Dreams of an Absolution

"Saturn comes back around

Lifts up you up like a child

Or drags you down like a stone

To consume you til you

Choose to let this go"

The Grudge (Tool "Lateralus")


Dreams of an Absolution

Chapter 14

"Aku...will you tell me a story?" The demon narrowed his eyes in confusion. Blossom kept her eyes low, blushing slightly in the dim moonlight pouring in through the open window. Her sisters had long since gone to bed; the Professor had long since kissed her goodnight. Now the unlikely pair sat alone, bathed in silence and darkness broken only by the flickering of his eyes.

"What do you mean, Blossom?" She sighed, pulling her knees up to her chest. They were so far apart, she couldn't help smiling when he sat closer. She couldn't resist sighing when his fingers trailed through her hair.

"I just...want to hear a story...so I can have something to dream about," The demon gave a grunt of confusion. Dreams must have not been his area of expertise. To be honest, she wanted a distraction, anything to stay awake just a little bit longer. Anything to keep her mind off her own dreams.

"Please?" Aku sighed and leaned back against the headboard, drumming his fingers across her back. Blossom closed her eyes and laid against him.

"Very well...Aku shall tell you the legend of the Soul Collector...a powerful minion of the Master of Masters, banished long ago to the darkness," Aku took a deep breath and began to tell the tale, weaving a simplistic setting, a thriving kingdom in a distant land. Blossom tried to keep her eyes open, but they were already getting heavy. The gentle brush of his claws on her back was just so comforting, so soothing.

"But not all were happy...for you see, there was a homeless man without a family, who had been beaten and left an invalid by the minions of Aku..." Blossom quickly stifled a yawn, curling up and snuggling closer to Aku to get more comfortable. His thick baritone droned on, surprisingly effective though lacking his typical theatrics. Blossom's head began to droop.

"...after the girl visited him, the man fell into a fitful sleep. Dark dreams plagued his every thought. Hatred for the world that had disowned him, and envy for the freedoms they enjoyed..." Blossom closed her eyes, resolving to only close them for a second. So heavy...so tired...so content.

"...taking his first life, the man knew he had found his heaven..."

XxXxX

Man made god...and sought to bind her

"Why did you choose to come to Aku, child?"

It wasn't my choice, I didn't choose any of this! I didn't want any of this to happen!

"Aku was not calling you child..."

Then I don't know! I didn't do it though! I swear, I'm a good girl...I'm a good girl!

"Why do they fear you, child?"

It's not my fault! None of this was my fault! You did this to me!

"Do not speak the words they wish to hear...tell Aku what it is you, and you alone, feel,"

And through her naiveté…man bound and gagged the goddess.

I don't know what I feel...I just want everything to go back to the way it was!

"Red Child...there is so much for me to teach you,"

I don't want to learn from you! I'm a superhero! You're a monster! A MONSTER!

"All things have a weakness..."

Even you! You have a weakness! You can't keep controlling me! You can't...make me like you!

"You cannot hope to defeat Aku, child,"

Y...Yes I can...yes I can! I can win...I'm a good girl...I'm not like you...I'm nothing like you!

"I should have killed her,"

I never...no...stop...please stop...just get away from me! Just leave me alone! STOP!

Impotent and powerless...until the day, the goddess opened her eyes.

"This power...it is why mortals exist...to impart it unto us,"

No! I'm a hero, a servant to the people! It's my job to protect them form people like you!

"The Earth...shall be destroyed,"

No! I won't let you! You can't win! You won't win!

"Do you not trust Aku?"

Of course I don't trust you! You're a liar! A villain! A demon! You're everything evil!

"Do you believe in Aku?"

No I don't! "Yes! Of course I do!"

"You will do anything for him?"

No! I'll never do anything for you! "Yes! I will!"

"You wish to be with Aku? You wish to be a god, like Aku?"

NO! I'm not a god! You're not a god! I'm a hero and you're a monster! "I do..."

Now...there's no turning back.

NO!

A chorus of screams rang out, the crowd backed away, those who had been nearest to Talking Dog suddenly splattered with blood.

"He never knew when to shut up...stupid dog,"

NO!

Whipping around she slashed downward, splattering blood across the street. Bubbles fell back, hand over her bleeding side. The wound wasn't healing.

"What's wrong, is sweet little Bubbles scared? You should be! This is bigger than danger level eleven! This is real, Bubbles! I'm real!"

NO!

Blossom slammed her bloodied, moaning sister again and stalked toward her, arms shifting back to normal. She grabbed her by her throat and held her up, wearing a grin of utter enmity.

"You're bleeding sis...sorry about that..."

SOMEONE PLEASE! PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! THIS ISN'T ME!

"I'm Blossom, it's nice to finally meet you!"

NO!

XxXxX

"Blossom? Blossom open the door! Hey! Are you in there?" Blossom sat in the shower with her knees pulled up to her chest, clutching her head and trembling. Buttercup was pounding on the door, the Professor was trying to pick the lock, and the water was freezing cold. She'd long since rinsed clean, but the smell of vomit still slithered in from the hallway. She had no idea how long it had been, but her heart was still pounding. Her head was still throbbing. She hurt all over. She couldn't stop crying.

"Blossom! Open the door or I'll break it down!" Buttercup screamed, pounding on the door again. Her voice was cracked and strained.

"Buttercup! You're not helping, now get back. Blossom! Sweetie, just open the door, let us in!" the Professor tried to reason. Blossom shook her head and tucked it between her knees, wracked with sobs again. Without thinking, she let out a quivering moan that escalated into a painful scream. The sound on the other side of the door stopped, then there was a loud smash.

"Butter, oh alright. Blossom!" the Professor unlocked the door and started to open it. Blossom managed to find her voice just in time.

"Don't come in!" The desperation in her scream please don't look at me seemed to work, the Professor froze. The door even clicked closed again for a second. Still, she could hear Buttercup trying to fight the Professor to get in.

"Let me in! Blossom what's wrong? Are you okay?" Blossom shook her head, fresh tears springing up. Without a response, Buttercup finally got inside. Blossom heard the door click shut please, I don't want you to see me and suddenly the curtain was jerked away. She kept her eyes down, unable to look at Buttercup.

"Blossom! What's wrong? What happened? Who hurt you! You're...Professor!" Blossom gasped and grabbed Buttercup's skirt.

"Don't tell him! Please...please..." She begged don't you dare tell him, staring up at Buttercup. The Powerpuff leader shook her head and pulled away.

"Blossom you're bleeding! I have to tell him! You could be hurt!" She shouted, just loud enough that the Professor could hear through the cracks in the door.

"What? Blossom's bleeding? Open this door, right now!" Buttercup sighed, unable to meet Blossom's betrayed expression. Soon the door was open how could you do this to me and the Professor was at her side . Blossom could see Bubbles on the other side of the door. Her head was still throbbing. She felt her stomach lurching again. And through it all, Blossom still couldn't stop crying.

XxXxX

The room was quieter than usual, without Blossom's typical interjections. Princess had taken up the duty of answering every question Uka-sensei put forth, though the lack of emotion in the latter's response seemed to imply he didn't really care. It was a hot day and the air conditioning wasn't exactly top notch. The room was sweltering, beads of sweat decorated every brow, and a chorus of sighs broke the typical monotony.

Uka-sensei was rambling, about what Blossom wasn't quite sure. As he paced the front of the room, going on and on about something important, Blossom stared blankly at her desk. She hadn't taken out a single book yet, she could faintly hear her classmates talking. She knew Uka-sensei had given her a worried look stay away from me you monster but he managed to hide it well. The one who wasn't doing a good job of hiding her concern was Buttercup.

A pile of notes, carefully passed to avoid detection, was building on Blossom's desk, and on the floor around her feet. Were they not meant for her, there's no way they'd have escaped Uka-sensei's eyes. As it was, he more than likely wanted the same reassurance the sender did. Blossom hadn't read any of the notes yet, so they continued to pile up. Somewhere behind her, she could hear Buttercup getting impatient.

"And so...hm...a pop quiz is in order," The class moaned—it was quickly clipped off by a glare from Uka-sensei—and shuffled their belongings to the floor. Holding the offending stack of papers in one hand, Uka-sensei narrowed his eyes as he scanned the room for potential cheaters.

"It is a math quiz and there shall be no technology to aid you," This time, not even Uka-sensei's glare could stop the moaning, and the cries of disapproval.

"That's stupid!"

"I'm going to fail..."

"Why?"

"SILENCE!" The room fell deathly silent, the only sound the echo of Mike Believe's pen hitting the floor. Uka-sensei passed out the papers, saving Blossom's for last. As he set it on her desk, his fingers trailed scandalously close to her mitt. Blossom swallowed hard and slowly looked up. To avoid panicking and hyperventilating, she chose to not breathe at all. His eyes were different, his horns were longer, and his brow was darkened. Blossom could just barely make out a pulse of red light in his chest.

"Blossom...are you well?" He asked in an inaudible whisper. Blossom swallowed and lowered her head, staring at her quiz. The letters were jumbled get away you monster and the numbers seemed to be dancing in front of her eyes. It took a moment, but Blossom realized that her eyes were watering.

"I'm..." She wasn't sure how she I'm trapped, please save me really felt. What could she tell him so he wouldn't worry? Uka-sensei's hand touched hers. His fingers were long and jet black. She stared at the appendage, as he wrapped his fingers around her mitt.

"Is there anything Uka can do to ease your pain?" A tear trickled down her cheek this is all your fault you monster. Blossom slowly shook her head please set me free again you're the only reason that everyone hates me and sighed, glancing up at him.

"I'm...okay..." She trailed off, biting her lip. Picking up her pencil, she stared blankly at the quiz. She was crying...and she couldn't read the paper. Seconds ticked on, turning to minutes. Minutes ticked on until the bell rang. Everyone passed in their papers before rushing for the door. Blossom handed in a blank sheet for the first time.

Her peers were filing out, the stuffy, hot room was steadily emptying. Blossom continued to stare blankly at her desk, barely aware of the tears leaking down her cheeks. She snapped out of her revere when a sharp bump hit her desk. She looked up at Princess, clenching her jaw.

"Hey Crybaby, did you even write your name on that quiz?" Blossom climbed out of her chair, ignoring Princess' stuck-up, wretched smug smirk. Unfortunately, she was hot on her heels as Blossom escaped into the hallway.

"Hey! Why are you running away? You can't just ignore me!" Blossom lowered her head you were right...you were right and quickened her pace. Princess just stayed right behind her. In fact, as Blossom continued to ignore her jeers, she finally reached out and grabbed her wrist, spinning her around. Blossom froze don't you ever touch me again and stared at Princess.

"Quit ignoring me, Utonium! Mr. Uka gives you special treatment, doesn't he?" Princess spat at her. Blossom just lowered her it's all a lie, just a trick eyes and shook her head.

"N-No, he doesn't..." Her voice was a trembling whisper. Despite the way her body ached, the way her stomach lurched, Blossom could feel the fire growing in her chest. This time, though...this time she was afraid. She clenched her eyes shut and tried to walk away. Again, Princess grabbed her wrist.

"Don't just walk away from me! I'm sick of you ignoring me! Who do you think you are?" Blossom spun around YOU KNOW WHO I AM, jerking her arm away from Princess and snarling. Princess only narrowed her eyes she knows I wouldn't hurt her and sneered. Blossom narrowed her eyes; her face was hot and her chest was on fire.

"I just want to go eat...just leave me alone!" Blossom hissed. She took a warning step toward Princess, but to her shock, her opponent wasn't moved. In fact, Princess took a step closer. She was daring YOU KNOW WHO I AM Blossom to try something. She was begging her, just so she'd get in trouble. Just so she's testing me...I won't give in the world would have a new reason to hate her.

"Or what? What'll you do? You can't do anything!" She laughed. Blossom lowered her head, not budging when Princess shoved her. She was weak, but she wasn't powerless. I can't hurt you I can shut you up forever.

"Just let me go to lunch..." Blossom begged, trying to turn. Again, she was grabbed. This time DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH ME she couldn't stop herself from slapping Princess' hand away. She stumbled back gasping and holding her wrist.

"You...you hit me! You can't do that!" She screamed. Blossom's eyes went wide no please, I didn't mean to while Princess grinned victoriously. A door nearby opened, high-heels clacked against the linoleum floor. Someone heard her, someone was coming. Princess quickly dropped to her knees, nursing her wrist. Blossom's arms dropped to her sides oh no...please no...as she stared blankly. What else could she do? She couldn't get out of this...

"There you are! What's going on?" Blossom and Princess both looked up. Buttercup crossed her arms, glaring at Princess, and glancing at Blossom. Blossom opened and closed her mouth uselessly; Princess glared, but managed to seem sincere.

"Your evil sister just hit me! For no reason too!" Buttercup narrowed her eyes and turned to Blossom, who was still staring at her blankly. The clacking was right on top of them now. All three looked up, just in time to see their principal, Miss Anne Durry, approaching. Formerly known as Femme Fatale, the administrator had a stern, no-nonsense attitude. She was strict, demanding...and it was no secret that she still hated the Powerpuff Girls.

"What is going on here? Miss Morebucks, what happened?" Princess managed to get a grin in while Principal Durry was looking at the Utonium sisters. She quickly screwed up her face and thrust her "good" finger toward Blossom.

"She hit me! She used her superpowers and everything!" Principal Durry leveled a deathly glare with Blossom, who still couldn't seem to make her mouth work. Blossom I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to felt her knees getting weak. There were more footsteps approaching. A bell was ringing somewhere—lunch was over—and a stampede was heading in their direction.

"Is that so? Well...what do you have to say for yourself?" The tone of Principal Durry's voice bore no humor. She wasn't even considering the possibility that Princess was lying. To be perfectly honest, she wasn't. Blossom had played right into her manipulative little brat hands.

"I..." was all she managed to say. A crowd was gathering, students watching, whispering amongst themselves. Some were even shouting out their condolences to Princess! Shocking nearly everyone present, including the looming dark figure coming out of the nearest classroom, Buttercup snorted and got between Blossom and Principal Durry.

"Princess is lying to get Blossom in trouble...I hit her because she was getting on my nerves," Principal Durry gasped, as did most of the surrounding students. Nearby, the dark figure raised an eyebrow, catching Blossom's equally confused gaze.

"You're lying! Blossom hit me!" Princess screeched, glaring at Buttercup. Buttercup glowered, and Princess swallowed nervously.

"I'll do it again if I have to prove it, Blossom didn't touch her," Blossom watched the fear flash through Princess' eyes. Buttercup was inarguably the most revered hero on Earth after the battle two months earlier, and Princess didn't exactly have a clean track record. Not to mention...Buttercup isn't shackled and bound like a slave didn't have her power restrained. Principal Durry looked back at Princess who swallowed and lowered her eyes.

"Okay I lied...Buttercup hit me...it really hurt too! She almost broke my wrist!" Principal Durry nodded and gestured for Buttercup to follow her. Buttercup gave Blossom a shrug and a secretive smile, before following the two ex-villains. Blossom closed her mouth and looked up at Uka-sensei. Uka-sensei was gone, but Baku was just as amazed.

"I knew she...but...she's going to get...oh gosh..." Blossom moaned this is all my fault. Baku grabbed her hand, the sudden blush fighting off her guilt and confusion.

"Come, Blossom, let us eat and play...I have yet to relinquish the title of 'It' in our game..." He grumbled. Blossom nodded, glancing back while they went to join Boomer.

XxXxX

Blossom sighed, staring at Buttercup. Her sister was sitting on the other end of the couch, flipping through the channels. After a painful moment of silence, she finally spoke.

"You shouldn't have done that..." she pointed out. Buttercup scoffed and shook her head.

"I saw what she did to you, I wasn't going to let her win!" she stated. Blossom shook her head and rested her chin on her hands. Bubbles was in the other room with Ms. Keane, probably working on homework she really wasn't sure. The Professor was upstairs doing...something. Blossom hadn't really paid attention during dinner.

"I didn't want you to get in trouble..." Buttercup rolled her eyes.

"Who cares? I just got detention. She'd have probably expelled you!" she retorted, throwing the remote down on the floor. Blossom stared at the device, biting her lip.

"Maybe I deserved it...I did hit her..." Buttercup sat up with lightning speed, crossing the distance between them with a righteous fury. Blossom backed up against the arm of the couch, cringing under Buttercup's wilting glare.

"Shut up! Stop talking like that! She made you hit her!" Blossom sighed and shook her head.

"Buttercup..." She murmured. Buttercup shoved her shoulder, getting Blossom to look her in the eye again. Blossom swallowed nervously.

"Just...just be thankful! Okay? I did you a favor! It's fine! I don't care!" said Buttercup, crossing her arms and sitting back on the couch.

"...I'm still sorry..." Blossom apologized. She reached out, but paused holding her hand out uselessly. Buttercup looked up, rolling her eyes when she noticed that Blossom was crying.

"Don't be, alright? Geez, you cry more than Bubbles now," She slapped her forehead, cringing when she saw the hurt look on Blossom's face. Blossom sighed and glanced back at the kitchen. Bubbles had her back to the living room. Buttercup frowned and touched Blossom's leg. "I'm...sorry, I forget. I guess I just got used to it, I..." Blossom shook her head and sighed.

"I know...I'm going to my room," As she got up, Buttercup followed her, grabbing her arm. Blossom couldn't help bristling. All day...everyone seemed to feel this obsessive need to keep grabbing her. To keep her from doing what she wanted to.

"H-Hey! Wait! Wait! Are you going to be okay? You...you can sleep with...us if you want..." Blossom's anger wilted, hearing the almost desperate tone in Buttercup's voice.

"No...Bubbles wouldn't like that...I don't think I should, especially since...you know" she trailed off, lightly brushing her skirt. Buttercup shamelessly stared at her sister's legs and crossed her arms.

"If you start bleeding-" Blossom cut her off with a small laugh, shaking her head.

"It hasn't stopped...well it does sometimes, but then it starts again...I just think I should be alone," Buttercup threw herself down on the couch and glared at Blossom. Her glare wilted as she muttered something about ungrateful sisters. Blossom smiled and started toward the staircase again.

"You don't have to be..." Buttercup called after her. Blossom paused on the fourth stair. She smiled and waved as she started up the stairs again.

"I know...good night, Buttercup," Buttercup scowled and laid down on the couch again. Even from a distance, Blossom could see her disappointment.

"Alright fine, be that way...night, Blossom..."