After lord Garen's dinner with Lady Moon his
son Stewart came and took his father to his room. Pushing him in a wheelchair.
"Tell me something father, why the sudden interest in Seiketsu?
You've never shown any interest in it before. Now here you are planning to have my sister marry their king."
Stewart asked his father. Garen chuckled and smiled.
"It is merely for appeal I could honestly care less about what Seiketsu does."
He said with another chuckle.
"Then why father?"
He said rolling him into his room.
"Because I wish to see my friend again."
He said to his son as his son sat next to him.
"Friend?"
He asked him.
"Yes, do you remember the last adventure I went on?"
He asked his son.
"Yes it was a few months after mother died."
He said with a sad look.
"Yes it was. Your mother had a dream to see a temple said to belong to the first core user.
She died before she could see it. I thought I could carry on her wish.
So I traveled to an ancient island in some old text I found. When traveling the island I was somehow separated from my guard's.
I was soon attacked by a giant beast. It was large and had four arms, it had large tusks and looked like an ape.
My back was against a tree.
My core ability wasn't one for fighting, there was nothing I could do.
When suddenly a red flash came crashing down from the sky and defeated the beast in one punch.
I saw a young boy standing on top of it. He asked if I was okay and I responded with a nod. He jumped off the beast and helped me up.
I said I should really be more careful out here. I thanked him for saving my life.
I then asked him what his name was. He said that his name was-"
"Jack is my name."
Jack said brushing off Garen.
Garen looked down at Jack and saw him wearing a strange robe and hat.
"I've never seen clothing like this before, tell me young man is this island your home?"
Garen asked him as Jack took a step back.
"Nope I'm just visiting."
Jack said, putting the bag on his back down on the ground. Jack pulled out a cantina and handed it to Garen. Garen smiled and took it. He took a quick drink and gave it back to Jack.
"Thank you."
He said to him.
"Don't mention it."
Jack said putting it back.
"If your not from here? Than where are you from?"
Garen asked him, as Jack put the bag back on.
"I'm from Seiketsu. DANG IT I keep doing that, I've got to stop telling people where I'm from."
Garen gasped in shock.
"Seiketsu? I thought that place was home to savages. All who venture there never return."
Garen said falling on his rear end. Jack quickly helped him back up.
"Is that really what the world thinks of us, man not that I blame them."
He said as embarrassed.
Garen got back to his feet.
"Why's that?"
He asked as Jack helped him over to a nearby tree stump. He helped Garen sit down and Jack sat on a stump next to him.
"A lot of fighting has been going on. It ended sometime ago. Once we rebuild we want to share what we have with the world.
Start to make a change in the world around us."
Jack said with a smile putting his bag down.
"Where are you from?"
Jack asked Garen.
"I'm from Callum."
Garen responded.
"Callum? Callum? Hmmmmm, I've never really been outside Seiketsu so I'm not really familiar with the world. Where is Callum again?"
Jack asked leaning forward. Garen chuckled and pointed west.
"It's west about a week and a half boat ride from here."
Garen said as Jack took an old notepad out and wrote it down.
"A week and a half huh. What kind of boat did you take?"
Jack asked, putting it back.
"A royal sail ship of course. Why do you ask? Is there some other way to travel across the sea?"
He asked as Jack chuckled.
"There will be one day."
Jack said looking through his bag.
"Tell me how old are you young man?"
Garen asked him as Jack pulled out an apple and handed it to Garen.
"I'm 13 years old."
Jack said as Garen was surprised.
"Really? Your so small I thought you were younger. At least 8 or 9."
"Tch I'm just a late bloomer, I've still got time."
Jack said frustrated.
"I meant no offense. Why are you out here alone?"
Garen asked.
"We'll I'm traveling the world to fulfill a quest. While my friends back home, get the kingdom in order. I've always wanted to travel the world. That and I'm looking for a few things."
Jack said, grabbing another apple and taking a bite.
"What are you looking for?"
Garen asked him.
"I'm looking for a temple that belonged to the first core user, I came here looking for clues. I'm also looking for a sword called excalibur for my friend."
Jack said as he turned his head and saw Garen looking at him surprised.
"What?"
Jack said, taking another bite.
"I too am looking for the temple, however I'm beginning to fear I'm too old for this adventure."
Garen said, saddened.
"Is there a reason you need to go on this adventure?"
Jack asked
"Yes, my wife had always wanted to see the temple; she never got the chance. So I decided to go in her steed. However at the first sign of danger I could do nothing."
Jack stood up and held his hand out to Garen.
"What's your name?"
Jack asked him.
"My name is Garen Taden."
He said to Jack shaking his hand.
"Garen Taden, I hereby promise to complete this adventure for you. I will find the temple and tell you of my findings. That is my promise to you my friend."
Jack said as Garen noded.
"Thank you."
Garen said with tears in his eyes.
"The next time we see each other, I'll have definitely found the temple. If I have not found you in the next year, come to Seiketsu. We'll welcome you with open arms."
Jack said as noded.
"That was the last time I saw my friend."
Garen said to his son.
"Why didn't you ever go to Seiketsu than father?"
Stewart asked him.
"I tried three times but Seiketsu ships would turn us away without explanation.
I was sure something must of have happened to my friend. When King Zin started to appear, I did not ask him about Jack. For I was not sure if I could trust him.
However I'm not getting any younger so now I'm forced to asked him."
Garen said as Stewart nodded.
"I understand father. I will begin our preparations to make way."
Stewart said as he left the room.
"I wonder if I'll see you there my friend."
Garen said looking up at the sky.
A flock of birds flew through the sky.
A hawk flew among them.
The hank heard a whistle as it came flying down onto Lady Moon's arm.
She took the hawk into her room and put on a stand as she sat down on a chair and thought of a memory of her father.
"What's this father?"
A young lady moon asked.
"Ah this is the legendary magical sword excalibur.
It belongs to our clan and is our most sacred weapon. However during the long war it was lost in battle never to be seen again. However legend says that one day our mightiest warrior will find it."
She heard her father's voice echo in her head. As she thought to herself.
"That Zin knew about Excalibur and he's been researching it.
Calling it a weapon of science.
Blasphemy my father wouldn't ever lie about such a thing.
I will learn what he knows of the sword and take back what is rightfully ours, I swear I will see it done father."
She walked back over to the hawk and lifted her arm. The hawk flew on top of her arm. She walked outside and onto the balcony. The wind began to blow as flower pedals flew past her face. One pedal flew higher than the others. It tried to reach the sky when suddenly it was grabbed. Queen Idrum held the petal in her hand and scoffed. She turned around and walked into her room from out of the balcony.
"Hmph now my dear Isabel, please recite the ancient on how our nations came to such peace."
Queen Idrum asked her daughter.
"Yes mother, before the peaceful times we live in now. The nation's were at war. A war without end countless lives were lost. Until King Fredrick of Dundrum called the world leaders together to usher world peace. The deliberating went on for days until finally, King Fredrick was able to unite them and bring an age of peace."
Isabel said as her mother patted her cheek.
"Very good my dear, that has been the tradition of this world ever since. That king Zin refuses to partake. It may slide with other countries apart from us. Such an act is a mockery of our history. We will reign them whether it be peacefully or by force."
She said as her daughter kept a straight face.
"Of course mother."
She said as her mother chuckled.
"Good girl, now go to your room and await further instruction."
Idrum said as Isabel bowed and left the room.
Outside the room was her escort, Bron.
"Good afternoon your highness, are you ready to go back to your room?"
Bron said with a playful smile. Isabel smiled back and said.
"Yes Sir Bron please escort me back."
She said as she held her hand out. Bron stood next to her and put his arm under her hand. As the two made their way down the open hallway.
"Might I ask you a question Sir Bron?"
Bron chuckled.
"It's just us you don't have to use such titles."
He said as she sighed.
"I know it's a force of habit you know how my mother gets. I wanted to ask you if you ever wondered where you're from?"
She asked him.
"Most days yes, who my parents are. Where I come from or if I have any siblings. I was placed at the doorstep of a knight, for crying out loud. So my parents wanted me to have a life they couldn't give me."
Bron said as Isabel stayed quiet.
"Something on your mind?"
He asked as she snapped out of her day dreaming.
"Ah yes I sometimes wonder if I was born into the right place."
She said as Bron wondered what she meant.
"What do you mean?"
He asked her as she sighed.
"You're the only person I can talk to Bron. Everyone else I can't. They all report back to my mother. I must act like a princess all day every day. I'm expected to do so many things."
She said as she squeezed his.
"I'm just not sure I'm cut out for this."
She as Bron put his hand over her's.
"Do not freight I'm sure someday you will find what you've always been looking for."
He said as they arrived at her room.
"This is where I must take my leave."
He said as he bowed and walked away. She smiled and entered her room. As her mother stood in the center of the room. Her mind flashing back to a memory.
"I'll never forget that day, as I live I'll never forget that day."
She said as she remembered a certain day years ago. Somewhere in the world on an island covered in sand, and black mountains. Idrum comes across a cliff side where she finds her soldiers laying on the ground badly wounded. She quickly ran over to one of them. She knelt and held him as the soldier's life slowly began to fade.
"LIAM who has done this to you!?"
She said as he coughed up blood.
"I'm sorry my dear sister, he came from out of nowhere. He was too fast all we could see was a red flash running around us, as he took us out one by one."
He said as he coughed more.
"Just hang on, help is on the way."
She said shaking him. However it was too late and the man had passed. With anger swelling inside her she stood up and clenched her fist. Tears began to run down her face. The sun came further down behind her, as she noticed a shadow standing over head. She quickly turned around and saw a caped figure standing up above. She couldn't make out his face due to the sun, shining behind him.
"I warned them but they wouldn't listen so I did what I had to. Be proud they fought bravely till the end."
He said turning around.
"YOU THINK I'M JUST GOING TO LET YOU GO AFTER THIS!"
She said as flames formed in her hand. The cloaked figure looked down over his shoulder at her.
"Normally I would enjoy a good match with a fellow core user. You see the thing is I'm kind of in a rush so we'll have to do this another time."
He said as his cloak was being blown by the wind.
"I don't even know who you are?"
She said getting ready to pounce at him.
"You don't seem friendly so I'm not gonna tell you my real name, only my friend due. You can call me the Uppercut Dragon of Seiketsu."
He said.
"Seiketsu?"
She said as the Uppercut Dragon face palmed himself.
"Why did I just tell you where I'm from. Great Zin and Mara are gonna kill me when I get back. *Sigh* boy am I in for it, later."
He said as he disappeared in a red flash.
"The Uppercut Dragon of Seiketsu I'll find you and I'll kill you. Uppercut Dragon."
She thought to herself.
"Uppercut Dragon, Uppercut Dragon, Upper-"
"CUT!!"
Jack shouted, uppercutting one of Mr.Clockwork's dark spears out of the way. Jack stood face to face against Clockwork.
~Present day~
Dark spears come flying at Jack. Jack manages to jump over. Jack is already a little beaten up, unable to break the distance between him and Clockwork.
"Darn I can't get any closer."
Jack thought to himself. As more dark spears came flying towards him. When suddenly a bolt of lightning strikes the ground between them. As Charlie now stands between them.
"Well this is a surprise."
Clockwork said remarking on Charlie's sudden arrival.
"2 months."
Charlie said, holding up two fingers.
"In 2 months I will make this kid stronger than you."
Charlie proclaimed as Clockwork chuckled.
"Surely you must be joking."
Clockwork said to him as more dark spears appeared.
"Not even in the slightest, in 2 months this kid will knock your lights out."
Clockwork laughed even more. As a shadowy figure formed from his shadow.
It started to speak to Clockwork.
"Let him train Johnny-boy, the stronger he gets the stronger the soul. Besides there's something familiar about this boy."
Soul said as Clockwork waved his hand and the spikes disappeared.
"Have it your way."
He said as Soul went back into his shadow.
"In 2 months at the Olympic event. You best be worth something by then."
Clockwork said as he floated off the roof.
"I could have taken him."
Jack said as Charlie hit him over the head.
The two returned to Fighter's house thinking of what to do.
"With only two months that makes your training difficult, now we have to find a better way to balance it out."
Charlie said as Gerrit apporched.
"If I may since I already know how Jack operates, I think we should have him focus on his positive energy training."
Gerrit said.
"What are you talking about Gerrit?"
Jack said, a little frustrated.
"You and I used to work together in the past , remember? Well technically you don't but that's not the point. The point is I already know how Jack functions in a team. Focus on getting him trained and I'll focus on getting the team trained."
Charlie thought about it for a moment.
"That seems to be the best option."
Charlie said.
"Now hold on a second don't I get a say in this?"
Jack asked.
"No."
Charlie said as Gerrit shrugged.
"Fine."
Jack said walking off towards the triplets.
"Hold on Jack."
Sierra said, running up behind him. Jack turned around as Sierra jumped into his arms. The two spun around for a moment. When Sierra kissed Jack. The two broke off.
"Good luck."
She said running off. As Jack waved. As Gerrit shot a bullet past Jack's face.
"Oy!"
Jack shouted.
"No time for kissy kissy get to work."
Charlie said.
"I don't like it when you two team up."
Jack said walking away. Jack walked over to the triplets and put his hands out.
"I'm ready to be attacked while holding a plant."
He said as they handed him the plant.
"Not quite yet."
Bell said.
"We've been going about your training all wrong. First we need to get you to be able to use positive energy. Once that happens we can worry about applying it in combat."
Bella said as Jack smiled.
"So I'm guessing I just have to sit here and meditate."
Jack said sitting down.
"Something like that. Listen close Jack positive energy is about quelling one's anger not letting it control. Once you go in you'll be forced to go against a manifestation of your anger. It can take any form you must be prepared for anything. The mind is a dangerous place and yours isn't all there. You must not be overtaken. Or you will lose yourself."
Annabelle said.
"Seriously??"
Jack asked slightly frightened.
As the triplets nodded.
"Why does training always have to have these life and death things. Can't a guy just train without putting his life on the line."
Jack said with a sigh. As he closed his eyes and began to mediate.
"Is he doing it?"
Bella said as the other two triplets got closer.
"Ya know a little space would help."
Jack said as the three back off a bit. He sat there for a while until opening his eyes.
"It's not working nothings happening. Am I doing it wrong?"
Jack asked them as Belle put her hand to her chin.
"Focus on what makes you happy, your joys in life. Focus on that and use it as a way to draw the energy out."
She said as Jack nodded. He. began to think to himself.
"Things that make me happy. Hmm let's see I like Ice cream. Really ice cream is the best I got. Come on Jack you can do better. Seeing Sierra smile makes me happy. Being able to train makes me happy. Seeing my mother and everyone. My family is what makes me happy."
He thought to himself as he felt wind blowing across his face. He opened his eyes as he saw himself in the midst of a field. The grass was blue and blue leaves were flying through the air, on an air current. Jack could see little strands of blue energy. Jack stood up and looked around. When he saw the armor that had been reappearing in his dreams. This time the dragon helmet eyes were glowing black.
"So that's your anger aye."
A man with blue hair said standing next to Jack said. He wore a blue kimono with white on the outline.
"Who are you?"
Jack asked turning towards him.
"Hm oh right I'm Tanoshi Jocuster the blue wind, I'm the fifth master of the second core. You can call me Blue. In my life I mastered positive energy and used it to defeat its counterpart negative energy. Negative energy uses a person's hate, anger and loss to fuel them."
Blue said as Jack nodded his head.
"I see, so that over there is my anger."
Jack said looking over at the armor.
"Yes, it looks kind of scary."
Blue said, scratching his chin.
"Yeah it is, I'm scared to face it."
Jack said, clenching his fist as he couldn't stop them from shaking.
"Why?"
Blue asked looking at Jack.
"If I let the anger take over me, will I go back into Black Jack?"
Jack asked
"Most likely."
Blue said very relaxed.
"That means I'll go on a rampage and in danger everyone. Not to mention all of you inside the second core what will happen to you?"
Jack said to him, worried.
"Well we'd probably survive a little bit longer, not sure how long though."
Blue said scratching his his leg with his foot.
"It's not just my life in the line here, I'm putting everyone's life on the line. I want to know who I am and everyone supports it. I'm just not sure I do."
Jack said as Blue patted him on the back.
"I was like you once. Always second guessing myself not sure which path to take. It took me time but with the help of those around me I found my way. I found true joy and happiness. You came here to get stronger to learn a power that will help you remember your past. No one is making you be here. It is your choice no one else's you just have to be brave enough to take the step."
Blue said as Jack's fists stopped shaking.
"Your right I've already come a long way. I probably still got a long road ahead of me. However it won't just be me I'll have my family and of course."
He says looking at Blue with a smile.
"I'll have all of you in here, cause I guess technically we're related."
Jack says as Blue chuckles.
"You could say that."
He says as the two laugh.
"Before I confront my anger, how many masters are in here?"
Jack asked as Blue thought about it.
"Hm including me there are nine in total. Which would make you the tenth user."
Jack turned towards his anger and gave blue a thumbs up.
"Thank you Tanoshi."
Jack said as Blue sat on the floor to watch. Jack took his stance as the armor took his. Jack calmed himself as the two charged at each other.
~Meanwhile~
Mr.Clockwork enters a small room with an orb in front of him. Ten people were chained to the ground with a bag over there heads. To the left of him were scientist along with Tepes.
"It's at 10% power Sir."
A scientist said over the intercom. Mr.Clockwork nodded as he removed his gloves. He placed his hand on the orb. The orb began to glow black. A black beam launched out and covered them. They screamed out in agony as. As their lives were slowly beginning to fade. A minute passed and they had now died. They fell to the ground having their souls been taken.
"It works."
Mr.Clockwork said.
Clockwork said looking at his hand.
As Soul comes from out of his shadow and pokes one of the corpses.
"Yes with this we can now project my power further than it's regular rang."
Soul said with a chuckle.
"Yes, at a hundred percent it should be able to project your power over an island. This year the Olympic event is being held at the Island Toronto. The perfect location for us to unleash the weapon."
Mr.Clockwork said putting his gloves on. Soul laughed even more.
"Yes, your very clever for a human. If your wondering that was a compliment."
Soul said
"I'm flattered."
Clockwork said as Soul returns to his shadow.
"Jack furthers his training to learn positive energy."
Fighter says standing on top of the orphanage.
"Gerrit trains his new team of core users. Countries each with their own agendas. Who knows what will happen next. I guess we'll have to see dear viewers. I know I can't. Chapter 20 reaching new heights."
Fighter says to you, the readers.