Black Heart: Epilogue

[rcblazer]

As they leave the Black Heart dimension, Violet sees Blackheart on one knee, covering the right side of her face with her hands. "Oh no, Blackheart! Are you all right?" She says, flying over to her friend. She moves her hand to look at her face, seeing that her right eye has disappeared! Smooth, blank albino white skin that rounds out her head is all that remains of her evil eye.

"Oh man, we mutilated her!" Buttercup comments, sounding apologetic.

"No no, I'm fine. This is the way I wanted to be, and it's all thanks to you." Blackheart says with a warm smile. "My vision is still a bit blurry from the loss of the evil eye, but it is already clearing up." A portal to the Black Void suddenly opens. Blackheart gasps and quickly combs her hair back over the right side of her face. "Uh oh, it's my father!"

Sure enough, from the Black Void steps Black himself, who looks at the heroes with a sneer as he emerges. Theo panics and hides behind Violet, who hugs Blackheart tightly as the Powerpuff Girls and Quintin ready themselves for a fight.

"Now now, there's no need for that." Black says, taking the Black Heart and looking over it. "So Blackheart, you managed to recover all of the lost Shadow Souls. Well done. Without the Black Heart, the Black Void would have collapsed! Since the Black Void is the bridge between all realities, the results would have been disastrous; reality would have collapsed in on itself, leaving us with a single reality that would not have been pretty or familiar to any of us here!"

"Forgive me Father, but Grandfather escaped the Black Void because of me." Blackheart says, lowering her head in shame. Black grins and pulls Blackheart to her feet. Violet let's go of Blackheart, but raises her arms and prepares to fight for her if need be. Much to her surprise, Black hugs Blackheart and grins.

"It's all right, we'll put mean ol' gramps back where he belongs in time." He tells his daughter. He then looks to the heroes. "I'm surprised after all that's happened between us, you would be so kind to me as to watch out for my Blackheart and keep her out of trouble. You even helped her save all of reality as we know it! No hard feelings I hope? You'll be glad to know that the Dark Powerpuff Girls have turned over a new leaf since Blackheart's birth; now they head off into other realities far from any you have been to and fight criminals and villains... in their own way of course." He grins widely, showing off his glowing red teeth and fangs.

"Father, this may sound out of line... but I do not wish to return to the Black Void with you." Blackheart says, a hint of nervousness in her now single eye. "I've met so many nice people and made so many new friends that I'll never see again if I go home to you and mother. I want to stay here in the realities of light."

"You what?" Black says, sounding confused by his daughter's request. "Your mother misses you terribly. Are you sure this is what you want? Who would take care of you if not your mother and I?"

"No offense sir, but having traveled with Blackheart as long as I have, she seems more than capable of taking care of herself to me." Violet responds, not lowering her guard against the lord of the Black Void. "She's welcome to come live in my reality if she wants to."

Black looks at Violet, then at Blackheart and the Black Heart in his hand. "Hmm, yes it would seem you are right. Blackheart has faced off against her grandfather, the dangers of the realms of light, and even her own mental disorder." Blackheart gasps upon hearing her father say this, realizing he must know what she did to her evil self! "Very well, if this is what you wish to do, then you have my blessing to do so."

Blackheart hugs Black as he sets her back down. "Thank you Father!"

Black turns around and steps back through into the Black Void with the Black Heart in hand. The portal closes behind him.

"Guess that means you're staying with me then." Violet says with a smirk, flexing her arm. Blackheart hugs Violet and cries tears of joy.

"I can never repay any of you for this. Especially you Violet; I'm cured of my darkside, Father isn't angry with me, and I don't have to go back to the Black Void!" Blackheart looks at Timo and smiles. "You may have already realized it by now, but I have repaid you in some small way. When she was defeated, the portal I opened was the only way out of the Black Heart dimension. While you were there, I extracted your darkside and sealed it within the Black Heart. It has taken her place there as its prisoner. Its essence will be used to maintain the Black Void and all of reality. I... I hope this doesn't upset you."

[blossomgb]

'Right everyone, back to Townsville so we can check for wounds and apply any medication as necessary', Steve says. He looks round for Angel, who reappears next to him. 'Can you get the Black Heart if you ever need it?', he asks Blackheart.
'I think so', Blackheart said as a portal to Townsville opens up before them.
'Ladies first', Steve says in true British fashion. The girls fly through first and the rest follow. They arrive back in Townsville barely a minute after they left! 'That's the most tiring few minutes of my life', he adds.
'Until tonight', Blossom whispers in his ear....

Cheers,

Blossomgb

[rulerofice]

"Upset me?" Timo wonders while smiling wider than ever at Blackheart. "That's great news. No wonder I didn't feel any seal or Dark Timo anymore. This means... I'm free. I'm forever free from his torments." He then turns to look at Bubbles. "And so are everyone I hold dear to me." Timo closed his eyes and lowered his head while turning to face Blackheart again. "Thank you, Blackheart." Tears could be seen coming out of his eyes.

As the girls and Steve go through the portal, Timo waves at Blackheart and Violet one last time. "Come visit us anytime you two want." With that, Timo steps through the portal.

After getting to the other side, Timo immediately hugs Bubbles. "It's finally all over, Bubbles."

Just before Bubbles had stepped through the portal, she had heard what Blackheart had said and was smiling. "Yeah. We managed to help Blackheart and you're now free from Dark Timo."

Timo then remembered one thing. "Oh I almost forgot. Bubbles, do you still have that item I gave you?"

Bubbles took out the item that looked like an ice ring. "Yeah, it's right here." Bubbles gave it to Timo.

"Thanks for taking care of it." Timo said. "You know... I believed you would take good care of this."

"What is it, Timo?" Bubbles asked. "What's so special about that item?"

Timo began to shed tears, but he still smiled. "Remember my promise to you, Bubbles? The promise I made nearly a year ago?"

Bubbles went wide eyed.

---

"Why won't we get married just Blossom and Steve did?" Bubbles asked.

Timo looked at Bubbles. "I want to do something first. Something I've had in my mind ever since we got engaged."

"What is it?" Bubbles asked.

"You'll see in time, Bubbles." Timo said. "I promise you this, though. After I've done it, I promise we'll have our wedding."

---

"You mean that's..." Bubbles amanged to say.

"Yes." Timo said. "This is what I was mainly working on when I was in my North Pole base. It took me months to create this and now it's ready and I can keep my promise to you now."

It was Bubbles' turn to shed tears as she realized what Timo meant. She practically glomped Timo. "We can have our wedding now!"

[Puff Hunter]

Hack is the last to leave, but not before giving his words of wisdom to Blackheart. "Even if you're not going to live with them, you should stay in touch with your parents. A family is a valuable asset, and your family is especially valuable. They have a lot of power to help you accomplish your future objectives." He floats toward the portal, then turns back one last time. "Oh, and those people may want you to visit, but don't bother me unless all our worlds are in danger, or I will destroy you myself. Have a nice life, Voidbringer."

With that, Hack finally returns to Townsville. He sees Bubbles and Timo crying and hugging. "...okay." He starts flying back to his base of operations. Looks like Blackheart dropped us off at about the same time we left. I'll need to wait for the fort to come down off high alert before I can return the ion cannon.

[blossomgb]

'Typical Hack', Blossom says as he flies off without even saying goodbye. 'I take it that you two are finally going to get married', she laughs.
'Not again, It gets bad enough with you two', Buttercup comments. Bubbles and Timo were again lost in a kiss.
'I suppose it's time for a celebration', Steve says. 'I've got two unopened bottles of Champagne, one from our wedding and one from Angel's christening. I'll get them'.
Blossom looked at him for a moment. 'I agree, go and get them. I trust Felicia and Quintin will stay? And will somebody go and get Blackheart and Violet', she added. 'Not you, Angel.'
Felicia sped into the Portal and returned a moment later with the other two. Steve returned with the two bottles and some glasses....

Cheers,

Blossomgb

[rcblazer]

The heroes hold a celebration of both saving Blackheart from her evil self and the announcement of Timo and Bubbles' wedding. After clearing things up with the Silver Kingdom of Wonder in regards to her disappearance, Felicia attends the party. Although eager to continue exploring and adventuring, Quintin agrees to stay for the festivity as well.

Violet invites her parents Blazer and Amanda to the party, but Blackheart decides against inviting anyone from her family. "Probably for the better my parents DON'T show up." She says with a playful grin.

"Congratulations Bubbles!" Blazer says, opening a bottle of Thirst-Aid for himself and Violet. "I'm sure you and Timo will be very happy together!"

"Thanks Blazer, I couldn't possibly be any happier now!" Bubbles replies, taking a sip of the champagne. "Are you sure you won't have any?"

"I can't have alcohol as part of my discipline training." Blazer says, rubbing Violet's forehead. "My daughter only does what she thinks I would do, and if I were to drink in front of her, what kind of role model would I be?"

Amanda meanwhile, has already had a couple of drinks too many and smirks, slightly drunk. "It was my idea to name her Violet. Blazer wanted to name her Geebeejay, or Girl Blazer Junior. I told him that was the dumbest name I ever heard in my life!" She says with a laugh. If Buttercup had a nose, she would have blasted champagne out of it, instead nearly spitting it up laughing at this!

"Okay sweetie, I think you may have had enough to drink for the night." Blazer says, holding out his hand as Amanda gives him the glass. "It's a good thing you don't have to drive around, eh?" He asks, hugging his wife tightly as Violet blushes.

"Please try not to get drunk around my friends mom; it's embarrassing to me and dad!" Violet says. Blackheart giggles as Amanda passes out in Blazer's arms.

"Vi, if I ever catch you drinking like this, you'll be running laps around the world until you've worked it out of your system. I don't care how tired you get!" Blazer warns his daughter, who smirks and nods.

Felicia and Quintin each only have one drink together. Felicia looked at the Sorwin hero sadly. "I suppose this means you won't be coming back with me to Wonder?" Felicia asks.

Quintin nods in response. " The Silver Kingdom doesn't need me as King. They already have a strong and capable Queen in you. I'm a traveler, not a politician. My place is to seek out adventure and continue the fight against evil and injustice wherever I come across it. Don't forget that Motrax is still out there somewhere, and someone has to defeat him."

"Yes, I understand." Felicia says sadly, hugging Quintin. "Still, I think about you all the time, and I miss you terribly. Everyone in Wonder still does."

"People in Wonder know me as the last Sorwin. My people were lost in the Voidspeaker's Cataclysm. We are not invincible; we can still be defeated, killed, forgotten. I want Wonder to remember me as a symbol; a sign of strength and courage that cannot ever falter in the face of evil. That is why I cannot go back. The stories of my heroism are more valuable to Wonder than I am."

Felicia smiles sadly at Quintin, nodding as she listens to his explanation. "Then like before, I wish you the best of luck, wherever your journey may take you. You will at least stay and attend the wedding, won't you?"

Quintin smiles. "Of course."

[rulerofice]

Timo couldn't be happier. Not only was he able to keep his promise to Bubbles, he was now free from Dark Timo.

A thought came up to Timo. "If Dark Timo isn't inside me anymore and there's no need for a seal, wouldn't that mean my sealed ice powers are coming back too? Ice Shard, Ice Spin, Ice Telepathy and Deep Freeze."

"What is it, Timo?" Bubbles asked, noticing that Timo was thinking. "Something on your mind?"

Timo looked at Bubbles, smiling. "Nothing important."

Timo got up, lifted his champagne glass, hit it gently with a spoon and looked at everyone after getting their attention. "We've all come a long way and we've walked through fire and ice to get to where we all are now. But this isn't the end. Not by a long shot. This is only the beginning. The beginning of our lives and the beginning of fight for the peace..." Timo looked at Angel. "... so that our children may grow in a world without wars and fights."

Timo looked at Bubbles and offered a hand for her, gesturing her to get up. "No matter who we face, we'll always prevail, because we are all one big family."

At this point, Bubbles lifted her glass too.

"Here's to us, Bubbles." Timo said as he and Bubbles toasted happily. Timo then turned to everyone else. "And here's to all of our bright futures."

At that, everyone lifted their glasses and toasted.

[blossomgb]

'Amen to that', Blossom added. She and Steve were now free to lead a normal life, or at least as normal as a Powerpuff's life should be. There will always be evil to be fought, but hopefully it would now be Mojo's excessively bad schemes and a few robbers.
Steve gave her a gentle squeeze round the middle as they went to shake hands with the new bride and groom to be.
'Well done Timo. You're joining the leagues of married men', Steve said as he offered his hand to him.
'Thanks Steve. If we were half as happy as Blossom, Angel and Yourself, that'll do me' he commented as he shook the proffered hand. He then gave Bubbles a peck on the cheek before Blossom hugged her.
'What do you mean half as happy', she said to Timo. 'You'll be like us. We have waited for this for years now.'.
'Thanks you two', Bubbles said, wiping away a tear of happiness.
'It's a great institution', Steve added. 'Mind you so was Alca...'. That was as far as he got with that joke before Blossom put an elbow in his ribs. They all knew it was Steve's northern English humour and the sort of jokes they told over there, but there were young ears present. They all giggled except for Steve, who was winded. Angel had appeared, with a champagne glass in her hand.
'Who gave you that', Blossom asked her.
'Buttercup', she replied. 'Congratulations you two', she said to Bubbles and Timo. Bubbles leant down and gave her a kiss and Timo shook her hand. She gave a nice curtsey as she was stood there.
'It's OK, it's just a splash with a lot of Lemonade', Buttercup called. 'Didn't want her feeling left out.'
Steve and Blossom both sighed. There was one drunkard already, they didn't want anymore. Besides, if Angel had to come in with them, then Blossom's night to tire Steve out would be off!
'Auntie Bubbles', Angel asked. 'Please can I be a bridesmaid?'
Steve and Blossom quickly nipped off and let Bubbles answer that on her own. They filled their glasses. At that moment the Professor appeared back from his business trip. For once, he didn't discuss complicated science. He simply shook hands with Timo, kissed Bubbles and got a glass of champagne.
'I'd like to hear Bubbles say no to that', Blossom commented as she watched Angel.
'She won't', Steve told her. 'Won't be able to.'

Cheers,

Blossomgb

[rcblazer]

A few weeks after the celebration, a letter arrives at the Utonium residence. Attached to the letter is a jewel case containing an audio CD and a picture of Asamaya Chiaki. Professor Utonium sees the letter as he picks up his mail and smiles. "Girls, there's something here for you."

Buttercup flies out of the house alone. "What is it Professor?"

"Buttercup, where are your sisters?"

Buttercup makes a face as though she were not trying to think about it. "They're out right now with Steve and Timo. I've been left behind to babysit Angel... again." She says, leaving it at that. Professor nods, giving her an understanding smile and goes back into the house.

"Angel, come into the living room. This letter appears to be addressed to you as well."

Angel flies downstairs with a look of excitement as Professor opens and begins to read the letter. "Ahh, just as I thought; it's from Violet."

"Let's hope it's good news then, eh?" Buttercup comments with a smirk.

Hi everybody!

Thanks again for helping me aid Blackheart on her journey. It was quite the adventure! Me and Blackheart are doing great. Blackheart made for herself a small mansion on the hill overlooking my house. Dad still trains me really hard, but I don't mind, since it makes me a better and stronger fighter every day!

My mom helped enroll Blackheart at Pokey Oaks. Some of the other kids were a bit scared of her at first, and I got in trouble for "bullying" Bynum when he called her a freak, but thanks to Buddy and Blair, a lot of the kids have started to like her. I talked to Blair about letting Blackheart come along with the Puffyruff Kids and help them fight bad guys the way I do, and she said she would consider it. She's my best friend next to Blackheart, so I'm sure she'll say yes!

I hope everybody is doing okay. Blackheart took me to visit some of the people we met along the way:

Felicia is back on her throne at the Silver Castle. She told us that Quintin was true to his word and continued his adventure instead of coming back to Wonder. She did receive word that Quintin did bump into Motrax again and gave him another good pounding, so that should make Steve and Timo smile. Maybe Hack too if he does get the chance to read this letter or hear about it.

Black was telling the truth when we talked to him. The Dark Powerpuff Girls went to that reality where Professor Utonium was a monster and all the Powerpuff zombies were around and cleaned them out! The broken world was already a lost cause, so there really wasn't any harm to do consuming it into the Black Void. Blackheart has been doing what Hack said and stays in touch with her parents, even going so far as to make sure when they consume another reality, that it is one that has already been irredeemably lost to itself first.

When we went to check in on Powerpuff Girls Z, Asamaya was there to greet us when we arrived! She said she finished her latest album, which she titled "Daha akuhei mueki kikyuu" which I was told by mom translates into English as "Defeat Evil's Vain Attempt". I sent you a copy of the album, since one of the songs she wrote and sang for the album is about Blackheart and our journey together! It's the very last track on the album, and is different from her usual peppy JPop songs. It's also the only song on the album she sings entirely in English.

Thanks again for all your help. Blackheart is a lot happier living with me in my reality than she says she ever was in the Black Void. If you ever need our help, just contact my dad and we'd be more than happy to come along!

<3 Violet

"Put the CD in Professor, I wanna hear it." Buttercup says. Professor nods and places the CD into an MP3 player and turns it to Track 20, the last one on the disk. A slow, somber music begins to play.

I will always be your friend
If you let me.

I will always try to land
If you drop me.

I will try to understand
If you hate me.

I still offer you my hand
If you need me.

I will do the best I can
To make you like me.

I will always be your friend
Until you free me.

[rulerofice]

Timo was just giving money to ice cream man after buying one vanilla for him and Bubbles.

"Thanks, honey." Bubbles said after taking her ice cream.

"You're welcome." Timo said and gave a small kiss on Bubbles' cheek.

Bubbles giggled. "Better eat it quick. It's a hot day."

"Who do you think I am?" Timo playfully asked.

"Someone without an ice cream soon." Bubbles said.

As they ate their ice cream, Timo looked up at the sky. "It's already been a few weeks, hasn't it?"

Bubbles stopped. "Yeah. What's on your mind?"

Timo looked at Bubbles. "My sealed ice powers are slowly returning. I already have Ice Shard and Ice Telepathy."

"At this rate, you'll be Ruler of Ice again pretty soon." Bubbles said while smiling.

Timo looked at the ice ring, the flower shining brightly on top of it, now comfortably worn by Bubbles on her right hand. "Sorry if our honeymoon was a bit too cold for you."

"Don't worry about it, honey." Bubbles said. "It was nice to see your North Pole base at last since you never let anyone in there and it wasn't even cold in there. Besides, you did take me to Havaiji later on."

Timo laughed. "Yeah, that I did.

Nearby, Steve and Blossom giggled at them.

[blossomgb]

'That'd be a laugh. Ice Creams at the North Pole', Blossom grinned. Steve went along with the joke.
'Bit like selling coals in Newcastle', Steve added. They all looked at him. 'It's an old British saying', he added. 'So will this house do for you both? It looks fine structurally?'.
Timo and Bubbles looked at the house and the documents they had. 'It's one to consider', Timo said.
'I love it', Bubbles squealed. 'Let's have it. Please?'
'I think her mind's made up', Blossom remarked. 'When did Pokey Oaks finish today by the way?'
Steve looked at his watch. 'About an hour ago', he said. 'Buttercup's having to babysit again. Isn't there a football session tonight.'.
Blossom looked at him and laughed. 'It's not the football season', she smiled. Steve didn't really like sports, like Blossom didn't either, But at least Blossom knew when the seasons started and finished, mainly because of Buttercup's pastimes when they were kids.'Come on though, let's get home. They'll follow when they've finished their ice creams and anything else they fell the need to do.'
Steve smiled and they said goodbye and flew off home.

'I think they've sorted their new house', Blossom said to Buttercup, Angel and The Professor.
'Good job.', Buttercup said. 'Is this one THE one then?'
'I think so', Steve said. 'Judging by Bubbles.
Angel came over with a letter and a CD. 'This came for us today', she told them. At that moment Bubbles and Timo came in. They all looked at the letter.
'Glad she's OK', Blossom said. 'Glad they all are... except Motrax that is. He's had another beating from Quintin'.
Steve and Timo both laughed.
'Blackheart's OK as well', Blossom read out. 'Living in a house in Violet's reality'.
'Has she still got that bear', Angel asked.
'She must have. You liked it didn't you', Steve replied.
'It was a nice bear. Pity about the thing inside it though', Angel says. 'That put me off'.
Steve looked at Blossom. She took up the conversation.
'If you could have one that was normal, I bet you would. Am I right', Blossom asked as Steve headed for the workshop. Angel was unsure what to say apart from 'Yes'.

Steve had taken down the details of that bear when it was here. A week ago he took the details to a local toymaker. It was one that the girls had known before as the Professor took to sleepwalking once and the shop got robbed and the girls, tempted by the toys, had fallen off the path somewhat. Guiseppe had remembered it with a laugh and asked how they were. When Steve had told him who he was and who he was married to, and their little girl, he was really happy for them all. He had passed the details on to his manufacturer and another bear, like Blackheart's only not with anything in it, had appeared three days later. He picked it up and paid for it yesterday. He collected the bear from a cupboard in the workshop and came back upstairs with it.
'You mean like this', Steve offered Angel the bear. She took it and held it close.
'Thank-you Mummy and Daddy', she told them.
'What are you going to call it?', Blossom asked. Angel looked at the bear and held it close again.
'Theo', she told them. 'He's called Theo Utonium'.

Cheers,

Blossomgb

[rulerofice]

"Careful, Steve." Timo said. "You might spoil Angel."

Bubbles giggled. "Maybe someday my Octi can play with your Theo."

Timo was smiling, but thinking about Theo made him think about Blackheart.

"I actually never thought of this until now, but now that Blackheart, who is the Voidbringer, is in Violet's dimension, that means the Black Void is unguarded." Timo said. "Shouldn't someone be there, guarding it? Make sure no one is disturbing it and causing some trouble?"

Bubbles looked at Timo. "Don't worry about it. I'm pretty sure Blackheart will feel it if something is happening and her parents do have the Black Heart so Black Void should be safe."

"I guess so." Timo said, remembering that Dark Timo is inside the Black Heart, been used as a power supply.

[blossomgb]

'It shows that the power of evil can be used for good in the right hands', Steve commented.
'And we don't spoil Angel', Blossom added, laughing. Angel was holding Theo and listening to this.
'At least, no more than you and Bubbles will when you get a child of your own', Steve grinned at them.

AND SO, ONCE AGAIN, THE DAY IS SAVED THANKS TO THE POWERPUFF GIRLS AND THEIR FRIENDS.


Cheers,

Blossomgb