Corad: Uh, this is kinda late coz the internet was running too slow over the weekend. It took too long to load a single page, so I didn't bother trying to upload this. Now, this is the final main chapter of this story...there will be one more chapter however after this, but it won't be in story format...more of a monologue type thing. I want to thank my four lovely reviewers for their kind input. I'm glad you're happy that Erol survived Silver Horror! Although he was gonna get the cut, you have fellow reader Jaklover to thank for his survival :D Thankyou to Millenium Ring and Phoenixral for your kind words, and also to Fallen Messiah! I don't think I've ever met ya before, but thanks for liking this fic. To answer your question too, I have written around three chapters of the sequel, but I need to get feedback for it before I continue writing...which will hopefully happen once I upload it. Well, I think that's it...the final battle for you all! I hope it's good enough for you. There's a lil bit of violence too, and blood shedding just to warn everyone. Please enjoy!
I don't own Jak and Daxter, but I own my lil Sharok. Also the many wolves in this chapter...and Skytha belongs to JakLover!Chapter 74 – The final Showdown
"All my life, I vowed to protect the people! I vowed to keep them from harm's way, until I…I killed them JAK! And I loved it!" Jak paled at the sound of Sharok's insane, murderous tone. But that was nothing when the older man began laughing; his cold laughter echoing around them all. "I killed the people, and as a result Praxis threw me out…out into the barren wasteland to DIE!" By now Sharok was only metres from Jak, dagger still clutched tightly in his hand. "His offspring must suffer for his fatal decision! Kill her, my children!" Jak gritted his teeth, heart burning in anger as Sharok spun around, motioning to Ashelin's struggling form on the ground.
Her muffled, terrified screams met Jak's ears, and he felt the sensation of darkness bubbling up inside. He would not let the wolves kill Ashelin. He would not let Sharok win. "You…had the choice to back down…but you refused that offer…you're more of an idiot than I once thought," Jak growled, his voice deepening while his mind battled it out with Dark. "Daxter…get off…go hide in the scrub," he whispered quickly as dark eco crackled down his spine, shrouding his body painfully before the tone of his skin became paler. Daxter leapt off and ran, while small horns sprouted out Jak's silvery scalp; long, black claws lengthening as each second sped by. The blue eyes were completely taken over by black, soulless pits while Jak was thrust into the darkness, his darker ego taking up the control. 'Relax Jak…I know what I'm doing' Dark hissed smoothly to Jak's quivering body. Whatever Dark remarked, Jak had trouble believing it. 'Whatever, but save Ashelin. We can't lose her,' Jak replied, darkness surrounding his body entirely.
"What's this? A monster by the looks of things. Ah yes, I remember you…injuring your Erol friend with brute force? Hmm? You are no match against me!" Sharok yelled, swiping his dagger up towards Dark Jak's chest. It hit the chest plate with a loud "clunk" but made no injury to his flesh.
"Silly fool…I believe Jak stated for you to surrender, but you are to die. NOW," Dark Jak commanded, long fangs beared in a sneering grin. He flexed his long claws a few times, before leaping forward, twisting his body about to avoid the cold steel of Sharok's dagger blade. When the older man was in reach, Dark Jak whipped out a hand in one swift motion, claws shredding some of his pant's leg. Sharok let out a shocked yelp, stumbling back and looking down to his clawed leg.
"You Bastard! You'll pay for that!" he shouted, raising his dagger to strike again. However, Dark Jak stood back, long claws concealed inside his mouth. The sight began to creep Sharok out, and he stood rooted to the spot a second later, watching in horror.
"Your blood…it tastes rather sweet. I'm sure you're not that cruel now, to have such lovely tasting blood," Dark teased, licking his claws with a black tongue, removing all the crimson blood from the sharp tips. "Silly boy…" he muttered subconsciously, lowering his hand to his side, black eyes looking deeply into Sharok's mind. "What? Are you disgusted or something? I thought men…wolves… like you yearned for blood and death? Why look so alarmed?"
"You unholy monster!"
"Yes Sharok…but I'm not the only one," Dark said in a low whisper, intimidating the man before him. Jak, watching from inside the mind, thought his darker half was in fact, doing a good job. "Never mind…after tonight, I shall be all that remains!" Dark Jak shot forward again, claws digging deeply into any flesh he could find. Blood began trickling everywhere, and he was too intent on ravaging Sharok for all he was worth to see the dagger come down. It struck hard into Dark Jak's upper arm, creating a deep flesh wound which began to spill out blood and dark eco. "Why, thankyou," Dark murmured after leaping back swiftly, licking the trail of blood that was trickling down his arm freely. He smirked as Sharok blanched, bringing down his dagger to strike again. The blade whizzed past Dark's head, and he lashed out, gripping Sharok's wrist firmly.
"Not today, little one," Dark cackled sinisterly, twisting Sharok's arm around. He heard the bones inside his elbow jerk out of place, followed by a loud snap before the older man cried out in agony. Feeling that Sharok had been dealt with enough, Dark Jak released his wrist and ran past him, tackling himself into the group of wolves surrounding Ashelin. Razer sharp claws dug deeply into grey fur, pain stricken howls echoed around the clearing while more blood stained the wolves' coats.
'Be careful Dark. Don't be cornered!' Jak shouted at him, but Dark Jak only hissed. 'You speak as if I am weak. Who is your strong counter part? Who will defeat these beasts? I shall win Jak. Don't let that innocent head of yours fret,' he sneered back, rushing into the side of a wolf and forcing its large body roughly to the ground. The beast scrambled to get up, but Dark just slashed at its eyes, blinding it from sight. It lay howling on the ground, blinded now and forever as Dark turned on a new victim. Another wolf was slowly lowering its fangs to tear Ashelin's throat out. This one was next.
"Not today!" Dark laughed wickedly, leaping up onto its back, straddling it below its wing joints. The wolf began bucking to get him off, but Dark lowered his hands to the wolf's head, dark eco shooting out his palms. It crackled around the wolf's body, engulfing it in fiery heat and pain before it fell to the ground dead.
"JAK! BEHIND YOU!" Daxter suddenly shouted from the scrub, and Dark spun around in time to see a wolf shove him to the ground, its claws digging painfully into his upper arms. It lowered it's fangs to his neck, preparing to kill him with a single, blood-draining bite, but Sharok's voice rang out among them all.
"STOP MY BROTHERS! Retreat to the safety of the wasteland! I shall deal with this problem!" he shouted, and Dark Jak laughed threateningly at him.
"Weak minded fool! I could have killed all these wolves and yourself…but you want to play now? Well, come and get some," Dark hissed, shoving his fist into the wolf's chest that kept him pinned down. The wolf shuddered once as Dark Jak's claws penetrated its unguarded flesh, spilling crimson blood out over Dark's fist, before falling heavily on top of him. He felt his ribs and lungs being crushed, and struggled to remove the wolf off him. There was only one thing he could do. Raising his palms, he sent jets of dark eco out and into the wolf, using his Dark Punch attack. The wolf was sent flying into the air, and crashed into the ground a few meters away, dead.
'Jak…take over…' Dark commanded, most of his eco energy drained. Jak felt like he was being shoved roughly forward, and opened his eyes to realise he was back in battle. He sat up abruptly in time to see Sharok pull out his pistol and aim it at him. Instinct rolled him out the way just in time; a bullet narrowly missing his head. 'Don't play the weak,' Dark growled quietly, his aura fading in Jak's mind. 'Dark…' Jak muttered in worry, dragging himself up off the ground.
A shot of pain flared up in Jak's arm, and he cast a brief glance down to see the wound. Some blood had been licked away, and the blonde could only roll his eyes at his Darker half's disgusting habits. He didn't dwell too long for Sharok had began shooting again. Bullets ricocheted off Mar's armour, and Jak was thankful he'd put it on earlier.
"Is that the best you can do!" he shouted, pulling out his morph gun. He loaded it to Vulcan, and pressed his finger to the trigger, shooting a frenzy of bullets out in Sharok's direction. The older man dropped to the ground, tumbling out of range just in time and scrambled to his feet again. Jak narrowed his eyes, shooting again and watching as a few bullets clipped the man's waist armour. "Coward!" Jak screamed, setting his gun to scatter mod and running forward, charging it up. He let it loose a few metres from the older man, but still Sharok narrowly missed the attack somehow.
"I don't go…down so easily…Jak…" Sharok panted heavily, brushing back his fringe from his eyes. Sweat was gathering on his face, and it looked as if the man was getting exhausted.
'This will be easy then. He's tired himself out already. I'll aim for that limp arm of his,' Jak thought, aiming the Vulcan mod this time to Sharok's broken arm dangling useless at his side. He began shooting, and felt a rush of adrenaline when a few pellets dug deeply into the man's arm. Sharok fell to his knees, screaming as his broken bone shattered even more on the impact of the bullets. Blood exploded out the numerous new wounds, dripping thickly to the dirt ground and soaking the soil and sand.
"Had enough old man!" Jak shouted out, wiping his own sweat from his brow with a blood-stained, gloved hand. Sharok growled deeply, clutching at his broken and bleeding arm with a shaking hand. His face was paling by the second, breaths coming in short, pained gasps but still he picked himself up. He raised his hand up slowly, the gun pointed directly at Jak.
"Not likely," he snarled in a weak voice, firing a bullet out. It flew towards Jak, clipping the tip of his ear painfully. The blonde leapt back in shock, clutching at his bleeding ear while glaring at Sharok, stumbling closer to him. The gun was still aimed at him, and Sharok now had an amusing, weak smile on his tired face. "Looks like the hunter has become the hunted."
"I doubt it Sharok. You're struggling to stand let alone fight! Why not quit now and accept defeat? I'll kill you in one blow. Pain will only be felt for a split second," Jak taunted, raising his own gun and firing out another Vulcan bullet. It struck Sharok's shin guard, and he laughed out loud when it rebounded pathetically.
"A little aim Jakky boy…it'll do you some good," the larger man sneered, shooting again with his own gun. Jak dodged the bullet easily and let loose another firing frenzy of ammunition. The gun's neck became scorching hot by the time Jak fired his last Vulcan bullet, and stood back, admiring the damage done.
"Uh…nice…aim…" Sharok hissed, doubled over on his knees clutching his arm tightly again. Blood kept seeping out, the sticky liquid staining his fingers and gloved palm. "I still have a trick up my sleeve…" he groaned, taking his pendant out. Jak growled in anger, and ran forward, unsheathing his dagger to kill Sharok once and for all. He didn't want to deal with another wolf. The older man suddenly let go of his pendant though and got shakily to his feet while pulling out his dagger again in defense.
"Hah, one on one with daggers now? Sorry Sharok, but I'm gonna kick your sorry ass," Jak sneered, lunging forward. The sounds of blade on blade echoed around the clearing, each contact with another sending a loud "clang" to their ears. Jak had a few successful hits on his foe's flesh, and likewise with Sharok. Before long, both elves had separated again, panting heavily for air whilst glaring each other down.
'How can he still fight like that? He's injured…I mean, look at his arm! It's totally useless. No doubt it's hurting like hell to him,' Jak thought, his breathing steadying while he kept eye contact with Sharok. The man was standing about 10 meters from him, his face contorted in pain and loathing. 'He should just let me end this. Why does he want to live?'
"Getting tired, Jak? I can't blame you…you're not used to this sort of combat, are you?" Sharok shouted hoarsely, taking a staggering step towards Jak. The blonde snarled back, gripping the dagger even tighter. He could even feel the leather binding of the handle cutting into his fingers.
"I've killed many scumbags like you Sharok. I will destroy you, and end this war! My future depends on it! I've sat back and waited long enough for Skytha to do something about you, but she's failed. I will kill you for her. You won't harm another soul!" Jak shouted, gritting his teeth in frustration while fresh blood seeped out of his numerous wounds, particularly the deep cut in his arm.
"My sister wants me dead? I doubt it…we share a bond like no other Jak…she trusts me, and I trust her…we work as one to complete the impossible…she's my own flesh and blood, and I know deep down she wants her dear older brother alive…but you however…maybe she was pulling your leg? Ever stopped to think about that one, Jakky boy? Or did it escape your mind like the rest of it…she wanted you dead, as so did I. I knew you suspected me all along. I knew you realised I had been behind the murders…that is why I've been trying to kill you…" Sharok shouted out, his voice beginning to strain against his throat. Jak's eyes widened in horror, remembering all those times he and Skytha had bonded. Was Sharok honestly telling the truth? Had Skytha really been working for her brother all along? Did she want him dead too?
"ENOUGH! I don't believe your lies! Sky's my friend, and she'd never want me dead!" Jak retorted angrily, hunching his back over trying to regain his breath some more. Sharok let out a low, threatening laugh, before continuing on.
"No Jak…she knew where I was. She was a decoy, drawing you away from the real murderer. After she let it slip that I indeed was her brother, I had to kill you. I've been aiming at it this whole bloody time, picking out your weaknesses and watching your every move. I tried to kill you when we first met! Remember that Jak! 'Oh, I just heard something,' Damn straight Jak! I heard my conscious screaming out to kill you! You've been my target all along…I attacked you at the second class race remember! I could have killed you if that bastard hadn't had crashed me into a wall!"
"NO!"
"Yes Jak…all you've come to believe…everything you know and love, will be torn away from you…just like me. When I first learnt the name of Kor's slayer, I had repeated that demonic name over and over in my mind, for endless days. I had to kill the murderer. Because of him, we would starve…I saw you in the forest killing metal heads when I went hunting one nice, afternoon…my attempts to destroy you didn't go down too well, did it! Your stupid rat shot me up the ass! How about I kill your rat now? Hmm?" Sharok sneered, grinning slyly at Jak. He picked up his fallen gun and aimed past Jak. Turning around, the blonde saw Daxter chewing through Ashelin's binds, and felt his blood run stone cold.
"Daxter! RUN!" Jak shouted a split second before a gun shot sounded. The little ottsel had managed to dodge the attack and flee back into the scrub, leaving Ashelin lying alone again. "A coward's move…" he hissed, reaching for his morph gun on the ground. He picked it up, and loaded it to peace maker.
"I guess I'm a coward then…but nothing like you Jak. I've been watching you very closely over the past two months…deep down; you're a scared little boy, lost in his own world. You want to die…die and be free from all the pain and suffering…"
"Shut up Sharok. You deserted your pack, promising to bring them hope and peace, but still you haven't accomplished that! Your pack has split! Their loyalties to you have gone…and I've heard too that your God is angry with you," Jak taunted, grinning sarcastically at the older man's obvious suffering.
"Lord Irigaj may be angry, but when I'm done and return to my pack, he'll be at peace once again. But first, I must kill you. I must kill the one responsible for all our losses. Kill the one who has made us suffer through starvation! Kill the…"
"SHUT UP! Enough of your lies and threats. I have the upper hand here, and for your sake I'd be scared. I have a peace maker, ready and loaded with your name on it. All I have to do is charge her up, and you'll be nothing but a pile of ash. Any last words Sharok?" Jak asked, raising his gun to eye level. Sharok snarled at him, speechless as he watched the peace maker fire up threateningly.
"No, but I do!" Jak halted charging the peace maker, casting a sudden glare to the edge of the surrounding. There stood Skytha, her hands clenched into tight fists by her side, head lowered while her fringe covered her eyes. "I have something to say. You betrayed us…you betrayed us brother! You left us to starve just to get revenge on Praxis' daughter! Don't you even know that's Damas' son you're fighting! You left us, and we're losing hope…" Sky began, her voice trembling as she stood rooted to the spot, a few metres away from both Jak and Sharok.
"Sky, I didn't betray you, I've been seeking the answer! I need peace before I can return!" Sharok replied in a reassuring tone, his face still screwed up in pain while his broken arm refused to stop bleeding. "And be that as it may, Damas and I are friends…however; his son and I are not."
"What would Damas think if you suddenly killed his only son? Sharok, he lost Jak once before, don't do it to him again!"
"Stay out of it Sky!"
"NO! I've been secretly planning your downfall ever since you left us to fend on our own…I've been hoping to meet you. I tried to kill you that night we actually met face to face…but you were too weak to finish me off. You…you almost killed the one who loved me for who I was! Because of you, I could have lost a close friend! He could have died!" Skytha screamed, lifting her face for the first time upon arrival. Her eyes were swollen red, and tears were streaming down her face.
"Sky! I love you for who you are! I always will! That bullet was meant for Jak! I hadn't planned on that red headed fool taking the hit!" Sharok shouted, completely forgetting he was in a middle of a battle. Jak just stayed silent, learning more new things while watching the two siblings argue it out. He wanted to get this over with and kill the man, but with Sky here…
"SHAROK!" Skytha cried loudly, her grieving voice ringing around in Jak's ears. Before he knew what was happening, Sky ran towards her brother, crying and screaming before finally tackling him into a tight hug. Jak stood watching, his mouth agape as Sky directed her brother towards the edge of the cliff. Sharok couldn't get a stable footing by the looks of it, and Skytha was determined to kill him by the way she kept pushing harder against him, still in that tight hug. Before Jak could stop it, Sharok had slipped, plummeting off the side of the cliff, still in Skytha's embrace.
"SKYTHA! Dammit…DAMMIT!" Jak shouted in shock, fleeing forward to the edge. He peered down over the cliff, hoping to see them hanging onto a ledge, or at least their lifeless bodies in the shallow water below, but the vegetation was blocking his sight. "Skytha! Can you hear me!" Jak shouted out, slipping to his knees while his eyes darted around the scrubs and rock lining the lower cliff faces. "SKYTHA!"
"Jak buddy…we should be going…we can't do anything for her…she's gone…" Daxter said softly, coming up to Jak and resting a furry paw on Jak's arm. Jak stayed silent, head bowed down and eyes closed tightly. It hurt. It hurt more than the throbbing pain on numerous parts of his body. It hurt more than anything.
"She…she was telling the truth Dax…I thought after hearing Sharok's claims that she was only a decoy…I believed them…I lost faith, and now she's…she sacrificed herself to end the war," Jak whispered, head still bent low and back hunched. Daxter scrambled into his lap, looking up into Jak's miserable face.
"You could have believed anything Jak. That man was a nutcase…but she said she wanted to be his downfall. She didn't want regrets, remember Jak? She got her wish…they're together again. They're happy, so you should be too," Daxter tried to comfort Jak, patting his arm. Jak just growled and shifted his gaze away.
"They're probably both dead Daxter…how can they be happy? I'm just…I'm just going to miss her. I hope the pack can survive without them…maybe Ramshei will take Sharok's place," Jak mumbled, peering over the cliff face again, just hoping to see either one of them. But still no sign. Letting out a deep sigh of defeat, Jak stood up, muscles and bones aching from his recent fight. He turned to Ashelin, and saw her lying limply on the ground.
"I broke through her binds, but she passed out a little afterwards. She's been through a lot Jak…so have you. You two really need to take a chill sometimes," Daxter said happily, scrambling up to Jak's shoulder and nudging his cheek. Jak smiled weakly and approached his governess, before bending down and picking her up carefully, bridal style.
"What happened here today, I hope won't ever repeat itself. I vow never to destroy metal heads if it can be helped…it seems the wolves need them alive more than we need them dead. Come on Dax, let's go home," Jak finished lightly, walking towards the path leading down to the bottom of the cliff, Ashelin in his arms and Daxter on his shoulder.
It had been a long chain of events over the past two months, but finally after endless battles, arguments, and suffering, it was all over. Haven was at peace once again. Jak had again, proved to be the hero to save the people.
Corad: So, was that an ok ending for everyone? I know there was too much speaking and such in this, but I had to tie up the loose ends. Well, please leave a review if you feel motivated too. There is one last chapter after this, before the complete end of this fic. I really would like to know how I've gone through with this story. Any constructive critism is welcome, and I'd just like to know everyone's thoughts overall. Well, until the final chapter, peace out and take care everyone!
