PUFF IN ARMS
BY
Sgamer82
Second version with illustrations by Chris Cook can be found at http://www.geocities.com/sgamer82/thepowerpuffgirls/puffinarmsnovella.html
He stood in the shadows before the strange creature with a mixture of dread and anticipation. He was worried of what it would say about his plan. The person in front of him, a red-skinned creature with a goatee wearing a red coats with pink ruffles and long black boots. Its red face had sharp features and it had black hair and a goatee. He wore make-up on his face, with black lipstick. It gestured to a piece of paper he was holding with one of its two red, lobster claw-like hands. The monster was HIM, known by no other name, and he seemed interested in what he had to offer.
"So" HIM began, in a melodious, feminine voice, "you're telling me that this spell will give me the one thing I've always wanted. Tell me, what exactly do you think that is?"
He stepped out of the shadows and faced HIM. His own face was what many would consider ruggedly handsome. He wore white tights with a large blue M on the front. He also had blue gloves and boots and a yellow belt with a double M on a red buckle.
"A way to get rid of the Powerpuff Girls, same as I want." Major Man honestly answered.
"Aren't you a superhero?" HIM asked skeptically.
"I was," Major Man began, "until those brats ruined me. They disgraced me. I couldn't even get a job in The City and, believe me, they need good superheroes."
Major Man still hated the Powerpuff Girls for that. He was the best hero Townsville had had. It never occurred to him that he brought disgrace on himself faking his crimes and shoving the kids out of his way.
"Yes," HIM said, still skeptical, "what does the spell do?"
"It allows the caster to change any one historical event to whatever the caster desires." Major Man said.
"Hmm, interesting," said HIM, "why do you need me?"
"The spell requires the use of a rubber duck belonging someone who has had prolonged exposure to magic. Yours is the only one that fits that description." Major Man said. He didn't understand why such an odd requirement was in the spell, but it was necessary to get what he needed.
"Oh, I'm flattered. But," he took a breath and suddenly spoke in a louder, masculine voice, "You aren't touching Mr. Quackers!" he said, referring to Mr. Quackers, his most prized possession.
"Oh, no, I wouldn't dream of it." Major Man said emphatically, holding his hands to ward off an attack, "The spell just requires it to be there, we don't have to hurt the duck in any way."
"Alright, then." HIM said, once again in his female voice, "So, let me get this straight, I could use this spell to keep the Powerpuff Girls from ever being born?"
"Um..." Major Man started reluctantly, "well...no."
HIM just looked at him and said, in his male voice, "What?"
"There are certain..." he searched for the right word, "limitations."
"Such as?" HIM asked, in male voice.
"Well," said Major Man, "one, you can't use the spell to directly kill someone. You can use it to give you the means to kill, but you can't actually end a life or prevent a life from being created."
Major Man just realized he'd made a big mistake, he had yet to find a way around those limitations. He had hoped HIM would know a way to get past them and use the spell effectively. But, as Major Man realized looking into HIM's angry eyes, he might have severely underestimated HIM's patience.
"Anything else?" HIM asked, back in female voice, though it seems HIM was doing everything possible to hold back his anger.
"Yes." He said, remembering another restriction, "You also can't use the spell to remove some type of special physical characteristic. Like...superpowers. And the victims and casters of the spell retain all memory of the original history." HIM's eyes flashed anger and he spoke in his male voice again.
"You've severely limited my options he..." he suddenly stopped and got an evil look in his eyes "wait." he finished in female tones.
"You've got an idea?" Major Man asked hopefully.
"Yes," HIM said, "I know the perfect way to use this spell. It will take those bothersome kids out of our way."
"What about their powers?" Major Man asked, wondering how HIM would get past that loophole.
"Don't worry." HIM said, "Our dear Professor Utonium will take care of that for us. And the Girls won't be able to do anything about it."
Major Man didn't know what HIM was talking about and was confused when HIM began to laugh with evil delight. Although Major Man didn't know what exactly was going on he laughed too.
"Let's get started on this right away my friend." HIM told Major Man. They walked off deeper into HIM's lair toward a cauldron to begin the spell.
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