Adult-FanFiction.org : Cartoons

Dreams of an Absolution	By : DeusExProcella Category: +M through R > PowerPuff Girls Views: 9670 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the Powerpuff Girls or any related characters. All characters exclusive to this story do belong to me. I make no money from these writings.

Chapter List
- 57
- 58
- 59
"Hopeless time to roam

The distance to your home

Fades away to nowhere

How much are you worth?

You can't come down to Earth

You're swelling up

You're unstoppable"

New Born (Muse "Origin of Symmetry")

Dreams of an Absolution

Chapter 51

Drifting carelessly through the sky, heading home after an event-less day at school, Blossom rolled through the clouds, breaking into the sunlight high overhead. She closed her eyes, sighing softly as the sun dried up the dampness in her uniform. Time was marching on at a quick, steady pace. It had already been several days since the attack of the Great Old One. While Mr. Green was certain that wasn't to be the last of the giant monster attacks, Blossom didn't concern herself with the thought.

If anything left in the world sought to destroy her, they'd find themselves quickly outmatched. If not by her near unlimited power, then by the power of the world's future master. Every day, Aku's power grew as fear and panic spread through the city of Townsville, and from it into the rest of the world.

So many had sworn themselves to his service, thugs and meat-heads gave up their mortal selves to become minions, made in Chamberlain's image. Those who refused, or those too important to leave to their own devices, had their souls torn away to serve Demongo. Off the top of her head, she knew that the chief of police, the governor, and the district attorney had joined their ranks.

Anyone who dared to cross her couldn't begin to fathom the extent of Aku's hold.

"Hm?" Blossom opened her eyes and smiled, glancing at her new companions, "I thought you both went home already,"

Buttercup folded her arms behind her head, staring up at the sky, "Well we were gonna, but then we saw you go up here and, uh...I mean, what do you care?" despite her flippant tone, her sister caught the sight of the smile she tried to hold back.

Bubbles giggled, stretching and yawning, "It's been a long time since we came up here to just relax," she pointed out with a grin.

"Yeah...things have been so hectic. It really is nice, isn't it?" Blossom asked, closing her eyes again. She knew she shouldn't...but, before she could stop herself, she slid two tentacles free and pulled her sisters closer to her. The secret appendages slipped away before either could get a good glance at them.

"Woah!" Bubbles squealed, hands flying to her mouth, "What was that?"

Buttercup stared incredulously at Blossom, shivering when the taller girl wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Those were your…"

The redhead shushed them both and hugged them close, "It's nothing to be afraid of. Don't worry about it, okay?" She took a deep breath and sighed happily, kissing Bubbles' head, then Buttercup's. "I missed this," she admitted, "Just, being with you two. I know it's my fault we haven't been as close as we used to be. So, just don't get mad if I'm a little clingy, alright?"

"It...it wasn't your fault. I mean I'm the one who got really upset and made the Professor move you," Buttercup pointed out.

Bubbles sighed, "I didn't even talk to you for forever...I'm sorry, Blossom,"

Blossom giggled. Though there were tears in her eyes, she refused to let them fall, "No, you both stop it. Everything that happened to us, every bit of it was my fault. I tried…" Blossom sighed, her smile finally fading, "I thought I wanted to kill you."

The three floated on in complete silence. They'd never spoken so openly about what happened. Not without screaming, or shouting, or tears and anger. Not like this.

"Would you have? If...you won," Buttercup asked, her voice catching mid sentence.

Blossom sighed, "Maybe...maybe I would have. I was so confused and scared back then. I was so scared…"

"Why?" Bubbles asked with a small whisper.

Blossom licked her lips, "I was dying. Mojo...messed with my chemical make up, and it was killing me. So, I ran to Aku, knowing he could save me. When he did, I just...I was ready to do anything he asked. I was willing to believe anything he told me,"

Blossom held her hand up, reaching out toward the sun.

She stared into the light unblinking.

"He never told me to kill you. He never asked me to fight you. But, I think a part of me wanted to. I felt so isolated and alone. I just wanted to make you understand how much I hurt…" she pursed her lips and scrunched her nose. She clasped her hand, "I didn't mean the things I said. I was so bitter and angry, I just attacked you because you were protecting them. The people who had hurt me. You were just collateral damage in my war against...everyone," Blossom closed her eyes and shook her head, "I don't hate you, I never hated you. Deep inside, I know I still loved you. I still love you both, more than anything,"

Bubbles shifted uncomfortably in her embrace. She looked up when Blossom turned to face her, swallowing a lump in her throat, "You aren't sorry, are you? If we hadn't...you really would have…" she trailed off, burying her face in Blossom's shoulder.

"...Yeah, I think I would have," Blossom laughed and tightened her hold on them both. She would have wiped Townsville off the face of the Earth without batting an eyelash. She'd have killed every man, woman, and child in the city, at the drop of a dime. The very thought caused her chest to swell and her stomach to fill up with butterflies. Just imagining it brought a vicious smile to her face, "But...I think I knew you wouldn't let me,"

Buttercup glanced at Blossom and bit her lip. When Blossom hugged her, she forced her eyes shut and looked away. Her teeth were clenched, her chest hurt, "You still want to, don't you?" She turned back, pulling away from Blossom finally. She hovered over her, mitts trembling at her sides, jaw set and eyes narrowed. She swallowed her fear and spoke in a fiercer voice, "You...you aren't crazy, but you are...you are…" Her head fell. She shivered and finally let a tear slip free when Blossom wrapped her arms around her.

She was so much taller now; Buttercup felt so small in her arms.

She hated how much she enjoyed that feeling.

"I am evil," She whispered. The air around them seemed to stop. Everything was silent, save for the sound of two hearts pounding in two little bodies, "I'm everything you've been telling people I'm not. A wicked, heartless monster,"

"Why?" Buttercup hissed through clenched teeth.

"Because I can never let them take another sister away from me," Blossom responded, growling deep in her throat. She tightened her hold on Buttercup and clenched her eyes shut. She dug her fingers into her, clutching at her as if she might vanish if she let her go.

"Blossom, that wasn't…" Bubbles swallowed, floating closer. "It wasn't your fault,"

"Yes it was!" Blossom hissed, finally pulling away from Buttercup. She floated away from the two of them, running her hands through her hair. Her horns were poking at the top of her head, her skin was darkening and the air around her was becoming a swirling snow storm, "It was my fault! I could have saved her! I could have saved Bunny!"

She snarled and forced her hands down, forced her power to settle into a low rumble in the air around her. She stared at her hand, "I could have saved her…" she whispered. Finally her power fizzled out. Blossom sighed, "I can't lose either of you. I won't ever hold back again. I won't ever let anyone hurt you. I…" she breathed heavily, the venom in her words tasting so sweet on the tip of her tongue, "I will kill everyone who tries to take you away from me,"

Blossom felt a little tap on her shoulder and turned around. This time, it was Bubbles and Buttercup who hugged her. Blossom let fresh tears fall and hugged them both close, "I don't care if you hate me, I just can't lose you. I can't let anyone take you away,"

"We don't hate you, Blossom…" Buttercup whispered.

"We love you, too," Bubbles finished.

XxXxX

By the time the girls arrived home, it was already starting to get late. The three were chattering excitedly as they slipped inside. The sisters fell quiet almost instantly, when they noticed all the lights off, save for the kitchen light. Listening closely, they could hear voices coming from the dining room.

This late, the only person who would be visiting would be Ms. Keane. But why all the lights out? Why the secrecy? Something was definitely different in the air. While the adults were clearly whispering, they both seemed excited, and emotional. In fact, the girls were sure they could hear someone sniffling.

The sisters tip-toed through the living room, poking their heads around the corner one by one. Bubbles gasped and flew into the dining room, suddenly.

"Ms. Keane! Professor! Why are you crying!? What happened?" she shrieked, quickly flying to the table. The adults laughed, and, when she lifted her hand to her mouth, Blossom caught sight of something on Ms. Keane's finger.

Her stomach did a flip and a goofy smile spread across her face. Buttercup seemed confused, especially after catching sight of Blossom's smile.

"Well...um…" Ms. Keane blushed and looked up at the Professor.

He chuckled and caressed her hand with his thumb, giving it a squeeze, "I guess there's no point in waiting...they'll find out sooner or later,"

"You're right," Ms. Keane giggled. She sighed happily and opened her mouth to speak. Instead, she began giggling again, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks.

Bubbles was beyond concerned now, "What? Tell us what? What happened?"

"Well, you girls were running late, and I...ahem, well I got a little antsy and I...well, I figured, we've put it off long enough, so, I, um," the Professor trailed off, grinning at Ms. Keane.

The girl's old teacher finally held her hand up, giving the girls a good look at the ring on her finger, "Your father finally asked me to marry him," she hurriedly explained, before squealing and giggling again.

It took a full minute for the explanation to sink in. Slowly, all three of the girls' expressions became giant grins. Bubbles shot into the air, "You're getting married?! You're getting married!?" she shrieked.

"We're getting married!" Ms. Keane squealed back, matching her future daughter's excitement. They both shrieked and Bubbles threw herself into Ms. Keane's arms, chanting "You're getting married!" over and over again. Buttercup and Blossom hurried to the table, the former rushing to the Professor's side.

She playfully punched him in the shoulder, "I didn't think you had it in ya, Professor!" she exclaimed.

Blossom laughed and put her hands on her hips, winking, "Yeah, we thought you'd never actually get further than 'I, I, I,'..." Blossom teased, the two sisters and their father laughing.

The Professor wiped his eyes, pulling Buttercup into his lap and ruffling her hair, "Well, I'll have you know I managed a whole two words before I started stuttering," he said with a wink. The girls giggled and Blossom accepted his hug, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek.

"You're finally getting married," she whispered, tightening her hug and kissing his cheek again, "You're finally getting married!" she squealed in a louder whisper.

The Professor laughed, returning the kiss on her cheek, "I am…"

Ms. Keane looked up, "We are!"

The Blossom and Bubbles squealed again, while Buttercup fought against the urge to join them.

For the rest of the evening, it was all the family could talk about. The adults had already picked out a date, which managed to work out, thanks to a few favors the Professor was able to call in. They had decided to get married on Valentine's Day, to commemorate their very first date, which the girls themselves had set up. Back then, after the fight they'd had, it seemed impossible to imagine they might end up together again.

But, now, the big day was just around the corner. As she called her good night and retreated to her room, Blossom couldn't stop thinking about it. And every time she thought about it, she broke out in the biggest smile.

"You arrive at last! What has you in such a mood, Blossom?" Aku asked, looking up from where he sat on her bed. He had been buried in one of her many books, with her Devil Blossom doll laying on the pillow beside him. He gestured to the doll, "You've been away all evening, Aku had to make do with much quieter company," he teased. Blossom stuck her tongue out at him and stepped into the closet, slipping out of her school uniform.

"I was spending time with my sisters," she explained, "And...and…" she took a deep breath, settling her nerves as she pulled her night gown over her head, "The Professor and Ms. Keane are finally getting married!" she quickly covered her mouth dampening her excited shriek.

"Your father and the teacher? So the time has come at last to make things official...Aku wonders, though, what is it about this woman? You seem as excited as the future husband,"

Blossom stepped out of the closet and her smile became softer, her eyes distant, "She's...special," she whispered, recalling the very moment she knew she could never have anyone else for a mother.

XxXxX

The rest of the class has filtered away. Like she'd been asked, Blossom remained at her seat in the back. It was a lonely table, where only she sat, far away from the rest of her classmates. She spent most of the lesson with her head down, on the verge of tears listening as, one after the other, her peers gave their "My Special Person" presentations.

When it had come time, she'd been passed over. The poster board she'd put together, one she'd poured hours into perfecting, sat unseen on her desk. Once everyone was gone, she finally looked up, lips quivering. She spent so much time crying lately, she hoped she wouldn't outside of the safety of her bedroom.

Ms. Keane knelt down in front of her, a soft smile on her lips. She brushed Blossom's bangs back, then wiped away a stray tear leaking down her cheek, "Thank you for staying late, Blossom. I was wondering if you could give your Special Person presentation for me,"

Blossom blinked and gulped down a lump in her throat, "Wh-What? You want...to see it?" she murmured. She tried to cover the poster when Ms. Keane glanced down at it. The teacher just smiled.

"I know things have been rough lately, I didn't want anyone to judge you for your choice. This presentation is about you, and who you find special. It's not anyone else's place to tell you that you're wrong. So…" Ms. Keane gestured toward the front of the room, "Would you like to give your presentation?"

Blossom picked up her poster board and slid out of her seat. She glanced up at Ms. Keane. She smiled and nodded, taking a seat at one of the tables. Blossom set her poster up and glanced up again, still nervous.

Ms. Keane just smiled, "You can begin whenever you're ready, Honey,"

Blossom bit her lip and looked down, "You...won't be mad?"

"Of course not, Sweetie. This is about a person you feel is special to you. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about that person," Ms. Keane assured her.

Blossom nodded, taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out. She glanced back at her poster, drawing strength from the black and white photograph, surrounded by a red, cut-out heart in the center. She turned back to Ms. Keane and took another deep breath.

"My sp-special person...is Aku, th-the...the shape-shifting master of evil." She cleared her throat, feeling her cheeks heat up. She glanced up at Ms. Keane. The teacher smiled and nodded. Blossom smiled and continued, "He is also known as the Deliverer of Darkness, Shogun of Sorrow, and Master of Masters. A long time ago, he was defeated by a hero, and his remains sealed underground. Recently, he was resurrected here in Townsville. Aku was an evil, powerful monster. But, he was also the first person who ever spoke to me without being afraid of me."

"He taught me that my power, my talents, weren't something to be ashamed of. In fact, when I was at my weakest, he made me stronger. He saved my life, and showed me what I could be capable of if I put my mind to it. In the end...he…" Blossom bit her lip, a few fresh tears slipping down her cheeks, "He was killed by my sister, Buttercup. But he…" she clutched at her chest. "He still came back one last time to save me again. In the end, he taught me more about myself than I ever thought possible. And he gave up his life for mine, and for that I will always…" she bit her lip and looked up at Ms. Keane.

Ms. Keane wasn't taking notes. She wasn't judging Blossom, or glaring at her. Instead, there was just...understanding in her eyes. There was just a knowing smile on her lips. She nodded for Blossom to continue. Blossom looked down in confusion. She closed her eyes, finally finding the courage to say it, "I'll always love him," she whispered.

XxXxX

The city of Townsville had known peace for several days now. As the work week drew to a close and the citizens rushed into town to celebrate a fun-filled Saturday afternoon, the January sun hovered overhead, casting a soft warmness down on the cold city. It hadn't snowed that day, but the buildings were capped with white and piles of the stuff lined every city street. For a normal Saturday, Townsville looked positively magical.

That is, until a hideous roar rang out across the city, shaking it to its very foundation. A horrific shadow rose up over the horizon, stretching into the sky, where the tip of it brushed against the dim, grey clouds. The shadow took a step and the world around it quaked; another hideous roar, like the earth itself moaning, echoed through the air. Whatever it was, the creature was drawing closer to Townsville with every step.

Each step seemed to make the creature even larger.

However, as a six-colored rainbow touched down at the remains of Townsville Harbor, the citizens went about their day in blissful ignorance. The Mayor didn't even bother to set off the warning signal, to let them know they might be in danger. Blossom crossed her arms and walked to the edge of the pier, staring at the shadow slowly approaching. Boomer was a few steps behind her, while Buttercup and Bubbles stood at her sides.

Buttercup whistled, "Dang, that thing is really big,"

Bubbles nodded, "It really is! I wonder how long it'll take it to get here,"

Blossom fought against smiling, her eyes narrowed. She reached to her sisters and tilted their heads back. Both gasped when the saw that the shadow continued into the clouds. "It's still hundreds of miles from the land. If that thing even gets near Townsville, it'll cause an earthquake just taking a step. We need to fly out and meet it," she explained. Her sisters nodded, though, behind her she heard a familiar snort.

"Bossy know-it-all," Brick mumbled, more than loud enough for her to hear him. Buttercup turned and shushed him, but Blossom only smirked.

Boomer took a step closer, asking while the others were distracted, "Is it one of them? The Great things?"

"I think so," Blossom responded, bringing her fingers to her chin. Mr. Green had gone on to say that he was sure there were five Great Old Ones, and that each one was more powerful than the last. If the previous creature was the embodiment of the sea, this one must have been the embodiment of the Earth itself. "Makes sense, given the size," she mumbled. Blossom nodded and floated into the air.

"Alright, it's going to take all six of us to take this thing down. Once we know what we're dealing with, we'll decide on an appropriate course of action. Still, remember that we can't let this thing get any closer," as if to prove her point, a shock wave shot through the water and the ground beneath them as the creature took another step. She turned to face the others, putting her hands on her hips, "When we get out there, what I say goes. The last monster was strong, and I have a strong hunch this one is even stronger. We'll need a plan to defeat it,"

There was another snort, and this time the owner was in the air, in front of her, a mitt thrust at her, "Since when are you the leader? Why don't you just go back to shutting up and letting the real heroes do the work!" Brick spat. He'd put up with Buttercup and Bubbles fawning over Blossom since their stupid sister died, but enough was enough! She wasn't the leader! She was a stupid freak who was lucky to even be in the team!

They were quick to forget, but he wasn't. He still remembered the look on her face as she beat him within an inch of his life. And how she'd done the same thing to his brother and to her own sisters! He remembered that she was a monster, and he wasn't about to let her forget it! He wasn't going to just sit by and let everyone forget!

Her had shot out, faster than he could see, and grabbed his collar. She jerked him off balance, holding him close to her. Butch shot into the air beside them, but he stayed back when she lifted a finger toward him.

Blossom spoke clearly, her voice low and calm, "First of all, don't you ever raise your voice with me again. And don't you dare put your hand in my face," When his arm started to move, she caught his wrist in her hand and held it in a crushing grip.

This close, Brick could smell flames on her breath when she narrowed her eyes. He could see embers flickering at the corners of her mouth.

"Like it or not, I am the leader. And if you have a problem with that, you're welcome to go home and learn how to be a normal little boy," Blossom threw him at the ground, so hard he cracked the pavement where he landed.

She turned to Butch, "And the same goes for you. I've put up with your insubordination for long enough. I don't care if you hate me because, trust me, the feeling is mutual. But, you have two choices: fall in line, or get lost. Let's roll, team," With that, Blossom shot into the sky, toward the hulking shadow. Boomer was quick to follow her.

Buttercup helped Brick to his feet, then quickly socked him in the face when he looked up at her.

"Ow! What was that for?" He groaned, rubbing his cheek.

"You need to knock it off! I know you don't like her, but she's the leader, so just do what she says so we can get this over with!" she yelled at him, dodging when he threw a punch back at her.

Brick narrowed his eyes, glaring down at his right hand. Even after months of therapy, he just didn't have the control he used to with that arm. "Why? Why is she the leader? Why!? She's a monster! She tried to kill us! She tried to kill you! Don't you remember?"

Buttercup crossed her arms and looked away, "Of course I remember." She turned back to him and fixed him with her harshest glare, "And you know what? I forgave her because she's my sister. So the least you can do is just shut up and follow orders," With that, Buttercup shot off into the sky, after the other two.

Butch's face twitched as he glared at Bubbles. She made a point to kiss him on the edge of his blind eye, "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I know it seems weird, but...she has to be the leader. She's the strongest, the smartest, and the oldest. Just, just listen and we'll get this done faster, okay?" she explained.

"Fine," he huffed, floating into the air. He and Brick traded a glance and both glared at the last Powerpuff girl.

"Yeah fine, but we ain't forgivin' her," Brick spat, shooting off with Butch close behind. Bubbles sighed and shot off after them.

That was at least better than nothing.

XxXxX

Blossom came to an abrupt halt in the air, staring with wide eyes up at the towering creature in front of her. She was still several miles away from it, but, now she was close enough to finally realize just how enormous it was. She clenched her fists and floated back, trying to find its head amongst the clouds.

This close, flying miles above the surface of the ocean, she only reached the edge of its belly. It was a colossal bull-like creature, with four mighty legs each big enough to entirely crush Townsville in a few steps. As it brought its massive foot down, coming to a halt in front of her, she caught sight of its hooves. They had to be harder than any material mankind had ever discover, to carry a creature this size and withstand the force of its steps.

Blossom had to venture this creature couldn't have come from Monster Island. No, in fact, the Powerpuff girl was certain that the whole of Monster Island could rest comfortably on this creature's shoulders. It's thick skin was hairless, dark-brown, likely even tougher than the serpent's scales. To test her theory, Blossom pulled her arm back, gathering the same amount of energy she'd flung at it's predecessor. With a grunt, she hurled it at the creature. It puffed against its skin, erupting in a brilliant flash of light.

The creature merely snorted, the very act sending a hurricane gale across the surface of the water. Blossom floated higher, until she was eye level with the creature.

Its head was big, even for its body, with ten colossal, black horns that stretched high into the clouds above it. It's eyes were enormous pools, like lakes floating on the surface of a mountain, of bright green. When it opened its mouth, Blossom was sure she was looking into a black hole. It roared, the force driving even her back. The sound was deafening, shaking the world around it.

This was definitely the Great Old One of the Land. The embodiment of the Earth itself.

Blossom turned to the others, hearing a gasp, with a grin plastered across her face, "Can you see this thing? It's the biggest monster we've ever fought! It makes the orange monster look like a baby!" she exclaimed.

"Uh huh…" Bubbles moaned, swallowing a nervous lump in her throat.

Buttercup floated to Blossom's side, shoving Boomer aside so she could be closer to the leader, "So what's the plan, we probably can't just throw ourselves at this thing...right?" she asked, glancing up at Blossom.

The red-haired leader smirked, "Precisely. We're going to need something drastic for this thing," she mused, stroking her chin.

Butch swallowed, glancing at the others, then back at the monster. His face was twitching, "Oh man, that's big,"

"No shit," Brick muttered. Getting a good look at the monster, he was able to push aside his reservations about following Blossom's orders. If the know-it-all could find a way to bring this thing down, he was all ears.

"Pitiful creatures, flee before me. I am awakened, and this Age is at an end. It is inevitable," The monster spoke, its voice coming from the ground beneath them, shaking the planet. Blossom floated closer, and the monster focused its eyes on her. She grinned and began to glow, giving off a soft aura of her power.

"I don't think so, we're the ones you've come for," she called, to the confusion of her companions. She put her hands on her hips and leered at the monster, her teeth sharpening into fangs subconsciously, "The last one was all talk, too, and look what happened to him,"

The monster narrowed its eyes and threw its head back, roaring, "Miserable wretch who dared to slay the world serpent? My wrath will be unending!" It snarled and, with quickness none of them expected, shot forward, crashing its skull into Blossom. The pink puff shot through the sky, crashing into the water below.

"Blossom!" Bubbles and Buttercup called. They turned, only to be paralyzed by another deafening roar. The monster charged at them, storming through the ocean like it was a puddle. It took the five kids all of their speed to avoid the charge. The monster stopped suddenly, as if its hooves fused with the planet to redirect its momentum. Just as it turned to charge again, a pink ray shot from the water, crashing into its stomach.

Blossom's eyes bulged and her muscles strained against a weight she was sure had to be impossible. Slowly, digging deeper and deeper into the overflowing well of her power, she lifted the monster into the air. With a cry, she shot straight up and hurled it back down. The resulting crash created a massive outward expanding wave. Blossom rolled her eyes and shouted at the others.

"We have to stop the tidal waves! Split up, four ways, I'll go north!" The team paired off, Buttercup and Bubbles shooting to the West, and Butch and Brick to the East. Realizing he'd be without a partner, Boomer groaned and shot off toward the South wave.

Blossom finished hers quickly, shooting in front of it, she blew a colossal wave of arctic air at the wave. It crashed into her ice breath, freezing it again and again as its own momentum shattered the first few layers of ice. With a sigh, she blew a gentle wave of fire at the wall, slowly melting it to avoid creating a new set of waves.

Bubbles and Buttercup split up, racing alongside the wave. They each took a deep breath and screamed as they raced in front of it. The Supersonic Scream collided with the wave with a massive crash. While the two ended up soaked, the wave broke and raced by them in harmless little ripples. The two traded a glance, then snickered and shot off to join the others.

Brick and Butch simply ran face first into the Eastern wave, breaking it down piece by piece until it finally subsided. While it wasn't the most graceful strategy, the two celebrated, loudly cheering and throwing each other high fives. When Butch hit Brick's bad arm, he growled and socked his brother in the face. Butch rubbed his cheek, still laughing, and the two went back to the fight.

Boomer raced to the shore, watching the colossal wave roll closer and closer. He swallowed and looked around. For once, he didn't have someone to tell him what to do. He wracked his brain, pacing back and forth along the beach, trying to think of what Blossom would do. He gulped and shook out his hands, rushing toward the wave. With a grunt, he swung his hands with all his might, clapping them together with a thunderous snap. The shockwave rolled out across the water, picking up strength and speed, until it crashed headfirst into the tidal wave. The wave broke, still crashing into the shore, but Boomer breathed a sigh of relief. It could have been worse, he thought with a groan.

The team reunited as the creature rose from the water, eyes narrowed and blasts of steam shooting from its massive nostrils.

"He does not look happy about his bath…" Bubbles muttered.

Buttercup sighed, "I know how you feel big guy...I know how you feel,"

"Enough clowning around, we need a strategy for taking him down that won't create more disasters for us to solve," Blossom chastised, throwing a smile at Boomer when he finally arrived. She paused, looking at him expectantly. Boomer nodded and gave her a little wave. Her smile became a beam of pride.

"Look out!" Blossom looked up, hearing Bubbles' cry, and quickly shot into the sky like a bolt of lightning. The creature charged through and dug it's forehooves into the ground. Like before, it seemed to fuse with the planet itself. Blossom realized where they were and gasped.

"Move! He's going to-" she shot from the sky, only to be caught up in a blast of wind as the creature brought its heels up and shot them into the air. Everyone managed to avoid the kick, but Buttercup, Boomer, and Blossom herself were thrown from the air, caught up in the massive sonic boom created by his attack.

Blossom crashed into the water and quickly spun around landing on her feet and balancing on the surface of the sea. She snarled, and clenched her fists. This one was much more annoying than the other.

"That's twice now...no one gets a third, you stupid, fat, pig!" She hissed. With another growl, Blossom shot forward, the water erupting into a geyser behind her. She charged across the surface of the water, like a fiery pink missile, rising higher and higher until her fist collided with the monster's snout, throwing into the air, balanced on its hind legs. With another snarl, she shot high into the air and spun around bringing both fists down on its snout and sending it back into the water below.

She blinked and looked up when she heard Butch shout, "Now you just made more waves, genius!" She looked down, watching as the other five quickly responded, taking out the massive tidal waves her attack had unleashed. Blossom crossed her arms and quickly dropped back down to the surface of the water, crashing through a wave with enough force to break it down.

"What was that, Leader Girl? I thought we were going to use a plan! I could just punch him!" Buttercup teased.

Blossom laughed mirthlessly, "I got mad,"

"It didn't do much though...he's so big!" Bubbles exclaimed, watching the monster rear back to attack them again. This time, it simply slammed its hooves into the water, a massive tidal wave rising up and racing toward them.

"Oh come on! Knock it off!" Brick screamed at the thing.

"I'm already soaked!" Boomer shouted, his eyes narrowed, his lips pulled back in a snarl. Like his mentor, he seemed to be quickly losing his temper against this beast.

Blossom pulled her arm back, "I've got this one," her body lit up with pink light and with a massive swing of her arm, she unleashed a sonic boom of her own, one powerful enough to take out the wave approaching them. She groaned when the water snapped beneath them and still splashed them again.

Now he was making her look like a fool.

"Great, more water," Butch spat.

"I swear, I'm not going to take a bath for a week if this keeps up," Buttercup grumbled.

Blossom clenched her fists, growling at the monster as it advanced on them. She could see its muscles tensing. She could hear its hooves digging hard into the ground, preparing to charge them again.

"I'm going to kill it," Blossom announced. The others turned to look at her, with varying degrees of disbelief.

"What? Yeah you've done a great job so far!" Brick spat.

Blossom ignored him, clenching her fists tighter.

"You have a plan, Red?" Buttercup asked.

Blossom nodded.

"Are you sure you can, do you need our help?" Bubbles asked.

Blossom shook her head, "I know we're all soaked, and you're all tired, but just be ready to...clean up whatever mess I make, alright?"

Bubbles gulped, "Mess? Not like...guts, right? I don't like guts,"

Blossom laughed, "No, we'll leave those for the coast guard."

Bubbles smiled and nodded, satisfied with that response.

"So what do you need us to do?" Boomer asked, his voice low and deathly serious. Blossom actually loved that side of him, it threw people off guard.

"Try to get everyone out of the water. And get yourselves really, really far away. There are going to be waves, stop them without touching them," Blossom explained, "Now go!" In a flash the five were gone, across the horizon. Blossom cleared her throat and stood up straight, adjusting her belt and floating up to the monster's eye level. When it charged, she carelessly avoided the first, second, and third charges. Her skin was glowing, her eyes were lit up like fires. The monster paused, snorting and glaring at her.

"This power, the calamity? It was you who broke the seal, who signaled the end of this Age!" the monster bellowed. Blossom held her arms out and curtsied in mid-air, a showy grin on her face.

She called at him, "Guilty as charged. I am Blossom, Goddess of this Realm, future queen of the invincible Aku. Now, I'm afraid our play time is over. It's time for me to kill you. Also, there are three more of you? Don't worry, I plan to kill them too," she laughed when the monster roared, its eyes burning like forest fires.

"You will accomplish no such thing!" It roared and charged at her. This time, Blossom met it mid charge, slammed her fist against its chin. The monster shot off it's feet, while Blossom shot into the air. Her skin darkened, her teeth became fangs, and her eyes blazed in the afternoon sky. The air around her popped and crackled as electricity quickly built up in her fingers.

"You'll be SHOCKED to see what I can accomplish!" She laughed back, throwing her hands down, fingers splayed. The air turned black and the sea began to steam from the intensity of the lightning spraying from her hands.

The monster bellowed and struggled to climb to its feet. Blast after blast of lightning rained down from the young girl's hands. The water crackled and boiled with every blast, and the monster's screams grew more and more frantic, until it reached a feverish pitch and it began to shriek uncontrollably. With one last blast, Blossom let up and the monster collapsed, sizzling in the crackling water.

Blossom floated in the air, hands upturned, fingers spread, lightning still crackling around her. She was too excited, too flushed with adrenaline to fight back hints of her true form shining through. She snickered and threw her head back, laughing wildly.

XxXxX

Townsville Forest was deathly silent that night. Deep in the woods, but closer to the city than he'd ever have liked, a certain creature peeked out his window once again, clutching his boomstick close to his chest.

He knew she was due to show up any day now. She'd told him months ago she would return, but now, he'd heard rumors from the others that she was making house calls once again. He'd put out his "No Trespassing" and "Private Property" signs, but he was smart enough to know she wouldn't listen. She hadn't as a hero, why would she now that she was...whatever it was she'd become?

"You look scared," Fuzzy screamed, hearing that voice, and spun around, pointing his boomstick at her. She sat in his, HIS, chair, dressed the way he'd remembered. A sleeveless pink dress, a black belt around her waist, white stockings and black, buckle up shoes. She was cute once upon a time, he could admit it. They were annoying little brats, but the Powerpuffs were cute little brats. Now, with her pitch-black skin, her claws, painted hot pink no less, her horns and flaming eyes.

She looked more like the devil than that other feller ever had. He trembled when one of her tentacles caressed his boomstick. Before he could pull the trigger, she jerked it from his grip and threw it to the side. He shrieked when another tentacle touched his face.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting," Blossom apologized, her flaming eyes narrowed and crackling in the dark cottage, "I had other things to attend to. My father is getting married, have you heard?"

Fuzzy fumbled with his voice. He couldn't find it, so he just nodded.

Blossom grinned and nodded, a tentacle snatching a photograph from his mantel. She sighed and shook her head, "You understand, I can't let my new mom see this, right?" She gestured to the photograph of Fuzzy and the Professor, when he'd gotten lost in the woods pretending to be a Lumpkin.

Fuzzy nodded and jumped when the frame snapped in her tendril. She quickly threw it into his fireplace. He swallowed and finally found his voice, though it was weaker than he'd hoped, "This is...this is mah...mah prahvit…"

"Fuzzy, no," Blossom shushed him, placing a tentacle on his lips. She wagged her finger, "We've talked about this...you see, this entire world is my property. You're borrowing a piece of it, for now, of course. Whether that remains the case depends on your answer," She wrapped her tendril around his neck and pulled him closer to her, "Did your family agree to my terms?"

Fuzzy struggled against her hold. He couldn't tell her. He couldn't possibly tell her the truth. He couldn't put his kin in danger like that. He caught his breath when she let him go. At first, when she rose to her feet, he shied away from her. But, his chest quickly seized up with anger. His heart began to blast with fury. He narrowed his eyes.

How dare she, how dare this little Powerpuff come onto his property and threaten him and his kin? How dare she!

Fuzzy's fur began to turn red, his eyes began to bulge. With a roar, he lashed out, slashing her across the face. Blossom's head jerked to the side. With another roar, he swatted her again, and again, and again, and again. He swung until he was plumb tuckered out, panting and snarling, drool leaking from his lips.

Blossom turned her gaze back on him, eyes narrowed, "Is that your answer?" she asked in a voice cold as winter.

His fur returned to its pink shade and he quickly wilted, "Ah did as ya told and ah tried to talk to 'em, but we Lumpkins is proud folk and they don't, some of 'em said they ain't gonna bow to ya or serve yer king! Ah tried to tell 'em, please, ya gotta understand it's...nothin' personal-" Fuzzy yelped when she backhanded him, knocking him across the cabin and into the wall. When he started to get up again, she slashed him across the face, driving him headfirst into the floor.

"You hit me twenty-seven times. Do I get to return the favor?" Blossom asked. When he climbed to his feet again, she punched him across the face, knocking him to the floor next to his fire place.

Fuzzy trembled, whimpering as she casually walked closer to him. He clenched his eyes shut until she walked by him. He screamed when he saw his prize possession in her hands, "Jo!" he screamed, reaching for the Banjo. In one swat, Blossom smashed it against his head, breaking it in half and knocking him back to the floor.

She lifted him by his overalls and pressed the sharp, broken edge of Jo against his face, "Fuzzy, give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you. You've proven to be completely useless to me," Blossom cooed, tightening her grip when he struggled. Blood was starting to stream down his cheek from where the broken banjo was digging into his skin.

"Ah'll do it! Ah'll do it even if they won't! Just leave mah kin out of it! Ah'll do anythin'!" he shouted.

Blossom cocked her head, considering his offer. With a sigh, she threw him to the ground and threw the last bit of the banjo into the fire. She grinned, listening to him whimper behind her. With a snap of her fingers, a demon gate tore open on the wall behind her and the sound and smell of the Pit of Hate filled the cottage.

She grabbed him and jerked him to his feet, shoving him toward the portal. Like the others, he stared at it, horror-stricken, too afraid to even dare taking the first step in. She put her hand on his shoulder and led him to the portal. Blossom cleared her throat and Fuzzy turned to face her. She grabbed him by his overalls again.

"Fuzzy," she began, in a low, comforting voice, "I swear to you, your kin won't be a part of the take over," When he began to smile, her expression darkened and her own smile became poisonous, "In fact, by the time the darkness arrives in Townsville, you won't have any kin to worry about," he started to protest and Blossom shoved him into the portal, closing it behind him. She sighed and looked around the cabin, hands on her hips.

Pursing her lips, scrunching her nose, she shrugged and made her way toward the door, "I suppose there's no point in putting it off," She blinked and when she opened her eyes, her pupils had become vertical slits. Her tentacles had already fused into two massive wings, which were quickly merging with her arms, as she walked into the cold night air.

With a roar, Blossom took to the air, her form twisting into a massive dark shape. She took a deep breath and belched a torrent of flame into the Townsville Forest. With another roar, she took off, flying deeper, into the heart of Lumpkin territory.
- 57
- 58
- 59
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Dreams of an Absolution