(BUTCH's POV)
"Alright, so I brought some fried calamari and some spring rolls." Bubbles said with a large plate in her hands. She set it down on the coffee table and poked me. "What's with all the pouting?"
"Piss off, Bubs. I'm not in the mood."
"Still mad that you got put on timeout?"
My right eye twitched. "I mean it, Bubs."
She huffed and grabbed a spring roll. "C'mon Butch, forget all that! Be a big boy and open wide for the choo-choo train!"
Why was she doing this? Can't she just let me be angry in peace?! I'm legit having a moment of angst here!
"Get that thing away from me," I growled.
She kept tapping my lips with the stupid roll. I was about to flip! "All aboard! Chugga chugga CHOO CHOOOOOO!!!"
"KNOCK IT OFF!!!"
"Okay! Gosh, you're such a downer! Who cares if you have to stay here? The others can handle it!"
She didn't get it! She's acting like SHE got attacked! "Why don't you go bother your other friends or something instead of bugging me all goddamn day?!"
"I JUST talked to them! They're all totally freaked out about the chaos!"
I rolled my eyes and released a long and drawn-out breath. "Then go call your boyfriend or whatever. Just leave me alone!"
"Now why would I make you jealous like that? I'm not that mean Butch. Besides, me and Dante are WAY past finished! Can you believe that he cheated on me? ME?! Like what's even his deal anyway?!" She did that immature cheek puff thing that got on my nerves again. WHY?
"I…Don't…CARE!!!" I tried to get up once more but she chose to jump on my back and hold me down.
"No way! Brick specifically said to NOT let you go. You're staying here and that's final!"
"Like hell I am!"
"FULL SYSTEM LOCKDOWN! ADVANCED PROTOCOL!" She shouted. All I could do was watch as the entire place became a military-grade fortress. The doors and windows all had highly dense metal plating. No way in or out!
I tried to free myself from her ridiculous hold but I couldn't. Her position on my back was way too advantageous. The most I could do was crawl on the carpet.
"Bubs, I swear to god! If you don't let me go, I will blow you and this house to pieces!"
"Nope! I'm not budging!"
I glared with malice building in my chest. She was pissing me off repeatedly. I don't know what's with these Utonium girls and their stubborn attitudes, but I was nearly at my limit.
I slowly forced myself to my feet with her still on my back. "Shit! Why the hell are you so heavy?!"
She gasped and pinched my cheeks. "You'd better watch your mouth, pal! I'm not heavy! You're just a big, dumb, wimp!"
"Oh yeah? Tell that to the twenty extra lunches that you STOLE from me!"
"I didn't steal Jack squat! You just lost them because you're an irresponsible chump."
I grit my teeth and drop backward with all of my weight falling onto her. I felt her grip loosen and I quickly took the chance to hold her down.
"Ha! Looks like you still can't beat me! Now shut off the damn security system and let me outta here!"
She shook her head with a flustered expression. "N-NEVER!"
Damn, this girl! "Have it your way!" I lifted a hand and prepared a green blast.
"ACTIVATE NERVE AGENT!!!"
"Activate what now-" Within seconds, a cloud of green mist engulfed the living. "What the fu-OW!!! Holy shit! What is this?!?!" I shouted as the burning sensation in my eyes intensified.
I gave her another nasty look as she giggled behind the gas mask that she conveniently pulled from under the couch.
"I'm gonna fucking end you!" I said while wiping my eyes. It was pointless and honestly made the burning way worse.
"You give up yet?" Her amused tone didn't sit right with me at all, so I decided to respond with a quick blast to the door. Much to my surprise, it didn't budge. Not even a little bit.
"You know what? Screw it! I'll just take my anger out on YOU!" I said with a cocked back fist.
"DEPLOY KNOCKOUT GAS!" She shouted in a panic.
"No way!" I could already feel the drowsiness approaching and decided to go out with a sliver of satisfaction. Before I collapsed on top of the blonde, I managed to yank her stupid mask off. If I'm sleeping, so is she.
~TWO HOURS LATER~
"..."
"...?!"
"Nrgh…What happened?" I asked out loud to no one in particular. My response was a few light snores and a sharp pain on my left asscheek.
I groggily turned my head to the side to see a visibly agitated Buttercup. Wait…When the hell did she get here?
"Rise and shine, moron! Hope your nap was good."
"No! It was shit! Your annoying sister freaking gassed my ass!" I responded as I stood up. I noticed her numerous cuts and bruises. Some of them were deep while others were minor.
"Tch! What the hell are you staring at?!"
"Are you hurt?" I asked in a lower tone.
"Of course not. Those freaks took me by surprise last time, that's all. I'm fine."
Why was I getting worked up seeing her like that? Damn, these intrusive thoughts! Making me feel things that don't make sense! I can't believe I almost said what popped into my mind that day! The words still played out in my head.
"Butters, I think that…I might, sort of like you too…"
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?!?! No way I'm crushing on Butters of all people! Blossom is one thing but now Buttercup! NO! No way in hell! Can't believe one stupid kiss is screwing me up this bad!
"You done glaring at the floor? There's still a big problem that we need to address."
I looked on with curiosity. "Such as?"
"Boomer passed out from fatigue and Brick is still dealing with some guy that came out of nowhere. I think Boomer said he was a demon."
"WHAT? Why the hell did you guys just leave him there?"
"We didn't have much of a choice. Brick was pretty dead set on us escaping so Boomer grabbed me and Blossom before either of us could protest!"
"Grr…Whatever! Serves him right! I could've lent a hand if he wasn't such a jackass!"
"BUTCH!" I heard Boomer holler. He was walking with a heavy limp and was breathing heavily.
"Boomer, wait! You need to lay back down and rest! You won't recover if you keep moving around." Blossom said from behind him.
He ignored her and stared at me. "You need to go back and get him! He's in real trouble."
"Boom-"
"STOP! Don't make an excuse or fight with me on this! Just go and help him! NOW!!!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Shit! I guess I gotta go save his sorry ass! Don't do anything stupid, bro. Just rest and let me handle this!"
He gave a tired smile and loosened up. "Thanks, Butch!"
"Please be careful. Things might get dangerous so be smart and be safe!" Blossom said before walking Boomer back to bed.
I went to leave but got stopped by Buttercup as she grabbed my arm and muttered a sentence that I just barely heard.
"If you don't come back in an hour, I'm going to come find you." She walked towards the still-sleeping Bubbles and scooped her up. "I mean it."
"I'll be back. I'm not afraid of a demon."
"We'll if you're gonna go help him, do it fast. It's probably been about thirty minutes since we left him at town hall."
I nodded and bolted from the house. I knew exactly where to go so it didn't take me long to get there but something was off. I could feel it. As I neared Brick's location, a sharp pain flared up inside of my head. My senses were tingling and my heart was pounding against my ribs.
"What the fuck is going on?!"
"Turn back!"
"W-What?!" I winced.
I couldn't even control my flight anymore. Something was wrong! I scanned the area while clutching my rattling skull.
"BRIIIIIIIICK!!!" I shouted.
I still didn't see him, but I had a feeling that he was close. Dammit! Come on, Butch! Find your dickhead brother! Sure he's an ass and he probably deserves this for leaving me behind but still! He's family. One-half of my remaining family! FIND HIM!
"Turn back! Do it now!"
"YO BRICK! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!?!" I shouted again.
Before I made another attempt, I heard a sound that immediately caught my ear. It was a "crunch" that I somehow recognized. It was distinct and followed by an odd "splatter".
My head turned to a broken-down building that had a sickening red trail leading to the entrance. Was he hurt? Shit, this isn't good!
"Yo Brick, it's me! Your brother! Come on, man! I'll take you back to the others."
*CRACK*
He didn't respond but there was obviously still movement from inside. I decided to walk forward. I had to get him.
"Dude didn't you hear me-"
I stopped in the doorway of the rundown shop unable to move. It took everything to not hurl from the very sight before me. This…it couldn't be! Bodies scattered all over the broken-down convenience store. They were all torn apart and mangled. Ripped flesh and snapped bones littered the place. It was a pretty fucked up sight, but the smell was just as bad.
"BRICK!!!" I snapped. My fist trembled with a mixture of anger, worry, and a third emotion that was bubbling to the surface. Panic? Anxiety? I'm ashamed to say it but…maybe even a little bit of excitement? Why was I already planning to fight him? I'm not that petty, right?
I took a couple of steps forward. The splashes of liquid crimson echoed with each calculated tap of my shoes. Hesitation yet eagerness. A whirlwind of contradiction danced around in my mind as it painted a picture I don't think I'll ever forget.
"Brick," I said calmly. His body was now in full view for me to see. His back was still turned but I could already piece together what his face must've looked like. His usually neat and well-tied hair was wild and unruly. This was even more evident with the absence of his hat. His shirt was torn to shreds and his bare skin was covered in various red splats.
I sighed and tried desperately to ease my racing heart. I cleared my mind and gently placed my hand on his shoulder. His body stilled and held itself in place. All I could see were his visible breathing patterns. We stayed like this for a brief moment. His skin was as hot as a fresh flame and vibrating beneath my touch. This would contrast with my cold and unflinching form.
"Brick…What the fuck is going on here, dude?" I didn't shout nor did I show any signs of emotion. I already figured out what he was doing. I just had to know why.
"…" He hadn't spoken a word. No…Instead, he chose to turn around and look me in the eyes. Blood-red slits that were filled with tears yet somehow empty behind them. His mouth was stained with the blood of what I hoped weren't actually his victims.
Keep it together! I can't waver! He's my brother! Don't escalate this, Butch! DON'T!!!
I took another deep breath. "Tell me what happened."
"This feeling…" He finally spoke. "It's overbearing!"
"What feeling?"
"The hunger!" He stood up straight and looked me in the eyes. "Butch…It hurts…"
"Step back!"
"Brick, I gotta get you out of here before you get caught like this. We'll figure this out later."
He twitched. I could feel a mild change in the air. This would coincide with the looming smell of death.
"Butch…"
"…Brick."
"MOVE!!!"
My body instinctively shifted back and evaded his strike. He recovered quickly and charged at me again with several powerful punches all aimed at my head. I slipped a few but had to painfully block the rest.
I stumbled back and shifted myself into a more battle-ready stance. I have to knock his ass out. It's the only way I'm getting him back to the Puff's place.
He threw a wild kick that I avoided and followed with another kick that tagged me in the mouth. I slid back first into the checkout counter and winced from the pain.
"Dammit, Brick!" He wasn't gonna make this easy on me. I have to dig deep and find what's holding me back! THINK DAMMIT!
Another punch rocked my insides and the jumping knee to my jaw didn't help. I threw a series of combos that all had little effect on him.
He grinned and landed a whipping right hand that almost dropped me. Every attack he threw at me brought me closer to death. I needed help and I needed it NOW!
He tackled me through the cement wall and slammed me into the empty, battle-torn street. Before I could move, he dropped his fist down onto my chest. He'd repeat this until I was practically buried in the asphalt.
I pulled myself up and eyed him down. The sweat was building up in my palms. I was on edge now. He wasn't thinking straight and he might kill me if I'm not careful.
He dashed forward with a rabid look on his face. I leaned back, avoiding a wild haymaker to the head and pulling forward with a straight to his jaw.
He took a swipe at my chest, cutting my skin with his sharp nails. I dodged the second but failed to avoid the back fist that sent me spiraling back.
"…Kill!" He snarled. His eyes started to glow and I automatically knew what was coming next.
I threw out a green barrier around me just before his heat vision was fully unleashed. The pressure was strong and I could feel myself getting pushed into the ground.
"DAMMIT BRICK! CUT IT OUT!!!" I shouted.
"Nrrgh! DIE!"
He amped up the beam and pushed me several hundred feet further down into the ground. If I didn't have my barrier up, I would be dead right now! He's completely lost it!
Once the bright red beam finally ceased, I dropped my defenses and lay in the deep crater. Blocking all of that took a lot out of me and I'm not too sure that I can keep this up for long!
Think…
Sit back and think!
What did I do?! How did I seal my hidden power off?! It has to be somewhere in my mind! It has to be!
Think…
Think…
…
…
…
…Wait…
What is this? A memory? Did I find it?
…
…
…I see it now…
-Flashback-
"You want me to sign it?"
He nodded before handing me a small dagger. I already knew what to do with it.
"I have to sign it with blood...Okay then...I'll do it!"
The tip of the blade plunged deep into the skin of my palm. The red liquid slid down my index finger as it dripped.
"Sign...it…"
It's all I had to do. I'd keep the power and I'd never get hurt like that again. I'd be exactly what I was supposed to be.
"Sign...it...now!"
My finger touched the burning hot paper and started moving. As quickly as I started, I stopped. My finger wouldn't move anymore. My name wasn't finished yet. I couldn't make the contract official.
"I can't do it!"
-Flashback Ends-
…No! Where's the rest? That can't be why! I thought it was a goddamn dream!
Keep thinking! I've gotta be missing some pieces!
Think…
…Think harder!
-Flashback-
"You're nothing but a phantom locked away inside of my mind while I'm the real deal. When all is said and done, I'll be the one with the crazy strength and you'll be nothing more than a fading memory."
Two white doors appeared from within the darkness. I turned towards the door on the right and opened it.
"Enjoy this peace while you still have it. I promise that I'll have this body all to myself. At the rate you're going it's only a matter of time."
"Clocks ticking down for you as well, asshole. Enjoy tormenting me while you still can. Nothing is going to change me ever again."
-Flashback Ends-
That voice…It's been a while since I've heard it. I forgot how much beef I actually had with it. Was that the demon that I was arguing with? The one that declared this body as his? Shit! SHIT!!!
I can't believe this! When did I start growing soft to the point that I'm looking for its help?! I'm pathetic! When did my resolve start to crack? Why do I want that damn thing's help?
"Because you need it!"
My eyes snapped open and I immediately looked down at my nails. They were starting to take on a claw-like shape.
"You see it now, don't you?"
"See what?"
"Despite your attempts at pushing me away you STILL hold a desire to wield my power. OUR power!"
"Fuck you and no the hell I don't! I don't need that shit!"
"LIES! It's obvious! You spent the last few battles wondering why you couldn't utilize your inner strength and transform. It's pretty simple really. I CUT YOU OFF!"
"Tch…Good! I prefer it that way!"
"…Fine! Allow me to take a different approach."
"What?"
"If you don't ditch these worthless inhibitions and face reality, you're going to die. After you, Boomer and the Puffs are going to die. Then once the redhead finishes off the rest of the town, the whole world is next."
"BULLSHIT! Brick's too smart and prideful to lose control of himself like that! He'll snap out of it!"
"LOOK AT WHAT HE DID! Deny it all you want but he more than likely killed those people."
"Dammit!"
"He ATE parts of those people!"
"Shut up!"
"Take a good look! That's not Brick right now. It's a newly born demon spawn! His hunger won't be sated by this city alone! He'll keep eating until there's nothing left!"
"I still don't understand! I wasn't like that when I transformed! Why is he eating people?!"
"You don't get it? Whoever unchained the beast that laid dormant inside of him focused on his repressed traits. Think of the deadly sins. While you were wrathful and lustful, Brick displayed pride, greed, and gluttonous attributes.
"Well, you're not wrong…Wait, what do you mean I'm lustful?!"
"Listen to me, Butch! You're not a child anymore! Just like last time, you'll still be in control! You need to accept that I'm YOU! We are the same person!"
"Yeah, that sounds good and all…But I haven't forgotten your declaration to take my body! We're NOT the same! I'm the original! You're the fake that's in hiding."
"In due time I fully intend to take it for myself. However, that battle can wait. We need to focus on surviving today!"
"Fine! What should I do?"
"You have to sign the contract."
"NO!"
"Dammit, man! Just do it!"
"I know all about you demons and your hosreshit contracts! I almost signed it last time but thinking back, I probably dodged a bullet!"
"There is NO TIME LEFT! You need to do this to defeat Brick along with the upcoming threat!"
"Then I wanna read it!"
"Now?!"
"Yep! Lemme read the damn thing!"
"You are inside of a crater!"
"Don't care! I want to read it!"
"Stubborn son of a-"
"Gonna keep wasting our time?"
"Fine!"
In an instant, the conditions were laid out in my mind. It was fairly simple and straightforward. There were three paths that I could take. I weighed them and already knew which to cut from the jump.
I'll have access to the power whenever I want with no drawbacks…but I'll have to consume human flesh…Fuck that!
Next, I'd have full control of the power but only for a whopping TEN minutes before passing out. To go with that, I'd be shaving off ten fucking years from my lifespan. Not too thrilling.
The final choice was me having me gain all the power that I'd need but afterwards, I'd have to submit my body to the demon for an hour and then I would be completely powerless for an entire day!
"What the hell are these shitty ass choices?!"
"You wanted to read it and those are your options! Do you want to maximize this power or not?"
I don't know what to pick! The second one seemed decent enough but what if ten minutes wasn't enough time to deal with a threat?! That and dying ten years earlier wasn't all that enticing. The last option was also risky as hell. Giving up my body to some demon didn't seem smart either. He'll probably end up killing and eating people regardless!
"You need to choose! Brick is rampaging again."
"Shit! How am I supposed to pick out something like this?!"
"MAKE A CHOICE!!!"
I closed my eyes and did as I was told. Not even a second later, the power surged and enhanced everything within me.
I erupted from the crater with ease and let out a roar that shook the city. It felt good. Like I had returned a part of me that was missing. I hated admitting that but it was true. I felt incredible!
Brick looked up at me with a deep scowl and charged my way. I effortlessly caught his punch and crushed his fist. Then a knee to the gut and an elbow to the face.
He looked dazed but still tried to land a strike on me. I sidestepped and delivered a hook to his temple.
I grabbed him by his hair and charged up a punch. The green aura surrounded my fist as it powered up.
"Still hungry, motherfucker?!" My fist was charged to the max. "Well open wide!"
My punch landed right in the center of his face. He rag-dolled across the street and smashed against a flaming semi-truck.
That familiar sense of bloodlust and battle hunger overcame me. My veins glowed a pulsating green underneath my skin. The rhythm of my heart was like a war drum beating rapidly. THIS IS REAL POWER!
Brick picked himself up and moved towards me. The hate-filled look in his eyes made me crack a devilish smirk. As expected, he couldn't stack up to me when I was like this. He wasn't used to this sensation like me. On top of that, HIM did say that I was the one that had the most compatibility with his demonic blood. He was yet again weaker than me and I enjoyed that.
SNAP OUT OF IT! You need to end this quickly!
I was slipping. I needed to remind myself that I did this for a reason. I need to save Brick!
I blocked another series of punches and kicks, ducked another laser beam, and sent a hefty sidekick to his midsection. He tripped backward and held himself.
"Why? WHAT IS THIS SUDDEN STRENGTH THAT YOU HAVE?!"
I glared and sent him a kick to the chin. "Demon or not, you can't beat me when I'm like this. You know that already."
"I…I need to consume more…GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
The redhead in question made another attempt at my life with a swipe towards my throat. I dodged and knocked him down with an overhand right to the head. He shakily climbed to his feet unaware of my presence behind him.
"Time for a nap, bro." I locked my arms around his waist and forcefully leaned backward. There was a loud crack in the asphalt that was preceded by silence. My German suplex seemed to do the trick. He was sprawled out in an unconscious state.
I grabbed his limp body and flung him over my shoulder. It was over. We were finally done here. Hopefully, we'd be able to fix whatever happened to him.
"NOT SO FAST!"
"Nrgh! What are you doing?! Ah! My head!"
"It's time for you to let me in the driver's seat."
"Fuck off! I'm not done yet!"
"The fight is over, right? You're done."
"Dammit! Just give me a few more minutes! I need to drop him off first!"
"I'll do it! Now stop fighting me!"
I grabbed my head and cried out in pain. It was a strikingly agonizing feeling of blades stabbing my skull.
"No way am I trusting you!"
"…I don't harbor any ill intent towards your brother if that's what concerns you."
"I…swear to god…You get one…Fucking chance!"
"I'll keep that in mind."