"So, you're really feeling well?" asked Bossy, sincerely worried.
"I wouldn't use those words in the same sentence", answered Butch, running a last fast check on himself.
"For being the only Ruffs without Him's magic, you've found a way out of hell". Chatter Brick offered his Ghost version a hand to stand up.
"I wish", was all he could answer.
"Oh, c'mon! You have to tell us!", Chatter Butch questioned, pushing his brother.
"Yeah, yeah, all that's too interesting, but shouldn't we be crossing a portal?" Box said, pointing a thumb back at him, where the portals flickered.
"Funny. I thought they'd be closed by now," mumbled Chatter Butch.
"The only important thing is that they're still working," said Cheer Bubbles.
"Yeah! Let's cross before they actually collapse," Butterscotch added.
"Seriously! The portals should have closed already!" Punk Brick barked in rage as his brothers practically dragged him toward the shimmering rift. "Is this another shitty miracle? We go through all that boring research in the lab for nothing?"
"Forget about it, Brick! Let's take down Townsville Lighthouse instead!"
"Don't you dare, boys!" the Candy Puffs shouted, already in pursuit of the Punk Ruffs as they vanished into the light.
"Aww, it would be fun if we could find a way to open the portals again... just for visiting," Bubbles mused.
"Don't even think about it," Blossom said firmly, watching as the last of the visitors crossed and the rifts finally snapped shut. "As much as I liked meeting the other Puffs, I'd prefer if this never happened again."
"But Punk Brick and Chatter Butch were actually fun…" Bubbles pouted.
"I'm with Blossom. I'm tired of all these nicknames—Punks, Greens, Chatters. I just want to get the new copy of Grand Thief Parkour," Buttercup said, glancing at Brick. "You coming?"
Brick was busy arranging his cap and whatever was left of his shirt and answered without thinking.
"I rather take a shower and a nap". He returned her look, shaking off some dust from him, and added, "But we can play later."
Buttercup patted his shoulder as she took off.
"Ok, you choose the pizza, then".
"Mmmh, I'm not really in the mood for pizza. What about Chilli or Grilled Cheese?"
Buttercup smiled.
"Sounds like a plan. And I know the perfect place. We can meet there".
The six teens flew back toward the Sequoia base. Blossom was clearly intrigued by the last event, but her questions didn't find answers.
"So, what happened, boys? How could you open a way back? I don't think Him did it for you".
Brick shrugged.
"I already told you it was too dark".
"Yeah, Blossom! Stop being so nosy!" Buttercup added, siding with the boys, "they can tell us later, like, in a week or two. The farther away, the better. And you can also stop being so bossy, too."
"What? I'm not bossy! Bubbles, am I bossy?"
"Yes, you are" she said, looking a bit annoyed.
"What! I'm not!" She looked at the boys, but they ignored her. "I mean, I only want to make sure that everyone is safe. Uh, Butch, where are you going? The lab is that way!"
The boy had already taken a detour, barely mumbling something that sounded like a "Later".
"Uh? Butch? Where are you going? Where is he going?" Blossom asked, worried.
"To the Thornton's, of course," Brick answered with total calm.
"Eh, just like that?" Bubbles complained sadly.
"Well, yes", Boomer looked at her, still unable to comprehend, "Besides picking up Professor Utonium and Parra, there's nothing else to do back there."
"What? But that lab is amazing", Blossom protested, "The training rooms! The books! The garden!"
Buttercup smacked her head and forced her to slow down.
"Yeah, and all those training activities and God knows what else that the boys probably don't want to remember", she murmured.
"I think so too", Bubbles added, "Remember the Survival Room? And they said they trained there when they were barely children".
Blossom slowed down. After all, she was the one complaining the most about why the boys never shared anything. Now that she had a peek into their past life, she could start connecting the dots.
Boomer's head lolled against the window, the rhythmic hum of the car turning his thoughts into a soft blur. He felt a hand on his shoulder—Parra's voice sounding distant, yet warm.
"Hey, sleepyhead. Aisha called. She wants to know if you are excited to see her in a couple of days, after your session? She said they've opened a new tea house."
Boomer didn't open his eyes, but a small, genuine smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah," he whispered, his voice thick with dreams. "I think I am."
The Thorntons were talking in the kitchen, which was filling with the comforting smell of chicken soup.
"What if he decides to go away? He doesn't seem to like it here," Mrs. Thornton said, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.
"Calm down, honey. We really don't know that. He's just... silent."
Mr. Thornton fell silent when he heard the key turning in the lock. After a few agonizing seconds, Butch appeared in the doorway.
"Uh…" was all he could muster as he stepped inside, looking at them.
The couple stood up, but they hesitated, not knowing what to do next. Before they could say a word, the boy closed the distance between them. With a deep, weary sigh, he rested his head on the point where the couple's shoulders met, letting go of the weight of being a soldier.
They each placed a hand on his back, anchoring him there.
"You're finally home, son."
Butch pulled back just enough to look at them, a small, genuine smile breaking through his exhaustion.
"Yeah," his whisper was almost audible.