Chapter VII: The First Arena Battle

LES: Parents are crazy, school is hard, and my muse keeps pressuring me to write.

Muse: That's because you have small talent. Maybe someday you'll be a better writer.

LES: (frowning) Yes, someday.


"Well… is he well enough?" King Damas spoke to the head nurse.

"To get out of bed, yes. To fight in those god-awful trials of yours, no!" She protested.

"You always did take your patients a little too seriously." Damas said, a rare smile finding its way across his lips.

"And you are always so eager to toss young men into that arena… possibly to die." The nurse said, scrutinizing the King. "What are you looking for?" She asked.

"A warrior." The King said after a pause. "The strongest one in the world."

"There are different types of strength." The nurse said. "So, why are you searching for this warrior?"

"Do you remember that old Precursor legend? The one about the two Champions?" Damas asked.

"A little." The nurse said. "You mean the War?"

"Yes." Damas said. "Before I left Haven for good, a Soothsayer told me that a Champion would come to me and need my help."

"So… you're searching for this One?" The nurse asked. "And you believe it's this… boy? He can't be any older than twenty! What makes him so special?"

"Besides the fact that he killed the Metal-Head Leader?" Damas asked.

"Well… yeah…" The nurse said.

"I… don't really know." The King said. "He sort of reminds me of… me… at his age. Except he's accomplished much more than I have."

"Are you talking about your own fight with the Leader?" The nurse asked.

"Yes. I'd probably be dead if it weren't for you." He looked at the nurse rather fondly. His hand made its way to his neck where one could see a vicious scar like someone had slashed the King's neck open.

"Nonsense!" The nurse said. "I could not leave my King to die!"

"Though you did give me plenty of lectures about the dangers of fighting." Damas laughed.

"Not that you'd listen." The nurse said, completely serious. "My lord, what if you get killed someday?"

"I'd rather die in battle then die sick on some bed." Damas said.

"You warriors… I could never understand you." The nurse shook her head.

"And you probably never will." Damas said. "So… can he fight?"

The nurse sighed. "The patent is obviously bored with staying in bed. I don't think I can keep him here any longer. He's perfectly healthy, though I don't advise fighting so shortly after a near-death experience.

"Then he's good to fight?"

"Yes." The nurse sighed.

"Good." Damas said, turning to leave. "Send him to the arena immediately."


The nurse walked into the room where Jak had been held captive for days, growing extremely bored. "King Damas has ordered your presence in the Spargus Arena immediately." She said.

Jak looked up. "Really? So I can go now?"

"I advised against it, but the King has insisted…"

"So… uh… where is this arena?" Jak asked, for he was in a completely new and unfamiliar city.

"Just down the street." The nurse said, handing Jak a piece of paper. "Here's a map of the City. You won't find the narrow, metallic streets of Haven City here in Spargus."

"You've been to Haven City?"

"Yes, I lived there most of my life." The nurse said.

"Were you banished too?" Jak asked.

"No. I left that City behind me." The nurse said.

"Why?"

The nurse didn't say anything at first. She had sworn, along with all the others who knew Damas' secret to never speak of it. "A good friend of mine was banished and driven out of the City. I couldn't leave him out here. We, along with a large group of people, founded Spargus four years ago."

"Spargus is only four years old?" Jak asked, surprised.

"Well, sort of. We built Spargus from the ruins of a much older City. We don't know how old it is. Spargus is a small City, we only have a thousand citizens. Compare that to the millions of people in Haven City."

"Only a thousand?" Jak asked.

"Every single adult is either a someone who was banished or someone who left Haven voluntarily. There are several children who came with their parents. There are only five children that have been born here, all under four years of age."

"How do you defend yourselves?" Jak asked.

"We have a select group of elite warriors that travel out into the Wasteland to fight off the Metal-Heads and Marauders. Only the best fighters and markselves become Wastelanders.

"Great, great. So… uh… can I have my clothes back?" Jak gestured at hospital gown that he had been forced to wear. Oh yes, he had fought that with all his might.

The nurse pulled some clothes out a near-by closet and tossed them at Jak. "You're not going to wear that shirt, are you?" The nurse asked.

Jak noticed the problem with the shirt. It was long-sleeve. Not too practical for the desert. He ripped the sleeves off until he was left with something more suited for the desert.

It was then that the nurse spoke. "I've been meaning to ask you. About your back… I'm sure there's something I could do…"

"That's nothing that you'd like to know." Jak hissed, warning her to change the subject. "Besides, there's nothing you can do about it." The nurse wisely decided to drop the subject. She left.

"What was all that about?" Daxter asked.

Jak growled, it was easy to see that the nurse's comment put him in a bad mood. Jak began to put his normal clothes back on while Daxter waited. "So, you ready to get down to business?" Daxter asked.

"Passing these sorts of tests is what I do best." Jak said in a slightly cheerier mood. Finally, without a single glance back at the room, which he now hated, he walked out. Daxter chased after him and jumped up on his usual spot on Jak's shoulder.

Jak almost lost his balance. It had been so long since Daxter had sat up there, that he had lost that center. Besides… "Have you gained weight?" Jak asked. "I could've sworn you used to be lighter."

"Hey! I just spent a week being pampered by hot lady-nurses waiting for you to recover from dehydra-thing-a-ma-gig!" Daxter complained.

"Dehydration." Jak corrected.

"Whatever. So sue me if I get a little heavier." Daxter grumbled.

"Dax?"

"What, old buddy?"

"Shut up. Please." Jak said. "These people actually don't hate us. I'd hate for you to alienate us."

"You alienate people yourself." Daxter pointed out. "Because of your nasty demon… thing. Once Mr. Purple comes to visit, people get scared of you."

"Whatever." Jak said, but he knew that Daxter was right. He just didn't want to admit it. He stepped out into Spargus for the first time. The nurse had been right, there was no metal in sight. The buildings seemed to be made out of sandstone. (Big surprise.) The roads seemed to be nothing but sand. Several of the toughest elves that Jak had ever seen walked down the streets. Everyone, even the she-elves, carried a weapon. Jak instantly knew that these people would not hesitate in fighting back if he attacked them for any reason.

"Look Jak!" Daxter exclaimed. "It's your City!"

"What?"

"Set in the middle of a deadly environment, surrounded by enemies at all times, being able to fight is the only criteria for citizenship, everyone are warriors… it's like this City was made for you!"

"Yeah, right." Jak groaned. "That's the last thing I need… another City that belongs to me."

"Huh?"

"Haven, remember?"

"Oh!" Daxter said loudly, a little too loudly. "You mean how you're the P…"

"Shut up!" Jak hissed. "I don't want anyone to know that! It can only cause more trouble." Jak moved off down the sandy street towards the building marked as the Arena.


Jak walked into the Arena and gasped. As if the desert wasn't hot enough without having to put the arena inside a volcano! The ground was covered with lava with metal platforms sticking out of the red-hot molten rock.

A voice, a highly familiar one, rang through the Arena. "Welcome, People of Spargus, to the Arena of Death! Today, we will get to watch other people wet themselves in fear as they fight to prove their worth to stay among us! Our first challengers (or victims)… let's give it up for Jak and his annoying talking animal!" Jak walked up to the high central podium that was just under the balcony where Damas sat. A familiar, colorful money/parrot hybrid sat next to Damas.

"Pecker! There you are." Jak said. "What happened to you?"

"Damas says I am to be his new councilor!" Pecker said with his strong Spanish accent. "He says my wisdom will serve him well! Oh, and Damas also says that you two are likely to die in the Arena today, and he hopes your deaths are honorable and…"

"Will you stop that?" Daxter demanded. "Damas can talk for himself!"

"Pecker is right." Damas spoke from his throne. "You two will most likely die. And, yes, Pecker is my new advisor."

Pecker flew down to Jak's level. "Unlike you, some people actually appreciate my talents!" And then the hybrid added in an undertone. "It beats working for a living. I saw some of the fights earlier…" He shuttered violently. "Not a pretty sight!"

"So… you're basically sending us to our deaths, right?" Daxter asked.

"Uh… yeah… pretty much." Pecker said with a sly smile.

"Why you little…" Daxter began angrily, but Pecker interrupted him.

"Let the games begin!" Pecker yelled for the whole arena to hear, and was met by loud cheers. He waved at various people in the audience. "The first challenge… the obstacle coarse!" He said melodramatically. "Wide gaps over lava are not the only thing that stands between our challengers and victory! But… why give away the surprises? As always, no weapons of any kind are allowed! This challenge focuses solely on your ability to overcome even the most impossible obstacles!"

"No problem." Jak said quietly.

Damas leaned forward on his throne. "Are the challengers ready?"

"Yes."

"Fine." Damas said, and then loudly. "Begin the challenge!"

There was a great rumble and Jak turned around. The metal platforms had begun to shift in the lava until they rearranged themselves into an obstacle coarse. The platform Jak stood on moved with a jolt and maneuvered quickly to its position at the start of the coarse.

The elf moved on to the coarse and the platform he had just vacated sunk into the lava below. Now there was no going back. But Jak wasn't worried. During his two adventures, he had to learn how to get past all kinds of obstacles.

Jak looked down the set path of the coarse. The path seemed to be safe. However, Jak was never one to trust first appearances, and that he kept him alive on more than one occasion.

This turned out to be a wise thought. The second Jak stepped forward, a gun turret popped out of the floor. It fired straight at Jak's heart. Thankfully, the months of lethargy had not taken away his lightning-fast reflexes. Jak dodged to the side swiftly. The bullets missed, but the gun was already correcting its aim.

Jak jumped at the weapon and got under its sight-line, where the gun could not target him. He reached into the weapon and pulled out a bundle of wires. Zero points for finesse, but a hundred points for effectiveness. The gun deactivated instantly. The crowd cheered.

"He may have shut down one of the guns…" Pecker's voice offered a running commentary for those who had not witnessed the move. "But that is by no means the end! If it were that easy, our population would be larger!"

The elf got up off the ground and moved cautiously down the path. However, he had only moved a few feet when the ground underneath gave a surprising jolt. Jak leaped backwards instantly as the ground gave way and fell into the lava below, leaving a ten-foot gap between Jak and the other side.

Damas leaned forward on his throne. The man had jumped backwards? Most leapt forwards and barely made it to the other side. The challenge seemed to be over, for he had never seen anyone clear a ten-foot jump. He was about to declare the challenge over when the most amazing thing happened.

Jak jumped, clearing the ten-foot gap, and landed safely on the other side like it was nothing! Damas sat back, amazed, the jump had to be a record!

But is was by no means a record for Jak. He could jump twenty. As he was imbued with his Dark Powers, so was he imbued with more natural strength, agility, and cunning than five elves. And he had grown even stronger since his last adventure. After breaking out of prison, he could lift four times his weight. Now, he could lift five times, almost half-a-ton!

And, not only that, but he had faster-than-light reflexes, something that comes in handy during fights. When he is truly focused on a battle, nothing, except the fastest, can touch him.

He moved on down the path, only partial aware of the commotion his jump had just caused.


Jak made it through the path. There was nothing he hadn't seen before or couldn't handle. It seemed like nothing compared to the Metal-Heads or the Metal-Head Leader. He almost died trying to kill the Metal-Head Leader to save himself from Eco Poisoning.

He could still remember the feeling to Dark Eco Poisoning. A dull memory of the pain moved through his body, causing him to shiver.

"Jak? You alright?" Daxter asked.

"I'm fine." Jak said. "Just some painful memories."

They walked up to the podium where Damas and Pecker waited. "The candidates have won the challenge." Pecker said.

"That's right! We bad!" Daxter bragged. "You haven't forgotten what I taught you, Jak!"

"You taught me?" Jak demanded.

Damas growled loudly and stood up from his throne. "Anyone can make a few measly jumps when their life is at stake! Now, let's see how you rate against the living! Readjust the meta-formers!" Damas ordered. "Prepare the Arena for full combat!"

"Prepare the Arena for full combat!" Pecker echoed.

The King rounded on the moncaw. "I just said that!"

"Oh, I was just doing… the thing… you know how you…"

"Pecker!"

"Right. Prepare the warriors." Pecker said. An elf instantly jumped forward, offering Jak several weapons, mainly swords. Jak eyed them with disgust. It looked like one good hit would shatter them. Jak waved the man off.

Daxter gulped. "You mean we have to fight against actual people? With actual weapons? Who actually… want to hurt us?"

"Fine, bring 'em on." Jak growled.

"That's it!" Daxter said, jumping off Jak's shoulder and pointing at Damas. "I wanna be on his shoulder!"

The King stared at Jak. "Aren't you going to take a weapon?"

Jak picked up a broadsword that was red with rust and looked ready to crumble into a thousand pieces with a chance breeze. "You mean this piece of junk?" Jak asked.

"Not junk!" Damas said angrily. "That weapon has seen a hundred battles!"

"And it looks like one more will be the end of it." Jak said, setting it back down. "As much as I hate to admit it, I'm the greatest weapon ever created."

Daxter blinked. He never heard Jak admit to being a weapon. Usually, if anyone called him a weapon or something else that reminded him of his time as an identity-less weapon that was called 'Number Eleven'. Jak would go berserk and tear the unfortunate person to pieces. If there was one thing that Jak hated more than the demon that lived inside him, then it was knowing that he was created to be nothing more than a biological weapon of mass destruction. "Jak?" Daxter asked.

"Number Eleven is my name." Jak growled.

"Fine, Mr. 'Number Eleven'." Damas said. "Let's see what you can do against the dirtiest fighters in the desert: Marauders."

"Metal-Heads or elves?" Jak asked.

"Elves… sort of." The King answered. "Have a problem with killing your own kind?"

Pecker leaned towards Damas. "Your Majesty, may I remind you that this is Jak we're talking about. He has killed hundred of elves, much more than anyone else in history, besides the late Metal-Head Leader. And people that Jak gets mad at tend to disappear permanently!"

"HA!" Daxter laughed. "Jak here will rip 'em to shreds!" Then he began to count people off on his fingers. "Praxis… Erol… Krew… Kor the Metal-Head Leader…"

"Enough!" Damas ordered. "Go now, and show us what the infamous Jak can do."

The platform lowered back down to the arena. "What do you think, Dax? Bare necessities or put on a show?" Jak asked.

Daxter thought. 'Bare necessities' could mean as little as slashing each Marauder's throat. 'Put on a show' could mean… well… that anything could happen. "Put on a show." Daxter said. "You have fun."

Jak grinned wickedly. "We'll do." The platform took him to a platform that was sitting right on the lava. It was a small platform, which would hinder some of his moves, but not all. It was still decent-sized. A hundred elves could squeeze on.

"Let the challenge begin!" Damas roared as Jak stepped off the moving platform.

Pecker was yelling to the crowd. "I can't believe my eyes folks! The challenger has opted to face the Marauders completely unarmed! He must have a lot more courage then sense."

Several trap doors opened in the platform. Four large elves crawled up onto the platform. These were defiantly the toughest elves Jak had ever seen. These were true desert people. Thick armor covered most of their bodies, including their faces.

They glanced around for a second before spotting Jak. They spoke to each other in a language that Jak did not understand. Then one pulled up a weapon, a long, jagged sword that could cut a Metal-Head in two.

With a roar, the one with the sword leapt at Jak and swung the sword in a powerful downwards stroke that would cleave Jak in two right down the center.

However, his attack never made it. The elf made absolutely no attempt at dodging the blade. Instead, he reached up and grabbed the sword in both hands and stopped its descent.

The Marauder seemed surprised that an elf that was at least two heads shorter than himself could stop his sword, and apparently with little effort. The Marauder growled and put his full weight behind the sword, fully concentrated on slicing the young elf in half.

Jak continued to hold the sword at bay, and he wasn't even exerting himself yet. Then, with only a little effort, Jak ripped the sword out of the Marauder's hands and tossed it into the lava.

The crowd roared its approval. The Marauder lost his balance and fell forward. Jak jumped out of the way just before he hit the ground. The he descended on the unfortunate Marauder, a familiar vengeful fire in his eyes, as he took the man's head in both hands and twisted. This snapped the man's neck and killed him instantly.

He barely had time to breathe before someone attacked him from behind, another Marauder had him in a deadly bear-hug with the intention of crushing Jak's bones.

He reacted instantly. He conjured the first weapon that came to his mind, a dagger, and jammed it into the body behind him.

The Marauder instantly let go and Jak looked around. It appeared that this Marauder had a high-than-normal tolerance for Eco, possibly a Channeler, because he didn't die instantly. Instead, he merely vomited a rush of Dark Eco, the first sign of Eco Poisoning. Jak knew the terrible pain that Dark Eco Poisoning would cause before the Marauder finally died. So, being the merciful soul that he is, he kicked the Marauder into the lava, where he died instantly, as apposed to the long hours of suffering that Eco Poisoning would cause.

The next Marauder attacked, but he would receive no mercy, for Jak had his fill of mercy for the day. In fact, it was time for some serious fun! His Darker Side had been locked up for months, and he had been screaming to be let out.

'Blood! Blood!'

"Yes!" Jak answered his Dark Side. His Darkness would receive blood. Then, with a flash of Dark light that lit up the Arena, Jak let the transformation overwhelm him. The Marauders stood back, confused by the sudden turn of events, and wondering what new devilry they were to face.

The transformation now occurred so quickly that Jak didn't even have time to feel the pain. His skin paled until it was the familiar skin of Dark and his hair paled until it was only a shade darker than his skin. Horns shot out of his forehead and fangs grew from his teeth. Then his fingernails extended with a small 'shhk' sound.

Dark Jak grinned at the two remaining Marauders, but it wasn't a nice smile. It was a smile that had made many men lose control of their bladders. Dark Eco cackled over his body, electrifying the air. The Demon jumped at the nearest Marauder. He sliced at him, his claws extended to their fullest.

Dark Jak stopped, blood dripping from his claws. The Marauder stood in one place, shocked. Then, as if on cue, the Marauder fell apart into six different pieces.

The crowd, although they were equally surprised by Jak's transformation, cheered wildly at the gory death of the Marauder.

Dark Jak grinned. He was at home! Here was a town that cheered for his one major talent, namely killing people in gory and brutal ways. Back in Haven City, a bloody fight that ended with one or more people dead was frowned upon. These people could appreciate his talents!

The last Marauder stared at the many pieces of his former comrade, and backed off.

Dark Jak growled. "Oh no you don't!" It hissed, a new talent. After the Precursor incident, Jak found he could talk normally while in his Dark form as long as he maintained control of himself. But, as a side-effect, the Demon could speak in an understandable language also. This was more annoying now considering that he now had an internal monologue. Well, at least Dark didn't speak all the time to Jak, and when he did it was usually to point out how he is superior to his host.

Anyway, Dark Jak leapt at the last Marauder and knocked him down. He dug his claws into the Marauder's back, and right through the armor like it was wet paper. The Demon let some Dark Eco flow from his body into the Marauder.

Thankfully for this elf, he died instantly. Dark Jak ripped his bloody claws out of the Marauder's back and stood up. The whole arena cheered loudly as Jak let his Demonic form fall away.

The platform that would take him back to Damas reappeared and he walked over to it and got on. It began to move towards Damas.

On the way, Jak looked over the audience. One face stood out from the rest, possibly because that person's face was painted white. He looked at the person and could practically smell the hostility. Dark growled loudly in Jak's mind, hitting him like a hot poker right to his skull. Jak held his head like he had a sudden headache and growled.

Damas stood up from his throne and stared at Jak. "Something you're not telling us, animal-man?"

Pecker interrupted. "He has been touched by Dark Eco, my liege."

"Our boy here gets all mean and nasty when you piss him off!" Daxter explained. "So don't piss him off… word to the wise."

"Ah, then he is dangerous… and that could be useful." Damas said, mainly to himself. He looked down at Jak. "Your bravery and talent on the battlefield has earned you your first battle amulet." He tossed a round disk to Jak, who caught it easily. "If you are victorious in two more arena fights, then you will become a true Wastelander. And here is a Gate Pass to allow you free passage in and out of the City." The King tossed Jak a small metal pass. "But, be warned, there is no true refuge outside our walls. The desert is less kind then I. But, if you break any of our rules, then I will send you back out into the jaws of the desert… and you can bet the Marauders aren't going to save you. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Jak said instantly.

"Then we will set you up with some quarters as soon as possible." Damas said. "Now go."

Jak turned to leave, but he stopped and looked for the person with the white face. But it was gone. He set his face in a frown and walked away.


LES: For future reference, all of Dark's lines will be BOLD and his thoughts will be like this: 'BOLD'. Well, I'm very upset right now, and was happy to torture the Marauders. (They deserve it) This is because my mother took me to rent some videos and she promised to let me get any movie I wanted. Well, when I found the movie I wanted, I find out that my movie has been replaced by Broken Back Mountain. (Sorry: Brokeback Mountain) Grrr! How unfair!