You stared at the night sky with amazement. Townsville was pretty big, but you could actually see the stars in the sky.

It was one of the things that you had missed about living with your grandma. She was a lovely woman who now lived alone, but she lived in the middle of nowhere. You always saw the stars.

They reminded you that you weren't as powerful as you'd like to think. While that may be depressing to some, you liked to be humbled.

Out there somewhere, there was something greater than you. You took solace in that.

You leaned against the edge of the rail on the balcony. You slowly closed your eyes and allowed yourself to just take in the sounds of the city at night.

Liz: Y/N.

You opened your eyes and looked over your shoulder.

Liz was standing there with a phone in her hand. She also had tears.

You already knew what the news was. You knew it had been coming for a long time, now.

So you looked up into the night sky, and closed your eyes.

Grandma Muriel had passed away.

Power Up!

You rubbed your hands together as you looked around the street. You were a bit bummed after the news you had received last night, but Liz would be heading east to get everything prepared.

Your grandma never really wanted a funeral. Your grandpa didn't have one either. It was just how things were. After they had to bury their boy, they decided it wasn't worth the pain.

So Liz would do what she needed to do, then she'll be back.

It sucked. It really sucked. You loved your grandparents but now they were both gone. You didn't even get to say goodbye.

That was another thing that always kept your grounded. Death was inevitable. It was just something that happened to everyone.

It was a reminder to value life and those around you. It made you remember to appreciate what you had now. And when the end did arrive, there was no point in trying to fight it.

You liked to think that she went peacefully. You just wished you were there for her.

School was going to be rough. It was Thursday, but you wished it was the weekend. You just wanted to stay in bed and mourn. Liz told you that you could, but you couldn't go and miss school on your third day.

You'll deal with it for now. You can get through the day.

You suddenly heard something overhead. You looked up to see three figures flying through the sky. The Powerpuff Girls.

Blossom looked down and happened to see you. However, she was surprised to see that you didn't your hair gelled. Or, at least she couldn't tell if it was. You had your hood pulled up.

Blossom: You two go on ahead. I'll see you at school.

Her sisters didn't even acknowledge anything she said. They continued to fly onwards while Blossom flew down towards you.

You chose to wait for her. She finally landed but no one around you even seemed phased by it. They must be used to it by now. Either that or they knew better than to question it.

Blossom: Good morning, Y/N.

Y/N: Morning.

She looked at you oddly. You didn't sound too happy.

Blossom: Is something wrong?

You shrugged. You didn't want any pity right now. Especially since she didn't really know you. Then again, she did know Liz.

Y/N: I'm just tired, that's all.

Blossom: Are you sure? If you want to talk about something...

Y/N: I'm good. Really.

Blossom knew that something was wrong, but she didn't want to make you uncomfortable. She chose to just drop it and make some small talk.

Blossom: Well, Bubbles said that you were trying out for that play. Are you ready?

You suddenly stopped walking. Blossom noticed this and stopped as well.

Was something wrong?

Y/N: I completely forgot that the try outs were today.

You didn't even look at the script. Monday you were just starting, Tuesday you were dealing with the Gangreen Gang, and yesterday was just you trying to help Liz with some shopping. And last night....

Blossom: I'm sure you'll be fine. Regardless of how bad you are, you'll probably still get a part. There's only a few guys in Drama Club.

Bubbles did say that there wasn't a lot of boys in the club.

Blossom: Besides, if a monster attacks then they'll just move it to next week.

You suddenly turned to her.

Y/N: What? They'll do that?

Blossom: Well, yeah. If a monster attacks the shield or something, the school evacuates everyone to the safe rooms. Didn't you go to one Monday?

You recalled the students heading to the safe room when you ducked into the bathroom. You haven't even been to one yet, but Blossom didn't need to know that.

Y/N: Yeah. Of course. I'm just surpsied that they would just...move it.

Blossom: That's what usually happens. It used to be constantly happening, but the monsters had started to calm down a bit more.

Buttercup did mention being restless. Maybe she was bored because there wasn't a whole lot of monsters to fight? You could imagine being bored if you spent your entire childhood fighting those things only to suddenly stop.

Maybe that was why she was so eager to join you as a vigilante?

Maybe she was just looking for some action. You couldn't really blame her.

Y/N: Good to know. Good. To. Know.

You reached under your hood and scratched your head. Was it bad that you wanted a monster to attack?

You looked down at Blossom's bag and noticed a pair of ballet shoes sticking out.

Y/N: You dance?

Blossom looked at you then down at her bag. She quickly placed it back into her bag and smiled.

Blossom: Yes. I actually have a recital coming up. I think your sister is going to it.

A recital? You didn't remeber Liz mentioning anything. Perhaps she didn't want to drag you along everywhere.

Y/N: That's cool. My, uh, grandma used to do ballet. That's actually how she met my grandpa.

Blossom: Really? I didn't know that. Was she good?

You just shrugged.

Y/N: I don't know. I never really had a chance to see what she could do.

Blossom was just happy that you seemed to be cheering up.

The two of you ended up falling into small talk for the rest of the walk to school. You didn't even notice the time that went by.

It was just nice to talk to someone.
-----------
Liz: Oooookay. This is going to suck.

Liz had her arms crossed as she looked at the small house in the middle of nowhere.

Liz was here to grab some things that her grandma wanted her to keep. Some of it was for you as well. But the house itself was just too old.

You had all already agreed to just let the bank take it. There was no reason to keep it.

Even though you and Liz were practically raised here after your parent's death, she felt no real connection to this place. You lived here longer than she did, after all.

You were always closer to your grandparents, but that didn't mean she didn't love them as well.

Liz took a deep breath just as the front door opened.

???: Hm? Oh, hello. You must be Elizabeth.

Liz looked around confused, then she looked down.

Liz: Uh.....hi. You must be.....yeah, I'm lost.

???: You must get your intellectual from the stupid one. I am Shirley. I was a friend of your grandmother's.

Liz: Right. Yeah. I have no idea why I'm even surpised by any of this. It's nice to meet you.

Shirley: Indeed. Please, come in. You have much to do.

Shirley led Liz into the old house where a few things were already packed. Liz also noticed the two chairs that had once belonged to her grandparents.

The red chair and the old wooden rocking chair.

Liz: So, how did you know my grandma?

Shirley: Fate brought us together. I suppose you could say that I am a friend of a friend.

Liz: A friend of a...

Liz stopped when she noticed something on the red chair. A blanket that had something underneath it.

Liz walked over and slowly reached out. She lifted the blanket to find a familiar face.

Liz: Courage?

Courage: <Whine>

Liz began to pet the depressed dog. Your grandma had found him back when you were only 13.

It was very clear that the dog loved Muriel to death. It looked like that really was the case.

Shirley: He has been like this since your grandmother's passing yesterday. He won't eat or drink anything.

Courage just whined again before he grabbed the blanket and pulled it back over himself. Liz frowned but decided to leave him be for now.

Liz stood back up and looked around the living room.

Liz: So, where do I need to start?
-----------
You flipped through the script again and read over the lines.

You had two parts you wanted to go for. If you played this right, you could totally nail this. You just needed to focus up.

Bubbles: And for this character, he's really trying to help this girl. Her heart is broken and he wants to help fix it, but she doesn't want him to. She doesn't think that she deserves it.

Y/N: Wait, so her heart is actually in a bag? Like, for real?

Bubbles: Yes! That's a really cool part of it. This whole play has a bunch of fun stuff like that. It's all physical metaphors.

You nodded as you read.

Y/N: Right. That's actually pretty cool.

Bubbles: Right?! So, who are you going for?

Y/N: Uh, East from "Her Heart" and Lendall from "Getting It Back".

Bubbles: Oh! I'm going to Gayle! Maybe we can be scene partners!

She was really excited about this. You were glad. She was all in for sure.

You cleared your throat and began to read it quietly to yourself.

You and Bubbles were sitting in the hall outside of the school's theater. Half of the auditions would take place now at lunch, and the other half would take place after school.

Mr. Lucas: Y/N and Bubbles? You two are up.

You stood up with Bubbles while the teacher held the door open. You both entered the theater and stood in the middle of the stage.

Mr. Lucas: Alright. Let's see what you got, Y/N. Bubbles, you know what to do.

She must have been in Drama last year as well. She did seem like the type.

Mr. Lucas: Just start whenever you're ready.

You nodded. You then took a deep breath.....then stopped when the ground shook.

A red light began to flash with an alarm sounding. Mr. Lucas jumped up to his feet and began to get the remaining students to head to the exits. You looked over to Bubbles to see that she was already frowning.

Bubbles: Of course. Of course a monster would be attacking right now.

Bubbles just sighed and turned to you.

Bubbles: Get to the safe room. Hopefully we can finish this after school.

She quickly flew up and disappeared with a blue streak behind her. You looked at the students running away, but you instead turned the other way. You ran back out into the hallway and grabbed your bag.

Bubbles found her sisters already at the shield. Another monster was trying to attack it.

This time, it was a massive creature with a shell covering it's body. Long black tentacles were waving around underneath it. It's red eyes were exposed but that was it.

Buttercup: I was eating, you slimy douche!

Blossom: Alright. Are we fighting it or...

Bubbles: It kinda looks like Octi. Maybe we can....

Buttcup: If you say "Maybe we can talk to it" I will fight you.

Blossom: Well, we have to deal with it. The problem is those tendrils. They could be pretty tricky. They could also be poisoned.

The monster slapped a tendril against the shield which made the entire section glitch. The girls all immediately flew back.

Bubbles: That's new.

Blossom: Did it just...jam the signal?

How was that even possible? The shield should be able to keep out most monsters. The only one that did get through was from Monday. The crab monster managed to get by somehow.

Blossom: Sorry, Bubbles. This one has to go down.

Bubbles just sighed.

Bubbles: Fine. But only because it interrupted my audition.

Blossom snapped her head to her sister.

Blossom: Wait, is Y/N okay? He was with you, right?

Bubbles nodded.

Bubbles: He went to the safe room. We might be scene partners.

Buttercup: Less talking, more fighting!

Buttercup immediately flew down towards the creature.

Blossom: Buttercup!

Buttercup flew down and punched the creature's shell. It didn't do anything, however.

Buttercup: What the..aahhh!

Buttercup was suddenly grabbed by one of the tendrils and thrown back towards her sisters. They both watched as she flew right between them and into the trees.

She popped her head back up, with a stick sticking out of her hair, and glared at the monster.

Buttercup: That's it!

She flew right back towards the monster and tried to attack it again. She threw three hard punches, but the monster remained unphased.

Buttercup: Hurry up and get hurt, you anime trope!

Blossom: Buttercup, watch out!

Buttercup was hit from the side by another tendril. She went flying right back towards the trees, but she suddenly found herself caught.

Her sisters watched as you caught her midair. You planted your feet which dug into the ground. You slid backwards as you held onto Buttercup.

You finally came to a stop which made your hood fall off. Your naturally messy hair came into view but your bandanna still covered your face.

This time, you came prepared.

You had an extra jacket packed in your backpack. It was bigger so it helped hide your body type. You also had your right eye to match your left by keeping your heat vision at the ready.

Buttercup opened her eyes and looked up at you as you held her bridal style.

Y/N: You alright?

Buttercup just stared at you. She then realized what had happened.

Buttercup: Nice catch.

Y/N: Thanks.

You set her down as the others joined you. Blossom and Buttercup landed next to the two of you. You looked at the monster and cringed.

Y/N: He looks....annoying.

Blossom: You're the guy from the other day. The one who ran off without saying anything.

You turned back to the girls. They definitely couldn't recognize you, right? Or maybe they could? You honestly didn't know.

You hoped not.

Y/N: Yeah. Uh, sorry about that. I'm a bit weird around...people.

You squinted your eyes and shook your head. That was a horrible excuse.

Bubbles: That's okay. We're super nice.

Oh my god they were clueless.

Buttercup: You got any plan to stop this thing? I can't punch it.

You crossed your arms and used your x-ray vision. Underneath the shell was just a mass of tendrils. But in the middle of it all was a brain.

I have a really stupid idea.

Blossom: Then don't do it.

Bubbles: I wanna hear it.

Buttercup: I'm in. Let's go!

Y/N: Just get your heat vision ready. When I say, attack.

Blossom: What are you...

You were suddenly gone in a gust of wind. The girls all looked up to see you were flying right towards the monster.

Blossom just sighed.

Blossom: You heard him, Girls. Let's move!

The three flew up into the air.

You flew down towards monster and prepared yourself for what you were about to do.

You rolled, ducked, and dodged around the tendrils as they all moved to attack you. You moved much faster than Buttercup did.

You were also much stronger.

You landed in front of the monster and immediately grabbed the bottom kf the shell. You then leaped up with the shell in your grasp.

You gritted your teeth as you pulled the monster up into the sky. The entire time you were being assaulted by the black tendrils. The sticky slime was starting to soak your clothes.

Y/N: This is so gross!

Y/N: Now!

The girls all immediately locked onto the center of the monster. Their eyes grew red before lasers fired right out and shot towards the brain.

You let go of the monster and flew straight up to get out of the way. The blasts hit the monster which made it cry out.

Once it was hurt enough, you flew back down and grabbed the shell again.

The girls stopped their attack as you started to swing it around. You then threw it with all your strength back towards the water.

The monster soared through the sky for a good distance before it landed right back into the water. You hovered there for a moment before you sighed.

You returned back to the ground where the girls joined you. You all watched the water for a moment to see if it would emerge again.

After waiting, you concluded that it was on it's way back to Monster Island.

Blossom: That seems to be the end of that. Good work.

The girls looked at you, but they realized you were covered head to toe in monster saliva. You also looked at yourself.

Bubbles: Ew. You're soaked.

Buttercup: Comes with the territory. I think you can wash this stuff out with...

You suddenly clenched your fists and heated up your body. The girls all watched as the saliva began to evaporate right off of you.

In an instant, you were completely clean.

Buttercup: Well, that's useful.

Blossom: Wait, how can you do that? Do you have different powers?

Bubbles: Ah! Can you make lighting hands?!

Y/N: No I...

You stopped. You then looked at your hand and tried to do something. You were unsuccessful.

Y/N: No I can't. But I figured we had the same power set. You guys were affected by Chemical Z too, right?

Girls: "Chemical Z"?!

You blinked.

Y/N: How did you get your powers?

Blossom: Chemical X. But, that's impossible. The only ones that have anything stronger than that are the Rowdys. They have Chemical Y.

Chemical X? Chemical Y? You never knew there was anything else besides Z. You didn't even know that there were even more people like you!

Who the hell were the Rowdys?!

Buttercup: So that means you're stronger than us? What kind of things can you do? Energy shield? Fire blasts?

Y/N: I....I'm really fast. And, uh, strong? I don't really know. You're asking a lot of questions that I really can't answer.

They were confused by your answer. But in truth, you never really tried to see just what you could do.

Bubbles: What do you...

Y/N: Oh, look at the time! I gotta go! Bye!

You immediately flew off into the sky. The three all looked up with stone faces.

Blossom: Why does he keep doing that?
------------
Liz dusted her hands off after she finished loading the last of the things into the boxes. The movers should be here by tomorrow to load it all up. It should reach the apartment by Sunday.

Shirley: I am sorry that I couldn't help you. I am not as young as I once was.

Liz looked over to the old fortune teller who was sitting on the old rocking chair. Courage was still laying on the red one.

Liz: It's alright. I needed the work out anyway.

Liz looked back to the pink dog and sighed. She then walked over and picked him up. She sat down and placed Courage on her lap. She then began to pet him.

Liz: This is rough. I mean, I haven't been back here since I was 18. And now, they're gone.

Shirley took a deep breath. She then looked to the young woman.

Shirley: That's the strangeness of time. No matter what you do, no matter who you are, time will always go forward. Death will always come. That is why you have to value what time you have left. Enjoy those that you have around you.

Liz: I know. I always do. That's why I wanted Y/N to come live with me.

Shirley smiled.

Shirley: How is the young one? I remember him being so happy to leave this place. He is a good child. Bright future.

Liz: Yeah. He's doing well. He just started school.

Shirley: I see. Then he is already on the road to his destiny.

Liz: His destiny?

Shirley nodded. She then looked to Courage.

Shirley: I believe you should take him with you. A boy needs a dog.

Liz looked at Courage and smiled.

Liz: You wanna come with me, buddy?

Courage lifted his head and looked at your sister. She wasn't going to leave him here all alone. It wouldn't be right.
--------------
You walked with your hands in your pockets. Since Liz wouldn't be home until tomorrow, you were on your own for dinner. The only issue was that you had nothing to cook with.

Everything was so sudden that you had no time to prepare anything. Plus that monster attack earlier tired you out.

You scratched the back of your neck before you felt your phone go off. You pulled it out and saw that an unknown number was calling you.

Y/N: Who's this?

You decided to answer to find out. You held the phone to your ear as you looked around the street you were walking on.

Y/N: Hello?

???: Hello. Is this Y/N?

Y/N: Yeah. Who is this?

???: Oh, pardon me. My name is Professor Utonium. I work with your sister.

This was the Professor? You had actually never spoken to him before.

Y/N: Oh. Um....what's up?

Professor: I hope you don't mind me calling. Your sister gave me your number. I heard about what happened. I'm sorry for you lost.

Liz must have told him. Of course she would.

Y/N: Yeah. Thank you.

Professor: And I know that Liz is gone. So I was wondering if you would like to come over and have dinner with me and my daughters.

You were caught off guard by the question. You looked around for a moments before you began to stutter.

Y/N: I-I don't want to intrude....

Professor: Nonsense! Your sister is always over here eating. I insist. Here, I'll send you our address.

You got a message and you looked at it to see that it was the address to the Professor's house.

Y/N: Uh...

Professor: We'll start eating around 7:30. The only thing you have to bring is your appetite. Hope you like chicken. See you when you get here.

He suddenly hung up with giving you a chance to reject his offer. You just stared at your phone in silence as a few people walked past you.

Looks like you were going to the Professor's house.
-------------
You looked at the large house with wide eyes. It wasn't a mansion, but you could tell that there were parts that were added to it.

You took a deep breath and decided to just accept your fate. You walked up to the door and rang the doorbell.

You waited for a moment before the door opened.

Blossom: Oh, hey, Y/N!

You stood there frozen for a moment.

Mr. Myers: Happy you can join us, Ms. Utonium. I see you even brought us a new friend.

Blossom: My name is Blossom. Blossom Utonium. You're Y/N, right?

Blossom: Liz's brother. Our dad told us about you.

Professor: And I know that Liz is gone. So I was wondering if you would like to come over and have dinner with me and my daughters.

Y/N: Oh. I'm an idiot.

Blossom: What?

You suddenly remembered that you weren't alone. You looked back to Blossom and smiled as widely as you could.

Y/N: Hey, Blossom. What's up?

Blossom looked at you oddly but didn't say anything. She was just more focused on your hair.

She was already used to seeing you with a bunch of gel in it. And since you weren't powered up and the wind wasn't blowing it around, it just looked like a normal head of hair.

She noticed how handsome it made you look.

Blossom: Well, I'm glad that you could make it. You came just in time, too. Come on in.

She stepped aside to let you in. You nodded in thanks and entered. Once you stepped inside you realized just how crazy this household was.

Music was playing on the home speaker, but Buttercup was also playing a video game on high volume. Bubbles was also drawing something on a sketchpad with a stuffed octopus next to her.

You noticed that they were all wearing lounge clothing. They all looked very comfortable. You felt a bit overdressed.

Blossom: I can take your coat.

You turned back to her and shook your head.

Y/N: It's fine. I can get it.

You began to take your jacket off as someone came around the corner. It was a man wearing a pink apron.

Professor: Y/N! It's nice to finally meet you in person.

Bubbles and Buttercup lifted their heads and looked over to you. They didn't even hear you come in.

They were also surpised by your appearance. Your hair looked nice, you were more broad than they had originally thought, and you seemed to be more relaxed than usual.

You held out your hand for the Professor to shake, but he instead pulled you into a hug.

You tensed up and looked to Blossom for some help. She just gestured for you to go with it.

Y/N: Uh....you too?

You placed your hands on his back and awkwardly stood there.

He finally let you go and smiled widely.

Professor: How are you holding up? Everything okay?

You nodded. The girls, however, were confused by what their father meant.

Y/N: I'm good.

Professor: Of course.

He patted your shoulder before he looked at the time.

Professor: Well, you got here just in time. Dinner is ready. Girls!

Buttercup: We're right here. You don't have to yell.

You rubbed your neck but smiled. Maybe this could be an interesting night.
----------------
Bubbles: And this is from when we were invited to the Grammys. It was really cool to watch it live.

You nodded along as Bubbles showed you the framed photos in the hallway. Dinner was absolutely delicious and you stopped feeling awkward about 5 minutes in.

Now you were walking through their house. It was weird how natural it had felt.

Buttercup: Yo, Y/N, wanna play a round of Gun Game?

Blossom: Why would he want to play that game? I suggest we play a round of chess.

Bubbles: What about checkers?

The three began to bicker about what you would be doing and with who. You just smiled at the sight.

They really were sisters, huh?

Professor: Y/N.

You looked behind you while the girls continued. You spotted the Professor standing in the hall.

You walked over to him to see what he wanted.

Professor: I hope they're not making you too uncomfortable. They're a bit competitive when it comes to making friends.

Y/N: It's alright. I don't really mind.

Professor: That's good to hear. Though, and o mean no offense by this, but you're more quiet than your sister. Much more....

Y/N: Timid?

The Professor chuckled while you just smiled.

Professor: That is a nice word for it, yes. But she is brilliant and she works hard. I imagine you're the same.

You shrugged.

Y/N: A bit. We work differently, but we always get the job done.

Professor: Right. She did mention that you two were raised by your grandparents. Once again, I am sorry for your lost.

Y/N: And I appreciate that. But the only thing I can do is just....move on. Be happy for the time I spent with her.

The Professor smiled. He placed a hand on your shoulder and gave you a nod.

Professor: You're very mature for your age, Y/N.

Buttercup: Y/N! Where'd you go?

You and the Professor looked back in the direction of the living room.

Professor: He's with me. We're just talking.

He then looked back to you.

Professor: Go along. We'll talk more at a later date. It was nice to meet you.

Y/N: Yeah. Likewise.

The Professor turned and walked the opposite way. You then returned to the living room where you found the girls all sitting on floor with some kind of card game.

They all looked up at you when they heard you enter.

Blossom: Hey. Wanna play?

Y/N: Uh, sure. What is this?

You took a seat between Buttercup and Bubbles so that you were across from Blossom.

Bubbles: It's called "One Night". We all get random cards and one of us is a Werewolf. The goal of the game is either to find out who is the Werewolf or for the Werewolf to successfully take out everyone else.

Buttercup: And they have an app for it so we know what to do.

You smiled as you looked around the room.

Even though you had only known them for a few days, they really did already feel like your friends. Your new life here was shaping up to be a good one.

You still missed your grandma, but you knew that you weren't the only one. You also knew that there wasn't only darkness in this world. There was good people.

Y/N: Yeah. I'm in.

And as you played this game with the girls, Liz drove back home. In the passenger seat laid a dog.