the mall, and the girls were growing more anxious by the day. Although only Bubbles was the only one to have the memory of creep's presence, but coupled with the possibility that he could be working with the guy, Shigaraki, kept them all on high alert, making their powers flare up in unpredictable ways. Despite their best efforts to stay composed, even Blossom, usually the most controlled, found her abilities acting out of her grasp.
The weight of the situation was wearing on them. Every day, the thought of HIM and Shigaraki gnawed at their nerves, and the girls grew increasingly tense and on edge. Though they didn't know much about the Shigaraki guy, they weren't willing to take any chances. The uncertainty surrounding HIM's plans and the potential threat of this unknown figure pushed them to prepare for anything.
Rather than letting their powers spiral out of control, they became determined to channel their anxiety into training. Eager to stay ready for whatever HIM had in store for them, they sought an outlet in their training sessions. They sought the permission of Principle Nezu and he agreed to host them in one of the school's less used but more advanced gyms.
Restless and driven, the girls threw themselves into the gym, a place where they could safely release their energy and find balance. For the past two weeks, they had been training there twice a week, using the sessions not just to hone their skills, but to regain control over their powers and emotions. It became their way of confronting their fears, preparing for whatever the future might hold.
Buttercup shrugged, "Nah, I'm sure Mr. Rat Man has some funds lying around to help with the mess." Just then, the voice of their chimera principal, Nezu, came in.
"Well, I wouldn't say I have an endless supply of funds, Buttercup," Nezu replied, as he strode through the door of the gym. He looked around the room with a hum, his eyes scanning the damage. "Oh my. You know, girls, if most of the students could work even a fraction as hard as you did today, I would say that we wouldn't have a shortage of future heroes," he chuckled lightly.
Buttercup gave a half-smirk, her arms crossed over her chest. "Well, Nezu, if you had more students like us, you might need a bigger gym. Or at least one with sturdier walls." Her eyes glowed with the aftereffects of her energy.
Blossom sighed, her tone even but firm. "Buttercup, cool it." She didn't raise her voice, but the calm authority in her tone made it clear she wasn't backing down.
Buttercup shot her a glare, her fists still clenched, but after a moment, she relaxed her posture and muttered, "Fine."
Bubbles, sensing the tension was still thick in the air, decided to speak up. "Thanks again, Mr. Nezu, for allowing us to train here for the time being," she said, her voice soft but sincere.
Nezu shook his head, a gentle smile forming on his face. "It is quite alright, my dear. I know that the incident a few weeks back has shaken not just you, but other students as well. So I am glad that you are not allowing it to overtake you and train for the future…with reason of course." His voice was calm, understanding, but there was a weight behind his words that made it clear he was aware of the situation's gravity but still would rather they not think to be reckless.
Bubbles lowered her head, guilt creeping into her expression. "I wish I had done something…" she murmured quietly, her voice tinged with self-doubt.
Blossom placed a hand on her sister's shoulder, her touch light but reassuring. "Bubbles, it's like I said before, you didn't know what HIM was planning. The fact that he was in an enclosed area like the mall made it a risky situation for any of us." Her tone was gentle, trying to ease Bubbles' guilt.
Buttercup scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Maybe for you, Red, but I was ready to face that creep." She crossed her arms defiantly, the energy still pulsing in her.
Blossom shot her a sharp glare. "Oh really, Buttercup? What could you have possibly done without causing destruction to the entire mall and getting us in trouble?"
Buttercup shot back, her voice tinged with frustration. "Maybe actually capture that clown instead of letting him get away!"
The words struck a nerve, and Bubbles flinched, her heart aching at the suggestion. Blossom's gaze hardened as she turned to Buttercup. "Buttercup! You honestly wouldn't have even kept your temper in check around him, much less capture him."
A dangerous spark flickered in Buttercup's eyes. Her aura flared around her, crackling with energy. "Oh yeah? Fine! But that's why we're training! To really show that FUCKING creep whose boss!" Her words came out in a burst of fiery frustration. Her power surged, and the air around her crackled with intensity.
Blossom's voice dropped, pressing, trying to keep control. "Buttercup, calm down."
But Buttercup's eyes still glowed fiercely, her aura a dangerous storm. It took a few minutes before the energy began to subside, her glowing eyes dimming and her aura finally settling. She slumped down, scowling, and looked around at the faces watching her. With a sharp scoff, she stood and turned toward the door. "I'm leaving." Her voice was tight, almost strained with emotion.
Bubbles called after her, her voice soft, "Buttercup, wait…!" But Buttercup didn't listen. She didn't even slow down. The door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing in the room, leaving the two sisters in silence.
Blossom sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging as the weight of the moment settled over her. She turned to Nezu, her eyes filled with a sense of apology. "I'm sorry for what you just saw," she said quietly, her voice tinged with regret for the tension in the room. "Buttercup's been on edge lately, and—"
"It's no problem, Blossom." Nezu's expression remained calm, unruffled. "From what you girls have told me about HIM, he sounds to be quite nerve-shaking, to say the least. I can imagine why you would all be on edge." He said this, though his gaze grew thoughtful for a moment.
Blossom and Bubbles exchanged a glance before slowly turning their eyes toward the door where Buttercup had just stormed out. The silence that fell between them was heavy, thick with unspoken thoughts. They understood where Buttercup was coming from, even if she wouldn't admit it. HIM and his schemes could be terrifying, but they didn't want their fears to get the better of them. Who knew what trouble that could cause?
Bubbles broke the silence, her voice soft. "Blossom, I think we should talk to her…"
Blossom nodded, her expression weary. "You're right, Bubbles." She sighed. Then, turning her focus back to Nezu, she spoke again, giving a small bow. "Principal Nezu, thank you for allowing us to train here, and we hope we didn't cause you too much trouble," she said, gesturing to the mess around the room.
Nezu shook his head with a smile. "Not at all, girls. That's why you're here at U.A., to better yourself as heroes. As for the damages, it can't be helped. Some wear and tear comes with quirk training. Anyway, please go tend to your sister, and I wish you a safe trip on Monday."
Blossom offered him a grateful nod before turning toward the door, her mind already focused on finding Buttercup. With a final glance at Bubbles, the two of them left the gym.
(-)
-Hallway-
Buttercup was pacing restlessly in the hallway, her energy surging, crackling around her. Her eyes glowed brightly, a visible reminder of the tension she was trying to contain. Though her anger was still simmering, it wasn't directed at her sisters—no, this was something else. She was worried, and that was something she rarely allowed herself to feel.
Ever since the mall incident, her mind kept drifting to a certain green-haired boy. Izuku. The fact that he had come face-to-face with one of HIM's new lackeys had left a deep mark on her. It made her blood boil, made her question if there was more she could have done to help. She had been ready to fight, but she was not given the chance. And now, the feeling of inadequacy gnawed at her, leaving her torn between wanting to check on Izuku and feeling embarrassed for not acting sooner.
The hallway seemed to stretch on forever as she tried to rein in the storm inside her. She could feel her powers threatening to break loose…again. With a frustrated sigh, she muttered under her breath, "Boy, when did I get so lame?"
"I wouldn't say you're lame for caring about a friend." Buttercup jumped at the sudden voice. She quickly turned to see Bubbles, leaning against the wall with a knowing look on her face.
"What are you talking about? I ain't worried about anyone!" Buttercup shot back defensively, her tone harsh as she tried to put up a wall. She didn't want to admit it—not to Bubbles, not to anyone.
Bubbles raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her sister's deflection. "What are you doing here? Came to judge me just like Blossom? And where's little miss perfect?" Buttercup huffed, not able to keep the edge of her frustration out of her voice.
"Blossom went to grab our bags. I decided to talk to you first," Bubbles said, her expression softening. She paused for a moment before a teasing smirk tugged at her lips. "Buttercup, you should know by now, even without my powers, the fact that you were so worried about Izuku after the whole incident, it spoke volumes."
Buttercup immediately scoffed, trying to brush it off. "What are you talking about? I was just—"
Bubbles cut her off gently, still smirking but with a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. "You don't have to hide it, Buttercup. It's okay to care. We all understand. HIM and his minions…that was a surprise; and I normally like surprises but not that one," she said in a pout tone. "But you don't have to be worried alone."
Buttercup froze, her deflective attitude faltering under Bubbles' kind, unwavering gaze. Her shoulders sagged slightly, and for a moment, she wanted to argue—wanted to deny everything. But seeing the genuine concern in Bubbles' eyes made something inside her soften.
"I… I didn't know what to do," Buttercup muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. The weight of her guilt made her chest tighten. "I should've been there for him. I should've helped."
"Hey, his okay in the end. That much is so." Bubbles stepped closer, offering a small, reassuring smile. "We all do what we can, and sometimes that means we just need to be there when it counts. You're not alone in this."
Buttercup's gaze softened as she let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. For a moment, she said nothing, just letting the words sink in. Then, she muttered a quiet apology, "I'm sorry, Bubbles…" she said, the words heavy but sincere, her shoulders slumping as the pressure inside her slowly started to dissipate.
Bubbles smiled warmly, "No problem…Oh, I almost forgot, let me try this," and, with a small hum, lightly activated her powers. She tilted her head, her blue eyes sparkling as she began to sing a soft, calming tune. As her voice rang out, a gentle aura surrounded them, and musical note projections materialized, flying around the two sisters. The notes floated in the air, popping softly one by one, releasing a soothing, calming melody.
Buttercup could feel the tension within her starting to loosen, her aura beginning to settle. She hadn't even realized how tight her body had been until the music's effect started to work its magic. Her glowing eyes gradually dimmed, and she felt the storm within her quieting, even if just a little.
Bubbles, seeing the effect it had on her sister, felt a sense of peace wash over her as well. It was always comforting to know her powers could help, especially when it was for someone she cared about. "There! I always forget that I can do that!" she giggled at her forgetfulness.
"Whelp, not really a power that you can use to clobber a guy, but it's still good," she said dismissively before continuing, "Thanks, Bubbles…" Buttercup murmured, her voice softer now. The tightness in her chest had loosened, her usual brashness replaced by a more vulnerable tone. "I'm sorry for being such an ass…"
Bubbles didn't hesitate. She immediately wrapped her arms around her sister in a hug, holding her tightly. Buttercup stiffened at first, clearly not used to such affection, but after a brief moment, she relented. With a soft sigh, she returned the hug, her arms slowly wrapping around Bubbles.
Bubbles pulled back slightly, grinning. "You don't have to thank me. We're sisters. We've got each other's backs."
Buttercup gave her a small, almost reluctant smile. "Yeah, yeah… Just don't expect me to get all mushy or anything."
Bubbles laughed lightly, the mood lightening between them. "I won't. But just remember, you don't have to do everything alone." Buttercup sighed, the weight seeming to lighten, if not a little. Just then, Blossom came running in, bags floating behind her, compliments of her powers. She called out to her sisters as she skidded to a halt in front of them.
"Geez, guys, I know I'm the leader, but it doesn't mean I'm responsible for your stuff," she said in a light, playful tone.
Bubbles giggled and reached up to grab her bag from the air. "Thanks, Blossom!" she chimed brightly.
Blossom smiled at her younger sister before turning her attention to Buttercup, who was deliberately avoiding eye contact, clearly not wanting to be lectured or feeling the faint twinge of guilt from her earlier outburst. The silence hung between them, and Bubbles, sensing the tension, decided to take matters into her own hands.
She nudged Buttercup lightly with her elbow, much to the latter's annoyance. "Come on, Buttercup. You know you're gonna have to talk to her sooner or later," Bubbles said, grinning.
Buttercup let out an exaggerated sigh but finally gave in. "Look, Blossom… I'm sorry for how I acted."
Blossom, her hands on her hips, cut her off with a soft smile. "As your leader and older sister—"
"Leader because of that bow and older by barely a few seconds," Buttercup retorted with a smirk.
Blossom rolled her eyes playfully but maintained her calm. "Be that as it may, I'm the one in the position. I should've tried to talk to you about your feelings and see where we could go from there. And although your attitude isn't always pleasant, it warrants a sisterly talk and such."
Buttercup chuckled and shot a sideways glance at her sister. "Wow, Blossom, did you get that from a greeting card or something?" she teased.
Blossom raised an eyebrow, her expression not changing. "You know, Buttercup, you can be a real pain sometimes."
Buttercup groaned and rubbed the back of her neck, slightly uncomfortable but relenting. "Fine, fine. I'll try to be less grouchy and talk about my feelings more… even though it seems stupid," she muttered the last part, barely above a whisper.
Blossom's smile softened, and she gently floated Buttercup's bag over to her. "It's not stupid. It's okay to let people in sometimes," she said quietly, her tone filled with a rare warmth.
Buttercup gave a slight grunt in response but didn't argue. She swung the strap of her backpack over her shoulder and gave Blossom a playful glare.
"Alright, tough girl, let's go get some ice cream." Her voice turned dry but amused. "Your treat," Blossom smirked.
Before Buttercup could respond, Bubbles perked up and squealed, "Yay! Buttercup is buying us ice cream! And I know just the place!" She dashed ahead, practically skipping down the hall, leaving her sisters behind.
Buttercup groaned, throwing her hands up in the air. "You know, I'm going to get you for this, right?" she pointedly said at the older sister.
Blossom just shrugged, sticking her tongue out in a playful challenge. "Yeah, but it still got a smile out of you."
Buttercup didn't reply right away. Instead, she adjusted the strap of her backpack and allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile to tug at the corners of her lips. Without a word, she started walking down the corridor, Blossom following close behind.
"Come on, slowpokes!" Bubbles' voice called from the distance, her excitement contagious.
The three sisters walked side by side, the hallway filled with the sound of Bubbles' excited footsteps ahead and the quiet rhythm of Buttercup and Blossom following behind. The tension from earlier had melted away, replaced by a comfortable silence that spoke volumes. Buttercup glanced at Blossom, who was still smiling softly, and then at Bubbles, her infectious energy lighting up the hall. Despite the chaos, the teasing, and the occasional friction, the girls weren't alone in this little debacle, for they had each other to knock some senses in to.
But even as she allowed herself to enjoy the moment, her thoughts briefly flickered back to Izuku. The worry still lingered, just beneath the surface, but for now, she decided it didn't matter. She could handle it later. Right now, there was only one thing on her mind: ice cream with her sisters.
With a smirk that only Buttercup could muster, she silently wished HIM good luck for the butt-whooping that the Powerpuff Girls were soon going to deliver him. And as they stepped outside into the cool afternoon, Buttercup allowed herself a moment to enjoy the simple pleasure of being with family—because sometimes, that was enough to calm the storms.
Author's Notes:
Hello, everyone! I wanted to give you all a late Christmas/New Year's Eve gift—the gift of my writing talents! Lol!
But seriously, I'm so excited to share this chapter, and the next one, for season 3 of this crossover. I absolutely love filler chapters like these. They give us a glimpse of normalcy for the girls, and it honestly warms my heart to see them talk about their feelings more.
I also want to honor the promise I made in my letter about working on the other ships as well. I'll be honest, the Kirishima and Blossom one is a bit of a challenge for me, but I'm determined to make it work. I want my boy to be there for her in a meaningful way, so I'll keep at it!
As I mentioned before, I'll be taking some creative liberties and deviating from my initial plans a little—nothing too crazy, but still. And as I also mentioned earlier, I might not be online as much. Adulthood is a scam, and I really hate it, but I've got to power through. One day, I'll be a millionaire, In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen. Wish me all the best with that!
Lastly, I want to say thank you again for sticking with me on this journey. I never expected to have such an amazing audience, but you've all proved me wrong, and I truly love it. See you all next time, and don't forget to read, review, and favorite this little piece of art!
Take care!
