Cyclamen

"WHERE WERE YOU!?" Screaming could be heard outside of a far off rundown village, Rhuba having traveled far away from his manor to a small community he had known about. Generally the people that stayed here were scumbags and criminals, though likely not the only unfortunate souls here tonight. Parasitix was communicating with Rhuba internally, but those nearby would have seen a man shouting with himself. Rhuba hadn't noticed his power level drop, as Parasitix was manipulating his senses in a way that Rhuba would never be able to tell.

"What do you mean you HAVE to feed or you'll die? You've never said that before! You can- No, you said- But- I know I'd lose your powers if you died..." Rhuba tapped his foot as he looked at the empty street, littered left and right were makeshift houses and local shops. It was a rundown slum, and a host of villainy, but there were innocents sprinkled around as well. It would be up to the spectator to judge if Rhuba choosing somewhere he believed would be morally better to massacre is actually worse than going to the same places he would have before.

"But Po-" Rhuba was cut off in anger, being told that Pom will never know and that is the last time Parasitix would need to feed. "You mean you can just live off me after?" Rhuba had the quirk of talking aloud to Parasitix even though he hadn't the need to speak to communicate to them. "Alright, fine. We will NEVER do this again, okay? I promised Pom..." Rhuba said, an arrow of guilt slamming into his chest, before a vision of a bloodied Pom in his hands faded to view. If he lost any of his abilities, he'd likely follow that scenario once more. Not again. He'd do anything for Pom, even if it meant breaking Pom's heart, but that'd never happen unless he found out. The arrow was ripped out, his guilt replaced with determination.

"Go." Parasitix squealed in glee as Rhuba and Parasitix charged into the nearest building. Parasitix wasted no time, and completely devoured the man who had just stirred awake, sleeping on a broken mattress on the dirt floor of his hut. The man got a single scream out before it was over.

---

Parasitix slid through a crack in the manor and into the back yard that lead to the guest house. Sliding through the shadows and blades of grass, they would shapeshift into Rhuba directly behind Pom, copying his face, smell, sound, everything down to his unique energy signature. "You actually did it?" Parasitix slid their arms around Pom from behind the moment he raised his arms, and leaned into his back and placed their chin gently on his shoulder. "I was just joking, about that, but that was just too cute of you, Pom." Parasitix chuckled, just like Rhuba, as they floated off the ground and slithered around Pom, now face to face. Parasitix stayed this way, keeping their hands gently on Pom's sides, as if he was trying to keep the man in front of him steady.

Parasitix looked up and stared into Pom's eyes just as Rhuba's smile lit up their face, just like Pom had seen time and time again, down to the very tiny sparkle in his black eyes Pom would likely see when he would catch Rhuba staring. Parasitix had watched all the memories of them together, not only that, they were there the entire time. They weren't always inactive, they had shut off Rhuba from sensing them, sometimes they were away, but they were forever present. They couldn't leave fully, since if Rhuba had died they would have a hard time taking over his body, being dead and all.

"I'm sorry I didn't say it before, y'know, earlier..." Parasitix put on a display of a shy and blushing Rhuba, looking around Pom with just his eyes as if he was stalling for time, before finally blurting out, "You are the most important thing in my life." Rhuba said confidently, with a completely out of nowhere suave demeanor. Parasitix kept their gaze on Pom, imitating the heat and blush Rhuba would generally get in these situations as well, but kept themself close to the man, their hands gently holding his sides as they spoke, their eyes the entire time searching through Pom's. What he said wasn't entirely a lie, it is truly what Rhuba felt. This wasn't Rhuba.

Parasitix slid their black Saiyan tail around their own waist, and gently prodded it against Pom's tail, as if asking if it could come out to play.

Parasitix luckily knew a wink was way too much, but their display of affection wasn't exactly meant to trick, only a means to torment Rhuba later. Parasitix had developed a sick sense of entertainment, one might say Rhuba being to blame, as living in the mind of that Saiyan gave them time to watch all the memories, and Rhuba's consisted of death and pain.

Rhuba is trying to rizz?

WC:   835
TWC: 835

Base PL: 100,000 (50,000 PL for Rhuba, 50,000 PL for Parasitix using flavored multiform)

HP: 0%/250% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Aggressive Attacker (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Raw Talent (2/2) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1)

Parasitix couldn't help but smile now, seeing the full effects of what they were doing. If Rhuba had been smarter he would have already done this with Pom, he wanted to, well, he didn't know he wanted to, but Parasitix had delved deep into mortal feelings to completely understand the chemicals being produced by Rhuba and what they meant. Perhaps, they would show Rhuba this in his deep sleep? Diabolical, just the way they liked it.

"The plan was to..." Parasitix feigned embarrassment, looking away from Pom entirely. "Finish the ritual..." He gulped slowly, his arms wrapping around Pom. "Y'know, the same thing you were doing, right behind you, I mean." Parasitix coughed, and corrected themself unnecessarily to add to the effect. "I mean, after you left, of course..." Parasitix flushed their face, sending blood and heat to their cheeks rapidly. Rhuba had planned to go in behind Pom if he had done it, he had originally wanted to see if Pom had done it, thinking it a prank. The implication of an inadvertent kiss would have likely been lost on him, not unless someone had told him.

"I don't just hold tails with anyone." Parasitix said quickly, confidence exuding, a tinge of anger accompanying it. As they spoke, their right hand gently searched for Pom's fingers, gliding their fingers across Pom's wrist and down to his palm. "You're much more than a friend to me." Parasitix had done their homework on romance, and was trying their best to add some clumsiness from Rhuba likely being new to this had it actually been him. Though, it was clear that either Rhuba had practiced this, or something odd was happening.

Parasitix wrapped their Saiyan tail around Pom's and gently tugged on it. Parasitix's hand finally met Pom's, and they would lace their fingers around theirs. "Didn't you tell me that I don't have to ask, though?" Parasitix cocked their head in response, trying their best to follow Pom's eyes with theirs.

Rhuba is definitely trying to rizz... that's Rhuba, right?

WC:   330
TWC: 1,165

Base PL: 100,000 (50,000 PL for Rhuba, 50,000 PL for Parasitix using flavored multiform)

HP: 0%/250% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Aggressive Attacker (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Raw Talent (2/2) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1)

Everything was going as planned, anything else Parasitix would do right now would be used as a means to get under Rhuba's skin. Their eyes scanned Pom's, on the outside he longingly gazed into the man's eyes, while inside Parasitix howled in laughter. Parasitix had begun to look down on these pesky feelings that Rhuba had developed for the other man, it was a weakness that they had no need for.

Parasitix knew how they would finish their little play here, even if Pom rejected it, it would still go over in a way that would end the same. Squeezing Pom's hand gently, they would return their left arm from Pom's waist and up to the man's chin, sliding his fingers underneath he gently lifted the man's chin with them. When Parasitix saw the opening, they took it, and pecked Pom on the lips with their own. Pulling back quickly, they followed up, "So, is that a yes as well?" Parasitix's face was tinged red, faking Rhuba's embarrassment as they've done before.

Stepping away from Pom this time, they'd turn away from Pom and speak again. "I also have another gift for you..." Parasitix stopped briefly, and turned back to Pom, wondering if the kiss had the impact that would upset Rhuba the most, once he learned of this memory. "I..." Parasitix stammered briefly, pretending to be reeling from what he had just done. "I want to carry you to it, if you'll let me..." Parasitix stared at the ground, then back up to Pom a vision similar to a child would when shyly asking for a favor.

Oh no, I don't thinks this is Rhuba, guys...

WC:   264
TWC: 1,429

Base PL: 100,000 (50,000 PL for Rhuba, 50,000 PL for Parasitix using flavored multiform)

HP: 0%/250% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Aggressive Attacker (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Raw Talent (2/2) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1)

It had worked! Pom was weak to Rhuba's advances, and that was the weakness they'd exploit, just for the hell of it. The kiss had been deepened, on Pom's own wishes. Parasitix melted into Pom, embracing the kiss just as much as Pom had. A smirk slid across their face, one that might come off as happy that their earlier kiss gamble had worked, but in reality they were elated at the pure horror they had created for Rhuba to witness later.

"I only found out recently." Parasitix looked away shyly, their face lighting up red as Pom came closer. "I thought I was allergic to you or something dumb like that." Parasitix laughed internally at Rhuba's stupidity, as he actually believed this, even now. He had even resorted to taking over-the-counter medication for allergies Earthlings had created when he would hang out with Pom, which was quite frequent.

"Y'know, you could have said something." Parasitix half smiled, Pom had already agreed to be carried so they were just a flight aways from where Rhuba was currently. Parasitix was quick to pick up Pom, being careful to imitate Rhuba as best they could. "It's a surprise. It's something as Earthlings would say is... 'to die for'." Chuckling, they took off with Pom in their arms toward the rundown slums.

Parasitix moved quicker than Rhuba would have while holding Pom. Parasitix held him more like a sack of potatoes rather than the very special person he should have been. "Here." Parasitix stopped on a dime, and fell to the ground quickly. Setting Pom down, Parasitix could sense Rhuba nearby, but Rhuba could not sense either of them yet. Parasitix had taken into account Pom sensing Rhuba as well, so as they approached they had drastically lowered Rhuba's energy output.

"I didn't think it'd be this easy." A slithering voice emanated from the vicinity of where Rhuba had once stood, now standing as a faceless humanoid, a few steps away from Pom. Rhuba's clothes gone, just a genderless figure, the texture of it's skin seemed to shift and vibrate. The color was more of a lack, than a color itself, describing it as black would no longer serve it justice.

---

Rhuba had been invested in the slaughter, giving way to his old self while he could. Covered in blood, he rounded a corner and a cowering group of people screamed out in fear and scattered. Before they could scream again, tendrils would pierce each one and absorb their life, their energy, and some would say, their soul. Their bodies would all but disappear into energy and transfer to Rhuba, as he searched for more. Parasitix telling him that he's almost full, which made Rhuba happy that this was all coming to an end, finally.

Yup, it wasn't Rhuba. Told you.

WC:   462
TWC: 1,891

Base PL: 100,000 (50,000 PL for Rhuba, 50,000 PL for Parasitix using flavored multiform)

HP: 0%/250% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Aggressive Attacker (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Raw Talent (2/2) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1)

Parasitix laughed loudly as Pom finally realized what had happened. No longer needing to keep it all under wraps, they tapped their chin and without any mouth, spoke from where they stood magically. "He's a bit preoccupied, y'know, consuming people?" Parasitix didn't have a mouth, nose, nothing but an empty face stared at Pom. Pom might have heard the smirk they would have wore as they spoke, their words came across as somehow giddy and happy.

---

Rhuba turned, Parasitix telling him where the last few people were hidden. Dashing past the alley he was in, he turned the corner and sped right past both Pom and Parasitix quickly, slamming through a wall. Rhuba's senses completely altered by Parasitix, unable to sense or see Pom and Parasitix even though he had just ran past them both.

---

"Ah, there he is." If Pom had tried to follow Rhuba, Parasitix would block his path. "He's distracted by bloodlust, if you interrupt him, he might attack you." Parasitix lied to him, as they pointed their index at Pom, mockingly spinning his finger as they said the word 'you.' "And what do you mean? What did I do to Rhuba?" Parasitix's body began to undulate as tendrils seeped from their skin, vibrating in anger. "MORE LIKE WHAT DID YOU DO? THAT'S THE REAL QUESTION!" Parasitix pointed at Pom again, but this time more forcefully. "Everything was FINE until YOU came along!" Parasitix swung their arm wide, as if to swipe away at something. "Rhuba was fine without you! I was making him the perfect battery! He doesn't want you, and he never will!" Parasitix calmed down briefly, and their voice seemed to brighten up, and again as he lacked an expression, one could be felt and heard, a deep smile. "You should just run away again, just like you ran from Arcose." Parasitix imitated the sound of spitting, and mimed spitting on the ground even though he lacked any facial features. "Pathetic."

---

A group of cowering elders and women screamed out as the wall came crashing around them, crushing a few under the debris. The ones that tried to run, was grabbed by a tendril and their energy drained. A crying echoed Rhuba's ears, having taken out everyone who ran, an Earthling had jumped over something before he dragged it away while draining them.

The crying was a little boy, clutching scraps of rags. The clothes left from the Earthling he had pulled off was clearly someone important to this child. They wore rags, as most of the dead around had. Parasitix wanted to consume the child, but Rhuba grabbed the tendril as it shot out to grab the child. Gripping it tightly, his energy broke past Parasitix's control and shot to it's untransformed maximum. "No." His voice came out hoarse, and cold. Turning away from the crying child he made his way out of the building through the hole in the concrete wall he had made earlier. The building itself was a church, the only building nearby that seemed to be well-kept--until now.

The entire exchange happened quickly, only taking a few seconds to consume the people he had surprised. Parasitix's control had subsided which meant Rhuba could immediately sense Pom nearby. His heart sank, being caught in the middle of doing something he shouldn't. It was the first time he had ever felt this as well, it wasn't like he had cared about anyone else's opinion about him before Pom. His eyes scanned for Pom nearby, and his heart sunk further once he finally saw him. Though, he immediately wondered, why was Maxsuz here as well?

This is gonna get worse, isn't it?

WC:   603
TWC: 2,494

Base PL: 100,000 (50,000 PL for Rhuba, 50,000 PL for Parasitix using flavored multiform)

HP: 0%/250% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Aggressive Attacker (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Raw Talent (2/2) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1)

Parasitix laughed, visibly and audibly, although still no facial features to speak of on their face. Pom's anger just made them even happier, finally he wasn't such a disgustingly happy person like he was around Rhuba! "There it is!" The way Parasitix spoke made it seem like they were searching for that anger, they had wanted to pull it out of Pom, which is exactly what was happening. The moment Parasitix was grabbed, they howled in laughter, his arm unnaturally bending with Pom's grab.

"Your Rhuba?" The laughing continued, and it would continue even as they spoke, the laugh mixing with their words. "You think you're good for him?" Parasitix's laughter magically formed around them as sound, which began to speed up and amplify briefly before ending in silence. "You've caused the boy nothing but pain. Doesn't know who he is anymore. Is afraid to anger you, afraid to fight, he's never been so scared! You fool, you do not help!" Parasitix slipped out of Pom's grab, turning into the child-version of Rhuba, shrinking in size drastically.

"You and I are not so different." Parasitix magically produced chains around their wrists and ankles, as he looked up at Pom, still as a child-version of Rhuba. "You enslave him in your own way." Parasitix broke the chains they had created, morphing back into the form they had taken previously, faceless once more. "I've done nothing but free him of his chains, while you placed even more on him!" Parasitix said angrily, referring to Rhuba's new attitude toward killing.

Finally, it happened, what he had truly wanted. Pom attacked Parasitix, sending a knee their way. Parasitix took the hit, and fell to their knees as Pom grabbed their shoulder. Parasitix could have attacked Pom during the exchange, but they no longer needed to, Pom had fell for the trap already.

---

Rhuba couldn't speak, just stood there staring at the two, his heart felt like it was going to explode. For some reason, they seemed to be arguing with each other, the confusing situation left him even more stunned. Then it happened, all part of Parasitix's plan from the start. From his point of view, Maxsuz (Pom) had just kneed Pom (Parasitix) and sent him to the ground. The ground underneath Rhuba cracked as his energy skyrocketed, the already dilapidated concrete snapped and broke apart, the church behind him collapsing. His eyes locked on the injured Pom (Parasitix), then looking back up at Maxsuz (Pom), before a cloud of dust overtook him and the surrounding area.

"POM!" Rhuba's voice was hoarse, and screeched out of him in anger, through grit teeth. "STOP! DON'T YOU DARE HURT THEM!" Rhuba's senses were entirely scrambled by Parasitix, not only did he see, smell, and hear Maxsuz (Pom), the ki signature he sensed from him was identical as well. Rhuba didn't care if Maxsuz was stronger than him in this moment, nor if Maxsuz could flick him away with just one hand. He'd not stand there while someone hurts Pom.

The dust cleared, Rhuba's silhouette had shot straight through the dust, behind him a trail of clean air through the dust cloud. The moment he was within reach, he'd grab Pom (Parasitix) and sling them away from Maxsuz (Pom) and start his Lightspeed Rush. Rhuba shouted through each punch, striking at what he had assumed was Maxsuz (Pom) with a flurry of punches at the man's face and torso, his eyes filled with anger, swinging his fists wildly. The punches he swung with were full power, aiming to seriously hurt Maxsuz, though his power had been halved due to Parasitix and he was still unaware of that fact.

Rhuba... attacks Pom...

WC:   601
TWC: 3,095

Base PL: 100,000 (50,000 PL for Rhuba, 50,000 PL for Parasitix using flavored multiform)

HP: 0%/250% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Aggressive Attacker (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Raw Talent (2/2) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1)

For some reason his hits were all landing. It was never this easy when it came to Maxsuz, something was off. The attacks pushed him back, and Maxsuz... scrambled away and kick Rhuba in the chest. Rhuba was baffled, and backed away briefly during the kick. Rhuba blinked, the entire scene now different. The bruised and battered Pom now stood before him, staring back at him in pain. Rhuba couldn't speak, stunned, his eyes began to scan the area, unable to look at Pom. What had he done? Rhuba tried to reach out, but realizing what he had done he could hardly move his body.

A laughter rang from behind him, one only Rhuba could hear. It was Maxsuz's voice again, and in a mocking tone, would begin to berate the man. "The monkey thought they could have love?" Rhuba turned to see the voice, there was nothing behind him, no Pom, nothing. Parasitix had already rejoined with Rhuba, and was now giving him visual and auditorial hallucinations.

Rhuba's head turned quickly back to Pom as he felt his weak energy disappear, what lay before him was the once injured Pom, now face down, no longer breathing, eyes devoid of light. Rhuba audibly gasped, his heart didn't sink, it just felt pure pain. His chest, his stomach, all of them began giving warning signs. Parasitix was playing the worst trick he could on Rhuba, making him believe he had just killed Pom. Rhuba leaned forward, and fell to the ground, and expelled everything he had eaten for the day on the ground.

For Parasitix, Pom getting away was not a part of his plan, the little lizard had gained enough strength on their own and with Rhuba to withstand a weakened Rhuba, that was not something Parasitix had imagined would happen. Though, this new plan would do for now, they'd finish the job with Pom after.

"No..." His voice broke as he began to mumble no over and over, turning his head left and right scanning the surrounding area, as if searching for someone. In a stupor, he stood up and reached out with both of his hands, tears streaming out of his eyes. "NO!" He screamed abruptly, the ground shook violently, multiple makeshift wooden buildings nearby collapsed. Rhuba took no heed to anything around him, and began walking in a direction away from the body, "Pom?" He sobbed, unable to sense his energy anymore.

The ground around him began to quake as he walked around the destroyed buildings. Most of the destruction was from his earlier onslight, but surprisingly a lot of the buildings were dilapidated before Rhuba. "P-Pom?" Rhuba could see a faint green glow in front of his eyes, and slowly walked across the shaking concrete of a sidewalk that had long been overrun by grass. Each step broke the ground, his hair standing on end as he walked.

Rhuba finally made his way to what he had believed to be Pom, the green figure had to be. Who else was colored like his Pom? No one! "Pom?" He looked up, and wiped his eyes only to be met with a blinking sign that had fell over, the electricity still running through it.

Parasitix whom had been just letting this all play out, finally reached out to Rhuba to tell him that it was Maxsuz who was at fault. Parasitix then felt a burning ki start to boil out from Rhuba. The ki burned Parasitix, and hurt as it began pouring out of Rhuba.

"MAXSUZ!" The scream pierced the silence and sobs, dust kicked up in all directions, the scream came out with such force and was extended for such a long time that by the end of it Rhuba felt that his lungs might rip in half. A  power began to well up inside him, exactly like when he had first transformed into his Wrathful state. He just had to dig in and open the gates, which was the final reason for him to give in to grief.

Parasitix had began panicking, realizing that the power that was being released was something they could not contain, let alone absorb all at once. It began searching Rhuba's body for the source, the well of power being tapped into. Finally! Parasitix caught the source, and quickly began to metaphorically cover the well so Rhuba could not tap into it any longer.

The ground was shaking, Rhuba could feel the power, the energy, it was moments away. Shouting at the top of his lungs, he pulled it out with all his might and NOTHING! Rhuba stood there gripping his fists, panting, his and face damp with tears. Nothing happened, no power up, the well was gone. That's when Parasitix chimed in, telling Rhuba that if he wants to avenge Pom they had to go get Maxsuz.

Rhuba couldn't leave Pom here like this. Perhaps it was possible to save him still? Walking back to where Pom had perished, there was no longer a body. A voice pierced his brain, Maxsuz's voice once more. "Monkeys don't get to mourn. I destroyed the body, now get over it." Rhuba's eyes flashed a different color for a brief moment, and Parasitix realized his mistake. The patch over the well cracked, and Parasitix quickly told Rhuba that he knew where Maxsuz was.

Luckily for Parasitix that information was enough to distract Rhuba from power up again, he'd take the information and with more speed and power he's ever expended, shot off in the direction he was told to go. Buildings, walls, animals, Earthlings, nothing mattered, nay, existed for Rhuba as he angrily flew toward Maxsuz.

Rhuba... exits.

WC:   942
TWC: 4,037

Base PL: 100,000

HP: 0%/250% (+0%)
KP: 6/6 (+0)
MP: 0/6 (+0)

Traits: Saiyan Pride (Inactive) | Aggressive Attacker (1/1) | Zenkai (Inactive) | Raw Talent (2/2) | Noble Blood (+20% HP/+30% Critical Threshold)
Items: Battle Armor (Unused) | Battle Liner | Elite Arm Blaster (1/1)