Chapter 78: Future Velocity VS Black Zero

Future Romaine's POV

Running side-by-side with Zero, our energy auras quickly begun to clash, constantly colliding with each other as we generated more power.

Zero knew from the start not to underestimate me; indicated by him utilizing his lightning cloak from the get go. With a slight smirk, I followed suit and generated my lightning cloak, imbuing light blue electricity. His pure black lightning fought against mine as we each tried gaining power over the other.

When he saw that trying to defeat me with raw strength was futile, he already had his next plan set into motion.

Zero side-stepped to the left, turning to face me and tossing his lightning. Reactively, I side-stepped to the right and absorbed his energy by performing the lightning rod then redirected it. Zero simply backhanded the incoming force, deflecting it onto a nearby house.

It was then I became aware of the collateral damage being caused by our duel, so I guided Zero outside of the community as we continued our fight.

"Pathetic waste of existence!" He shouted, spurring forth a more violent and higher voltage lightning strike

I knew that if that attack touched me it would end up ripping through my cloak, so instead of attempting to redirect it I side-stepped out of the way causing it to hit the ground instead. The crater left behind from the attack was massive, showing the clear difference in our levels of strength.

Once we were out in an open field, I was now free to let loose with my attacks. Rubbing my hands together as if generating static electricity, I focused an ample amount of power into them then slammed them onto the ground; causing a shockwave of electricity to spark in all directions.

Without even flinching, Zero leaped into the air to avoid the attack, then came down with his fist charged with electricity.

I hesitated at first, wondering if it would be better to attempt to block his fist then counter attack, or just dodge it completely; though in the end I dashed backwards, watching as his fist crashed into the ground and formed an even larger crater than the previous one. By the looks of the impact, he must've been density shifting his fist for more force.

"You've gotten less pathetic over the years." He taunted, slowly standing up

"Well after 4 years, I'm bound to have improved." I responded, keeping my guard up

"Don't get so cocky; you're still worthless scum."

"Then I'll be the scum that beats you."

Visibly vibrating on the spot, Zero began shifting his density. I watched as he sported his thin black aura.

"I never really got the hang of your move, even after so long." I teased, starting to vibrate as I increased my density.

Though less visible than Zero's, I was now covered by a thin dark blue aura.

"Anything you can do, I do better." He scoffed

He charged toward me in the blink of an eye, firing his fist towards my head. I was barely able to block the attack, and when I did I was still pushed back multiple feet. The massive shockwave caused by the attack may as well have been heard up to a mile away.

"Going for the killing blows huh?" I commented, "You seem to be in a hurry."

"I refuse to waste more time with you than I already have."

"Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Giving him a smirk, I started running in a specific pattern; similar to the infinity symbol.

"The Infinity Seal." He gritted his teeth, realizing what I was about to do, "You fool, you wouldn't dare."

Continuously siphoning my own excessive energy and stacking it unto what I already had, I managed to break through the infinity seal, accessing exponentially greater power.

Though it was a last ditch effort to close the gap between our power levels, I was now given the opportunity to go on the offensive.

"It's time I avenged my family." I softly spoke

I flexed my fingers, fully embracing the raw lightning that was surging through me.

Storm clouds formed in the sky, continuously bursting with lightning. In a fraction of a millisecond I snapped, shooting towards Zero and striking him back.

"That was for Kyle." I muttered, "And these are for the rest of them."

I darted after him at the speed of a lightning bolt, appearing to be teleporting to the naked eye.

With every individual strike I gave him, a massive output of lightning was released from the point of impact.

"You did this you bastard!" I belted, "They never had to die!"

With my last attack, I used all available force in an effort to completely eliminate him.

"I HATE YOU!" I screamed as a blast of lightning was shot out from my fist at him

The battlefield was in total ruins, decimated by the raw lightning that was present.

I stood there in place, maintaining my exhausted stance as I struggled to keep breathing. Though the drawbacks of breaking the infinity seal prevent the user from using any kind of speed again, artificial or otherwise, it was more than worth it.

Before I could even take a moment to enjoy my long awaited victory, I was struck in the back, and forced to helplessly look as Zero's arm was sticking through my chest.

"Valiant effort." he mocked, "But you'll need a thousand more years of experience before you can challenge me."

"B-but..how.." I stuttered, choking on blood

"The power of the Philosophers' Stone is limitless." he spoke, holding it out before me, "Meaning that helping one to cheat death is far within it's grasp."

"You..bastard..."

"All you succeeded in doing was prolonging the inevitable; now I must recharge the Philosophers' Stone. And since you no longer have any speed, you're of no use to me."

Zero retracted his hand from my chest, dropping me to the ground.

I hopelessly tried to move but was to no avail; he had fully shattered my spinal cord, thus paralyzing me. As I bled out, I was able to take one last glance at him.

His suit was tattered, and part of his face was showing.

With the last breath I had, I muttered his name, before finally fading into the darkness.