Powerpuff Girls V.2 IC thread.

[charli]

-Jules-

Blossom didn't immediately respond when Jules picked up the phone. Jules knew better than to try to get her attention. If she was in trouble - and she undoubtedly was - then she would be put in more danger if her attacker heard a voice coming out of her cellphone. "...I'm sorry sis..." Jules heard on the other end, and his blood ran cold. God dammit, what had happened?

Swiping an experimental tracking device from his desk, he plugged it into his phone as he ran for his car, a rented silver Volvo. It took a few seconds - an agonizing eternity as Jules idled, unsure of which way to drive - but then the tracker found the PowerPuff's cellphone. Good Lord, she was fifteen miles outside of the city. Tires squealing, Jules floored the accelerator and took off. It would be ten minutes before he reached Blossom, and Jules prayed that he wasn't already too late.

[Wolfy]

Arken

After a moment (having failed to catch most of what Buttercup had said), Arken made a revelation. Buttercup must be exhausted at the moment. A shock like that probably isn't healthy.

"Come on, Buttercup." Arken told her, picking her up off of her chair. "You ought to get some rest. It will help."

He walked her down the hallway and into her own room. He took her into his arms and said "Now don't worry, I'm not going to leave you. Though please, try and get some sleep, okay?" Then he let her go and sat in a nearby chair himself.

[Kat]

Apr 11, 2009 22:17:25 GMT -5 Wolfy said:

Arken

After a moment (having failed to catch most of what Buttercup had said), Arken made a revelation. Buttercup must be exhausted at the moment. A shock like that probably isn't healthy.

"Come on, Buttercup." Arken told her, picking her up off of her chair. "You ought to get some rest. It will help."

He walked her down the hallway and into her own room. He took her into his arms and said "Now don't worry, I'm not going to leave you. Though please, try and get some sleep, okay?" Then he let her go and sat in a nearby chair himself.

Buttercup

Standing up straight, although with a slight wobble, Buttercup grimaced.
"I'm perfectly.." she yawned, "Perfectly fine." she nodded strongly for emphasis.
Well.. maybe a nap won't hurt...
Buttercup shrugged and tugged the hem of her tanktop over her head, leaving her long-sleeved t-shirt.
She glanced over her shoulder at Arken as Bruce hopped his little kitty self onto her unmade bed.
"If you don't mind, could you make me some hot chocolate?" she nodded towards the kitchenette, "In the cabinet, there."
Buttercup then proceeded to yank off her pants and rummage through her drawers for pajama bottoms, muttering to herself.

[Nekoman]

Brick had heard a rumble of impact somewhere to his left, and smiled. He was confident Bloss had manadged to take her sister down, and that's why the truth hit him hard.

He sped over a clearing, almost over it before he saw the deep gash in the earth, with Blossom lying next to hit, mud and blood smeared on her face. He landed hard, the earth caving where his feet touched the ground, and picked Blossom up.

"I.. she-- Bubbles.. how did.." Brick frantically tried to put a sentence together, but found himself too out of sync. Then, a spot of mud was wiped from her face, then another, and another. He realized he was crying, but didn't feel up to denouncing it.

After all, this was Blossom..

[charli]

-Jules-

Jules could barely feel his body as he walked towards the lifeless Blossom and weeping Brick. Silently, he bent to pick up Blossom's cellphone, closing it. "Who was it?" he asked Brick, his voice harsh. "Over the phone... I heard a girl say 'I'm sorry, sis.' Was it Bubbles or Buttercup?"

[Nekoman]

"J-jules.." Brick snapped his vision up from Blossom to meet the gaze of the agent. "It-t.. It was Bubbles.. she's.. I think Him's got his filthy mitts-s-s on her.." Brick's teeth chattered, the chills that ran through his body were all too real, and they instantly manifested themselves; the area was showered with cold rain, and the clearing became a swath of mud and plant life.

"Sh-she ran, b-b-but I d-don't remember wh-where.." He was too preoccupied to mention Berserk, or her loss of powers, save that conversation for later. "Jules-s.. we n-need to get her t-to a hosp-p-pital.."

[Wolfy]

Arken

"Oh." He turned his head toward the kitchenette himself. "Sure, okay."

He walked toward the cabinets and rummaged around for the necessary ingredients for hot chocolate. While he was preparing Buttercup's drink, he realized that he was pretty tired himself. The revelation that Buttercup was pregnant took a toll on him too, seeing as how he was the one that put her in such a position. Then his mind drifted back to something she said earlier.

"You're talking like it's all your fault..."

Perhaps it wasn't all his fault in reality, but it felt like it. Certainly she was old enough to make such a decision, but then again he did have a hand in her decision-making, didn't he? Also, he could have taken better care to keep from getting her pregnant. He felt like a complete moron, thinking back on it now.

"To think," he muttered to himself "I get a girl pregnant and I repent by making her hot chocolate. My, how far I've fallen."

Once he was finished, he headed back to his previous chair and sat back down, holding the mug in his hands.

"Here you go. Sorry if I took a while." He said with a strained smile.

[charli]

-Jules-

Jules placed a hand on Brick's shoulder, half to comfort the boy and half to steady himself. "Would a hospital do any good now...?" Numbly, he felt Blossom's pulse under her jaw. It was there, but it was fading. "Ah, Christ..." And Jules wept.




~Blossom~

The impact of the tear on her face cut through the haze with a soft, rippling bell tone. Slowly, the darkness cleared, and Blossom's eyes fluttered open, gazing up at a gray sky and the heartbroken faces of Jules and Brick. A gentle white glow surrounded Blossom, healing her injuries and melting away the pain while levitating her up and away from the men to stand a few inches off the ground. When it receded, though, it left behind a profound sense of melancholy, and Blossom made no attempt to remain standing. "What have I done?" she lamented, falling to her knees. "Oh, my god, I fought my own sister..."

[Kat]

Buttercup

Buttercup yawned as she walked over to Arken, now comfortably clad in dark green sweats and a blackk t-shirt, a few sizes too big.
"Thanks," she smiled, reaching to take the mug from his hands. She perched lightly on the arm of his chair, crossing her ankles to keep her balance.
"You know, I'm getting a weird sense of deja vu here," Buttercup shook her head, blowing lightly on the hot chocolate before taking a sip.
"Like... I've met you before.. Well I mean, I know I have, with the demons and all, but... whe I was older, you know?" she shrugged, giving her head another shake.

[Wolfy]

Arken

What Buttercup had just said actually surprised him. To be honest, he had completely forgotten the events of the future. However, it's not like it mattered to him. Time was moving in a different direction, and the events that came about weren't likely to happen again.

"You're saying you knew me when you were older?" he said, sounding a bit amused. "That's strange."

On the subject of her age, Arken realized something. Now that Buttercup had removed all her layers of shirts and makeup, she looked younger, paler, and more innocent than she acted. She might seem like a tough and mature person, but she was still a kid. That fact made Arken feel even worse about what he had done.

He wasn't pretending to be cheerful at all now. He didn't even have a ghost of a smile. He just sat back in his chair quietly and hoped Buttercup wouldn't take any notice of him.

[Yetisarge]

"Well I've stayed here long enough, I think it is time for me to head back home." Zim said packing up his laptop and then he snapped his fingers and Gir came running up to meet him like he was his older brother.

"Time to go home, til we are contacted I'm sure Jules or one of them will have time to call me over something." Zim said as they headed back in the direction of his home.

[Kat]

Buttercup

Buttercup frowned, noticing Arken's loss of joviality. She might be tired, but she wasn't blind.

She knew why he was so upset. Really, it was understandable, but he needed to get over it.

"What's done is done... What's past is past..." she muttered to herself, yawning. Then, Buttercup shrugged, setting her hot chocolate down on the small table near her chair.

'mnot letting him just go and selfishly take all the blame, dammit...

She slid down off the arm of the chair, carefully settling in Arken's lap and leaning her head against his shoulder. She curled up comfortably, trying to reassure him that he needn't be so terribly upset.

She let out a soft yawn before shutting her eyes and drifting to sleep.

[Wolfy]

Arken

Arken had ended up in a daze after a moment, but was brought out of it to find Buttercup in his lap, sleeping quietly. It surprised him, but it did succeed in lifting his spirits just a bit. It showed that she wasn't upset with him, and he was thankful for that.

Perhaps I shouldn't keep letting my guilt get the better of me. I have more important things on my mind, now don't I?

He closed his eyes, then smiled a genuine smile. After a moment he proceeded to wrap an arm around the sleeping girl.

"I love you, Buttercup..." he whispered, then drifted off to sleep himself.

[Iris]

((Whoops, 4 days late, sorry if it's a it rushed.))

As the shadow creature drove itself through tFab's chest it became a mist of darkness, a hallowed laughter erupted from the world around them, borrowed from a million voices the laughter chilled the otherwise silent world with it's mockery of joy.
Perhaps those lost in this world longed for a real emotion, perhaps they longed to taste reality and free themselves from their bonds.

And yet they laughed, satisfied with what they found. The hound slowly reemerged from the mist and slowly morphed into a human shape but like everything else in this world, it was a shadow of its original self.

The old newspaper behind the glass shattered and escaped its prison, glowing with an unnatural white light it joined with creature.
The words once held on paper wrapped around the left arm and back; forming a strange circle filled with stolen knowledge and in its centre a phoenix cried out for release.

Slowly the creature turned its head, the light flickered as its energy was taken, feeding the being. As it's eyes met tFab a strange sorrow filled the halls but quickly the creature had arrived it vanished with a bright flicker.
The flicker became brighter and brighter until the world was once more inverted in its shades, now white dominated and darkness hid.

Log entry thirty-four.... A familiar voice began, its deep penetrating voice boomed and traveled along the halls, I see, my greatest fear. And I know that I've been foresaken by my own courage yet I know I cannot show it. No, not before my men and women, I cannot let them down.

I've come to realise that their courage would falter with my own and so I must put forth this facade least they fall with me.
I despise being in command, even if it has been so for the last three years. But no matter.

There was no body with this voice, merely a disembodied memory lost within this shadowy world. They voice from tFab's nightmares, a voice from a world that never would come to be.

Fear... and terror. The plague that all mortal beings must face. Should they challenge it and overcome what they fear... The voice laughed before continuing, Here I am badgering myself, how I despise that.

Funny how memory fades at the funniest time?

With that a pressence forced itself on the plain of exisitence and yet there was still no body.
So tell me, 'demon', do the ramblings of a mad man fill you with dread and does it make you laugh?

[TheTimeSweeper]

(It didn't seem that rushed to me)

-tFabikcalcer-

tFab didn’t know what to make of the sudden transformation in scenery. One moment he was charging headlong at the creature and the next it had just disappeared. The clue that he had sought for had been released from behind the glass of the display case and the flash of light that was left behind after the creature had vanished was growing brighter and brighter by the second. It became so bright that it was blinding and tFab quickly clenched his eyes shut.

“Good God…it’s like I’m staring right into the sun!”

He didn’t dare change back to his human form for fear of a trick by the creature if it had not truly disappeared or tripping over something in the process. Now was really not a good time for him to be making any impulsive decisions.

And then tFab heard a voice; a voice booming off the walls of the hallway. It sent a chill down the cat demon’s spine and he still kept his eyes shut tightly. He could hear it all around him as it recited the contents of the next clue and then the voice was so close, almost as if there was someone standing right in front of tFab, or at least down at his level. The voice spoke with a hint of contempt and tFab tilted his head to one side, as if wondering what had just been asked was a trick question or not.

“I…I don’t think so. Why would I be filled with dread? I just faced one of the most frightening things I’ve ever dealt with in my life…and yet, I have a feeling that what I saw was merely a small representation of what’s to come. And your ramblings don’t really make me laugh, at least not out loud.”

[Nekoman]

Brick sat back in the grass for a moment, relieved, but as Blossom fell to her knees, he embraced her, trying to offer some form of comfort. Fighting siblings is one thing he knew all about, and he felt a tremendous surge of empathy, which eroded the fear he felt just moments before. He didn't speak, he couldn't find the right words, so he just wished his feelings could just flow from him, and he held her tighter.

[charli]

~Blossom~

In Brick's arms, Blossom felt safe, secure, and she found herself reaching up to wrap her arms around him and bury her face in his chest as tears that had been held back for too long broke loose. Off to the side somewhere, she was aware of Jules opening her cellphone and dialing a number, Zim's from the sound of the keytones. "Come on," he muttered before the ringing had ended.

"Jules," Blossom sniffled, turning to look at him while keeping her forehead on Brick's torso. "I'm sorry I lost Zim. I was so focused on getting Berserk and-"

"Shh," he cut her off gently. "It's all right. I think he's really working for the FBI, so we just need to keep tabs on him rather than babysit him."

[Nekoman]

"Jules, Berserk won't be a problem anymore.." He didn't turn to face him, and his eyes were glazed over with guilt. Only nnow had he realized what he'd done, he took away her identity.. Even if Berserk was a villain, why didn't she deserve powers? She could have crossed over, become good.. like him.. but now she'd never be able to make that choice.

In a murmuring tone, Brick explained to Jules what he had done, then reverted his attention back to Blossom. He had long dreamt of her being in his arms, but this was a different scenario entirely, and he suddenly felt guilty for his emotions. He had broken down when she needed help. This embrace was almost sickening. Still, he couldn't let go. He felt her touch was comforting him now, that she was trying to aid him in some way.

[charli]

~Blossom~

"God, I was such a bitch," Blossom whispered. "Berserk had gotten away from me so many times before, when I finally had her, I couldn't let go. I couldn't see that it was already over..."

"Actually... I don't know if it is over yet," Jules said, his tone apologetic. "I don't think Berserk needs to be brought in anymore, but it's not my decision to make. But you know..." He glanced at Blossom's phone, half opened it, and then closed it again, shaking his head. He tossed it to Blossom who caught it before curling back up in Brick's warm embrace. "Max'll call when he's back stateside. Tell him what happened. The President trusts Max, and might pardon Berserk at his request."

[Nekoman]

Brick stood, still holding Blossom.

"Alright, we'd better star heading back to Bunny, who knows what trouble she's gotten herself into?" Brick let go of Blossom, but took her hand, and began to walk out of the clearing. He wasn't going to fly, he didn't want Jules to feel left out..

[charli]

-Jules-

"Uhhm, we're fifteen miles outside the city limits," Jules half laughed. He jabbed his thumb towards his Volvo. "I think this mere mortal will drive back. You two can fly." Besides, he was starting to feel awkward being around Blossom and Brick's lovey-doveyness. As he climbed into the driver's seat, his phone beeped from the cup holder, the one not holding the coffee. One missed call and a voicemail message.

"Cassidy." It was Max, and Lordy, he sounded tired. "I'm back, but I had to come straight to Megaville because these supers are getting out of hand. I'm at the park now, looking at the absolute mess that blue one's scream made. You get Blossom over here ASAP."

Well, this was lovely. "Change of plan, guys," Jules called to the teens. "Get in the car. It would seem I'm playing the role of chauffeur now."

[Nekoman]

Brick laughed a bit, hoping to convey it.

"I hadn't realized how far we'd gone.. " He released Blossom's hand and jumped into the front seat, putting his feet up on the dash. "I'm more partial to motorcycles and mopeds, but this ain't a bad car." Brick was reverting to his normal self, essentially blotting out the past few minutes.

[charli]

~Blossom~

"What's happening?" Blossom asked, climbing into the back seat.

Jules talked as he drove. "Max is in Megaville, and aparently not too pleased about the aftermath of Bubbles' scream."

Blossom was wide-eyed. "It was that bad? Man, I didn't even see, I was too busy hauling ass."

[Nekoman]

"Yeah, Jules, we were a little preoccupied, mind filling us in?" Brick straightened up in his seat. "And who's Max?"

[charli]

~Blossom~

"Max is mine and Jules' boss," Blossom told Brick. "He's practically a legend in law enforcement, and he's the FBI's top negotiator and counterterrorist team leader."

[Nekoman]

"Ugh. I thought you two were enough.. I really don't enjoy working with the FBI.." He sighed and proceeded to stare out the window. "I'll just sit there and look pretty, alright?"

[charli]

Police officers and FBI agents buzzed around the blast zone, and a line of police officers held back the steadily growing crowd. As Blossom stepped out of Jules' car, she identified Max by the awed expressions on the faces of the detectives speaking with him. Blossom, bathed in the light of his visual perfection, was suddenly acutely aware of the fact that her clothes were covered in mud, and blood was still caked on her forehead. But she hid it, kept her cool, like the leader of the PowerPuff Girls would. "Sir," she called out, approaching him. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yeah," he answered, turning towards her. Even his voice was perfect. It was plain why he was the FBI's top negotiator. He had ridiculous charisma that simply drew people in. At the same time, though, he shut them out. He was completely unreadable, but somehow that drew people even closer, made them hang on his every utterance for some hint, some clue. "First off, I'm glad to see you're still alive. Second, how the hell did this happen?"

Blossom couldn't help but duck her head. "We had Berserk, sir. Brick had... had taken away her powers somehow. That's when Berserk's sister and... Bubbles -" Blossom almost couldn't say her sister's name, it confirmed the awful truth. "- showed up. They wanted Berserk, and I stood my ground. I had no idea Bubbles could..." She looked out at the flattened woods.

Max was silent for a long minute. "Berserk's gone, then?"

"Yes, sir. They took her."

[Nekoman]

"Yeah." BRick called in conformation, jumping off the hood of Jules' car to land beside Blossom. "I let her go, and Brat along with her."

Bri0ck's prejudice against the FBI was just amplified with Max. His status was obvious, and he hated people who thought they were better than him. and the sneer his perfectly still face formed in Brick's eyes was basically a huge "F U."

[charli]

"Brat?" Max asked. "Berserk's sister?"

Brick was deliberately being an ass, and Blossom was half afraid Max would... She didn't even know what Max might do, but she couldn't stand the tension that had just appeared.

Jules had joined them, and Max met the agent's eyes, a silent message passing between them, before turning back to Blossom. "And this Brat? Is she evil like her sister?"

Blossom was at a loss. "I... I don't know, sir. I'd never met Brat before this evening, though... She actually seemed more like Bubbles than Bubbles did..." Blossom still couldn't believe what had happened to her sister. It was partially her fault...

[Nekoman]

"No, she's not. She seemed protective, not only of herself but everyone around her, includingme and Blossom. I know enough of being evil siblings to tell you thats not how we-- I mean, she would act.." Brick felt the familiar surge of nostalgia, but he choked it back down again.

"Max, how much do you know about those girls?"