~Raze's Journey;Director's Cut Chapter 4~
Brass was digging through the debris as a massive quake began to shake the tower again. He could hear people falling over the side of the bridge to many early deaths. While others managed to float in the air. Taking a particularly large corner of metal shrapnel and tossing it to the side. He quickly found both Ken and Kira. Kira had been holding a good bit of the ruins up off her brother somehow.
Brass grabbed them both, tugging them out quickly with what may have been a sigh of relief or annoyance. Kira couldn't tell, but she saw a key in his hand.
"Let's get that off you." Brass said as Kira eerily nodded in a bit of fear.
Kira felt him grip the collar and insert the key. One click later and it fell to the floor with a klang. Brass backed off and let Kira feel it out for herself. She brushed her neck and seemed satisfied with the outcome. Brass then took out a small pouch. He opened it and shook out a small bean looking thing from within.
He passed it to her, "Give that to your brother. It'll heal him."
Kira smiled at her secondary savior, "Th- Thanks!" She thought for a moment trying to remember what her brother had called him, "Uh… Brass?" She questioned the porcelain skinned individual before her.
"Yeah. That's the name. Since you have that thing off, you shouldn't have any trouble getting out of here." Brass could hear the sounds of many footsteps heading their way, "Go ahead and take Ken with you. I'll be fine staying here and taking these guys out." He pointed to the exit while walking the opposite direction.
Kira nodded and picked up her brother. She then ran for the exit. Brass smirked and turned his attention back to the bridge just as a large group of grunts pointed their weapons at him.
"So, you've chosen death?" He asked them to which they replied by opening fire on Brass with a barrage of ki blasts. He quickly blocked and sent the blasts flying in multiple directions all leading away from the main building. He flew straight at them knocking out eight henchmen with heavy blows which then sent them sprawling onto the ground.
Several other goons tried to gang up on him, but he blasted them away with an intense yell and flexing his ki. Just another group began to fire their ki at him, Brass unleashed his own wave of energy making them explode in midair and just as useless as the fodder firing them.
"I can make this easy for all of you. Give up and I'll kick your asses. Or you can choose not to and I'll kick your asses anyway." Brass smirked haughtily, "My treat." He added as the men stepped back almost instinctively.
"D- Don't you mean, "Give Up and I won't kick your asses." In that way?" One of them asked with fear in his eyes.
Brass cracked his neck while thinking about Ken and Kira's troubles, "I woke up and chose violence. Peace was never an option." Those henchmen gulped, they knew just how fucked they were. Then Brass began to approach them making some fall while trying to escape, "Now, just how fucked are you guys?" There was never an answer needed.
~Meanwhile~
Kira was running as fast as she possibly could with her dear brother in tow. She wasn't about to look back at this point or at least that was the first idea in her mind. Her thoughts were misplaced though, worries were beginning to surface. She looked to the main tower that she had been a while ago.
Kira knew that back in that particular place, unfortunate children were awaiting their fates. Something she had just dealt with accepting merely moments ago.
Her thoughts began to turn to her friends, 'Kiryu and those guys…' Her thoughts trailed off and Kira felt something poke her shoulder.
Ken was stirring awake ever so quickly, "Kira… Where is Brass?" He asked her to which she let him fall backwards much to his dismay.
Kira sighed and sat down beside her brother, "Back there." She pointed to the higher floor of the tower and bridge leading in two directions.
Ken got up to his full stature, but he shook slightly, "Ugh… I did take a lot of hits back there…" Kira nodded and then remembered quickly about what Brass had handed her.
She quickly took out the bean, "Eat thus!" She said as Ken scratched his head.
"It's "this", not "thus". Also, what is that?!" He questioned his little sister.
"Big brother should eat it! It will make ya feel better!" She said while pushing it closer to him.
Ken looked at her and back at the green thing before deciding to take it anyway. Picking up the little oblong piece, he examined it. Kira made motions of chewing as Ken reluctantly put it in his mouth.
A crunch sound was heard and a hard swallow came after. Ken wasn't feeling much more than pain still, so disappointment began flooding in.
"That seemed kinda redu- huah?!" He made a sharp gasp as his body felt reinvigorated and his energy spiked.
Ken couldn't believe it, "This feels great!" The adrenaline was intoxicating, "I can do this! I can win! Ken is the strongest in the universe!" His arms widened above him in the shape of a "Y" while Kira clapped in awe.
"Also, how did we survive?" Ken asked Kira who looked away quickly.
She replayed what had happened just moments ago. Yet, she still didn't understand it. One moment, the top of the tower had caved, but she had started feeling strange in the desperate situation. She had felt something spike and then they were covered by heavy shrapnel. Though… Come to think of it.
It really hadn't been all that heavy to her. Kira had lifted it with zero difficulty. She merely turned back to her brother and shrugged.
Ken was about to ask if she was hiding something, but an abrupt quake of an immense magnitude began to shake the building. Kira grabbed his arm in panic. An explosion could be heard and seen from where Brass was currently at. Once it died down, Ken pat Kira on the head.
"We should go help Mr. Brass." Ken said as Kira pulled him back while shaking her head.
Ken sighed, "Okay, what's up with you, Sister?"
Kira still pointed to the main tower she had been taken from earlier. Ken grimaced, he knew it was in the complete opposite direction of where that other power and Sushig had headed. However, she was so intent on going there now that Ken was sure she'd force him to relent.
Relaxing his shoulders and turning away from the building that Kira pointed at, Ken looked at her, "Alright! We'll go there. But can you at least tell me why?" He asked her.
She smiled, "Others! They stuck there." Kira said boldly while grabbing his hand, but instead of them going immediately she felt something familiar.
Ken had been about to pick her up, but he felt another power coming from a different direction. He gripped her tightly, but he could hear the footsteps coming quickly, 'Oh-no! Someone else!' Ken thought as this person finally appeared before them.
Kira's eyes widened, "Kiryu!" She said loudly as he ran up with a smile upon his face.
Ken sighed in relief as he figured that if Kira thought this new person was okay, then he should be fine to step back on this. Kiryu seemed to be relieved as well as he stopped before them and bowed.
"You must be her brother! I heard a lot about you from Kira!" He said as Ken scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Hopefully all good things. Your name is Kiryu?" He asked as the other saiyan boy nodded.
"Yeah! Now that we're all together… We can save the others, right?!" Kiryu exclaimed as Ken pondered that.
"Well, we're going to try." Ken finally replied as Kira nodded.
"Others!" She stated plainly with her hands spread out.
Kiryu nodded with a fast growing smile, "Yeah! This is going to be great." He brought his left hand up to his head to scratch an itch, "You know… If we're going to be a Team. We should have a name!"
Kira looked to her brother, "A name!"
Ken was a little stumped at that, "Ummmm… Isn't it enough that we're working with each other already?"
Kiryu nodded, "You have a point, but a cool name is worth having!" He cupped his chin while waving back and forth before snapping his fingers.
"Oh!" Ken and Kira leaned in with a bit of curiosity. Kiryu looked at both of them, "What about Team Three Star?"
Ken scoffed at it, "I don't know… It seems a little… Weird."
Kira on the other hand already loved it, "Yeah! I like it!" She shouted.
Kiryu and her danced in a circle as Ken sighed. He would rather get back to the mission at hand. So, good diplomacy was needed. He reluctantly agreed on the name as their pact was made. Kiryu pointed boldly toward the first building and flew into the sky with Ken holding Kira, but still hot on Kiryu's trail.
"Wow! You so fast now!" Kira stated as her brother smiled. Kiryu was just happy to be along for the trip himself. The building Kira had just escaped a few hours ago was looming in the distance and was the only foreboding thought on her mind.
~Underneath the Sand~
Raze looked over the area. His eyes trailed over multiple glass tanks filled with green fluid. As he floated down, Raze could make out vague shapes floating in the fluid.
His eyes widened, 'Is that?' Upon getting closer, his being shook in repulse, 'Bodies… Lot's of them.' Raze looked away.
Memories of the monster he had fought nine years ago were flowing through his mind. Sebastian was taunting him still and not even beyond death, 'I can't believe just how far that bastard was willing to go…' This entire place was like a tomb of experiments.
Putting his hand on the tank nearest to him, he sighed, "Sorry, you're only here because of me…" A hand tapped against the glass, snapping Raze out of his weary thoughts.
He looked into the eyes of a horrified individual. Their hand started to clench and Raze could see the being inside yelling to him, trying to get his attention. Of course Raze couldn't hear anything but the tapping on the glass and he saw only the constant bubbles flowing from the thing's mouth.
Suddenly, a wind rippled through the area, "They're my people." Raze's eyes widened as he turned back to see XD-001 standing on another tube behind him.
"How are you?" Raze asked as XD-001 raised his hand as if to say, 'Stop.' to the floating man.
"Speaking? I'm not yet sure of that myself." Raze turned to the side and saw yet more people moving to the edge of their tanks.
Raze had seemingly forgotten his anger from earlier due to this distraction, but it was already stewing again, "What is all this?!" Raze changed course and then blasted toward his enemy.
"I'll beat it out of you instead!" He shouted in anger, but as Raze was about to connect with his fist. He stopped, but not because of XD-001. He saw a face looking up from the tank beginning to cower in fear. XD-001 looked like it hadn't even thought of moving. Raze looked back around to see that all of the people in the tanks were indeed horrified with him.
Raze clenched his teeth while simultaneously trying to hold himself back. XD-001 fanned out its arms and awaited the attack. Raze could feel a cold sweat dripping down his forehead. With heavy reluctance, he began to lower his fist and turn away from the creation standing before him.
"Explain what's happened here." Raze said to the mechanical being.
XD-001 reached out too fast for Raze to react. His forehead was being gripped not too tightly, but just enough for Raze to be just slightly worried. XD-001 closed its eyes and Raze was bombarded by images. These images were forming together in order to create a seamless movie of sorts.
~Flashback of Nine Years~
A lush green world in the western galaxy. A place perfect for living a peaceful existence. Homes made of various stones and put together with stucco were what made up this place. An oasis in the very middle of the town was the main attraction.
Two teens ran along the edge of said oasis while an older man chased them, "Stop! Thieves!"
"Let's lose him in the town, Ruchel!" The first one said while heading for the buildings.
Ruchel nodded as they rushed through the area, dodging people and cattle while the old man was quickly finding himself to be inadequate in such a situation. Ruchel grinned and continued on his path only to crash into a market stand. As he sat on the ground trying to figure out how he'd made such a mistake. The old man caught up to him and didn't look pleased.
Ruchel smiled nervously and held out the stolen food, "Uhhhh… Sorry?" That didn't help the situation.
The older man gave off waves of frustration as he forced the young teen up to his feet. Gripping his arms, he marched Ruchel forward.
"We'll be heading straight to the police. You can report your friend while we're there!" He said to Ruchel who grimaced at the idea.
~Meanwhile~
"Mayor Xeno, it's the third time this month." Said one voice as Xeno looked over the forms.
Xeno was looking over the forms. People had been missing for over two months by this point, nobody had even seen any kind of perpetrator. Tensions throughout town were on the rise; yet still there wasn't a single clue to the whereabouts of these unfortunate people.
The police chief nodded, "What's worse is that there were three people this time. Two of which were children." Xeno picked up the most recent form and his face shifted to a frown.
"The people are suffering in any case, Mayor Xeno. What would you suggest?" The chief could feel the atmosphere beginning to change if only for a moment before the doors opened behind them.
Ruchel was thrown into the building and fell at the feet of both Xeno and the Chief. The Old Man stroad forward with a brisk pace while Ruchel tried to pick himself up from the rickety wooden floor beneath himself.
"Xeno! Chief! This young man tried to steal food from my carriage." The two looked from the old man and back to Ruchel who was trying to seem a bit smaller; perhaps to escape the situation he found himself in.
Xeno knelt down before Ruchel with a gleam in his eye, "Really? You've been caught thieving once again? Do you never learn?" He asked the teen who tried to look away from him.
Xeno was the strongest in their village. He was not only a mayor, but the most respected man and all of the kids around the area would love to grow up in his image. Shame was building up in Ruchel for the first time at that moment. More shame than when he was caught anyway. How unlucky for him that his hero was here today.
Shishio was the first to speak despite Xeno addressing Ruchel, "The only way he'll learn is if he actually suffers a bit. I'd say that we put him behind bars and throw away the key!" He finished while swiping his arm to the side in a throwing motion.
Ruchel shook a bit at that, but he was in no position to really bargain at the moment. Xeno looked back to the police chief, "Seems a bit excessive for stealing a loaf of bread or three. What do you think, Chief?" He asked the man who sighed.
Turning to Shisio, the Chief began to say, "In a more lawless world, perhaps he'd lose his hands." Ruchel shook more visibly; that's definitely not something he wanted to hear, "Yet, it's always about the situation he's in. Tell me, Shishio… Do you know why this teenager would go through all this trouble?"
Shishio was put on the back foot by this one; he didn't commit a crime. Why was he being questioned all of a sudden? He gulped a bit, perhaps this Ruchel person had connections in higher places. A joke isn't it? A thief perhaps getting an out for bad behavior?
Well, Shishio couldn't back down now, "I haven't got the foggiest idea why he would choose to do what he did, but a criminal is a criminal no matter how you slice it!" Shishio wasn't finished either, "You know how we deal with criminals? We lock them up and make sure they suffer for their crimes!" Shishio was gripping his coat and looking quite haughty having proved his point.
The Chief smiled and leaned back against the counter, "Well, we know you're new to this village, Shishio." He turned to Xeno who nodded; encouraging him to continue, "We'll definitely be punishing him. After all, this has been the first time that Ruchel has been caught in quite a while." Shishio was absolutely satisfied with that answer while Ruchel seemed to be tearing up a little, but he wouldn't show any weakness instead choosing to look at the floor.
The Chief then looked down to Ruchel, "However, this kind of crime isn't worth locking up the poor teen." Shishio nearly popped a button off his jacket upon hearing that, but the Chief continued regardless, "If you know his situation, his mother is ill. She can't work, but food must be provided somehow. Ruchel was trying to help his mother." Shishio's eyes dropped immediately, he seemed to be looking back upon Ruchel in a different light.
The Chief pointed at Xeno and he nodded back, "Now that you know, we can give this young man a proper punishment." Ruchel looked up for the second time from the floor as Xeno took over the situation, "How about this, Shishio? We'll have him work for you for a while. Does that seem acceptable?" He cupped his chin while Shishio deliberated on a response.
Ruchel wasn't in favor of this idea, but it definitely had its merits over being thrown in jail. Shishio was really thinking about it, you could even see smoke coming out his ears if you squinted hard enough.
Shishio began to see a bit of reason. He could relate to Ruchel in a way. With a heavy sigh, Shishio nodded. Xeno smiled and patted Shishio on the shoulder.
"Thanks! I can't help being a little excited at the prospect of getting Ruchel here into doing good for a change." He turned to the young teen who just kinda smiled awkwardly.
The Chief was satisfied and sent both Shishio alongside Ruchel on their way quickly. As the door shut behind them with a click, sounds could be heard from inside the building discussing what plans were to be made going into the future.
Ruchel could feel he was being looked upon by the older man already much to his displeasure. Shishio could already tell that this might be a real challenge, but he'd already agreed to do as Xeno wanted. So, he would have to try.
Shishio sighed, "Well, kid… I'll see you early in the morning. About eight o'clock." He turned to the lowering sun, "See you then." He walked off the front porch of the sheriff's place.
Ruchel slinked off in the opposite direction. Probably going to speak with his mother. Xeno had been watching them from a window this entire time to see if Ruchel would reject the idea, but was happy to not hear a single comment against the idea. Xeno turned back to the chief with a heavily forlorn look the next second.
"I've got an idea on how to get these thugs. But it'll take a week to prepare." Xeno said to the Chief who nodded.
"I'll help you with whatever you'll need. This could be dangerous." He said while looking over the posters of missing people.
Xeno sighed, "Yes, but it'd be even more so if we didn't at least try to do something to curb these disappearances." He turned to the window, "Besides, I owe it to them to make sure the people are protected. My father would do the same."
The Chief agreed, "Of course… That man was an inspiration to us all. Let's make him proud."
~Meanwhile~
Ruchel was scolded by his mother. She used expletives and all kinds of them too. Her frustration was far too evident.
Ruchel had almost thought that there would be no consequences when he'd first arrived. Yet, that was too good to be true.
"You no good rotten child!" She rasped out.
Okay, calling that an expletive was probably a bit much, but to Ruchel it may as well have been one. Though he loved his mother, Ruchel knew putting her under stress could be even worse.
"I'm sorry mother." He started immediately, but she wouldn't listen and ended up hacking up a cough.
"Don't "sorry" me!" She had a coughing fit once more and even a strong dry heave before shivering and pulling the blankets tight around her body before finally continuing, "We might live poor, but you shouldn't steal from those shop owners."
Ruchel already knew this of course, but he couldn't sit and watch this dilapidation of his mother. As he was about to respond, he thought of Xeno from today. His motion stopped and he stepped away from her. Tears had begun to show in his eyes and his mother noticed. She quickly dialed it back a bit, "Son, I get why you did it…." She wheezed a bit and groaned in pain as Ruchel rushed to her side.
"I'm sorr-'' He stopped himself. Ruchel knew apologizing further couldn't take away such a stupid decision on his part.
She looked him in the eyes, "Xeno said that man had given you an opportunity to work for him. Do this well. Please?" Ruchel couldn't say no. He wouldn't when this was a great chance to make some money and perhaps carry this place himself.
"I'll do my best." He said with conviction.
~Meanwhile~
Just outside the window, Raze had been observing this world of memories. He'd seen it all from the beginning so far. Looking around, he was astounded how much the typography of this place had matched the future of it. At least when he looked toward the area that would no doubt contain the three buildings and underground lab.
"You've been enjoying yourself." Raze's eyes widened and he turned to find XD-001 staring back at himself.
Raze's mouth agape, he shouted, "You're Xeno!" Xeno nodded in confirmation to the spiky haired man and Raze continued, "This is the past. Right?" He nodded again to the saiyan.
"Everything you've seen at this moment…" He turned away and looked in the direction of the future hellscape, "Has only been the week before this was all taken from me." Xeno pointed toward the great town beside them.
Raze felt the wind blowing around his body, his shirt caught it and billowed a bit. His hair flowed with the cool breeze. Xeno seemed to stand with a more lifeless look. His clothing was rigid and more metallic looking. Comparing him to the Xeno that Raze had just seen was almost impossible. The world around them began to crumble away. Like ash, the city began to float listlessly away. Raze's eyes widened as he watched fires begin to engulf the people.
He yelled and began to run toward the citizens, but he found that he hadn't moved an inch, "You can't save them… I will show you if you defeat me." Raze turned back to Xeno, a serious look etched on his face.
"You still want to fight?" Raze asked the man standing before him.
Xeno shifted a little as the world around them continued to spark and char away, "Yes and no… I have little time left, but I have no reason to live." He pointed at Raze, "I'd like to have a good fight before it's all over."
"But I still have questions! We don't have to fight!" Raze exclaimed while Xeno shook his head.
"This is the most fun I've had in a while. Please don't let me die without having a fair fight." Xeno said as Raze looked down, clenching his fist, "They took that place and killed everyone… I can't die just knowing their disservice." Raze knew they didn't have time for this, but these new discoveries made him hesitate.
Knowing even a small portion of the history of what had happened. Something he knew only happened because of a direct result of what he'd let survive. It was almost too much to bear, like he'd only just stepped into the shallow end of a pond that would surely grow into a great abyss that would threaten to swallow himself whole.
"I'll do what I can." He promised Xeno who managed a smile despite his time on this world being so horrible.
~Meanwhile~
Brass held up one of the goons he'd captured earlier, "Tell me everything about this facility. Don't leave any details to the wayside." The little man struggled in Brass' grip.
Having watched every one of his contemporaries get tossed around by this monstrous force of nature, the man grunted as he felt the fingers begin to crush his face. Panic was starting to set in, there's no way he'd just be killed so easily, right? The pressure on his skull was unbearable.
Brass's brow furrowed, "Not willing to talk? You're willing to die for all this?" In his hand, he felt a wetness beginning to seep down, "And you're crying?! Do you not have any bit of self respect?" He finished in resentment.
"No! I don't!" The man yelled back as he struggled to continue, "This place is a scientific research center!" He gasped out as Brass loosened his grip, "It's got three main buildings! The first one is filled with new subjects!"
Brass dropped the man on his ass and then proceeded to point at the building to the south of them, "That one is filled with subjects? You mean kids you helped take from various worlds?" Hearing that, the man nodded in fear.
"That is exactly what I mean! There may still be new younglings there!" He exclaimed in desperation as Brass began to squeeze tighter on the man's face.
"What about the building right next to us?" Brass asked the pained man.
"It's where she makes all her new inventions!" Brass gave him a narrow look full of anger and he quickly added, "Athena! Athena's her name! She makes incredible technology here!" A little more satisfied with the name, Brass loosened his grip ever so slightly.
Brass then leaned in closer, "And the building to the far north?"
"Well, that's simple!" Brass made a circular motion with his hand as if to say, "Get on with it." which the man did, "Simple… Erm… It's t- transportation! A large ship resides there!" The man looked overjoyed when he finally got a smile out of the albino namekian, "S- So am I f- free to go?" He gulped when Brass immediately frowned.
"What the hell would give you that idea?" After that sentence, the man was knocked out and cuffed with specially designed katchin cuffs that could expand at will. Brass sighed, 'This job is getting monotonous…' He looked to the south.
'Decisions… Decisions… Money right now or head to the south to free captives?' Honestly, he was sure that his first choice was obviously the better call. They hardly made enough money as is. He could always do the "right" thing directly after.
'Athena it is.' With Brass's mind set, he flew off to the northern side of the base.
~End of Chapter 4~
Hope you all enjoyed!