Zacks Cromwell

**Zacks Cromwell** is the uncle of Levius Cromwell, and his instructor in Mechanical Martial Arts.

## Appearance

Full view.

Zacks is middle-aged man with medium long black hair. He has a moustache and beard and a goggle-eyepatch.

## Personality

Zacks is a loud, cheerful man. He's careless and very talkative, tends to raise his voice when talking about anything. He's not good with kids, because he stayed single at the age of 38, but he managed to create a relationship with Levius.

## History

### 5 years ago

Zacks Cromwell's mother informed him that Levius Cromwell will be coming to live with them as his brother Nicholas had died in the war and his wife was in a coma. Zacks went to the station to wait for Levius, but felt asleep. Levius then came and sat next to him, and about a hour later Zacks woke up, surprised by the presence of Levius, who told him who he was and that he waited long enough and they need to go.

On the way to the car, Zacks asked if Levius knew anything about him and Levius started explaining what he knew about him, with Zacks having to stop him in the end. He then commented he was probably single, as he isn't good with kids.

Back at his home, Zacks started talking about Levius to his mother, telling her that he was looking at his mother and that he entered in a coma after she got injured in the war and that he lost his arm the same day. Later as he smoked outside, he was thinking how hard it must have been for a 12 years old. He went inside from the window and returned the photo he had to Levius, who then put it in his album, but didn't allow for Zacks to look into it. Zacks started telling and old story about how he fought with a buddy and then he died in the war, so he couldn't apologize, and then tried to leave, but Levius showed him a picture and asked if he knew that place. Zacks recognized it and that it was close to the only MMA Hall in the area. Levius wanted to go and see it, as he wanted to see where his mother grew up.

Levius then helped Zacks to fix the car, so they can go to the MMA Hall. On their way, Levius asked Zacks if he hated Nicholas. Zacks commented that he was revolutionary, but the government treated his as rebel, and because of that they got treated as traitors, but as the topic was too serious, he tried to not speak much of it. Levius then commented it's better to talk about it, as it makes you feel better and that it was good thing that Nicholas has died.

Reaching the place, Levius thought he was his young mother and rushed out of the car and ended up running into the stadium. As Zacks caught up to him, Levius explained he saw his young mother. They stayed in the stadium, until it closed, even after it had started to rain. Few days later at Zacks house, he explained to his mother that Levius Cromwell thought he saw his mother and that today was the first day to go and see his mother in the hospital.

As they went to see his mother, Zacks left him at her and went outside to smoke. When Levius came, Zacks explained he can't handle hospital and apologized for leaving earlier. While Levius went to pee, Zacks was recalling that he expected to see tubes and all, but he had wounds all over her body too, understanding it must have been hell.

As Levius returned to the car, after he cried, seeing him, Zacks tried to cheer him up saying that after some bad things happen, good things follow and eventually all balances out. Levius then asked Zacks if he believed in the power of dreams and that the other day when he saw his mother and followed her, he ended up in the ring fighting with her at his side. And now every night he dreams of him being adult and fighting in the tournament with his mom watching. Levius then explained that on the day of the accident, his mother was about to be operated, but as attack occured, he ran towards towards the hospital but got caught in the fighting. As he woke up, he was with a mechanical arm and the people that found him told him that his mother was shielding him, as she heard he disappeared, she went out looking for him. He then told that the doctors told him to give up, as she would never be able to talk or laugh again, blaming himself for all of that.

Zacks contacted Bill Weinberg, asking him if he could do maintenance for Levius, as Zacks will be coach him.

## Plot

### Levius series

Zacks met with Levius Cromwell, asking him if had already done his maintenance. They got in the car heading to the hospital so Levius can see his mother. On their way Zacks told a funny story to cheer Levius, but he wasn't listening. After the hospital, Zacks was taking a leek and after that tried to tell another funny story, but Levius again ignored him.

Later at the stadium, Zacks was with Levius and Bill Weinberg, preparing for Levius' fight against Malcolm Eden. They explained who Malcolm was and as Levius was about to go fight, Zacks advised him to start with a high kick and then punch. As they fought Zacks was remembering how his mother told him stories of the people who were against cybernetic boxing at first, as you could buy strength. And also a story of two boys who died at the same time. When Levius defeated Malcolm, killing him in rage, Zacks recalled a moment with his mother, where he was saying Levius will turn into a devil.

Zacks was looking at the newspaper and telling his mother that Levius Cromwell drew a picture as a kid, of a dream with his mother, but looking at the new design of the MMA stadium, it was the same. The design was for Steam Land Skypiarium, where only Grade I matches would be held. Knowing there are only monsters in Grade I, Zacks didn't want to go there, but his mother commented he can't stop him. She asked him if Zacks had told that info to Levius, and Zacks confirmed, but Levius didn't seem surprised.

As a Grade I fighter Buck Hamilton died in a bout, a Grade II fighter could be promoted and a fight between Hugo Stratus and Levius Cromwell was organized for the promotion. Zacks was speaking with Bill Weinberg, getting surprised that they were chosen, he heard some noise and Zacks explained their can got used to his new mechanical legs, no now he is making a litter box.

Zacks with Levius went to see Hugo's fight, but outside jumped and attacked Levius. Zacks tried to stop him, but got pushed away. On the stadium, Zacks tried giving icecream to Levius, but he refused. He then explained that Hugo wasn't serious and in the ring, he will be different and that in the last six months he would win in less than four rounds with K.O., even having better stats than Levius.

As Hugo ripped of A.J. arm it was revealed an Amethyst logo, a private military organization that ended the war in one night. The round ended, Levius stood up and headed towards the ring. Zacks caught him outside asking him what happened, and he revealed he saw Amything logo and he was angry as they destroyed his hometown. Zacks stopped him, telling him he will ruin his promotion and that this wasn't the place to take revenge and to leave the fight to Hugo. Zacks then told Levius that he liked how Hugo fights and that he is sorta cool and he would like seeing him fight Levius.

As the fight between Hugo and A.J. ended, Zacks was surprised to see A.J. Langdon was a girl. As she walked away, Levius Cromwell yelled at her to stop and went towards her, but she turned and kicked him. She then turned at Zacks, who wanted to check on Levius, but Levius stood up and stopped her, but that led to her starting to punch him and then creating a steam blast that send Levius to a hospital.

At the hospital, Bill Weinberg came angry, yelling at Zacks for them fighting outside the ring and that he could have brought Levius to him and not the hospital, as it would have been faster. Zacks then told him that Amethyst was involved, but Bill was calm, telling him that everyone knew that they dissolution after the war was for show and that they would like to test and advertise their military weapons in the sport. Zacks then asked Bill to not repair Levius, so that would force him to retire, but Bill stayed silent.

While taking a smoke outside, Hugo Stratus father came, thanking that Levius saved his life. He then requested that Bill to help Hugo, as he was in critical condition. Zacks went inside, but Bill had already heard everything. Bill agreed, but he wanted serious compensation, so that he can use the money on evolving Levius to fight Amethyst and that Zacks and Levius, should talk and decide if they want it.

Levius later woke up, telling Zacks that he heard A.J.'s voice right before her attack, asking for help.

When Levius woke up from the operation, Zacks came bringing breakfast and then explaining to Levius that the promotion match was changed to Levius vs A.J., and that Bill was currently leading Hugo's medical team. Zacks then wondered, why no one even the news said anything of A.J. fighting outside of the ring and endangering civilians. After a short silence, Levius told Zacks that he was going to see A.J., wanting to know the meaning behind her words. Zacks was telling Levius that it won't be easy, as they don't know where to look for her, but then the phone rang and Zacks mother told them that Hugo wanted to see Levius.

As they went to see Hugo, he was being supported by a machine and each of his organs was in a different jar. After a short talk between Hugo and Levius, they left and outside, Hugo's father caught up on them, telling them he will arrange a meeting with A.J., as thanks for them helping his son. Zacks was against it, but Levius told him he wanted to do it, even if it meant knocking him out. They went to a private mansion, where they met Dr. Clown, the one controlling A.J. and Levius ended up fighting her again. While they fought Zacks recalled Bill warned him, that until Levius recover, he can't release excessive amount of steam or it may cost his life. He yelled at Levius to stop, but heard a faint voice, telling him to run, realising it was A.J.'s. As Levius punched Dr. Clown, revealing to be an automation and he then properly introducing himself, they left the mansion with a promise to settle the things at the ring.

On the day of the fight, Zacks was in bed, unable to sleep, thinking for Levius opponent. While Zacks had breakfast, Bill came to tell him that Levius had passed the medical exam and the fight will occur at 10 o'clock. He then told Zacks to come outside, where he needed to tell him something. Zacks dressed an came out, and Bill told him that as the match is taking place in White Madrid, Fimeldt Republic, the republic and the surrounding nations are issuing a phase-5 evacuations, considering the match as dangerous as war with troops patrolling the streets. Bill told Zacks that the worst possible scenario was Levius winning, as then Amethyst will use military force, since they won't give A.J. that easily. Furthermore they issued as security Grade I, Rank 6 Christopher Elphinstone. Bill also revealed that the tickets for all the places the match was going to be shown in all seven continents, had been sold in 42 min and 51 seconds. Which was a record and while it's normal for a promotion match, Levius and A.J. were rank 7 and 22, so Bill believed it was due to the revelation Amethyst was involved in the fight.

As Levius was entering the ring, Zacks looking at his new red arm recalled Bill saying that it will give him more agility and power, but will increase his burden as it will be creating steam from his blood and that if he uses the compressed steam, he would be able to do it only for 15 mins, otherwise he will die.

Zacks told Bill that he hoped they could talk with A.J. and the fight to end without harm on both sides, but he was too optimistic.

The fight then started, with A.J. taking the upper hand. Bill wondered if that was his usual tactic, as he feels pain when punching opponents, sometimes he just waits and takes a beating observing the opponent, until he launches a brutal counter-attack. But this time it wasn't looking like it was that, but in that moment, Levius started fighting A.J. back and managed to slam her on the floor, telling Dr. Clown she needs to use 120% of her power.

Dr. Clown then offered Zacks to sell Levius to him and that way no more harm will be done. Levius then told Dr. Clown, he knew he was going to lose and why just don't withdraw and stop his foolish ideas.

Zacks then told Bill that he recalls his mother saying that Levius will become a devil, thinking it was for his fight style, but of lately that he may join Amethyst, but now sees how promising he was. But Bill was silent and noticed something, and quickly told Levius to be careful as A.J. stood up and attacked him. Seeing the steam that A.J. used, Bill told Zacks that he didn't answer if Levius was in trouble or not and that he was never interested in the sport or them, but just cared to be paid, but seeing that A.J. is still holding back, he wanted them to quit.

As A.J. ripped Levius arm, she then kicked him, breaking his ribs. Bill recalled the types of steam fighters use and knowing them, they know how to defend, but as Levius lost his arm, he lost his shield to protect himself from the steam attacks. Thinking Levius didn't stood a chance anymore, he turned to Zacks as he could stop the fight. But Zacks talked about how Levius should have kept his old arm as it was reminding him to his mother and that he knew he was going to advance to Grade I and meet his mother on this stadium.

As the first round ended with both A.J. and Levius on the ground, Zacks then quickly rushed the ring to check on Levius. Bill told Zacks they don't have time for mechanical maintenance, but seeing the damage he had, he probably won't be able to fight and they can either provide first aid or they can withdraw. Dr. Clown then told them the answer was easy, they should accept defeat and Levius should join Amethyst and together with A.J. they will be his baddest weapons.

Levius then spoke up, saying that during his fight with Malcolm, he told him Levius to kill him, knowing that he reached his peak, as he didn't want to become more pathetic and then Malcolm died with a smile. Bill then thought Levius wanted a honorable death, but Zacks told him that A.J. is the one that want it as that would freed her.

Dr. Clown then explained he lived to see the other people's suffering and what he did to A.J. and her father, Zacks wanted to punch him, but Levius stopped him, saying he will free A.J. with his fists.

Zacks felt he needed to apologize as he wasn't doing everything he could, to help Levius and then he took his eyepatch off, saying to Levius to listen as this was concerning A.J. weakness, hearing this, Bill rushed to him, recalling that Zacks had a disease that will blind him. Bill stopped Zacks and told the medics to threat him with cooling water. Zacks told him, he already saw it and wanted to speak from a channel with Levius.

Zacks then started saying about a fighter who suddenly started to rise and that MMA fighters use blood flow as an engine. The fighter had divided his hearts, giving him better control over the regions of the body that were far from the heart. But after a year, he became very ill and died. The dividing of the heart was forbidden, but Dr. Clown don't care about people's safety and he gave A.J. eight hearts, so Levius needed to destroy all eight to win.

A.J. was overflowing with steam energy and as the second round started and she took the upper hand. Zacks stood on the side and started watching using his left eye saying where A.J.'s hearts were. Following Zacks orders, Levius managed to destroy seven of the hearts. As A.J. used her last compressed steam, she caused an explosion that damaged Zacks eye, but before that he managed to give information to Levius about her last heart. As he was taken into a medical room, he ran back at the stadium feeling Dr. Clown may have tricked them and realized the heart was fake device and used his eye again to give the proper location of her last heart, which Levius then destroyed too.

### Levius/est series

A year later, Zacks woke up and Bill told him his body still can't move, so he connected him to a machine that projects his consciousness. They had a talk about how much the world had changed and that Bill suspects the MMA will be used as proxy battleground for a new world war. He told him about A.J. awakening, but that she had no memory. Bill wondered if he should help her return her memory or not, since they would need her help in the upcoming war, but wasn't sure he wants to make her feel guilty for her brother turning into a killing machine. Zacks wanted to meet her, before telling him what he should do and Bill agreed and prepared a special machine to awaken him and give him one hour.

Zacks went to see A.J. and was happy she was doing well, even though he realized she didn't remember him. They went to eat together, but as she was ignoring him, he decided to leave her, but before he did, she asked him if he could tell her who she was and what happened to her family, as she realized she wasn't in a traffic accident as she was isolated and everyone was afraid of her. Zacks decided to tell her what happened to her father and brother and then mentioned Levius name, hearing it, she remembered a bit of him and expressed desire to meet him.

As they agreed, she was brought up to Levius facility, where Bill introduced himself and showed where Levius was. Zacks kept telling her about her past and that she was responsible for Levius condition and that he saved her and hearing that, she started to return more of her memory and told them a medical treatment they could use to ease his pain. As Levius condition got better, Zacks relaxed and lost conscious. Some time later, Levius awakened and Zacks wanted to jump and hug him, but his mother stopped him.

Bill wanted to tutor A.J. as she needed to pass a test manage a high-grade fighter. Zacks joined her too and Bill explained them everything about the steam.

Later Levius moved to Timor Gym, as they needed more security and regulations. He saw there Natalia Garnet, asking her what she was doing there as she caused them so much trouble, including the fake marriage she did with Levius and how hard was for him to annulling it and had told her to not show her face again. Natalia then kicked him and attacked A.J. too, but Zacks got up and caught her and pinched her cheeks.

## Abilities

Zacks doesn't have any particular abilities, but he has boxing knowledge and is helping Levius train, giving him advices.

Zacks left eye suffers from congenital tetrachromatic abnormality, a new disease making him see the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum, making him see heat in color. As conditions worsen, exposure to light leads to full blindness. Because of that he wears an eyepatch that completely shuts any light from reaching his eye.