Endless Possibilities

Endless Possibilities

Author's Note: This is it, the exciting conclusion

Chapter 24 Part 2

XxXxX

"Why can't I be stronger? What's wrong with me?" A silence fell over the fireworks, blocking out all sensation around her. Within her, a strange warmth grew and her cheeks flushed. Peering skyward, she somehow knew that he was with her again.

Bubbles...Buuubbles...

"Octi...please you have to help me...Buttercup and Butch...she'll kill them if we don't save her. Please...please help me!"

You didn't trust me Bubbles...you hurt my feelings...

"I'm sorry...but Octi, I was afraid! I'm...I'm still afraid..."

I am with you...why are you afraid?

"Because Blossom is...she's...Buttercup said that...Octi please! I'm sorry!"

Well...maybe I could help you...but you have to give yourself to me...compleeetely...

"I...yes...yes I'll do anything, I promise! Please help me be strong again! So I can save my sister and my friends!"

...Very good...now say...Ah...

"Ah?" Bubbles gasped and a cloud of red smoke rose up from the ground, swirling around her legs, gently caressing her skin. Any wound it touched was instantly healed. The mist brushed her lips teasingly, imploringly. Realizing what he meant, Bubbles gulped and opened her mouth. The mist poured into her and heat filled every inch of her body. Her heart fluttered, and a great blue light began to radiate around her. Bubbles stared in awe for the briefest moment before screaming in agony. Every muscle tensed and power the likes of which she hadn't dreamed of in so long returned all at once. And suddenly she was in Townsville once more.

"Wow..." Bubbles jumped in place, swung a punch and observed herself as if waking up from a very, very deep sleep. It was as if she had never knew how to be alive before. Bubbles narrowed her eyes and looked skyward. Higher and higher, the deathly storm soared, waves of light more powerful than any weapon the Earth had ever known shooting through the air carelessly. It was only the grace of God that held the planet together now.

"I'm coming girls!" Bubbles shot into the air, eyes trained on her target. Blossom slashed through Butch's lasted energy shield and slammed him away with a vicious hammer blow. She dodged Buttercup's coming charge with a hysterical laugh and released a burst of lightning that coated the skyline. Butch leaped in front of his counterpart, shielding her with a wavering shield. Together they charged forward to engage their foe. Bubbles saw her chance and shot forward, throwing a devastating punch that managed to find its mark. Blossom stumbled, and the blue puff pressed her advantage.

"What?! Bubbles?!" Her shocked cry was quickly drowned under a flurry of attacks. Bubbles knocked her back just as the green duo reached them. Buttercup caught Blossom with a powerful kick, while Butch snatched her by her arm and swung her around, hurling her through the air.

"Fire! Now!" Three sets of heat rays shot through the air, searing the atmosphere and blasting the dark Powerpuff girl into the exosphere. Wasting no time, they followed after her. Buttercup paused in the charge, and gazed out just beyond the moon. Greater than any celestial body, more massive than any nightmare imaginable was Aku. She knew he was massive, but to even try to comprehend his form was like trying to imagine infinity. Thankfully, Aku's attention was diverted. A tiny ball of sparking white light circled him, firing powerful punches at his gargantuan form.

"Monkey!" Buttercup gasped. She looked around frantically, noticing more and more of the world's heroes engaged in combat with the demon. Major Glory, Val Halen, any and all heroes capable of flight were locked in the desperate struggle. Those who couldn't fly, manned an armada of spacecraft, more than the little girl would have even guess existed.

Even more amazing, were the giant mechanized robots. Buttercup had faced so many robots, all built by Mojo Jojo, but had never imagined so many had been built. The most amazing of them all was a giant robot that dwarfed all others, composed of four other robots combined. Listening closely, she could hear voices coming from it.

"Honey! Look out!"

"I'm on it, Dear!"

"Dex, what do we do?!"

"Shut up, DeeDee! I'm trying to think!" Buttercup gasped, watching the robot get knocked away. She started forward, but stopped as a wave of fiery energy, greater than anything Blossom had displayed, shot forward and obliterated most of the forces. Aku's eyes stopped glowing and he let out a bellowing laugh. She turned away and clenched her eyes shut. She'd deal with him later...for now.

"Keep your head in the game, Buttercup!"

"Buttercup! Look out!" Buttercup gasped and flew back, narrowly dodging Blossom's dark blade arm. She lunged at Blossom, earning her a swift backhand that sent her careening through space. Blossom whipped around, shifting her arm into a hammer and brutally hitting Butch in the chin. He flew away, blood pouring from his mouth and his only working eye eerily unfocused.

"It's just you and me, Bubbles...big sister versus little sister...I think the odds are stacked quite heavily in my favor," Bubbles hovered several miles from Blossom. Neither moved for the longest time, neither blinked.

"I don't know you anymore..." Bubbles whispered. Blossom gave her a cheeky grin and bowed, speaking in a husky voice.

"I'm Blossom, it's nice to finally meet you!" Bubbles narrowed her eyes dangerously and shot forward. Blossom grinned and rushed to cut her off. She proved faster, but was surprised to realize just how strong her "little sister" really was. Bubbles blocked the coming bladed slash and knocked her back with a dizzying punch. Blossom dodged the follow-up attack and kneed her in the gut. She promptly brought both fists crashing down at her back, but Bubbles whipped around in the air and kicked her in the face. Blossom snarled and dove back, only to be blasted to the side by a stream of green energy.

"What? You again...well...well, I can't say I wasn't hoping for this," Blossom grinned and eyed her two sisters, unable to hide-or perhaps unwilling to hide-her giddiness, "So this is what the fate of the world comes down to...the war of the goddesses. A grand, final showdown between three living, breathing, all-powerful deities! The greatest battle ever fought! Greater than the invasion at Normandy! Greater than the bloody battle at Gettysburg! Greater than Thermapylae! Greater than the fall of Lucifer himself! We stand at the threshold of history, sisters...the greatest battle of our lives-of any life-is about to ensue..." Blossom chuckled and shook her head. Her bladed arm returned to normal.

"I'm glad you're finally ready to take me seriously...because it's not pretend anymore!" She chuckled and waved her hand flippantly, "Let's roll," Blossom rushed at them. Bubbles spared Buttercup a determined glare. With a nod, they flew into what could very well be the last fight of their lives.

XxXxX

The streets of Townsville had grown eerily quiet with the loss of its combatants. The sky, however, had grown all the more chaotic. Flashes of light, some brighter than the sun, shattered the endless blackness above. On the ground, far, far below the catastrophe, a pair of dark blue eyes stirred and opened. He sat up and rubbed the throbbing spot on the side of his head, turning his eyes skyward on instinct. Even from his distant vantage point, he could pick her out amongst all the combatants. Vaguely, he smiled and chuckled, climbing to his feet.

"Wow...what happened?" Boomer walked through the remains of Townsville, in awe at just how much power she wielded. It was all the more amazing to simply look skyward and see just how little it had fazed her. Boomer blushed and smiled, promptly tripping and falling on his face. A pained voice groaned behind him.

"Ugh...watch it...you idiot...huh? Boomer?" Boomer sat up and looked back. Brick laid on the ground, in a deep crater splattered with blood. With a gasp and shock, he crawled closer to his brother, examining his extensive wounds.

"Wow...she kicked your butt!" Brick growled and fought to keep his eyes open.

"Don't you sound happy...where were you?" Boomer rubbed his head and laughed sheepishly.

"I guess Blossom knocked me out..."

"Pathetic...well?" Boomer blinked and stared blankly back at Brick.

"Well what?" Brick groaned and reached out, weakly grabbing Boomer's collar with his good arm. Using all of his strength, he tugged, but couldn't budge his brother.

"What are you still d-doing here? G-get up there and help those...help those stupid girls!" Boomer narrowed his eyes and looked up at the fight. Why would she need his help? She was perfect...she was the strongest, no one could beat her anyway. She was too smart to lose.

"Why?" Brick fell back, his arm dropping to the ground. Still he managed to sound intimidating. Enough to make Boomer flinch, rather.

"Aren't you going to...to help your fr-friends?!" Boomer blinked and realization hit him like a glass of cold water. He looked away, and muttered something, "What?!" Brick tried to sit up, but was roughly pushed back down. Boomer bit his lip and stood up.

"I am helping her..." Brick's eyes shot open, adrenaline gave him the strength to push up on one elbow. Boomer again shoved him back down, his normally mindless expression hardened to something terrifying.

"You...you're going to...to let her do this?! She's going to k-kill them! She'll kill us! She's...she's working for that jerk that backstabbed us!" Boomer shrugged and looked up at the sky again. Brick got back on his elbow, panting and struggling to remain upright.

"She's going to win you know?" Boomer said suddenly. Brick stared at him like he'd grown a second head. Boomer didn't look away, his eyes never left Blossom. His brother looked up at the sky, struggling to look up at the fight. His vision was fading, but briefly he saw Blossom cut Buttercup down. That sight, of Buttercup falling through space with a bloody cut across her shining chest, was the last thing he saw as he slipped into blackness once again. Brick's last thought, just as his head hit the ground, was a silent prayer that Boomer was wrong...and a silent admission that he just might be right.

XxXxX

"Buttercup!" Bubbles launched forward, screaming at the top of her lungs. Blossom spun around and screamed back, their dueling sonic screams canceling one another out. Their fists met and Bubbles was knocked back, her arm throbbing. She had no time to suffer; Blossom was on her in an instant, bloody blade slicing through the darkness. Bubbles managed to avoid the initial strike, but a burst of deadly pink energy quickly landed her a nasty cut on the cheek. Bubbles retaliated with a blast of blue light, only to gape in horror when Blossom casually slashed through it. Buttercup had been right...Blossom was getting stronger. With a snicker, Blossom flew at her, her arms becoming whips. Bubbles whimpered, but stayed strong, charging back at her. They needed her to be strong; this time she couldn't run away.

Buttercup soared helplessly through the depths of space, drifting on the edge of unconsciousness. Blood streamed around her, the wound in her chest hurt worse than any other she had received. She clenched her eyes shut and tried to move-pain dominated every thought. She grunted, her trip halted by a massive asteroid. Buttercup laid back and closed her eyes. It would be so much safer, so much easier to just drift off...to just give up.

'I can't do this...even with the Spirit...' Buttercup opened her eyes and was amazed at the sight before her. There, just overhead, was the Earth. Glistening blue and green despite the great shadow Aku cast on it. It had been...two years now since she looked at it like this.

'When we ran away...' When Mojo betrayed them, they had fled into space, unable to face the truth. Had it truly been their fault? Maybe, but the important thing was that they had gone back. They made things right. They were heroes, even when no one wanted them...the Earth was shining bright; it was remarkably beautiful despite the blood shed filling the space around it. Buttercup's right hand trembled, her eyes twitched. The Earth was glowing.

'Everyone is counting on me...the Professor, Ms. Keane...Bubbles...everyone...' The Earth was glowing, pulsing with the life of every living creature. Every plant and animal...every human counting on her. They needed a hero, they needed someone to be strong. Something to be brave. Someone to save the day. It was her duty...no it was her destiny, her purpose...it was her reason for ever being born. Buttercup slowly sat up, the wound on her chest had stopped bleeding. Her skin was glowing bright once again. Her right hand was shaking.

"I can't give up...not now...no...I can't lose...I won't lose..." She felt a brutal attack. Bubbles was losing, Bubbles needed her now more than ever. Buttercup climbed to her feet and kept staring at the Earth. With a serene smile, she shot off into space.

Blossom howled with laughter, kicking Bubbles around yet again. She snatched her fleeing form with one whip and pulled her back, slashing her with another violent lash. Bubbles twisted around, escaping the next swing. Blossom tutted and shook her head, smirking as her arms returned to normal.

"Poor, scared little Bubbles..." Bubbles shivered and raised her arms, though it was painfully obvious just how much effort it took her. Blossom grinned and began to glow brighter and brighter, the ball of pink fire around her becoming so bright that Bubbles couldn't look directly at her.

"It was fun...but I'm afraid I have a destiny to fulfill!" Blossom held out her hands and the glow around her grew to twice its previous size. Bubbles floated back in horror; she had no hope in the world of stopping Blossom's attack. And judging by how her sister's strength kept growing every second, Bubbles couldn't bear to imagine how devastating the coming attack would be on...on everything!

"Now, let me show you what Chemical X can really do!" Blossom noticed a flash of green light from the corner of her eye and quickly dodged Buttercup's charge. Their arms brushed and Buttercup's right arm seemed to catch on fire. She fell back, holding her wrist and staring at her arm. It was encased in a sheathe of green fire. Blossom stared at it, then slowly turned to face Buttercup. The pink aura still blazed around her, out of control and ready to destroy everything in her wake.

"You still won't die...you're as annoying as your counterpart," Buttercup growled and looked up at her. Though her arm was on fire, there was no pain.

"I'm not about to let you win," Blossom laughed and put her hands on her hips. Bubbles watched the fire around her grow steadily, and gave Buttercup a helpless glance.

"You can't beat me...really though, why would you even try? Haven't you realized just how powerful we are? Sure, I'm more powerful than either of you two could ever imagine, but we, the Powerpuff Girls, are more powerful than anything the world has ever seen, except for Aku himself!" Blossom grinned and looked at Aku with a faint blush.

"I swore I'd protect the people of Townsville, that I'd protect the people of Earth! You swore too!" Buttercup spat, holding her wrist tighter. There was a pressure building up in her right arm, it needed to be relieved. Blossom laughed bitterly and glared at Buttercup.

"They took advantage of us...why should we serve them? We're stronger than they are! We're special, moreso than anyone who ever came before us! We're not mere heroes, we're goddesses!" Buttercup shook her head, and stood up straight, staring right into Blossom's eyes.

"That's why I have to protect them from evil! That's why I have to protect them from freaks like you!" Blossom snarled and charged at her, "Because I'm special! Because I'm strong!" Blossom took a swing at Buttercup, who dodged and lashed out with her glowing arm.

"Because I'm a hero!" Buttercup felt a wave of immense release rush over her, and felt her arm blaze to life. And it felt, as though her arm had gone through Blossom. She heard an earth-shattering scream and pulled away, staring down at her right arm. What had once been glowing green fire had changed, becoming a shimmering blade of green energy, surrounding her fist. Buttercup swung it, then looked up in shock at her sister. Blossom clutched her chest, the black surface pierced by her sister's new power.

"I...I hurt her!" Her joy was cut short as Blossom continued screaming, clutching her face. The green faded from her cheeks, her hair lightened and her black skin cracked, the edges glowing red as though burnt. With a silent explosion, a dome of black light erupting from her chest and flooding the depths of space. When it faded, Blossom floated, her former self once again. She stared at Buttercup, looking absolutely betrayed. Though Bubbles screamed excitedly, Buttercup's glare only hardened.

Blossom still clutched her chest, tears streaming down her face. With a sudden heave, she doubled over and vomited, blood pouring down her soiled dress. Bubbles' joy ended instantly, replaced by a scream of terror. Blossom's eyes were wide and frightened. She clutched her chest with both hands and vomited again. The cut on her chest wasn't healing, in fact it seemed to be bleeding worse than it should.

"Blossom what's wrong?! Blossom! Blossom!" Bubbles flew toward her sister, only to be carelessly batted aside. A dark form shot through space and snatched Blossom. The massive black bird screamed and a tear appeared in the vacuum.

"No! Get back here!" Buttercup rushed after Aku, managing to slide into the portal just as it closed.

XxXxX

Buttercup stumbled out of the portal and landed on the hot stone floor. She looked around the Pit of Hate and spotted her target, energy sword blazing on her arm.

"You! Get back here!" She chased the bird clear up to the bottomless pit, cursing when it disappeared into the depths. The hero looked down and spotted her sister, lying on the ground at the edge of the pit-wracked with convulsions and bleeding worse yet. She started toward her when a dark shadow shot up from the pit. Soon she was glaring into the burning eyes of Aku himself.

"Do not approach her, Green Child...you have proven a most formidable opponent, but rest assured. You are no match for Aku," Buttercup sneered. And started forward, swinging the sword dangerously.

"I'm not afraid of you! I have the power to kill you! I have the Spirit of Righteousness!" Aku backed away, growling and glaring at the sword. That explained the sudden fear that had flooded his invincible soul. He glared at Buttercup and folded his arms behind his back.

"Even with the power to defeat Aku, you lack the strength...you cannot win, child," With another snort, Buttercup took another step forward. She stopped abruptly. Both parties looked down, watching Blossom climb onto shaking legs. She held out her arms and stood in front of Aku, panting and crying, blood trickled down her lips. Her entire body was violently trembling.

"No...no I won't let you...I'll...I'll fight you...I'll...I'll beat you...you can't hurt him...you can't..." Buttercup took a shocked step back, but her glare only hardened.

"So I was right...all of that really was you...you really are a sick freak," Blossom glared, but swallowed and tried to steady her shaking.

"Leave...get away...I won't let you fight him...you have to kill me first," Aku froze, staring at the two children. His nervous gaze drifted from Blossom to Buttercup, who seemed to be fighting with the decision to do just as her sister asked. His chest clenched in a way more painful than anything he'd ever felt before. Blossom narrowed her eyes and took a step toward Buttercup, falling flat on her face-unconscious.

"What the? What did you do to her?!" Buttercup cried, rushing forward and kneeling next to Blossom. Aku turned around, unable to face them.

"Leave this place...take her to your father, surely he can save the Red Child...quickly! Leave Aku!" Buttercup glowered and looked down at her sword. She looked at Aku again and seemed torn. Finally, it was the thought of Bubbles, who would never forgive her, that forced her to pick up Blossom and turn to leave. Aku listened carefully, his head bowed. He closed his eyes and swallowed. A sparkling drop of blood slid down his cheek.