Powerpuff Girls V.2 IC thread.

[Iris]

((Time for a twist, I'm surprised none of you picked up on this ))


"To be quite frank my dear boy, the explosion was a lie, pure fiction. You see the boy who put you up to this job had his owns reasons, he had to follow an agenda that was not his own... but we will come to that part later." The man dismissed tFab's first query, "Now to answer your last question before I answer the middle, otherwise I'd bore you to death by doing everything the 'normal' way. No you don't have to see the girl, that is your choice and your responsibility, any action you undertake is have it's ups and downs but hey, that's life."

"As for the clue, well... I think I'll just humour you and give you the answer rather than dull what ever senses you have before this mind game started." The man said lazily taking a seat next to the assassin, "In simple terms; you must save one other person. In life you are expected to have some sort of choice, some sort of agenda behind everything you do. For example; You choose to do this job because the pay was good and your morale sense told you that letting the city 'die in a horrible explosion' wouldn't be that great for business. Am I right?"

"Now to the confusing part of this boring old story; You know that something happened that never really happened in the end. You know that you lived a future that will never occur. A second life if you will.
But what happens if everything you were expected to live through never occured, a happy childhood, a caring family, a fullfilling job and to that extent, job satisfaction?"

The man now turned to look directly at the demon's face, "Tell me, what does the man look like. Describe your 'employer's face', describe his eyes, hair, height, smile, ears and build. Haven't you been curious to the fact that when you met Ignatius, you could see him and yet you cannot describe him?"

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

“Wait, wait a minute... Are you saying that the explosion is never going to happen?”

tFab looked back at the man with wide eyes. So, what was all that back at the construction site then?

“And what do you mean she’s my responsibility? So then she is important. Heh, another reason to freak her out with my cattiness. Sweet.”

tFab chuckled at the man’s comments concerning his dulling senses, but frowned at the revelation that he must save another person for the next clue to be revealed, unless the person IS the clue.

“Do I know this person or maybe will know them three years from now? And, yes, you are right concerning why I chose this job. That and if I didn’t do something, then my future could be drastically altered, which I now believe is not going to happen anyway. The future is what we make it, right?”

tFab was about to say something to the man concerning what his future will become if everything follows normally and nothing is altered, but just shrugged the notion away.

“You are right. I may never experience those things since my future can be changed, but I will still have my memories of those events and if I ever wanted to go back to that life, then I know what to look forward to and how to get there.”

The next question completely threw tFab off-guard and he was left staring back at the old man in complete confusion.

“I…uh…don’t know exactly… His face was always covered in darkness whenever he made his full presence known to me and most of the time he was just a disembodied voice. And yes, I have been curious to that fact. So what, is he a nobody, someone who has no identity?”

[Iris]

"The truth is far more sinister, Ignatius is a boy who takes great care with protecting himself and his 'other priorities'. You see he was my aid... my bodyguard if you will." The man gave a small sign of discomfort, "Where ever I went he'd follow, he never once questioned my decisions nor my faults and failures. Perhaps he was blind to them or was willing to look over them for the greater purpose in HIS name."

A small chuckle escaped, "I suppose you wouldn't have heard of the God-emperor that watches over us, no matter, all that you know is that myself and Ignatius serve a greater purpose under his eyes. To protect his empire and his people."

"But we can put that aside for the moment, the girl you mentioned, she is but an image lost within a shattered mirror..." Another chuckle escaped, "Sorry, couldn't resist that one. The girl is not originally from this universe, a vision beheld by Ignatius showed him that she was born in a parallel universe and the events that transpired in this world was reflected in that world.

And since she, metaphorically speaking, is a reflection. What would that mean to you?"

The man now stood up and stretched, "You must be wondering why I can tell you this while the boy has to talk in riddles... I am a psychic projection from another dimension and to tell the truth I am not the clue. Ignatius' fragments foresaw many futures and this was one but due to their short-sightedness did not expect me to play MY hand in this affair."

He paused for a moment as a smile appeared, "Then again, they might have. The problem with seers you see is that they can know everything but cannot change it themselves for the results would drive them insane. And I think you've met that aspect of Ignatius already.

Now then, I cannot interfere with the charge you've been given as it is your choice to help 'save' the girl but I'd like to request one thing from you.

A man who fears a bitter and broken reflection, is damned for eternity. And a man who has embraced the darkness without understanding balance between light and dark is truly lost.

Save my former aid from his greatest enemy. Save him from himself.

I will give you a chance to look into his past. Not that from the future but from the current but from the boy who had followed me to hell and back."

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

tFab listened intently to the man as he explained the situation, and once again found more questions swarming around in his head than answers. Only one question stood out the most in his mind and he had a gut feeling that it would help answer a lot more.

“From what you are telling me, this girl whom I’ve been thinking is Bubbles, the Powerpuff Girl, is really from a parallel universe that mirrors this one in every aspect. That girl is not who she says she is and she lied to me! She’s probably hiding the real Bubbles somewhere in the hopes that I would just forget about my original mission! When I get my hands on her, I’ll…”

tFab stopped his ranting and looked back at the man with a sheepish grin.

“Eh, pay no attention to my ramblings. I’ll deal with her soon enough for lying to me. As far as what it would mean to me that she’s a reflection? Well, for a reflection, she has some nice digs and good chocolate.”

tFab shrugged and then asked the question that was really on his mind.

“With all that you’ve just told me, does this mean that Ignatius is really the other person whom I must help? And if so, how can I find him? Or is that part of the whole mystery? Damn, I ended up asking more questions than I wanted to again…” >.<

[Iris]

"Who knows, perhaps she is, perhaps she isn't. But as Ignatius use to say, 'Where does the truth begin and where does a lie end? When does a lie save and when does the truth destroy?' It use to frustrate me when he told me that... Every question I asked him ened with him giving me only more questions than answers, but there is truth in his words. Though you'll have to come up with an answer when you next see him." The man replied carefully taking his measure of the demon before him.

"There was a time when Ignatius convinced me that he was..." He stopped his explanation, as though he was hesitent to tell the tale, "Perhaps he will explain when you ask him, I won't tell a tale that does not involve me.

No, no I cannot explain that aspect of the boy, it wouldn't be fair... even if life isn't as his superior it is something I can afford, this time only of course.

I will give you his location once you've made you decision. Do you wish to confront the girl now, in the state you are in, with the anger and frustration that suspiction has created?

You cannot do both... not yet.

I think you'll understand if you give it a moment's thought."

The man sighed, "But you must decide soon I fear, my saviour cannot hold this connection for long, for our enemies will likely discover my involvement and with that all would have been for nothing."

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

“Yeah, same here… It seemed that all the questions that I asked him only led to more questions without any clear answers. It was frustrating, to say the least.”

tFab didn’t have to think twice though about his decision.

“I’m going to confront her first with my anger and frustration as you have just said because in order to face Ignatius I’m going to need a clear head in order to deal with his riddles. I know for sure that I won’t be able to concentrate on anything he says if I have pent-up anger directed at that girl.”

[Yetisarge]

"Well I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to head down to the gun range. Mostly just to show off some to the hot shots down there." Zim said with a snicker as he headed in the direction of the gun range.

"So why is the pretty lady sad?" Gir asked having gone into a bit of a sleep mode from being in the car for so long.

[Iris]

"As you wish, may you find what you seek and the grace of the holy emperor watch over you." The man began to say before he looked aside, there was someone with him, "Perhaps... well boy I think we will never meet again but it's been interesting, oh take this."

The man give an envelop to tFab, which surprisingly was solid eventhough the man himself was no more than an image, "Once you've confronted the girl I think you'll learn the truth... whatever it maybe. Once you've done what you think is right, then you can find my aid..."

He gave a small nod and faded away.

[Alu]

~*HIM*~
"Hmmm?" HIM thought to himself as her heard Bubbles voice ring in his head.

"You need a favor of some kind?" He asked sitting up on his read leather sofa, his pointed boots clicking softly as they touched down on his non existent floor.

"I suppose I could do something for my favorite girl...." He added cautiously, his claw glancing over his chin in thought.

[Kat]

BC

Buttercup tensed her shoulders and cocked her head and, sensing only her sister's power (and Brat's down the hall, which she ignored), strode forcefully into Brat's room to glare at her "baby" sister.

"You st - " she froze, staring at the redheaded girl standing next to a semi-recognizable Bubbles.

"Now who the fuck..?" she wondered aloud, her head slightly lighter than it had been moments before.

[TrickyLA]

Bubbles

Perfect.....

Bubbles gulped, refusing to meet Buttercup's eyes. Instead, she focused on Berserk. She gave her a warning look, hoping she wouldn't reveal her plans to her sister.

"Buttercup."

She nodded once, cursing Brat's name for brining her here of all places.

Aww, you're so sweet! You remember the Demon Incursion right? Brick's demonic powers were very, very evil as I recall. Berserk is a bit of a fool though, easily reigned in. And recently powerless.

Frowning, she looked up to Buttercup. Her sister looked different, but she knew those sparkling green eyes anywhere.

"What the fuck do you want?"

You see, Brick used his power to steal away Berserk's power. Berserk is a Powerpunk Girl from a mirror world to ours. She's Blossom's counterpart, though I'm not sure of her team position.

"Can't you see I'm busy with my friend here?"

The point is, she needs some power. I know you love your pawns, so I figured you wouldn't be too against giving our poor dear Berserk a hand. I would give her Chemical X, but where would the fun in THAT be eh?

"You didn't even knock. Buttercup you are sooooo rude!"

She giggled, pouting slightly.

"Heya sis, I'm back!!"

I'd really appreciate if you would look into it. Unfortunately, Brat's apartment is right where Buttercup lives. I'm a bit tied up at the moment, but you know. Nothing I can't handle. Brat is my counterpart. Seems she's tried to turn her life around. A pity really. I think we're linked now, maybe I can convince her to give up on that hero nonsense. I heard someone once say: Once a Slut always a Slut.

She looked at Berserk then, her eyes blazing in warning. If she screwed this up, she was going to get it.

[Wolfy]

Arken

After Buttercup had left not-so quietly, Arken woke up. He stretched and yawned, then checked a clock on the wall.

"I've been a sleep for a while...How long has it been since I've slept that much in a day? A few years or so maybe?" he said aloud.

He sat back down in the chair he woke up in. He was still in Buttercup's room and he wasn't sure why. Maybe he was waiting for her to return. He rested his head in one of his hands, and began to think silently.

You've been awfully quiet lately. he said to his inner self.

"Eh...I just haven't had anything to say." the inner Arken replied.

Well that's unusual. He thought for a moment, then said You know that if Buttercup decides to keep the child, we won't really be able to continue with our experiments, right?

"Yeah, yeah. I was trying to come up with a way around it, but there really isn't one. We'll just have to give it up until the kid is grown up."

And you're willing to wait until that time comes?

"Of course not, but I don't really have a choice. Besides, I honestly doubt our experimentation would pay off anyway."

I suppose you're right.

Then for a while, he sat there silently, waiting for something to happen.

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

tFab took the envelope from the man and turned it over in his hands. It looked very old, but didn’t have any markings on it at all. No seal, no inscription, nothing. Just a plain brown envelope.

“Heh, I guess I really shouldn’t have expected anything more. And thanks for everything, uh…whatever your name is.”

The man nodded and faded away just then and tFab was left sitting alone in the park once again. After opening up the case and placing the envelope on top of the stacked gold bars for safe keeping, tFab picked up the case and walked off towards the apartment building where he suspected the Powerpuff imposter was still somewhere in the vicinity.

“That damn girl…” tFab muttered to himself as he walked along. “That, that…brat! When I get my hands on her for lying to me, I’ll…”

He stopped suddenly and stared straight ahead. Truth be told, he didn’t exactly know what he was going to do to her other than freak her out with his cat form and set himself on fire. He didn’t really want to physically harm her as there could be the slim chance that she really did play a huge part in all of this, and she could still know the location of the Powerpuffs. Harming someone who you need later on would be a very stupid thing to do. tFab shook his head and resumed his walk.

“Of all the people in this city, she had to be the one. The one whom I must rid of inner demons or whatever it is. Great, just great… And then I can go find Ignatius and see what he’s been up to since we last talked. He really needs to stop being so damn complicated and be more straight-forward like that other guy.”

tFab finally reached the building and walked through the double doors. Upon reaching the elevator, he pressed the up arrow and waited for the car to arrive. Once the doors opened, he stepped into the car and pushed the button for the fifth floor.

[TrickyLA]

Brat

Brat cursed silently. She was too late, Buttercup had invaded her room before she could stall her.

Great.....just great.....

She felt Bubbles trying to communicate with someone, but opted to ignore it for now. Bubbles would probably fill her in on everything later anyway. Sighing heavily, Brat decided to lounge in the hallways until she was truly needed. No use barging in unwanted now.

"Just my luck......"

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

The elevator doors opened with a *ding* and tFab stepped into the foyer of the hallway. His plant was still left untouched and with its large clay pot and dense foliage, it would be the perfect hiding spot for his silver case. After concealing the case behind the pot and some large, flat leaves, tFab ventured down the length of the hallway.

“Now to find that girl…” he muttered.

[TrickyLA]

Brat

Brat frowned, obviously bored. She decided to just wander the fifth floor for awhile, but still keep tabs on what was going on in her room. It was a hassle to have everyone gathered in her room, just itching for a fight, but she knew she would have to tolerate it for now. This was for Bubbles....and Buttercup. She frowned to herself, still very angry at the green puff.

Bubbles will probably give her a hard time, no need for me to be scornful right now....

Still, she couldn't help but remain bitter about it, a trait that was hard to ignore from back in her Punk days. Sighing again, she tried to calm herself by humming. She ended up humming the old theme song of her team, but when she realized what she was doing she quickly changed her tune to the Powerpuff Girls theme. At least theirs was nicer.

She closed her eyes, managing to be content for now with walking the halls and humming aloud.

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

Immediately after rounding a corner, tFab was met with all kinds of smells and auras coming off of people. It was like a human potpourri and it temporarily overpowered him.

“Geez, some of these people need to take a shower! And someone around here is using waaay too much perfume! GAH!”

Even in his human form, tFab had a strong sense of smell and all the aromas and auras around him were proving to be too much. He quickened his pace and rounded another corner before crashing into somebody.

“Hey, watch where you’re going!” he shouted as he slowly got up from the floor.

[TrickyLA]

Brat

Brat wasn't really paying attention to where she was going. Since most of the fifth floor was usually empty, she didn't feel the need to be hyper aware of anything except what was going on in her room. So, imagine her surprise when she found herself slamming into the floor about half a second after turning a corner.

Hey, watch where you're going!

Brat growled a bit, but held it in. No need to rip this person limb from limb because of her mistake.

"Owwww...."

Rubbing her ass, Brat blinked a few times before finally focusing on the person in front of her. Despite her mental orders, her eyes had filled with tears for seemingly no reason.

Familiar....

Shaking her head, Brat sighed. Today just wasn't her day. Mumbling a quick apology, she quickly scanned her memory to figure out where she had seen that person before. When she finally came to a conclusion, it wasn't pretty. Scowling, Brat merely narrowed her eyes at the figure. She didn't even bother getting up from her spot on the floor.

"What are you doing here?"

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Bubbles impersonator,” smirked tFab as he dusted himself off. “Since you asked, I’m here to find you and let you know that I am extremely unhappy at you for lying to me!”

He glared down at her figure on the floor, veins throbbing in his head.

“For one thing, I now know that Bubbles is not your real name and that you are not her and for another, I bet that you do know where the Powerpuff Girls are. You already know why I need to find them so you better start talking before I’ll need to use…other methods of persuasion. So, first question; what is your real name and second question; where are the Powerpuff Girls?”

[TrickyLA]

Brat

Brat blinked once, then she blinked again. Where exactly did this guy get off anyway? She merely rolled her eyes, sticking her tongue out. He sure looked angry.

"I have no idea WHAT you're talking about. Who exactly was your source of information....mister kitty?"

She snickered to herself, pissing this guy off might actually be fun.

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

tFab grinned down at her menacingly. He was going to have fun with this.

“Then I’ll just have to jog your memory. And as for my source? None of your concern.”

He slowly changed into his cat form, taking his time as he watched her carefully; his yellowish-green eyes unblinking. Once he stood before her as a cat, he ignited himself. The reddish-orange flames shot up towards the ceiling and he took a step towards her.

“Now then, what is your real name and where are the Powerpuff Girls?”

[TrickyLA]

Brat

Brat stared at tFab for a moment, she could barely stand him as a human as it was. Now there he was, a cat again.

A flaming cat.

Brat shivered, frowning at the suddent turn of events. Sure, she wanted to piss him off a little, but she had no idea he would catch on FIRE.

"Y-you cats really ARE from hell! Get away from me!"

She backed away slowly, trying not to show fear. Unfortunately, it seemed as though she couldn't stop a a little bit of the fear from creeping onto her expression. She was more furious at the cat though. What the hell was his problem anyway? Why did he have to know these things? One thing was for sure though, she wasn't going to tell him anything.

Still, that didn't mean she wanted to be within 10 feet of him. She stumbled back a bit more, crawling to get out of the way.

"Leave me alone you....you beast!"

Remembering her last experience with a cat was the last thing she wanted to do, but she couldn't stop the images from rushing back into her head. She whimpered at the memory, a fresh wave of disgust washing over her.

"Stay....away...."

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

tFab grinned eerily and tilted his head to one side as he slowly walked towards her.

“What’s the matter? Afraid of a flaming feline? How unfortunate for you then.”

To say that he was enjoying this would be an understatement. He clearly saw the fear in her eyes and it felt great to know that he could still pull off a good intimidation.

“All I want to know are the answers to my questions. Tell me them, and I will take my leave.”

[TrickyLA]

Brat

Brat glowered at tFab, being the former leader of the PowerPunk Girls had taught her to never surrender. Surrender and you're dead, she had to learn that at an early age.

"I don't know anything. Leave me alone!"

She hated cats and he knew it. He was using it to his advantage and it only made Brat hate him all the more. He wasn't fighting fairly and it pissed her off. If she had one over on him it would make things so much more fair.

But all I have that doesn't relate to fighting is my seduction prowess....and I don't want to sink that low again so soon...if ever again. It probably wouldn't even work. How could it? He's just a heartless beast sent to torment me....

Frowning, she decided that she'd have to try it as a last ditch effort.

"Why would you purposely try to scare off an innocent girl huh? You're so mean....I hate you....you.....fleabag!"

Okay, that sounded lame even to her, but who could really think when a flaming kitty was walking towards you? She stumbled backwards some more until, to her dismay, her back reached the wall.

Oh no.....

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

“Yeah, sure you don’t. And you’re also not from a universe parallel to this one, where everything and everyone is perfectly mirrored. Gotcha.”

tFab let the sarcasm sink in. He knew a lot more about her from that old man than he did when he first met her several days ago. He scoffed at her attempt to act innocent and sat down on the polished wooden floor. She was up against the wall with no escape and it would be pointless to advance any further. And besides, someone who is cornered is likely to lash out and tFab didn’t know what kind of powers this girl had, if any.

“You’re not that innocent. Innocent people don’t lie unless they’re trying to cover for someone. So, who are you covering for? One of the Girls perhaps? Maybe I should go take a look in your room…”

tFab grinned again and started to turn around. If he could get her to talk now it would save him the trip, but he would need to go to her room anyway if they were really there.

[TrickyLA]

Brat

Brat stiffened, he really did know more than he let on. Still, despite her obvious fright, she could NOT let him go into her room. No matter what. In a spontaneous act of courage, she scrambled to her feet and pounced on the flaming cat.

"NO! I won't you snoop around with your grubby little paws of evil! Thay's MY stuff, don't you go near it!"

Of course, this hurt just like when Brick had had used his fire on her. Except back then her clothes had burned off. She smelled the burning cloth before she felt it. Cursing herself for being so rash.

Shit! Pouncing on him and holding him down like this is NOT good for my state of clothing! Will I EVER learn!?

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

tFab was about to take a stroll to her room when he felt a tremendous weight on top of him. Apparently, the girl wasn’t so frightened of a burning feline after all.

“Ooof!”

tFab wriggled his head out from under her and extinguished his flames. He didn’t want her clothes to burn off, although that would have been interesting to see.

“Hmm, judging by your sudden act of fearlessness, I’d say that you do have something important in that room, and not just personal possessions.”

He then unsheathed his claws and prepared to slash at her arm.

“Now, get off me and I won’t have to turn your arm into a rose garden,” he warned.

[TrickyLA]

Brat

"No, actually I just have had it with you mister kitty. Threatening to look into my stuff as if I was some sort of THREAT is crossing me line."

She had to remember, she is BRAT PLUTONIUM. She can't be afraid of cats anymore. Still, that didn't mean she couldn't still hate them.

"Go ahead, make my day. I've suffered worse things than you."

She grumbled a little bit, at least grateful that she wouldn't have to relive the Brick incident today. She shifted her weight so that she was more on him than before an glared.

"Put those away asshole."

While it was true that she had probably suffered much worse, she didn't really want to go through that at the moment.

[TheTimeSweeper]

-tFabikcalcer-

tFab sighed and shrugged his shoulders as best as he could underneath her weight.

“Fine, fine. I didn’t really want to harm you anyway. What good are you to my mission if you’re physically hurt?”

He sheathed his claws and changed back to his human self, shifting his weight beneath her. He then formed a small fireball in his palm and held it up to her head.

“How about this? Get off of me and I won’t have to singe your lovely blonde hair.”

[TrickyLA]

Brat

Brat's eyes narrowed considerably, how DARE this guy threaten her hair?

"Get your hand away from me or I'll scream."

Ooh look at this position! You know you want to do something about this. Come on, play with him for awhile! You know he deservs to be teased. You know you want to do it. He won't WANT to threaten your hair by the time you finish!

Brat scowled, banishing the voice. She would not stoop to that. She could get out of this on her own.

"I'm warning you not to touch my hair, vermin. There will be severe consequences if you do, the last person who messed with it got pretty messed up."