"No, you listen to me! Is what Jackson saying the truth? If it is, maybe we should be fighting against the higher ups not Jackson!" I yell.
Dr. Animus called for me and as soon as I got to his office, I've been yelling at him.
"Please Jason, we don't have time. Jackson can do that at any moment," Dr. Animus says.
"Do what?" I inquire.
Dr. Animus takes a deep breath.
"The first numbers, the lost generation are the same as the current generation except for a key difference. They can undergo a transformation at will, where their skin sheds and their blood forms a membrane over their body. I call this process, demonification. This ability was given to the lost generation as a last resort to use against our enemies. While under demonification, the lost generation was able to turn into demon like creatures and wage destruction on everything around them. They would lose their sense of self and give in to sanity; killing everyone around them, friend or foe. After Amphibia rose to the top, the higher ups were scared of this power. This fear lead them to the decision to kill all the lost generation. I begged them not to but they would not listen. In the final battle Jackson mentioned, the nuking was done to stop the lost generation when they underwent demonification," Dr. Animus explains.
I just sit there with my mouth open, completely stunned by this information. Dr. Animus continues.
"Demonification lasts 12 hours, after which the original number will die. As far as I know, there is no way to come out of the demonification state before it kills you, no one has done it before. A lost generation number that underwent demonification got power equivalent to their base power level squared. This means that if Jackson undergoes demonification, his power level will be an impossible 10 000. That's not all, under demonification, you'll never die unless all your cells are deactivated all at once. If you chop off their heads, it'll just reconnect. If you crush their heart, it'll just reform. Try the brain, or any other organ and the same thing will happen. That's why the higher ups used nukes and rendered their whole bodies useless in the final battle. But this time Jackson has made sure that this won't happen. Even now, Jackson could be in his demonification state, beginning his slaughter on everyone. The numbers or any regular human can not even move in its presence."
"So basically, you're saying that we lost, all hope is lost, demon Jackson will kill us all, is that right?" I ask.
Dr. Animus looks at me with bright, desperate eyes.
"Only you can stop him now, Jason," Dr. Animus reveals.
"How?" I ask.
"Um… basically Jackson is your father, Jason," Dr. Animus replies.
What? What? What? Jackson is my father? Wait, so when mom said dad was coming back after a mission she meant this? I finally understand why I kind of idolized Jackson. Maybe unconsciously, I knew that we were related or something. I let my shock disperse for now because we have bigger things to worry about.
"Okay but how can I stop him?" I ask.
"None of the other current numbers can undergo demonification, Jason. None, except you. You got your demonification from Jackson. You got Jackson's demonification. I still remember the day your mom came to see me with you. Your small, frail body was rejecting all this power, you were dying. That's when I realized that you were Jackson's spawn. I used all my intellect to seal away the demonification in your body. After that we were going to make you number one but your body was only strong enough to be number ten at that point. Jason, you were created to be a pillar against Jackson. The numbers were created again as a cover to hide you. Your demonification has the same strength as Jackson's even though you're number ten. Your demonification is inherited. I made it so that you can only activate your demonification one way. That is to dig into your chest and touch your heart with your own flesh. As soon as you do this, you'll turn into a similar demon as Jackson. You guys can hold each other off until the 12 hour period elapses. I know this is asking for too much Jason but if you don't stop Jackson, everyone in Amphibia will die," Dr. Animus finishes.
I know. I know. I know. This is where my story ends; I have to do this or else my dream would be reduced to nothing. Someone else will have to continue my dream, maybe Miranda or Will. Thinking about them makes me so, so sad. Dr. Animus brings out a dagger from his desk.
"I also made a way to stop your demonification if the need should ever arise. Give this dagger to someone you trust. If they stab you in the heart with this, your demonification will stop and you'll die then and there. The holder of this dagger will be able to move near a demonified opponent," the doctor announces.
I take the dagger and look straight into Dr. Animus' eyes, "Just know that I'm not doing this for you guys. I'm doing this for my friends and all the innocent people out there. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go save the world."