Jak IV: The Avenging Angels
ANA:
Hey everyone, sorry about the wait. Like I said, school's been taking up some free time and I've been working on multiple projects at once.
Shout out to JakMartheDarkWarrior, Oblique Strategies, and Ecofreakrsa17, the guest reader SnowyDusk, and two other Guest readers. Thanks for reviewing, you're awesome.
Here's Chapter 10!
Chapter 10: Some Wounds Don't Heal
"Jakob" Nightingale whispered as a tear rolled down her face.
Torn's eyes widened and he said "How…how do you know that name?"
"What's…what's going on Nightingale?" Jak asked the woman, who stood there frozen in shock…until…
"Jakob…you left me to die…YOU LEFT ME TO DIE!" Nightingale screamed as she opened fire on Torn with her pistol, who rolled to the side to avoid the shots.
Torn yelled "What the hell's your problem!?"
"Don't play dumb Jakob! You've had this coming for 9 years! It's time you pay for leaving me to die!" Nightingale yelled as she fired over and over again, Torn was barely dodging the bullets.
"What the hell are you talking about you dumb bi-" Torn began to say before realizing Nightingale was in now front of him, moving faster than he thought possible.
Torn swung his fist at Nightingale, who swiftly caught the punch and twisted Torn's arm, nearly dislocating it. Torn yelped in pain as Nightingale swiftly swept his feet from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Torn tried to get up, but Nightingale's foot stomped on his chest and he found Nightingale had a long slim knife to his throat. Tears were rolling down Nightingale's face, but she looked all to ready to slit Torn's throat.
"What's the hell's your problem!?" Torn demanded.
"I told you Jakob…you'll pay for betraying me and leaving me to die!" Nightingale whispered.
"How do you know my real name!?" Torn yelled.
"I should've known you'd use a fake name all these years. It suits a coward like you!" Nightingale said stomping on Torn's chest, causing him to yell out in pain.
"Jak! Who is this chick!?" Torn asked Jak.
"Nightingale, number 1 ranked Agent in the Avenging Angels. Nightingale, what's wrong with you!?" Jak yelled at the young woman.
Nightingale looked at Jak, tears still running down her face and said "He's the one who ruined my life Jak! He left me to die in the Marauder Stronghold!"
Realization dawned on Torn's face and he breathed out in amazement "Iris!? Is…is that you?"
Nightingale applied more pressure to his chest and said coldly "Caught on have you?"
"How…are you still alive? I thought you died years ago" Torn said in disbelief.
"I'm a survivor, which is something you won't be saying after I'm done with you!" Nightingale whispered as she now aimed her pistol at Torn's skull and sheathed her Laser Sword.
"Nightingale! Calm down!" Jak yelled.
"No! He ruined my life! He left me to die!" Nightingale yelled out as her hand tightened on the gun.
"Nightingale…" Jak said softly, causing her to look up.
Jak walked over to Nightingale, who was still crying, and took her gun silently and tossed it aside. Nightingale then stepped off of Torn and embraced Jak, sobbing into his shoulder. Jak wrapped his arms around her and consoled the distraught young woman. Torn got to his feet and dusted himself off.
"So, your real name isn't Torn I take it?" Daxter asked.
"No, it's Jakob. Its part of my past now, and it's no longer who I am. I'm Torn now, I've been Torn for the last 9 years" Torn replied.
"Well to her, you're Jakob. So you better find a way to make things right between you two!" Daxter yelled at Torn.
"I'm not proud of what I did! If I could take it back, I would, but I can't!" Torn snapped.
"Give us a minute" Jak said grabbing Nightingale by the hand and taking her outside. Nightingale took a deep calming breath, though she was still clinging to Jak for comfort. Nightingale was obviously not taking this well, Jak had never seen her this upset before, not even when Havoc broke her legs and attacked her.
"Are you OK?" Jak asked quietly after a few minutes.
Nightingale shook her head and another sob escaped from her as she buried her face into Jak's chest plate. Nightingale wrapped Jak in a hug again and Jak hugged her back, trying to comfort Nightingale in this moment of need.
"Nightingale, I've known Torn for a while now. He's a little rough and unfriendly at first, but he's a good man" Jak said softly.
"He…he ruined my life! He attacked me from behind and left me to die!" Nightingale whispered as her grip tightened around Jak and tears began to spill from her eyes.
"At least hear his side of the story Nightingale, at least do that. For me" Jak asked wiping the tears off of Nightingale's face, and Nightingale looked him in the eyes.
Nightingale looked as though she were ready to do the exact opposite of that, but she whispered "Fine, but only for you"
Nightingale took another full minute to recover her composure. Finally, Nightingale and Jak walked back into the building where Torn was leaning against the wall, looking tired.
"You owe her an explanation" Jak said roughly to Torn, who sighed.
"Iris…erm, Nightingale. I'm glad to see you're OK. I've always wondered whether or not you'd make it out of there" Torn said nervously.
"You left me to die. You lied to me and used me to buy yourself time. You used me! I should kill you right now" Nightingale whispered angrily.
"Yes, you should. I deserve nothing less than that for what I did to you. I'm not proud of what I did back at the Marauder Stronghold. It was a moment of weakness, and I've regretted it ever since the day I escaped" Torn said with self-loathing in his voice.
"…How did you escape the desert?" Nightingale asked after a few moments silence.
"I wandered the desert for a few days, using the weapon we had made in the cell to hunt for food. Finally I was found, nearly dead, by a Krimzon Guard patrol coming through the desert, on their way back from a Metal Head Nest in the desert. There I met a few guys who helped me get back to the city and convinced me to join the Krimzon Guard. Like your brother" Torn said to Nightingale, who nodded.
"I joined up and rose through the ranks, thinking I was keeping the city safe. I was a fool. I stepped down as Commander of the Krimzon Guard when I realized what we were really doing. Keeping the city under the Baron's tyrannical rule. I joined the Underground, and since then I've tried to make something of my life…to make up for what I did to you…I'm sorry, Iris, for everything. I'm glad to see you safe and sound after all these years" Torn said heavily.
"Why did you do it though? Why betray her like that?" Daxter asked.
"Like I said, it was a moment of weakness. I meant what I said; we would either escape together, or die together. But when we were cornered and a saw that hole…to freedom, I knew she wouldn't make it, but I would. So, I knocked you out, hoping they wouldn't kill you. That they would assume I had forced you to help me" Torn explained.
Nightingale's face was apathetic. She sighed and whispered in a deathly serious tone "It still doesn't excuse it. You not only caused me immense physical harm by leaving me to the enraged Marauders, but you were cause of me to remain nearly mute for the past 9 years!"
"I'm sorry OK! I've regretted what I've done to you for years! Holding a grudge isn't healthy. You need to let this go, we've got a city to save!" Torn yelled at Nightingale.
"You left me for dead" Nightingale whispered.
"Iris…" Torn sighed.
"Jak. Let's go. Let him stew in his mess and leave him to protect this rat-hole of a city" Nightingale scoffed as she walked out of the room.
"I'll talk to her" Jak said to Torn before walking over to Nightingale who had walked outside again.
Nightingale was sitting down on the steps outside, her face in her elbows.
"Leave me alone, I need to think" Nightingale whispered so quietly Jak barely caught what she said.
"No you don't. You want someone to talk to" Jak said seriously.
Nightingale sighed and said very softly "I'm sorry Jak, this is getting in the way of our mission, I know, but this…this is just…"
"Too much to handle right now?" Jak guessed, and Nightingale nodded.
Jak sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and she moved closer to him and leaned against him. The two sat together for a minute before Nightingale sighed and said "Jak?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you still wish that you could've been the one to kill the Baron?" Nightingale asked.
Jak pondered this for a few minutes.
"No. He did wrong, and he died for what he did. In the end, he was a tyrant who was brought down by his own corruption. Sure, it would've been nice to kill him myself, but that's life. You don't always get what you want, and it's your life is never easy. Sometimes you've got to deal with it, and not dwell on it. You can't change the past Nightingale, but you can control the future" Jak said.
Nightingale frowned, this wasn't what she wanted to hear, but it was the truth. She couldn't keep dwelling on what had happened to her. She had let it control her for years, even robbing her of the ability to speak until she met Jak…but…Maybe it was time to let go of this…once and for all.
"I can't forgive Jakob for what he did to me. But I…I'll try not to let my emotion cloud my judgment anymore" Nightingale said to Jak, who smiled.
"That's all anyone could ask of you" Jak said as he got to his feet and helped Nightingale up.
Jak turned around to go back inside, but Nightingale grabbed him by his shoulder and said "Jak?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you…for everything"
"No problem"
The two walked back inside and Torn was on his communicator, talking to Ashelin.
"Hey, I'll be on my way in a few minutes. I have to make amends with…well, someone I did wrong by. You know how it is. See you soon" Torn said ending the transmission.
"That was Ashelin. We've got increased Metal Head movement near the Bazaar area…can I ask the two of you to go help my men?" Torn asked.
"…" Nightingale starred at the man who had, unintentionally, ruined her life.
"I'll take that as a maybe" Torn said.
"Don't worry, me and Night will take care of it. Come on" Jak said putting his helmet on and walking outside with Nightingale.
The storm had calmed down to the point where it was a small drizzle, and luckily Nightingale was too preoccupied with Torn to realize it was still raining.
"So…your real name's Iris?" Jak asked.
"Yes" Nightingale replied stonily.
"Nightingale. You've got to calm down" Jak said.
"I am calm" Nightingale said coldly before walking towards a Zoomer and hopping in the driver's seat.
Jak hopped in the shotgun seat and Nightingale sped towards the Bazaar. Jak and Daxter looked at each other and Daxter said "You OK?"
"Yep"
"Nightingale. Stop the Zoomer. Now!" Jak yelled.
Nightingale slammed on the brakes and said in a deathly calm voice "Yes Jak?"
"You have got to calm down with this. I know that you're dealing with a lot right now, but you can't just act like this. We've got a job to do, and we've got to be focused" Jak said to the black-haired woman.
"…fine! But only because it's for you!" Nightingale whispered angrily as she lowered the Zoomer to the ground.
"I want shotgun seat. You drive" Nightingale said tiredly, hopping out of the car.
Jak smiled and moved into the driver's seat while Nightingale sat down in the shotgun seat. Jak drove the Zoomer along the road and after a few moments Nightingale said "Jak?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks...for everything you've done for me…being my very first friend…for everything" Nightingale said softly, sounding somewhat tired.
"No problem" Jak said.
"What about me!?" Daxter exclaimed.
"You too Dax" Nightingale added with a reluctant smile.
The group traveled in silence before getting to the Rendezvous near the entrance to the Bazaar. When they finally arrived the group hopped out of the Zoomer and towards a group of Freedom League Soldiers.
"You two must be the Avenging Angels Agents we're supposed to have helping us. The Metal Heads are just up ahead, I'd prepare yourselves as best as you can before jumping into there" the soldier advised.
"We know what to do. Just stay out of our way" Jak replied walking towards where the fighting was taking place.
The trio continued towards the group of Freedom League Soldiers that had just eliminated a swarm of Metal Heads.
"There's more around here somewhere. Stay tight!" one of the soldiers yelled.
The Metal Heads exploded out of a nearby building and came out by the hundreds, and Nightingale yelled out to the others "Get ready!"
Nightingale then high into jumped into the air and did a front flip. Wicked flames shot out of her feet, propelling her skyward. She flew into the horde and spun around; kicking a Grunt so hard in the head that it flew thirty feet into the air. Nightingale soared in and out of the mass of Metal Heads, cutting down the ranks of them with her expert kicks.
"Her armor enhancement…" Daxter trailed off.
"Jet-boots. She flies like a Nightingale. Makes sense to me" Jak said with a grin before he jumped into the horde of Metal Heads as well.
"Jak! On your left!" Nightingale called as she pulled out her shotgun.
Jak ducked, preparing for a high jump and Nightingale blasted her shotgun at Stalker, which fell to the ground dead. Nightingale expertly spun her shotgun like a club and bashed in the skull of another Grunt. Jak leapt into the air and crashed down on a Grunt, killing it. Jak landed and aimed his Green Eco shotgun mod and fired at a wave of Ginsu Metal Heads, killing them all at once.
"Nice!" Nightingale laughed as she whirled around and fired her shotgun 8 times, killing several Metal Heads with little effort.
It was very clear to Jak why Nightingale was Number 1. She could hit fast and hard, and she was an expert with her shotgun, even more than he was with a Morph Gun, and she had chosen an armor enhancement that she could use to her advantage in the field. She was hardly trying at this point. Nightingale finally landed on the ground and judo kicked a random spot. There was a snarl of pain and a Cloaker Metal Head fell to its knees, reappearing now that it's cloaking device was damaged. The Cloaker grunted in agony before Nightingale pulled out a pistol and shot it in the skull three times, killing it.
Jak roundhouse-kicked a Grunt in the skull, killing it with his armored boot. Jak ducked to avoid three Dark Eco blasts and fired another blast of his Morph Gun, killing two more Grunts. Jak activated his thermals and saw five Cloakers to his left.
Jak charged at them and punched one in the skull. He whirled around and blasted three of them to the ground with his Morph Gun, disabling their cloaking devices. Jak uppercutted the second Cloaker with a his armored fist, sending it to the ground dead. Jak delivered three powerful kicks to the first Cloaker before finishing off the small group with a blast from his Morph Gun.
Nightingale laughed as 8 Stalkers tried to shoot at her. Nightingale pulled out a throwing knife and hurled it. The knife sliced through one of the Stalker's Dark Eco Blaster, causing it to explode violently, killing all of them.
"Jak, hold them off for a second. I want to try something" Nightingale said running over to Jak.
"Yeah, hold on" Jak said before tapping into his Light Eco and transforming into Light Jak.
Wings shot out of his back and he flew into the air, firing shots down onto the horde and drawing them away from Nightingale. Nightingale put her shotgun, which had a special piece of metal on it that made weapons stick to the back part of her armor when she needed it to, on her back. Nightingale grabbed her two sidearms, a pair of black SMG's.
Nightingale reloaded both of them and activated her jet boots and flew into the air.
"I'm ready! Lead them over here and take cover!" Nightingale yelled.
Jak flew towards Nightingale and flew underneath her and activated his Light Barrier.
"Go!" Light Jak yelled.
Nightingale kicked out both of her feet with her jet boots on, causing her to spin in the air like a top. Nightingale was literally a black tornado. She then began firing his SMG at the Metal Heads. This combo was causing the Metal Heads to become engulfed in a hailstorm of bullets. After a full minute of shooting, the entire horde lay dead in the street. Nightingale slowly stopped spinning and fell out of the air. Jak reverted to normal and caught her in his arms.
"That…make you soooooo dizzy" Nightingale said grabbing her head.
"That was incredible!" Jak said with a laugh as he set her back on the ground with a grin.
"Thanks. It feels great to be able to fight like that again" Nightingale said pulling out her shotgun again.
"Good to hear. Because you won't be feeling that way again" a voice said tauntingly.
Jak, Daxter, and Nightingale looked up and saw someone standing in the middle of the streets, looking at them. He was dressed like them, in full body armor and holding an Assault Rifle. He had matted black hair and blood on his armor, and he was grinning like a demon.
It was Havoc.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here?" the man said with a laugh.
"Havoc?" Nightingale whispered.
"Where have you been?" Jak asked cautiously.
"Nightingale, is that really what your voice sounds like? Incredible…and you're rather attractive too. Shame…anyway, in answer to your question Jak, never you mind. You should be more worried about the Metal Heads two blocks over. Those pathetic soldiers are being slaughtered. Simply excellent" Havoc said with a demented smile.
"Why haven't you returned to HQ?" Nightingale asked.
"Because, I'm not an Avenging Angel anymore. I quit. I'm with the real winners now, and I'm not looking back. The same can't be said for you fools. Living in the past and pledging yourself against the Metal Heads is foolish. They will claim this world soon, and I will be at the forefront of the revolution" Havoc said with a laugh.
"What are you talking about?" Nightingale asked.
"This guys nuts" Daxter commented.
"Let's take him in for questioning" Jak said, aiming his Morph Gun at Havoc.
Havoc put on his helmet and said "So be it"
Jak switched to his Blaster Mod and fired twice at Havoc, who quickly side stepped and opened fire on Jak. Jak turned into Light Jak and activated his barrier, deflecting the bullets. Light Jak charged at Havoc and rammed into him with his barrier still activated. Light Jak flew the both of them into a nearby building. Nightingale watched as Jak slammed Havoc into the side of a building.
"Wow, Jak's really something" Nightingale said in awe.
"Kill him…kill the Precursor's Chosen One!" Lady Arranst yelled to Havoc, who growled at Jak.
Suddenly Light Jak felt himself being pushed out of the hole. Havoc has pushing Light Jak out of the hole with raw darkness coming from him. Jak gasped as his Light Eco ran out, leaving him exposed to Havoc's Dark Eco powers. Jak grunted and tried to hold Havoc off, but Havoc hurled Jak into a shop forty yards away.
"Jak!" Nightingale yelled, activating her Jet-Boots.
"Heahahaha…darkness!" Havoc called out, as the aura around him grew larger.
Suddenly Havoc was tackled and sent flying onto the ground. Nightingale flew back into the air and fired both of her SMG's at Havoc, who roared in pain as the bullets sliced through his armor.
Havoc swung a darkness charged fist at Nightingale, who did a backwards handspring to avoid it. Havoc then shot a bolt of Dark Eco at Nightingale who flew into the air and hurled a frag grenade, which exploded at Havoc's feet.
Havoc was blown backwards, but he looked up at the flying Nightingale and pulled out a single Assault Rifle, radiating darkness off of it.
"Kill her" Lady Arranst commanded.
"With pleasure" Havoc snarled as he opened fire.
Nightingale quickly flew out of range and ran along the side of the building, kicking off of it and taking flight again when she was in danger. Havoc's frustration grew quickly as Nightingale avoided his attacks.
Nightingale soared up to him and did a flying bicycle kick on his face, sending him stumbled backwards. Nightingale dropped to the ground and gave him a Jak-style uppercut, sending him falling backwards. Havoc threw his gun to the ground in anger and more Dark Eco radiated off of him.
"DODGE THIS THEN! DARK OVERLOAD!" Havoc screamed as he thrust his hands towards Nightingale.
"NO!"
Suddenly Dark Jak lunged out of nowhere and punched Havoc in the skull, sending him flying. Havoc slammed into a pillar and fell to the ground, but got to his feet like it was nothing. Havoc laughed and said "Oh…this will be so satisfying"
"Likewise!" Dark Jak snarled, lunging at Havoc, who charged at Dark Jak.
Both men collided with the force of two trains slamming into one another. Jak overpowered Havoc and hurled him into another building. Havoc, however, kicked off of the building before he slammed in to it and shot back at Jak like a bullet, tackling him to the ground. The both of them tore at each other like dogs, but Jak got the better of Havoc and blasted him off of him with a Dark Surge.
"Kill him! Destroy him!" Arranst whispered in Havoc's mind.
"Let's see how you like this dark attack!" Havoc said thrusting his hands out towards Jak and Nightingale.
"DARK OVERLOAD!" Havoc yelled as Dark Eco supercharged around him in overwhelming waves.
"Nightingale! Get down!" Dark Jak snarled, shielding her with his body.
"RAAAAAH!" Havoc yelled, unleashing massive laser of raw Dark Eco at the two Agents.
BOOOOOM!
An enormous explosion engulfed the street, killing all of the Metal Heads that were being drawn to the battle. Havoc laughed as the smoke began to clear.
"Why do you laugh?" Arranst asked.
"This power…it's so…intoxicating" Havoc said breathlessly.
"Calm down you fool, they still live" Lady Arranst whispered.
"What!?"
The smoke cleared and revealed Dark Jak, standing tall and growling loudly. Nightingale walked out from behind Jak and aimed her SMG's at Havoc.
"You two are going to be a thorn in my side, I can tell already" Havoc grunted as he prepared himself for another attack.
"No. You're not strong enough…we must depart…and defeat these fools when the time comes" Arranst said.
"You two can live for now, but I'll be back" Havoc said before his body glowed dark purple and vanished into nothing.
Jak reverted back to normal with a sigh. Jak and Nightingale starred at the spot where Havoc had disappeared until Jak asked "Hey, you OK?"
"I'm fine…what happened to him?" Nightingale asked Jak.
"He's got dark powers, like me. The question is, how?' Jak said reloading his Morph Gun and walking towards the spot where Havoc had disappeared.
Nightingale glanced at the battlefield and began tapping her helmet. She then walked over to Jak and tapped the destruction that Havoc had caused.
"What're you doing?" Jak asked Nightingale as he picked up his helmet and put it on.
"Taking pictures. I was taking pictures the whole time you two were fighting, it's why didn't jump in…plus, I knew you could take him" Nightingale said, glad that her helmet was hiding her blush.
"Thanks" Jak said, taking a few pictures himself.
"OK, that should be enough. Let's go help the Freedom League soldiers" Nightingale said walking towards another source of fighting in another section of the Bazaar.
The duo leapt into the fray once more, assisting the soldiers in their fight against the Metal Heads. After fighting for more than an hour nonstop, Jak and Nightingale retreated for a breather.
"They just keep coming" Jak grunted.
"There's got to be someone in charge. We have to cut the head off of the snake" Nightingale said in her musical voice as he reloaded her shotgun.
BOOOOOM!
Nightingale and Jak looked to the side and saw a huge snakelike Metal Heads burst out of the ground, roaring.
"…I was kind of being metaphorical" Nightingale said, sounding slightly amused.
"That's got to be the leader" Jak said.
"No, it isn't" Nightingale said with a laugh.
"What? How do you know?" Jak asked.
Suddenly a second explosion tore through the block, and an even bigger snake rose out of the ground and devoured the smaller snake Metal Head headfirst.
"What the hell!?" Daxter yelled as the Metal Head Leader devoured the smaller huge snake.
"That's disturbing on so many levels" Nightingale said activating her jet-boots.
Jak and Nightingale dashed back into the street and came face to face with the huge Metal Head. It was over 200 feet long and had thick armored scales with an occasional spike on its back. The snake whipped around to face them, and hissed loudly.
"You! You're the one we mussssst destroy!" the Metal Head Leader hissed.
"Then I say bring it!" Jak yelled as he ran at the Metal Head Leader, ripping off his helmet transforming into Dark Jak as he did, and punching the snake in the face.
The Metal Head reared in pain and hissed loudly, and then shot a large beam of Dark Eco from it's maw, which Nightingale flew over effortlessly. Nightingale soared into the air and flew into the face of the beast, which snapped at her.
"Someone should teach you some manners!" Nightingale said before blasting the Metal Head in the face with her shotgun.
"FOOOLSSSSSSS!" the Metal Head roared and it lunged at Nightingale, who dodged and blasted the Aimperditor three times with her trusty semi-automatic shotgun.
Dark Jak grunted as he charged up a Dark Strike and fired it at the Metal Head's face, which moved out of the way at the last second.
While Nightingale was attacking the snake from the front, Jak was running along the snake Metal Head's back. The creature flailed about, and Dark Jak growled and dug his fingers into the snake's skin to hang on. The monster looked down at Jak and hissed loudly.
"Jak!" Nightingale yelled out, flying towards him.
Right before the snake could attack Dark Jak; Nightingale soared by and grabbed him. Nightingale clung onto Dark Jak's hand, who transformed back into regular form.
"Jak! Do you trust me!?" Nightingale yelled as she clung to Jak's hand and flew higher to avoid a blast of Dark Eco at them.
"Yes!" Jak yelled immediately.
"Then transform into your darker self and get ready!" Nightingale said kicking her feet out with her jet-boots. Nightingale began to spin around and around in the air.
Nightingale slowly brought Jak up to her level as she spun like a top. Jak transformed into Dark Jak and Nightingale let go, causing Jak to shoot towards the Snake Aimperditor.
Dark Jak shot through the air, right at the Metal Head's head. The snake opened its mouth and Dark Jak flew right into it. Before the Metal Head could do much more than open its eyes in surprise, Dark Jak burst out of the back part of its throat with a fist charged with Dark Eco. The snake hissed feebly and went limp, and began to fall to the ground. Before its head hit the grounds, it burst into a cloud of Dark Eco.
Dark Jak flew through the air and was about to slam into a building. He transformed back into his regular self. Just as Jak was about to slam into the building, something grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back, stopping his flight. Jak hung there in the air while Nightingale flew down to the ground and dropped him lightly on his feet.
"Why didn't you just transform into your Light form and stop yourself from crashing into the building?" Nightingale asked as she landed on the ground.
"Because I knew you'd be there to help me" Jak said with a smile as he grabbed his helmet and put it on.
Night flushed pink inside of her helmet and said "Come on, we should meet up with the other Freedom League Soldiers and then…"
"See Torn" Jak finished for her, and she nodded slowly.
"Why didn't you tell her the real reason you didn't transform?" Daxter asked.
"It was. I would've been fine if I turned into my Dark form. I knew she'd be there, so I didn't transform" Jak said quietly, and Daxter nodded.
The two Agents met up with the soldiers, who thanked them for their help, and praised them for their prowess in battle. They then hopped on a abandoned Zoomer and flew towards the temporary Freedom League HQ.
Torn was standing outside, looking into the distance. As Jak and Nightingale walked up to him, he looked at them. He walked up to them and said "Thanks you two, this was a major victory for Haven City. I'll call Chief Disten if there's anything else we need. I'll see you soon Jak…and… Iris?"
Nightingale looked at him hard and said "What?"
"Be careful out there" Torn said with a small smile before walking back inside of the building.
"Jak…let's go" Nightingale said in her musical voice, turning around.
"Yeah…OK" Jak said walking up to the Number 1 Agent.
"You OK?" Daxter asked her.
"Maybe…I don't know" Nightingale said with a sigh.
The two walked towards the transport and hopped inside. Nightingale sat down but didn't say a word to Jak during the whole journey back. Jak and Daxter remained quiet like her, but thoughtful.
Sanctuary HQ:
Nightingale got out of the transport, looking distracted still. She looked at Jak and said "Jak, I need to be alone for a bit"
"Figure this stuff out. No one's rushing you" Jak muttered to her, and she nodded.
Nightingale walked away and a voice said "What's wrong with her?"
Chill walked out from behind a transport, looking concerned. Despite her name, she was not a cold person, and had become somewhat like a sister to the young number 1 ranked Agent.
"Long story. Give her some time, she'll get over it" Daxter said.
"I hope so. I heard you guys saw Havoc" Chill said.
"We did. He's…something else now. He can use Dark Eco, like me. He's taking orders from something" Jak said walking towards the hallway.
Chill followed him, and said "What exactly happened to Nightingale?"
Jak hesitated and said "She found out someone who ruined her life is really alive after all these years of thinking he was dead. She's trying to figure out her feelings right now"
"If I know Nightingale, she'll train until she drops. It's what she did when Crash gave her crap about her being a mute" Chill said.
"Note to self, find Crash and break his arm" Jak thought angrily.
"You should go find her. She's probably in the Pit" Chill said.
"I thought that was just for fighting? Jak asked.
"Well, it's an all purpose room. It can be used for advanced training sessions. Nightingale's got top scores all around in the Pit" Chill said.
"I bet she does" Jak said fondly.
"You should go to her. She's more likely to listen to you than anyone else" Chill said, grinning slightly.
"What's with the smile?" Jak asked.
"Because you have no idea that Nightingale is crushing on you" Chill thought.
"Just good to see you all back safe and sound. We have to look after each other. We're a sort of family, aren't we?" Chill said with a smile as she walked away.
Jak smiled at the Agent as she walked down the hallway. Daxter cleared his throat loudly and said "So, what're you going to do?"
"About who?" Jak asked.
"Nightingale! Go find her and cheer her up!" Daxter replied.
"She's not going to be cheered up after today Dax. Though I will go find her" Jak said walking towards the hallway leading to the Pit.
"Guy's saved the world three times, and he's still clueless when it comes to women" Daxter thought with a grin.
Jak walked through the hallway saw Crash walking down their looking thoroughly pleased with himself. He was walking with Nymph, who was looking downcast.
"Hey Rookie! I haven't forgotten what you did to me in the Pit. I've put in a request for a rematch!" Crash yelled at Jak.
Jak said nothing and walked right by Crash, who growled angrily at Jak.
"Why I oughta-!" Crash said taking a step towards him.
"Stop. Seriously, you've got to stop acting like such a child" Nymph snapped.
"A child!? Who's the one who kissed that freak just to get back at Nightingale?" Crash leered.
Nymph spun around and kicked Crash in the groin, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"I'm done with being so petty. And you should be too" Nymph said walking away.
Crash looked at her in amazement and said "What's gotten into her?"
Jak continued to walk into the hallway and went through the large metal door leading to the Watchtower, which overlooked the Pit.
Jak looked down into the Pit, and saw Nightingale standing in the middle of the room.
"Arch. Activate the targets" Nightingale commanded.
"As you wish Agent Nightingale. Preparing the floor for Training Scenario level 10. Difficulty Level: Black. Danger Level: High. Are these settings acceptable?" the A.I. asked.
"Yes" Nightingale said pulling out two VA71's and preparing herself.
The Pit began to change then. The room itself began to change from a large rectangular shape to a large dome. Small red targets began to appear and move around the room. Machine guns also appeared around the room, appearing out of the walls and aiming at Nightingale.
"Custom Training Scenario will begin in 3…2…1…Begin" Arch said.
Several of the turrets on the wall began to fire small bursts of energy, like the shots out of a VA71. Nightingale jumped back and swiftly avoided all of the shots and began to fire at the moving targets on the wall.
Nightingale weaved in and out of the laser shots, seemingly dancing across the Pit floor. Jak was amazed that someone could possess so much natural ability. Nightingale fired at two targets at the same while doing a back-flip to avoid three energy blasts. Nightingale looked to the side to see another blast coming right at her face.
Nightingale ducked under the blast and fired at the target five times and sidestepped another blast, hitting the middle of the target expertly when she fired at it. Nightingale jumped to the side, dancing in and out of the flying lasers and shooting all the while. Her score in the training room skyrocketed as Nightingale dodged and avoid all of the shots being fired at her.
Nightingale did a back-flip, avoiding three blasts of energy. She landed lightly and rolled forward and fired three shots, scoring three direct hits on the fast-moving targets. Nightingale fired and avoided as though her life depended on it.
Jak sat down in the Watchtower and watched her for about three hours. Finally, after breaking all previous records, even her own, Nightingale finally fell to her knees.
"Stop!" Nightingale yelled out, and the room began to change back to normal.
Nightingale's helmet rolled off of her head, and Jak saw that she was drenched in sweat and hyperventilating. She had literally trained until she couldn't train anymore. Jak opened the thick steel door and walked down into the Pit, where Nightingale was now laying on her back, panting.
"Hey Night, you OK?" Jak asked.
"J-J-ak…" Nightingale murmured before passing out.
Daxter hopped down from his perch and said "Dehydration and exhaustion. You should take her somewhere cooler"
Jak nodded and picked her up and walked out of the Pit. He bumped into Rune, who was instantly worried about Nightingale. Jak explained that he was going to take her to the Bathing Grotto to cool down, and she nodded walked off.
Ten minutes later, Jak set Nightingale down on the ground a few feet away from a pool of water. Jak made sure that she wasn't in immediate danger and went to his room to grab a few bottles of cold water from his mini-fridge in his room.
When Jak returned to the bathing grotto, he found Nightingale's armor scattered along the ground and saw Nightingale swimming in the water, looking revitalized. Jak however saw she had a bottle of red wine placed on top of a nearby rock. Nightingale looked over at Jak and grinned widely and waved at him.
"Nightingale, are you kidding me?" Jak asked as Nightingale grabbed the bottle and swam over to Jak..
"Hey, I haven't had any, yet" Nightingale said getting out of the water, revealing her in a sexy black two-piece with a red strip going down the middle..
"At least you had the foresight to wear clothes this time" Daxter replied, looking her body up and down.
"Hey! What's he doing in here!?" Nightingale yelled grabbing her towel and covering herself up.
"By the way, nice a-" Daxter was about to say before Jak grabbed Daxter and hurled him into the water.
"AAAAAHHHH! " Daxter yelled as he started swimming to shore.
"What are you doing here?" Nightingale asked, flushing dark red.
"I didn't know I wasn't allowed in here" Daxter said doing backstrokes in the water.
"You aren't!" Nightingale yelled, still flushing red.
"Laaaaaaaaaaame!" Daxter yelled, still swimming.
Nightingale scowled and pulled out a pistol from nowhere and aimed it at Daxter, who screamed and quickly swam towards Jak and hid behind him.
"GET OUT!" Nightingale growled.
"OK! Jeez!" Daxter yelled as he scampered away.
"So, what are you doing swimming here?" Jak asked.
"I sort of overdid it training and when I woke up, I was here, so..." Nightingale trailed off.
"Yeah, I was the one that found you. You're going to hurt yourself if you don't get this problem under control" Jak said seriously.
Nightingale flinched and said softly "I just can't believe it…I can't believe he survived"
"Well, you'll have to deal with this demon at some point" Jak said.
"I can't! He deserves to suffer for what he did to me! Seven years he stole from me! And those were the worst seven years of my life! My life only started to get better when I met you!" Nightingale said angrily.
"So, how are you going to deal with this?" Jak asked, and Nightingale shook her head.
"I don't know...I really don't know Jak…The nightmares I'm going to have tonight are going to be horrible. I can tell already" Nightingale whispered.
"Do you…have nightmares often?" Jak asked curiously.
"At least once every two or three days. You know…the usual stuff…Havoc shattering my legs and shooting me, leaving me for dead while everyone watched on…me still being in the Marauder Prisons as an old woman…wasting away…just to name a f-few" Nightingale said quietly.
"I think I know something that can help you" Jak said with a smile.
"Really?" Nightingale said hopefully.
"Though you'd have to room with me for the night. I'd have to test it out, and you'll probably fall asleep the second I stop with my idea" Jak said.
Nightingale's expression fell a little, and she said "What does…this entail?"
"I think I can use my Light Restoration power to heal your nightmares" Jak said.
"How is that possible?" Nightingale asked.
"I instinctively know what my powers can do. Light Restoration isn't just physical healing; it can mentally heal as well. It's…complicated" Jak said with a small smile.
"OK…let's do it then. Are you really OK with me rooming with you for a night?" Nightingale said with a heavy blush.
"It's fine. Though we should have an excuse as to why you're rooming with me. Daxter's quick to assume the worst when it comes to these things, and he might not believe the whole nightmare thing" Jak said with a grimace.
Nightingale sighed in annoyance and said "I need a drink"
Jak then smiled.
"I've got an idea" Jak said walking over and grabbing the bottle of wine that Nightingale had been holding.
"What is it?" Nightingale asked.
"Let's just say we're going to help you build up your constitution" Jak grinned.
Nightingale blinked three times and said "I feel as though I'll regret this"
"How much can you drink until you're drunk?" Jak asked.
"Two glasses, maybe three" Nightingale said.
"Get dressed. You're going to get wasted" Jak grinned and Nightingale gulped nervously.
Two Hours Later:
"Jak…Jak…JAK!"
"What?" Jak asked with a grin.
"Hi" Nightingale said with a drunken giggle.
"Mission Accomplished. You're drunk out of your mind after three glasses of wine" Jak grinned, helping Nightingale up.
Nightingale fell over, laughing loudly. Her musical voice gave her beautiful laugh that Jak thoroughly enjoyed hearing. Jak chuckled as Nightingale shakily got to her feet, only to fall to the ground again, giggling loudly.
"Come on Night, it's about time we hit the hay" Jak said helping Nightingale up.
"I'm going to hit you in the hay" Nightingale laughed, leaning against Jak, who chuckled.
"Not with Daxter in the room you won't. He'd blackmail us for months" as Jak tried to help Nightingale stand on her feet.
"Carry me" Nightingale laughed.
Jak sighed and picked Nightingale up bridal-style. Nightingale yawned and wrapped her arms around Jak and said "I'm sleepy"
"Come on Night, let's head back to my room" Jak said to the drunken Agent, who laughed softly.
"Haaa, Jak wants me to sleep with him…I'd be happy to!" Nightingale said with a seductive whisper.
"Don't get too excited there, Iris…it's for one night and it's to help you with your nightmare problem" Jak said sternly, but Nightingale laughed again.
Jak thankfully didn't see anyone on the way to his room, and as he went inside, found Daxter sitting in the chair, fast asleep. Jak set Nightingale down on the bed and shook Daxter awake.
"W-what?" Daxter grumbled.
"Nightingale's rooming with us for the night. She got drunk and she needs to sleep it off here, and I can't get in her room" Jak explained.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever…" Daxter grumbled as he rolled over and went back to sleep.
"OK, let's roll" Jak said as Nightingale sat up.
"Ugh…I don't feel good" Nightingale said.
"Here, this'll help" Jak said handing her a drunkenness pill, which would sober her up in a few minutes and get rid of some of the hangover.
Jak transformed into Light Jak and tapped Nightingale on the head. His powers had been growing for a while, both Light and Dark. His Light Restoration ability, which was his healing of others, had been developing as well. It could heal things not physical too…how Jak knew this, he wasn't exactly sure.
"Nightingale. I need you to close your eyes" Light Jak said.
"OK" Nightingale nodded tiredly and closed her eyes.
Light Jak placed a finger on each of her temples and allowed the Light Eco to come forth. Nightingale sighed deeply and opened her eyes, which were light blue right now.
"Weird…I can see in her mind" Light Jak muttered as he searched her mind for what plagued Nightingale.
"There it is…" Light Jak muttered, using a small burst of Light Eco.
Nightingale flinched and muttered "This feels weird Jak"
"I know, it's almost over now" Jak whispered.
Jak noticed that most of Nightingale's dreams involved death of people she cared about. Chief Disten, himself, Daxter, Rune, Blade, Chill, Sharpshooter, Beast, and a few others. Other nightmares included being tortured in ways Jak couldn't even stomach and Torn's voice echoing through her mind tauntingly.
Jak destroyed the nightmares from within Nightingale's mind and said "OK, now you can sleep peacefully"
Nightingale however mumbled something and collapsed on the bed. Jak turned back to normal and said "Must have taken more out of her than me"
Jak took his shirt off and wrapped up Nightingale with his blanket. Jak sighed; it had been another long day. Jak lay down next to Nightingale, who was now sleeping soundly. Jak smiled and said "You've had a rough day. I suppose if anyone deserves a peaceful night's sleep, it's you Night"
Jak closed his eyes, but couldn't fall asleep. His mind was abuzz with questions. What other sort of demons did Nightingale have left to deal with? What sort of force was controlling Havoc?
"I guess we'll find out soon enough" Jak muttered as he slowly fell asleep.
Wasteland Ruins:
"Can someone please explain to me why we're here?" Skull asked.
"To meet with the Champion. The one chosen by the Goddess of Darkness to lead us into battle against the Precursor's Chosen one" Violet said with a smile.
"Personally I think that giving the Dark gift to just one person is a kinda unfair. We should all be able to channel darkness" Siren complained from the stone slap she was sitting on.
Suddenly a huge winged Metal Head appeared in the distance and the large group of Hunter Agents looked up and watched as the Metal Head circled the ruins three times before slowly descending to the ground.
On board was a medium sized Metal Head with long swords for arms and with thick black armor. In addition to him, Havoc and another Hunter Agent was onboard. She was in dark red body armor and her long blond hair was billowing in the night wind. She smiled down at the Hunters and said "Greetings, my brothers and sisters of the Dark"
"Greets, sister Shadow" the group replied, bending to one knee.
"My family of the Dark. We who serve the true rulers of the Universe. Long have we fought against those in this realm who wish to destroy our Masters. Long have we fought in the name of the Goddess of Darkness. Our greatest battle is coming…and we must stand tall!" Shadow proclaimed, and the crowd of Hunters cheered. After about a minute of cheering, it quieted down, and Shadow continued.
"Our Goddess has made her decision. She has chosen a Champion to lead us to victory. But that is not all! She has spoken to me you as well…and she will ensure each one of us receive the blessing that brother Havoc has been given" Shadow said as Havoc allowed a burst of Dark Eco to come forth from his palms.
"Would you like to say a few words to your new family?" Shadow asked with a smile.
Havoc stepped forward and said "Hunters…I have heard the call of the Goddess of Darkness, the call that some of you have waited years to hear...Lady Arranst has chosen me as the savior of the Hora-Quan. Together we will destroy the remainder of the Precursor's supposed "legacy", and create our own in its place!"
The group cheered and Shadow clapped alongside them, looking impressed. Havoc grinned evilly and the voice inside of his head said "Yes…we are close to achieving our goal. Together we shall end the Precursors, and their 'Hero'."
Havoc grinned and let loose a bellow in to the night, releasing a huge blast of Dark Eco from him. It was a challenge to his foes. Those who would attempt to keep him and his fellow Hunters from achieving their goals. To Jak. To Nightingale. To everyone in the Avenging Angels.
"Let them come…they will all fall" Havoc whispered as the darkness engulfed him and the cheers of the Hunters filled the night.
End of Part 1:
OK, so with the Torn being Jakob thing. I felt as though there was a lot of back-story left unexplained. So, I decided to use that to my advantage. As for Havoc, well, let's just say he'll be back soon. What's next for the Avenging Angels?
So this is the end of Part 1. I did this mainly because I need some time to think about what direction I want to take the story in now, I've got a lot of ideas, though none of which are concrete. If you have any suggestions for later chapters, let me know in a review or a message. Chapter 11 will be up in one month from today, on 10/09/12, by then I should have figured out something and the story will be back on track.
Until next time, FlygonN out!