Hey, guys!
Love the feedback, thus far! Got another quick update then I'm taking a two week hiatus before the next one. Got a move to take care of soon and some other work related stuff but alas! It will not be long.
Fair warning: there is some heavy stuff related to attempted assault in this chapter and other dark concepts. Might move it to M but I'm hoping I can hold off on that until later on in the story.
As always, reviews and feedback is greatly appreciated!
Act 1 Part 8. Brothers in Arms
One Week Later
The tape played itself backwards over and over again. The Professor had recently upgraded from a VCR, thankfully. DVDs were all the rage now. But the brilliant mind of their father also created equipment beyond that of most governments. With a simple press of a button, security footage from across Townsville could be uploaded to their mainframe for review and crime solving cases.
But Blossom wasn't trying to solve a crime. She was studying, learning, watching…scribbling notes onto a writing pad.
The footage must have played itself over fifty times and each time Blossom hit rewind to ensure what she was seeing did not deceive her eyes.
You're in denial, a knowing voice said in the back of her mind. You're looking for an excuse to write them off. There isn't any
She chewed her lip...a bad habit developed when stressed or bothered by something...gotta quit that at some point. Much as she was loath to admit it, the boys, in their knockoff Powerpuff outfits, had performed well. Very well, in fact.
The way Brick rallied and organized his brothers...that was a tactic I hadn't seen before.
Brutal, yet effective. Once the boys had stopped trying to take on the monster individually, they'd become as effective a team as anyone. Perhaps rivaling the illustrious Powerpuff Girls.
It's what simultaneously impressed her and frightened her.
Blossom prided herself on the leadership and focus she brought to the team. She'd known for years that the Rowdyruff Boys were designed to be stronger than they were but...being boys...were easily distracted. In a full fledged fight, they'd never be able to put them behind bars. However, they could outwit the dimwits any day of the week.
Which made Brick's latest scheme all the more worrying. It had been a clever attempt at sabotage. Poorly executed perhaps, but clever. If the boys became a cohesive unit instead of a squabbling, wild bunch of cretins they might amount to something.
Or they might kill you
She rewinded the moment her counterpart speared the monster using a makeshift spear from a lamppost and played it again…
He reared back
...and again…
Lit it on fire
….again…
And with one mighty throw...no more monster
...and again…
No. She refused to believe that the Ruffs, however bad they claimed to be, would actually stoop so low as to end their existence.
They've tried...twice said the small voice in her head.
True, but at the time both were under the influence of Mojo Jojo and Him. The former was currently in jail and the latter hadn't been seen in quite some time. In both instances, the boys were doing as they were told. Eliminating the Powerpuff Girls was just something that gave them an excuse to behave like a band of rampaging chimpanzees. They often fought, but it wasn't like Brick or Butch had made a serious attempt at killing them in a long time. Boomer especially seemed adverse to gratuitous violence.
So what did they want? Brick especially took a great amount of pleasure in one upping her but beyond that? Blossom Utonium had her whole life planned: become class President in high school, achieve a 4.0, attend MIT, become a scientist like her father, get married, and maybe have a couple of children. All in that order while maintaining her status as a crime fighter. Very simple. She sincerely doubted Brick thought beyond petty crime and his own machismo.
"Eh...thank you Powerpuff Girls for getting rid of those boys...if you can call them that anyway. I heard that monkey Mojo Jojo created them using a banana and a cauldron!"
The mayor's joke hit differently now. Sure, the Ruffs had been created by an ultra evil, super genius ape but to refer to them as that? A twinge of sympathy went through her. She chastised herself for falling into the same pattern. No matter how many times the two groups fought it was wrong to call Brick, Butch, and Boomer such things. They were human just like everyone else. That still counted for something. Or rather, superhuman.
Gazing at Brick's paused form on the screen in front of her, she studied him closely, his words echoing back to her.
I understand more than you think
Did he really 'know'? Or understand in the same way she did? That degree of separation from everyone by their very existence by having powers?
"Blossom! Are you down here?"
Buttercup's rasp echoed down the stairs. It was quite timely. She didn't want to overthink regarding her counterpart. Another bad habit.
"Yeah! I'm by the tech lab."
The middle child soon floated behind her and took a quick glance up at the screen.
"Why are you watching this?"
"I was curious if the rumors about the boys fighting that monster were true."
"And?"
Blossom shut off the monitor, deciding she'd had enough for one day. Closing her notebook, she placed it into her pink backpack and zipped it up.
"I won't lie to you, Buttercup, the boys may be idiots but they weren't fibbing in this case. That monster would have taken us half a day at least to defeat using sheer strength alone."
"Hmph." The green Puff crossed her arms in disapproval. "Who cares? It's not like they did it for any real reason other than for kicks. Especially Butch. Constantly running around finding something to hit."
"Really? He does that? Sounds familiar."
Buttercup frowned at the sarcasm.
"Don't compare me to that chump. He's a psycho. I just enjoy a good fight sometimes is all."
"Righhhht...um, what happened to you?"
It looked as though someone had taken a paintball gun and shot it point blank at her face, including ruby red lips, pale white foundation, and heavy blue...well one couldn't call it eyeshadow.
"Bubbles wanted to practice 'makeup'. Except that we don't have makeup, only paint and I just happened to be around. Put two and two together."
"I'm more surprised you let her."
Buttercup sighed.
"You know how she gets when she starts crying."
Blossom nodded. Bubbles could be spoiled at times but she always meant well and those puppy dog eyes could melt anyone's heart.
"Yes, well. I promise next time I'll be the one to take that particular bullet."
"It's fine. Anyway, point is. Don't get too obsessed with the boys."
"I'm not obsessed, I'm just studying them."
"Again I ask: for what reason?"
The redhead wished sometimes Buttercup didn't have to be so blunt about everything. Think more, react less.
"Because it's important. Because they're our rivals. Because I want to keep my city and my family safe."
"Blossom, the boys are like rabid dogs with super powers. They might seem like a threat but the minute something else catches their attention they chase after it."
"And yet they remain our most consistent opponents. Mojo has been kept in jail for once. Fuzzy hasn't been seen since we were seven. Him has all but disappeared. Sedusa is awaiting trial. The Gangreen Gang aren't a real threat. Let's face it, the boys are the only ones left...and the only ones we haven't caught."
"Ugh, don't remind me," Buttercup muttered. "I can still hear Butch's hysterical laughter in my head sometimes. Drives me insane."
Blossom resisted a chuckle before continuing.
"The point is, like it or not, they are dangerous. And they aren't going to remain as simple little boys forever. What happens if they decide to try and take over the city for real?"
Buttercup, thankfully conceded the point.
"Alright, I get it. Gee, Brick really must have done a number on ya."
"He's smarter than he looks," Blossom admitted. "I'm only just now realizing that. But we have something he doesn't."
"What's that?"
"A family. He treats his brothers like garbage. And I know I can be...overbearing at times. But I love you both so much. That's what makes us a team. It makes us the Powerpuff Girls."
"I was just going to say we were way better fighters but that works too."
The green Puff smiled all the same and the two sisters embraced in a rare hug. Despite their fights, the two felt a fierce sisterly bond for each other that never faltered and had only grown stronger over the years.
"Alright, let's get that stuff off your face before the Professor freaks out."
"I think I'm going to take you up on the offer next time Bubbles wants to treat us like one of her personal dolls," Buttercup grumbled. "She wants to make me a dress for prom and we're five years away from high school!"
Blossom definitely laughed this time. She and her sisters were all unique in their own way. It's what made them special. Not just super powers.
She doubted Brick would agree with that line of thinking.
Graffitied skate parks were cool. Normally, anyway. On a day like today, they were just depressing.
None of the Rowdyruff Boys actually had a skateboard though stealing one would have been simple. But since the stolen identity incident no crimes beyond food and necessities had been committed. Brick had been in a particularly sulky mood and refused to come up with any more plans or schemes.
Butch on the other hand, was full of pent up energy. He hadn't had a proper rough housing. The Baron of Berserk preferred a good scrap once a day at least. Three days was pushing it. A week meant he'd be out of control with energy, destroying anything he could get his hands on no matter how small.
As for Boomer, well he just stayed quiet. The problem was, when things got like this, it didn't end well for anyone. He hated it. Brick would hold in his anger while Butch didn't do enough to hold his in. Something later snapped, the two would later get into a major brawl which Brick almost always won.
And where did he end up? Caught smack dab in the middle. No one cared what the little brother thought or wanted.
No one said a word, but the air practically crackled with electricity as the three of them continued to brood.
Well in Butch's case...punch.
*WHAM *WHAM *WHAM
It was a damn good thing Chemical X made them invulnerable to most substances, including concrete. Otherwise the green Ruff's hands would have been bloodied beyond belief. But he kept on punching the wall which stood underneath a bridge, adjacent to the skate park, making huge dents each time without a scratch.
Brick sat on a wooden ramp. This particular skate park wasn't well kept most of the time due to its location and proximity to some of the poorer precincts in Townsville which suited them well. Very few people bothered them in a place where the apathy superseded their own.
Boomer observed the entire scene from the edge of the bowl and inwardly cringed when their older brother began clenching his fists. Definitely a warning sign.
Butch gave a lion like roar as his fist punched through the wall he was currently demolishing it. Also a warning sign.
"Will you stop it!"
And there it was. The other shoe finally dropped.
"Mindlessly punching shit isn't going to solve our problems," Brick said with a scowl. "Quit being a hyperactive jackass."
But Butch didn't back down. He never did. Boomer could see the cycle repeating itself. When his normally prankster, hyperactive middle brother became serious, he was downright threatening.
"Make me, asswipe."
Except he wasn't the leader of the group. Brick was. And he didn't let a challenge to his authority go unchallenged.
"What did you say?"
"Are you deaf now too as well as stupid?"
A green flash, a crimson flare and the two were already sizing each other up. Boomer knew better than to get involved but absolutely, one hundred percent hated these kinds of situations. He hated having to just sit there and watch while his brothers tore each other to shreds.
"Watch yourself, Butch. Unless you want me to drop you into the pavement like a bag of rocks."
"Go ahead then. Make another stupid decision. It wouldn't be the first time."
"I did what I thought would beat the girls."
"And guess what? It failed! Just like every other time! And I got embarrassed on TV wearing a dress!"
Brick's crimson eyes were blazing.
"You were the one who left the graffiti on the mirror! It ruined everything from the beginning!"
Butch didn't deny it. He didn't confirm the accusation either. But it was a moot point. Both parties knew the truth.
"It was a bad idea from the beginning! Admit it!"
Brick was so quick his younger brother had no time to react as he grabbed the scruff of his collar. They were back in boys clothes and the gloves were off.
"I don't have to justify myself to you, moron," he growled. "I make the rules around here. Now shut your mouth before I nail it shut."
He may as well have been talking to a gibbering parrot. When in mood such as this, Butch had no capability of shutting up or any measure of self control.
"You didn't want to do it, did you? You wanted to be a hero so bad, you thought becoming a stupid girl could make up for being a failure-"
POW*
Brick's fist slammed into Butch's mouth so hard, blood started dribbling from his mouth. But Boomer could that's exactly what their middle brother wanted. An excuse to fight.
*SLAM
He retaliated with a kick in the stomach which temporarily knocked the wind out of the redhead. Pressing the advantage, Butch savagely began whaling on his older brother, delivering right hook after right hook.
That is until Brick caught one of the punches and used his fire powers to blast him back into the wall he'd been punching only minutes prior. He followed that by picking Butch up by the throat and savagely delivering slap after slap.
"You. Never. Learn. Do. You," he punctuated after each blow.
"Screw you!"
Butch grabbed Brick by the head and wrestled him down to the ground. By now, the two were basically frothing and barking like rabid dogs, unable or unwilling to back down. But as always, Brick's power and fiery temper began to win out. Butch delivered another ferocious punch but the leader of the Ruffs twisted one arm painfully behind the back and pressed down with a foot.
"Yield!"
"Hell no-ACK!"
"Yield!"
"Stop Brick, you're hurting him!"
"Stay out of this, dumbass! I said yield, Butch!"
"NEVER!"
Boomer couldn't take it anymore. He didn't want to see his brothers fight over nothing anymore. To hell with being considered weak, it was time to end this once and for all!
Summoning the strongest source of lightning he could, the blond sent twin streaks of blue electricity towards his brothers, practically shocking them apart.
Good! They weren't fighting anymore.
"Boomer!"
Of course, now that meant their respective anger switched over to him. Great.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Summoning the deepest reserves of his courage, Boomer didn't back down despite his fear.
"I...I don't want you to fight."
"Well that's too bad because we are!" Butch snapped back at him.
"It doesn't mean you should!" he protested.
"It doesn't matter what you want," Brick responded in the most condescending tone he could summon. "As I told twitchy over there, I run this show. Case closed."
"We're brothers," Boomer argued. "And you're not the only Rowdyruff. You can't tell us what to do all the time."
"That's exactly what I have to do. To keep you idiots in line!"
"Don't call me an idiot!" the blond shouted.
"I'll call you whatever I want," Brick dismissed. "Including by your title, Dumber than the Dumbest. Now stop talking."
It was Boomer's turn to tremble with uncontrolled anger as tears welled up in his eyes.
"That's how you see us, isn't it? A bunch of goons to order around."
"Boomer, stop talking," Brick threatened again, his eyes flashing dangerously crimson.
"You don't care about us at all!"
*WHACK!
The slap was so loud, even Butch physically cringed. He expected Boomer to start balling or come up with some lame excuse that it hurt...though it probably had.
But he didn't. What happened next made his jaw drop.
*WHACK!
Brick found himself on the ground in shock. His little brother had actually hit him! Brick the Bludgeoner!
Boomer stood taller than he'd ever seen. Stranger still, he wasn't crying. Those electric blue eyes were shining with anger and hurt. But no tears fell. Instantly, the redhead felt a surge of regret and a strange sensation he'd never experienced before.
Remorse.
"I'm not taking orders from you no more," came the cold reply.
Without any word, the blond zipped off into the overcast sky, disappearing into the clouds in seconds.
"Boomer! Damn it, get back here!"
"Forget him. Let the baby sulk for a while. He'll come crawling back," Butch said with a shrug.
One glare from Brick shut him right up.
"You know as well as I do he won't last an hour out there on his own. We're going after him."
Butch raised an eyebrow but said nothing choosing not to go against his older brother this time around. Perhaps, underneath all the Rowdyruff toughness, the cruel jokes, and incessant bragging...they did care about each other after all.
Brick swallowed as he felt a burning sensation rise through his throat.
No, stop! You don't cry! Don't be a bitch
Boomer could be moronic, simple, impulsive, sensitive, and entirely too bold. Then again, so was Butch. And himself. They all carried the fatal flaw of being boys without a cause or purpose.
"Come on," he said in the softest tone he'd ever used with his middle brother.
Streaks of red and green began following the faint trace of blue.
Brick had never felt more awful in his life. Of course, he'd never admit that hitting Boomer was wrong. Not openly. But he knew the right course of action. Something never done before in the history of the Rowdyruff Boys.
He needed to apologize.
To both of them
Given his middle brother's penchant for violence and random acts of destruction, he felt less inclined to do so. But they both needed to hear it directly from him. And besides, Boomer was innocent. Too innocent for his own good sometimes. He just wanted to toughen him up a bit. Was that so wrong?
Yes, a small voice answered. At least the way he'd been going about it so far. Too obsessed with power, with stealing, with trying to make Blossom look bad...none of those priorities had anything to do with their status as brothers. That needed to change.
Tell me, do you take pleasure in hitting Butch and Boomer all the time? Is that what you call 'affection'?
Blossom's words came back to haunt him, echoing over and over again like a busted VCR tape. They replayed constantly until he felt the onset of some kind of inescapable madness.
Loathe as he was to admit that a Powerpuff could be right about anything, she did not lie in this particular case. Mean, selfish, hot tempered, and without regard for anything else besides his own pleasure, his brothers bore the brunt of that.
He'd prove her wrong. He wasn't heartless. The Rowdyruffs weren't a real family. Not really anyway. But they could be.
All he needed was to find his little brother.
The sun had already begun to settle behind the towering skyscrapers of the inner city. Light faded away into the coming darkness in which the criminal element would emerge and begin their usual routine. But the criminal elements weren't what concerned Brick. Those chumps couldn't take them on their best day. It was what Boomer might do to prove himself.
"So how are we gonna find him?" Butch asked as they soared through the skies.
Brick scanned his surroundings.
"It ain't gonna be that hard to find a blond kid wearing a blue sweater with super powers."
"But he could be anywhere."
True, but Boomer wasn't exactly subtle. None of them were for that matter. This was the same person who stole jawbreakers from a little kid in broad daylight and openly boasted about the deed.
An explosion echoed below and a flurry of cats began scampering out of a random alleyway, hissing and meowing as they went.
"I'd say that's a good place to start."
Their descent was slow so as to not startle whoever or whatever was down there. Brick and Butch peered into creeping darkness. A slow drip of water could be heard echoing into tiny pools that scattered the gravel. Above, a lone fire escape was illuminated from the lamppost. But amidst the dreary scenery, Brick had the power of fire at his disposal.
"Boomer?" he called out once.
He lit a ball of flame in his palm, the sparks licking the edge of the fingertips in an orange, yellow dance.
"Stupid cats," a voice could be heard muttering.
"Where are you, dude?"
"Go away!"
Brick's light soon found their youngest brother. He was crouched in a small position, head buried in between his legs. Beside him, a random pile of food, most half eaten scattered about the pavement. Ominously, the trash can to the left was flipped open.
"Boomer?"
He didn't look up as they approached, instead turning away.
"I'm not listening to you."
"Come on, dude. At least look at me."
This time there was no reply. And the blond continued to mope.
Great, he's being stubborn
"I just want to talk, Boom."
"I don't feel like talking. I want to be on my own."
"Right and your solution is to hide yourself in a dirty alleyway?"
"Yeah and why are you eating from a trash can?"
It was a fair question, but the last thing Brick needed was for one of Butch's blunt remarks to set off another fight. He gave a look that indicated now was not the time and turned back towards Boomer.
"Listen, Boomer…"
"Gonna call me dumb again?"
"No I-"
"Or an idiot or a dumbass?"
"No that's not what I-"
"What, Brick?!"
It took every measure of self control he possessed not to punch the little shit. But now was not the time to lash out or react physically. Slowly, the magma rising in his chest cooled as the redhead took a breath and let it out.
"I'm sorry."
"What?"
Clearly, Boomer had not been expecting that particular word.
"Did...did you just-"
"Don't make me say it again," he said with a sigh. "Look, Boom...I haven't been the best brother to you...or to Butch for that matter."
The green Ruff shifted awkwardly, eyes widening with each passing second.
"Big bro…"
"Just let me talk," he interrupted. Christ, he disliked getting sentimental like this. Them getting all mushy made it worse. "I...ever since we were made by that ape I know I've been a major dick...I just…"
"Big bro…"
"Not now, Butch."
But the middle child wouldn't let it go, bouncing up and down, tugging on Brick's sweater and pointing.
Standing at the entrance of the alleyway were three shadowy figures, all men of varying heights. None of them said anything at first. Until the so-called leader stepped forward, revealing a greasy, slick backed hair, balding man in his late thirties with a long, upturned nose and a construction worker hoodie. Brick did not like the greedy glint in those beady blue eyes of his.
"What the hell do you want?" he told them in a tone he hoped would get them to back off. Unfortunately, it did not.
"You boys look lost."
The other two came into view now: a portly man with a ruddy face, about middle age and a slimmer blond of average height in a Hawaiian shirt with abnormally large ears and extremely tight jeans.
"We're doing just fine, thank you."
"Oh no, three children such as yourself shouldn't be out alone," the leader said in what he supposed counted as a charming tone. In reality, Brick thought it was oily and reeked of ulterior motives. Boomer seemed even more uncomfortable than he was.
"Come on, Dusty and Slim here will take you back with us. Getcha a nice hot meal, a shower, all the toys you want…"
By now it was not lost on Brick that this man and his cohorts had each taken a flanking position blocking their path. The man's smile did not match his eyes despite the attempt to make it seem kind and welcoming.
"Like I said, thanks for the offer but we don't need charity."
"Charity? You boys are in the gutters eating out of the trash. The least we can do is make you feel...comfortable. I'm sure there's lots more we'd be able to help with on that front...guide you in...show you the ropes."
By now, Boomer looked petrified. Butch tried to look stoic but failed to hide the anxiousness that manifested itself in the usual twitching.
"Yeah...we're good."
"I don't think you're in a position to refuse."
The greasy man's tone had a touch of menace to it now. His tall companion, Slim placed two hands on Butch's shoulder and began massaging them before he wiggled away. The fat one, Dusty, eyed Boomer like a lion prowling for a Wildebeast. Those jeans were tight, and that bulge…
Alarm bells went off in Brick's head as it dawned on him these three sleazeballs weren't helping them out of the goodness of their hearts. At least, not without receiving something in return. He didn't know what that meant specifically but it was nothing good.
He stepped in front of both his brothers, arms wide in a protective gesture.
"Back off," he said quietly.
"Oooo we gotta fighter, Bob. I like that. That twitchy one probably loves to squirm."
"Let's not be hostile now," the one called Bob said, giving a yellow stained grin. "We don't want this to be physical."
"Physical, I'll show you-"
Brick silenced Butch with a look and helped Boomer to his feet. These three weren't a threat, not really. But what they wanted unsettled him in a way no other rival or villain had before. Not even Mojo or Him.
"Here's the deal. I'll say this once. My brothers and I are going to leave here. Touch either of them and you'll wish you'd never been born."
Sneering became leering as the horrid wretches in front of them took no heed. They'd clearly never heard of the Rowdyruff Boys. Their mistake.
"Bold words kid. I think we'll have to teach you some manners first."
"Just stay behind me," he whispered to them both. "If they try anything...no mercy."
'No mercy.' It was a code word for their most savage tactics. It had never been used before. Not even against the girls. But that's how strongly Brick felt about the situation. These creeps were a special kind of evil.
Sure enough as he walked forward, the leader reached out and grabbed Brick's arm in what he thought was a firm grip.
It would be the greatest error he ever made.
"You shouldn'ta done that."
Brick's arm began glowing in turn and soon 'Bob' screamed in agony as the greasy hand jerked back as though he'd touched a hot stove.
"Play with fire, you get burned."
"You little shits!"
'Slim's' attempt fared no better as Butch's shield went up prevented him from any further unwanted contact. Soon as said shield was lowered, the green Ruff punched him so hard, multiple teeth went flying. He fell to the ground in an unconscious heap, jaw completely dislocated.
Not to be outdone, Boomer went after his would-be assailant 'Dusty' who tried to run but was cut off by the blond hovering in midair, blue eyes laden with murderous intent. Summoning his famed electrical bat, Boomer close lined him with such force he was sent straight into the side of a dumpster. Upon impact, the nasty sound of a crack could be heard originating from his back, leaving him a whimpering, crumpled heap on the ground, barely able to move.
Brick, however, wasn't finished. He had a special lesson in mind for this scumbag. Bob reached for a pocket knife but he easily knocked it away. Grabbing him by the hair, he grimaced feeling how truly oily it was. When was the last time this guy showered?
Probably never, given his tastes. But that hardly mattered.
The red Ruff slammed Bob's head as hard as he could into the gravel before doing the same again, only this against the stone wall. Bleeding, broken, and with multiple black eyes, Brick still had more punishment to give.
Standing the guy up and drawing himself up to full height, he slammed a knee so hard into the man's stomach, it robbed the ability to scream. Instead he vomited and fell to the pavement, a bloodied mess soaked in his own refuse.
Brick flipped him over and committed one final act of comeuppance. He stomped so viciously on Bob's crotch, the crunch even made Butch turn away. One last kick to the head silenced any cries of pain and the battle was officially over.
The boys hadn't broken a sweat, and yet it felt as though they'd just fought the fight of a lifetime. And absolutely no one regretted the injuries inflicted upon their assailants. Not even an inkling. Being ten years old didn't make them completely ignorant to the ways of the world or its predators.
"Is everyone okay?"
Brick's question was met with blank stares and dull nods as adrenaline wore off. No, they were most certainly not okay, but he would make sure that they would be. The Rowdyruff Boys were beholden to no one. Especially these creeps.
"B-Brick…"
The redhead pulled Boomer into a hug. He couldn't remember the last time he'd done so. Come to think of it, had he ever embraced either of his brothers?
Well, he was now. That's all that mattered.
He looked over towards Butch who didn't ask for a hug but those forest green eyes gave the mood away. Emotionally, they were all shaken. When the Baron of Berserk had nothing to say, one knew the situation was deathly serious.
Boomer broke apart. No tears stained those pale cheeks, however the fear remained evident in his wide, blue eyes just as it was with Butch. Clasping a hand on both of their shoulders, Brick pulled them in.
"Things are going to be different," he told them. "From now on, the three of us are more than just the Rowdyruff Boys, we're brothers in arms. We'll look out for one another."
I'm the oldest. The responsibility lies with me above all to keep them safe
"And as long as I'm kicking, I'll never let anything happen to you two. I promise. Family comes first."
They could see in his eyes he meant it. All traces of Brick the tyrant had vanished, replaced by something much stronger. Something you couldn't see but was just as tangible as any substance on earth, as powerful as all the empires and nations of the earth that existed or ever would exist. More meaningful than any scroll or library.
For the first time in their lives, they were truly brothers.
I really I hope I didn't bungle that up. Until next time!
~The Wasp