Chapter # - Dying words
Jack looked on in horror as The Warrior finally fell at the last bullet hitting its eye.
"NO! This can't be happening…" Jack said in disbelief before growling angrily. "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!"
"Holy badass. I think you killed it. Never hurts to make sure though. Hit the button in the moonshot console." Lilith chuckled.
The very familiar teenager ran up to the moonshot console and practically slamming the button. The moonshot hit through The Warrior as it's head exploded and loot went everywhere.
"Haha! Make it rain!" The excited teenager said looking at the loot sprayed across the ground.
"No, no,no… I can't die like this…. Not when i'm so close… and not at the hands of a filthy bandit!" Jack hissed in pain. "I could have saved this planet! I could have actually restored order!" Jack spat angrily. "I wasn't supposed to die by the hands of a child-killing psychopath!" Jack ranted in anger. "You're a savage! You're a maniac! You are a bandit AND I AM THE GODDAMN HERO!" Jack yelled stomping rather childishly in anger.
"Swear jar." Gaige said picking up a sniper rifle, ironically Hyperion.
Jack glared angrily at her. "The Warrior was practically a god. How-" Jack said in disbelief. "HOW in the hell have you killed my Warrior?" Jack asked completely dumbfounded.
"A glitch. And robotics." Gaige shrugged.
"You idiots! The Warrior could have brought peace to this planet! No more dangerous creatures! No more bandits! Pandora-" Jack ranted sounding a bit more emotional. "It could have been a PARADISE!"
"Maybe nothing worth saving in Pandora." Gaige said, all silliness lost.
"This is the end, Vault Hunter, Either you kill Jack, or i'll kill him for you. What's it gonna be?" Lilith said looking at Gaige as Jack held his side in pain standing rather weakly.
"Why not let him live. Live in shame." Gaige suggested. "He's kinda out of luck as he is. He just wasted everyone's time and money, for what?"
"The hell are you on kid?! He killed my boyfriend! He's tried to murder us as well! He imprisoned his own daughter for Christ sake! And you want this bastard to live?!" Lilith said angrily.
"I'm saying, what's he gonna do? He's returning empty-handed." Gaige sighed.
"And you went against Angel's word of staying away from her holding cell. You're the reason i killed your boyfriend." Jack hissed at Lilith.
"Really, he's got nothing now. He just wasted his life stopping you. No time to try again." Gaige shrugged.
"All i wanted to do was civilise you planet, what is wrong with that?! You like living in fear? That you might die anytime! I could have made this place a paradise don't you see!" Jack hissed weakly.
"I ain't seeing paradise here. Don't know what you're on." Gaige said.
"Because it never has been one i'm trying to make it one. Which you Vault Hunters don't seem to get!" Jack huffed.
"Look, old guy. I got a health hypo left. You can either take it or not." Gaige huffed.
"Are you an idiot?!" Lilith hissed. "He just tried to kill everyone here!"
"And you've tried to murder me for no reason." Jack hissed at Lilith "At least i had a damn reason."
"And what's he gonna do Lilith? Wave his cane and call me a meddling kid?" Gaige scoffed. Jack glared at Gagie.
"Brat." Jack huffed.
"I've heard enough." Lilith growled.
"Look. You want the hypo or not?" Gaige huffed. Jack sighed holding his hand out weakly for the Health. Gaige fished it out of her dress tossing it to him. Jack caught it and sighed a bit in defeat. The hypo was half full, but enough to close most of his wounds. Before Jack could actually use the health Lilith gripped his face and ripping the mask off his face, bolts and all, as Jack screamed in agony.
"Oi! You said it was my choice!" Gaige yelled, starting to draw her weapon.
"I said you kill him or i do kid." Lilith growled as Jack screamed.
"I said I want him to live. My choice." Gaige growled.
"That wasn't an option." Lilith snapped.
"It was mine! You said I pick! I picked a different option. So what?!" Gaige hissed.
"He deserves to die for what he has done." Lilith growled draining Jack's remaining life.
"Lilith! We can use him! We could help the Crimson Raiders! Move them up to Helios! End all Bandits!" Gaige hissed.
"Like he would agree and go along. He'd find a way to go against us kid." Lilith hissed.
"He owes us! And he knows we can beat him! He won't try anything. He's smart." Gaige huffed. "We would have Hyperion and Helios supplying us forever!"
"He's too smart! We have a chance to kill him before he can find a way to get back at us!" Lilith snapped.
"If we have him in our sights he won't have a chance. He's done, Lilith. Drop him." Gaige sighed. "Roland would want this. For the future of all Crimson Raiders. Roland would call him an asset. As he is."
Lilith growled before dropping Jack angrily. "I still believe he should die, but fine if Roland would want it that way then fine." Lilith huffed as Jack fell breathing heavily basically struggling for what life he was clinging to.
"Roland would. I don't know him, Lilith, but I know how he thought." Gaige sighed. Lilith huffed crossing her arms.
"Lilith. Think of the Crimson Raiders. Don't they deserve never having to worry about supplies ever again?" Gaige sighed.
"I guess we would have unlimited supplies. I guess theres some use for this sorry son of a bitch." Lilith huffed.
"I'll look over him myself." Gaige sighed, nudging the health hypo to Jack.
"I'll go tell the guys the news." Lilth grumbled. Gaige nodded, before going back to looting. Jack weakly reached out to the health hypo by him.
"You're lucky I'm not letting lilith have her way." Gaige sighed, turning to Jack. Jack weakly looked at her.
"Oh. Right. Bleeding out." Gaige said, going to the Warrior looting around it. Jack stabbed the health hypo into himself with a hiss.
"Look, I know you'll probably die before we actually put you to use. So I'm letting you take back your words." Gaige called.
"What do you mean take back my words?" Jack hissed weakly.
"Your whole blood loss induced rant." Gaige scoffed.
"Hmpf and what exact words do you want me to take back?" Jack huffed.
"Well maybe the parts where I'm greedy and care nothing for the planet." Gaige said. "Eh, I'm letting you live, aren't I. You're lucky for your life. Don't squander it being angry. That's Lilith's problem." Gaige sighed.
"I'm sorry for calling you greedy and all kiddo. You didn't deserve it unlike those other bastards. They deserve it for everything they've done to me. You, your cool. Ya actually have a brain that's working." Jack sighed.
"I'm a genius, aren't I?" Gaige shrugged.
"Hell yeah. Uh DeathTrap right? I'd love to get my hands on a full blueprint for him. He'd be a hell of a lot more threatening than a stupid loader." Jack said with a weak chuckle.
"We'll see." Gaige chuckled. "Ya know, I see where Angel gets it. You both got a brain. Granted you both use it different, but you two really do show it."
"Thanks kiddo. Ya know i would have liked ya working with me instead of against me. Pretty sure Tim would have liked that as well." Jack said.
"Though, uh, when you mentioned her, just professional curiosity, who is her mother?" Gaige asked.
"Uh well it's a bit complicated." Jack sighed with a weak chuckle.
"Less complicated than Lilith's love life? Go ahead." Gaige shrugged.
"I'm sure it's more complicated kiddo." Jack chuckled. "She in a scene has two mothers."
"Two? How so?" Gaige looked surprised.
"Well her first mother was a crazy scientist apparently and the other was a good friend of mine who well volunteered." Jack said awkwardly.
"Volunteered? Creepy." Gaige said.
"Like kid it's complicated." Jack chuckled.
"So what happened to them?" Gaige asked.
"Uh Eleanor apparently died of what i've been told. Chloe…. I don't like talking about." Jack sighed.
"Weird. You blamed Angel for them." Gaige said.
"Without Eleanor i didn't know how to help her control her powers, and Chloe….. Was my fault." Jack sighed.
"Oh. I'll just… go looking for hypos." Gaige said running off.
Jack sighed staring up at the blacked sky trying to ignore the immense pain he was in. "A good twenty years of my life… down the drain." Jack sighed. He started to feel the light headedness come back from the remaining wound in his side. "Come on Jack you can't die here damn it." Jack hissed struggling to breath.
'Funny you were ready to die for this warrior.' he scoffed at himself.
"I even knew this would happen. But i had hoped that maybe just maybe i could change it… idiot." Jack sighed weakly.
'Hmpf. What did the Twins tell you? Your own greed would be your demise?' he thought to himself.
"Guess you can't change fate…. No matter what you do….Now look where we are. Bleeding to death. Alone." Jack chuckled weakly trying to fight to keep his eyes open.
'You're going to die. You know this. Why fight it.' he thought.
"Guess im not quite ready to die….. Not yet." Jack said softly. There was a beeping as the fast travel station acted up, someone approaching. Taller than Gaige, by the shadow cast.
"Jack?" Rhys called out, running up to the Key platform.
"Rhys?" Jack said weakly recognizing Rhys's voice.
"Oh my god! Jack! Jack what happened?! Are you okay?!" Rhys gasped, going to Jack quickly.
"Just bleeding out it's fine." Jack said sarcastically.
"We'll get you a health hypo or something, you'll be fine…" Rhys panicked.
"Don't worry bout it kiddo. Gagies on it." Jack sighed.
"Gaige?" Rhys looked surprised.
"Yeah. Long story short. Kinda the reason im alive right now." Jack chuckled weakly.
"We'll just get you back up to Helios, everything will be fine…" Rhys gulped.
"Kiddo. Don't be stupid." Jack hissed.
"Wh-what do you mean? You'll be fine." Rhys gulped.
"Unless she comes back with a shit ton of health hypos. I'm not making it out of here." Jack sighed.
"No.. no we can get you somewhere where we can fix you up…. Right?" Rhys gulped.
"Rhys just calm down alright kiddo. I knew i wouldn't make it out. Just thought i could change my fate… seems i was wrong." Jack huffed.
"But.. we can still help you… right?" Rhys asked.
"It'd take a lot to help me right now….. Time we just don't have." Jack said.
"Then what can we do? You can't die! I won't allow it!" Rhys sniffled.
"Nothing we can do kiddo." Jack sighed
"Then what happens now? You just die and leave me alone?" Rhys sighed sadly.
"Rhys don't think of it like that." Jack grumbled.
"Then how else do I think of it, huh?! That's what it is!" Rhys snapped.
"Yeah yeah i know. I was trying to help ya god." Jack grumbled before sighed sadly.
"Then what do I do Jack? What will anyone do without you?" Rhys sighed sadly.
"Ah you'll find a way to get around it. Plus we all knew i'd go someday…. Despite me not wanting to." Jack said.
"I don't want to just leave you to die Jack. I could help!" Rhys sniffled.
"You're not leaving me to die. You're here. Wouldn't want anyone else by my side." Jack sighed.
"But I could help! If I could just…" Rhys raised his arm as it flickered trying to glow before going out. "No… no not now…. Not when I need it most…" Rhys panicked.
"Like i said. Fated to die here. Nothing is going to change that…. As i should have known. Just wish i could have changed something…. Guess this shitholes just gonna be that…." Jack sighed sadly.
"I can help, just hold out a while longer! It'll work in a minute!" Rhys whimpered as his arm refused to glow now.
"Kiddo i know this is hard on you. But i know ya can do it…. I mean live without me." Jack said weakly.
"No! No I can't! I know I'm strong enough! I've been getting stronger all this time just for this! To show I could do the protecting for once…" Rhys's voice faltered.
"You can…. Protect yourself idiot…. That's who ya gotta protect." Jack chuckled weakly.
"Dammit! What's the point of even having this fucking arm, being able to heal people, if I can't even save who matters?!" Rhys growled, punching the ground. "What's the point of even being born?!"
"Don't ever say that dumbass. You have made my life great…." Jack growled before coughing badly.
"That's the thing! It's all true! I'm useless! I can't help anybody when I have the means of it!" Rhys growled.
"Then change it. Make yourself useful idiot. Can't change fate but you can change yourself. Whatever happens at the end ya can't change but you can change the middle of your story." Jack huffed before chuckling a bit. "Plus every hero suffers before their a hero."
"What's the point? I cant save anyone who's important to me. Everyone would be better without me." Rhys sniffled.
"That's a damned lie" Jack snapped. "I needed ya around. If you weren't who knows what i would have become. In a since you saved me from myself kiddo."
"At least if I died it would go to someone who knows what they're doing. Not my fumbling ass." Rhys sniffled.
"You're just not quite there yet kiddo…. But i believe ya could take over Hyperion…. You take yourself for granted too much…. Ya hesitate to take the prize a lot." Jack sighed.
"Then I'll get stronger! No matter who stands in my way!" Rhys snapped.
"That's the spirit kiddo. Just remember not to bite off more than ya can chew. Pick your fights wisely." Jack chuckled. "And don't let some little bully push ya down."
"What's the point though if I can't even save my big brother. Maybe dad was right. I'm better locked where I can't hurt more people." Rhys sighed.
"Least your not letting me die alone….. " Jack said. "If he was right then just look at what happened to my baby girl….. You can't lock a Siren up forever before something goes wrong."
"Except I told her I'd keep you alive. Now I'm just a big old liar." Rhys said sadly.
"And how many times have i almost died but ya saved me in a way? Rhys you have been a huge help… you just don't see it….. I couldn't have made it here without ya…...You kept your word till i got to the end of my rope." Jack sighed.
"If you hadn't found me out, if I hadn't come you would be happy. I dragged you to that stupid vault. I took away your memories. I'm the reason you're here." Rhys sniffled wiping his reached out shakily.
"I am happy kiddo….I got to see ya before it was too late." Jack said softly.
"But you're dying now because of me! You could have lived completely fine. But no. I just had to meddle. I had to get greedy for my brother." Rhys whimpered.
"Everyone dies eventually kiddo…. That's a part of life…. Rhys i've had a life like no other….. How many can say they've opened three Vaults huh not a lot… And i got to have someone i love by my side all through my life….I say that's something no one can say." Jack chuckled weakly wiping away a few tears on Rhys's face.
"You mean Chloe. Who I couldn't help either." Rhys sighed sadly.
"Don't get me wrong i love Chloe….. I love my Baby girl…...But i love ya kiddo…..A hell of a lot….. Just didn't know how to tell ya…..You've always been there….I appreciate it kiddo." Jack said weakly with a smile.
"H-hell of timing, idiot." Rhys stuttered.
"I always have been a fan of the dramatic." Jack chuckled weakly. Rhys sniffled before hugging Jack tightly. Jack weakly hugged back.
"At least you have her now. I guess I always knew she'd win…" Rhys sniffled.
"And when time comes and it better not be soon dumbass… i'll have you too…...i mean it i don't want you dying soon… So bet your dumbass i'll be watching you…" Jack said his voice slowly getting quieter.
"You always did seem to have eyes and ears everywhere…" Rhys chuckled weakly.
"Can't let …..anyone get away….with snooping about right….."Jack chuckled weakly. "I love you Rhys i really do."
"To think this all started with you showing up on my doorstep…" Rhys sighed. "I love you too, Jack. More than a few words can describe…"
"Silly…. You really should save such sweet words for someone who matters…. I never could understand how you made me feel…. I always wanted you around….. Hell even when you were being a pain… i wanted you to be there with me….. It was kinda ridiculous to think…. Me….. Handsome Jack could fall….for an idiotic man as yourself kiddo….. What damn spell did ya use?" Jack chuckled weakly as his breathing slowed down.
"Who else deserves such words, especially for a man with an ego the size of Pandora. But I guess everyone falls eventually. You don't deserve this though Jack." Rhys sniffled. "I should have stopped you… I should be here, not you." Rhys sniffled.
"So sweet cupcake…. Suppose so huh….. Ah i deserved it… done a shit ton of bad stuff….. I know that… But i just wanted Pandora to be safe….. So maybe one day….people wouldn't fear….. So everyone could live happily… but guess that's not gonna happen right…." Jack chuckled weakly. "Nothing could stop this Rhysie… I'm the big bro….. I was the one….. To always …. Protect ya from…. Others kiddo… i've gotten them….. To change their minds….. With a little help….. But means you'll be safe… so i did what i needed…. Protecting who i love dearly…. And always have…..."
"You didn't take Pandora for me, idiot. The king should be the last to fall, right? But here he is. With pawns left over." Rhys sniffled hugging tighter.
"Maybe not in the beginning…. It kinda started to be…. Make it safe for the… ones you care bout… so they could be safe…. Your no pawn kiddo….. I'd never consider you a pawn….. Pawns i can throw away…. I couldn't let my special boy go free ever… So how bout ya make me proud….. And find a way to get Hyperion back huh….." Jack chuckled weakly.
"Even in the end that stupid seat is what matters to you? Get your priorities straight." Rhys chuckled weakly.
"I do have them straight… what matters is here… in my arms… my little bro….. My Rhysie baby…. The one who i've always loved…. Here by my side….. When it matters" Jack said with a weak smile.
"What the hell, are these tears? Stop making me cry, bastard." Rhys chuckled, sniffling.
"Then don't… cry idiot….." Jack chuckled weakly before coughing badly again this time a bit of blood was coughed up.
"You always were kinda a dick." Rhys chuckled weakly, patting Jack's back.
"Ah…. but you still… love me" Jack said softly.
"And why I do is still a mystery." Rhys sighed.
"Maybe…. You'll find out….. But i guess…. I won't be able…. To find out." Jack sighed.
"You really love the sound of your own voice, you know?" Rhys sighed, snuggling into Jack.
"Maybe…. I have a nice one… but …. Always enjoyed yours." Jack said softly.
"Shut up." Rhys blushed with a grumble.
"You're gonna have to make me…. Kiddo." Jack chuckled weakly.
"If you'd close your mouth for a second." Rhys huffed before giving a soft kiss to Jack's lips. Jack kissed back gently placing a shaky hand on Rhys's cheek. Rhys brought one hand up to Jack's, holding it here as they kissed. Jack's hand started to slip slowly only being stopped by Rhys's hand holding it. Rhys pulled away, his eyes full of tears.
"That felt weird." Rhys chuckled sadly.
Jack didn't respond as his hand fell to the ground. His eyes still closed.
"Bastard. I give you a witty remark and no response?" Rhys sniffled, hugging Jack tightly. Jack didn't hug back his his body rather limp in Rhys's arms.
"I guess I can say I got the last word…" Rhys sniffled.
Jack looked rather happy despite his condition.
"Wherever you are Jack, Buttstallion says hello." Rhys sighed, releasing Jack standing up.
