Forgiveness Hurts (Jack)

Just what Jack was hoping for.... well not exactly but it would work. The spinning was a bit different then what he was hoping Charles would do but he could still preform his intended maneuver. Seeing Charles coming in from the his left (Charles's right) He would plant his left foot and allow the clash. Then kicking off with his right foot he would use the force of the clash and his kick off to pivot to Charles's right avoiding the blow that was meant for his thigh. Now in position Jack would deliver a quick but strong strike to Charles's Right shoulder.

However, Jack was ill prepared for Charles's second strike. He only had a moment to react an not time to dodge or parry. He knew Charles had great physical strength and a blow like that to his neck would probably end him right there.Jack growled and did all he could to block the attack. He dropped his left shoulder and raised his right in order to protect his neck. This would cause Charles's attack to strike the back of his right shoulder... and Yeah... Jack was right.... He was outclassed as far as brute strength went....ow.

Charles barely acknowledged the strike Jack derived to his right shoulder and was able to properly carry out his initial intent. If his calculations were correct, this next strike to Jack's neck should prove eno- "Huh?" He did not expect Jack would be capable of blocking the strike with his own shoulder... In any case, the sword stroke Jack and Charles fell back, sliding on his shoes closer to the wall and readying himself for another attack. This time, he was going to go first.

He raised the boken only in his right hand and propelled himself forward, aiming with a simple yet powerful swipe towards Jack from Jack's left side. In a matter of seconds, he would already be towering above Jack and finishing his mighty strike. It did not matter where the strike landed, as it packed a lot of punch, but Charles was aiming for Jack's left hand. Also, despite being simple and easily readable, the strike would require skill to block or parry merely because of the force it carried.

Ah about time... Charles was finally on the offensive. This is what jack wanted.... up until this point Jack new Charles had merely been responding to his actions... to his attacks... Charles had been letting him dictate the flow of the battle... But no longer, now he was taking charge and deciding for himself that he was the one in control. Jack could see the devastating force in his charge... in it he could feel all of Charles's rage... his sadness... his grief... but most of all... his regret. Jack's eyes widened as he saw it. The pain and torment this machine... NO... This MAN felt for being used as an instrument in the death of a good friend... Jack bit back tears as the waves of emotion flowed over him...He had been right... This fight was exactly what he needed...

"Nilo... You're death will not tear us apart... I won't allow it... You're body may be broken... But your heart... You're desire to protect those you love... That will never die! So long as I live! I will live for the both of us!" Jack's mind shouted as he readied himself for Charles's assault. Instead of dodging or attempting to parry the blow, Jack raised his arm and allowed the strike to collide with his left side. The pain of his shattered rib barely registered as Jack used his left arm to wrap around the sword and lock it under his arm.

Strength:

"Charles!" Jack would shout as he spun his blade in his right hand, switching to a reverse grip, cocked his right hand back and prepared himself to put all his emotions into a single strike," I FORGIVE YOU!" Jack shouted as he brought his boken around, much like a prize fighter would preform a right hook, bringing the boken into the left side of Charles's head.

Charles noticed the crack his strike caused in Jack's ribcage. Yes, he got him! Now he just had to pull the sword out and strike again while Jack is distracted by the pai-

Charles was sent flying as Jack's boken smashed itself straight into his left evoker ((ear thingie)). The strike was too sudden and strong for Charles not to lose balance and find himself falling face down onto the floor. Somewhere in the ruckus, he lost his grip on the boken and failed to scknowledge exactly what Jack's shout was about. He crashed with a loud thud and rolled once before stopping on his hands and knees. His head was buzzing... He had to check if anything was broken, so he brought his hand swiftly towards his left ear. There was a dent, but nothing major. If anything got broken, it was on the inside and he couldn't check for that, so he had to settle for now. Wait, Jack was still there!

Without losing a moment, Charles quickly got back to his feet and faced Jack. There was something wrong with his gyroscope again, though... He could barely keep his balance. As he glanced the room, his eyes landed on the boken he dropped. It was right next to Jack, but Jack also appeared hurt. "What... did you say?" He asked the Red Ranger. In any case, it was all up to Jack now, as Charles wouldn't be able to do much without his balance and his boken.

Jack stood panting for a moment and let what just happened sink into himself... Did... did he just win?...heh...well look at that.... Jack let Charles's boken drop to the ground with a clunk. After a moment he would approach Charles. Each step was slightly labored from the pain of his broken Rib, but none the less, each step was purposeful and strong. He still held his Boken in his hand, clutching it as if it were the one truth in this world. His eyes betrayed no emotion... if he felt any at all that is... As he approached Charles he would raise his boken slowly in both hands. Once he was in range he would quickly bring the boken down....

And lightly tab Charles's head"Point!... I win.... heh... hahah...Ahahaha...HAHAHAHAH!" Jack began to laugh uncontroalably as he dropped his boken and let his tears flow once more "I said I forgave you dumb ass! HAHA! OH FUCK!" Jack quickly doubled over and clutched at his side wincing in pain,"OH! Oh Yeah! Forgiveness hurts!.... A lot! LIke a rib in the lung! MMM! Gunna feel that later! heh! Wait...do you feel physical pain?... Like if you get a paper cut?" If Charles looked closely... he would see Jack's, though in pain, had regained it color and life.

"Huh?" Charles locked his eyes at the boken which Jack used to pat him on the head. Honestly, he was excpecting Jack would come and smash his head with all his might, but instead, he just... bonked him. Ooookay... In any case, Jack seemed to have gained a point for doing that, which gave them a result of 1:0 for Jack. He won, apparently.

"What's funny?" Charles couldn't help but frown at Jack's laughing fit, which ended up with Jack starting to cry again, while Charles just stood and observed with a sort of a dumbfounded expression on his face. What was up with Jack all of a a sudden anyways?

"Oh, so that's what you said." He was still rocking back and forth on the spot with a messy gyroscope, but he was glad that Jack managed to forgive him, even if he couldn't do it himself. As Jack clenched his guts and whinced in pain, Charles once again just stood there and watched. He wanted to go get help somewhere but he was also rather worn out and ready to fall flat on the floor any second now. Well, at least he felt better after this fight.

When Jack asked him the question, he frowned. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh... Oh I'll tell ya later Charles.... but... But for now... Ya mind... helping me to... to the nurses office..." Jack said between labored breaths "Cus... I think... there might be... some internal bleeding.... Wait... waiiiiiiit...." Jack stood still for a moment and concentrated "YEP! Internal bleeding and lots of it! Cool!" with that Jack began to hobble towards the door of the shack. Once there Jack would turn and look at Charles with a pained smile.

"Come on! Heh, after we get me patched up I'll readjust your gyroscope... After all. We have to be in peak shape if we're gunna carry on Nilo's legacy.... Charles..." Jack looked down for a moment and dropped his smile "Let's live.... Let's live long lives... And become people Nilo would have been proud to know... Lets save the people that he loved so much... Charles... Will you help me save the world?..."

Huh, internal bleeding? Did he strike him that hardor were humans really so frail? Charles attempted to walk over to Jack and let the boy lean against him as he carried him to the nurse's office when Jack spoke up again. "Save... the world?" He muttered to himself. But, what struck him stronger was the first part where Jack spoke about living. He shook his head and shrugged off the thought, running over to Jack. Seems like the damage was caused only by Jack's strike slightly messing up Charles' calibration for a moment. In any case, it was gone already and he could move freely, although he didn't notice it at the time. "Here." He crouched so Jack could lean against him if he so desired.

Heh... He didn't know what he was expecting from the ever quite and soft spoken Charles.... But a "Hell yeah" or a "You have my blade" would have been nice... But... The little gesture of letting Jack lean on him was all the confirmation he needed...

Charles's attack... Killed Nilo... It was under Charles's boot that Jack's best friend in this world died... Yet... Jack knew in his heart that where ever Nilo was right now... he didn't blame Charles... So neither would Jack. He didn't know who to blame though... was it the angles?... Was it the shadows?... or was it his own ineptitude that lead to Nilo's passing... Jack wasn't sure...

The one thing that he was sure of however... Was that Nilo's one true wish was to not be a burden on those he loved... So Jack would honor that wish by not letting his grief halt him...

Nilo... Jack will never forget you...

And so Jack leaned on Charles and let himself be guided to the nurses office.

"... I totally kicked your ass by the way..."  

(exit)