Ch.3
Blossom and Buttercup ran through the city, trying to find the next clue. “Five people…five people…” Blossom kept repeating as she re-read the riddle, “which five people have the cl-Buttercup! I’ve got it! The Gangreen Gang! They’re a group of five villains who aren’t very tough. We could easily outwit them into giving us the clue!” “Alright!” Buttercup exclaimed, “I don’t care if they have the clue or not. I just really want to punch something right now!” “Buttercup, you can’t beat them up. They’ll realize we don’t have our powers and then we’ll be in trouble.” “Aww man! That stinks!” “It’s the only way to save the Professor. C’mon!”
They ran down several back roads and through several alleyways before finally running into the Gangreen Gang loitering near some graffiti they obviously drew. They approached and Ace was the first to notice. “Well, well, Powderpuffs? Out for a little moonlit walk?” “Powderpuffs!?” Buttercup yelled, punching one fist into the other, “why I otta…” Blossom put an arm in front of her sister before their cover was blown. She explained to Ace, “what’s wrong with walking? Flying is fun and all, put walking is great leg exercise. Also,-” “Alright alright we get it!” Ace said. “But it doesss ssssound ssssusssspicioussss,” Snake added, looking down at the girls. “Ya,” Big Billy added, “I’d rather fly than walk, I know that.” Li’l Arturo nodded in agreement while Grubber blew a raspberry. “You know what, you’re right,” Ace said, also looking down at the girls, “it is very suspicious for superheroes to walk around like us everyday normal folks.” “What? We’re never allowed to walk, is that what you’re telling’ us?” Buttercup said, “well let me tell you something: you’d better wish I was flying and not walking with all the leg strength I’ve built up.” Blossom caught on and stepped in “We also know that you have something that doesn’t belong to you. As a matter of fact it’s supposed to go to us. And you’re loitering and you’ve done graffiti. But we’ll make you a deal. If you give us what belongs to us, we’ll overlook what transpired here tonight, ok?” The Gangreen Gang was silent for awhile. “Well?” Buttercup asked, “or do we take what’s our’s by force and throw your butts in jail?!” “No, no, it’s cool.” Ace said, handing over a piece of paper. Blossom skimmed the paper then spoke up “fine. We’ll leave you alone tonight. But tomorrow if you commit any crimes we’ll come and stop you. C’mon Buttercup, it’s getting late.” Together they left the alley.
A few streets away they paused underneath a streetlamp. “That was close, Buttercup.” “Yeah, but it worked, didn’t it?” Blossom sighed and together they read the next clue:
You’ve done well to get this far:
Reading clue number four under a star.
I must say I’m quite impressed
On how quickly you’re completing this quest.
But clue number 5 will tough
And without your powers it will also be rough.
Because you’ve been doing so well I feel bound
To tell you where the next clue can be found.
Princess Morebucks holds what you need
But I’ll give you time to accomplish this deed.
Rest tonight, the journey has begun
And to have you fail now will be no fun.
When you awake tomorrow, go to the clue
Then find out what I have next in store for you.
And I know you’re worried about the time:
You have plenty to solve this rhyme.
So get some sleep-it may be your last
And tomorrow continue on your task.
Remember that you must save the day
And if you don’t the Professor will pay!
“Phew,’ Buttercup said, “that’s one long riddle. “But at least he gave us time to go to sleep,” Blossom said. “Bloss, we’d never walk home by morning. “I know Buttercup. And somehow Him knows too. We’ll just have to sleep on a bench or something.” They found a nearby bench, huddled together for warmth and fell into a light sleep.
