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Chapter Text

Chapter 1

New School, New Problems

The City of Townsville…

            A bustling town, a friendly town, a town home to some of the greatest Heroes and dastardly villains who duke it out on an almost daily basis. But not everything is action and explosions on a metropolitan scale. While the baddies are scheming, the goodie-goods are out living their normal lives, whether it’s jobs, housework, or…school.

            The sounds of constant honking and cars revving up could be heard as a young, 5’6 male’s periwinkle-hued eyes were fluttering open. He let out an uncomfortable groan as he tried to sit up from the awkward position he put himself in the passenger seat of a sky-blue Kia Sedan with a charcoal-grey interior. The young male ran his hand through his short, close-shaved maroon colored hair with oak-brown highlights in a slow and sleepy manner, looking like he didn’t really get much of a good night’s sleep… all while he was being pestered to stay awake by whoever is in the driver seat.

“Jason, don’t be losing yourself on me. We’re about 20 minutes to the school.” Jason groaned as he was calmly and cheerily lectured by another male, a male of about 5’10 with wavy blonde hair and two bangs that mirrored each other, arching from the front center of his peak, curving down and then back. “If ya fall asleep now, you’re going to be hurting yourself in the long run, ha ha ha.” The blonde softly chuckled out as he seemed to not have a care in the world…except for getting Jason to his new school in a reasonable amount of time.

“Ngh…bro, come on. We literally just moved in last night. I could barely sleep. Give me an effin’ break.” Jason spewed out through a parted smirk.

“Heeeey, what did I say about the cursing?” Jason’s brother smirked in a cheeky manner before giving his little bro a soft bump on the shoulder.

“Oh come on.” Jason let out a soft exhale of annoyance. “I only said “effin’”. It’s not like I said fu- Ow!!” Jason gasped out in a mixture of pain and laughter after his brother elbowed him harder in the side, “Prick.”

“Punk.” Jason and his brother exchanged tongue-in-cheek insults with each other while the two slowly looked ahead at the busy traffic with smirking chortles rising up from their guts. It wasn't long until those snickers turned into a full-on laugh track.

Townsville University

            A large, over 100 acre campus with over 10 academic buildings filling it up, loitered with either book-swelling or party-going young adults, neither of which Jason was excited about. He wasn’t all about studying, but knew his brother would kick his butt if he didn’t. As for parties…? All the drinking and lollygagging didn’t sit well with Jason either. While Jason and his brother cruised through the on-campus streets , the car came to a complete stop right in front of one of the many buildings. On the front lawn plaque, it read “Townsville University: Central Hall” as on the cobblestone rising, Jason could see all kinds of students either leaning or sitting on the rising itself or a couple handful of students lying about on the freshly cut front lawn, along with a couple of hand-planted trees strewn about giving a refreshing and relaxing atmosphere.

            “Well…here we are. I’ll pick you up late when I get off of work. Can you stay out of trouble until then?” Jason’s brother tried to garner reassurance from his melancholy little bro.

“…Hehe, yeah yeah.” Jason smirked before holding his hand out and balling it up into a fist. His brother reciprocated the notion before the two shared a brotherly fist bump. With that, Jason grabbed his bag and leaned out of the car, “I’ll see ya later then.”

“Behave!” His brother called out one last time before finally driving off. Jason was now standing by himself with his book bag slung over his shoulder…unsure of where to go now. Class didn’t start for another half an hour, so-

            “HEY! Heads up!!” Jason quickly turned as a brown blur was fast approaching his face. With one hand, he stopped whatever it was barreling towards him. “A…football?” Jason tilted his head, turning the ball upward in his palm.

“Whoa…dude, that was quite a catch!” Running over to Jason was a tall and fit boy…shirtless. (“Of course he’s shirtless…”) Jason monologued to himself before sighing out. This boy also had braided back ginger-colored hair all covered up with a red baseball cap worn backwards. This boy looked at Jason with an awe-filled expression, making Jason click his teeth in irritation, (“He seems intrigued, but…the rules…”) Jason groaned softly before looking at how he caught the football, putting on a cheery mask in response, “It was a lucky catch.”

“Yeah, with one hand as it was spiraling at you at about 62 miles per hour.” The ginger braided jock smirked as he approached Jason with hands in his pockets.

“…You know that?” Jason tilted his head down while keeping a skeptical gaze fixed with this boy’s dark brown eyes.

“Gotta know when you’re the University’s rising star quarterback.” The ginger jock held his hand out to Jason before introducing himself, “Name’s Kevin. Kevin McGavin.” Jason stared at Kevin’s hand, hesitantly…but he returned the gesture as the two shared a firm handshake, “Jason Matthews.”

“Sweeeet…hey, wanna throw a bit with me and the boys?” Kevin quickly took the football out of Jason’s hand as the ginger gingerly tossed the cow-skin ball back and forth in his hands. “Uuuum…rain check.” Jason tried to make himself think about it, even though he just really didn’t want to. “Yeah, I got class coming up…”

“Ugh, bummer. But hey, if you ever get the chance, check us out either at the University Gym Building or you can look yours truly up at Alpha Sigma Phi.” Kevin then slid a card out from his pocket, handing it to Jason. It said: “Alpha Sigma Phi: Where only the Greatest Pledge”.

“(So clichéd…) That’s so cool.” Jason feigned a soft laugh.

“Can’t wait. Later.” Jason gave a friendly wave goodbye before Kevin ran back over to his friends. Quickly walking away, Jason sighed out.

            Just as Jason was walking away, a loud explosion could be heard off in the distance. Veering his head quickly, he saw smoke coming from deep within the city…about a dozen miles away. (“Maybe I should…no…”) Jason sighs out again in defeat as his eyes were strained on the smoke from the city. However…a comforting feeling would swell in Jason’s chest as he saw a stream of three colored bands of light coming from the school and heading straight towards the smoke. A band of pink…blue…and green.

Townsville University: Tomato Hall – Science Building: Room 214

            Jason’s feet slid through the doorway that led into the multi-stepped lecture hall, allowing each row of desks to be reached by a small flight of steps. Jason immediately went straight over to the farthest seat in the back row, tossing his bag down against the corner of the wall while slouching back in the chair. “What class was this again…?” Jason groaned as he got his schedule out from his bag. His periwinkle eyes glazed over the sheet of paper as he let out a bellow of an exhale, “Ah…Anatomy…what kind of school teaches Anatomy as a Level 100 course…?” Jason muttered to himself as he was unaware of a figure walking over…and firmly kicking one of the feet of the chair he was sitting in, shaking it a bit. Safe to say…Jason’s attention was acquired.

            “What the…?” Jason peered up…only to be met with an almost…pitch black gaze. No…it was just a really REALLY dark red, like…dried up and murky blood. And her hair…golden blonde, but…the way how her bangs arched up…almost like devil horns…and clipped onto one of those horn-like bangs was what appeared to be a hair clip with an insignia of a skull overtop a cherry blossom. “(That’s not ominous whatsoever…) Um…can I help you?” Jason tried to be cordial, but this girl…she was anything but that.

“Mind getting your ass up out of my seat before I have to beat it out of it?” The blonde sneered with an almost killer-like glare.

“Well…that’s not very nice.” Jason smirked as all he saw was a sudden twinge of movement. Reacting to his instincts, he held his hand up quickly enough for his palm to block the blonde’s leg. She tried to deliver a kick to him aimed right at his kisser! (“Damn, she’s fast! She's got a short temper too, that's for sure! That was like a trigger reaction!”) Jason thought in earnest impress while the girl scoffed out, “You’re better than you look.”

            With this…awkward position, Jason got a better look at her. She was short for her age, looking to be around 5’1. She wore a white, button up shirt with black buttons that were stitched in with white fabric and a blue and white plaid skirt…thankfully, she was wearing black spats that cut off a few inches above her knees or else Jason would’ve been getting a more interesting view. “You know, most people would ask with a “please” instead of a kick to the face.” Jason stated rather nonchalantly to the blonde before he pushed her leg away, forcing her to withdraw it back to the ground. However, this chick didn’t seem to want to back down. Not wanting to cause a scene, Jason held his hands up in a surrendering manner and stood up, grabbing his bag before sliding over to the next seat. He looked up to see if the blonde was satisfied, only to see her motion him more down. Rolling his eyes, Jason scooted over once again. Staring back up at the blonde, she kept glaring at him…so he moved down one more time before the blonde finally looked satisfied, taking her seat. (“Three seats away…noted.”)

            On that note, the bell for class rang as a woman of about 5’6 walked into the room, her flowing mint-green hair trailing behind her along with her white lab coat. “Alright class! Settle on down now!” She took a sharp turn behind her desk, leaning against it as she gazed around the lecture hall behind her bespectacled yellow eyes…like a mother cat perusing her litter. “I’ve been told we have a new student today joining us.”

(“Please no. Please no. Please no.”) Jason arched his head back to look at the ceiling.

“Jason Matthews. Welcome to Introduction to Anatomy. I am your teacher, Ms. Tanner.” The teacher smiled as she gave a full introduction. “A late registration, I see?”

“Y-Yeah, some issues with getting my high school transcript rolled over. You know…different state entirely.” Jason begrudgingly shared.

“Oh! Want to share with the class from where, and why Townsville University?” Ms. Tanner requested as I could feel the blonde’s eyes boring into the side of my head. “(Something tells me this isn’t much of a request now…) Uuuuum…Minnesota. I Graduated from Frog Creek High School…um, came to Townsville University because my brother grew up here.”

“Oh! How nice! Well, welcome. We all hope you enjoy your stay.” Ms. Tanner finished just as Jason could hear the blonde muttering, “Whoop-dee-doo…”

“Mandy, would you please loan your notes to Jason to get him sped up?” Ms. Tanner eyed up at the blonde. Compared to the other students, who Ms. Tanner would look at with unremarkable enthusiasm, the blonde girl Mandy got a killer set of daggers glared at her by Ms. Tanner. Mandy would click her teeth in annoyance before trudging herself over to the seat next to Jason. “Great! Now let’s begin our next lesson in the Reproductive System!” Ms. Tanner beamed before turning around to start writing stuff on the black board.

            (“Well…this is awkward. Girl almost kicked my teeth in and now she’s practically being forced to share her notes with me…on this topic, no less.”) Jason thought while his eyes locked on Mandy out of his peripheral.

“Hey…I’m not here for you to ogle at, Maroon…take the damn notes already.” Mandy cursed at Jason who quickly fixed up his posture and started to write in his notebook.

            However…about halfway through the class, the lecture hall’s door flung open as the sound of three girls, all around 5’4 or 5’5 each, panting heavily could be heard. Jason, Mandy, Ms. Tanner, and all of the rest of the class looked over as there was a girl with long red hair, tied up in a low hanging ponytail by a red bow, a girl with blonde hair with double pigtails, and a black haired girl with a short crew-cut style hairdo, making her look like a grungy tomboy. “Sorry we’re late, professor!” The red haired girl quickly apologized while Ms. Tanner waved her hands dismissively, “No no no no, I saw the news. Looked like some monster trouble.” Ms. Tanner then motioned her hands to the three open seats in the front row, “Welcome to class Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup.”

Jason’s breathing stifled. He…he knew these girls. “They’re the Powerpuff Girls…” He muttered softly.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

Skull Girls

            “And then, after 9 months of internal caring within the mother’s womb, the fetus fully evolves into a newborn baby, ready to induce labor at any given second.” Ms. Tanner beamed in educational delight as she reached the tail end of her lecture.

“God…and I thought I didn’t want kids before.” Mandy groaned as she hated the whole experience.  “That’s forty-five minutes of my life I’m not getting back.” While Mandy was doing some of her usual generic loathing, Jason was distracted: watching the three superheroines in the front row. Mandy would notice the obvious stare being given by the new guy, “Hey, if you keep staring people are going to think you have a hard on for one of them.” Her sudden comment snapped Jason out of his daze, “Sorry. I was just…curious.”

“Sure…” Mandy groaned lowly, rolling her eyes in skepticism. “Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup…the star students of Townsville University…puah…” Mandy faked spitting over to the side as she felt nauseas just by saying their names.

“Not a fan, I’m guessing?” Jason gave Mandy a cheeky smirk while she returned a bone-chilling glare, “Not a fan of over-glorified goody two-shoes. I mean, come on. Would you trust people who were created entirely of “sugar, spice, and everything nice” by a desperate and lonely man who couldn’t get a woman for that kind of stuff? God, sounds like I’d get diabetes or worse just by being close to them.”

            Jason’s instincts worked like magic as he had to catch a massive book being thrown at Mandy from in front of them. Mandy’s dried-blood red eyes shrunk in realization of what Jason just did. “Shut your damn mouth, Mandy!” Jason’s eyes shot over towards the source of the voice. It was the Powerpuff Girl with the short black crew cut hair, Buttercup.

“Buttercup Utonium!” Ms. Tanner shouted out in appall at her student’s actions.

“You can talk about me and my sisters all you want. We can take it. But don’t ever…EVER…talk bad about the Professor!!”

“Oh come on. No need to be offended by the truth.” Mandy sneered, not backing down despite her being a non-super.

(“Does she have a death wish or something?”) Jason thought to himself, wondering whether he should involve himself more than he already has by protecting the devillina.

            It seemed like he may have to. He could see the rage in Buttercup’s eyes as she was about to fly at Mandy to rearrange her face. Jason could even see Ms. Tanner readying herself to. Thankfully, Blossom was there to stop her short-fused sister by grabbing her wrist tightly, “Buttercup, that’s enough!”

“Blossom!? But…But she-…” Buttercup tried to stammer out an excuse that could convince their leader to let her at Mandy. “You’re just gonna let her bad mouth the Professor like that?!”

“Do you think I enjoy listening to it? Think, Buttercup.” Blossom poked the middle of her sister’s forehead, making Buttercup flinch a bit from the slight amount of power Blossom put into the poke itself. “What do you think the Professor would hate more: Someone talking bad about him or hearing how you’ve been kicked out of school for fighting someone with no powers?” Blossom’s words made Buttercup’s recede a bit. Crossing her arms, Buttercup muttered under her breath, “You know that bitch is no ordinary human…you know who she’s friends with.”

“And that’s not our problem.” Blossom finished just as the bell rang. All of the students outside of the ones involved in the argument quickly hustled out of the room, just in case the calm wasn’t going to stay that way. Jason decided to do the same as he grabbed his stuff and headed down the lecture hall’s steps towards the door. While leaving, he passed by Buttercup…who mean mugged him the whole time, as well as Ms. Tanner who give him more of an analytical expression. Jason didn’t even want to look behind him, knowing full well that Mandy was giving him a look as well. He could feel the back of his burning as proof. (“Man…first day and I’m already inciting attention…this bites…”) Jason sighed out, scruffing up his eyebrows in annoyance.

Townsville University: Pickle Dining Hall

            Jason had some time to kill before his next class, so he decided to get something to eat at the dining hall. All the while, Jason couldn’t get out of his head the almost-incident he got in with the Powerpuff Girls of all people. (“This is what brother warned me about when coming here…it’s why the rules were created by him. Ugh, I’m going to have to tell him about this when I get ho-)”

“Hola!” A gruff voice called down to Jason. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t realize he was already inside the dining hall, reaching the front entrance into the cafeteria itself. When his eyes veered up, he was met by a big, and broad purple-furred monstrous creature…with horns no less!

“Do you have identificación?” The creature asked as it gave Jason a big (and sharp!!) toothy grin.

“Uuuuuuh…sí?” Jason responded in kind confusion, which the giant monster seemed to enjoy as he clapped a bit, “Muy bueno! Can I see it?”

“Ah! R-Right!” Jason snapped out of his state of shock in order to reach inside of his pants pocket for his wallet. Opening it up, he pulled out his school ID and handed it to the purple horned thing, who took it with both hands and gave it a thorough look-over. “Hmmm…” He then did a double take between Jason and the ID card…before looking it over again, “Hmmm…” The longer this took, the more Jason’s eyes narrowed, “Ugh…” After what felt like an eternity, the monster gave a closed-eye nod with a bright smile before handing the ID back, “Everything es correcto! Disfrutas!”

“Um…gracias.” Jason quickly took his card and slid into the cafeteria, hearing the giant monster once again shout out, “Hola! Do you have identificación?”

            Jason shook his head as if trying to rattle around in place in his mind of what he just experienced. His weird ventures though weren’t quite done yet…when he got his plate and tray to grab some food, something spurred to him from behind the food counter. It was a…bird?! No. It’s head was like that of a palm tree and its wings were like airplane wings!

“Coco coco coco!!” The thing rapidly chirped out a spew of the same word, making Jason reel back, “Wh-What?”

“Coco! You need to be in the back! You know a lot of the students can’t understand what you’re saying.” Walking out from behind the bird-like creature was a young male, seeming to be in his late 20s. He has long brown hair which was pulled up in a hair-net and very comforting and easy to look at sky-blue eyes. Underneath his apron he wore a red shirt and a long sleeved white shirt underneath that, along with khaki cargo jeans and tennis shoes. “ Haha, sorry about that. She can be a little overwhelming.”

“N-Noted.” Jason finally relaxed a little bit, his eyes still fixated on the bird thing returning to the back of the kitchen area.

“I’m guessing you’ve never seen an IF before?” The cafeteria male asked with genuine intrigue.

“An IF?” Jason retorted with just as much genuine confusion.

“An Imaginary Friend.”

“Oh! Wait…is the thing at the front a-“ Jason could tell he said something wrong, because the cafeteria man got a slight look of offense on his face, “His name is Eduardo.”

“Ah…s-sorry. So that…um…Eduardo at the front is also an IF?” Jason quickly fixed his statement, calming the cafeteria man as a result, “Yep. In fact, a bunch of the staff at the dining hall here are volunteer IFs.”

“Really?” Jason’s interest was now peaked. He’s never seen an IF before, let alone knowing there were many of them…with jobs. “Why are there so many volunteering here?”

“That would be because of the university’s current head, Frances Foster.” The cafeteria man seemed to be proud of just saying the university head’s name. Jason could get a bit of second-hand delight himself, prompting him to follow up this revelation, “Frances Foster huh? Sounds like a big deal.” Jason could see the look of disbelief in the cafeteria man’s face as he almost leaned over the buffet of food just to get in Jason’s face, “Wait! You’ve never heard of Frances Foster? What about Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends?”

“Nnnno…sorry, man. I’m from Minnesota. The imagination span of people in that area is kind of low.” Jason joked about his home state, but the cafeteria man seemed to be just as excited to educate me, “Frances Foster is the daughter of legendary Madame Foster, founder of Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. It’s an orphanage for IFs whose original children have grown up. Franky- ahem, Frances is Madame Foster’s granddaughter who worked at the home for most of her life. Eventually though, Frances wanted to do more and went into the education field, eventually ending up in her current role as the university head.”

“Interesting.” Funny enough, all of this really fascinated Jason. “What about Madame Foster?”

“Unfortunately,” The cafeteria man frowned, “Madame Foster passed away five years ago.” But that somber frown soon turned into a hopeful smile, “But she did a lot of good in the world for IFs before she passed on. She helped so many of them find good homes. She even made a deal with Frances to allow IFs to volunteer at not just the university, but also at other places in Townsville for fair wages.”

“Okay, but there’s one thing that I’m still confused about.” Jason admitted. “If Frances is working here at the university…who’s looking after the home?” The cafeteria man rested his hands on his hips and shined a big friendly smile, “You’re looking at him.”

“E-…Eh?!” It was now Jason’s turn to lean over the buffet table to get into the cafeteria man’s face. “Y-You?!”

“Hahaha! Mac Harrison, current caretaker of Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, at your service.” Mac held his hand out as Jason firmly shook it in kind, “The honor is all mine.” With that, Mac finally piled on the food that Jason wanted in the first place, the young boy happy to fill his stomach up as much as his mind just was. “Enjoy, Jason! Both the food and your stay at Townsville University.”

            Jason felt…lighter. He never came out of a conversation with anyone feeling like that before. He felt good. He felt like he was ready to take on the rest of the day!

“HEY! MATTHEWS!”

“Dammit…” Jason came crashing back down to reality as he tried his best to ignore whoever just called out to him.

“MATTHEWS! HEY!”

“Mnnngh…!”

“HEEEEEY!!!” Jason finally snapped his head over to the side, seeing it was that Kevin boy calling out to him, sitting with a whole new group of kids that he didn’t know. “HEY! MATTHEWS! COME SIT WITH US!” Kevin belted out as students from other tables were looking over, giving Jason a sense of wanting to crawl up into a hole…he couldn’t say no now.

            Jason took his tray and walked over to Kevin and his group, sitting down right beside Kevin, whom scooted everyone down on his side to make a seat for Jason at the very end of the bench. Scanning over the group, Jason took note of some key individuals. The first one was sitting next to Kevin. She was very pretty and had straight blonde hair that hung past her chin, but not enough to reach her shoulders. She sat so close to Kevin, Jason only assumed it was Kevin’s girlfriend. Next, beside the girl, was an…Italian(?)-looking individual who was lightly-dark skinned with combed up blue hair. Just like Kevin, he was also wearing a football jacket. Finally, there were three more boys sitting across from them…ironically being the most interesting of the group to Jason. The first one…Jason was honestly not sure how to describe him. He’s a ginger with a buzz-cut, really tall, and wore a green jacket over a white and red striped t-shirt with baggy blue jeans. He did not look like someone you wanted to mess with, but when he and Jason locked eyes, the guy gave Jason a smile that Jason could only describe as… “special”.

(“Gentle giant…”) Was all Jason thought in response, returning a smile back to the big lug. Next was someone literally surrounding himself with books, wearing a black beanie with a skunk-stripe design and neck-length black hair trickling down from the back of his head. He also wore a buttoned up red shirt over a plain white shirt and navy-blue shorts. The final guy, Jason immediately had a problem with. This guy was just mean-mugging Jason for no reason. All the while, Jason still made note of the guy’s unkempt, slicked back black hair, his yellow collared shirt with a singular red stripe running down the right side, and blue jeans.

“Yo, Eddy. He’s cool. Ease up.” Kevin sneered, making Eddy scoff a bit. “Don’t mind him. He’s not fond of new people.” Kevin leaned over to Jason. “Took us ages ourselves to like the guy, so he’s a little protective of our group.” That was something Jason could respect, giving Eddy an understanding smile. Eddy just averted his eyes, keeping his resting scowl of a face. “This is also Nazz.” Keving pointed the blonde girl clinging to him. She waved enthusiastically to Jason, who returned a half-hearted wave.

“Rolf.” Kevin points to the Italian(?) boy who was in mid-bite of a messy sandwich.

“You already met Eddy.” Kevin chuckled before pointing at the book worm and the tall ginger. “And this is Edd and Ed.”

“Wait…Ed, Edd, and Eddy?” Jason couldn’t help but chuckle at the ludicrous coincidence.

“Yeah yeah yeah, we’re all named Edward. Laugh it up.” Eddy growled out, making Jason just shrug with a cheeky smirk.

            “Hey, Jason, I heard you defended Crowley in one of your classes.” Nazz leaned over to talk gossip, Jason’s least favorite type of conversations.

“Wait…who?” Jason shook his head slightly in annoyed confusion.

“Mandy Crowley.” Nazz rephrased.

(“Crowley huh…? Fitting…”) Jason thought to himself while munching on some tater tots, “Why does it matter…? I just stopped a book from hitting her face.”

“From a Powerpuff.” Nazz added on with a sultry smirk. That comment almost made Jason choke on what he was currently chewing, “What…what does that have to do with anything?” Jason tried to stifle his stammering.

“Dude, those girls are superhuman. Plus, it was Buttercup who threw the book, I heard. That chick is like…wicked strong, and you apparently caught it with no issues.” Nazz seemed like more of an interrogator then someone who was trying to just have a conversation. It was something Jason really despised about her. Underneath the table, Jason pinched at his left hand so hard that he was leaving bruises, “Anyone could see what she was about to do with enough common sense and awareness.” Jason then showed the group his, now bruised, hand. “Also…does this look like “with no issues” to you? That thing stung like a bitch…” Nazz immediately reeled back after seeing Jason’s bruised hand.

“Whoa…that looks gnarly, man.” Kevin commented with a tone of horrific astonishment.

“S-Sorry…I didn’t mean to insinuate anything.” Nazz was quick with the apology, only making Jason sigh out, “It’s whatever…”

“Still, you should probably watch your back.” Nazz would come back with a quick warning, only making Jason look at her through his peripherals, “Why’s that…?”

“Crowley doesn’t like to owe anyone.” Nazz continued with her warning. “And her group is really infamous on our campus.”

“What group?” Jason turned a bit, showing his interest in what Nazz had to say, “The Skull Girls.” That name…it made Jason think of that hair clip that Mandy was wearing, the skull overtop a cherry blossom.

“What do you know about them?” Jason inquired.

“Only that they’re the baddest bitches at this school.” Kevin chuckled out. “They’re a group that even some of the supers here don’t want to mess with. There’s Mandy Crowley of course, whom people call the “Keeper of the Reaper”.”

“Theatrics, I’m sure.” Jason assumed.

“Nope. Girl is literally best friends with the Grim Reaper.” Kevin corrected as Jason just…slowly turned his head, “You’re…you’re kidding, right?”

“Wish I was. Saw the dude with my own eyes. A living skeleton, man. Black robe, carries a large scythe, you can’t miss him.” Kevin was definitely serious. Jason could with the look in the jock’s eyes. “There’s also Gaz Membrane.”

“Membrane?” That’s a name Jason knew, “As in Professor Membrane?”

“Yep! Gazlene is his daughter.” Edd chimed in, finally looking up from his books as he answered with a semi-nasally voice.

“Of course Double-Dweeb would butt in whenever a scientist is involved.” Kevin snickered.

“Hey! Professor Membrane is one of the founders of the FSG!” Jason cocked an eyebrow at the acronym Edd threw out. “The um…Foundation of Scientific Geniuses. It’s the biggest organization where the top minds of our country work together in the fields of science!” Edd got all giddy and excited when talking about it. It wasn’t hard for Jason to pinpoint what kind of career field Edd wanted to go into. “Yippee, a building filled with nothing but nerds.” Eddy rolled his eyes.

“Gazlene is incredibly smart..” Edd continued on as he had a bit of a dreamy gaze in his eyes. “She can recite the 2025 edition of the Periodics Table by heart…including their atomic number. She’s also won the FSG Science Fair five years in a row.”

“*Cough* NEPETISM *cough* STUPID CRUSH *cough* *cough*.” Eddy commented without really trying to hide his actual thoughts. It was definitely clear that Edd had an attraction to Gaz Membrane, much to the sock head’s denial, “Excuse me?! Yes, I admire Ms. Membrane, but for her mental acumen, mind you!”

“I had spaghetti once with acumen!” Ed blurted out, making the other Edwards stare at him.

“…Ed…that’s cumin. Not acumen.” Edd corrected, making everyone else on Jason’s side blink their eyes in astonishment of Ed’s simple-mindedness.

“…Seriously, how did he get in here?” Jason asked.

“Never mind that,” Kevin derailed, “Crowley and Membrane are issues, yes…but they’re not as bad as this next girl.”

“Worse than the girl who’s friends with the Reaper?” Jason questioned with high doubt.

“Dude, people say that this girl was legally dead for a week…and then came back alive.” Kevin’s statement made Jason turn fully towards Kevin as he interlocked his fingers to rest his face against them, “…Elaborate.”

“I don’t know the full story myself, but apparently she and her family got in a very terrible accident. Her parents didn’t live and for a week, she wasn’t among the living either.” Kevin began to tell the story, “It wasn’t until one day that the morticians heard screaming coming from one of the corpse bins. They popped it open and there she was, breathing and healthy.” Jason was just…astonished. This girl didn’t sound real at all to him. Then again…he lives in a world where people like the Powerpuff Girls exist, along with a girl whose best friends with Death himself. Maybe he should keep his mind open from here on out. “…What’s her name?” Was the only thing Jason could think of asking.

“Josie Morrigan.” Kevin commented before his eyes shrunk from looking behind Jason. Jason whipped his head around, immediately seeing Mandy walking through the cafeteria, along with two other girls. One was a girl who was shorter than Mandy by a couple of inches with crazy purple-dyed hair with bangs that seemed to hook around the top and sides of her head. She also wore a sky-blue shirt with splash art of a skull on it along with some band name Jason didn’t recognize, the shirt complimenting her bright-yellow eyes. She also had on a black frilly skirt over black shorts and black and red striped knee-high socks. On her wrist was a wristband that had the logo of a skull over a cherry blossom, the symbol of the Skull Girls. The way how Edd was ogling at that chick…Jason safely assumed that was Gaz Membrane. So the other girl…

            This one has wavy pink hair that hung to her shoulder blades with some strands of bangs curling and hanging over her shoulders. It made her look like a walking litchi. Everything else…not so much. She had very light eyeshadow, emphasizing her dark-purple eyes, and wore a black leather jacket with the mid-riff and sleeves seemingly cut off. She had on black running jeans with white stripes running down the sides tucked around black steel-toed boots. The finishing touch was a choker that she wore around her neck, bearing the skull and cherry blossom insignia of the Skull Girls. For a moment…Jason and pink-haired girl’s eyes locked with one another. There was only one name that crossed Jason’s mind thanks to process of elimination…even so…the look in her eyes…a sense of emptiness like a bottomless hole…he would still know who this was from Kevin’s story…

(“Josie…Morrigan…”)

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

Jason’s Secret

            “You…” Mandy called out to Jason as she and the rest of the Skull Girls approached the table.

“Me.” Jason pointed to himself, looking all serious as a joke. This made Mandy slam her hand down hard on the table, making it shake a bit. “That was quite the stunt you pulled back in class, huh…?” Mandy’s eyes glared down at Jason, who returned the intense stare back.

“Dude, don’t look into her eyes.” Kevin tried to warn, “I heard that her stare can suck the soul out of you.”

“You might wanna listen to your muscle-headed friend there.” Mandy softly snipped as now she leaned closer to Jason. Their faces were inches from one another as she was now leaning on both of her hands on the cafeteria table.

“What do you want, Crowley?” Jason sighed out.

“Oh…so you know my name, huh?” Mandy glared at Kevin and his group, making them all back up in fear. “You all know how much I hate gossipers…”

Jason stood up, getting close to Mandy as he wasn’t backing down. He had a whole five inches on her, slightly towering the devillina, but even Jason knew not to underestimate someone based on height. “Not gossiping.” Jason sternly responded. “I asked.”

“I don’t like being asked about either.” Mandy kept her death-like glare into Jason’s periwinkle eyes, mirroring her dark-blooded orbs in his irises’ glimmer. If they weren’t mean-mugging each other, someone would accidentally mistake the two for looking at each other romantically. “So…you guys gonna kiss or-?” Eddy started only for both Jason and Mandy to glare at him. Eddy swore he saw hellfire brewing behind both of them. “Holy cow! It was just a joke!” Eddy quickly backpedaled.

            With their attention back on one another, Mandy spoke again with a slow and menacing drawl to her voice, “Don’t think that just because you helped me doesn’t mean anything…I can handle myself, Maroon…” Every word slipping from her tongue was like a toxic drop from a scorpion’s tail. “Try anything like that again…and I’ll send you to the infirmary.” With that last verbal bite, Mandy stormed off with Gaz walking a bit behind her, giving a very monotonous yet judging stare while she looked Jason up and down. Then there was just Josie…who seemed to stay behind a bit. Once again, hers and Jason’s eyes locked as Jason actually felt his throat lumping up from staring into the abyssal depths of her pupils causing a single drop of sweat to slide down Jason’s forehead. Seeing Jason’s discomfort, Josie just…blinked…and walked away to follow after Mandy and Gaz. Finally gulping that lump in his throat away, Jason slid back down, feeling his breathing get heavy. “Dude…” Was all Kevin could say after that. “You might need to switch schools.”

            “I don’t understand why you were wasting your time with a new blood like that.” Gaz stated softly while she meticulously unwraps a tuna salad sandwich her father made her for lunch. The Skull Girls was far away from most of the other student body. It wasn’t because that’s what the Skulls Girls wanted. It was mainly because all of the other students refused to sit at tables anywhere close to them. Mandy and the other girls didn’t seem to mind though. It gave the girls their space for themselves.

“It’s ‘cause something’s up with that boy, Gaz. Can’t you feel it?” Mandy sneered while she leaned back against the white painted brick wall, resting her legs up on the cafeteria table. “All I’m feeling is that he’s not afraid of you.” Gaz smirked up from behind the shadows that her hooked bangs created. Mandy slammed her fist down on the table so hard, it made everything on the table bounce up a bit. “Geez…is it your time of the month?” Gaz inquired from Mandy’s silent rage.

“I’M the one who makes people owe me, Gaz…not the other way around.” Mandy softly growled. “Owing people shows weakness Gaz.”

“Holy shit, you act like he did something big…” Gaz groaned out, finally making Mandy snap, “He stopped a book being thrown at me…!”

“So?” Gaz was trying to rip open a bag of M&Ms while she nonchalantly chewed on a sippy cup straw.

“…From Buttercup Utonium…” Mandy spewed out the rest of the info so slowly that every word seeped perfectly into Gaz’s ear. Her hands finally tore open the M&Ms as they fell onto the table and floor with Gaz just staring at Mandy with a wide gaze, “Ok…that’s something big.” She finally understood what Mandy’s deal was, who finally huffed back to silence and sat back down in her seat.

“Sooooo what? You think he’s a super?” Gaz assumed.

“I don’t know…! If he was, then it would be documented here in the school and I would be the first one to know.” Mandy quipped quickly. She hated that response…Mandy always prided herself on knowing things about people. It’s what allowed her to keep such an edge on those she deemed as enemies. “But so help me, I’m going to find out.”

“Then you can count us in, as always.” Josie finally spoke for the first time since the conversation started. She leaned back against her seat and tapped her finger gingerly on the cafeteria table, “We three always stuck together through whatever we needed from one another…that’s not stopping now.”

Townsville University: Bellum Hall

            Jason stepped in through the double glass-paned doors to the main gymnasium of Bellum Hall, otherwise known as the Athletics Building of Townsville University. The entire main gymnasium was about the length of a football field, but as wide as two of them, allowing the gymnasium to hold all manners of courts for the students to play on, including Basketball, Soccer, and even Lacrosse or Hockey. On the West side of the gymnasium laid a wall-spanning glass frame with scattered sets of doors that led into the two-stories Workout Room with a second floor balcony that overlooked the gymnasium. On the East side was a similar glass-framed wall that would lead to the Olympic-size swimming pool used for the University’s swim team to practice.

            Over Jason’s shoulder, he carried a duffle bag that was currently holding his workout gear, a black t-shirt and silver-colored jogging pants. His eyes veered around, finally finding the locker room for him to change at, but as soon as he took a few steps in, someone stepped in front of him, a familiar black haired pixie-cut girl. “Hey.”

“Buttercup…right?” Jason called out as he and Buttercup were standing face to face. Like many others before him, Buttercup was mean-mugging him, “Yeah, that’s right. So what’s the deal?”

“The deal? Well, I’m trying to get to the locker room.” Jason answered with stoic honesty.

“Not that, you bonehead! I mean with you and Mandy!” Buttercup raised her voice a bit, getting a bit peeved at how Jason answered. “What? You her boyfriend or something? Nah, she’s not the kind who seems to be into that stuff. So what? A lackey? How much she paying ya? Are you even a student here or just some criminal going undercover for her?” Jason sighed out at Buttercup’s interrogation, getting just as annoyed as she was, “Look, is this about how I defended her from you almost throwing a book-sized crater into her face?” Jason snapped back. “You wanna know what would’ve happened if I didn’t?” Jason’s comment actually made Buttercup’s eyes waver, her gaze flickering away from him without trying to show any other kind of emotion in her facial expressions, “So what? Not like she wouldn’t have deserved it…”

“Wow, that doesn’t sound very hero-like, Ms. Powerpuff.” Jason narrowed his eyes only to get a finger in his face from Buttercup, “Hey! Me and my sisters work our butt off to protect people like Mandy! And what does she show for it? Disdain!”

“I remember your sister saying something about-“ Jason quickly shut his mouth as he saw Buttercup reeling back for a punch, “Don’t you dare…ever…say any of my sister’s names. Ever…I have super hearing, so I can tell when you do.”

“Right…” Jason seemed unfazed , which only ticked Buttercup off more as he could see her fist trembling from just trying to hold herself back. “Well, I’m gonna go and get changed so I can treadmill for about an hour…I got an early evening class to end my day off, so…ciao.” Jason abruptly bid farewell to the Powerpuff before quickly sliding into the locker room. (“God…this is getting exhausting…I just wanna go home and sleep…”)

            “Ah!! H-Hey! Get off!” A distressed voice could be heard from within the locker room. Jason turned around the corner of a set of lockers to see a small and skinny student getting pushed into a locker by a bunch of big and burly “bros”, as Jason’s brother would call the type. Jason was fully aware of these types of guys from high school…guess some still don’t change, even in universities. “He-“

“Hey!” Before Jason could even get a word out, someone else shouted at the bullies from right beside him. Jason’s eyes peered over without turning his head, looking at his peripherals to see a white-skinned boy around Jason’s height of 5’6, maybe even an inch taller, with really fuzzy black hair, almost borderline afro-like. The boy had a very round face and was also slightly big-boned, wearing a black t-shirt with a yellow rotund star on it, blue denims, and…flip-flops? What threw Jason off even more was how the bullies actually looked terrified of this dough-boy. They immediately released the skinny boy they were trying to push into the locker and went the long way around to avoid having to go near this new guy.

            (“Eh…what just…?”) Jason was so shocked at what just happened, he almost didn’t feel the nudge given to him by the doughy boy, “Hey!” The boy chimed out with a gleeful tone, “If I didn’t step in, looks like you were going to.”

“Um…” Jason was still all frazzled. “I mean…thankfully it seemed like I didn’t?”

“Awesome! Good to know I’m not the only good Samaritan on campus.” The boy let out a genuine laugh. “What’s your name?”

“Jason…Matthews.”

“Steven Universe! A pleasure.” Steven took Jason’s hand and shook it firmly.

“Wow…you’re not a shy one, huh.” Jason slowly pulled his hand back after the almost forced handshake. Just as their conversation was getting somewhere, the skinny boy from earlier ran over to Steven and Jason, “Thanks, Steven. You really bailed me out.”

“Of course! We’re all Townsville students. We gotta watch each other’s backs.” With a soft pat on the skinny boy’s back, Steven sent the boy on his way before actually beginning to change his clothes! (“Seriously?! Just like that, he moves on?!”) Jason’s jaw almost dropped to the floor, but he instead wanted to follow Steven’s example and began to get changed too.

            “So Jason, are you a hero too?” Steven asked out of the blue. “WHAT?!” Jason had his head in the locker while he was putting his change of clothes away, accidentally hitting the top of his head on the roofing of the locker. “Ow! Wh-What makes you ask that?”

“I don’t know. You just seem like a cool guy.” Steven stated so nonchalantly. That immediately made Jason click his teeth, “You don’t even know me.”

“True…but someone who’s willing to stand up to bullies doesn’t seem like a bad guy to me.” Steven’s words made Jason freeze for a moment, making his eyes close halfway, “…Being a hero is a pipe dream…”

“Huh?” Steven turned his body to face Jason, whose back just stayed turned away towards the open locker.

“Those who wish to become heroes are fools who dream of grandeurs such as the “greater good”…” Jason didn’t expand on anything else he said. He just closed the locker door and began to walk out. (“Why…? Why am I telling HIM this…? I just met him…!”)

Steven quickly put his workout shirt on while chasing after Jason, “Wow! Sounds like something big happened to make you think like that, man! Do you want to talk about it? I’m a great listener!”

“Wha-?! No!” Jason quickly lashed back in a more comical anger. He just couldn’t believe this boy was trying to be a Mr. Rogers to him.

“Ah! Personally-built walls. I understand completely. Had those for myself at one point.” Steven just kept smiling while continuing with his cheerful quips. It was starting to get on Jason’s nerves.

            “Yo! Steven!!” And it just wouldn’t end. That was Buttercup’s voice Jason just heard. He looked to see the Powerpuff revving up what looked like a dodgeball! “Think fast!!” And she threw that sucker straight at Steven. Jason was unprepared this time as this action seemed like out of nowhere, especially with how hard and fast Buttercup chucked the ball towards the puffball of a boy. Just as Jason tried to reach out to stop the ball…Steven caught it…with no issues. Well…he skidded back a couple inches from the power behind the ball, but Steven overall seemed unfazed!

            “Alright! Steven’s the other captain! Line up dirtbags!” Buttercup called out as she circled her finger up in the air, signaling those in the gymnasium floor to all line up. “What the…? How did…?” Jason was trying to put two and two together at how Steven was able to catch a throw like that from Buttercup. Only one result could explain it, “Are YOU a super?” Jason asked Steven, who merely gave Jason a wide smile when he answered, “Yep!” Steven proceeded to pull up his shirt, showing off his chubby tummy and…a pink diamond where his naval should be. “What…in the Hells…?” Jason leaned close to examine the shining gem of a belly-button Steven had.

“Oop- not Hells. Not Heavens either. Think farther.” Steven teased.

“What? You’re telling me you’re from space?” Jason quickly deduced.

“Ding! Ding! Ding! Correctamundo! I may have been born on Earth, but my mother was an Alien from a different planet! Pretty cool, huh? She gave up her life to allow me to be born~!” Steven’s words actually made Jason’s eyes soften, especially when Steven mentioned how his mother wasn’t around for him, “Whoa…I’m sorry about that, man.”

“Huh? Whoa, h-hey there’s no need to be sad about it.” Steven gave a reassuring smile to Jason, actually looking appreciative at Jason’s concern. “Yeah…it kind of messed with me, along with other things she left behind that I had to deal with…but I was able to get through it thanks to therapy.”

“You…you’re in therapy?” Jason raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“Why does everyone say that?” Steven pouted, crossing his arms like he was offended.

“I don’t know…you just…don’t seem like you should be. I don’t how else I can explain it.” Jason felt embarrassed for his words, rubbing the back of his head as a result.

“At first…I was always like this for the sake of others…to be strong in front of them.” Steven’s voice got all melancholy, his eyes half closed, but still keeping a slight smile, “I thought I always had to be the optimistic person for everyone to turn to. But now,” Steven’s face brightened up once again, turning his head up to look at Jason, “I’m optimistic because I want to be. Not just for others, but for myself too. That’s what therapy allows me to do.” Steven’s words…they just bring a smile to Jason’s face.

            “So…are we going do this?” Steven prompted Jason.

“Huh? Do what?” Jason inquired as Steven motioned his head multiple times towards the students lining up for dodgeball.

“Eh! N-No. No no no no.” Jason repeated as he had his hands up, waving them dismissively. Steven gave Jason a look…a look Jason has never seen before…those eyes…so innocent and pure…with his lips pouting a bit. The infamous “puppy dog stare” that Jason’s brother warned him about, “Come on, Jason…it’ll be fun.” Jason tried to look away, actually seeing Buttercup annoyed at the notion, but since it was Steven asking Jason she kept her mouth shut. “…Fine…” Jason sighed out in defeat.

“ALRIGHT!! I call dibs on Jason!” Steven immediately called out as the pickings began. Steven and Buttercup took turns picking out some people.

“Blossom…” Buttercup called out to her sister.

“Bubbles!” Steven called next.

“Tennyson.” A boy with short brown hair in a green shirt with black work pants stepped over to Buttercup’s side.

“Daniel!” Stepping next to Jason and Bubbles was a new guy that Jason has never seen, a thin boy with short black hair that spiked down in the front. This boy noticed Jason’s analytical gaze, only to return it with a friendly handshake. “Yo. Name’s Danny. Danny Fenton.”

“Uuuuh…Jason…Matthews.” Jason thought he may as well go all in on this since he was already here, returning the handshake.

“Turner! Get your pink butt over here!” Buttercup called out to a boy wearing a varsity jacket with a pink hat over his head.

“Uuuuh…wait.” Steven finally realized that they were down to the last person, making the teams odd, “Oh shoot! I didn’t realize we were short!”

“DEX!” Blossom called over to the bleachers to a young male with puffed out orange hair and wearing glasses. He was dressed up in a simple gym getup with a white shirt and black shorts, but despite his attire, he was merely just reading a book while everyone else was out and about. “CP-cUtie! Come and play dodgeball with us!” Blossom continued calling.

“Blossom, my sweet petunia…I respect that you enjoy the extra-physical motions used to increase one’s respiratory and muscular strength. Please respect that I don’t.” Dexter responded back with a quick, but methodical tone, making Blossom groan out.

Jason leaned over to Bubbles and whispered, “So what’s their story?”

“Oh! That’s Dexter! He’s Blossom’s boyfriend, teeheehee.” Bubbles giggled as it seemed the prospect of her sister having a significant other just brings so much joy to her.

“Get out. Seriously?” Jason couldn’t help but chuckle with the happy-go-lucky Powerpuff. “Oh yeah. They’re known as the Brainy Couple here on campus.” Bubbles continued to share, actually pining Jason’s intrigue, “Huh…so he’s some kind of super genius?”

“Mhm! I never really understand what Dexter says half of the time, but he makes Blossom smile and laugh, so that’s good enough for me~!” Bubbles smiled brightly, actually making Jason give a soft smile too, “Huh…good for her.”

“Ugh! Sorry Jenny. Guess you need to sit this one out.” Buttercup tried to tell this robot girl with blue pigtails…only for a monotone voice to call out , “Anyone can get in on this, right…?” Jason veered his head to see…

“Josie!” Steven called with a bright smile.

(“Seriously? He’s even nice to her?”) Jason’s eye twitched a bit in complete bafflement.  “What gives, Morrigan?” Buttercup sneered, which was the correct response Jason would’ve usually expected.

“What? Do I need an excuse to get some exercise in…?” Josie scoffed softly while keeping her abyssal eyes right on Jason. It slowly sunk in to Jason what her plans were…but he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, “Why not? I’m okay with it.”

“Me too!” Steven second the notion, putting Buttercup in a corner, “Huh?! B-But-…UGH! Fine…!” Buttercup finally seceded to Steven’s eagerness.

“Alright, Jenny, come on over!” Steven called over to the robot girl while Josie just walked straight to Buttercup’s team, much to the tomboy Powerpuff’s distaste.

            And so the teams were set: Jason, Steven, Danny, Jenny, and Bubbles vs Buttercup, Josie, Blossom, Ben, and Timmy. “Yo, Steven! Care to play with the “Usual” rules?” Buttercup smirked as Steven seemed a little hesitant, “Well um…we do have non-supers on our team.”

“What do you mean?” Jason eyed down at his new chubby friend.

“Well…you and Josie are the only non-supers that are in this match.” Steven informed, only to make Jason quickly stare at Danny, then Ben, and then finally Timmy. “Seriously? Even the dweeb in the pink hat?” Jason doubted.

Timmy’s eyes narrowed before rolling up the sleeves of his varsity jacket. On his wrists were green and pink bracelets. Gripping ahold of each one, the two bracelets transformed in Timmy’s hands and became two massive hammers of the same colors, the pink hammer in one hand and the green hammer in the other. This…made Jason’s pupils shrink a bit, only to look over at Ben who had this weird green watch-looking thing on his wrist. After a few turns of the head of the device, Ben slammed his palm down, pushing the device inward as he was engulfed in this bright green light…only for a massive khaki-scaled dinosaur-like monster to appear!

“Huuuuumongasaur!!!” Ben roared out in triumph, making Jason quickly scurry over to Danny, “Please tell your powers can deal with that!”

“Relax man. I got this. GOING GHOST!!” Danny shouted out before two silver rings appeared above his head and at his feet. They both began to traverse towards each other and over Danny as a result, turning his hair as white as snow and his bright-blue eyes turning into glowing green orbs.

“Whoa…what are you?” Jason looked on in awe.

“You’re looking at a half-ghost, Jason.” Danny smirked with intense pride, only for Buttercup to chime out, “Don’t even think about it, Fenton! Even if you allow a ball to phase through you, you’re still out!”

“Man, whatever, Utonium!!” Danny shouted back, making Buttercup snicker in devilish tease.

“So then… me and Josie are the only ones with no powers?” Jason crossed his arms as the realization was setting in.

“Hey, I’m game. Tennyson here still remembers what happened last time.” Josie smirked while the massive dinosaur-like alien rubbed his head and grumbled in embarrassment, “H-Hey, she’s tougher than she looks.”

“…I’m game.” Jason answered back with a smirk, even though Steven still wasn’t so keen on the whole thing, “Guys! If you’re planning on aiming for Jason or Josie, half-po-…” Then Steven looked at Humongasaur Ben, “…Quarter power!” He quickly fixed as everyone seemed to agree.

            It’s game time! Five balls were lined up in the center of the court and each team’s members were all lined up, the bottom of one of their feet pressed back against back wall on their team’s side. “Deeeex, could you-?” Blossom called out only for Dex to nonchalantly blow a whistle loudly.

            Bubbles and Buttercup were the first to dash out, trying to grab as many balls as they can. Humongosaur Ben tried to grab one, only for Danny to yoink it away as he phased out from the ground, “Hey!”

“Ancient proverb, Tennyson: Ya snooze ya lose!” Danny snickered. Both Bubbles and Buttercup had a ball in each hand, tossing one to Steven and Blossom respectively. Buttercup immediately looked at Jason and threw a ball at him with all of her might, the ball spinning rapidly almost deforming from how much was put behind the throw. It wasn’t like the rage-filled throw Buttercup used in class earlier…this one had intent and precision behind it. (“Shit! Am I already going to get out?!”) Just before the ball hit Jason, a pink bubble surrounded him, blocking the ball. “H-Huh?”

“Buttercup! What did I say?! Quarter power for him!” Steven pouted.

“Hey! I gotcha to use your one-bubble-per-inning at least.” Buttercup rubbed her finger under her nose out of cockiness while the puffball gasped out, “What~?! Oh you sneaky little-!” Before giving out a loud laugh. (“Yeah…laugh about the fact my head was almost taken off.”) Jason groaned in thought.

            “Timmy! Heads up!” Bubbles shouted out before chucking a ball at the pink-wearing goof. Putting those massive green and pink hammers to use, Timmy easily smacked the ball way and redirected it at Danny, who got wailed by the reflected ball, “GAH! Bubbles! You’re not supposed to tell them when you’re throwing something at ‘em!”

“Oops! Sorry, Danny!” Bubbles winced a bit as Danny floated over to the benches in defeat.

“Jenny!” Steven called out as he tossed a ball to the blue-pigtailed robot girl who sucked the ball right into an empty socket where her hand was.

BrrrrrrRRRRRRRRR!!

It sounded like something was charging up!

“Hit the deck!!” Blossom called out as she, Buttercup, and Josie all dove down onto the floor just before Jenny shot the ball out of that empty port in her hand like a cannonball at neck-breaking speed. Because of the durability of the gymnasium dodgeball, it bounced off of the wall on one side…and began ricocheting all over the place!!!

“Blow back!!” Steven shouted out as him, Jason, Jenny, AND Bubbles also dove down to the ground. Even Danny and Dexter had to inadvertently get out of the way as the bouncing death ball went over to the bleachers. “Don’t worry guys! I got this!” Humongosaur Ben roared out as he had his hands out to stop it…only for the ball to bounce down from the ground and…well…hit the alien boy where the sun don’t shine, releasing a high-pitched squeak from the deep-voiced alien form. “OOOOOOOOOOH!” Everyone winced in pain while Ben fell over in pain, clutching at his family jewels, even turning back into his normal human form, “Dammit Jenny…not again.”

“Ah! Sorry, Ben!” Jenny called out in an apologetic whine.

“Man, she knocked the alien right off ya.” Josie smirked.

“Why does that sound racist…?” Ben squirmed as he caterpillar slunk his way off of the court. It was now 4 against 4…until Bubbles and Blossom knocked both of each other out at the same time. Jason got a lucky throw at Timmy while he was busy blocking a throw from Steven. Jenny got cheap shot by a ground bounce from Josie. So now it was just Jason and Steven against Buttercup and Josie. Josie’s eyes were deadlocked on Jason, while Buttercup wanted to get Steven out as quickly as possible. Buttercup reeled back a powerful throw, aimed right at Steven…but with a quick push from Josie, Buttercup’s aim was thrown off, the full-powered throw once again aimed at Jason.

            Steven could’ve sworn the ball was being thrown right at him, so the sudden change threw the poor guy off, making him stumble in trying to get his shield out. “Jason!” Jason’ eyes widened, seeing the ball come right towards him. Once again, he was met with that life or death feeling, just like the first time Buttercup threw something at him. Unlike back at the classroom, Buttercup throwing that book was meant to only badly hurt a non-super…this was a throw with enough power to knock out a super…as far as everyone else knew, if no one helped Jason, his head was going to be taken clean off.

“….DAMMIT!!!” Jason shouted out in pure anger as he held one of his hands up, making the ball stop dead in its tracks…without even making contact with his hand.

            Steven was the first to mutter out what everyone was feeling in that moment, “Wh-…What?” A purplish aura was surrounding the ball as it was stopped in mid-air while Jason’s periwinkle eyes were glowing. “I knew it!” From the side, Mandy could be seen speed-walking out onto the court, “Nice job, Josie.”

“Hey, I was putting a lot on the line for a hunch, Mandy. You know if he wasn’t a super, I’d be leaving this gym in cuffs.” Josie reminded her friend of the consequences.

“Wait, what?! You planned this?!” Jason growled out.

“Oh yeah. And you’re in big trouble. I never saw a “Jason Matthews” listed under the U.S.’s Super Doctrine.” Mandy accused.

            Many years ago, the United Nations was starting to feel uneasy with so many Supers running about that were unknown to their sources. So, the Super Doctrine was created. If any Super wanted to keep their rights under the cities that they served (and sometimes even born in), they needed to essentially give their country’s Government all of the information on them, including all of their superpowers, the origins of their powers, and even their personal information like their current residence as well as their secret identity if they had one. Obviously the villains didn’t condone to any of this as they were already wanted criminals, but not a lot of Supers were happy about this either as those with secret identities essentially were risking the lives of their loved ones. But with the backing of the UN and full protection for anyone related to listed Supers, eventually superheroes like the Powerpuff Girls signed themselves onto the doctrine. Any Super who has not signed to the doctrine is seen as a possible global threat and can be taken into custody under felony charges.

            “Oh, and you know *everything*, Crowley?” Jason growled. Mandy glared back, “I make it my business to know everything…Matthews.” Her words…this time they made Jason flinch, especially when the campus security entered into the gym…with cuffs. Jason readied up as if he was going to fight his way out.

“Jason…”

Jason’s head slowly turned to see everyone he was just playing dodgeball with earlier taking up a fighting stance as if they were ready to take Jason down…even Steven, who had a sad look on his face since he was the one who called out to Jason, “Please…don’t resist. I’m…I’m sure there’s a good reason.”

“Tell it to the judge.” Mandy gave an unforgiving scowl.

“No, actually. He’ll tell me first.” A very calm and sassy voice came out from behind the campus security. Walking out from behind them was a woman, a woman with dark-red hair that was in a high-knotted ponytail wearing a neon-green business suit and skirt that went down to her knees.

“Principal Foster!” Everyone exclaimed as they all stood up straight.

“Foster?” Jason remembered the story that Mac told him at lunch time.

“Well, I see you know me at least, Jason. So then…maybe you won’t mind if I get to know you too?” Principal Foster’s eyes focused on Jason, a stern and determined gleam shining in her bright-brown eyes.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Defying Gravity

Headmistress Foster’s Office, Townsville University

            “Jason Matthews…” Ms. Foster began after combing through stacks upon stacks of papers of information she notably received from Mandy. “Rhode Island…Ohio…Florida…Minnesota…and now Townsville.” Ms. Foster leaned over on her desk a bit, lying on her crossed arms, trying to get a good look at Jason. The maroon-haired university student is currently slouched down in his seat, a weird mixture of irritation and boredom etched on his face. He refused to look at Ms. Foster at all…

“I’m going to be honest, Mr. Matthews. Things don’t look good for you.” Ms. Foster frowned a bit. “Yes, Ms. Crowley does have a tendency to go overboard…sometimes criminally, but her findings ended up bringing to light in the fact that you aren’t a registered Super.”

“Blow it out your other end…I ain’t saying anymore until my brother gets here.” Jason sneered, making Ms. Foster’s eyes narrow as her lips pursed up in a pout. She decided to change up her strategy a bit…

            “So…that power of yours. Very interesting, isn’t it?” She sat back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other. “So what? Birth? Freak accident?”

“Why would you like to know?” Jason scoffed, resting his chin on his hand as he looked through a window to the outside. Ms. Foster’s office has a nice view of the front campus, along with the main road. Jason was keeping an eye out for his brother’s sky-blue sedan.

“Well, as far as I know, you’re still a student of mine until the TPD arrive to take you to the NASEL department building.” Ms. Foster explained. NASEL stands for the National Association of Supers’ Ethics and Laws. A lot of Supers like to say that NASEL helps protect Supers and their loved ones, but others like to mutter how NASEL is a glorified leash for the UN to hold. Jason’s periwinkle irises slowly shifted to look at Ms. Foster only through his peripherals. “And as Headmistress of this University, I like to know my students a bit more.” Ms. Foster continued, actually cracking a friendly smile.

“…” Jason just kept staring at her in silence before his eyes slowly shifted back to the window. Foster would sigh out in begrudging defeat…

            “I was born with my powers…” Foster’s head jerked up to see Jason speaking without looking at her. “My parents…they were Supers.”

“Were…?” Foster’s eyes softened, “I’m…sorry. What were their names?” Foster believed she was starting to make some progress, only to get another mean peripheral glare from Jason. Foster quickly waved her hands dismissively, “P-Personal. I understand. That’s something you can keep to yourself.”

“Hmph…” Jason’s eyes returned to the window before continuing. “It’s not like I knew them or anything…they died when I was just a baby. My brother has been raising me my whole life…” Jason recalled this story with such a monotonous tone. It made Foster’s heart throb in pain in sympathy. All she had was her grandmother when she was younger. The knowledge of knowing one’s parents was a difficult one to have as null.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve had the ability to manipulate gravitational pulls.” Slowly raising up one of his fingers, Jason’s eyes glowed as the pens, pencils, stapler, and paper all began to slowly rise up and float…eventually, even Foster’s chair began to float with her in it, making her gasp out softly, “In-…Incredible, Mr. Matthews.” Her compliment immediately made him turn off his power, making everything fall back suddenly. Foster let out a squeak of a yelp having to steady herself and her chair to make sure she didn’t fall over from the sudden drop. “…Whatever…” Jason groaned out.

“No, I mean it! Do you have any idea what good your powers can do for the good of the Earth? For the good of possibly other planets out there?” Foster’s enthusiasm started to break out as she couldn’t sit still anymore, practically leaping up from her seat. “Your powers seem to be on the Omega Scaling! You could be a Hero of Heroes!”

“…Being a Hero is a pipe dream.” Jason softly stated, repeating to Foster what he said to Steven. “Anyone who becomes a hero always wants something more than the “greater good”. And anyone who says otherwise is lying.” Foster’s pupils shook at Jason’s statement, making her shift back to her seat, “…Mr. Matthews…what happened to you? A viewpoint like this doesn’t come out of nowhere.”

            Just as Foster asked, a familiar sky-blue sedan pulled up to the curb outside, making Jason stand up, “We’re done here.”

“H-Hey! I didn’t say you can-!” Foster tried to use her authority to get Jason to stop, but he was already walking out the door and into the front office. Right then, Jason’s brother stepped in, “Jason…”

“Come on, bro. Let’s blow this joint. I got bamboozled…” Jason walked past his brother, trying to blitz it to their car. He was already thinking of other possible cities for them to go to, but that train of thought was derailed from Jason’s brother grabbing his arm. “Hey. What gives?”

“Sit.” Was all Jason’s brother said? Jason’s body froze. He’s only ever heard his brother use that tone once before…and it only took that one time for him to know how serious this was. Jason, begrudgingly, but obediently, sat down in a chair in the front office. Foster quickly bolted out of her office, only to see Jason taking a seat, her eyes quadruple-taking back and forth between Jason and his brother, “You must be-?”

“Bowie Matthews, yes. I’m Jason’s older brother and legal guardian.” Bowie finally introduced himself, reaching out for a handshake that Foster hesitantly shook back, “R-Right. Um…can we-?”

“Can we please talk in your office for a bit?” Bowie beat her to the punch.

“Um…yes…would you-?” Foster shakily pointed to the side where a water machine was.

“Yes, I would like some water. Jason would take some too. Would you, Jason?” Jason wasn’t looking at Bowie, but he could feel the heat on the side of his head from Bowie’s glare, “Y-Yes sir.”

“Good.” Bowie walked over, his presence making everyone in the office silent as all eyes were on him. He took two cups and filled them each halfway before tossing one to Jason, who used his powers to catch it mid-air and float it right into his hand. If there was no point in hiding his powers anymore, why not use it?

            Jason tilted his head back to take a sip, but Bowie took the cup…and poured it onto Jason’s head, surprising Foster and the other faculty. “What did I teach you?” Bowie stated sternly. Jason was looking down, his hair soaked from the water as it covered his line of sight, “Never use my powers for mundane actions…”

“Good.” Bowie nodded, “Now let’s try this again.” With the empty cup still in his hand, Bowie went over to the water machine again, filling the cup up halfway. Tossing it to Jason, this time Jason actually caught it normally, looking at his brother for a bit before finally sipping up some of the water.

            “Sorry about that…” Bowie frowned at Foster, “I know what it seems like, but it’s the only way that boy will listen. With powers as strong as his, I try to teach him to only use it in emergencies. Not to flaunt it. It’s so he doesn’t end up abusing it down the line.” Bowie then motioned his hand towards Foster’s office door. Foster was still shaken up from what she witnessed. After looking at Jason, who already seemed over it, Foster gulped before shaking her head rapidly as a means to get herself out of her shock, “R-Right…shall we?” Foster motioned to her office right before she and Bowie disappeared behind the closed door.

            Jason has been sitting out in the office for a bit now. His eyes scrunched up while staring at the door to Foster’s office. (“What the hell are they talking about…?”) Jason growled in his mind. He thought this was going to be a simple bail and dip scenario like all of the other places they’ve been. (“The least they can do is include me in on it…this IS about me after all, right?”)

“Still here, huh?” That monotone and condescending tone…

“What do you want, Crowley? Came to gloat?” Without even looking at Mandy, Jason snapped in a soft tone, reminding himself that he’s still in the main office. Mandy stood off to the side with crossed arms. She had her same resting glare of an expression with her permanent scowl, but currently wearing this sense of superiority and triumph, “I don’t need the verbal satisfaction. Just the sight alone of you being dragged off to NASEL will be enough.” Jason could’ve sworn he saw one of the corners of Mandy’s mouth twitch up. That alone made him bolt up, getting face to face with her…neither of them budging. Items began to slowly lift up in the room with Jason’s eyes glowing. “…Do it…” Mandy growled, “You’d at least have more balls than a majority of these piss-ants here…” Jason’s fists ball up in a tight grip, his knuckles turning white. The items in the room descend back down to their original place, the more his hands began to unclench, “I’m already being sent to NASEL for being an un-signed Super. I don’t need a murder charge added on top.”

“Coward…” Mandy clicked her teeth.

“Being smart does not make me a coward.” Jason quipped back. “You’re a very intelligent individual, Crowley. That much I know.” The compliment from Jason made one of Mandy’s eyes twitch. “However, you use your smarts as a tool to beat other people down. I use mine just as a means to survive. That’s the difference between us.”

“…And who’s to say I don’t do what I do to survive?” Mandy raised an eyebrow, making Jason raise his own.

            Their conversation would be cut short by the sound of a car engine heavily revving up, followed by screeching tires running across a cemented pavement. Jason’s eyes widen before he bolts to one of the windows. Outside, he could see Bowie’s sky-blue Sedan speed off. “What the hell?!” To make sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him; Jason slammed the door of Foster’s office open, only to see Foster at her desk, her fingers interlocked and her forehead resting against it. Bowie…is nowhere to be seen. An open window was the only thing that stuck out to Jason. “What…happened?” Jason let out a low growl as everything in the room began to float up again. Mandy was at the office door as TPD officers ran in, aiming their guns at Jason, “FREEZE!!!”

“HOLD YOUR FIRE!!!” Foster immediately put herself in between Jason and the TPD cops, the shock of this breaking Jason’s concentration and making all of the floating objects in the room fall back down. “Holster your weapons!! The unsigned Super has already left! This boy is a campus student as well as a signed Super!!!”

(“WHAT?!”) Jason’s pupils shrunk in disbelief. After a bit of hesitation, the TPD cops holstered their weapons before booking it to their cars. Jason could hear one of them bellowing into their coms, “This is Unit 7184! We have a suspect trying to leave the city! He is an unsigned Super! I repeat! Suspect is an unsigned Super! Alert city recognized Heroes immediately!”

            As soon as the TPD cops left, cars and all…Jason immediately threw his hand up, using his powers to lift Foster up and slam her back against the wall, “GAH!!” Foster screamed out in pain as she strained to look down at a rage fueled Jason, his hair floating up and about as if the gravity was affecting it along with his usual glowing eyes. This time though, the entirety of both of his eyes was glowing that periwinkle hue, not just his irsies. “You have….ONE CHANCE!!! Tell me what the HELLS is going ON!!!” A quick sound of something unsheathing could be heard from behind, prompting Jason to raise his other hand, lifting up a combat-knife-wielding Mandy before also slamming her into the opposite wall. He was already pissed as is with Mandy, so his hand holding her up clenched a bit, intensifying the gravity around her body, “AAAAAAAAH!!!” The young devillina released a shrilling shriek of pain as she could feel her entire body being crushed by the manipulated gravity fields arounds her. “JASON! STOP!” Foster pleaded.

“I SAID ONE CHANCE! NOW!!!” Jason repeated himself.

“YOUR BROTHER TOLD ME IT’S ALL APART OF HIS PLAN!!!” Foster belted out at the top of her lungs…only for her and Mandy to be immediately dropped. Foster was groaning from the impact while Mandy was coughing, even puking up a bit from the acid reflux of her stomach being crunched up by Jason’s powers. Their release was due to Jason’s arms going limp... His shoulders began to shudder, “What….plan…?” Jason’s voice cracked, signs of him trying to restrain himself. Foster struggled to her feet, swallowing back any anxiety she is currently experiencing, “He…he promised me not to tell you everything. Only that…you are actually a signed Super, Mr. Matthews…” Jason slowly looked at Foster with emotionless, wide eyes, “You’re lying…”

“I’m not…he showed me proof. Proof that he took with him. Proof he told me to not reveal to you until you turn 18.” Foster was scared, but all of that fear subsided when Jason fell to his knees…and began to softly sob.

“Why…? Why did he leave then…?” Jason choked through his crying.

“…Because he’s actually an unsigned Super, Jason.” Foster felt comfortable and safe enough to approach Jason and kneel down beside him. She slowly rested a hand on his back. “He…wanted me to tell you that he planned all of this. He…wants you to attend Townsville University to be a Hero.”

“Like my parents…?” Jason scoffed.

“No…he wants you to be the Hero you want to be. To have a life that you deserve, one with no more hiding and one that you have full control.” Foster’s hand slowly ran up and down Jason’s back, trying to comfort him as best as she could. “He knew that as long as you were with him, you weren’t truly safe.” Jason’s soft sobs eventually subsided. Clenching the back of his jacket a bit, Foster pulled Jason to her, letting his head rest on her shoulder, “I made another promise to your brother…I promised him that I won’t let anything happen to you…that you will have the full education you deserve here.”

“It’s not like I have a choice on that regard…” Jason knew if he didn’t attend Townsville University, he would have nowhere to go. He already assumed that place Bowie said they would be living in was a lie…and Jason doesn’t have a car. His only choice is to live in the university campus dorms.

“But…but how will it be paid for?” Jason was thinking of anything he could to throw a monkey wrench in this bombshell that was dropped on him.

“I can’t tell you…but know that it’s all taken care of. Bo-…Bowie thought of everything. You should feel proud to have him as your brother.” Foster smiled brightly, trying to cheer him up. She herself is an only child…but Mac was like the little brother she never had. Her talks with Bowie resonated in her…she knew she would try and do the same for Mac if they were in the same situation.

            As their conversation came to an end, campus police came due to reports of screaming coming from Foster’s office. “Ms. Foster, are you ok?” One of the campus officers called out. They were definitely taken back by the state of the room…books, writing essentials, even Foster’s desk and chair, were all knocked over and strewn about the room from Jason’s outburst. Foster just kept her usual enthusiastic attitude, “Ah, perfect timing.” Foster stood up, helping Jason to his feet before leading him to the officers. “At this moment, this student doesn’t have a dorm room. I will see to it he gets one tomorrow. But right now, he is under my protection, so he will stay at my on campus household. Please escort him there.” Foster then leaned down to Jason and whispered to his ear, “These fine men won’t hurt you, Jason. Please listen to them…”

“…Ok…” Jason replied with no emotion in his voice before walking out with the campus police.

            Trying to sneak out with them, Mandy was pulled back in by Foster, “Ah! What gives?!” Mandy shouted out, only to feel Foster’s grip tighten on her shoulder, “I am willing to look away at the fact that you hacked into NASEL’s mainframe to search for info on Jason. Only because it gave his brother the out he needed to leave Jason behind for his own good.”

“Tch, that doesn’t consider the fact that there’s still no Jason Matthews in the system. Which means that’s not his real-“ Foster forced Mandy’s eyes up to look at her, cutting the girl’s condescending analysis…the sight of Foster’s cold glare sent a chill down Mandy’s spine. “You…are to cease any and all personal investigations into Jason Matthews. If I so much as hear that you’re trying to dig up anything, even what type of underwear he wears, your head will be spinning so fast from the whiplash of expulsion and an international-wide educational blacklist…….Do I make myself clear, Ms. Crowley?”

“…Yes, Ms. Foster.”