Wild Legacy

“Still here?” Joel asked.

“I can’t help it…” Jackson muttered. “I wanna be ready for when Mom gets here.”

Joel squatted down next to his son, and Jackson glanced at him. “Still not frozen?”

“Looks like it.” Joel studied the veins in his arms, curious if they would turn red again. “I’m glad I’m still able to help end this thing… You got the syringe ready?”

Jackson reached into his backpack and pulled out the syringe. It was giving off a strong red glow. “Do you think she’ll even recognize me?” Jackson whispered, putting the syringe back.

“I do.” Joel nodded.

“And what if she doesn’t? What if the nanobots don’t let her see me as her son, but just something in her way…” Jackson whimpered. “What if… I’m not enough for her?”

Joel wrapped an arm around Jackson, pulling him closer. “You’re an unforgettable kid, Jackson. Her memories are probably full of moments with you.”

He whispered into Jackson’s ear.

“Don’t forget how important you are to her.”

Jackson breathed in slowly. He smelled ashes, blood, and smoke. I hope you’re right…

“I’ll be here if you need me. Hopefully after all this… she’ll give me another chance.” Joel muttered that last part to himself.

Suddenly, the ground shook. And it shook hard. The largest flames whipped violently, and rebels stumbled to the ground.

A dark, looming figure with glowing red eyes slowly appeared in the distance. “Hey…” Joel mumbled as he, Jackson, and the rebels watched it come closer. It was as tall as a skyscraper and had jet-black armor- yet still looked perfectly human.

Joel wondered, “Is that-“

“Mom.” Jackson gasped.

Above Lorelai flew a horde of fighter jets, darting past her like bullets. Beneath her, an army of military soldiers marched into D.C., with rocket-loaded artillery, tethers, and handheld missile launchers.

They barely managed to stay on balance amidst Lorelai’s footsteps.

“F-22 Raptors, HIMARS launchers…” Joel said aloud, scanning them all. “Hatchford doesn’t need all that to capture a president.” Jackson glanced at his father, confused. “Wha-what the heck did you just say?”

A few moments passed before a massive gunship appeared in the sky.  Jackson and Joel’s pupils widened as the plane blasted a lethal amount of missiles around the White House.

Scrap metal blasted into the air, multiple explosions violently shaking the building. Both father and son lost their balance, stumbling face-first onto the roof. 

“...Thaaat definitely isn’t the plane Hatchford used in Montana.” Jackson winced, and Joel pulled him close. “An AC-130 Gunship…” His father whispered. “...The Angel of Death.”

The Angel of Death? Jackson stared at it. The gunship left a massive smoke trail that resembled huge, terrifying wings. That’s pretty spot on…

Then Lorelai walked through that smoke- and for just a moment, she looked like a warrior who’d just come down from heaven.

“WOAHHH…DAD, D-DO YOU SEE THAT?!” Jackson gasped, just as the gunship launched more missiles at the building. “GET DOWN!“ Joel ducked to cover Jackson’s body from the incoming shards of scrap metal.

“ARGH!!!”

He growled- his eyes and veins slowly flickering red. “DAD?” Jackson asked.

Scrap metal was something Joel could handle- for a little while, anyway. But trying not to freeze up at the same time?

That might’ve been a bit more than he could chew.

“DAD?!” Jackson shouted from beneath him, watching his father’s veins and eyes turn red. “C’MON DAD, FOCUS… FIGHT IT OFF!”

Joel didn’t move.

Jackson pushed his father off and tried to get him back. “SNAP OUT OF IT...” He shook Joel’s head, hoping that’d help. “PLEASE!”

His eyes repeatedly shifted from Joel to the Angel of Death, wondering if it’d strike again.

Should I use the syringe early? Jackson thought, weighing his options. I could mind sync with him… but then, our physical bodies would both be vulnerable-

“…T- This is intimidation.” Joel stuttered as he slowly came to. “DAD.” Jackson sighed. “I saw who’s in that gunship,” Joel muttered as his eyes and veins shifted back.

Jackson kept anxiously looking from his Dad to the city-turned-war zone.

Lorelai was getting even closer, her feet stomping through the flames. The gunship circled over her while raptors zipped around buildings, continuing the bombardment throughout D.C. The rebels were fighting for their lives, with the explosions and gunfire failing to cease.

Jackson turned back to his father. “The Angel of Death? Who’s in there, Dad?” Joel let out a soft wince as he struggled to answer.

“It-it’s Hatchford.”

As if those words triggered something inside the Secretary of Defense, he started to shout from the plane- “GET OUT OF THE WAY, SON OF LORELAI!” Hatchford yelled as he fired another shell near them, making both Jackson and Joel fall backwards.

That’s enough… Jackson growled, and Joel noticed the determined look on his son’s face.

“...It’s time, isn’t it?” Joel stood up and helped his son to his feet. “Yeah…” Jackson huffed. “Be careful- remember that this isn’t her, but what Hatchford’s forcing her to be,” Joel said, his voice breaking through the noise. “She cares about you.”

Jackson nodded, though he wasn’t sure if he believed that last bit.

“I love you, son.” Joel pulled Jackson in for a hug.

Jackson was quiet for a moment. The chaos around him didn’t stop, but he slowed himself down, just to take in this moment.

“I love you too, Dad.”

Then, Jackson leaped off the White House, landing with a huge crater. He marched straight toward Lorelai, and she stormed toward the White House. As she got closer, Lorelai came across the Washington Monument- a towering memorial dedicated to the first president of the United States.

Hatchford took advantage of this opportunity.

“Scare him off, Lorelai.” Hatchford took out the Goliath Control Tablet, pressing buttons rapidly. “Shove it down.”

Lorelai paused, right next to the monument. 

Jackson stopped, confused. The soldiers and rebels also halted their fighting, trying to understand why she wasn’t moving. While Joel, Maxine, and even the President observed from the White House.

What is she doing?

With one powerful hand, she slammed the Washington Monument to the ground.

It crashed with an ear-piercing collapse, chunks of debris and rubble flinging through the air. “OHHH SHIT…” Jackson’s eyes widened as a wave of dust rushed toward him. He brought his arms up to his face and braced himself for the impact.

For a long moment, no one could see him- not even his parents. Joel called out to him as the dust began to spread throughout D.C. The rebels wondered if Jackson was even still there.

Some of the soldiers even raised their eyebrows.

But as the dust began to clear, the young Goliath charged out with his head held high.

“N-NO!” Hatchford shouted frantically. He used the tablet to force Lorelai after the President again. She resumed marching toward the White House, Jackson still in her way.

“YOU AREN’T STOPPING ME, KID!” The plane circled over Jackson. “YOU DON’T GET TO TAKE THIS VICTORY… YOU DON’T GET TO TAKE HER FROM ME!”

Jackson spat out some dirt and pulled out his syringe, ready to inject himself with GS189.

He and Lorelai finally met in the middle of the clearing. She didn’t show any sign of stopping, but Jackson wasn’t moving. “THAT’S IT,” Hatchford yelled, gripping the tablet. “I DIDN’T WANT TO DO THIS, BUT…”

Hatchford held his breath for a moment.

“LORELAI…” He quickly pressed buttons on the tablet, commanding her to do a new, more final action. “KILL HIM.”

Lorelai flinched- then her entire body began to twitch. Her eyes flickered like a flashing red traffic light. 

Jackson stared at her. I-is she trying to resist Hatchford’s control?

“NOW, LORELAI!” Hatchford shouted. “THAT’S AN ORDER!” Agonizing moments passed as the giant tried to disobey him.

She- she’s trying to break free… Jackson gasped, wondering if he’d even have to use the syringe. Come on, Mom… COME ON.

Eventually, Lorelai’s hand started to reach down after Jackson. It reached, then halted. Reached, halted. Over and over. But soon, it became more of a reach than a halt.

The sky disappeared as Lorelai’s hand hung over Jackson.

She’s not strong enough to fight it, is she? Not alone.

Jackson took a deep breath and injected himself with GS189. His eyes and veins quickly turned red as he attempted to mind sync with his mother.

You’re not alone, Mom. 

Jackson tried to concentrate on connecting with her.

Me, Dad, the rebels- we’re not leaving you…

I- I’m right here.

I’ll help you fight this, okay?

I’ll help you break free.

Previous chapter or next chapter! (bro, I don't even know what to say at this point...)