Dreams of an Absolution

August 26th, 2001

Patient Name: Blossom Utonium

It's been a week since I last saw Blossom...and what a week it's been. Townsville is in a state of utter panic. The entire police force, men and women alike, all murdered in cold blood. I can't imagine how terrifying it must have been for her. She was right there, in the midst of it all. But she's seen worse, hasn't she? I can only hope she doesn't blame herself...we've been making very good progress.

"Blossom, it's great to see you. How have you been? Please, have-there we go, oh my...what happened to your cheek?"

"You can see it?"

"Well, it's very faint, but yes. What happened, Blossom?"

"Sedusa happened. She was trying to intimidate my sisters, so she cut my face,"

"Oh dear! Are you alright?"

"I'm...okay, I guess. I got really lucky. For...for a second I thought I was-"

"Let's not talk about that, okay? Why don't you tell me about school?"

"It was really scary...I thought I was there again. Before, you remember, right?"

"That...mutation that nearly killed you, right?"

"That's right...that was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me. For a moment I thought, I thought I was there again. Ugh..."

"Sweetie, what's wrong? Move your hands, are you hurt? Oh...oh my,"

"I...I'm sorry, I didn't..."

"No, don't apologize...I'm sorry I just looked like that, it was very unprofessional,"

"It's not your fault, Dr. Elise, you were just worried. No, I'm okay, it just hurts sometimes,"

"That's odd...where did you get that scar, Blossom?"

"It's from...that fight,"

"That fight, oh of course. You mean your fight with your sisters?"

"Yeah, Buttercup she did this,"

"I'm surprised it hasn't healed...you have a very powerful healing ability, don't you?"

"Normally, but this cut is different. I don't know how but, it just won't go away and it starts hurting sometimes,"

"I never noticed you holding it, does it hurt worse than usual today?"

"Yeah...I don't know why. I always thought it just hurt when Buttercup and me were fighting,"

"Really? You aren't fighting anymore?"

"..."

"Blossom?"

"I don't know what we're doing now. It was so peculiar...I kind of enjoyed it..."

"What are you talking about?"

"When I woke up-um, Sedusa knocked me out, again-Buttercup was really quiet and...and she asked for me help! She acted like, like I was the leader again! Then she...she was crying,"

"Buttercup was crying? Was it, you know, because of all the police officers? Or maybe she was frightened by Sedusa, if she's as powerful as she seems to be-"

"I don't think it was any of that. I think...I think Buttercup was afraid that I was really going to die,"

"..."

"I thought I was going to die too...Sedusa was crushing me with her tail, she cut my cheek so easily. Buttercup, she...she couldn't do anything. Neither of them could do anything,"

"What did you...say to her?"

"I just, she got mad and yelled at me. She told me to never go off alone again. She's actually...Buttercup came with me today, she's out in the lobby,"

"R-Really? But, I thought she didn't want anything to do with you anymore?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! Those were your words, Dear! You said Buttercup hated you,"

"Oh, right...well I thought she did. But she was really frightened when she thought I was going to die. I think maybe the helplessness got to her. I'm...I'm happy that she's talking to me again, not just screaming at me,"

"So she's forgiven you?"

"..."

"Has she forgiven you for what happened?"

"I don't think so...I think she's just trying to forget it ever happened,"

"Really..."

"Yeah, I don't blame her though. Some days I want to forget it myself,"

"But you haven't forgotten about it, have you?"

"Of course not! I mean..."

"No it's alright, I shouldn't have pressed you,"

"No that was rude, I'm sorry to yell, Dr. Elise. I haven't forgotten what happened,"

"Do you still dream about it?"

"Sometimes...it's not every night anymore, but when I do, the dreams are always really vivid,"

"Why don't you tell me about the last dream you had?"

"Do we have time?"

"Oh...I think we can make time, don't you?"

"Well, I shouldn't keep Buttercup waiting. You're right, this is important. Okay, the last dream I had was...on Wednesday,"

"What happened Wednesday?"

"Well...that was the day Ms. Keane met Uka-sensei. I was really stressed about it, but they actually got along really well!"

"So, you and Ms. Keane are still very close?"

"I think...I think we're closer than ever now! She was telling Uka-sensei that, that she thought I was special! That I was her favorite student too!"

"You are very special, Blossom! I know you're going through a rough time right now, but I know you'll-"

"Do great things someday...that's what Ms. Keane said! I um...we talked about school that night, and maybe it was just relief that the day was over,"

"Hm? Oh right, your dream. What did you dream about, Blossom?"

"Well it was...the usual dream. Aku and I, we were floating above the Earth. My sisters were dead, the heroes trying to stop us were dead...and we were both so happy. Aku gave me a hug...I gave him a kiss, but then...that's where it changes."

"Changed how?"

"The dream usually ends before we um...before we k-kiss you know...on the...lips,"

"Uh huh, go on,"

"Well this time, before we could kiss, the Earth started...burning. I don't know how to describe it. But it caught on fire and turned red. I looked at Aku, but he was burning, like paper, disappearing! I tried to use my ice breath to put him out, but it didn't work...he burnt up and when I looked at myself...I was the old me again,"

"The old you, so what do you consider, ahem, Devil Blossom?"

"Well that's me, obviously,"

"I just wanted to make sure, everyone else acts like it's someone else,"

"Um, okay...well I was the old me again, but I was back in Townsville! Everything was normal, I was at a podium giving a speech for Powerpuff Girls Day. It was like nothing ever happened,"

"Well that's good, right?"

"...It was so weird though...the Professor was dressed in a white robe and he looked...I don't know, different,"

"Hm, that is strange,"

"Yeah...almost as weird as the sky..."

"Oh wow! We've really gone over our time, haven't we?"

"Hm? I guess so, but it's alright, isn't it? You won't get in trouble,"

"Of course not! No, it's perfectly alright! You're always welcome to stay...'off the clock' if you really want to, Blossom. I'm here for you,"

"Thank you, Dr. Elise. I should probably get back to Buttercup, though. She's probably really bored,"

"If you're sure, take care this week, Blossom. It sounds like it's going to be quite a busy week,"

"Oh I know, but don't worry, I'll be fine!"

"Alright, goodbye, Honey,"

"Goodbye, Dr. Elise!