Jak IV: The Avenging Angels
Chapter 2: The Angel's Test
Disclaimer: Don't own Jak or anything that belongs to Naughty Dog, and I don't own anything that sounds like it's from Red vs. Blue. I'm only saying that because I realized halfway through this chapter that the armor scheme is similar to the Halo 3 armor. I only own the plot and original characters. So Please read and review! Enjoy!
"So, you're sure about this? Once you're in, it's hard as hell to get out." Rune said as Jak and Daxter walked alongside her to the "Chief's" study.
"Yeah, it's about time I got serious about killing these things. I've got nothing to lose." Jak said savagely.
"Jak, I know Keira meant a lot to you…but you don't have to throw your life away like this." Daxter muttered in Jak's ear, but Jak replied "What if Tess died before your eyes?"
"I…I…I don't…"
"Exactly, so don't say anything." Jak said sharply.
The hallways of the ship were made of a metal harder than steel, but still a dull grey color. The floor was black, with intricate white deigns flowing through it. There were several doors that led off to other parts of the ship, but Rune kept going forward. As they neared the end of the hallway, Jak noticed an white and black electronic board that seemed to have a list.
1. Nightingale
2. Havoc
3. Blade
4. Chill
5. Rune
6. Sharpshooter
7. Beast
There was more on the list, but Jak walked by it. A few other people were walking around in armor like Rune's, but with different colors and designs. Each one looked at Jak as he went by and said hello to Rune, who replied to each one friendlily, but Jak continued to look forward while Daxter looked at each one with interest. Rune finally stopped at a large metal doorway that required a security code to enter.
Rune punched in a security code and the door said in a female's voice "Why hello there Agent Rune, how was your mission to Haven City?"
"Went all right, I even found a potential recruit. I need to see the Chief and brief him on the attack and see if he thinks we should let Jak become an Angel" Rune said politely.
"Of course, I will let him know that you're here. Please wait one moment." The female voice said.
"Who was that?" Daxter asked.
"That's Arch. She's an A.I. programmed to help us in missions, and she monitors the ship and makes sure that all systems are functioning properly. She's under command of every member, and can help them during any mission. She's an important member of the team" Rune explained.
"How can she talk to you when you're on a mission?" Jak asked.
"We have built-in communicators in our armor, as well as several other cool things. You can upgrade your armor if you've got the time, skill, and materials." Rune said.
"Agent Rune, you have permission to enter." Arch said as the doors slid open and the trio walked into the Chief's study.
The room was spacious, but was filled with several bookcases full of rich, leather bound tomes that looked like they were worth fortunes. Several artifacts that looked Precursor relics were in glass cases and were hovering a few inches off of the ground. The floor had changed from a polished marble to a grey carpet. A mahogany desk sat at the end of the room and a handsome man sat behind the desk observing the trio. He looked to be in his mid-40's with tanned skin and a faded scar running across his face from his left ear to his chin. He had long blond hair tied into a ponytail and was in an expensive black and blue suit.
"So, you are the one who Rune saved. You owe her a debt young man, not many are fortunate enough to survive the Metal Heads for long." The man said in a powerful, yet calm, tone.
"I pay my debts, and I plan on doing more than survive the Metal Heads." Jak replied.
"Hmm, what is your name?" the man said.
"Jak."
"And your Ottsel friend?"
"I'm Daxter, though you can call me…Orange Lightning!" Daxter said doing a heroic pose on Jak's shoulder while Rune shook her head in disbelief.
"Good to meet both of you. Please, take a seat while Rune informs me about the mission." The Chief said.
Rune nodded and said "The Metal Heads focused on one specific point, the Freedom League HQ. They attacked swiftly and attacked the eco tanks directly, causing the building to explode violently. At least 79 died from the initial blast, and many more were injured. Also, some were killed due to falling debris and the Metal Heads attacking them outside. "
"I see." The Chief muttered.
"Even though I pulled Jak and Daxter from the burning rubble, but Jak's Light Eco powers saved him from the flames. Jak effortlessly killed a huge Metal Head, one I haven't even seen before, before blacking out. After that we took him back here to recover." Rune explained.
"Did you take the gem from its skull?"
"Yes sir, I gave it to Tech. He's analyzing it now." Rune replied.
"Very well. Jak and Daxter, I am sorry for the short wait. I am Randal Disten, Chief of the Avenging Angels. I am in charge of the missions that they carry out and I monitor their progress against the war on the Metal Heads, or the Hora-Quan, as they are truly called." The man said.
"Pretty nice setup you've got. So how do you all fight the Metal Heads?" Jak asked.
"We do much more than fight them. We destroy their nests and aid those who are fighting them as well, such as the Freedom League in Haven City, or the warriors in the desert city of Spargus. Luckily, two of our agents were nearby when it was attacked." Randal said with a small smile.
"Yeah, we would've been Metal Head chow if Rune hadn't showed up." Daxter said with a shudder.
"Now, what to do with you, now that you're here?" the Chief said.
"Any way I can join?" Jak said.
"Hmm…well, you do seem to fit the profile. Tell me, have you ever lost someone to the Metal Heads?" the Chief asked.
"My father and my friend died because of them!" Jak said angrily as the Dark Eco threatened to come forth.
"I see, then you of course can take the…entrance test, and if you pass, then you will be welcomed with open arms." Chief said.
"Entrance test?" Daxter asked.
"Yes. Every Avenging Angel must pass a test to join. It is dangerous, but then again, you're joining a group dedicated to exterminating the Metal Heads forever…It's a test of skill, courage, and intellect. Something each of our agents must possess in the field" the Chief said.
"What do we have to do?" Jak asked.
"The Avenging Angels are not just a group of Metal Head hunters; we also study the Precursors and Light and Dark Eco. Therefore, we have great interest in the Precursor ruins that litter the Wasteland. All Avenging Angels must prove their worth by locating a Precursor artifact in one of these ruins before they are allowed to join our ranks. We have detected what appears to be the location of a critical artifact, the Precursor Lens. Retrieve this artifact, and you'll be considered a member of our family" the Chief said with a smile.
"I'm in." Jak said with a grin.
"Good to hear. Rune, I hope you're OK with going with him to ensure the artifact's safety?"
"Sure, though don't expect me to jump in there and save your sorry hide again." Rune chuckled.
Jak smirked and said "All right, where do we go?"
"Rune will fly you there in one of our Skyships. Rune, meet us back at the Sanctuary when you're done, with or without Jak. Understood?" the Chief asked.
"Sir yes sir!" Rune said going to attention.
"Then move out, both of you...er, three of you" The Chief said with a smile.
Rune nodded and said "Follow me."
The trio exited the room and walked down a different hallway, one that had several rooms marked off for various reasons like maintenance, electrical, eco fuel generators, ect. As they began to go down the hallway, Jak noticed a woman leaning against the wall, looking at them. She was slim and had all jet black armor with red trimming with a black helmet on with a red visor. She continued to watch them silently as they walked by. Jak and Daxter waited until they were out of earshot before Dexter asked "Who was that chick?"
"That's Nightingale. Number 1 Avenging Angel. You do NOT want to mess with her, because it'll be the last thing you do." Rune said seriously.
"She sounds tough." Daxter said.
"She is. She can take on Metal Heads ten-times her size without weapons and take them down in time for breakfast. Don't get on her bad side, that's my advice." Rune warned.
"What do you know about her?" Jak asked curiously.
"Not much, she's completely mute, and I've never seen her without her helmet on. She stays mostly to herself, but she takes the lead on group missions and we've never failed when she takes charge. Also, we've never had any serious injuries when she was in charge of a mission. I know that she was one of the fastest rising Agents in the AA's history. She's lethal with nearly every weapon, and she's a first-class fighter without one. I've faced her a few times in training, and I can tell you she's the number one for a reason." Rune said as they approached the Docking Bay.
"What did the Chief mean when he said you should return to the "Sanctuary"?" Jak asked as they approached a small transport. It was all white with an emblem of two angel wings with two crossed swords in front of them.
"It's our land HQ; it's hidden in a secret location. Its home for us." Rune said as she pulled out a key card and swiped it, unlocking the doors.
"Hey, do I get any weapons?" Jak asked.
"Nope. Got to do this on your own. Also, your gun was destroyed in the fight." Rune said.
"Damn!" Jak muttered.
"Get in; I'll take you to the site." Rune said with a chuckle as she started the engines.
Jak got in the transport and the engines fired up, lifting the transport a few feet off of the ground. An opening slowly opened a few yards in front of them, with a red light above the opening. After the opening had opened all of the way the light flashed green and Rune took off, causing Jak and Daxter to yell as they soared through the sky, several thousand feet above the ground.
"HOLY SHI-" Daxter began to yell before Rune slammed on the thrusters and drowned out his words.
Catacomb Entrance:
The transport flew down to the ground and slowly came to a stop. Jax jumped out of the back door with Daxter on his shoulder while Rune stayed in the driver's seat.
"Here, take this radio. Call me if something comes up. Just because you have to do this solo doesn't mean you're completely on your own." Rune said tossing Jak an ear piece.
Jak caught it and put it on and said "Come on Dax, let's go."
"Good luck." Rune said before closing the door and turning on the radio.
Jak and Daxter walked to the caves entrance and noticed a familiar bronze circle platform, which they both recognized as a lift to take them to another part of the Catacomb. Jak walked onto it and stood on the button in the circle, and the lift began to move down.
"These places always give me the creeps. Why do you think they need these Precursor artifacts anyway?" Daxter asked.
"Not sure, though I think we should just get it first and then ask questions later." Jak said.
The duo waited another thirty seconds before the lift suddenly stopped, sending Daxter crashing to the floor. Jak chuckled and picked up his friend off of the ground, Daxter swearing the whole time.
"Why do I always have to get hurt? Seriously, it's like the writer's are out to get me!" Daxter complained.
"Writer's? What are you talking about?" Jak asked.
"Never mind, let's just get that Precursor Lens and be done with it." Daxter said as Jak stepped off of the lift and into a spacious entryway.
The catacomb's were dark, with strange glowing blue torches set at regular intervals. A stone stairway led from the lift into the depths of the Catacombs, where only a soft blue glow could be seen.
"Come on, and stay quiet." Jak said softly as he crept down the stairs.
Jak quietly walked down the stairway, his ears trying to detect any disturbance in the deathly clam. Daxter kept looking back, watching Jak's blind side in case they were attacked from behind.
Suddenly the stairway ended and the duo stepped into a long hallway, with several Grunt Metal Heads lurking nearby, digging into the cave walls, as though searching for something. Two Stalker Metal Heads stood nearby, with their backs turned to Jak. Jak quickly hid behind the entryway to the hallway, out of the Metal Head's line of sight.
"Metal heads." Jak muttered.
"What would they be doing down here?" Daxter wondered.
"Metal Heads? They shouldn't be down there!" Rune said in Jak's earpiece.
"Nothing we can't handle." Jak said with a grin as he jumped from the entryway and ran up to one of the Stalkers and punched it in the jaw, sending it flying into the air and crashing onto the ground.
"Jak, hold on!" Rune warned, but Jak was already spotted.
The other Stalker fired three shots of its Dark Eco blaster at Jak, who rolled to the side and hid behind a rock. A Grunt charged at him from the side and Jak spun around and kicked it in the head, stunning it. Jak then dashed forward and punched it in the stomach, sending it sprawling onto the ground where it burst into a cloud of Dark Eco. Jak pocketed the yellow Metal Head Gem that had fell to the ground and ducked as another burst of the Stalker's Dark Eco blaster came from the side.
Jak jumped onto the rock and kicked off of it, soaring above the Stalker's shield and dived onto another Grunt, killing it instantly as its spine broke. Jak dodged a punch from another Grunt and kicked it in the chest, following up with another uppercut. The three other Grunts advanced on him and charged at him from all sides while the Stalker reloaded.
"Jak!" Daxter yelled as Jak remained still.
Right before the Grunts reached him; Jak crouched and did a high leap into the air. All three Grunts crashed into each other and were stunned. Jak dove back down to the ground and killed all three Grunts at once as their necks snapped.
The Stalker fired at Jak as he landed and Jak grunted in pain as the dark eco blasts hit him in the shoulder. Jak ran around the Stalker's shield and ducked under another burst of dark eco and kicked the Dark Eco blaster out of its hands and punched it in the skull, sending it crashing onto the ground with a thud. Jak picked up the Stalker's Dark Eco blaster and unloaded three shots into its forehead at point-blank range.
Jak walked over and picked up the Stalker's Metal Head gem and pocketed it.
"Why are you doing that for?" Daxter asked.
"You never know Dax, these things may be useful." Jak said tossing aside the empty Dark Eco blaster.
"You idiot! Did you just kill all of those Metal Heads with your bare hands!" Rune demanded over the communicator.
"Yeah, and would you mind not shouting in my ear?" Jak asked.
"Reckless moron. You don't even have weapon!" Rune protested.
Jak shrugged and said "I can handle myself."
"Whatever. Rune out." Rune said ending the transmission.
Jak shrugged again and walked towards the end of the hallway, heading deeper into the Catacombs. Jak walked for a few more minutes before coming across a Precursor Robot embedded into the wall, similar to the one that he fought at the Dark Eco Mine. Jak noticed five platforms slowly rising and falling next to the robot and then saw a platform leading to another room above the robot's head.
"How do those platform's still work? Who would've even used those things anyway?" Daxter asked.
"Who knows?" Jak replied as he jumped onto the first platform.
Jak quickly made his way up to the last platform and went though the hallway, lined with Precursor metal.
A few more Grunts stood in the hallway, and charged at Jak when they spotted him. Jak made quick work of them with a few punches and continued to make his way to the end of hallway, which of course was a fifty feet bottomless chasm.
"Yeeeesh, wouldn't want fall down that!" Daxter said.
Jak breathed in and out deeply and allowed the Light Eco in his body to change him. His body began to glow blue and his wings shot out of his back. Jak took a running start and leapt off of the edge before flapping his wings a few times, gaining altitude and clearing the gap with ease. Jak landed on the opposite side and let the Light Eco fade back into him, and said "Getting better at controlling it."
"Well, you've had it for a little while. I expect that the longer you have it, the better you get it using the Light eco, and more efficient you are with the eco you collect." Daxter said, and Jak nodded.
Jak and Daxter continued to go along another passageway, solving another puzzle that involved crossing a lake of Dark Eco using a dice-like platform. Jak had to kick or punch the platform in different ways for it to reveal a safe path through the Eco.
Finally the duo came upon an alter, where a large light-blue glass lens was positioned safely on a pedestal. Several Precursor machines decorated the walls, including a machine that had several rods pointing towards the alter. Jak looked all around the pedestal, making sure there were no traps and noticed a pressure plate on the floor where one would step if they wanted to grab the lens.
"Easy." Jak said going from behind the pedestal and dislodging the lens.
Suddenly the doors to the room closed and Jak swore angrily.
"Rune, we've got the artifact, but we're stuck in the Lens Chamber." Jak said.
"Damn! On my way! Give me a few minutes." Rune said on the other end.
Suddenly Jak heard a growl from behind him. Jak slowly turned around and came face to face with a huge Metal-Head that he'd never seen before, but felt like he knew somehow. It had long flowing black hair and had thick black armor. Its skin was a dark greyish color and on its forehead rested a Metal Head gem. Its eyes were a vivid red color, and they were narrowed in anger.
"YOU! GIVE ME THE PRECURSOR LENS!" the monster bellowed.
"Not likely" Jak said rolling out of the way as the creature brought its fist down where Jak was but seconds before. Jak rolled out of the way as the monster swung it's fist at him again, making sure the Precursor Lens was tucked under his arm.
The monster growled and shot out a red laser from its mouth, which left a huge char mark where it hit the ancient Precursor metal. The Metal Head roared and charged at Jak, ready to grab him. Jak ran to the alter and jumped in between the two statues, causing the creature to slam into the pedestal.
"I'LL DESTROY YOU!" the metal Head bellowed as it shot another red beam from its mouth.
Jak stumbled as he landed and brought up the Precursor Lens out of reflex. The beam miraculously hit the lens and shot back towards the monster, who roared in pain as its own attack was redirected back at it.
"Nearly there! Hold on!" Rune said as she hurried to Jak's position.
"Fool, you know not what you have in your hands. That artifact is essential in my plan, hand it over or your life is forfeit!" the Metal Head yelled as it lunged for Jak again, who escaped by inches.
"Well, I was going to let you have it, but after shooting lasers at me and nearly killing me…I figured 'No, I won't give you the Precursor Lens.'" Jak smirked.
"Then die!" the creature roared as it shot another beam from it's mouth, which Jak dodged by less than a centimeter.
Jak ran back towards the alter and noticed the pressure plate he had avoided. A plan formed in his head and he ran back to the pedestal, causing the Metal Head to follow him. Jak waited until he was a few meters away from rolling out of the way, just before the Metal Head stepped on the pressure plate. Wicked blue bolts of lightning shot out of the rods sticking out of the machines on the wall and hit the Metal Head in the chest, sending it crashing to the floor with a groan.
Suddenly there was a loud banging sound coming from the door and Jak heard Rune yell "Hold on Jak, just another minute!"
"You FOOLS! I'll destroy all of you!" the Metal Head bellowed as it got to its feet.
"Jak!" Daxter yelled as the creature approached them with an arm raised.
Jak gritted his teeth and felt a wave of anger rush through him. Dark Eco coursed through Jak's body and slowly turned him into Dark Jak, capable of harnessing the raw destructive power of Dark Eco. Horns shot out of Jak's head and razor-sharp claws shot out of Jak's hands. Jak suddenly turned invisible and the Metal Head grabbed nothing but air.
"What the-?" the Metal head said before being hit by an unseen force and sent flying several yards. Jak reappeared and growled angrily. Jak ran at the downed Metal Head and jumped onto its chest, swiping at its face and leaving long bloody wounds where Jak's razor-sharp claws had slashed him. The Metal Head roared and shot Jak in the face with a blast of energy from his mouth at point-blank range, sending him flying into the wall and crashing down 30 feet. Jak got to his feet and had an evil grin on his face.
"Halfway there!" Rune yelled.
"Jak, are you-" Daxter began to say before Jak started to charge up a ball of Dark Eco in his hands, purplish energy building up and getting stronger every second. The Metal was on its feet now and grinned evilly.
"You cannot defeat me. I am amongst the elite Metal Heads, as old as the Precursors themselves. We are destined to destroy this miserable world, you cannot stop us." the Metal Head sneered.
"STOP THIS!" Jak roared unleashing his strongest attack, the Dark Strike.
The swirling purple blast shot towards the Metal Head who tried to move out of the way, but was too slow. The attack slammed into his side and sent him flying off of the edge of the platform. Jak grinned evilly and allowed the Dark Eco to go back into him, returning him to normal. Suddenly the Precursor wall fell inward, revealing Rune holding a strange rod that was on fire. Rune tapped the rod and it shrank until it was about an inch long.
"Are you guys all right?" Rune asked running into the room and clipping the strange rod onto her belt.
"Yeah, just took out a thirty feet elite Metal Head. Hey, is the Precursor Lens you guys wanted?" Jak asked holding the artifact up.
"By the…you actually got it. Well done. This artifact looks very interesting...look closely, see those blue veins running throughout it? It's filled with power…come on, let's get back to HQ. We can get you set up and initiated and get that Precursor Lens analyzed.
"Initiated? Yes! We're in! We're the best!" Daxter yelled dancing on Jak's shoulders.
"Sorry Daxter, only Jak can be initiated, but you can still stay at the Sanctuary with him." Rune said.
"Figures! Jak gets all of the glory, and what do I get? Nothing." Daxter muttered.
"You do have pants though." Jak pointed out.
Daxter brightened up and patted his pants fondly and said "You're right!"
"What the hell?" Rune said in a weirded out tone.
"Sorry, it's a long story" Jak said with a laugh.
"Well, you'll have plenty of time to tell me. We'll be seeing a lot more of each other now Jak. As your mentor, it's my honor to welcome you to the Avenging Angels." Rune said extending a hand, which Jak shook, signifying a new beginning, and a whole new adventure.
End of Chapter:
I liked how this turned out. Anyway, what is the significance of the Precursor Lens? What's the story behind Nightingale? And what did Rune mean when she said that Jak would be "initiated"? Find out next chapter! Please review, I really want to know what you all think! Until next time, FlygonN. out.