Chapter 29:

Parsley City, a smaller scale city not too far from West City. Its busy nature always meant there was something of interest happening, whether it be frequent gatherings, festivals, or meetings. It was known to showcase the pinnacle of human architecture in combination with technology, featuring tall skyscrapers to floating houses. Even the lower end buildings were considered "high-end" to any hillfolk.

To think, in just 2 hours, this entire city was replaced by a burning wasteland. Where skyscrapers once stood, instead were replaced by rubble. Burning remains of buildings crumbled apart. The sound of rocks falling would echo throughout the wasteland as fires would spread across the landscape, leaping from building to building, followed by occasional explosions caused by gas leaks or stray ki blasts. The echoes of combat from afar would surround the wasteland.

In the center, stood 3 warriors, bruised but not battered. Ryuko stood in the center, to his right would be Saito, and to his left would be Vejin. Sweat would drip down Ryuko's forehead, rolling down to his cheek as his vision would waver. Slowly, his vision would clear as he looked up, focusing on the figure blurred by the smoke. Above him, hovering above the city, smiling maniacally, would be none other than Bruzzell. The sheer terror emitted by his meer gaze shook even the likes of Vejin, who'd clench his fist. A terrifying foe, with strength such as this, he hasn't moved yet…the three felt…fear?

Bruzzell would descend before the 3 of them, tapping his feet gently onto the ground. His sinister grin would lessen to more of an insincere smile. "I suppose introductions are in order, to the new punching bags you've given me..brother." With every utterance of the word, Ryuko would be shaken to the core. This man was not his brother, he couldn't accept it. "Don't…call me that..!" Ryuko would say through gritted teeth. Bruzzell would raise a brow to this "Hm? What was that? You'll have to speak up brat. Now be a good brother and sit there while I get rid of these third wheels." He'd say as he almost immediately dropped his "facade", giving Saito this deadpan stare. Saito would feel an uncomfort where his neck was, it was clear he had not forgotten the pain Bruzzell had dealt to him physically and mentally. Was he ready for this fight?

However, regardless of whether or not the 3 fighters were ready, Bruzzell was, and it was clear as day that he was the one in power here. Charging straight at Saito, he'd wind his left arm back as he revved a fist at full speed to Saito. However where his fist should've made contact, he was met with a swift backhand on the side of his cheek. Bruzzell had been caught off guard, such an embarrassing sight for the Saiyan brute! Who would dare?! "I told you, DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Ryuko would scream at the top of his lungs, the mental battle he had been fighting was over, and it was compiled all into sheer rage.

And thus, the brotherly clash has begun. Ryuko, casting aside his conflictions about his past, would channel his feelings of hatred towards Bruzzell. Ryuko would deal blow after blow to Bruzzell with seemingly no end in sight! But, Bruzzell knew that his pathetic younger sibling was no match for him. Bruzzell would strike back in response, colliding the two attacks within each other. Ryuko was caught completely off balance by the power behind those punches! Bruzzell dawns a devilish grin and grabs Ryuko by his head, slamming him down into the ground instantly! Bruzzell continues to belittle Ryuko: "You just don't get it do you…You are meant to be inferior to me…That is your true birthright, now let me continue my training." Ryuko gets back up instantaneously with a ki-infused kick to Bruzzell's abdomen, multiplying the power of the attack significantly! However, Bruzzell remained unfazed. As he continued to move towards Saito and Vejin. Ryuko's eyes would widen as he lowered his leg, his strength wasn't wavering, but his morale was. Bruzzell kicks his brother in the direction of Saito and Vejin. Vejin shouts to Saito: "WATCH OUT!" The pair quickly evade the oncoming Ryuko. Thankfully, Ryuko catches himself in the air and dashes back in, zooming past Saito and Vejin. Saito tries to get Ryuko's attention: "Ryuko wait! This isn't what we- Ugh, nevermind… Vejin, stick to the plan" Vejin nods to Saito, with Saito rushing into battle against the tyrannical Saiyan.

Saito rushes straight to the front line, trying to synchronize with Ryuko, however Ryuko's fury was too brazzen. This wasn't the same Ryuko we always knew, the way he fought was wild and untamed. This was a Ryuko who knew nothing but hatred and despair. As Ryuko and Saito continue to attack at Bruzzell, Bruzzell seemingly dodges their attacks or blocks them the moment they try to connect. Bruzzell fires off a blast in between the two, to split them up, taking them out one by one, starting with Saito. Bruzzell pulls back his arms and claps them together, smashing in Saito's head. Bruzzell cackles and boasts to Saito: "I knew that you escaping was nothing but luck! Now I'll make sure that you can't run!" Bruzzell kicks Saito back over to Ryuko, causing the pair to collide with each other. Bruzzell charges up his energy and fires off an energy wave at them, sending them into a collapsed building. Upon impact, the energy waves explode, causing smoke and flames to flourish in the area.

Saito would be overwhelmed, his mind racing. Even with an entire year to train themselves, after their own battle with Zero and even their own comrade Oritsu, Bruzzell's strength is still unparalleled. Bruzzell had yet to even break a sweat! Ryuko's rage had begun to waver as he began to tire himself out, looking over towards Saito. Saito looks back and nods to him. Ryuko kept his gaze glued onto Bruzzell. But, Bruzzell responds by staring Ryuko down with a side eye and a smirk of unwavering confidence, sending a shiver down Ryuko's spine. Saito and Ryuko, upon the second attempt, rush in to attack Bruzzell in unison. Bruzzell blocks Ryuko's kick up high, but Saito sneaks on in with a devastating gut punch below. Bruzzell had no way of getting out of this one, leaving for Saito's punch to connect to Bruzzell. However, things didn't go as planned. Bruzzell was still unphased by Saito's attack! Bruzzell picks them up by their hair: "I must admit…I'm surprised my weakling of a brother and the runaway came up with a rather commendable strategy…But, EVEN THAT WON'T STOP ME FROM KILLING YOU BOTH HERE AND NOW!" Bruzzell smacks the two heads together, leaving the pair disoriented as Bruzzell clotheslines the pair through multiple buildings. Bruzzell ends the combo by summoning several ki blasts around the three. Bruzzell would stare the pair down as he spoke: "Fatal Damnation…" He clenches his fist tight as the pink ki spheres close in on the duo, homing in on their location. Every blast connects, leaving them to be covered in an explosion, including Bruzzell. As the smoke dissipates, Bruzzell still has a smirk on his face, whereas Ryuko and Saito would appear wounded. Saito had rips and tears in his clothing, while Ryuko had completely lost his overshirt. Their energies were ready to cave in at any second, but they had no choice but to continue fighting.

As Ryuko and Saito continue to charge in, Bruzzell's excitement and joy to tear them all to shreds was waning. Now he started to grow annoyed that they're still kicking. Bruzzell couldn't believe it. He actually had to try against these weaklings! Bruzzell quickly focuses up and knees Ryuko's head in and punching him up into the air. His gaze turns to Saito and he unleashes a barrage of kicks, before unleashing the finishing blow with an axe kick, knocking Saito down into the flames below. Ryuko and Saito fire off energy waves from above and below, but Bruzzell swats them away, causing them to explode in the distance. Right as the blasts explode, Ryuko and Saito are right next to Bruzzell, ready to strike!

Ryuko goes in for a mean sucker punch, and Saito follows up by kicking Bruzzell up into the air, sending him up in the sky! But neither of them pursue. How come they aren't following up on their attacks with another barrage? The pair then scream upwards: "NOOOWWW!" With Bruzzell on his way up towards Vejin, Vejin had been working on a new technique. But before we get there, let's cut back in time.

Just before the invasion, as the group would stand atop Capsule Corp, Ryuko would appear conflicted. "I need to do this, kill him with my own two hands. This is my burden, my past, I need to see it resolved." Ryuko would clench his fist. "But I can't do it alone, I fear..that I'm not strong enough." Ryuko would feel a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he'd see Letuce. "We've got your back buddy." He'd say with a smile. "I've known you and Oritsu for as long as I can remember, I don't know where I'd be without you. I'm sure Oritsu can say the same…right?" Letuce would smile as he looked over to Oritsu, who'd nod in agreement. "If we were in your position, you'd help us with everything you've got, there's no arguing that. So you can expect the same from us!" Vejin would smirk "Same goes for us fossils." Vejin would remark, nodding over to Saito, who looked rather dismayed. "Not sure how I feel about being called a fossil.." Vejin and the others would laugh, Ryuko seeing this, felt a little lighter, as if the burden he bore grew less heavy. Vejin would smile before speaking "Ok I've got a plan then…You see I've been working on something.." As he began to explain his plan, Saito would chime in. "You know, I'm willing to bet money someone fucks this up and maybe gets carried away in some state of emotional turmoil." He'd say with heavy tones of sarcasm as he jokingly nodded towards Ryuko. Ryuko, noticing the eyes on him, would shake his head. "I wouldn't…do that…? Ok yeah I'd totally do that.." Saito and Vejin would facepalm simultaneously, followed by more laughter from the others. Vejin would sigh before opening his mouth to speak once more "At least try to stick to the plan, would you?"

Returning to the current moment, Vejin, who was floating up in the air, looked ready for the rapidly approaching Bruzzell. Ryuko and Saito shouting "NOW!" would give Vejin the signal to execute his plan. Within his palms would be a red ball of ki, blazing with an intense fury. As if a large amount of ki was being condensed into this small sphere. Red electricity would surround the ball, as Vejin was struggling to contain the ball. As his veins were surfacing on his skin, through gritted teeth he'd stare intently at his target, Bruzzell. As Bruzzell was flung towards Vejin, he'd feel this intense heat on the back of his neck, as he turned to face what it was, it'd be too late.

"CALAMITY….BREAAAKEEEERRRRR!" Vejin's would bellow, as he unleashed this ball of energy. Almost immediately within a tenth of a second, the ball would expand tripling..no, quadrupling in size! The energy would explode outwards, straight towards Bruzzell. This brilliant red wave of energy would have this unstable flow as it stretched across the sky, similar to the ocean's currents. As red electricity surrounded the wave, it would completely consume Bruzzell as he had no time to react. The only thing he could do is raise his guard in an attempt to tank the brunt force of the attack itself. Seeing their plan to it's succession, Ryuko would give a slight smile, a hint of hope for him. Though Saito remained stressed, this attack wouldn't kill him. The best they could hope for would be a fatal wound.

Vejin's muscles would relax as he lowered his arms from the wave. Ryuko and Saito flew up by his side. "A direct hit!" Ryuko would say. "All according to plan." Vejin would nod, as the 3 looked in the direction Bruzzell had been in, their eyes would widen. Bruzzell, was hovering in the air, his two arms raised in front of him. His armor had been incinerated in that blast, though his body only has singe marks and steam emitting from his arms. As the brute lowered his arms, his face dawned this maniacal expression of joy. "Brilliant! TRULY AMAZING! HAHAHAHAHAH!" Bruzzell would cry out with joy, his laughter echoing throughout the ruined city. "Well brat I'll give you this, you joined the right crowd! Have you any idea how long it's been since I've actually FELT SOMETHING?! LOOK!" His hands shook from excitement, as he shakily pointed at his skin, covered in burn marks and singes. "Pain….ahahah….AAAHAHHAHAHAHH!" The utterance of the word had driven Bruzzell into a state of madness.

In his delusion, he'd charge straight at the 3, who were all completely taken aback by this reaction. At blinding speeds, Bruzzell charged Vejin. Carrying his momentum into his fists, Bruzzell would laugh as he proceeded to pummel Vejin. "HAHAHAHAHAAAAA! THIS FEELING…IT'S EXTRAORDINARY!" Ryuko and Saito would be frozen in fear, not knowing what more they could do…could they even win? After unleashing his assault, Bruzzell would charge a ball of pink ki into his palm, slamming it straight into Vejin's face as he sent him straight downwards. The force at which Vejin had hit the ground shattered the floor beneath him, leaving a massive crater. The ground shook hard enough for nearby rubble to fall apart even further as dust and smoke rose up from the floor, covering Vejin's body. Bruzzell would stare down where Vejin had landed with this wild grin, before darting his eyes up and to his left.

"The runaway…" Bruzzell would mutter under his breath through a shaky voice. Saito's eyes would widen, instinctively raising his guard. "SHI-" Saito would begin to yell before being cut off by Bruzzell would grab him by the neck, lifting him up with his arm before tightening his grip. Saito would struggle, though he could ultimately do nothing as he was being choked to death. Powering down from Super Saiyan, the last things he heard before going down was the maniacal laughter of Bruzzell's voice echoing in his head. This laughter would continue as he flew downwards forcing Saito's body into the ground, but not letting go of his grip on Saito's neck. He'd throw Saito into a nearby building, chasing after it like it were a game of catch. After catching up to the flung body, he'd grab it by the face, throwing it up into the air before chasing after it again. Circling behind the body as it was being propelled upwards, he raised both of his fists and slammed down on Saito's back. A loud crack would echo out, reaching Ryuko's ears, as he snapped out of it. He'd look down in a panic as he saw Vejin's body in a heap of wreckage, with no signs of movement. His eyes would dart over to where he had heard the snap, seeing this barbaric Bruzzell hovering above the ground. Looking downwards from him, he'd see Saito's body. His eyes would widen at the sight, bruise marks around the neck, with his entire upper body covered in his own blood. His back would be broken in several places, and there wouldn't be a single sign of life from the body itself.

Ryuko would struggle to raise his fist, trying to close his fingers, however they'd be too shaky to move. Bruzzell would slowly crane his neck over to his brother. "..Now.." He'd say in a low, rapsy voice. The state of rampage he had gone in seemed to have calmed down, but Ryuko knew that was still far from his full power. "It's just you and me…brother. Just. Like. I. Said." He'd say as he seamlessly walked on air towards Ryuko, with each word, another step. Though as Bruzzell was about to speak, something else would catch his eye. Looking down, he'd see 2 figures knelt by Vejin's body. Oritsu and Kiki, while Letuce was checking on Saito. Grinning once more, Bruzzell was reminded of his goal. "Wait here, brat. I need that girl." Bruzzell would say with a firm voice. He'd descend slowly towards Oritsu and Kiki, however Ryuko would fly in front of him, cutting him off. "This…This is between you and me. Leave them out of it!" Ryuko would power up into Super Saiyan once more, this last ditch attempt to sturdy his resolve.

"See boy, it's funny you say that.." He'd give another hearty chuckle. "You know, younger siblings typically are the attention hogs." His aura would flare up. "Most of them are spoiled rotten." His muscles would bulk. "But they always have no respect for their elders." His full power would flare, catching the attention of Oritsu and Kiki. "SIS! TAKE VEJIN AND GET OUTTA HERE, QUICK! SOMETHING BAD'S ABOUT TO HA- " Oritsu would yell over to Kiki, however before he could finish he would be cut off by a loud explosion. Looking up, Oritsu would see where Ryuko and Bruzzell stood would be a massive heat, wind would sweep Oritsu off his feet from the shockwave of the blast. Bruzzell would exit the smoke, holding Ryuko by the face, charging through the air. He'd slam through building after building, hitting each of them with Ryuko's head first. His laughter would fill the city as he charged through the ground, buildings, and wildfires in the area. After his rampage, he'd throw Ryuko's body, which had now gone limp, into the ground. Beginning to pound on it repeatedly, each blow would be heard with a resounding crack. Blow after blow, Bruzzell would let out another maniacal laugh, this was what he had spent years..no..his entire life, trying to do. Ryuko's life, finally in the palm of his hand. "STOP IT!" The voice would cut through Bruzzell's laughter, he'd pause, standing up off Ryuko's seemingly lifeless body. For who would dare interrupt this moment he had waited so long for? As Bruzzell turned to look towards where Oritsu and Kiki stood, Oritsu, enraged by the sight of his friend's body being treated like corpses, would begin to leak out this green energy. His pupil's would begin to disappear, as his hair would begin to stand up on its end.

Bruzzell's expression would soften, giving Oritsu a welcoming smile. "Bring it on..boy."

Chapter: END