Chapter 69 - Jackson Powers Up! (1/2)

Age 1990

”Go on... Power up. I'll wait.” Seth said calmly.

Jackson frowned as he stared at the man. ”You'll regret giving me this chance.”

”Oh... Will I?”

”You will...”

”What is he planning now...” Kitsune asked taking a step back. Every hair on his body was standing up, as he felt nothing but tremendous waves of power coming off of the new, monster, that Zero had become.

”Jackson is getting ready to power up!” Cloud said slowly.

”Oh come on! He can get even stronger!” Ken hissed out throwing her hands in the air. ”At this rate, we'll never catch up! Why are these guys so much stronger than us!” She complained.

Irene ignored the three recruits, as she stared over to the unconscious body of Hero that, was on the other side of the cave. Maudite was by Hero's side as a blue light came off of her enveloping Hero in her energy as she did her best to try and heal him. A small amount of Steam slowly rose from the unconscious boy's body, as color began to come back to his pale cheeks.

”Hey,” Kitsune said reaching out and placing a hand on Irene's shoulder. ”Don't worry. I'm sure Hero will be fine. He wouldn't let himself get killed by some simple stab through the gut. That's way to boring for his taste.”

”Thanks...” Irene said smiling slightly. Kitsune smiled back at her causing her to look away out of embarrassment.

”Did... Did I do something wrong?” Kitsune asked sheepishly to Cloud. Cloud just gave a shrug while Ken stared at Irene with mild suspicion.

”Kids!” Jackson barked out. ”Step back... This is gonna get messy.” He hissed out.

”What exactly are you planning!” Kitsune questioned hesitantly.

”I'm powering up to 100%” Jackson stated calmly as a small amount of electricity slowly trickled off of him in small amounts of waves. ”I highly suggest that you all don't get in my way. This is gonna be messy...” He said slowly. ”And I have trouble controlling this much power...”

Zero smirked as he pointed his sword arm up towards Jackson. He lightly waved his other normal arm out as his calm face began to twist into a cruel and arrogant smile showing off that he was still being altered by the Corruption. ”Well... Go on. Get on with it! I don't have all day... This body is craving to battle you... It really is a strange feeling. In a way, I guess you can say that I have become the true Zero. I am now the strongest Samurai.”

Jackson gave a slight smirk as he stabbed his sword into the ground. Slowly he brought his hands up clasping them both together. ”I've only ever had to do this twice now, so I'm a bit rusty at it...” He said slowly. He closed his eyes as he began to steady his breathing. Blue electricity began to crackle off of him slowly, as a white aura surrounded him. This aura was massive though. Big enough to cloak the surrounding area in a white light. His lightning crackled around the aura as it seemed to rapidly get smaller, then bigger as if it was breathing. A warm feeling spread throughout the cave, heating everyone up and brightening the entire cave.

There was something else too though... Something more?

”Wh-What is this feeling...” Kitsune questioned placing a hand on his heart.

”This is...” Cloud went quiet as he shook his head.

”This feels weird,” Ken said also shaking her head. She felt a weird happiness running through her body, and a jolt, like she had just gotten shocked. But at the same time, she was still feeling her own emotions...

”I don't understand...” Irene muttered out.

”It's his emotions.” Zero commented as he gave another smirk. ”What you are all feeling is Jackson Storm's emotions, and Equation Of Pure Life. You are feeling the very essence of the man known as Jackson Storm...” He stated. 'So... This is how you feel about this.' Zero thought as he let out another small laugh.

Jackson still held his eyes closed, as his hands were still placed together. Then slowly the aura around him began to actually shrink down and go around him.

A massive white light suddenly exploded around him as a tremendous force, of pure power, and energy shot through the roof of the cave, shaking the entire cave.

A massive build-up of pressure fired out pushing everyone, but Zero back, as all the recruits let out loud yelps of panic.

”It! It's too much!” Kitsune gasped out as he was thrown back.

”How can anyone be this strong...” Cloud muttered out doing his best to stand his ground, but he was still being pushed back by the sheer overwhelming might that came from it.

”So... So this is the kind of power I'm going to surpass!” Ken said with determination.

”Those two are completely out of our league.” Irene hissed out.

Jackson still stood as a massive white pillar of light was enveloping him.

It went from a simple plain white color, to a smooth and calming silver. Electricity crackled around in it as Jackson's body expanded by a small extent, and his muscles seemed to perk up, and grow by a small amount. When it was all said and done he now stood cloaked in a silver aura, with white electricity crackling off of him. His hair stood up and fell down as he let out a breath he had been holding.

Jackson took a deep breath as his electric blue eyes peered at Zero. ”Well... Is this what you were waiting for?” He asked calmly as he placed a hand on the handle of his sword that was still stabbed into the ground.

”Ho, ho!” Zero said giving a sly smile. ”I'm impressed... My old self would have surely lost to you easily... I doubt I even would have stood a chance... You've certainly powered up... It is almost unfair how you Nobles get a free powerup just waiting to be tapped into.”

”Well nothings changed. You still don't have any chance of beating me now.” Jackson spoke as the white lightning around him crackled. ”This is my Pure Equation! The Noble Life. The Power granted to us by God!”

”Well... Let's put it to the test shall we...”

There was massive crack as the sound barrier shattered when both men rocketed forward. Jackson tore his sword out of the ground appearing next to Zero who swung his blade arm forward!

The two blades collided as a massive aura of power shot out from the two blowing all of the kids back once again as the ground underneath the two men actually melted from the heat generated from the speed and power of the clash.