Endless Possibilities

Endless Possibilities

Author's Note: What about Aku? Just how many boring chapters am I going to add?

Chapter 4

XxXxX

Far away, in the deepest darkness, a malevolent force began to grow. Flames began to rise up once more as hellish screams broke the eternal silence. That which had long been erased, had returned. And deep within this twisted nightmarescape, its Lord and Master sat in contemplative silence, his clawed fingers intertwined, his red eyes half-closed, his flaming eyebrows blazing.

“So it would seem that skeletons once buried were not buried so deeply,” The dark master's skin had hardened once again, recovered in full from the small dose of Antidote-X the Professor had thrown at him. A minor annoyance, but pain where it was not expected stung sharper still. Aku narrowed his eyes, the image of the Professor burning in his mind.

“So Samurai...our eternal struggle continues even now after your demise...” At first, Aku had thought the Professor to be the Nameless Prince. A foolish thought, he admitted to himself. Humans, even humans as powerful as that man, did not live forever. This was a new man, who carried the same blood as the first. This was not a man to be feared. Aku grit his teeth, the pit growing hotter around him. The flames burst into life, blazing in earnest.

“Those children...Powerpuff Girls...there was something within them that felt familiar in both wonderful and terrible ways,” The man who had confronted him called them his children. Aku growled and rested his arms on the rests of his throne. There was more to those little girls than meets the eye. They were powerful, no doubt. He had shown them true power, but he was not so arrogant as to ignore theirs. Their power certainly intrigued him. Aku peered into the fire, watching his own rebirth through the world's eyes.

He remained silent throughout the battle between the machine and the children. His eyes narrowed as the children let loose an attack of unimaginable power. The very same power that had flowed into him. The very same that had returned him to being. Aku stroked his beard.

“Hm...but what does this mean? Such...negative energy in creatures so disgustingly good...” The robot had siphoned out the positive energy. Just what was the positive energy, if the negative was so great that it could vivify the mighty Aku? The sorcerer rose and stalked through the fire, the image in it changing. He paused, watching the powerful children sleep, safe at home in their bed. He was inexplicably drawn to the one in the middle, the same whose blood he had tasted. Aku licked his lips and tapped his chin. Her blood...her arm had been injured in the bout with the robot.

“So...Red Child, it was you who bled on the weakened Aku...you who gave me the strength to resist the accursed sun...” Aku peered closer. The Red Child was dreaming, her breathing quick. Her face was heated and red. Aku blinked and lifted his eyebrow. She seemed to be distressed, moaning softly and barely able to catch her breath, but every so often a smile tugged at her lips. Suddenly, she woke, sitting up in a rush; the demon pulled back abruptly. He took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes.

“Who are you, child? You are not creatures of this world, of that I am certain. No creature in this world has ever been so fascinating...so remarkable...” Aku trailed off as he turned away from the vision. He paced across the pit, his arms behind his back. The Samurai was gone, and in his place was a simple man. But behind that man, were three children of inhuman power. Three mysterious little girls kept the Shogun of Sorrow at bay, even after they proved no match for his power.

“It's...in us isn't it? That...that stuff was Chemical X!” Aku spun around, quickly returning to the vision. The girls were awake, sitting on the man's lap and discussing Aku himself. The demon stared at the vision, his look of disbelief slowly becoming a devious leer. He stared at the Red Child, chuckling to himself.

“So that's the answer is it? Ah! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!” Aku once again began to pace the Pit of Hate, now wearing a wicked grin. The Samurai's legacy may have carried on, but it had led to something far greater than even Aku himself could have hoped for. His own power, given new form. Aku stood up straight, the vision fading behind him. He wore a devil's grin if ever there was one.

“The power of Aku lies within them...as does the power of that sword...these children could be my greatest weapon...or my greatest enemies...” Aku sat back on his throne, lacing his fingers and staring into the flames. A vision appeared within them.

Aku chuckled as a tiny fist poked his face. He slowly looked up, hissing low as his fiery eyes met her trembling pink eyes. The punch had hurt no more than a butterfly landing on a tulip, but the look in her eyes was worth the minor annoyance. She uttered a soft moan, frozen as he inched closer until he could feel her weak breath. He stared at her intensely, yet...with the faintest hint of something foreign to the monster. Something...softer.

Her eyes, an unnatural shade of hot pink, were wide and frightened. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaking across the bloody wound on her cheek. He could see his own twisted reflection deep within her large pupils. Her blood trickled so delicately down her soft, rosy cheek. The rain poured down, matting down her soaked red hair. Her breath...her breath kept puffing into his face. It was a sweet, wonderful scent. Aku half-closed his eyes and leaned closer. Her lips, parted in terror, looked delicious.

“You cannot hope to defeat Aku, child,” Her face, beneath the blood, sweat, and tears, seemed to become redder. She leaned back uncomfortably, moaning. Aku caught the metal smell of her blood in the air, and couldn't resist flicking his tongue across her cheek. She gasped and brought her hands to her mouth. Something within Aku started to race, and he began to lean in closer. Her bloodstained lips looked so delicious.

Aku sat back, watching as the vision began to repeat itself. The moment had lasted no more than a minute, yet somehow he couldn't forget it. Aku swallowed and closed his eyes. The vision faded, but the memory was still fresh.

“What does this mean? What child is this?”

XxXxX

The Professor sat alone in the living room, sipping a cup of coffee and watching the morning news. Upstairs, the girls were still fast asleep. He didn't intend to wake them any time soon.

'Nothing...all of that research and discussion and we weren't able to think of anything,' The Professor resisted the urge to get his pipe; the girls complained about it enough as it was. He smiled and shook his head. His girls, his angels...they needed him now. He'd seen that much in their eyes the night before. They were lost, baffled, and defeated. He needed to find a way to overcome the villain they couldn't knock down.

'But what? I found everything I could about Aku...what else could there be?' The Professor wiped his forehead and tugged at his collar. Someone must have been playing with the thermostat, the house felt unusually warm for that time of year. The Professor coughed and stood up, starting toward the kitchen. A voice on the television stopped him in his tracks.

“And Townsville Museum is proud to announce the arrival of an authentic Samurai Armor from Japan!” The Professor rubbed his chin, still unshaven.

'A Samurai? The sword...what happened to the sword? Maybe there is something I can do...' The Professor started for the phone, but paused. He lowered his hand and sighed. Simple phone calls wouldn't be enough now. Desperate times, desperate measures. The scientist frowned and shuffled into the kitchen, starting up the stove and preparing to make the girls a wonderful breakfast.

“You're an idiot Jim...start at the source. Why didn't I think of it before?” Professor Utonium smiled and began to hum as he cooked. In the living room, the news shifted to a report about the Powerpuff Girls' battle with Aku. The television shut off and one of the lights fizzled and went out.

XxXxX

The girls and the Professor sat at the table, eating a quiet breakfast. The girls couldn't help staring at their cheerful patriarch. Finally Buttercup broke the awkward silence with a scowl.

“Alright, what's so great? We got out butts kicked yesterday! And we don't know how to beat the same stupid monster! Why are you so happy?!” The Professor stopped in mid-song and stared at the girls. Bubbles looked worried, Buttercup looked angry, and Blossom looked...distracted. The Professor frowned and sat his fork down. He wasn't sure how to describe his red-headed daughter's demeanor. He shook his head and smiled broadly.

“Well girls...I think I've come up with a way to help you!” All three snapped out of their own little worlds and shot out of their seats, staring at their father excitedly.

“Oh my gosh! Really? What is it?”

“Yeah! Tell us! Please, please, please?!”

“What did you find out Professor?!” The Professor chuckled and gently motioned for the girls to sit back down. Reluctantly the three returned to their seats, but still bouncing with excitement. The Professor cleared his throat and folded his hands on the table.

“Girls, I have decided that to solve this problem, we need to start at the source,” The girls nodded.

“You mean Japan, right Professor?” The Professor nodded and sat up straight.

“That's right...that is why I have made the necessary calls to get an immediate flight to Japan this afternoon,” The girls blinked and looked at each other. Bubbles slowly turned to the Professor, raising her hand. The Professor smiled.

“Yes, Bubbles?” Bubbles tapped her chin, glancing at her sisters, then back at the Professor.

“Um...can't we just fly to Japan for free?” The Professor shook his head, his confident mood replaced by a serious one. He sighed and leaned across the table, giving the girls a stern look.

“No, you three need to stay here. Townsville is completely vulnerable to anything and everything right now. Without you...it would be chaos,”

“But!” The Professor shook his head and held up one hand, halting any argument.

“No, this is my decision. I am going to go alone. As soon as I find what I need to, I will return and together we'll stop Aku,” Bubbles stared at the table, terror spreading across her. Buttercup suddenly found the wall very interesting, clenching her fists tightly. Blossom covered her mouth and stared at her feet, faintly blushing.

“But how will we fight him without you, Professor? We...we can't...” Bubbles trailed off, her words lost in a sob. Blossom hugged Bubbles, glancing up at the Professor.

“You said Antidote-X won't really hurt him...what can we do?” The Professor swallowed and clutched his hands. He hadn't thought ahead that far. He was surely going to be gone for at least a few days...possibly a week or longer. He narrowed his eyes in newfound determination.

“I have faith in you girls. There is more Antidote-X, and you can use that to keep him at bay. Please, this is the only way,” The sisters looked at each other, frowning. Emotions ran high, predominantly disappointment, hopelessness...and fear.

“Oh...okay...okay, we'll try. But you have to hurry!” Blossom said, keeping her eyes down. Bubbles sniffled and nodded, while Buttercup crossed her arms and gave a half-hearted frown.

“We believe in you Professor,” The Professor smiled and wiped away the sweat on his forehead. He gently took their hands and gave them a gentle squeeze.

“Don't worry girls, we'll get through this. Now, go get ready for school while I get my things together. We'll call a babysitter before I leave,” The girls nodded and flew off to their room. The Professor sighed and cleared the table, stopping to wipe the sweat from his eyes and check on the thermostat as he went. He tapped it a few times, before shrugging and starting on the dishes Strangely, the temperature read seventy degrees.