Livelihood Invasion! Come Brawl, Tuffle [Cheri]

Good and evil. So odd to think about, as it was hard for him to tell them apart in a way that didn’t have to do with what one’s acts were. Could one be inherently good or naturally evil? That was not a strange concept but it was of course difficult to apply to real life. She was honest enough to tell him; there was no going back probably for the Saiyans.

“I don’t blame your people.”

He could imagine they probably had a poor sight of his own race by now, scars that were impossible to meddle without many years spent in trying to seek a resolution or a state of harmony. Regardless, he knew that it couldn’t happen just like that. Exactly not when the Saiyans were that thirsty for war and domination.

“I will hold hope for you too, then. Your kind deserves some rest. Maybe both sides do, they just don’t know it.”

A brow rose in shock. A play? One of those theatrics no less? He wasn’t sure what she meant exactly, did it mean it was epic? Well, he guessed maybe it wasn’t that bad as a material. They did have theaters in their world, after all. So he knew what one was but he never really thought about it as that intricate of a situation.

It kind of was. To the point where Nasu could only rely on very little information, as he didn’t know a lot or everything. He had been banished after all, as any other Saiyan. There was no information collecting without risks and effort and honestly, he wanted to move on for now.

The man reached the very peak of his pace as each strike transferred and leaked some level of impact, but something was not right; even if the effect was usually slightly delayed, in that very moment he did not see Cheri stutter: for the past repeated itself very soon enough, and her very uncunny technique once more assisted her in collecting all of the impact and transferring it back but stronger than before.

This was new. But what was hilarious by now is that he didn’t exactly have to experience the very combination of strikes but rather just one blast that combined the impact of all three, that in the end, completely knocked him down to the ground again. His head couldn’t help but even spin at first. Was this due to the rotational effects of his strikes?

After all he wasn’t done for just yet!

Honestly if he wasn’t a fighter by now he would have probably gotten a concussion from his own strike.

He groaned just slightly, his body sunk in the ground itself. Thankfully this time none of his blows vaporized his clothes; he seriously had no idea where he could get new ones, after all. But still, his topless body laid there for a few seconds. His eyes blinked to retrieve a sense of colors, shapes and whatnot.

However! Right now, it was the greatest moment in both space and time; as azure energy would once more gather around him, she could see it, and little by little— oh, it stopped. Instead of once more summoning another dragon, his very urge to try harder this time was stopped by the Tuffle. He saw Cheri from down there, his sight soon focused on her person as she spoke.

A dutiful guardian, no less she called him. And even a… honourable paladin? His head just slightly rose and looked at her, at first in confusion but he was quick to break eye contact. What was with all these compliments? They did rub off a little on him, causing a slighter joy inside of his heart even more enjoyable than the one of seasoned grapes made into holy juice.

After all, he didn’t think that highly of himself ever since all the misfortunes in his life and the way he couldn’t prevent them. Cheri instead smiled and almost promised that something better could perhaps be just around the corner; the man sat up, but did not stop there instead as his head lowered and allowed his hand to close around her forearm, taking the lead to come to his knees to sit up at where they could be at face height.

“...I would say that I am listening.”

His tragic past.

It was, in a sense, he couldn’t deny that much. And now that he was in a more comfortable position with Cheri, he didn’t seem like he had anything else to add for now. His head nodded, his eyes were of course pointed towards her albeit of course at times he’d get distracted by her pink hair. The contrast in color wasn’t new in space, he just did. But before long his eyes would fall once more short upon hers.

The level of speech now fell upon the very ground upon which they stood. The world and its state, its health and its condition. She wasn’t wrong in believing that they needed help, but of course even Nasu by now was slowly beginning to grow tense as the speech continued. Not because there was any reason to be, but rather he was anticipating what she was about to say. Or rather offer him, maybe.

This wouldn’t have been the first time either. Ever since his ways fell and most of his time was spent throughout space, many others, seeing his identity as a Saiyan, tried to hire or recruit him. Mercenary work, mostly. Time and time again he denied, left and right. With no exception. That was because it had no purpose but money. His pride as a former Knight wouldn’t have it, of course.

“Help… you?”

He repeated softly, his eyes indeed looking into hers still. A soft breeze came, the time itself felt longer than perhaps it should have. The man was left to wonder: she just offered him a reason for being, didn’t she? And yet, even his body was nervous now. His heartbeat began to skip a beat every now and then, and his tail wagged left and right but even then. There was a reason he hesitated to take on a job; he wanted to find something he could be dedicated towards, and yet, he also refused to try time and time again.

In a way, did he perhaps make himself at fault? Was his condition partly his fault as well?

“It’s not fair.”

Nasu mentioned, his eyes shut briefly and interrupted any contact with the world outside. He wished to enjoy that darkness for just a minute to allow his brain and heart to calm down. Honestly, the perspective of once more finding an alignment such as that, was exciting no less. He knew the Tuffles would give him a hard time, but he didn’t mind. He loved a good struggle and even more so, he knew it had to be done. Plus, there was Cheri who didn’t really detest him.

“When you put it that way...”

Admittedly hearing ‘please’ from her was a factor, too.

Not too long ago Nasu did not even know what a Tuffle is, and the very first introductions he received were pretty poor but he decided not to leave it to that and forced an interaction. Of course he couldn’t expect to learn or sympathise so much with one, but in no time, he had come to like Cheri and respect her. Her reason was in the right.

“I accept.”

His eyes opened and returned a warm smile. For once, even. He wasn’t too sure if he smiled at all lately, honestly. Perhaps besides a chuckle to laugh at a joke or two, but he never truly smiled. It wasn’t very wide, but it was sincere as even his firm stare became a little softer and narrow.

“—...It’s hard to refuse, that is all. Honestly I had already decided at least not to get involved with the other Saiyans, ever since I’ve learned, more or less, the events of this world from you. However you are right. I need to start over with my life. To do so, I need a purpose and I too believe the Tuffles deserve better. Allow me to help you with that.”

By now his gaze was fixed and lost in hers, completely attentive and dedicated to expressing his resolve.

Again, he knew he would have a hard time with Tuffles, of course. But he also believed it’d be best, other than his resilience, perhaps, if the Tuffles were to have a Saiyan ally maybe that’d play a factor one day, so that their people wouldn’t hate his kin that much one day. It was still too soon but it wouldn’t hurt to be ambitious every now and then. Not even Nasu hated the Saiyans after all, but he was ready to battle them if that meant helping this species.

"Thank you, Cheri."

The world became a bit weird for him, at the moment, too of course. He didn't at first expect to somehow be recruited into a cause per se, he was mostly expecting it from the Saiyans. Albeit there was perhaps truly no way that he could stay neutral once he heard this kind of story, but of course, this meant taking on a larger responsibility than perhaps even he was ready for; yet he loved the feeling.

The very toughness of the scenario and difficulty could only make this all the more exciting for him, he did not see this as a path he could just walk expecting Cheri to help him out either.

She was still a Tuffle no less. Not because he had anything against her, but he was sure she also had her own problems with Saiyans. And Nasu himself needed to grow to a state where he could help others once more. His very eyes shut again briefly, and nodded.

“It’s not the fulfillment I seek. Chivalry was what gave me life and it’s how I shall once more live. I cannot promise you that I will be able to defend your people, Cheri. I have seen the Saiyans from this world. They’re strong. But I was trained to fight to my last breath. So I can at least promise that much.”

The very issue of his world was that he couldn’t exactly describe what led him to even accept; it was a spirit within himself that just pushed him to do what he believed to be the right thing. Even if perhaps he couldn’t quite confirm it to be, it was what it led him to. He didn’t do it for the Tuffles alone or Cheri, but his rotten soul as a Knight obliged him to accept.

Soon enough, she caught his attention: did he look too much like a Saiyan? He could kind of see that, honestly. But admittedly, he didn’t know what to do about that. And to be real, he didn’t know what to do about it for the sole reason that to him it’d have felt like running away, like a coward, from his very identity. Cowardice at its finest, not to mention he couldn’t possibly dream of both helping and lying at somebody all the same.

“I am sorry, Cheri. I may accept armor and dresses, but I am not going to dye my hair. If you would rather, I am ready to cut off my very tail before you. However I will not hide that I am a Saiyan or even admit otherwise if I were to be asked. I will not lie. I am no vile. Honesty will bring the right. To lie will only delay the hurricane. I cannot see a lie coming to fruition very well, to hide my very identity.”

He soon paused briefly, he stood up and looked down at her. Even his tail was acceptable, as even without it, he was easy to recognize as a Saiyan due to his looks and physique, but not even that, his tail was merely just an extra limb to him. It meant no strength. His smile had already died down by that.

“And for you as well. We have just met, but you could be a total stranger and I would not allow it. If I were to be caught one day, and I would, you’d be the first responsible as the one who’d have brought me to your people.”

It was almost amusing how perhaps amongst the Saiyans, a different evolution and discipline could produce something such as this; but it was no mere kindness or goodness. This was golden chivalry at its finest. He slowly turned away, with his arms folded over his chest. He walked a somewhat considerable distance before he once more faced her.

“I shall help the Tuffles. But I will also carry the burden that my kin has caused. It is the sin of my blood.”

There was no doubt that he was serious about all of this; his voice felt confident. Real, as if he spoke a speech to a couple or hundreds of people. Albeit, it was only as deep and mature as ever (well at least his voice was), he did not feel the need for anything else but his very duty to take place. He did not wish to disguise himself or hide his identity at all. He was ready to be judged, abused and whatnot. A Knight never faltered.

The man nodded and once more, looked towards her. His sight fixed to hers before his head tilted just slightly, his tone soon inquired. “Shall we finish our spar, Cheri? What do you say? Or do you desire something else?”

He held back once she compared the two factors, for she was right but it wasn’t exactly fulfillment that he wanted, sought or needed. He didn’t need to be fulfilled: there was no life without work, essentially. The entire system needed a labor force to go on, but it wasn’t a matter of economics, politics or productivity: it was about his life. The moment duty was off his life, he couldn’t see anything else as pointless and useless.

What was the point of friends if you couldn’t cherish your joys with them? It was all part of the fact that Nasu made a purpose in his life and once lost, that hurt the most. In the end it could have gone worse: he could have gone astray and filthy like the other Saiyans, but he didn’t.

“Fulfillment was another thing. It was my family. My wife and my children. But you could say they’re gone together with my past life, yes.”

Work to him didn’t need to give him fulfillment. Having a reason to exist alone was enough to grant him life. So, he was of course grateful to Cheri, but still tense whatsoever. Despite all factors, the man was certainly nervous to begin a path such as this.

He nodded to her thanks, for he wasn’t sure what else he could add.

Nasu shook his head, of course he had taken no serious wound or insult to her disguise comment however he wanted to make it clear: it was against him. “I know I will have a hard time, probably. But I think I can take it. And even if I can’t I will toughen up, what can I say?”

He chuckled briefly, he wasn’t too caring about that. Maybe he’d grow to be, but that wasn’t something he could predict.

Nasu was… kind of confused. What did she mean by unleash? What was catharsis even? The Saiyan was smart enough to comprehend things and have some level of empathy, but what was that word even? Not once had he heard it, honestly. But of course this led him to wondering if she was asking him to use his full power. It was true that he could probably tap into it but in doing so he’d have also caused quite the ruckus. He didn’t think he wanted to do just that with Cheri, not in a friendly spar like this.

Not to mention that she could probably hold onto things herself even if he were to pull it out, she was still weighing herself down after all. Therefore, making himself stronger wasn’t going to do a lot.

“Are you sure you want me to unleash my full power? It’s not something I enjoy tapping into; I can control myself but it makes me get rough.”

That was his first thought, of course. As he couldn’t quite see it anyhow else. A blast came his way, from her blaster; if anything he put up his arms and had himself block it with the bottom of his one forearm; it exploded against it, he sighed quietly to himself. It stung, and scratched as if the whole skin pulled itself together into a single, small point of his arm. It was annoying.

But once the smoke was cleared he began to form energy but this time at his hands, into small blasts; he tossed them all up in the air, at times he threw them so hard he had to nearly spin not to fall. After five blasts, he threw his arms down; he revealed that all blasts had been floating in the sky, above her, much like balloons before now they were commanded to descend down upon her.

Unleash and… catharsis weren’t meant to him, as in for his power? Honestly all Nasu could do to such a revelation was to sweat it out, just so kindly enough not to look at her in a weird way. What did she mean exactly? Catharsis was one such word he had never heard before, but of course he could probably understand it if he was to explain it. Admittedly he didn’t care if she wanted his full power, but he saw it as a flip of the tables that wasn’t impossible to disregard.

“Oozaru? Do the Saiyans need to transform into apes to truly harness that power? I do not use that form. I wouldn't have been able to make use of my swordsmanship in that case.”

Nasu came quite ignorant to that subject yet and left him with very little to imagination, was this planet that prone to giant monkeys walking around? If anything, even to Nasu, the very Saiyan himself it was kind of a dread. For such a daydream only brought him memories of his very past, of a night he’d have rather forgotten by now.

“I do not need that.”

He confirmed but then once more, of course, maybe he could let the spar continue at this rate. The man doubted things could have gotten more exciting like that, either.

“It’s alright.”

The man wasn’t sure if she was genuinely trying to be his psychiatrist but he didn’t really feel like he needed THAT kind of support, not yet at least. He felt quite fine besides some bad memories here and there, unless Tuffles were that weak emotionally? Maybe so, but he wouldn’t try and take advantage of such to be pitied upon.

“I am a grown-up man, all things considered. You do not have to hold my hand through this. I will support your kind as I have promised. I do appreciate your take but I do not see this fight as a pact. I was just interested to learn about Tuffles. And I like what I found out.”

He did not feel like he had to fight to get past problems. Maybe he did, but admittedly that wasn’t something he could just go ahead and say it. Because even if it truly was so, it had to be engraved in his genes so far and beyond and of course there was no way he’d have that kind of insight. But well, if anything she looked like she wanted to help him.

Speaking of her, with that quick and fast shot of hers once more his attack was taken away. It was a bit annoying, she was at his same level yet her arsenal was vastly better than his. He had to take notes, somehow, but for now there was no way he could come up with something new out of nowhere. All he could do was fire his best shot and hope it’d hit, this time. Therefore, the man let his ki build up.

Once more Nasu lifted his very foot from the ground, his body horizontal while from the axis on which his legs stood, a blue spiral began to emerge. It was bright, shining and had some kind of feral trait. Soon enough the hovering dragons appeared again and this time, the area became way brighter than before. Even more energy was within, and yet, something was off with their color; they looked brighter, but they were losing their azureness by the moment; the color grew dim. Yet the light made it hard to quite distinguish the color of their energy.

The dragons once more rushed against the blast and it pushed way back against it, overwhelming it even to the point where they just absorbed it off into their body but the energy dragons didn’t stop and continued to fly over to Cheri until they'd get a good bite of her.

There was no point in even disputing this one thing: Cheri was strong. And sadly she was winning, whilst Nasu didn’t seem to hold his pride on the line for this thing, a spar in his favor was an entirely different feeling from one where he couldn’t even land a hit. Yes, because he thought over it and honestly he was the only one that had taken significant damage, between the two at least! But how? They were approximately the same power level.

He had to think over it. What had Cheri done so far, up until now? Admittedly, every single moment that Nasu believed he could have landed a hit, she proved him otherwise every single time. Albeit not with an intricate amount of techniques, she knew moves that could pretty much counter his entire arsenal. That was problematic, because at this point he wasn’t quite sure what could damage her from his part.

The entire problem was that as long as they were tied in power, her moves would allow her to return the damage back to him. It was a problem, because he had no idea what he could truthfully do at this point. The easiest option would have been overpowering her, of course. And he could do it; if he were to do it right now, he’d be able to deal her quite a good amount of damage.

But there also came the question of: was it honorable? The very entity of this was a spar, no more than friendly competition. Nothing was on the line, not to mention the fact that the Tuffle herself lowered her power to fight him on equal terms; if he were to go ahead and unleash the primal power he held back, he’d have dishonored himself further than what the last years hadn’t already.

In truth, of course, soon his eyes would open fully for the truth to embrace Nasu: it wasn’t only a matter of power, she had techniques that were way more versatile than his that were just a ‘if it hit, it’d destroy you’ kind of deal. For some reason, of course, that made him realize he was no old dog, after all. He could still grow so much more, learn and better himself. He could become an even stronger fighter, but he had to first realize how and what path to take.

The man couldn’t just try and copy her techniques; surely he could find a way, but it didn’t mean they’d suit him. He had to go and become stronger in another way, in his own way. He smiled to himself, this was quite the piece of knowledge acquired, all thanks to this small companion, acquaintance, ally… or whatever, he just made. He wasn’t sure if she was a friend yet, but if it could be worth anything for the Tuffle, he was grateful.

“I do appreciate the hint. I cannot say I like what it means.”

Nasu chuckled to himself briefly before he braced himself; what was she going to do, exactly? His eyes remained firm with an unnerved gaze, he couldn’t help but soon move to notice the fact itself that she latched upon his technique and sent it back again, but in addition to that, his sense felt another power fired straight at him; it was the Lightspeed Shot again!

That was one of the moments where a fighter would experience a passage of time way slower than what could be considered typical, he felt like every detail moved on slow enough for him to at least think up a quick course of action but there was very little to do; either he could stall this long enough, or try something different. There was no saying that even if he were to delay the inevitable, Cheri was already exercising quite the energy and therefore even if he was to find her in such a spot again, the same scene would probably repeat itself. There was no need for himself to feel bitter or sore about it, this was definitely her spar. But besides that, he at least wished to hurt her a little.

Not in the bad way: he had known Cheri for not even an hour and he already swore to protect her. He wouldn’t be the one to hurt her or disappoint her by powering up, but of course, he didn’t want to leave the spar this way. So, he decided to stand in the way of the first blast. It rose and grund, and ‘burned’ against him! He could only leave the cries to himself, muffled in his throat in a groan that was far too deep to be audible.

His body was literally smoking. Not because he was hot, that too, but of course, it was for the very injuries that began to build up; he hurt. His eyes stung, but there was now once more his technique that had been sent back to him. He failed and lost this spar, but he had to learn from this and grow stronger! In a moment of adrenaline and ecstacy, the man sent his body flying towards the dragons and passed through them; leaving only an afterimage, he was now closer to the Tuffle, with both eyes wide open; he was going to make his next, maybe last or not move!

“Just a little more…”

He spoke to himself, with a voice deeper than before; he sounded like he needed to clear his throat or perhaps it was the pain that made it harder for him to pronounce words, besides that, he was ready to channel one attack and hit the pinkette! Soon enough once more his body would meet hers, for his kick spun and prepared to hit her from three different angles; just like a triangle, his form disappeared and reappeared only to land a blow at her head and shoulders.

He decided not to struggle or dodge her first blast to spare the energy and time so he could later secure a blow against the Tuffle.

“Well done I’d have to say to you… you are dominating it. But I begin to see what I should do to become as versatile as you, one day.”

Nasu breathed out briefly, now that he had struck her, it felt somewhat better for him. At least he did do some damage! She also complimented him, albeit he didn’t think he deserved any. He believed he could have performed way better this spar, and that most of his techniques had gone to waste; including his energy reserves and more. This was truly enlightening, he believed he could probably do better if there was a second time in the future. But he believed he hadn’t seen everything of Cheri yet, so that still remained a mystery.

“Honestly I think I can't last any much longer, so… these for you will be sloppy seconds if anything. But allow me to try at least a little harder.”

There was no way Nasu could win with just that strike of course, but it did hit! He finally struck the slightest bit of damage on her, albeit of course it wasn’t nearly enough for him to believe that could change anything in the course of the spar. But of course one could say he’d miss any of the shots he wasn’t going to take, therefore he decided not to call it quits there quite yet and instead moved on to try and keep it up.

Admittedly he wanted to concede right there, he could feel his muscles screaming. It was an acid-like scream, it spread each time it beat inside his body; it was like a heartbeat that was flowing around the entirety of his body and mind. It made him feel sick and weak, but not for that he couldn’t continue. He still had plenty to throw, but for a spar it was beginning to look like it could end right there and here: this wasn’t a battle, after all. But perhaps he had to at least try, just a little harder.

Just a little more. He wanted to give it another shot.

It was difficult but the man decided not to back down just yet; while Cheri used once more that entity. What was that? With eyes in wonder he stared, from up close this time, as she created a quarterstaff.

“What…”

He would have asked what that was if he had time but it wasn’t long that he suddenly felt a sense of void underneath his feet, as if he could no longer stand; that was because she swooped him right off the ground, and before he could even fall, she began hitting him in the peak of his abs; he could feel the air he held in his body escaping with no end, leaving him out of air.

His eyes were wide in surprise and shock, but both pain and frustration as well. The more the latter he grew, the more his ki began to leak; creating a tendril of golden strings that danced around his body. Before long his hand stood upon the very quarterstaff, and used it as a lever to showcase great flexibility and flip backwards. He now stood upon the quarterstaff upside down and in just a moment’s notice, he let go.

The Saiyan let himself spin forward and with a leg forward, he was ready to strike her down with newfound power and at the first kick that was aimed for the leg, he’d spin left and right to completely target each side of her head, performing another Triple Force but this time it was stronger; Nasu tapped into his reserves of energy to unleash greater strength without having to transform into an Oozaru!