"-expecting that little boy to save us is folly! At his age no match for the metalhead leader!" Kor exclaimed, turning around to see us enter Onin's Tent. "Oh! Jak, we were just talking about Samo's plan."
"Onin says your voice sounds very familiar. I bet you two golden oldies go waayyy back, huh? Onin needs you two prove yourselves You two have shown your Brass, and your brawn. Now you must show your brains as well. Frankly I think she's pushing it a little. But I'm not the Boss. Beat this test, and the third piece to the seal will be revealed." Pecker says.
"Okay, what's this test?" I asked.
"Oh, you are going to enjoy this. Onin will show a pattern. You must repeat the pattern."
"Simple enough." I shrugged, Onin clapping her hands, a simple pattern appearing in the air. It disappeared a moment later.
"Easy." Jak shrugged, repeating it.
"Yes, Easy. Now- "Pecker Said, Onin doing another pattern, more complicated than the last. Jak looked lost once it went away, this time I stepping in.
"Very good, Zoe. Last One." He said, as onin clapped her hands for the final time, This one lasting only a few seconds. Jak and I both chimed in for the answer, Onin grinning.
"So, you both aren't completely stupid. Alright. Take out the pieces."
Jak Nods, taking the seal piece out of his bag, I doing the same with mine.
"Behold! The seal of Mar is now complete!" Pecker announced as Onin brought out the third piece, all three floating together and converging, Jak taking it. "Onin says the three artifacts you retrieved from the mountain temple are relics from an ancient Light tower. Old songs tell how this light tower once shined down on the actual site of Mar's tomb! I sing one of these songs for you. From the Mists of Time! Mar's light would shine!" He began as Kor dropped his staff.
"Woah their Iron lungs, just tell us what we need to do." Jak said, interrupting before he could continue. I chuckled.
"Cretans with no taste, huh?" He spat. "You must take the three artifacts to Mar's gate. Only then will the light tower rise and reveal the tomb." Pecker explained.
"Great. Let's go, Jak." I said, taking his hand and leading him to the Zoomer I parked outside.
"Someone's eager."
"Well, Mar's tomb is like, a Precursor temple! I haven't seen a proper temple in a very long time."
"Well, you're more into the Precursor stuff than I am, Z." He said as we took off towards the warp gate that would take us back to the mountain temple.
"It's our roots, our legacy! Don't tell me you haven't been at least bit curious about them."
"Can't say that I am."
"They built the machine we rode here. They were the first ones to use Eco! To establish the Sages!" I explained, dodging under bridges and between other zoomers.
"Did Samos tell you that?"
"Well, No. I found my dad's old notes." I said, "He wanted to rebuild the robot to um, flood the world with dark eco. Using Precursor equipment. But before he went crazy, I think he wanted to help the world. Bring back the Precursor's legacy."
We stepped off of the bike and into the warp gate. The cool mountain air refreshing. We were silent while we approached the gate, Jak using the seal the open it. We walked through, approaching the water area Daxter placing the key on the mechanism bellow, Jak quickly placing the lenses on the what we believed the top of the tower. The ground shook, a tower rising.
"Nice work boys." I said, placing the crystal in the final place. The light then beamed in four directions, shooting off into the lenses and off to what we assumed was the city. We heard a large crash in the distance.
"Same to you, toots." Daxter responded, we running off to investigate.
(Later in the city)
We approached the ruins of the Baron's large statue, it's base seeming to be the entrance to the tomb. Samos, Kor and the kid were already there, we following them inside.
"you did it. You two actually found Mar's tomb."
"Great. Now what? Send this poor kid into a meat grinder?" Jak asked with his hands on the kid's shoulders.
"This is the day I've longed awaited. Finally, home of the fabled Precursor stone. In my hands..." Kor said.
"You must be cautious child. The tests of manhood are sure to be wrought with peril. And Mar's heir must face them alone." Samos said.
"It's okay, Kid. You can do it. It's just a deep pitch black sure to filled to the brim with painful death ol tomb. I wouldn't go in there." Daxter said to the kid.
"Daxter!"
"Welcome Heir of Mar. Finally, the Chosen One Stands before me. Enter and Prove yourself Worthy of your Birthright." A voice said as the door before us slid open, Jak looking around.
"No! This child is too young to face the tests!" The voice continued, the door sliding closed.
"Oh, Screw this prophecy crap!" I said, pushing Jak inside, Grabbing Daxter by the Tail and slid underneath as the heavy door slammed shut, narrowly missing me.
"Are You Crazy?!" Daxter yelled at me as we all sat on the other side of the door.
"Hey! I did what we had to. I wasn't gonna let the kid face this alone, nor was I gonna let this slip out of our grasp." I stood. "Now c'mon slowpokes." I offered Jak a hand up, He taking it.
"Quick thinking, Z." He said as I walked through the lowly lit hallways to the left. Soon giant spiders crawled out of the shadows, I immediately drawing my gun and began shooting Jak doing the same.
"Ah! Kill them!" Daxter yelled from on top of Jak's shoulder.
"What does it look like we're doing?!" I yelled back, blasting the last one. We soon approached what I believed to be the first test. Simple platforms with timed spikes. I put away my gun, looking down at the dark eco filled pit.
"Ladies first?" Daxter asked, I rolling my eyes.
"What? Don't tell me your scared, Daxter? Standing on top of Jak's shoulder must be so dangerous." I taunted.
"Would you just go, Zoe?" Daxter asked, I grinning and began my jumps.
"Didn't hear a no, Daxter!" I yelled as I jumped across the platforms, nearly getting knocked over twice before landing safely on the other side. But it wasn't over yet. We crossed another area with moving poles and blocks, activating a button.
"See? That wasn't so hard." Daxter said. I giving him a narrowed eyed look.
"It's not over yet. I think we have to hit another button." Jak said, pointing to where we were previously, the spiked pillars moving side to side. I sighed, cracking my muscles.
This was going to be a long day.
*(Later)*
After many jumps, dodges and narrow misses, we managed to meet up with Daxter in the main area where a Statue of who I assumed was Mar stood across from us.
"Daxter. There you Are. What happened to you?" Jak asked.
"I had a hairy experience. No thanks to you two."
Welcome Young Warrior. Many Eons have passed since Our Hope burned so brightly. Today you have Proven yourself Worthy to Receive Mar's Legacy. The voice from the statue spoke. I had a feeling He was talking to Jak.
"I think he's talking about Me! Thanks, your Holy Statue-ness. This Tomb wasn't so tough." Daxter said.
"I don't think so, Daxter."
What you are about to Receive contains great power and with it comes great Responsibility. Eons ago the great Precursors waged a terrible war with the Horriquan. The dark creatures you refer to as Metalheads. Driven By the dark leader the Metalhead Legion destroyed our great Civilization and now they swarm the universe unopposed, looking for the last relics of our power. Mar tried to hide the precursor stone in this tomb to protect it from them. It is our last hope and you were chosen to keep that hope alive. The Statue continued as we approached it, Stopping at its Base.
"I think you got me confused with someone else. I just want the stone." Jak said. I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to say anything. I knew, deep down that Jak was more important than he realized. But he would never see it.
It Is time to Fulfill your destiny. Behold.
"Wow! Let's get the goods." Daxter said, beginning to walk towards the stone but a ship flew in.
"Fools! You brought me right to the stone!" Baron Praxis Exclaimed, His ship landed between us and the statue, I Bringing both boys back towards me so they wouldn't get hurt. Four mechanical legs emerged, blocking us.
"Your Pitiful Underground Friends were no match for my guards above. Now I will gain the Power I need to Crush my enemies!" He said as he slammed one of his legs down, demolishing the bridge. "I'll start by claiming the stone!" His machine hopped onto the statue, one arm trying to pull the stone out.
Abomination! The Precursor stone was not meant for you! The Statue spoke, the doors behind us shutting. Praxis began to use a drill to get it out, I drawing my pump-action Rifle. Jak drew his gun as well, the both of us beginning to shoot at him.
"You're wasting your time!" He yelled, firing out Bots where we stood.
"Take care of the bots with your Scatter-gun, Jak! I'll focus on The Baron!" I yelled back, dodging one of them as I took aim at the baron's machine firing off a few shots. But the bullets bounced off.
"You didn't learn your lesson from last time, huh Zoe? No Dark Eco can save you."
"Enough!" Jak yelled back as the area was clear but the baron had other plans, he now shooting bombs towards us.
"If Bullets don't work…" I muttered, jumping out from cover and punting one of the bombs towards the baron's machine, it exploding on impact.
"Good thinking, Z!" Jak yelled, doing the same. His defenses began to weaken a small bit.
"Argh! You Eco freaks!" The baron shouted out as Jak and I both kicked one more bomb to him, He releasing more bots then detaching himself from the statue and flying sideways. He then began to fire at us. I rolled behind a pillar, almost getting shot. I glanced at Jak, who was firing at the bots. I did the same, these things vulnerable to bullets. Soon he launched more bombs, I peeking out to kick it at him. The machine shuddering with the damage.
"This is too easy." I said aloud, hearing another explosion. I peeked out to see him pull out the stone.
"It's over for you Rats!" He yelled, firing a beam of energy diretly beside my hiding spot.
"Zoe!" jak yelled out.
"I'm okay! I yelled back over his normal attack. I cursed. No more bombs…
"Anymore ideas?" Daxter asked.
"I'm thinking!" I jumped as he fired another beam at the pillar, almost getting hit.
"Think faster!" Daxter yelled. I counted the seconds in my head between the shots, he now aiming for Jak. I ducked when he swept the area with his normal bullets. I set my gun down.
"Zoe?" Jak asked, rolling right beside me. I focused on the eco inside my body, the electricity beginning to run down my arm. Jak looked… surprised. Not scared.
Three… two..
The baron flew near our hiding spot, the beam firing up. I then leapt up, aiming my hand at the cockpit, at the baron's face. Anger swelled up in my body, I launching the concentrated dark eco ball at him. There was an explosion, throwing me back into Jak's arms. But the baron's machine still stood.
"Nice try. But the stone is still mine. Don't worry, I will use the stone to it's full potential. Soon all who oppose me will be destroyed by it's power." He said, flying off. I tried to stand, but gasped in pain.
"Zoe?! What's…" But he stopped upon seeing my arm. The dark eco burned through the fabric of my jacket, revealing the dark intricate lines I tried so desperately to hide from him. I was breathing heavily, holding that arm with my other.
"W-we need… to go after him- "I managed to get out. I was dizzy. Why was I so dizzy?
"Zoe, you're in no condition to- hey!" He gasped out as I fell forward, he catching me in his arms.
Then everything went black.
