"So you don't remember why you hate me?"
Jack quickly leaped back and took his stance. Kuro put one hand in his pocket and the other hand to his side.
"I hate you why?"
Jack asked as Kuro fixed his glasses.
"I took something from you, something precious to you."
Kuro slowly began to walk towards Jack.
"What did you take?"
Jack nervously asked, keeping his stance.
"If you don't remember then it means you're not ready."
Kuro stopped and stood in place.
"Not ready for what?"
"To know the truth."
Kuro said appearing behind Jack. Jack didn't have time to react as Kuro backhanded him and sent him flying.
"Agh,"
Jack said as he rolled across the stage.
As Jack was rolling Kuro appeared behind him and kicked him up into the air. Jack spun around to prepare for impact. Jack's eyes widened as Kuro was already in front of him. Kuro grabbed Jack by the face and threw him into the ground. Jack slammed against the stage creating a small crater. Jack coughed and started to move. As Kuro slowly walked towards him. Jack stood to his feet beaten up and bruised. Jack wiped his left eye to get the dirt out of it. Jack spout and rubbed his chin. Jack jumped at Kuro and threw a straight punch at Kuro. Kuro sued to the left and knees Jack in the gut. Jack grunts as he quickly recovers. He pushes off the knee and launches himself upwards. Kuro looked up as Jack came spinning down. Jack put his leg out and went for a spinning ax kick. Kuro reached up and grabbed his leg. Kuro turned around while holding onto Jack's leg and slammed him into the ground. Kuro still holding onto Jack's leg lifted him. He punched Jack in the gut and sent him flying. Jack hit the ground and rolled around until Jack grabbed the ground with all his might to stop himself. Jack felt a hand on top of his head. He looked through the corner of his eye and saw Kuro. Kuro started to slam Jack's head into the ground repeatedly.
"Come on Jack."
Loki said in the crowd as he tightened his fist.
Suddenly a red aura erupted from Jack pushing Kuro back. Jack stood up and wiped his forehead. Jack adjusted his hat and turned towards Kuro.
"Red armor."
Jack said as Kuro just stood there.
Kuro took his other hand out of his pocket. Jack took his stance as he heard a voice in his head.
"Hate,"
Jack didn't recognize the voice but he didn't have time to worry about that now. Jack dashed towards Kuro. Kuro charged towards Jack as their fist clashed creating a shock wave. Jack quickly followed with a spinning back kick. Kuro ducked under it and went to sweep Jack's leg. Jack's leg was swept as he fell backwards to the ground. Jack caught himself with his hands. He used the moment to launch himself towards Kuro. Kuro sued to the right and punched Jack in the side. Jack went flying but not as far as last time. He quickly recovered and charged towards Kuro once again. Jack started to hop around Kuro and charged him from the left. Jack threw a straight punch at Kuro's face. Kuro lifted his arm and blocked the attack. Kuro lifted his leg to sidekick Jack. Jack jumped over the kick and landed on the other side of Kuro. He went to kick Kuro in the gut as Kuro lifted his leg and blocked the attack. Jack jumped back as suddenly he stopped in mid-air. He looked over at Kuro as he saw his hand up.
"You can't beat me."
Kuro said as he pulled his hand back. Jack came flying towards Kuro. Kuro punched him in the face and slammed Jack into the ground.
"What is happening?"
Loki said, gripping his chair.
"Not only is he keeping up with red armor. He's completely overpowering Jack."
Dani said, rubbing his chin. Jack grabbed Kuro's arm and tried to kick him. Kuro grabbed Jack's leg before it could hit him as he shoved Jack further into the ground. Kuro grabbed Jack's face and lifted him. Kuro kicked him in the gut and sent him flying. Jack landed on the ground and started coughing. Jack slowly took his stance keeping his feet planted.
"He's fast, he's able to keep up with me. He can completely overpower me like it's nothing."
Kuro raised his hand and Jack froze in place.
"What is it? Not only can he pull someone to him he can stop them in place as well."
Jack thought to himself as he tried to think of a strategy. Kuro started to walk towards him.
"Red armor won't work. I defeated it before."
Kuro said, now standing in front of Jack.
"Before? I used the same power in the past to fight you?"
Jack asked, trying to break free of whatever was holding him.
"Yes, we did fight in the past however you were not the one using red armor. The previous user used red armor."
"Previous user?"
Jack said, still struggling to break free.
"Haven't you noticed the voices in your head? A person you didn't know appeared before you."
Jack thought back to his fight with Slider and the woman who wore the fox mask.
"Everyone is born with one core. It wasn't always like that. Core abilities used to only go to the strongest among us. Now they've spread throughout the world. Nonetheless, each person only has one core. However, there are those who possess more than one. Ancient families who have learned to pass their cores through the ages. You, Jack, possess two cores in it lies the consciousness and power of past users. Normally it would be impossible to use the power of a former user. They were meant to guide and track their successor. However, your aura manipulation ability allows you to change your aura to match the previous user. I must say quite an impressive feat."
As Jack was frozen Kuro got a phone call. Kuro pulled the phone out of his jacket and answered it.
"Yes, your majesty?"
Kuro said as he listened closely.
"Understood."
Kuro said as he hung up the phone and put it back in his jacket.
Jack landed on his feet and jumped back.
"Who...who am I?!"
Jack said, taking his stance.
"You're like me, a product of war. They've all lied to you, Jack. Your synthetic arm, leg, and eye were made by Fighter. How much else do you think he's hiding from you. You should have died all those years ago but you survived and thrived. However, you're too weak to remember any of it. You know I've only told you the truth. Come with me Jack I'll take you home. There your memories can be reawakened."
Kuro said, offering him his hand.
Jack stood there wondering what to do. As he started to move his hand towards Kuro's.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING JACK!!"
Jack looked up and over at the crowd and saw Loki standing on top of his chair.
"IF All YOU NEED TO DO TO REMEMBER IS GET STRONGER THAN LET'S STRONGER JACK. YOU MADE ME A PROMISE JACK ARE YOU GONNA BACK DOWN JUST BECAUSE THINGS ARE GETTING TOUGH. I'VE SEEN YOU OVERCOME OBSTACLE AFTER OBSTACLE!!"
Loki shouted
"HE'S RIGHT!"
Jack looked to the other side and saw Gerrit.
"NOW'S NOT THE TIME YOU'VE GOT A MATCH TO WIN."
Gerrit raises his fist in the air. Jack smiled and lifted his fist into the air and gave them all a thumbs up.
"Thank you, everyone."
Jack said to himself quietly. He jumped a few feet back and took his stance, his red armor burning even hotter.
"Sorry, Kuro but I don't have time to worry about the past right now. I made some promises I intended to keep. I'm gonna win this match and this tournament. I'll prove I'm strong enough and remember everything about myself."
Kuro lowered his hand and put it in his jacket pocket.
"My orders were to either bring you in or kill you."
Kuro lifted his hand and Jack was pulled towards him.
"If I can't fight the force I'll use it."
Jack thought to himself. As he pulled his left fist back. Jack threw a straight punch. Kuro caught the fist. Jack pulled back his right fist and punched at Kuro. Kuro caught this one as well. Jack lifted his foot and tried to high kick Kuro in the chin. Kuro backflips out of the way and lands on his feet. Jack quickly rushes towards him. As he starts to attack relentlessly.
"What's he doing? He just throwing attack after attack. He should already know that doesn't work."
Tucker said in worryment.
"He is,"
Loki said
"He told me about this. He has to build up power by attacking to unleash a powerful attack. He's attacking Kuro so that he can build up enough power to unleash the attack."
Loki said as they all watched nervously.
Up in the booth Fighter pressed a button and a blue energy shield popped up covering the stands.
"This way he can unleash all his power at once."
Fighter said as he continued to watch.
Jack continued to attack punch after punch, kick after kick. Kuro continued to block and parry each strike seamlessly. Jack tried to punch Kuro's chest. Kuro parried it to the side. Jack spun around for a triple spin kick. Kuro sued backwards avoiding all three kicks. Jack took his stance and quickly began to attack Kuro again. Each strike raised his power even higher.
"More,"
Jack thought to himself punching at Kuro.
"More, more, more I need to raise it even higher."
A huge gust of wind came from each strike as Jack's aura grew larger and larger. More heat built up as Jack's left eye glowed brighter, along with his right arm and left leg. Finally, after attacking relentlessly his fist was fully charged. He jumped back and started to focus all the power into his right arm.
"KUUUURO!"
Jack shouted, charging up his fist.
"I don't know why I hate you but I will one day. Even if it's not today it will be one day. Because today I take you down."
Jack put his right arm next to his side and planted his feet. Jack charged it up as Kuro stood waiting. All the surrounding aura went into Jack's arm as it glowed even brighter than in his fight with Slider.
"Go get 'em, Jack!!"
All the kids shouted as Jack charged Kuro. In the blink of an eye, Jack was in front of Kuro his fist pulled back.
"STAR BLAZING UUUUUUUPPPPPPPPPERCUUUUUUUUUUUUUT!!!!!!!"
Jack shouted as a giant red explosion in the shape of the star emitted from the stage. Pieces of the stage went flying and some were burnt to a crisp. A huge dust cloud appeared as pieces of the stage went flying off. As Loki saw Kuro sunglasses fly off the stage.
"He did it!"
Loki shouted as all the kids cheered. As Gerrit smiled and chuckled. They all watched waiting for the smoke to clear. The smoke cleared as they could now see the stage.
"I-Impossible"
Dani said dropping his popcorn,
"There's no way."
Loki said standing up. As they all looked down in horror as Kuro had blocked Jack's attack with one hand.
"I thought I told you,"
Kuro said.
Jack looked up as he could now see Kuro's blood-red eyes. Kuro extended his other hand out as his glasses came flying back to him.
"You can't defeat me."
Jack felt a sudden pressure on his body as he could no longer move. Fighter pressed the button and let the shields down.
"What are you doing?"
The Doctor asked looking up at Fighter.
"We may need to send in backup."
Fighter said, looking down. Kuro pointed two fingers up as Jack slowly rose in the air. Higher and higher he went until he was at the ceiling. Kuro pointed his finger down as Jack came flying down towards the stage. Jack tried to move anything he could. He couldn't no matter how hard he tried. Right before Jack hit the ground Kuro kicked him in the gut and sent him flying back upwards into the Ceiling. Jack crashed into the ceiling. Jack then came crashing down onto the stage. There was blood coming down from his forehead. There was so much blood his hat started to soak some of it up. Blood dripped from his right arm. As some came from his left leg as well. Jack spouted out some of the blood in his mouth and slowly tried to get up. Jack coughed up some blood as he got up to his feet. He held onto his right shoulder to try and stop the blood loss.
"That's enough!"
Gerrit shouted pointing his guns at Kuro. Kuro lifted one hand and Gerrit was frozen in place.
"Geeeeeritt!"
Jack shouted, turning his head towards Gerrit. He then looked back to Kuro.
"Let him go,"
Jack demanded.
"I was under the impression that you didn't remember anyone from your past."
Jack was confused as he took another step forward.
"What are you talking about?"
Gerrit tried to break free. He tried everything to try to break free to prevent what was about to happen.
"Gerrit is from Seikatsu, the two of you fought together."
Jack's expressions turned gray.
Jack looked at Gerrit in disbelief.
"No that's impossible."
Jack said to himself.
"Fighter and Gerrit I wonder who else has lied to you, Jack. You see your nothing but a test subject for them. You hold a piece of information that holds key to an ancient past. Once they have what they want they'll be done with you."
Kuro lowered his hand as Gerrit was still frozen. Jack fell to his knees as he could feel the pressure once again.
"You failed to beat me before Jack. You've built up this makeshift family of yours to try and fill the holes in your heart. You'll always be empty no matter what you do."
Kuro slowly walked up to Jack. Jack was on his knees trying to move.
"I tell you why you can never defeat me. I'm an aura manipulator. I expand my aura to cover large spaces. Everything within my aura is under my control. I can even manipulate it to create objects."
Kuro said as he reached his hand out and a purple double-sided sword assembled.
"Like so,"
He said as his sword floated in mid air.
Fighter quickly picked up the phone and called Sierra.
"Sierra get up here now, your boyfriend is about to be killed."
He said as Sierra quickly hung up and started to make her way there.
"Sierra is the only person here who would stand a chance against that guy."
Fighter said, looking down at the stage.
Jack kept trying to move as he grunted and boosted his aura even more.
"Move"
Jack thought to himself trying to break free.
"Move, move, move, move, move. You can't let it end here. You still have to share ice cream with Sierra. Learn the truth about who you are. Help Loki and the others get stronger. I can't let my mom cry, I have to..."
Jack thought to himself straining, even more, to break free. As he looked down at the ground with his eyes closed. Gerrit tried to move but he still couldn't. Loki and everyone in the crowd was shouting and cheering Jack on.
"COME ON JACK!!"
Dani shouted
"YOU CAN DO IT!"
Shouted Tucker,
"Don't die Jack I can't lose someone else."
Loki said as Syra looked down with a scared look. Sierra was running as fast as she could. Gerrit was struggling so much you could see the sweat coming off him.
"I have to liiiiiiiiiiiive!!"
Jack shouted as his red armor exploded like never before. Jack was pushing out more aura than before. It filled up the entire stage.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Jack shouted unable to move at all.
"Foolish."
Kuro said as he launched the sword at Jack. Jack shut his eyes tight as his aura slowly disappeared.
"This is it I couldn't do anything to stop it. I can tell just by fighting him he wasn't anywhere near his full power. There was nothing I could do to beat him. Yet I still feel this burning hatred towards and I don't why. Why, why, why do I hate him why?"
Jack kept his eyes closed waiting for Kuro's blade to pierce his heart and his life to end. As Jack's eyes were closed he heard someone shout out in pain and sorrow.
"LOKI!"
The voice sounded like Dani's.
Jack heard the sound of blood dripping and quickly opened his eyes and looked up.
"L-Loki?"
He said as he saw Loki standing in front of him. His arms out wide as he stood there. The blade went through his stomach and was a few inches away from Jack's face. The blade disappeared as Loki continued to stand there. Loki looked back with a smile on his face.
"Looks like I get to save your life this time huh."
He said as he coughed up blood and started to fall backwards.
"LOOOOOKI!"
Jack shouted as he could suddenly feel the pressure was off of him and he could move his body again. Jack quickly grabbed Loki and held him in his arms. Sierra arrived with a shocked looked on her face; she quickly jumped down and put her hands on the wounds. Green light emitted from her hands.
"It's gonna be okay alright buddy just hang on Sierra is gonna help you."
Jack said as he took his hat off and put it on Loki's head. Loki coughed and looked up at Jack.
"Jack there's something I have to tell you."
Loki said looking up at him.
"It's okay you can tell me when you're better alright."
Jack said, still holding him.
"When you first came to the orphanage I didn't trust you. All wanted to do was keep my family safe no matter what."
Loki said as Dani and Tucker had to hold Syra. Syra was screaming and yelling.
"No Syra if you use your ability here you may hurt Loki and everyone else."
Tucker said, pulling back. Dani quickly hugged her.
"It's gonna be okay Sierra got him okay calm down."
Dani said as she slowly calmed down.
"I always thought who is this guy. He acts more like a kid than me."
Loki continued.
"I saw you train and I saw you progress so fast, faster than anyone I had ever seen. Everyone warmed up to you eventually. All but me I still didn't trust you. Until that day I almost killed you and you forgave me. I didn't see it then but I do now. You had already seen me as a brother. So thank you, thank you for being my brother. I don't care what that guy says, we're a family, you're my brother. We look out for each other. I couldn't let you die, not when I could do something. I failed before to protect the person who was closest to me. I wasn't about to fail again. It looks like....I'll get to.....see her...smile....sooner. Than expected."
Loki said as his eyes closed with a smile on his face. As tears came down Jack's face.
"Loki? Oy say something come on. Please say something. Call me an idiot a mommas boy, please. Say something PLEASE SAY SOMETHING!!"
He shouted as Sierra put one hand on Jack's cheek. Jack looked up with tears running down his face.
"He's alive Jack. I have to take him to my station to stabilize him. He's going to be alright. Let me take things from here."
Jack nodded and handed Loki to Sierra. Sierra stood up and signaled the kids to follow her.
"Come on Jack."
She said as Jack was still kneeling on the ground.
"I'll catch up,"
He said looking down.
"Jack come on this is match over you—"
"PLEASE HURRY AND GET OUT OF HERE!!"
Jack shouted, interrupting Sierra.
"Please,"
Jack said to her as his tears dripped onto the ground.
Sierra nodded and quickly left. Along with the kids who followed closely behind her. Jack stood up with his head still facing down. Kuro stood there waiting.
"Do you understand now why you hate me?"
Kuro said as Jack kept looking down.
"As long as I live they'll never be safe. This makeshift family of yours. He and all the rest will be just like before. Once again Jack you are powerless to stop any of it. So tell me Jack do you finally know why you hate?"
A black aura surrounded Jack as his breathing became raspy. Fighter pushed a button and the blue shields came up again.
"I'll,"
Jack started to speak.
"I'll protect them from you, I'll.....I'll."
Jack looked up as tears continued to go down his right eye. However, his left eye had turned completely black.
"I'll kill you."
A giant wave of black aura came flowing out of Jack. As his right arm turned completely black along with his left leg.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!"
Jack shouted as his voice sounded more demonic. As more aura erupted from him a black horn formed out of the left side of his head. He roared as he charged at Kuro.
"Cores are connected to every aspect of a person."
Fighter said.
"Red armor was brought out from Jack's will to fight. Like Kuro said he can use the power of past users. Not all of the users were good. The story of black armor is one of tragedy. Black armor has been brought forth from Jack's anger and hatred."
Jack punched at Kuro as his arm extended forward. Kuro dodge to the side as retracted the arm. His black arm grew claws and looked more like a demon's arm. Jack and Kuro meet in the air. Jack punched at Kuro with his right arm. Without raising his arm Kuro knocked Jack all the back to the ground. Jack quickly jumped back up and charged at Kuro. Kuro made another blade and charged at Jack. Jack threw another straight right punch. Kuro dodged it and cut the arm off.
"AGH,"
Jack said as black armor reached out and reattached the arm. Jack punched with his other fist. Kuro once again pushed back down to the ground. Jack got back up and roared.
"FIGHTER!"
Gerrit said as he was now able to move.
"Put the shield down you've got to let me in there!"
Gerrit shouted as Fighter didn't respond.
"Tch,"
Gerrit was forced to watch as he could do nothing.
Kuro landed on the ground as a wing started to form on Jack's back.
"At this rate, black armor may take over his entire body."
Kuro said as he took his stance.
Jack charged at Kuro as Kuro appeared behind him.
"Sen no surasshu"
Kuro said as a thousand slashes appeared all over Jack's body and face. Jack quickly healed as he turned around to face Kuro. He charged at Kuro as Kuro raised his hand. As his purple aura gathered together in the shape of a glowing ball.
"Chimei-tekina kōsen"
Four beams came out of the ball impaling Jack's limbs keeping him in place. Jack yelled as he continued to charge at Kuro.
"Foolish."
Kuro closed his hand as Jack could no longer move. Kuro dashed towards Jack and appeared behind him again.
"Sen no surasshu"
Kuro said as a thousand cuts appeared on Jack's body again. The wounds healed as Jack yelled and broke free and charged at Kuro. He punched at Kuro with his right fist. Kuro turned around and caught the attack. He ripped the arm off and slashed Jack across the chest. Kuro let go of the arm and it reattached itself to Jack and his chest wound healed itself.
"Interesting I've never faced something like this before. However, it is still beneath me."
Kuro sent Jack flying. Jack flew off the stage and into the shield.
"RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!"
Jack roared as he charged down towards Kuro.
"I can already see you don't have much time in that state. Each attack and hit burns it out of you."
Kuro raised his hand as a red and purple ball formed in his hand.
"Satsujin kōsen"
Kuro said as a giant beam of aura came out from his hand. The ray hit Jack and destroyed the shield and went through the arena building. The beam disappeared as Jack came crashing down back onto the stage completely normal now. Kuro made another sword and launched it at an unconscious Jack. The sword was kicked away and someone landed in front of Jack.
"What do you think you're doing? I still have a score to settle with this guy."
Downercut said standing between the two. Kuro looked around as he saw Gerrit, Zeline, Cero, Joe and other combatants surrounded him.
"Fine,"
Kuro raised both his arms. As they were all about to charge a portal opened up next to Kuro. Out of it came a man with bandages around his right eye and only one arm. The other man was wearing a hood. Kuro quickly put his arms down and bowed.
"Your majesty,"
He said as no one made a move.
"Amazing so this the tournament I've heard so much about."
The hooded man said.
"It's bigger than I imagined, so Kuro how did things go?"
The hooded man looked down at him.
"Yes, as you order I provoked his rage to see if that would awaken his memories. However, it seems his second core won't allow him to remember anything."
Kuro said as the hooded man looked around
"Is that so guess we'll have to be patient and wait. Hm, there he is."
The hooded man said looking at Jack. Downercut and Gerrit both stood in front of Jack.
"Don't even try it."
Gerrit said, aiming his guns at him.
"Don't worry I'm not gonna hurt him."
The hooded man said appearing behind them. Kneeling next to Jack.
"What the!?"
They both said turning around. However, suddenly they couldn't move. Downercut didn't know why but Gerrit did. Kuro was holding them in place.
"It's been a while, Jack. You seem to be doing well. Oh right, your unconscious right now. Well, that's unfortunate I was looking forward to talking with you. That's alright when we see each other again you'll know who I am."
The hooded man appeared back next to Kuro and the other man.
"Okay, we're done here Jikan if you please."
"Yes my lord,"
Jikan raised his hand and a portal opened.
"Let's go Kuro,"
The man said as Kuro stood to his feet.
"Yes, your majesty."
The hooded man looked up at the booth and looked at Fighter.
"Take care of him now."
The hooded man said as he waved and walked through the portal. Kuro followed behind as Jikan went in after. The portal closed behind him as everyone was left in confusion.
~to be continued~