Post by blossomgb on Oct 30, 2010 5:55:31 GMT -5
The Powerpuff Girls and the Baptism Of Death.
Prologue.
September, 6 months after the Townsville War.
Bolton, England.
Prologue.
September, 6 months after the Townsville War.
Bolton, England.
Steve was as near normal as he would ever be. After the war and that trial, at which not everything had come out, he was forced to leave America, albeit with a healthy pay off. The money was still in a high interest account and he lived quite nicely now with the interest and cash from the DSS. He wasn't exactly happy, but then after what he had lost and the way he had lost it, how could he be? He actually had a phone call from the guy about going into battle again, which he had responded to in a rather strong way. Disabled, his engagement broken up by some soldier who now wanted a disabled man to go into battle, again. After last time. Still, he wondered if his response was a bit strong. He did go and see him off on his next fight, in deep space, to plead with him for one last time about the error of making war look grand. Slip in and out of America, and hear him not agree for one last time. Imposter was there and she made an interesting gesture at him. Steve talked to her briefly and then left for the airport. She was nice with him, but talking to a girl who looked exactly like Blossom, but wasn't, was too much for him to bear. A song was playing in his head on the way back: 'Masters of War' by Bob Dylan.
He was in the kitchen putting three new transistors in an old radio after spending most of the day battling with the deck of an old reel to reel tape recorder. Finally he'd had enough so he decided he'd go outside and enjoy the last hours of the setting sun, before it got too cold. He brewed a cup of tea in his special carrying cup, got the copy of Linux Monthly from the bench and, with the help of his trusty stick, went outside. The valve radio in the hall was saying how Russia and America were not replacing the bombs used in the war. Well, that's good, he thought.
As he sat there having a rest and a think, his mind straying back 6 months as always, he heard the doorbell go.
'Round the back!', he yelled. thinking it was the delivery man. It wasn't. Buttercup and Bubbles came round the back. Steve stood, a little surprised. 'Hello. what brings you so far away from Townsville. Please, sit down'. The three of them sat down.
'You can probably see that there's only two of us. Blossom does not know we are here.', Bubbles stated.
''How is she', Steve inquired. Despite appearing calm, inside he was doing somersaults.
'Fine in body', Buttercup stated. 'She's why we're here'.
'Is she really OK', Steve asked.
'Fine. Start at the beginning Buttercup'.
'OK Bubs'. Buttercup started the story. 'You left a lot of stuff behind by the way. It's all still there. And I had a look through some of it while tidying up after that war. Nobody knew at the time, but I have found out how badly treated you were by certain people. Such as Ratchet, who threatened you with all sorts if the truth came out'.
'How do you know'. Steve was surprised.
'He didn't take the master tape out of your workshop. Only the look-up one. The master told us what he'd said he'd do to your legs.... er..., leg.' Steve only had one good leg and Ratchet had used that fact against him, the threat involving a hammer and no anaesthetic.
'Why did you look at that?', Steve asked. He was very interested.
'I was tidying up along with Buttercup', said Bubbles. 'A piece of paper fell from one of your files. Not one of yours. A most interesting printed letter that had found it's way in there.'
'It was the proof that Ratchet really was up to no good. A letter from someone very high up in some very shadowy organisation telling him to 'shut Steve up' before he 'finds out the truth.' It said that they would sort out all the evidence at the court trial to discredit you.' Steve wondered if Buttercup was telling him that his version was right after all.
'You mean that tape they showed the President was....', Steve started.
'Doctored. Yes. And the results on that Halo were too. Professor Utonium was right. It was just a cloud. I took the tape and our test results to the local college and looked at it with the people there. They agreed. They also agreed not to let this get anywhere near the press by the way. There's a lot of people in Townsville have a lot of time for you.'
'Ms Keane would have you for herself if you weren't so struck with Blossom. She said as much!'. Bubbles said. 'And Sara Bellum liked you too.' She laughed.
'I thought Sandy was more interested in the Professor'.
'His work. And he does not like cats', Bubbles told him
'Ah. Go on...'. Steve was very interested to hear the story so far.
'Well', Buttercup continued, 'We took the evidence to the White House'.
'Does Blossom or John Utonium know about this?', Steve was fascinated.
'John, Yes. He was with you all along. Blossom, well she knows some of it. Not this though'. Buttercup reached into her pocket and produced a letter, which she passed to Steve. It was to Buttercup, at Sara Bellum's address, from President Obama. Handwritten in fact.
'Dear Buttercup. Thank-you to you and Bubbles for bringing this to my attention. There has been a miscarriage of justice here, caused by people at The Pentagon. This is being looked into. I don't have Mr Pendlebury's address, but if you ever see him, tell him he can come back to the USA at any time. The only thing I will insist upon is that he joins me for tea on the White House lawn. Please convey my best wishes to all of your family.'
Steve gave the letter back to Buttercup. 'But what about Blossom. I didn't want to leave, but I didn't want to make things any worse for her. That's why I left in such a hurry. Besides, she said that she didn't love me'.
'And in true British fashion, you left so it would be easier for her. She soon realised that you had done that for her and that she did love you underneath after all. That war made everyone go a bit different, except for you and John. She knows how hurt you must have been that day. We told Jay that ruining people's lives, especially people like you, was not on. The lowest of the low.' Bubbles told Steve. 'You saved the world and lost your own in the process.'
'She really does think she's lost you and thinks it's her fault. Thinks she made things worse for you', Buttercup added.
'If you could come back now, would you?' Bubbles asked the all important question.
Steve sipped his tea, to hide the fact that he was suddenly moved to tears. Bubbles spotted this. 'The great British stiff upper lip almost gave way did it?'
'It's getting cold out here, almost making my eyes water. Come inside. Want a brew?'
'Yes we'll go inside. No to the brew.', said Buttercup.
'No answer to my question?', prompted Bubbles.
'Of course I would', Steve replied. 'I've got something in my eye, will you pass the tissues?'
Buttercup looked at Bubbles and they both grinned, as Steve took the tissues and went to wipe his eyes. 'You wanted to know about Blossom?', she asked him.
'Sit down', Steve said, 'You don't need to wait to be asked here.' They did.
'When she found out, she was furious. But still the no more relationships front was up. Jay went off her Facebook in seconds. But you know how she sometimes speaks in her dreams. One night she cuddled up to Bubbles and called her Steve. She says things like 'Steve would know what to do' when she thinks there's nobody listening. So does the Professor, by the way, who misses his sidekick. ' Steve gripped the box. 'Then I caught her polishing your old TV sets with real loving care as well as watching one. So I asked her outright.'
'Buttercup does not waste time with tact', commented Bubbles.
'She started to cry. I've seen you like that before', Buttercup pointed at Bubbles, 'but seeing her like that was quite stunning in a way. She was on about what she'd lost, all sorts. She does love you still'.
'She said that', Steve said, not altogether composed.
'Yes. She can't see a way back as she thinks you probably won't talk to her', Bubbles said.
'Women eh, you would say', remarked Buttercup.
'British humour', Steve managed to say. 'I'll go and wash my face and pack.'
'I'll help with the packing and follow. Bubbles will go and make sure the coast is clear, so to speak'.
Bubbles said that there won't be much of a coast to clear, went outside and took off. Meanwhile. Buttercup kept Steve talking as they packed. She didn't want him crying on her.
'What's this about a record anyway', she asked.
'I tried', Steve remarked. 'Jimmy Stephens. 'A song called 'Easy Come Easy Go', old Bobby Sherman number. Tried to convince myself I was OK I suppose. Got to No.15 here and scraped the charts over in the USA. The follow up did nothing and was not even released over there'.
'Blossom bought eight copies! Again, she didn't hide them terribly well. Bubbles loves that B-Side by the way.'
'What, Tennessee Bird Walk?'
'Loves it, thought it was hilarious. Take a copy of your other single for Blossom', Buttercup suggested. 'Reflections Of My Life. She found that out off the net but couldn't order it.'
'Or Four. I will', Steve remarked. He packed clothes, tablets...and the CD singles, while Buttercup turned off water, gas and electricity, as Steve couldn't kneel that low. He was very nervous, even though Buttercup told him not to be.
Buttercup's phone rang.
'All clear. She's not aware of him coming, but she'd been crying again about it all.'
'OK. Well we've got nerves at this end.'
'I can imagine', Bubbles said. 'I've told her that nothing was her or Steve's fault and he will be back soon I'm sure. I haven't said how soon.'
'This should be quite a show', said Buttercup.
'No peeking'.
'Me. Never. Setting off now.'
'Well, let's go', Buttercup after she'd dropped the call.
Steve took a deep breath and took her hand. They shot up into the sky and in seconds were over the Atlantic. Then, seconds later, they were outside the house. Buttercup showed him in and into the front room and said 'wait here'.
He sat down, and wondered what would happen in the next few minutes. Blossom came in, with the letter from President Obama in her hand. She stopped dead.
'Steve...', was all she could say.
'Blossom. You OK', was all Steve could think of to say. He noticed the tear stained face. 'Bubbles and Buttercup have told me everything'.
He started to get up, but he didn't get a chance. In an instant she was sat there next to him, tears in her eyes. Steve put his arms round her and she hugged him close. There was no air between them as they pressed close and kissed.
'Steve, you don't know...', she began.
'Don't know what?'
'How much I've missed you.' She sobbed as he held her, his own tears starting to flow.
'It doesn't matter. I'm here and I am not going to leave any time soon. I've missed you too honey'. He stroked her hair, the way he always used to, and played with the hair slide as he held her. She used to stop him doing this, but now she didn't care as he was now here to do it again.
They lay on the sofa together, not speaking as there really was nothing to say any more. Tea on the White House lawn would have to wait. Houses in New England would come later. So would a lot of things. They just held each other like they would never ever let go, ever again. Eventually they went off to sleep in each other's arms. It was the best sleep that either of them had had in a long time.
The team were back together. But, to Blossom and Steve right there and then, the fact is that they were back together.
Chapter 1.
Everybody has friends that they meet up with once in a blue moon. The residents of the Powerpuff household were no exception. Some you meet because you have to, some you meet because it's the only chance you have. The problems sometimes occur when someone forgets an annual reunion.
Liz Cunliffe was no exception. She stayed faithful to her boyfriend when she was away, working abroad as an insurance specialist. Meanwhile, her boyfriend David Asher was working in Townsville and putting as much money away as he could.
Then, without warning, he came into a lot of money and wouldn't say where from. He bought a massive house and started living there, alone. His behaviour was odd, but not 'I've got a new girlfriend' odd. Hard to describe. Just different, something she couldn't put her finger on. He joined some astrological society that met at this big house and took up all of his time. Wouldn't talk to her about it at all.
On this night, at a pub in the centre of Townsville, where they had planned to meet for a meal and he said he would tell her what was going on once and for all, he didn't turn up. No reply on his land line and his Mobile was off. She was irritated and for some reason, very worried. Especially when she drove past his house and found a load of cars parked there. Including his. There was an aura about this house all of a sudden. Something nasty. She couldn't go to the Police with this, there was no proof.
But she was sure that Bubbles and her crowd would help....
A regular evening in the Powerpuff household. Everyone doing their own thing. The Professor in his lab and Steve and the girls in a meeting in the front room.
'I did get that record. I wondered what had got into you, and so did the fans. It didn't sell. ' he was saying.
The girls nodded in agreement. 'So we need to go back to what they like. Bubblegum pop', stated Bubbles.
'Not that Tennessee Bird Walk.', said Blossom. 'You are the only one who liked it'.
'Yeah.'. Buttercup said. 'So we need to get back to what we are good at. Pity, as I rather like Heavy Metal. Never mind'.
'How about a cover of an oldie', Steve suggested. 'Something everyone likes, parents as well as kids. Something that will be played on the radio non stop'.
'Like Tennessee...', Bubbles began.
'NO!', the others yelled.
'Well, how about....', Steve started as he looked in his file.
The doorbell went. 'I know Halloween's close, but not till tomorrow!', Blossom remarked as she went for the door. When she opened it, Liz was stood there. 'Come in', she invited her. Liz stepped over the threshold and into the house. Blossom showed her into the front room as Steve put his file away.
'Hi Liz.' Bubbles shifted one way so she could sit down. 'How you doin''
'Alright, I think, But I don't know who to turn to. David's missed our reunion meal.'
Buttercup looked up. 'So what. He's a bloke and he missed a date. Nothing new in that!'
'There's more....'. Liz started to tell the tale of the House, the evil aura, the promise to tell her what was going on then not turning up.
''Why can't you go and knock on the door?', asked Blossom.
'The house, it's sort of.....'
'Evil. That's in your mind surely?', Buttercup said.
'Yes, but.... I don't know', Liz replied.
'Go and knock on his door', Steve said. 'He's probably forgotten or something. You have tried ringing him?'
'Yes I have. The mobile's off and the land line just rings, He's always on one or the other.'
'Worrying', said Bubbles. 'But how can we help?'
'Go and knock on the door. We'll fly round the house and have a good look', said Blossom.
'Where is this house', Buttercup asked.
'Edge of town. The one with the observatory', she said. 'Don't know why, he's not interested in astronomy. I didn't know he was into astrology either though.'
'Right. Meet you outside the house. We'll have a word then you knock and we'll look round.'
Steve was used to them going off to save the day at a moment's notice. As the girls got ready, Blossom turned to Steve and said 'See you later.' Then they stepped outside and they were gone. Three streaks in the sky, shooting into the distance. Liz went off in the car.
Professor Utonium called from his laboratory. 'Steve, come and see this'.
'What', Steve said as he went down the stairs.
'Well, you like bangs don't you. This was meant to be a food substitute for school dinners, but it's better like this'.
'Go on...'
The Professor mixed two liquids and put a match to it. The bang and flash of light were so intense that it was five minutes before either could see properly or hear each other.
'Yes, John', Steve said. 'Be good on the fourth of July I suppose. Or, in Britain, bonfire night.'
The car arrived at the large house and the Powerpuff Girls were waiting.
'Right', said Blossom, taking charge as always. 'Go and knock on the door, Try at get let in. Meanwhile, we'll have a scout round and listen in.'
Liz sped up the path in her car while the girls flew round the house, looking and listening in. There were about thirteen people inside, wandering about and chatting in the great hall. All other rooms were empty, including the observatory. Blossom went up there for a look and was struck by the decoration in there. All middle age stuff, but the floor was built to match it. They were some sort of charts or something. There were winged serpents on the gates of this house, looking out as if they were guarding it.
Liz rang the doorbell which sounded deep within the house. She waited for the door to be answered. David didn't come the door, some servant did.
'Hello. Can I help you'.
'Is David Asher here. It is his house after all.', Liz answered.
'Come in and I will fetch him'. The stranger left her on her own in the great hall and went to find him. She was stood there when a girl came up.
'Are you a member of our circle?', she asked.
'No. Just David's girlfriend. My name's Liz by the way.'
'Ah. I'm Tanith.'
David came up. He had lost a little weight, Liz thought. 'Oh Liz, I'm sorry I forgot the meal. Society business you know'.
'I think I do'. Liz sounded angry.
'Not like that', David said, to calm her down.
'What then', she asked.
'It's the society', was all David could say.
Liz looked at Tanith. 'Whatever', she said, through tight lips.
'Not like that! I have to be pure for ....'. She stopped mid sentence. 'We can't be more than thirteen.'
Another man had come up. 'David, the boss would like a word. Excuse me ladies', he added as he put a strong arm round David's shoulder and led him off.
'There is much we can learn tonight, especially if the night stays clear. The Moon and Mars in a special celestial alignment, it's called the Abraham alignment.'
'No, it can't be called that unless the line of Venus crosses the same path. That would make it a true alignment'.
'What's that about', Bubbles asked Buttercup.
'I really don't know. Keep listening', Buttercup said.
I'm going to be asked to leave, Liz thought as David came back over, not looking too pleased at having her turn up here in the first place.
'Liz, I'm sorry but you will have to leave'. David didn't know where to look.
'No problem', said Liz, very matter of fact.
'It's not a normal meeting of the circle', he told her. 'Not a meeting for new members or non members to come to'.
'Ring me tomorrow. I might even answer the phone'. Liz did her best to sound as though she did not care anymore, but she knew there was something very not right here.
Blossom counted the heads in the room from outside. With Liz, who looked as though she was about to leave, there were fourteen. Why was Liz being asked to leave? She made her way to the road outside where they all met.
'Well, what do you think?', Liz asked them.
'New one on me', said Blossom.
'Well I'd chuck him', admitted Buttercup.
'True. But it just isn't him, all this. And can you not sense it', Liz replied.
'I can. Sort of evil, but I don't know where'. Bubbles said.
'Hokum' said Buttercup.
'It isn't', said Liz. 'I tell you there's something bad here. And David's caught up in it'.
'No reason for you to be', Blossom advised her. 'Leave him to his game, whatever it is.'
Liz got back in the car and started the engine. 'I suppose so', she sighed. 'See you tomorrow'.
'Bye Liz. Drive carefully!', the other girls said in unison,
'I will', said Liz. She shut the door and drove off.
The girls watched as the car drove off into the night. Blossom didn't know why, but she thought she had better run it by Steve. As they sped off into the night on their way home, Buttercup looked back first and then quietly told the others.
'There's a red glow around the house', she whispered.
The other two looked back. There was a figure leaving the house - Him. David followed along with the others. All thirteen of them.
'He's not seen us. Let's head for home tonight. Besides, he hasn't done anything technically wrong yet', Blossom said.
'Yet', said Bubbles.
Steve had tidied up the front room and was sat in the kitchen watching Sky News. though not paying any particular attention to it as at the same time he was defragging the hard drive on his laptop. He heard three thumps from upstairs and realised they were back. He left the laptop to finish it's job, turned the TV off and got his stick.
'We're back', Blossom called.
'What happened', Steve asked as he started to make his way upstairs. Blossom met him halfway and carried him up to the top.
'We don't exactly know. I was going to describe it to you before, but when we were leaving, we are sure we saw Him in the house. And then they all left.'
Steve went into his room and put the light on. 'Come in and sit down somewhere. Tell me more'. The three girls followed, Blossom joining Steve on the bed like most evenings, the other two took papers and radio bits off two chairs and sat down. Although Blossom and Steve were going to be married, Professor Utonium insisted on separate rooms. Blossom wanted to keep herself for the wedding night anyway so they were all okay with that. The girls had separate rooms now anyway.
'It's hard to know where to begin', Blossom said. 'Liz's boyfriend may be in trouble. Thing is, we don't know what sort of trouble.'
'Boyfriend trouble by the sound of it', Steve remarked.
'That's what we thought until we saw who else was there', Blossom said.
'Who?'. Steve was suddenly curious. There was something in Blossom's manner that unnerved him all of a sudden.
'Him'. Buttercup told him.
'Ah. So that's why...'
'Yes'. Blossom moved a fraction closer to him.
'You've beaten Him and those Rowdyruff idiots before', Steve remembered. 'What's up this time?'
'We think he's onto something else. Something really evil, like more evil than usual', Blossom said.
Bubbles had stayed silent. 'Liz felt it. So did I. Horrible.'
'Hmmm. Anything else?' Steve was very curious now.
'They were talking of something involving The Moon and Mars', said Buttercup.
'Some sort of Alignment', Bubbles added.
'Between the Moon and Mars?'. Steve seemed to want to make sure.
'Something called an Abraham?', said Bubbles. 'Whatever that is'.
Steve was even more interested. Something twigged in the back of Steve's mind. 'Anything else'.
'The observatory and the decor in there was interesting. Not the kind of things you see on daytime television.', Blossom observed.
'In what way', Steve asked.
'Charts on the walls, middle ages stuff. I didn't know what to make of it. And there was this symbol on the floor. The telescope was above it. Well strange!' She paused. 'Steve, what's wrong?'
'I'm not sure exactly without taking a look. But it sounds to me like Him is not the ultimate evil, but he is getting in touch with it.' Steve looked grave. 'I hope to God I'm wrong for David's sake.'
'How do we fight it?', asked Blossom.
'We can't. The church has been fighting it for two thousand years. Mankind since the first days in the garden of Eden. We just stop this group, or circle as they like to call themselves. The symbols of good are used to combat the forces of evil. '
'Like a symbol on the floor'. Buttercup was still a bit sceptical.
'Yes. There's a lot of good in the world, but equally there's a lot of bad. Otherwise we wouldn't have a police force. Or you for that matter. It's God and The Devil. Yin and Yang. Good Wicca or bad Wicca.', Steve said.
'You can't have good without the bad', Blossom said.
'Exactly. And this is the ultimate bad, so to speak', Steve replied.
'You can't have the fork without the spoon', Buttercup was making fun somewhat.
'He does when he orders a curry', Blossom remarked, nudging Steve.
'I'd like to see that house first hand', Steve said. 'Soon.' He ignored the joke as he was worried about what they had seen.
'Why', asked Blossom.
'We might find something useful to help us fight it. Now would be a good time as they have gone elsewhere. Liz disturbed them.', Steve pointed out. 'I'm afraid I'll have to be carried. I can't fly'.
'I'll carry him', Blossom said to the rest of them. Steve got into position and held Blossom's hand. 'Are you ready Steve?'. Steve nodded that he was, but he always found take off a touch scary. Bubbles opened the window. They set off in flight. This should be a laugh at any rate, thought Buttercup.
When Steve opened his eyes, they were in the air over Townsville. It was an amazing sight, all lit up. He started to spot things below. The town hall, Pokey Oaks School, Pokey Folks old people's home. He prayed that Blossom wouldn't tell her sisters about his other hobby. He was a quiet (well, very quiet) authority on street lights and there were many good examples from times gone by all over this town. There was one street which still had gas lamps, and they were still there after a quiet chat with the mayor about town history. He wasn't sure if the mayor understood, but they were now safe anyway.
Blossom broke into his thoughts. 'We're about to land. It looks as though the house is deserted.'
'Go round the back away from the road', Steve advised.
'Okay, Buttercup can you break in?', Blossom asked.
'What do you think', Buttercup laughed.
Bubbles smiled as they landed. Buttercup gave Steve his stick back and he stood there while Bubbles looked for a way in rather than allowing Buttercup to get in her way. There was a time when they were locked out of their home and the way Buttercup got in that day cost them a whole window frame.
'Over here!', whispered Blossom. She'd found an open window, which she slid open even further. The other two Powerpuff's flew in while she helped Steve. The inside of the house was silent. They made their way to the Great Hall, where the meeting was taking place. Again, the house was silent.
'Be careful', Blossom warned everyone. 'There could be a trap, especially if Him was involved in this'.
'If he saw us', Bubbles said.
'What's this', Buttercup asked, picking up a large book. She opened it and read a bit to herself and then passed it to Blossom.
'Can I look at that', Steve asked.
'Yes, Here', Blossom said. Steve looked at the book and the title pages. 'It's the Satanic Bible', he told them. 'It's not a bible as such, but it's about the life the Satanists lead and what they believe. Written in the last century, it soon became the book of choice. Details of various spells, incantations, rituals and even baptism ceremonies.' He held the book open at a certain page, which was bookmarked, for them to see.
'You mean they were going to....'
'Yes', Steve cut in over Blossom. 'Don't know when. Baptism must take place on a true sabat, with a coven of thirteen believers present.'. He paraphrased the book. 'What's the date today?'.
'October 30th', Bubbles said.
'Tomorrow is one of the great Sabat's of the year.', Steve said. 'This isn't enough though to prove anything though, it's just a book. They've got to get ready, so to speak'. He gave the book back to Buttercup and she put it back on the table where she'd picked it up. Steve made his way to the stairs to the Observatory. He managed the stairs as the girls followed. Bubbles was scared, Blossom analytical and Buttercup still sceptical.
'What do you want to look a his telescope for', Buttercup enquired.
'I don't', Steve stated.
The posters on the walls were a bit like normal astrological posters, but there weren't twelve areas like on a normal astrological chart. There were thirteen. Their names were all in Latin. This was not lost on Blossom. 'Thirteen again', she commented.
'In the west, thirteen has always been considered unlucky. So it was reduced to twelve.', Steve pointed out. 'These are true astrological charts'.
'Clever how they've extended the charts onto the floor', remarked Bubbles.
'Yes, isn't it'. This is getting boring, Buttercup thought. The same chart, made as part of the floor, had a devil figure looking out and up at people who came in. The eyes looked almost real. Almost as if that floor was waiting for somebody.
'What's that?', Bubbles suddenly asked out loud. There was a quiet scratching, clucking sound. Everyone looked round at the sound, which came from a cupboard set in the wall. They advanced on it slowly and opened the door. In the cupboard was a basket. Bubbles opened it to reveal a black cockerel and a white hen.
'Well at least we've saved your lives', Steve commented as Bubbles took the basket out and got it ready to fly back with her.
'Look, charts on a wall, symbols on a floor and a basket with two birds in does not a crime make', Buttercup told Steve.
'Let's see what else we can find and get out of here.', Steve insisted.
'Satanism or, whatever this is, is not a crime. Not exactly nice, I admit, but not a crime', Blossom said.
'True. But with Him involved it could be soon', Bubbles remarked.
Meanwhile, Steve had found another book. Much older than the first one. Made out of some kind of cork or something, but inked in... was that blood? 'Incredible', was all he could say.
'What is it', asked Buttercup.
'The Clavicle of Solomon. Must be at least five hundred years old, possibly more.', Steve gasped.
'Valuable?'
'Some would say invaluable'. Steve showed the girls one page. It was a diagram, and it matched the floor of the room. The diagrams in it had obviously been used for the tapestries too. He handed the book to Buttercup. She held and felt it and then asked the inevitable questions.
'Is that human blood and what is this made of?'
Steve looked at her directly. 'Blood yes, human I don't know. As to what it...... '. He stopped as the lights began to get dimmer. 'What's happening?'
The lights were dimming and it was getting colder. The four people stood a bit closer together and wondered what was happening now. There was a wisp of smoke in the room as well and this appeared to come from the middle of the floor. When the smoke got a bit thicker, they could tell where it was coming from. The face of the devil, in the middle of the floor. It passed straight up and left the area outside the devil's face strangely clear.
They were transfixed as a body began to form in the smoke. A ghostly figure of a man was stood there, smiling evilly at them as he finished forming. He didn't move, he just stood there.
'Don't look at the eyes', Steve managed to say. The four people edged forward towards the figure, even though they were looking away from it. The figure began to laugh, an evil, guttural laugh, as it only had to wait as the four people inched nearer. 'Try to hold back', Steve called out.
'I am doing', Blossom gritted.
'Blossom, give me that cross from around your neck', Steve asked, his voice very quiet. Blossom managed to obey him and Steve, very shaky without his stick, took it from her.
'The lord's my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He restoreth my soul. Even when I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil', he chanted out loud as he threw the cross at the figure. There was a loud bang and the figure vanished. The lights came back up and the warmth returned immediately. Steve looked round at everyone. Buttercup was stood there shaking, having dropped the book, Blossom leaned against him and Bubbles was nearly in tears - tears borne of fear.
'Run', Steve yelled.
Chapter 2.
'What was that thing'. Buttecup's voice was still shaky. They had flown home fast and three drinks later she hadn't calmed down. None of them had.
'Was it the Devil', Blossom asked.
Bubbles was silent, just sitting there shaking. Steve was white, almost ignoring the cup of tea in front of him. The girls all looked at him, as his good hand wrapped round the cup, the warmth flowing through him. They were in the kitchen, as Blossom had handed out various drinks. Professor Utonium was in bed and they didn't want to wake him. Or go to their rooms just yet.
'Steve?', Blossom waved a hand in front of his face.
'Sorry. I was thinking and trying to keep calm. What were you saying?' Steve returned to the present day.
'What was that thing and was it the Devil?', Blossom asked.
'No. Not the devil. Just some infernal spirit allowed entry into this world by His powers. I'm sorry I let you into that place.' Steve really was apologetic. 'It's not just your lives that were at risk, your very souls could have been in peril'.
'It's okay, we're out', Buttercup replied. 'And to think I doubted that such things exist'.
'What were the cockerel and hen for'. Bubbles finally spoke up.
'They were for the sacrifice to their infernal master. The Devil himself. They were going to perform the age old sacrifice of the black cockerel and the white hen', Steve said, his voice still shaky. 'To put it bluntly. they were going to drink their blood'. Bubbles went whiter than Steve was earlier and said nothing.
'What's Him doing playing with this stuff anyway'. Blossom was being more matter of fact than she felt.
'Him is in touch with the ultimate evil. The evil that nobody dares talk about, the road to Hell. He's probably an Ipissimus. A master of the highest grade.'
'Ippis.... what', Buttercup was perplexed.
'Ipissimus', Steve told her again. 'A high priest of the left hand, or dark, path. As supposed to left wing, that is!'. Normally these sort of comments got a laugh all round and a dig in the ribs from Blossom, but this time the joke fell completely flat. 'All followers of the evil path are baptised and take on the name of a noteworthy occult figure from the past. Did anyone pick up any names, I wonder?'
They looked among each other briefly. Blossom wondered if she had. Bubbles spoke up. 'That girl that was talking to David before he was asked to leave. I think she was called Tanith.'
'We'll she's probably been baptised already. Tanith is the longer version of Tanit, who is a moon goddess of the Carthaginian.'
'Why haven't the Rowdyruff Boys got such names?', Buttercup wondered.
'Because they aren't technically alive. That's why you couldn't kill them. To kill something, it has to be alive. You melted them with that gun, but Him remade them. They are completely under his spell, as they are his creations. He didn't say 'attack and kill them' when they came back here during that war, so they couldn't.' Steve looked at Blossom, as she didn't like mention of that episode. 'You killed the original Rowdyruff Boys when Mojo made them. These are clones with one purpose, and it's not one they are terribly good at.'
That raised a smile from Buttercup. 'Is that why they're thick?'.
'Nah. They were stupid before. Now they're stupid and under His control.', Steve stated. Buttercup giggled and the other two smiled. 'I don't know which is worse'. He sipped his tea and then put the cup down in disdain. 'It's gone cold'.
Steve started to get up so he could put the kettle on. When he had done, he turned round to face them.
'The Rowdyruff Boys, if they are boys, aren't our concern though. Getting David out of this is though.', Bubbles began. 'But why did he get into this?'
'Money', Blossom said. 'It's the usual reason.'
'Or power.', Buttercup added.
Steve turned the kettle on again to make another brew. 'Or drugs. Or Hypnosis.' He knew that getting another cup was the pits of laziness, but he wasn't fussed about that as he got a new one out of the cupboard.
'How do they get into this? I can understand teenagers having a fly at it for kicks, but they looked sophisticated, mature adults'. Blossom was puzzled by this.
'Well, I'll deal with how first. Do you still read that trashy magazine, Bubbles?', Steve looked at her.
Bubbles looked slightly offended at this.
'You mean 'Hello', she asked.
'Yeah. Trash', Buttercup butted in.
'Well I like it', Bubbles declared.
'That's not satanic, surely', Blossom remarked, looking at Steve. He put a tea bag into the cup, added milk and two sugars before he replied.
'Anyone else want one?', he asked the group.
They all said no.
'It's not satanic, just awful', Buttercup commented.
'I looked through it while I was putting things away earlier on', Steve commented.
'You enjoy it?'. Blossom gave him a wink.
'No. But it's got horoscopes inside it and a page of love spells.', Steve said. 'As well as Paris Hilton's latest exploits.'
'That was interesting', said Bubbles.
'Who for', Buttercup countered. 'Does Satan read Hello?'
Steve's tea was brewed and he carried it to the table. 'I'll drink this one', he remarked.
'Of course. What about the magazine?', Blossom asked as she moved his chair back so he could sit down again. He did so, putting the trusty stick where he could reach it.
'Spells like that and astrology are the acceptable side of an unacceptable evil', he said. 'Like horror films. Most of us treat them as stories, but some get sucked in. It can be as easy as that. There's even sites on the web that say that Satanism isn't evil!'.
'So that's the kids and net heads sorted I suppose. But as I said, they looked like sophisticated mature adults. And Him, of course', Blossom stated.
'These are the people truly realise it's full potential. They usually think it can be controlled. and it can be for a time. But at the end of the day. Satan, the fallen angel, is in charge and will show it eventually. Basically, you have power in this world, then Satan owns your soul after you die and you go to Hell. He wants to make earth like hell and the black magic that these people follow is derived directly from him. There's such magic the world over. Satan... Set....' Steve was telling them.
'But surely mature adults would have the sense to keep clear?', Buttercup said.
'Most yes, but not all. The Hellfire clubs in England and Ireland in the eighteenth century were comprised of the elite brains of the country. They recognised it's true potential, thought they could control it and get anything they wanted, because of their elite brain power. Wrong on all counts'. Steve finished and sipped his tea.
'It's now Halloween everyone'. Bubbles commented. The others checked their watches.
'If what Steve has said is true, and I am the first to say it is after tonight, then Him won't want to miss his chance to give David his baptism tonight', Buttercup told the rest.
'It is true. Hallowe'en is the modern name used to hide the second greatest Sabat of the year, some would say the greatest. Samhain. It's said that at this time, the border between this world of the living and the world of the dead is thinner. The dead can reach through the veil to this world.'
Bubbles shivered. 'With Him after us and this being sam-whatver, do we need protection?'
'Not a bad idea', Blossom stated. 'Well?'
'She's right. We do need some sort of protection, especially if we're going to get David out of this and end this little racket', Steve answered.
'Little racket? You call something that could release the ultimate evil on the world as a little racket? I think it's a big problem', Buttercup exclaimed.
'It is, but not one we can't handle.' Blossom calmed her down. 'Well?'
'We'll stay together for now, and go to the laboratory', Steve said. 'I think it's got everything we need.' He made his way to the stairs and switched the lights on as the girls headed down.
Steve made his way slowly down to the subterranean area of the house, which was split into three parts. A junk room, Steve's workshop and TV display area, which was previously home to Dynamo, and of course Professor Utonium's lab. Down here, the areas sort of blended into each other in places, as they were both untidy, but it was obvious which was which. Blossom tidied up after them both fairly often, for which they were both universally grateful. Even though occasionally she threw something important and somebody, usually Steve, ended up going through the bin to retrieve it.
When they were down, Steve reached for two bottles of the shelf. The Professor may be untidy, but like Steve with his electronic bits and pieces, the Professor kept his jars neatly labelled. The ones he reached down were mercury and iron filings.
'The best protections there are against the dark forces.', he said. 'Where does he keep his test tubes?'
'Hang on..... Here. How many do you want?', Blossom asked, her head inside a cupboard.
He answered this with another question. 'How many are there?'.
'Well there's 20 in this opened box'.
'Let's have them all'. Blossom got the lot and put them on the bench. 'Got any form of seal, say corks.'.
'Here.' She got a box full. He put the bottles apart on the bench and put ten test tubes beside each one.
'Bubbles, you do the Iron. Ten tubes full.'. Blossom passed her ten corks, then passed ten to Buttercup. 'Ten of Mercury'.
'Do you all have crosses', Steve asked.
'The Professor bought us all a cross when we were made', Bubbles said, while she was putting the cork on a test tube full of iron.
'Yes, sure did. Mine is now on the floor of that observatory in that house', Blossom said quietly. 'I've got others though'.
'I've got a couple of Celtic ones too. Any good', Buttercup enquired.
'All done', Bubbles said as she put the last cork in the last test tube. 'How about you Buttercup?'
''Finished. Now what?'
'One in each pocket. Mercury in the left, iron in the right', Steve told them. They each took one of each and protected themselves with them. But they didn't know from what. 'Don't wake the Professor by the way, but put one of each in his bed, and a crucifix on his door'.
'Got it. Anything else?', Blossom asked.
'The Hawthorne tree which gave Christ his crown of thorns. That'll wait until tomorrow, as will the holy water. Ash and herbs, well that ornament isn't going to be an ornament in a few minutes.' Blossom wondered how she would explain that to the Professor. 'Also salt and garlic'.
'The kitchen for them', Buttercup stated. 'And I'll get that ornament. What do we do with them?'
'Sprinkle all over the house, especially where we sleep. Then leave them down here.'. Steve stated.
'Let's go girls', Blossom instructed them. 'Let's get this house as safe as we can.'. She wanted to ask Steve something all of a sudden. They went up the stairs and Steve followed. Buttercup smashed up an ornament and put ash bark round the house, Blossom did salt and Bubbles did Garlic. Steve hung a cross on the Professor's door after Blossom had made sure he was safe and left two test tubes behind.
'Right, that's the house and us protected', Blossom said. 'Anything else?'
'Prayer. We need God on our side more than ever', Steve replied. 'Everyone say their own prayer tonight, for the others, for David, this house, themselves, protection from evil.'
'What about Octi', Bubbles wondered out loud.
'It's a doll'. Buttercup liked both her sisters, but Bubbles' fixation with a stuffed animal did irritate her. '
'Yes, but Him used Octi before', she shot back.
'True. Give him a couple of tubes just to be on the safe side.', Blossom decided. 'Do you agree Steve?'
'I wasn't around here at the time, but from what I know of that incident, that might not be a bad idea.'. Steve thought out loud. 'Better safe than sorry'. He reached into the pockets of his coat and gave Bubbles two test tubes. 'Something else. Nobody sleep alone tonight. The professor's all right as Him never saw him. But not us if he did see us!'.
'Am I to go with Buttercup', Bubbles enquired.
'Yes', Blossom told her.
'I get it'. Buttercup always managed to make a joke of a situation and this was perfect for her sense of humour.
'And don't take your crosses off. Also, shout us if anything untoward happens. I doubt it will, but you never know.' Steve was adamant about this. 'Sleep in tomorrow but not past Eleven'.
'OK boss. You too'. Buttercup looked at him in a slightly interesting way. 'Don't put the bedstead too near the wall'.
'We won't, but we won't be doing that until we're married.' Blossom told her.
'Yeah, whatever. Good Night, sleep tight', Buttercup responded.
'Hope the bugs don't bite', Blossom said back. 'Goodnight Bubbles'.
'Goodnight sis', Bubbles called back as she followed Buttercup into her room. Steve had been silent throughout this sisterly exchange.
'Night!', he called. 'Which room for our night of debauchery', he asked Blossom, loud enough for Buttercup to hear.
'Mine. And don't encourage her', Blossom grinned.
'Sorry', Steve laughed. 'Couldn't resist'.
'I'll have a job. Come on...'. Blossom opened her bedroom door and let him in.
'What a night'. Steve's voice was loaded with irony.
'What a day tomorrow's going to be', Blossom replied to this, knowing full well that this Halloween was going to be unlike any other they have ever had. It's not all skeletons and apple dipping any more, she thought. They were both soon in private prayer, then they climbed into bed.
'Do we keep clothes on', Steve enquired.
'Not all of them, but make sure the test tubes are still on your person.', Blossom said. 'And keep those on too'.
'OK boss'. Steve replied. They both got in and Steve asked one other question. 'Is it OK to cuddle?'
'Sure it is. Nothing against that. '. She faced him in the bed and they put their arms round each other, looking at each other and then kissing each other. Blossom thought now was as good a time as any to ask him something.
'How do you know about this stuff?'. Blossom's face was quizzical.
'All what stuff'. Steve was puzzled.
'The left path, all this evil stuff. I know about most things but not this'
Steve's face changed from a smile to looking quite upset. He looked away as he remembered what did happen.
'Steve, you OK. Have I hit a nerve?'. Blossom turned him back to look at her and ran her fingers over his cheek. 'It's just that you know so much about it and it can't all come from horror films.'
'You're right, it is a fairly deep knowledge of something I'd rather not have had to touch once, never mind twice.'. He held her close for a moment. 'I've come across something similar before.'
'In England?'
'Yes.' He shook as he remembered it. 'God, it was horrible. '
'Want to tell me about it?', Blossom prompted him.
'If I don't have to mention it again, I will'
'Mmmm..... My lips will be sealed'.
'OK. I used to live in a flat in Bolton, years ago, Long before I'd even heard of you. When I had two arms and two legs that worked. I kept to my friends and family, as did everyone else. There was a couple in the flat below, who always seemed to have visitors. Then her husband got killed in a road accident. I sent a card, said I would be there if needed, the usual thing. Her friends came round a lot as you can imagine. But one night, I heard screaming from the flat below. Agonised screaming. After about two minutes of this, I went down there to find that others had been concerned too. Nobody answered the door so someone shouldered it. It wasn't her that was screaming though. It was him. There, in his coffin, screaming. No wonder she'd fainted.'
He paused, shaking at the memory. She squeezed his hand. 'Do you want to stop?'
'No. There's more'
Blossom nodded and leaned her head against his. 'Go on then'
'Three of the people who saw it fainted. I was close myself. The screams kept me awake I think. Anyway we called an ambulance and they were both carted off. We locked the door and I hurried back upstairs for a stiff drink. Well, I thought, the ambulance men and the doctors would sort this....whatever it was. But something remained in those flats. I could only describe it as an atmosphere. I called a priest in to bless my flat and told him everything. He told me about the left path, protection spells, ippisimuses and all that. He advised me to move out and I did because the feeling in the flat was getting worse. I moved to the house you came to that night, bought it when prices were low. Other people moved out and the block became a 'ghost block' in about a month. Not even homeless people would stay more than a week. In the end the whole lot was flattened.'
'So what stayed?' Blossom was pretty horrified herself.
'Some evil spirit at a guess. What happened at the hospital was hushed up, but I do know that she committed suicide two weeks later. I have a friend in the police who told me about what happened to him. You remember I said that you can't kill what's already dead? Well her husband was dead, body full of embalming fluid but still conscious and in great pain. They couldn't even sedate him. In the end he went to a crematorium late at night. He was screaming as he burned, they said.'
Blossom looked down to his chest. 'That's horrible'.
Steve finished his tale. 'One of the doctors had a nervous breakdown after that. I think I probably would have too.'. The phrase hung in mid air as Blossom cuddled up closer.
'You all right', she asked him, concern evident in her voice.
Steve nodded. 'Now you know why I found out about protection from the dark forces.'
She looked up and they kissed, gently at first and then more intimately. 'Let's go to sleep. Tomorrow is a day I'm not looking forward to.'
Holding her as she drifted off to sleep, Steve was determined not to let this thing win, or to risk losing Blossom again. It was a while before sleep claimed him too.
