Chapter 11

“Seriously you’re just going to run and hide?!” Dave exclaims.

“Yes.” I answered simply.

“Why the hell would you do that?!” He questions.

“Dave! Language!” My mom scolds him.

“It’s simple.” I sigh.

“Still explain it to me.” He states.

“Because of Princess’s sister.” I answer.

“What?” He asks.

“Isn’t she the one who broke into the school and spent like a month trying to stalk you during class?” Blossom asks.

“Yep.” I confirm.

“She did what?!” The Mayor and my father exclaimed.

“Oh come on she wasn’t even subtle about it. It was like literally the day I went back to school.” I complain about their reactions.

“Are you being serious?!” The Mayor asks.

“Yeah.” I confirm again.

“How did you not know we talked about it when we came to the lab.” Blossom says.

“Yeah we even showed a video a classmate took of the situation.” Bubbles adds.

“Someone got a video?” I ask.

“You didn’t know about the video?” Blossom asks genuinely shocked.

“Nope. I was just trying to stay away from my rich stalker.” I admit.

“I guess that makes sense as a reasonable excuse.” Bubbles states.

“I’m honestly surprised who ever took that video was able to spread it.” I say.

“Why’s that?” Blossom asks.

“Because I would have thought the Moorebucks wouldn’t let any bad press about their precious daughter spread.” I say half mocking.

“Yeah that’s a fair assumption.” Ken agrees.

“But why is she dangerous enough for you to hide?” Dave asks.

“She’s rich. Didn’t I say that?” I ask.

“You did but just because she’s rich doesn’t mean she’s dangerous.” He argues.

“Ok let me put it this way. Between her and the punks I don’t know which one scares me more.” I state.

“What?!” Everyone exclaims.

“How can that even be possible?!” Ken asks.

“What did she do in the little amount of time that would even cause this?!” The Professor questions.

I sighed.

“Ok so a quick explanation is both of them, the Punks and Miko, haven’t really been denied anything their whole lives.” I start.

“Really? The punks were never denied anything?” Ken asks.

“In their world or universe whatever it’s called it’s basically if you’re strong you do whatever you want and make the rules.” I explain.

“Oh that makes sense.” He states.

“But even though technically none of them of been denied anything in their life I still told them no at some point. However the punks pouted or sulked or asked me to explain why I told them no. Miko on the other hand had her parents who were my clients demand I humor her and when I tried to say no saying it wasn’t included and would cost more they just coughed up the money.” I state.

“So kinda in a way she forced you to do something sooner and before the punks did?” Bubbles asks.

“Yeah more or less.” I agree.

“But the punks didn’t make you play a song you kept to yourself they raped you!” A new voice chimes in.

We all immediately snapped our attention towards and saw Miko there w/.. of course, more press.

Fuck.

Wait how did she even get here so fast?

How did she get in?

Doesn’t the lab have security?

What the hell is going on!?

“Yes Buttercup we would also like to know how a song is a bigger violation to you than what the punks did.” A reporter says suddenly in front of me holding up a microphone to my mouth.

“Ok for starters back up.” I say taking a step away.

The reporter backed away reluctantly eventually.

“Secondly I would like to know how you all got into the lab. Wasn’t the security active?!” I exclaimed.

“Oh well the Mayor gave all news reporters special passes that will allow them into the lab in case of some sort of investigation.” A different reporter answers.

All attention then snapped to the Mayor.

“Heh, heh.. Oops?” The Mayor says lamely.

“You got mad at me for w/ holding information what do you call this!?” I exclaimed.

“Well in my defense it’s not like I had a lot of time to tell you this.” He tries to defend himself.

“No don’t you dare try to play that card. That last reporter that got my story about the assault had to have gotten into the lab somehow! Which means these guys have had this access for a while!” I state.

“Ok you got me there.” He sighs.

“Explain yourself now!” I demand. 

“Ok so after you girls defeated Him people wanted some answers. I kinda let it slipped that how dark Z rays woke him up and how they also made the villains like Mojo Jojo. Which got people upset and they demanded to a way for them to know if this lab caused any more monsters or disasters that they have to be on the look out for.” The Mayor explains.

“And what if we weren’t exposed as the Powerpuff girls and a reporter came in and caught us!?” I question.

“I didn’t think of that.” He admits.

“That’s extremely disappointing. At least I had valid reasons to forget some details since it all happened all at once!” I scold.

“Ok I get it can you stop scolding me!” The Mayor exclaims.

“Does.. does this happen a lot.” A new reporter asks gesturing to me and the Mayor.

“As of late yes.” Blossom says not giving them any more details.

“Can we get back to the main question?!” Miko asks.

“Oh yeah well I might have only mentioned how she made me play a private song but she also did a lot more that wasn’t stated.” I explain.

“Oh? What else did she do?” A female reporter asks.

“Well she broke into my bath the night she came home. She tried breaking into my room again on the night she came home. Then the song happened. Then she tried breaking into my room again. Then when we got on the yacht she broke into my room the first night, then proceeded to try and break into my room again till Midnight, and she was spying on me in my swim suit during my off time.” I start to list off.

“Oh wow… that’s a lot of.. issues.” A reporter says.

“But the punks had to have been worse! There’s no way decent people would kidnap you twice and assault you!” A different report says.

“Yeah exactly! What did they do in all that time each time they kidnapped you!?” Miko asks.

“Actually before that whole assault thing staying w/ the punk was actually better than staying at home.” I answer honestly.

The whole lab went deadly silent.

“Wait even the second time? Weren’t they mad you escaped Buttercup?” Ken asks.

“Wait Ken!” A reporter says directing his attention to him.

“Uh.. yeah?” He hesitantly answers.

“You speak as if you already knew that the first time she was kidnapped she had a better time w/ them than w/ you guys and her family.” The reporter says going for a direct kill.

“Dang he didn’t pull any punches.” I state. 

“No kidding… But yeah, I talked to her and she did say that technically she had more fun w/ them and that things were better over there.” Ken answered.

“When was this!?” The reporter asked.

“Uh the night she came back…” Ken says awkwardly.

“I see.” The reporter documents.

“Buttercup did they brainwash you or something there’s no possible way it could have been better!” Miko yells.

“No need to yell.” I groan.

“I also find it hard to believe can you please explain how it was better?” The female reporter from before asks.

“Well I guess it’s because they didn’t act like some big scary villains. I was literally like I was hanging out w/ like stunt doubles or something because they looked so much like myself and the girls. Only real time they acted like they were my captors was the first time when they were preparing to send Brute here. Me laughing at their failures and what not could have made anyone act like a captor. But they didn’t even react violently. They literally just demanded cuddles as punishment.” I explain.

“Wait seriously?!” Practically everyone exclaims.

“There had to have been times where they acted violently!” A report states.

“Well the first time there was only one time when they were truly violent.” I state.

“What happened?” A new reporter asked.

“So they had a room they kinda kept my away from in a round about way. I got in the room and found people they were holding prisoner because they used them and planned to betray them. When I found them the prisoners tried to tell me something that was a lie and they found me right as that happened. And yeah what happened wasn’t pleasant to hear.” I explain vaguely.

“Wait to hear? Don’t you mean feel? Or experience?” The same reporter asks.

“No. They tortured their prisoners not me. They just came and cuddled me when they were done beating their prisoners.” I state.

“Seriously?” He asks looking for confirmation.

“Why would I lie about my kidnappers?” I ask in return.

“It’s just hard to believe.” He says.

“Buttercup what about the second time they kidnapped you?” Miko asks.

“They weren’t really hostile that time either.” I shrug.

“None of them ever raised their hand against you?” She digs.

“I mean technically Brute because we would wrestle or box. But it was so similar to what I do w/ my dad and brothers that I didn’t count it.” I state.

“There’s no way they were as lenient as you say they were.” Miko huffs.

“I mean the first time they took me they let me be unsupervised and fell asleep w/ out locking me up or anything. I also was allowed a lot of privacy.” I explain.

“What..?” The reporters gasp collectively.

“Wait. Buttercup probably never did anything that would make them mad enough to turn violent.” A reporter states.

“No I definitely did.” I state.

“What?” He asks.

“I mean when they were about to set their plan into action I pulled a prank on Brute that caused them to delay their plan by a few days. And I only had to suffer through a few days on intense cuddling.” I elaborate.

“Were they more violent the second time?” A reporter asks.

“Not really. More paranoid I guess. I also saw them get violent more often but that’s mainly because their prisoners kept pissing them off.” I say absentmindedly.

“Language Buttercup!” My mom scolds and I tense. 

“Looks like the big and tough Green Powerpuff girl even recoils and rethinks thing in front of her mother.” The reporters laugh.

I don’t think it was funny at all.

“Buttercup you say they left you unsupervised a lot when they first took you so why did it take you so long to return and what caused you to return?” A reporter asks.

“Simple, I needed to build their trust and to be fair I was still mad at everyone here because of a personal issue that I will not disclose.” I state.

“Ok but what caused you to return?” He asks again.

I sighed.

“They said they were giving up on their plan to take over Townsville. I-” 

“Then does that mean you were already going to be sent back?! If so why did they take you again?!” He interrupts me.

“As I tried to say, I assumed that meant they were letting me go but they said that they caught me fair and square and that I was staying w/ them.” I say w/ a pointed glare at the reporter.

“Oh…” He says sheepishly.

“Why did they take you again? Did you not escape fair and square?” The female reporter asked.

“I asked the same thing. But they didn’t count my escape as fair and square.” I huff.

“Why is that?” She asks again.

“Because they didn’t like I used a sneak attack like they did.” I state simply.

“So pettiness?” She asks for clarification.

“More or less yeah.” I confirm.

“Yikes.” She sighs.

“My though exactly.” I say w/ a nod.

“Is Buttercup bonding w/ that reporter?” Ken asks.

“I can hear you.” I sigh.

“I know.” He says cheekily.

“Brat.” I say.

“Why didn’t you make your return home public right away?” A male reporter asks biting the bullet of the elephant in the room.

“That’s on a need to know basis and you don’t need to know.” I state.

“Do I not need to know because I’m not flirting w/ you like a certain reporter or because I asked as a guy and not a girl w/ her fun bags in your face?” He asks this time shocking me completely.

“Excuse you..?” I say slowly.

“I asked if only those with fun bags that can swallow your head need to or if it’s because you didn’t like who asked it that you classified it?” He asks again.

This bitch has some audacity.

I quickly moved to hold my family back and put either a snack or drink in their mouth.

Bubbles and Blossom quickly did the same to their families.

I then turned and looked back at that male reporter.

“Let me guess did you assume that because so far all the people who take interest in me are girls? Or because you see that I’m a tomboy so you assume I’m gay and favor girls over guys automatically?” I ask.

“What?! That’s preposterous!” He exclaims.

“Then why did you assume that? Or is it on a need to know basis that way you can save your own hide because you didn’t expect me to flip this around on you?” I ask.

“You have no right to suggest such things!” He yells.

“Yet you had the right to say what you said?” I ask.

“Of course! I’m a reporter! It’s my job to uncover important information!” He states.

“And what important information would require such a question out of the blue?” I ask.

“Fine it has to do w/ the fact that it’s strange how you apparently couldn’t believe that three boys at your school could change when you knew they were once a villain group called the Rowdyruff boys yet you allowed yourself to get chummy w/ the girls that kidnapped you and you don’t have one bad thing to say about these girls who assaulted you yet those boys were simply too evil to believe in?” The reporter says.

“Oh? Sounds like to me that you investigated my school situation as soon as you knew who we were. You found out some information and during this interview you were just fishing for details to prove your sexist idea about me.” I state.

“Wha-.. You can’t .. That’s a bold…” He stumbles over his words.

“Dang sis I didn’t know you could be so smart w/ your words!” Dave exclaims patting me on the back.

“Because of the accusations this reporter made I want all of you to turn in the key cards that let you get pass the security of the lab and leave. I can’t risk any more of these instigating reporters having access to this private space to plant evidence to match their narratives.” I state.

Reluctantly and almost hesitantly they complied.

Most of them shooting the male reporter who questioned me some glares deciding to blame him entirely.

I mean I guess he’s kinda at fault.

But not entirely.

Afterall I blame the mayor for giving them this type of access.

It wouldn’t have been as bad if he had told us about it.

Or if he actually checked to see who would be having unlimited access to the lab w/ all kinds of dangers!

This idiot reporter just made it easier for me to take these passes back w/ out looking suspicious.

As the reporters started to leave Miko stayed put.

“You need to leave too Miko.” I sigh.

“No way! I’m staying and we’re talking!” Miko challenges.

“Who are you to tell me that? My mother?” I state.

“I may not be your mother but if you want to call me mommy I’m ok w/ that.” She says w/ a shrug.

I gagged.

“EW! Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew!!” I say vocalizing my suffering.

“Dang sis was she always like this?” Dave asked me.

“A weirdo, a pervert and a creep? Yes.” I state.

“No need for name calling dear.” Miko says.

“DEAR?!” My Dad, Dave, and myself exclaimed.

“Yes dear. Unless you prefer I’d call you love instead?” She says.

I don’t know where she got all this audacity but I don’t like it.

“Ew! No! Use my name!” I yell.

“I will when I have to.” She says.

“Which is every time you try to address me!” I state.

“Oh come on. I can use a nickname if I so choose to.” She complains.

“No fucking way!” I declare.

“I would say language but I think this is an exception.” My mom states.

“Thanks mom.” I say.

“Didn’t know you could shrink back like that.” Miko teases.

“Shut up!” I snap at her.

“Easy tiger.” She jokes.

“You know what I have my answer. I prefer the punks over her. They’re less annoying.” I state.

“How rude.” Miko says offended.

“But true.” I argue.

“There’s the sister I know!” Dave laughed.

“This isn’t funny.” Miko pouts.

“You’re right. It hilarious.” I say laughing w/ my brother.

“Ok I guess I should step in. Miss, you do need to leave my lab.” The Professor says.

“How much for me to stay?” Miko asks.

“What..?” The Professor asks stunned.

“How much?” She reiterates.

“You don’t understand you can’t just pay to stay.” The Professor says.

“So would a Million be enough for a pass?” Miko asks getting her phone out.

“Leave.” The Professor says more firmly.

“Two million?” Miko says raising the price.

“Leave.” The Professor crossed his arms.

“Three million.” She states.

“Dave you can kick her out.” The Professor sighs.

My brother immediately jumped up to do the task w/ a smile.

“Don’t you dare touch me!” Miko roars as my brother picks her up.

In one swift motion he lifted her up and threw her out the lab doors.

“Nice.” I cheer as my brother come back.

“Anything for ya sis!” He says flexing his muscles.

I rolled my eyes.

“Whatever dweeb.” I say as I playfully punch his arm lightly.

“How dare you call me a dweeb!?” Dave exclaimed.

“Like this, Dweeb.” I say w/ a smirk.

“You little brat!” He says then he lunges at me.

I met him head on and we ended up wrestling again.

After we calmed down we all came up w/ a plan.

So.. I’m not allowed to be alone.

Seems like Deja vu.

Especially at school.

“…” 

“…”

“What.. what is all of this?” I ask.

When I walked into the classroom I came face to face w/ what could only be described as a military base.

My classmates moved my desk to the center of the class.

And everyone seemed to have helmets on.

“Last time you were alone and at school you got kidnapped!”

“Exactly! So we’re not letting that happen again!” 

“There’s no way for them to grab you easily like this!” 

“Hold up! I need to make sure you all understand something.” I say holding my hand up.

“What is it?” One of my classmates asks.

“It doesn’t matter where I sit. The metal on our desks can reflect my image which means they can be used to spy on me or just up and grab me.” I explain.

“What!?” The entire class cries.

“Yeah.” I sigh.

“We thought that only big things like mirrors or like windows and doors could be used for actual portals.” A different classmate says.

“Nope.” I state.

“Then how the hell are we supposed to keep you safe!?” A different classmate exclaims.

“Language!” Ms. Keen scolds.

“Honestly if the punks showed up none of you could do anything.” I sigh.

“What do you mean?” Ms. Keen asks.

“Well.. these girls always stay powered up. And they’re stronger than the Powerpuff girls. They have stronger powers, better control, better precision, and incredibly strong and agile.” I explain.

“No way.” One of the guys in class says.

“Wait how come you’re complimenting their skills so much?” A girl asked.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I ask.

“Well because they attacked you and kidnapped you twice. Wouldn’t that make them your enemies? Why would you compliment your enemies?” A boy asked.

“Well think about it. Doesn’t it make more sense for me to compliment them if not just acknowledge their skills if they’re my enemy? After all it proves I see their true strength making it hard for me to underestimate them. Which in battle overestimating your enemy is better than underestimating them.” I state simply.

“I guess that makes sense.” He groans.

“Wait! You can acknowledge someone’s strength w/ out complimenting them. So why compliment them?” A girl speaks up.

“Well I don’t think I actually complimented them.” I say.

“But you definitely did. You went as far to say they’re stronger than the Powerpuff girls.” She argues.

“Yes, but that wasn’t a compliment but an assessment.” I state.

“Could they really be so strong that that’s a fair assessment?” She asks.

“Yes.” I state simply w/ no hesitation.

“That was quite a fast and confident answer.” She points out.

“How long do you think it would take for one of the Powerpuff girls to go across the globe?” I ask.

“About half an hour at top speed.” She answers.

“They were able to go across the world and order food then get back in less time than that.” I inform.

“What?!” Everyone exclaimed.

“Woah, Buttercup why did they go across the globe just for food? Were you being bratty?” Miko says walking into the class room.

I groaned.

“Why are you here?” I complain.

“How rude.” She says.

“Big sis!” Princess says rushing in behind her.

“Yes?” Miko responds.

“If you’re just going to hover around Buttercup again then I’m not going to be your cover!” Princess declares.

“Alright Princess understood.” Miko sighs.

“What’s her reason for stalking me this time?” I groan.

“How rude.” Miko pots again.

“But Miko was right. Why did they fly across the globe just to get some food?” Princess asks.

“Because I was hungry but they didn’t have any food in the kitchen. But they destroyed their town which means the only way for them to get fast food is to go somewhere else. I don’t know they felt the need to go to the place the food originated from instead of a restaurant or some fast food joint closer by.” I explain.

“Really?” Miko asks. 

“Anyways back to some important business.” I say changing the subject.

“What’s wrong Buttercup?” Ms. Keen asks.

“Since it’s so easy for the punks to grab me in the school because of all of the reflective surfaces I was wondering if we can move class outside or something?” I ask.

“Oh certainly!” She says packing up her stuff.

“This is wonderful! There’s no assign seats outside so I can sit as close to you as I wish!” Miko cheers.

“What?” I deadpan.

“Well it only make sense. Even if I can’t fight or out run them I can easily hide you for a bit if they can’t spy on us.” Miko justifies herself.

“…” 

“…” 

Her response stunned everyone into silence.

“What?” She asks noticing everyone’s silence.

“You psycho.” I state.

“Huh?!” She exclaims.

“Ms. Keen I wish for you to make sure she can’t be close to me.” I say.

“You didn’t even need to ask I was already working on it.” She says.

“That’s not fair!” She complains.

“Don’t care.” I state.

“Oh come on you’re being mean!” She whines.

“So what?” I ask.

“How could you be so mean?” She asks.

“Easily.” I put simply.

I only spent like two week going back to school and I’m already tired of it.

Not because school’s boring.

Oh no.

I wished it was just that.

But no.

It’s because Miko won’t leave me alone!

She even changed Princess’s classes so that we have all the same classes so that she can be w/ me the entire school day!

Thankfully Bubbles and Blossom also share all my classes.

So they can pretty easily boot her away from me.

However now I’m in the principal’s office.

W/ me in the office is Miko, Princess and their parents.

Along w/ Bubbles and Blossom.

“So.. Buttercup, why did you beat Miko nearly to death?” The Principal asked.

“Because the pervert snuck up on me in the shower after gym and grabbed me!” I state.

“I see… However this situation is complicated….” The Principal says.

“How!?” The girls and I exclaimed.

“Well you see, she may have been in the wrong, and this could just all be a misunderstanding, but given your strength Buttercup and how you’re a Powerpuff girl you attacking her can still be seen as an abuse of power.” The Principal drags out.

“You can’t be serious right now!?” I demand.

“I am.” He sighs.

“You’re impossible!” I state.

“How are you planning to compensate us for this!?” Mr. Moorebucks asks.

“What?” I ask.

“Our daughter was assaulted by a superpowered freak! You can’t possibly believe that you could get out of this w/ out compensating us.” He states.

“You can’t be serious…” I say.

“Of course I am!” He declares.

“How could you demand compensation when she’s the one who-?!” 

“She simply went inside the shared showers after a gym class w/ her sister. W/ no cameras, witnesses, or any other type of evidence proving that she had malice intentions then it’s simply a he said she said. However there is evidence that you reacted violently. Just look at my daughter! She’s wrapped in bandages like a mummy! No matter what she did nothing she could have done in that shower could have been bad enough to warrant this!” He argues.

“You want compensation..?” I say under my breath.

“Buttercup wait!” Blossom says grabbing my arm.

“You can’t honestly think that you have to compensate them!” Bubbles says.

“Principal as compensation I will leave the school and never return.” I declare shocking everyone.

“Wait Buttercup you don’t have to do that! If you truly wish to make things right then you can just come on a trip w/ me!” Miko offers.

“I’ll be back w/ the Mayor and my parents to complete the paperwork.” I say standing up and leaving.

“Buttercup…” Bubbles says.

“I will also leave the school!” Blossom declares. 

I actually stopped in my tracks hearing that.

“Same!” Bubbles agrees.

“What!? But girls you’re both-!” 

“We’re both superpowered freaks just like Buttercup. If we react to something it could cause this same situation so we’ll just leave now before that happens.” Blossom says.

“But-!”

“Not to mention how you said this was complicated. What if we’re not just grabbed like she was but nearly assaulted?” Bubbles counter.

On that note they both get up and follow after me.

We all just grabbed our stuff and left the school.

Our peers kept calling out questions as we started to leave.

Once we got to the door I turned and looked back at the crowd.

“Oh we’re leaving the school because the principal said that Miko coming up behind me in the shower and grabbing me is a complicated situation because of the beating I gave her since I’m a Powerpuff girl so as compensation to the Moorebucks family I’m leaving the school and the girls decided to leave too to avoid another one of these situations from happening.” I announce before leaving w/ the girls.

Moments later we hear an uproar of the school.

Ugh.

This made me remember the real nuisance of a hero.

Especially since these three heroes no longer have secret identities.

The real nuisance is…

Imagine over common sense.