A big surprise

(Previously)

The group look relieved for some reason making Jackson curious, he released the pressure from the group letting them hesitantly stand.

They looked at him confused "well lead the way" Jackson said with a smile that showed he was ready for anything.

(Now)

The five men turned around speed walking, leading the way. Jackson was in no mood to take his time, he stood over them making them turn to him "you should run" with this suggestion they started sprinting.

Using telekinesis Jackson flouted jasmine in the air with the old man, she calmed the man by asking "do you have any family?" The old man stopped panicking looking back at her "a daughter and a granddaughter."

She smiled "that's good, how old is you're granddaughter" she asked getting the man to smile pulling out his wallet showing her pictures of a little girl with blonde hair in a flower dress causing him to forget where he was.

Jackson followed the group with ease, hovering over their shoulders as they ran for their life's. They approached a building with four guys looking like gang members, as they all smoked something that was 10 inches long but as thin as a toothpick.

"Run straight through them" his icy tone made the group shiver as they panicked, the blond man lead the way inside like a bull. He threw his own people to the side clearing the way as he slammed open the door charging inside.

Jackson was on his heels making the blonde man move even faster a he screamed and panted. Jackson pasted him feeling a strong presence in front of him guessing it was the boss.

"Thanks for you're help" he thanked as Jasmine and the old man pasted the blond man who fell and rolled onto the ground looking at Jackson's back as he ran forward.

Adrenaline still ran through the blond haired man's body letting him get up and continue running.

Jackson approached a door slamming it open with ease seeing a army of 50 or more people all geared to the teeth, but he also noticed everyone had something in their hand, as if they were all about to present it or a tribute.

Jackson kept moving towards the strongest presence, moving through the crowd with ease by pushing everyone to the side with telekinesis.

Suddenly he pushed through to a clearing seeing someone very familiar. "Natasha? Or is that Sam?" Jackson asked getting the 7ft black haired woman with a toned body on stage to stiffen up.

A man sat next to her on a makeshift throne looked at her confused, he was 10ft tall looking like a smaller version of the hulk with black hair and black cloths. Just a regular tshirt and gym shorts. "You know this weasel?" He asked turning to her to see a fist heading towards his mouth.

She was 9ft tall with three scars marks on the side of her head making it bold, the rest of her hair stayed short and spiked up. If the man look like hulk then she looked like she hulk having muscles bulging through her short shirt that only went above her belly button with shorts that ended just above the knee.

He effortlessly caught it, throwing her fist to the side and standing. "Ah so this is the guy" he muttered looking at Jackson with disgust.

"Is this you're boyfriend or something Natasha?" Jackson asked looking around the guy staring at the woman.

She spit from laughter "definitely not, this is some guy I ran into, who promised me food for fighting." She immediately told the truth without pause or hesitation.

"Interesting, so can you beat this guy?" Jackson asked following up his question which she answered same way as before "it wouldn't be easy, and I would have to kill him to properly call it a win."

The man stood between them listening to the conversation, speaking when he could "why not fight me yourself?" He asked looking at Jackson who shrugged. "Because everything and everyone in this room is already under my control." he causally answered as he put 40 pounds of pressure on everyone in room.

Natasha smiled hoping off the stage walking over to Jackson with a friendly wave "it's been a while, still have that wet blanket still following you?" She asked getting Jackson to smile.

"I actually just got him back, I have plans and I need someone like you." Jackson didn't need to say anymore Natasha nodded with a smile. "Anytime master"

The leader of these men hesitated for a moment hearing the words leave her mouth, this was no normal woman. they all seen her gut men and monster's alike with a smile that would make most shiver in her presence.

"Is he really that worthy to go far as to call him master? He looks like nothing special, and I can't sense anything abnormal." the head man spoke getting everyone to look at him as he stood calmly with his arms crossed with a hand on his chin.

Jackson looked toward him watching Natasha snap her head in his direction with a scowl that would make a grown man flinch. He didn't.

"Because you're to weak to know you're place, but at least you're not stupid, or you would of fucked around and found out by now." Natasha stated with a shit eating grin that put everyone on edge.

The leader was still hesitant, being insulted never bothered him because he's always proved himself but this time felt different.

This man survived off his instincts alone this was the first time he felt nothing, as if Jackson wasn't even there. "then will that be all?"

Jackson couldn't sense anything from this guy, no hate, no anger just weariness. "Oh and this one guy was getting roughed up by some of you're goons, you know anything about that?" Jackson remembered when seeing the old man and Jasmine still flouting above everyone.

The guy looked at the old man trying to remember before one of the men from the crowd answered, "he's the one who begged for a lesser healing potion, Commander"

The so called Commander shrugged "everyone leave this geezer and his people alone, anything else?" He asked questionably.

"Depends on how useful you are" Jackson shrugged getting all the spectators to look between them questionably.

The Commander also shrugged "depends on what you want to know, I know about everything from this safe zone to the Nomand's"

Jackson turned his head confused before he continued "The Nomads are humans; they don't care for safe zones. They only care to take what they want…. when they can that is." He added with a smile that put all his men on edge.

Jackson nodded "sounds interesting but I'll be going on my way, just make sure none of your men get in my way." Jackson spoke while turning around leaving the crowd and passing the blonde hair guy who looked at Jackson slacked jawed. but Jackson didn't even glance his direction as he walked by leaving the building.

Jackson took the old guy home dropping him off with his granddaughter, who was a lot older then the pictures. She was a 25 year old women currently wearing Chain mail armor with a sword on her hip making her look like a knight.

"What the hell grandpa, I told you to stop going out by yourself , thank you for being home home." She barked and thanked as she cleaned the old timer up with a rag.

"Not a problem we'll see you around" Jackson waved flouting waving jasmine along with Natasha who just followed quietly, leaving only the sound of people walking to be heard until they got back.

Getting back to the inn jasmine couldn't help but ask "what was that for and who's really is she?" She asked pointing a thumb back to Natasha who looked around before pointing at herself.

Jackson smiled looking down on jasmine "it's a old disciple, I've trained 3 people you met David and here's Natasha and who knows if we're going to see Quinn he's my wild card." He explained "ha definitely can say that" Natasha added getting jasmine to look back and forth between them.

Jackson chuckled before properly introducing them "jasmine this is Natasha I trained her to be like my assassin. And she has two personalities Sam and Natasha, Sam was the original far as I know, week and defenspess and Natasha is her other personality that would defend her when she felt in danger."

Natasha shrugged as jasmine looked at her "if you're wondering if I can switch back to Sam you're wrong, since this apocalypse started she gave me control and hasn't said a word. Only a whisper here and there." She answered jasmine question without her having to say anything but Jackson was curious.

"Sam won't you come out and talk to me?" Jackson asked but Natash just stood there with a smile "told ya, she ain't coming out. she watched her brother get eaten alive." Her smile was ominous giving jasmine shivers.

"You never liked him did you?" Jackson asked with a deadpan expression already guessing what happened. "I warned her… if that basterd was to be on fire I wouldn't of pissed on him to save him. She begged me to help him, to save him, then finally to kill him but I laughed as I watched her kill him, she's the real monster. She makes me and you look bad." Her smile only grew as she spoke and her words left jasmine shaking while she held onto Jackson.

Jackson didn't like the guy either he was a woman beater and a real piece of work so he didn't blame her, in fact he would of probably did the same. "So that's it huh? It's just you then Natash."

She just nodded hearing the bitter tone in his voice. "So what now what did you want me for?" She asked getting Jackson to look back towards her with a smile "well I wanted you back on the team because you ran with the other guys so you should know you're way around and I thought you might want to join us, I think you'll like the company."

She snorted before shrugging "sure let's meet the pack." Jasmine calmed down by this point not shaking anymore but still held Jackson's hand.

He didn't mind, he lead the way to the counter "my group is going to use a table to discuss a few things we won't need a menu or anything." He stated walking back to a table while sending a message to everyone to meet at his table.

They sat there awkwardly for a moment before Natash asked "so this you're new lady friend?" Jasmine blushed for a moment as Jackson nodded.

"Oi so she's next in command then David then me?, I'm fucking third oiii" she exclaimed putting a hand in her forehead making jasmine giggle a little.

David was the first to walk down the steps to see Natasha, he stopped in his tracks staring at her for a moment before letting out the longest sigh the group had ever heard. "Long time no see Davi" she said with a laugh getting him to groan inwardly.

"How's it going Natasha, you've got more scars good for you." He replayed reluctantly continuing down the steps to sit at the table with Jean not for behind giving everyone a wave.

Everyone slowly made their way down the steps all sitting at the table. Everyone was quiet looking between Jackson and the new member.

"I asked you all here to introduce another one of my disciples Natasha she's just as strong as David so treat her with respect, she specializes in stealth and assassins with her primary fight choice is Muay Thai." Jackson began introducing everyone to her giving her a feel of the entire group but the one who caught her attention the most was Clementine.

"Natasha I need to know everything you know about the area and where we can go to find strong equipment and higher level monsters." Jackson snapped her gaze back to him before nodding.

"Edith is what they call this shit show, most of the time it's quite fucked but when the blooded come through it becomes a fuckin engine, this compound specializes in quest and bounty's with the annual crafters competition." She made a face as if she smelt something horrible.

"Then there's the nomads, I call them rubbish because that's what they are. They have no shame and no self restraint, if they capture you you'll wished they'd killed ya."

There was silence for a short period of time before Jackson cleared his throat getting everyone to look at him "what about the infected or the ogers?" They all turned to her as she leaned on the table with her elbow and resting her face on her palm.

"The infected are a bunch of cunts, nobody knows much about it besides the fact they want to multiply as fast as possible and the higher ups, as in the bloody cunt that built this place say it's a infectious hivemide that wants to rule the planet."

"As for the ogers," she smiled menacingly "people are saying theirs portals to other worlds. But the bugger part is it's a one way trip. People have system recordings showing the ogers leaving the portal and not being able to go back through, it kinda looked like a bloody barrier around the portal or something.

"Also more then ogers have came through the portal though, I've seen reports on dragon like beast with much more cunts just like it. The scouts dye by the dozen and nobody can get a accurate report on anything coming through." She calmly explained as she danced her index finger on the table leaving marks on the table from her sharp nail.

Jackson took a moment to fully appreciate the information breaking it down and rewording his next question. "Do you know where these portal is? And what about what's already come through." He asked with his fingers enterlocked together with his elbows resting on the table.

She smiled "now that's bloody classified, not even torture can get that information it's locked behind safeguards and some say the bugger system behind it. As for the beast like I said they have rough estimates on where they are and how they think but that's it." She explained as she removed her finger from the table with a smile.

She drew a map of the compound with roads and other areas like nomads land, which was bigger then the compound with lines throughout it cutting off area.

The smallest area was closest to the compound labeled as fodder. The other area behind it is labeled as Prawlers, this area as 2x the size as the first with the world Prawlers all over the place with the last area marked as king nomad with the world Prawlers underlined twice.

The last thing she drew on the table was a a bunch a scratches surrounded a circle labeled portal and with another worked underlined next to it, Gatekeppers.

Everyone looked at the map in awe as the details looked as if she copied it off a map. As if reading all their minds "I memorized this map Ken showed me."

Jackson looked at her questionably getting her to continue. "The group is called blood collectors and their leader went by commander or Ken but nobody was brave enough to call him that but me." She sighed.

"The bloody idiot thought he saved me when we first met, I was fighting infection for fun and they grouped up to the thousands, I never felt so bloody alive in my life." Her words struck everyone silent, Jackson just nodded understanding what she meant.

"So is there any quests for theses beasts that escaped the portal?" Jackson asked getting everyone's attention. Natasha smiled "of course their the highest priority job that nobody wants, well almost nobody."

Jackson smiled "last two questions" she nodded looking at him as he pointed to the Nomad king and the word Prawler that was underlined twice. "How powerful is this so called king of Nomads and why did you underline the world Prawler."

She nodded "the Nomad king would probably be the only fight you'll look forward to, as for the Prawlers their his tamed beasts and that being the case their stronger, a lot bloody stronger then the regular Prawlers."

Clementine suddenly chimed in "what's a Prawler?" Natasha looked at her with a blank expression "have you ever seen a panther little one?" She asked looking at Clem curiously.

She nodded "kinda like a leopard but pitch black right?" She smiled at her a little "Close enough imagine that but the size of a horse and as quite as a cat, so they naturally got the name Prawler because it means to move around quietly in a place trying not to be seen or heard."

Nobody liked the image they got in their head after hearing the description. "So you can lead us to this portal?" Jackson asked getting a eager

smile out of Natasha "you're bloody right I could."she stood up as if to lead the way right away.

Jackson raised his hand towards her, lowering it to the table, as if his hand controlled her she sighed sitting back down at the table. "Patience is key, plus he have a few quests in to grab and everyone should prepare pack emergency supplies and whatever you think you might need to survive in a monster infested forest."

Jackson looked at his group to see their reactions, everyone looked at him with smiles, with hunger in their eyes and admiration in their vains ready for the best adventure yet. Fred couldn't help it "fuck yea man, now that's what I'm talking about."

The group cheered getting the room's attention but they didn't care, this was the first time they felt no fear in their hearts only the desire to grow stronger along side with Jackson.

Jackson could see the determination in their eyes and the way they cheered for what most called a death sentence. He smiled a genuine smile that warmed jasmine's heart as she hugged him.

She quickly let go with a smile and a wink letting home continue grinning. "Let's move everyone, meet back here in 4 hours." Jackson spoke as clementine grabbed his left and as Jasmin grabbed the right while Natasha followed behind as everyone split up with a "Roger that" or "yes sir" and a small salute.

"Where to first? " Jasmin asked cause he was already moving in a direction with purpose. "Yea there's a man I would like to talk to about a few things." He answered as they quickly moved through the streets with ease everyone naturally avoided Jackson even before the apocalypse now it was like he was a demon, no one look at him or got within a 5ft radius.

He found the shop he wanted to enter and jasmine remembered him immediately, this man's name is Jeffery he's 5ft bold headed man with a mustache that only went to the edges of his lips, he has a abnormally deep voice and today he wore a light pink tuxedo with most of his chest eposed. "Is that who I think it is?"

His voice made jasmine, clementine and even Natasha shiver unpleasantly. "Oi this cunts weird, I'm going to wait outside." She walked away without waiting for a reply. "We're going to look at the shop next door", jasmine said slowly letting his hand go with a wink as she left behind Natasha.

"You have no idea how often that happens." He stated nonchalantly as he looked at his nails. "So did you like the gift I gave you?" He asked seeing the black brace on his wrist.

Jackson shrugged as he smiled. " I like the extra inventory you gave me was wandering if you have bigger upgrades or something that carry food easier."

Jeffery giggled, the sound akin scooting a heavy old chair over hard wood just deeper. "I have plenty of items as such, the problem is I don't need money at the moment so you have to pay with something else."

He answered looking Jackson up and down to settle on his scowling face making him jump back into it his hand on his chest, as if he was hurt. "I don't take advantage of my costumer's, I was anilizing you to see what quest I should give you." He explained getting jackson to stop scowling at him.

"What is you're preferred quest?" He asked as he scrolled through his system. "It doesn't matter, as long as it's not easy." Jackson answer suprised the man getting his to look at him questably with a hint of a smile.

"So do you take high priority bounties?" He asked with eagerness in his voice. it was Jackson's turn to look at him questionably, "I know of bounties, what's the difference?" He asked getting the man to laugh which sounded like a demon in a empty room.

"The difference is night and day, high priority bounties are 100% of the time their blooded. They think they can do as they please the second they get to much power. I'll send you the details and you can accept it if you like." He explained as he send Jackson a system message.

[Bounty contract: Name: Dillon, Title: ice mage

Crimes against the system and earth's inhabitats crimes listed, Stealing from system bound items, murder inside safe zones, rape inside safe zone.

Kill count 23 rape count 15. Reward 100,000 credits from system.] yes or no]

Jackson immediately accepted the bounty with his scowl returning getting Jeffery to speak "if you don't like that guy then you're not going to like the others I'm sending."

[Bounty Contract: Name: Josh, Title: Man eater

Crimes against the system and earth's inhabitats crimes listed: Confermed kills 150, he's known to eat his at least a piece of everyone of his victims if not half or more of their body, Reward: 250,000 credits from system.]

[Bounty Contract: Name: Pete, Title: dungeon cleared. crimes against the system and earth's inhabitats, crimes listed, acomplis to man's eaters massacre aiding the monster in his rampage while stealing valuable system bound weapons. Being a anomaly he's bounty could be raised with more information, Reward 500,000]

[Bounty Contract: Name: Wade Title:Cult leader. crimes against the system and earth's inhabitants , crimes listed. forming a Cult is against system's principles and against its rules. the Saviors Cult, has done unspeakable acts of violence and heresy against the system. Reward 750,000 systems credits]

[Would you like to accept the bounty's listed yes or no]

Jackson read through the list quickly accepting it and throwing them out of vision. "So I can now get the items I asked for right?" He asked sounding more like a demand then a question but Jeffery didn't mind turning around going into a room.

Jackson could see him within his domain but it was blurred, as if something was trying to prevent him from looking into the room. He came back out quickly placing a few items on the table.

He pointed to the first one, it was a ring that looked like it would barely fit on Jackson's pinky finger. "I call it the meat locker, it keeps food as it was kept in the freezer, I've heard it's able to carry over 10 tones and keep the food good up to a few years. No body knows for sure though."

Jeffery pointed at the next item, it looked like a small backpack that would fit in the palm of his hand. "I know what it looks like, it's a inventory upgrade but you have to have the second upgrade before you can acquire this one. It allows 30 items slots with a quicker access time and shows items stats or item definitions."

Jackson thoroughly likes the new upgrade looking at the last item that Jeffery pointed to, it was a small replica kitchen set, with everything including tables and sinks, oven's, gas's burners, tables and every type of pot and pan you could think of.

Jackson smiled getting Jeffery to put his chin on his interlocked fingers "I take it you like the kitchen set huh, I'll also throw in a seasoning rack and I'll add this smoker and wire wracks" Jackson grinned a little more grabbing everything on the table.

"I appreciate it, I'll be back when I complete my bounty's" Jeffery pouted which looked very dersturbing "I'll be waiting for you're return, message me before hand I have other people I think you would like to meet."

Jackson nodded as he got messages from the system, he told the system to read them to him as he left the building.

[System reminder set, will automatically send a message to Jeffery the tinker master, when within 500ft]

[Alert you're in debt, system won't press charges do to shop keepers patients and faith.]

Listening to the messages he was glad he was able to get the items he wanted before they went to explore the portal.

Jasmine and Natasha were playing with clementine by swinging her back and forth, jasmine held the arms while Natasha held her legs.

They drew a free stars but they smiled at them before going about their day. "You guys ready to go?" He asked seeing they slowed seeing him.

They put her down, Clem running over to him " flying more fun, can I fly about you for a bit?" She asked eagerness in her voice. "Sure thing Clem"

She slowly stated flouting upwards before she put her arm in front of her looking like a super hero as she ascended into the sky, he pushed her to 150ft or so away letting her get the best vew possible.

"We have collected some information about a few bounty's I got then we can head back." Then he began explaining the bounty's and the things the system told him while taking them to their first destination.

Natasha spit hard onto the ground "bloody cunts, a slow death the the lot." Jasmine nodded "those guys definitely deserve some fire under their feet."

They walked into a building with a banner of a flailing dragon on a frying pan. "Walking to the frying dragon, please take a seat anywhere you like and we'll be right with you." Someone running plates to tables greeted them as she continued to do her job.

They walked up to the bar and everyone at it grabbed their food and drink and got up and found a different seat. "Fuckin a right" Natasha said sitting in one of the chairs that someone just got up from.

The bartender quickly cleaned the counter with a clean white rag as he threw the bars menu on the table for them all to see. Jackson put up a hand "I'm here to collect information on Dillon, better known as the ice mage." The background noise immediately stopped with everyone's attention in the group.

The bartender scowled at Jackson "what do you need to know about garbage like that." Jackson smiled getting him to step back with a more cautious attitude.

"I need to know if he had something trackable he left behind or if there anyone that knows about his current location." He asked getting the man to gulp, "pleas follow me." He said guiding them to the back of the building where there was a wall of ice.

"He created a wall of ice to block us while he did his evil, this is all he left. We do have a man on the search for him he should be here anytime now. But if he's not I have a location crystal on him." He explained as he gave Jackson a device that had two dots, one green and one red.

"You're the green dot. Please find my brother, I can't lose anyone else's." He asked with a quiver to his lower lip.

Jackson smiled looking at the ice that still had power flowing through it, it was a dark blue but to the naked eye it was see through. Jackson touched the ice getting the bartender to reach out to try and stop him.

Jackson felt the cold dig into his bones in his hand but with a simple hand gesture, hand close with two fingers up. "Melt" with this a cloud of darkness left his frozen hand returning it to normal as the cloud continued forward to consume the ice wall.

It looked like the wall was slowly melting in font of everyone but to Jackson's Domain the dark cloud was consuming the dark blue power within, chasing it through the ice wall until it was nothing but the cloud that quickly vanished.

With the ice wall gone, the gory sight on the other side now shows itself, it would of made anyone back away and losing their breakfast. Jackson looked on with ease able to find a clean blanket In the room using telekinesis to cover the doorway he just made.

"Block this with something and don't let anyone with a weak stomach enter" Jackson ordered getting the bartender to run off finding some nails. Jackson used telekinesis to throw the nails into the blanket making it stay up comfortably.

The bartender looked inside freezing there for a moment before letting go of the blanket with a tear running down his right eye "thank you" and with that jackson left the building heading back to the inn.

(hello everyone, sorry about the non-existing uploads but life can push you away from your hobbies but no excuses i appreciate everyone for reading and adding to your collations you're all so amazing and i would love to read some comments, but this is me signing off i hope you all enjoyed, and you have a good one, until next time)