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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
- 59
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"I know it's been a long road

To get these fears behind me and I

Will gladly reap what we may sow I am

There for you, and you're there for me

Pictures and photographs

Memories and windows

Goodbyes and epitaphs

Heartbeats and hellos

Are you waiting for?"

Heart in Hand (Vertical Horizon "Running on Ice")

Dreams of an Absolution

Chapter 53

The sun wasn't set to rise for hours. Overhead, the moon still hung low in the sky, with the last twinkling of stars casting a pale glow on the sleepy suburb. The young lady sitting on the roof of a stylish white house sighed and pulled her leg up to her chest, resting her chin on her knee.

It was almost time. Soon, everything would change.

She smiled and closed her eyes. Would things really change? There would be paperwork, a preacher and a party, but would those material things really change what they already felt? Would that finally make theirs a real family?

No, she thought. No, it wouldn't change anything, but it was exciting nonetheless. It was one thing to know the love was real, to know the connection was there, but it was another thing entirely to show it to the rest of the world. She'd spent so long hiding her love away, she couldn't bear the thought of waiting even fourteen more hours.

She had always had a mother, today it just became official.

Of course...she'd always had a father, but how long had she taken that for granted? She could count on one hand the number of times she'd said that word in the last three years of her life. She could still remember every time she called him "Dad." Maybe it was finally time to put that stupid habit behind her. Maybe it was finally time to just...be normal. To be a real family, not an experiment.

She liked the thought of that.

"Are you nervous?" a voice behind her asked. A pair of big, warm arms slipped around her shoulders and held her against a strong, powerful frame. He kissed her head and she grinned, looking up at him. He returned the smile with his own and planted another quick kiss on her forehead.

Blossom sighed and shook her head, "No. I'm...excited. I'm anxious, but it's not my nerves." She wasn't afraid of tripping and falling, she'd practiced walking in her dress and new shoes, and even in the worst case she could just float.

It wasn't nerves, it was her heart. It felt like it was going to burst, and spill warm happiness everywhere. She must have been grinning because she heard him chuckle and tighten his hold on her.

His hand slid up her side and came to rest on her cheek, "You've been careful to hide away your new garments from Aku. He is most looking forward to at last seeing you dressed up, like a vision of loveliness,"Gosh, it was long-winded and sappy. Too many words to just say he was excited to see her bridesmaid dress. He was such an overly wordy dork...but, it worked.

Blossom's cheeks lit up bright pink and she began to giggle sheepishly, brushing her hair behind her ear, "I hope you like it. I'm excited to see your tux, Uka-sensei," she teased, though her pulse raced and her smile grew brighter imagining it.

Aku noticed and grinned, narrowing his eyes amorously, "Control yourself girl, is this not a formal occasion?" he breathed, tracing his claws along her cheek. Every gentle touch caused the superheroine to shiver and her heart to beat faster.

"That doesn't mean I can't be excited to see the most handsome monster in the world…" she lowered her voice and slid to her knees, wrapping her arms around his neck. Blossom planted a soft kiss on his jaw and whispered in his ear, "I'm extra excited to know he's saving his first dance for me,"

Now it was Aku's turn to shiver. A growl rumbling in his throat, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips fiercely against hers. Soft moans and fingers digging into his back were the reward for his boldness. Cold as the air was that early on a February morning, the air around them felt like fire.

The heroine drank in his kiss, sighing and moaning affirmation with every emboldened touch and caress of his wandering claws. His fingers gently trailed across her side, tickling her naked thigh; it was like electricity rising up through her.

Blossom moaned and rose up on her haunches, desperate to pull him closer still. Her slender fingers wrapped around his horns; her grasp was intense, desperate. The monster growled and tried to pull away, only for her to pull him back.

He managed to break away from her long enough to breathe out, "Are you uncomfortable?" The words tumbled out, tripping over her tongue; his thoughts were static, blaring in the back of his mind and getting dimmer with every press of her body against his.

In response, she bit his lip, cracking her eyes open. They were on fire, overflowing with heat. She arched her back, a devastatingly sweet moan escaping when his claw cupped her backside.

His will faltered, his control slipped, when her icy breath brushed against his lips. His grip on her tightened, fingers trailing through her hair to cradle her; claws slipping beneath the soft fabric of her panties. She offered no resistance when he slid them down her legs.

No, Blossom swelled with his touch, nodding and gasping for breath, "Don't be afraid," she whispered, drawing a line of fierce kisses across his neck.

She was desperate for him; a year of pent up frustration and desire in every tremulous touch, every careless whisper. Before, her little body, her childish visage had forced him to turn away, even when she needed him, yearned to experience him in a way no child had a right to. Every time she was turned away, trembling and desperate. But, that body was gone. No, she wasn't a little girl anymore.

Now, she was the woman he deserved.

Now, she was the Queen who wouldn't be denied the entirety of her King.

Blossom caught his wrist in her hand, fingers trembling with power, and brought his hand beneath her night gown, pressed against her hot, perky breast. When he gasped, she grinned. When he moaned, she sank her teeth into his neck.

When she felt him pressing against her thigh, she spread her legs and took him by the horn once more. Her eyes bore into his, blazing in the early morning light, "Don't be afraid," she breathed again, bringing her lips crashing into his once more. His body stiffened into searing black steel. There was a growl building in his throat; she echoed it with her own and pressed herself against him.

"Do it," Her breath was colder than the morning air, colder still compared to the heat of her sweat-streaked skin, glistening in the starlight.

"Blossom…" His voice, normally so powerful, normally so composed, was unsure. With every caress of her damp, eager middle against him, the struggle between the lover he'd become and the monster he was grew more dire. She couldn't possibly understand what it was she was asking. She couldn't be prepared to know the beast he'd held back for so long. It was a ravenous, unrelenting creature. Nothing could survive it's fury.

She'd always cherished that tender side of him, that impossible kindness she'd found in the heart of the ultimate evil. A heart born from her own breast; a heart flowing with her own blood. But, in that moment, she didn't care to see that side of him. She didn't need his tenderness, she didn't want for his kindness. No, as she dug her claws into his back and her tentacles slid from her dress to wrap around him, she desired for something more.

Her belly was filled with fire, her legs quivering with anticipation. She was desperate to taste his animosity; she yearned to experience every ounce of his unrelenting fury. She needed to know him for the monster he was.

"I'm not afraid," she growled, taking hold of him.

Her body shook, her eyes burned, and in her heart, Aku could feel it; he knew it was true. Blossom was unafraid.

Smothering his roar with her lips, he slid himself inside her. Her back arched and new, guttural sounds rose up in her throat. He started slow, slower than he knew she wanted. He'd waited for so long, he wouldn't waste the moment in reckless frenzy. He would savor every inch of her perfect body, every second of feeling her wrapped around him.

It was more than she'd imagined, even in her sickest dreams. Blossom pressed her face against his chest, her moans growing into high-pitched sighs and muffled screams. Each thrust came faster than the last; each breath she took was shorter than before.

His tender hands were gone; his claws massaged and worshiped her breasts, gripped her naked backside to bring her closer still. To bury himself deeper inside her. Her tongue rolled out of her mouth and her eyes clenched shut. She was alight with a power she'd never imagined.

His every kiss, every caress stoked the fire in her middle, setting her ablaze. Every thrust of his body into hers surged like lightning.

She couldn't think, she could barely breathe.

The fire was raging out of control; her toes clenched and she threw her head back, arching against him. She screamed into his hand when it finally washed through her, pulling her into a beautiful cacophony, drowning her beneath a sea of pleasure and release.

She rose up out of that ocean, filled with a new purpose. She silenced whatever foolish thought was on his lips, capturing them in hers and thrusting her hips against his. She had to have more; she had to have every ounce of him. A hungry smile spread over her face when she felt him erupt inside her. Before he could escape, she threw herself at him again, dragging him down to the roof.

Hadn't she once read that those who fought monsters should take care to not become monsters themselves?

Hadn't she once sworn something similar?

She'd changed so much since then.

Then, when she was just a child.

Then, when she couldn't have known the truth.

Then, before she let herself become a monster.

Then, before she realized there was nothing else she would rather be.

XxXxX

"Blossom! Hey, sleepy head, it's time to get up! We have to be at the chapel soon!" Bubbles called, knocking on the door.

Now, her big sister had always been a heavy sleeper, but she was also extremely punctual. Well, she was punctual when she wasn't in a mood. What if she was in a mood? Oh no! Bubbles gasped and brought her hands to her mouth.

What if Blossom was sad again? What if she'd spent the whole night crying because she was worried about the wedding? Bubbles shook her head and looked down the hall. They needed to get ready! But…

It had to be done. With a sigh, she took a swing at at the door. Before her fist could hit it, it opened, sending Bubbles face first to the floor. Thankfully, a hand shot out and caught her by the scruff of her nightie. She giggled sheepishly, peeking up at the older puff.

Blossom yawned and set Bubbles down, running her hands through her wild, messy hair. That struck Bubbles as odd, since Blossom normally tied her hair before bed...what also caught the little puff off guard was the dreamy smile on her sister's lips, the rosy tint on her cheeks, and the way her night gown clung to her body.

Blossom kept her room colder than the rest of the house, why was she sweating?

Bubbles followed her to the bathroom, "Blossom? Are you alright?"

"Hm? Of course I am! Thank you for asking," Blossom leaned down and gave Bubbles a kiss on the cheek before slipping into the bathroom. She was singing an old love song that they'd heard on one of the Professor's records.

Thankfully, Bubbles didn't dwell too deeply on her sister's strange mood and hurried back to her room to finish getting dressed. They'd be meeting with Ms. Keane and her sister to get changed again at the chapel.

In the bathroom, Blossom cranked the water up all the way and ran her hands through her hair, shamelessly singing out loud. She slid out of her night gown and stepped into the searing stream of water, sighing gleefully.

Normally, Aku would join her, waiting outside and speaking with her while she washed. She told him that it would be best if he just met her at the chapel, instead. Her cheeks flushed and her chest filled up with butterflies. If she saw him again so soon, she doubted she'd have the willpower to keep her hands off him, and they were running on a strict schedule.

While she washed, her mind drifted back to earlier that morning; back to the rooftop and back to Aku. Just thinking about him warmed her up more than the scalding hot water rushing from the shower head.

Would she be able to keep her eyes off him at the wedding?

Would she remember who her cousins were if he was standing there?

Blossom turned off the shower and stepped out. Downstairs, Buttercup was fussing about the time. Bubbles was assuring her that they had plenty of time, but Blossom could hear worry in the Professor's voice. With a small nod, she quickly dried off and slipped back into her room, slipping into a temporary outfit.

Downstairs, Buttercup threw her hands up and groaned, hearing the hair dryer start up, "Just use your powers! It's just hair!" she yelled. She resumed pacing around and muttering under her breath.

The Professor sat in the living room, fumbling with his pipe. Every so often, he stopped to fiddle with his boutonniere, only to go back to twirling his pipe between his fingers. He hadn't smoked it since December, but now he wished he could more than ever.

His tuxedo fit perfectly, thank goodness. And, if he had to be honest with himself, he thought he looked rather dashing. Wearing a white lab coat so often, he was always surprised by how well he wore black. And a bow tie, he was sure he was going to wake up that morning and forget how to tie it.

It looked good; he looked good.

He felt sick. It was a strange kind of sick. While he wanted to throw up constantly, he was excited, like every part of him was numb with eager anticipation. Whenever he stopped to think about the woman who would be waiting for him, he couldn't begin to imagine how beautiful she would be, his heart raced and he broke into a cold sweat. He could feel his throat locking up and words swirling in his mind.

Would he be able to speak when they were finally face to face?

Bubbles skipped down the stairs, screaming with joy when she saw her father. He, wisely, climbed to his feet, catching her missile-like hug, "You look so handsome! Oh my gosh, Daddy I can't...it's really...you're actually," Bubbles' lips quivered and she started to cry, "You're really getting married!" She finally squealed, throwing herself into Buttercup's arms, sparing her father's expensive tuxedo the deluge of tears rolling down her cheeks.

Buttercup rolled her eyes, "Come on, Bubbles, don't c-cry," the Professor could see the wetness in the corners of her eyes and smiled, "It's j-just a silly wedding. Nothing is gonna…" she clamped her mouth shut, swallowing a teary lump in her throat.

She couldn't bring herself to say it, knowing it wasn't true. Everything was going to change, and for the better. They were finally going to be a complete family. The one piece that had been missing, a piece the girls had tried so hard to fill in before, was finally going to be put in its place.

"Sorry! Sorry! Oh, wow! Dad you look...wow!" Blossom gasped, pausing at the bottom of the stairs to take in the scene. She looked him up and down as she approached him, a warm smile on her lips. Hovering up to his eye level, he was still so much taller, she straightened his tie and fixed his boutonniere.

"There...now you look perfect," she beamed. The Professor smiled and accepted her sudden hug. Blossom gave him a squeeze and kissed him on the cheek, "Ms. Keane is so lucky, you're going to be the best husband," She smirked and floated back, crossing her arms, "I'm sure because I already know you're the best dad,"

The girls giggled and the Professor smiled, setting his pipe down on the table. It was just about time to leave…

"Alright, girls. Let's get going,"

XxXxX

The little chapel on the outskirts of Pokey Oaks was alive with excitement, more than it had seen in years. The wedding party was small, but lively, filled with children and long-estranged family members eager to make up for lost time.

For the Powerpuff Girls, it was an exciting, exhausting morning of greetings and preparations. The ceremony was scheduled for ten, with the reception by noon. Both the bride and groom were too eager, too anxious, to wait much longer.

"So, you're my cousin?" A young boy of thirteen asked, walking alongside the oldest Powerpuff girl, hands shoved in his trouser pockets. He stuck out like a sore thumb amongst his own family, he was the only one without bright red hair. His was black, like his uncle's.

Blossom nodded, pausing in front of a mirror to admire her dress. A pretty pink number, formal, but practical, and short enough to show off her sandals and red nail polish. The heroine glanced over at her cousin, giggling at his flushed cheeks and uneasy shuffling. This was the fourth time in the last five minutes she'd stopped to pose in front of a mirror.

"That's right. Blossom, remember?" she asked. She couldn't blame him, it was his first time in Townsville, and his first time meeting the older girl face to face.

Her cousin, Edward, shuffled again and tugged on his tie. He blushed when Blossom leaned over and fixed it for him, "Uh...thanks. I thought you were younger," He looked her up and down before turning away. Clearly, he had expected to be the oldest, and the tallest, and was notably disappointed.

"See, it's funny you should say that," Blossom began, brushing her hair back and clearing her throat, "You see, while it is true I was born with the body, and rough mentality, corresponding to that of a five year old, we've discovered in the last year that, due to the nature of our inhuman chemical make up, my sisters and I don't necessarily age in a linear fashion," When he continued to stare blankly at her, Blossom laughed sheepishly, "It means, yes, I've been alive for almost three years now, but I'm aging faster than a normal person would,"

Edward nodded, "I got that," he explained, blushing again. He sniffed and looked at his reflection. Everyone told him he looked like his uncle when he was his age, "So how old are you then?"

Blossom tapped her lip and scrunched her nose. She hadn't really thought about attaching a number to her age. She was still growing and wasn't entirely sure where it would stop. Still...she had to say, "I think I feel about seventeen,"

Her cousin stared at her blankly, "Really? Uh like...how do you know?"

Blossom grinned and put her fingers to her cheeks, striking a goofy pose, "Because I'm sweeter than sixteen!" she chirped.

She laughed and said her goodbyes while Edward groaned and rolled his eyes, stalking off to find his siblings. Their Uncle Eugene had a pretty big family: five kids, four boys and one girl. Edward was the oldest.

Speaking of her Uncle Eugene, Blossom hadn't actually seen him yet. Most likely, he was doing his duty as a groomsman to keep his brother from having a nervous breakdown. Then again, that was normally the job for the best man, and, well…

Blossom smirked as she slid up beside the best man in question, laying her head against his arm. She saw the smile tugging at the corners of his lips and slid her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. The monster finally chuckled and looked at her, his cheeks flushed and one near-flaming eyebrow raised.

"Can I help you, girl?" Uka-sensei asked, a small hitch in his voice when she rested her head against his arm again.

Blossom sighed, "I just wanted to see you….you look so good in that tux," She peered up at him with a toothy grin, "I could eat you up, right here!"

Uka laughed, "Is that so? I can't say for certain how your father will react, but I'd rather not steal the spotlight on his day,"

Blossom giggled and snuggled against his side, "I know, I'm just kidding…" she sighed, "You do look so good though," she moaned.

Uka leered at her, "Of course I do, my Blossom. You, however, you are indescribable. I feel sorrow for your future mother. It's truly unfair that she must compete with you, there is simply no hope for any mortal to compare to my…" his voice lowered, his hold on her hand tightened, "My fiery-maned goddess of death and lust,"

There he went again. Speaking in ridiculous purple-prose...oh, how it made her knees buckle and her chest flutter. She couldn't control her giggling, or her cheeks flashing bright pink.

Blossom bit her lip, finally asking the question burning in her mind, "How is he?"

"Your father?" Uka glanced over his shoulder at the dressing room behind him. He shrugged, "He's thrown up twice, now he keeps pinching himself, insisting this must be a dream, that's it's too good to be true,"

"That sounds like him," Blossom giggled. She kissed Uka's hand and turned to walk away. He held on, refusing to let go once she was at arm's length. Blossom turned back and flashed him her best smile.

Uka returned it, his other hand rising up to his chest, "You're beautiful, my Blossom," he whispered, then turned and went back into the dressing room.

Blossom puffed up, beaming, and hurried to the other side of the chapel, to the other dressing room. Peeking around to make sure none of the boys were nearby, she slipped inside, shutting the door behind her.

She had expected something, but she hadn't expected to hear crying the moment she stepped inside. Blossom hurried around the corner, spotting Cassandra sitting in front of the mirror, wiping her eyes and crying softly. Abigail was beside her, shushing her and rubbing her back.

"Hey, don't cry Cassie, everything is going to be perfect." Abigail promised,

"I just...I can't believe it's really...and you're here, you're all here and it's really happening. I never...and with James!" Cassandra choked out, stumbling over words between sobs.

They'd been close in high school. She told the girls once, while the Professor was in Japan during the Aku incident. They hadn't exactly dated, but she'd had a fierce crush on him. Come graduation day, they were accepted into different schools. And when she had the chance to finally tell him, she'd frozen. She'd stumbled over her words and said a quick goodbye.

That had been so many years ago, when they finally met again as adults, it was hard to see him as anyone other than the father of her students. That is, until the girls intervened. Then...out of the blue, feelings she was sure had disappeared, feelings she'd suppressed for so long they seemed like they never existed, came rushing back to the surface.

And like a fool, she'd ruined it by not believing him. Of all the fantastic stories, she couldn't believe he'd been controlled by a cat?

She spent every moment since then regretting that fight, even when she was convinced she was in the right.

Now, a dream she hadn't had in decades was finally coming to life.

She was going to marry James Utonium.

And her sister, the long-estranged sister she thought she'd lost forever was here. She was by her side as her maid-of-honor. And it was all thanks to…

"Hey, is everything okay? I'm sorry I had to step out," Blossom apologized, rubbing her arm sheepishly.

Cassandra looked up, smiling in spite of her tears, "Blossom! Oh, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I-I shouldn't be crying I'm…" her lips trembled and she quickly buried her face in a fresh tissue, "I'm just so happy, and so nervous, and...and…"

When the young girl wrapped her arms around her, Cassandra began to cry again, returning the embrace with all her strength.

"I know...he's nervous too," Blossom shushed her, "but, this is it!" She pulled away and held Cassandra's hands, wearing a proud, adoring smile, "This is finally happening...you and the Professor, you're finally getting married," Just saying it, Blossom paused, biting her lip and holding back tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

"You're getting married, you're...you're finally going to be my mom. My real mom," She shook her head and lunged at Cassandra again, pulling her into another fierce hug, "My Mom," Blossom whispered. She peered up at Abigail and laughed, reaching out and taking her hand, "And my aunt. We're all finally a family, a real family,"

Abigail's breath caught in her throat. She wrapped her fingers around Blossom's hand and squeezed it. Blossom nodded; Abigail clenched her eyes shut and joined her, hugging her sister and her niece.

"That's right," she murmured, pulling back to give Cassandra her most sincere smile, "A real family…" Whatever passed between the two, Blossom couldn't be sure. But Cassandra smiled and took her sister's hands, squeezing them and rising to her feet. After only a moment of hesitation the two embraced, and the older sister nodded, "A real family."

XxXxX

Blossom was thankful for her superpowers, thankful that she could go hours without breathing. Standing off to the side of the altar, watching the doors open and hearing the organ play the "Bridal Chorus", she forgot how. It was one thing, sitting with her in the dressing room, talking and chatting in anticipation; it was another entirely to see her appear in the doorway, looking every inch like an angel touched down on Earth.

Blossom could feel tears in her eyes, and indescribable love in her heart watching Cassandra Keane's every measured step, on the arm of her father, a stern old man with a tough jaw and silver-gray hair. Soft eye shadow, pale pink lipstick, in a gown every bit as beautiful as she was.

The redhead had never been so stricken by someone's beauty. It took all her willpower to tear her eyes away from the bride, only to catch sight of the groom. His eyes were wide, his mouth hanging open.

The pastor was speaking; Mr. Keane responded in a rough, watery voice.

She stepped up on the altar beside the Professor. His lips were still moving; Blossom could hear his heart racing. He wasn't alone. She hid it well, but the superheroine could hear the bride's own hummingbird heartbeat. She'd seen the look in her eyes.

For Cassandra, there was no one else in the room.

The pastor was speaking again. He may as well have not even bothered.

There was no one else in the room.

The Professor took Cassandra's hands in his. Taking a deep breath, he smiled and slowly let it out. When he spoke, there was no tremble in his voice, no words tripping over themselves, "Cassandra...I don't know how to begin, or if there are even words to describe what you mean to me. Words to thank you for standing with me at my best and at my worst. Words to express how you've changed me; words worthy of your friendship and your love. I love you, and swear to spend every day of my life with you, searching for those words,"

The pastor was speaking; why did he bother?

There was no one else in the room.

When Cassandra squeezed the Professor's hands, her throat tightened and she quickly bit her lip. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. She stumbled over her words, but refused to give up on them, "James, I...I've lived in this city my entire life. I've seen heroes and villains, m-machines and monsters. I've seen incredible sights th-that the rest of the world can only imagine in storybooks and movies. B-But, in all my life, I've never known anyone more amazing, more incredible, m-more special than you. I love you...I love you and I can't wait to live my happily ever after with you,"

The pastor was speaking; Uka and Abigail were moving, handing something over to the other two. There was a flash of light, a glimmer of gold.

Two bands.

One couple.

The pastor was speaking, but no one could hear anything until he finally said those words, "You may kiss the bride,"

She practically jumped into his arms, cupping his cheeks in her hands, rising up on her tip toes and pressing her lips against his. There should have been fireworks, there should have been lights and explosions, spotlights and a swelling score coming from the chorus. Anything, everything all at once couldn't have captured the passion, the intensity in that one perfect kiss.

It lasted for just a second, but that second seemed to last forever.

When they parted, suddenly, the room filled up with people. Suddenly there was music, suddenly there was clapping. But, their eyes were only for each other. The pastor was speaking, but they couldn't hear him, lost in each others eyes.

Hands held, fingers laced.

Golden bands gleaming in the sunlight pouring in through the window.

The bride and groom stood, unmoving.

Then, he smiled, and she smiled in turn.

She wrapped her arms around his and the two turned, they finally saw the rest of the world. They could see the flower girl, her blonde pigtails bouncing as she cheered and cried from the first row, next to the ring-bearer, who had stopped complaining about her dress to join her sister in celebration.

They could see the groomsman, the groom's brother, nearly bursting with pride, and the best man, his monstrous masquerade broken as he smiled and applauded sincerely for the two.

They could see the maid-of-honor, sobbing, her hair trembling with excitement, and the bridesmaid, the couple's oldest daughter. standing with her hands clasped over her heart, biting her lip to hold back the tears still streaming down her cheeks.

Everywhere they looked, as they finally made their escape from the sanctuary to the reception, was family.

XxXxX

It wasn't long now, until the newlyweds made their escape. They would be going away for a week to the Bahamas, leaving the girls in the care of their aunt, Abigail, in their absence. It had been Blossom's idea; Abigail had been thrilled with the thought of getting to spend time with her new nieces. Surprisingly, Buttercup and Bubbles hadn't complained. No, the younger Powerpuff girls were just happy that their parents were going to get a chance to enjoy that trip to the Bahamas they never got to experience.

Now, the new couple was sharing one last dance.

Blossom looked up at the grumpy monster of a teacher and sighed, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her cheek against his powerful frame. She'd lost count of how many slow dances they'd shared.

She worried, at first, about what the rest of the family might think. Bubbles had actually cut in to dance with Uka herself, while Buttercup had offered to dance with Blossom, if she wanted to of course, even if dancing was stupid and lame.

The girls each took turns dancing with the Professor. Blossom used that opportunity to finally ask something that had been bothering her the entire day. Why, she asked, had he chosen Uka to be his best man?

The Professor had chuckled and told her, in a soft voice that confirmed all her suspicions, "If it weren't for him, none of this would have been possible,"

Blossom closed her eyes and sighed, absolutely blissfully unaware and uncaring of anyone else around her. They knew. They all knew, and none of them hated him for it. None of them resented her for it.

That was good enough for her.

"Is this what you desire?" Uka asked. She purred when he pet her hair; she breathed a moan when his fingers caressed her neck.

Blossom cooed, "Some day, so I can show everyone how much I love you,"

Uka chuckled, "I must admit...the thought is enticing. All this adulation and affection, in celebration of an everlasting bond between two souls. It…"

The red-haired superheroine peeked up at him, smirking, "You're crying, aren't you?"

"D-don't be foolish," he whispered, pressing her head against him and tightening

his hold on her.

Everything was perfect. The last song was dying down, the happy couple was preparing to head out. The guests began to wander toward the door, to see them off. It was supposed to be the perfect end to the perfect morning.

Until he appeared.

The lights went out suddenly, the music cut off abruptly. Someone, Mr. Keane, called out for everyone to calm down, blaming it on a breaker. But, Blossom knew better. She pulled away from Uka, making her way to her parents.

It was him.

The lights flickered and a dim glow filled the reception hall. There, in the doorway, light pouring in around him like a halo, was the perpetrator, slowly stalking toward them, like a predator. The smile he wore refused to reach his eyes. Eyes glowing behind his glasses.

"I must have misplaced my invitation," he joked, slipping his hands into the pockets of his lab coat. His skin was no longer green. No, he was tanned, blond once again. Unlike the last time Blossom saw him, he looked human this time.

There was no mistaking him, "Dick…" the Professor muttered, cautiously pushing Cassandra behind him. His old friend sauntered toward him, taking long, slow strides.

He never once blinked, "I'm hurt Jimmy," he said in a low, mocking voice, "I was supposed to be your best man. Do you remember that?"

"You aren't welcome here, Dick…" The Professor said back, standing up straight, squaring his shoulders. The creature came to a halt in front of him, standing just a few inches shorter.

If possible, the look on Dick's face became even more smug, "I go where I'm needed, Jimmy. And right now, there is no place that needs me more than Townsville," Dick sighed and turned his back on them. "I was bitter, for a long time Jim. After you left me for dead, in that burning factory." he laughed and shook his head. With a sigh, he explained, "But I forgive you, I forgive you because you couldn't have known. You couldn't understand the truth. Or maybe, just maybe...you didn't want to see it?"

"What are you talking about?" The Professor asked, holding out his hand to stop his daughters, who were already advancing on the con man.

Dick looked over his shoulder. When he saw Blossom, his grin became vicious, "Poor, wicked Townsville. Enslaved by their worship of false goddesses, decadence and greed." The creature sighed and turned to face them. The light around him grew more intense. "But, there is hope, Jimmy. Hope for those who can see the light. Hope for those who can turn away from their wicked ways. Hope for those who believe,"

"Believe in what, Dick?" the Professor asked, placing his hand on Blossom's shoulder. He could feel his daughter trembling. Worse, he could feel her power building up inside her; he could feel the chill in the air.

"You may not have invited me, Jimmy, but I am inviting you. All of you, and all of Townsville, to turn your backs on the false goddesses and join me. When you left me for dead, Jim, instead of passing on to the next world, I was instead reborn. Reborn with a gift...the vision to change this world. To save it from evil."

Dick laughed and his body began to glow brighter, until all that could be seen was his lab coat and his glasses, "How ironic would it be that, through your daughter, the very incarnation of evil itself, I would find the power to bring my vision to life?"

"What are you talking about, you sicko?" Blossom spat, finally stepping in front of her parents, in front of the crowd.

"Thanks to you, I have been reborn as the Messiah, and I am here to save this world," Dick Hardley, no, the Messiah explained.

Blossom thrust her finger at him and snarled, "You're no savior! You're a murderer!"

"And you're the pot who calls the kettle black," Dick chuckled, hovering into the air. "But you aren't wrong, many will die. Those who believe will be saved, while the sinful, the wicked are purged from this world to make room for a new world. Sharing a name with the Devil herself isn't enough to damn your souls, my friends" Now Dick was addressing the rest of the group, ignoring Blossom.

"Believe in me, come to me, and I will save you from the coming destruction of this world. I will take you into the light, and drive away the darkness. This one...this Powerpuff Girl, she's the one who will bring this world to ruin. If left unchecked, her power will destroy this and every other world. Let me save you," He pointed at Blossom, his grin growing, "From her." His voice was getting louder, echoing in the air around him. It reminded Blossom of the voices of the Great Old Ones.

Blossom was furious, fists clenched and eyes burning. Her body trembled, struggling to hold back her power, to keep her anger in check. Every word that came from his lips was a lie, a two-faced, selfish, blathering lie.

He was a murderer and a con artist. He threw away the lives of countless Powerpuff Girls, made from cheap ingredients just to line his wallet. He poisoned an entire city, just to get revenge against one man. He brought a little girl back to life, just to enslave and murder her. He forced three new girls into this world just to indoctrinate and enslave them as well.

He was the monster.

He was the Devil.

The Professor watched his oldest girl with nervous eyes. Hoping to diffuse the situation, he took a step forward, "Leave now, Dick. You aren't welcome here,"

"Jimmy, listen to me," Dick began, holding out his hands, "For old time's sake, believe me when I tell you-"

Something inside of her snapped. Blossom's eyes lit up and her teeth became fangs. Before she could stop herself, she screamed "JUST SHUT UP!"

Rays of pink light erupted from her eyes and mouth, swirling into a massive explosion of light, tearing apart the roof of the reception hall. Her scream echoed across the suburb, the ray of light shot into the sky, obliterating everything it came in contact with. When the light finally died down, they could see her standing in the smoke.

Eyes blazing, hands clenching like claws, flames still rising from her lips.

Skin darkened, but giving off a radiant light.

Dust and debris swirling around her in a miasma of icicles and energy.

The Messiah had vanished, leaving the Devil behind.
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Dreams of an Absolution