Jak IV: The Avenging Angels
Howdy folks.
Time for another update.
I would like to take a moment and say thank you to everyone who expressed their support for me in my decision to join the Air Force. That said, it will be some time before I actually leave to officially join, as I have to get back into shape and do a bunch of other stuff before I head in.
Last chapter was pretty much my announcement of my intention to do it. As stated before, I'll be signing up soon (hopefully within the next two weeks-ish), and be on the road to getting prepped and taking tests to get ready for it.
Now, I may very well not be able to join, or something may happen in between now and then that stops me. But I do want to go on to work in a field I've always wished to work in while serving my country (as laughable as that sounds to some people), as well as do what I love to on the side-write stories for the people who have come to love them.
So, in short, I may be leaving down the road, but I'm not gone yet. I'll make an official announcement somewhere if I do officially get accepted and get in, probably in my next story. I do thank everyone for their support and for the encouragement. It means so much to me.
Now, this next chapter is a set up for the finale, and then after the finale is the Epilogue.
43: Set-up to finale.
44: Finale
45: Epilogue
I'm actually surprised so many of you enjoyed the Champion battle last chapter, considering how short I made it and how I kept a lot of the combined abilities of the Champions vague at best (saving the fun stuff for the finale). Hopefully this means that the hype for the final battle will be even greater.
ALSO, BIG NEWS FOR SECOND CHANCES!
After several months worth of delays and mulling things over, I have decided on a time period for the story, which is why this story has been so delayed to the point where I couldn't even work on it or even do updates on Symphony. All the ideas I had before we're throw into uncertainty, because I didn't even know if I could do the story.
This is due to the events of the timeline being too far spread apart, so I have decided to take the OR/AS route, and make this happen in a separate alternate universe, where the events of Pokémon Colloseum happened much later. This is possible in the Pokémon universe, as there are now confirmed alternate realities where things happen differently. So, that's why I took this route.
This all is necessary because my main protagonist, if kept the age he is now, would be over 30 in the story, which won't work. Everything happens at this point too late, all of the characters are so much older its ridiculous. So, I changed stuff.
Anyway, I've begun working on the story in earnest. In the meantime, I'd like for those of you who are interested in my upcoming story to vote on the poll on my profile. Which character would you like to cameo in "Second Chances" in just a few short months?
Wally, the newbish young trainer turned Mega Evolution-wielding absolute badass from Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire? Once a frail and weak child, he becomes one of the fan-favorite characters with his growth throughout the game and inner strength, on top of having an amazing theme song.
Steven Stone, the former Champion of the Hoenn region and master of the steel-type, who uses his knowledge of the legends, legendries, and special stones to provide support throughout the games he is in?
Looker, the mysterious and hard-working member of the International Police, who seeks to bring criminals to justice. His eccentric personality and mastery of disguising himself has made him a threat against all those who seek to oppress people and Pokémon alike.
Colress, former boss of Neo Team Plasma, who in the games is solely dedicated to the prospect of bringing out a Pokémon's true potential, even to the point of allying with villains such as Team Plasma. His fondness for science holds cannot be swayed by such things are morality, though he is not entirely heartless.
The Lorekeeper Zinnia, who's mysterious and tragic past is touched upon in the Delta Episode in Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire. One of the last remaining members of an ancient tribe of dragon-worshipers (meaning Rayquaza), Zinnia had dedicated her life to saving the world, and is considered to be one of the most interesting and peculiar characters to come out of the Pokémon franchise.
Make sure to vote, as this will help me judge the feedback. This does not guarantee a character being in the story, this is used mainly for interest. Just because one character doesn't win the poll doesn't mean that that character won't be in the story. This is just to judge interest, but will influence my decision greatly.
Also, for those of you have read my Apocalypse story, you may pleased to know that Black Ops III was officially announced. So be on the lookout for something related to that story down the road, whether it be a prequel, sequel, or something else entirely. I've got other stuff I want to work on, but rest assured I'll do something in the spirit of things in a little while. More on that later.
I apologize for the slight delay. I've been insanely busy with work and other stuff going on that kept me busy, but rest assured this story will be done by the end of the month. Next update should be up in about a week or so, maybe 10 or 11 days at most. Things are looking up, peeps!
Anyway, shoutout to those of you who reviewed last chapter, which includes KrimzonShadow, DaibenDarkKitty64, ScreamGirl4998, Oblique Strategies, Ways, and StaticBomb93.
Time for the penultimate chapter in the story! Chapter 43!
Enjoy!
Chapter 43: The Avenging Angels
"If you want to have a life that is worth living, a life that expresses your deepest feelings and emotions and cares and dreams, you have to fight for it." -Alice Walker.
"Attention all Agents. Please report to the Briefing Room immediately. I repeat, all Agents report to the Briefing Room immediately." Arch said through the ship's intercoms.
"That means now! W-we're nearly there!" Vin added in a undertone, earning a small laugh from the female A.I.
"You two ready?" Tech asked Arch and Vin, who both gave him a look, causing him to flinch and look away. Things had improved slightly, but Tech had come to the realization that he wouldn't be able to ever patch things up with Arch.
"We're more than ready. Can you say the same?" Arch said coolly before Tech walked over to the main controls of the ship, where Chief Disten stood.
"We are ready, right?" Vin asked Arch, who put a hand on his shoulder.
"I've run and rerun the odds. They may not be ideal, but I believe that a bit of faith is in order here Vin. We have to believe that they can do it. They we can hold our own as they defeat the Queen…That we will all live to see tomorrow," Arch said quietly, causing Vin to nod. The two A.I. flashed bright blue and vanished.
Tech crossed his arms and looked out the window for a moment, reflecting on everything. His beginnings in the Avenging Angels, his years spent with Twilight and developing the armor designs he became renowned for, meeting Shadow and falling in love, their flight around the world as they hid from those who wished them harm.
"And now its come to this…We bring the fight to them, with the Kedical." Tech muttered as he closed his eyes again, only to feel a pair of arms wrap themselves around him.
"And it's a fight we're going to win." Shadow murmured as she kissed Tech on the cheek.
"I wish I could be with you." Tech muttered.
"Disten wants me to help him hold off the Hunters while you help the others infiltrate. We've got to play to our strengths, Stephen. You know that." Shadow replied.
"I know, I know…"
"After we get finished here…Let's go to Kras City again."
"Why?"
"I want to kick Mizo in the face."
"Seems a bit random, but I'm fine with that."
"Oh, sure, what a pleasant vacation as you take on the local crime lord." Pecker said sarcastically from his position from one of the nearby monitors.
"When did you get here?" Tech asked the moncaw.
"I've been here the whole time. Its just like all of you to forget about the real main characters, now that the story is almost done. All Onin does is sleep and I'm bored out of my skull!" Pecker said angrily.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Tech asked Pecker, who crossed his arms furiously.
"Ridiculous. I'm going to have to get a new gig. Maybe I'll go to Kras City too. I hear that crappy racing show needs a color commentator." Pecker muttered under his breath as he flew out of the room. Shadow and Tech exchanged a look before shrugging together.
Rune grabbed Aptos, running her hand along the smooth length of the cold rod for a moment before she scooped the cartridges of Eco out of their case. Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Light…and Dark.
She had been hesitant to even ask Tech for a cartridge like the one she had, but he was adamant that it was tested and safe for use, albeit a bit unusually strong. That said, she wanted to at least have it on hand for what was to come. It was a back up plan in case things went south…
"Attention all Agents. Please report to the Briefing Room immediately. I repeat, all Agents report to the Briefing Room immediately."
Rune smiled at the call to action. She knew it was wrong to want to slash and shoot and destroy whatever enemies came her way (she was a warrior, but not a monster), but inside…she grieved. The searing, horrible pain of loss tore at her like nothing else could. No bullet or blade could match the pain of losing someone you cared for…especially him…
Sharpshooter was one of her closest friends for over five years, helping her whenever she needed help and always being there to support her. Even when she had a falling out with her sister, causing Phoenix to leave the Sanctuary and move to Haven City, Sharp was there. She knew that she had felt something more for him, and that he probably felt the same, but the time had never been right to capitalize on that…Especially after Chase arrived and threw her convictions on going after Sharp out of the window, and made her hesitate.
She knew better now…If you truly care about someone, let them know. Take that chance…Otherwise you may always wonder what may have been.
Rune double-checked her four pistols, two energy and two standard, with two clipped to her hip and thighs respectively. She had a single knife sheathed away on her arm as she slid the Eco cartridges into a small slot on her armor, her fingers brushing the orange rune on her armor, the newest mark on her armor. Another mark…another fallen friend…
No more. She would never add another rune to her armor. She wouldn't let another teammate, people she was supposed to protect, down.
Not again.
Chase stood outside the doorway of Rune's room, deep in thought.
Was it right, to go against everything you had once believed in? Go against your friends and the people who took you in, just because of a change in belief?
A sense of guilt nestled in his gut, with the prevailing thought that he wasn't going to like what came next. But considering that the alternative was flat-out destruction, then he knew what he choice was every single time. Because at the end of the day, he had found a new reason to keep fighting, even if it was against people he had once considered friends…
"Attention all Agents. Please report to the Briefing Room immediately. I repeat, all Agents report to the Briefing Room immediately."
Rune opened the door a few moments later, her face visible through her visor. Chase knew what was going through her mind, as she drew closer he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Don't ever stop thinking of him, Michelle. Keep Sharp in your heart, so you remember what you're fighting for." Chase muttered. Rune returned the embrace, even tighter, and murmured something so quietly he didn't make out. The two warriors let go, and after a moment Chase gestured down the hallway, and Rune began to silently walk alongside him. After a few moments, Rune slowly reached for Chase's hand and grabbed it, squeezing it for a moment. Chase returned the squeeze, a small smile appearing on his face.
Yes…He had new reasons to fight for.
Phoenix flipped her knives impatiently as she waited for the call. The call. The signal that the wait was over, and that she'd be able to set ablaze the bastards who took Sharp and Nymph and Beast and all the others. That had seen fit to snuff out their lives like they meant nothing. That were content to allow the Metal Heads to destroy and ravage this world and the people who had lived in it. Phoenix knew that before she had been captured, she had resented the Avenging Angels and had left for a time, even renouncing her sister…She remembered that day so well…
"Attention all Agents. Please report to the Briefing Room immediately. I repeat, all Agents report to the Briefing Room immediately."
It was a stupid argument, concerning a failed mission that had gone wrong from the start. Phoenix knew that she had been wrong from the beginning to keep pursuing the Marauders while Rune insisted that the group return to Spargus…But it seemed as though fate had seen fit to tear the sisters apart by letting Phoenix get her way…she had been too proud to see her own limits…
And by the end of that day three things had happened.
One, she lost a teammate, who died trying to save her from a bolt to the spine from the Marauder Leader.
Two, she had slapped her sister in the face for holding her back.
Three, she had walked away from everything…from the sister who had always protected her no matter what.
And no matter what…She'd be right there to make things right again. She'd never let pride or anything stupid like that cloud her judgement again…She knew what happened when you didn't keep a straight head. She could never make a mistake like that again…ever…
As Phoenix mused, she heard the sound of footsteps coming towards her. She glanced up and saw her sister and Chase, holding hands as they walked down the hallway. She knew the two were quickly becoming closer and closer, and she was happy for her sister. She deserved to have someone like that in her life. Phoenix wasn't jealous or anything because she was working on a little something in Spargus herself (which she planned to pursue when this fight was settled once and for all).
"You two ready?" Phoenix asked the duo.
"As always." Chase replied with a thumbs up while Rune let go of Chase's hand and her arms around her sister, hugging her tightly. Phoenix hesitated a moment before returning the embrace, tightly holding her sister close.
"This may be the last time we get to do that." Rune murmured.
"No…We're together again, Ali. We're going to pull through." Phoenix said quietly, a small smile on her face.
The twins separated as Chase said "Come on. They won't be waiting for us forever."
And with that, the trio made their way down the hallway, ready to tackle whatever came their way.
Royal sat in his room, reading the journal entry that in Gallus's journal, or what remained of it. The crimson-colored writing on the only remaining page was difficult at best to translate, even with Nightingale assisting earlier that morning. Royal sat there, wracking his brain for some sort of clue as to what it meant…
Because it was clear that the message, written in blood, was written by the same man who had wrote in the journal previously.
"Why did you break into the Sanctuary with the other Hunters, yet all you do is tear apart your own journal…And leave this behind? What is your message…What were you leaving behind?" Royal said quietly closing his eyes.
A warning? A threat? Was he boasting about the power of the Dark Goddess, or making one final plea for salvation? Or something that was a mixture of everything?
There is no turning back. No remorse. No mercy for those of you who still find themselves on the side of light. Not while the Dark Goddess still breathes. My only way out is death, should I be deemed unworthy of the power I now hunger for. That I don't just want…that I need…that I deserve…
I myself have seen a burst of this prophecy. Of the bit players who dance around the edges while the true players do battle. We will clash…yes…and we will find out which side is truly superior. Beware the strength of the pawns, and the knight. We stood close to the abyss, and for that we are all the more deadly…
BEWARE
Royal sighed, feeling his age creep upon him once more. He was still injured from the attack on the Sanctuary from over a week ago, and had to sit out on the battle for Haven City and this one as well. But that didn't mean he couldn't preform one final service to his family…Being there to support them in this final bout. So many lost…so many young men and women willing to die for the fate of the world…
He thought about his wife for a moment. Her memory brought him comfort as he recalled his promise to her, that he would help bring the monsters that killed her to justice. Royal got to his feet, quickly putting on his armor and attaching a single pistol to his belt and a gunstaff to his back. He took a deep calming breath before walking out of the door as Arch spoke to everyone, telling them to get to the Briefing Room for one final message from the Chief before going to fight.
Crash sat on his bed, eyes shut tight as he tried to block out the pain. The grief that kept tearing out him, burning his heart and ripping at his soul. He had lost friends before, but not so many at once…and then he lost Nymph.
She was his rock, so to speak. Even if she was a hot-head at times, she had always been there for him, even when he was being stupid. And now she was gone…he felt unbalanced. Unsteady and…he didn't know.
All he could do now is make sure everyone made it out of this fight alive. That Jak, Nightingale, and Havoc could pull off the final battle and end this fight once and for all…And then finally the dead would be avenged. All of their friends and family would be at rest for good, knowing that their killers were gone and that their loved ones who survived could live the rest of their lives in peace.
Crash wasn't afraid to die. Not one bit. As a seasoned Champ in Combat Racing, you just couldn't have that fear and expect to last very long. You had to push fear and emotions aside, and focus. That was what he had to do…This was a race in its own way. They were quickly approaching the finish line, and he'd make sure they all crossed it in one piece.
"Attention all Agents. Please report to the Briefing Room immediately. I repeat, all Agents report to the Briefing Room immediately."
"Alright guys…I guess its time to get this shit done." Crash said as he got up off of the wall, grabbing his chaingun off of the wall, in addition to the handful of grenades strapped to his belt and the magnum on his leg. As he turned back around, his eyes landed on a picture of him with Nymph, at one of the Combat Races he had gone to for a mission, the two of them wearing wide grins as they looked into the camera. Crash smiled for a moment before he walked out of his room, the door closing with a click behind him.
Blade and Chill continued to walk down the hallway, hand in hand. Chill had her head resting in Blade's shoulder as they walked slowly.
"I wish I was going with you." Blade said to his wife.
"I know…But I can't have you out there. You almost died last time…I'm not going to lose you like that again…" Chill murmured, her grip on Blade's hand tightening.
"Nicole…You know me better than anyone. Nothing will ever stop me protecting those precious to me…I won't die."
"You say that…But you're just a man, Russal."
"Wrong. I'm your man." Blade said as he lifted Chill's head off his shoulder. Chill smiled at her husband before kissing him deeply, wrapping her arms around him. The two held that position for a while before finally breaking for air.
"You better come back alive damn it. That way…" Chill trailed off, smiling seductively.
"I can screw you like you've never been screwed before?" Blade guessed, earning a pat on the head and a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, you can still work your magic even with just one arm. I won't die out there, because I know I've got you waiting for me to come back." Chill said with a wide smile.
"Absolutely." Blade said as he grabbed his wife's hand again.
"You're always going to be there for me. Just like you've always have." Chill said happily as she rested her head back on Blade's shoulder.
"Don't sell yourself short, there. You're the thing that keeps me fighting every single day, you know. If anything, you're always there for me." Blade reasoned, earning a laugh in reply.
"Maybe we're just a perfect match. Two crazy warriors who love each other with everything they have?" Chill asked Blade, who smiled widely at that.
"That works for me."
"Me too."
"…Hey."
"Hmmm?"
"We've been walking this same hallway for like, twenty minutes. Why aren't we there yet?" Blade asked Chill.
"Oh, I keep having you turn and stuff when you're distracted. We've been going in a circle for the past little while." Chill admitted.
"…You're too devious and sexy for your own good."
"Please. I'm too devious and sexy for your own good."
"…Touché, my lady."
Tess and Daxter continued to pace the workshop, eyeing the collection of devices that they had created or finished in the short time they had. It was a paltry amount compared to what they would have liked to have made, but that took time that they didn't have.
"So, what do you think about opening the box?" Tess asked Daxter, who shook his head.
"It's a last resort. Something to be used right at the end, maybe. You remember what said." Daxter said to his girlfriend, who nodded. Daxter then walked over to Tess, who smiled and wrapped her arms around her boyfriend before kissing him intensely. After they finally broke apart, Daxter grinned and said "We should head back into the Pleasure Chamber."
"After we help save the world."
"Fine…But this time I get to be on top."
"No promises."
"I'll take it."
Daxter broke the embrace between him and his girlfriend and began quickly storing the devices laid out across the room, especially the Kedical, and a rather large device in front of him catching his eye.
"I wonder if we really need this…" Daxter pondered aloud.
"Yeah, let's bring it. Better safe than sorry." Tess said to Daxter, who nodded and stored the device away with a flash of white light. Tess and Daxter stood there for a moment, in silence.
"You worried about what's gonna happen next?" Daxter asked Tess.
"A bit. We hurt her before, but we weren't nowhere near strong enough to stop Arranst. I know we're here as support, and to help them however we can…But I wish I knew whether or not it'll be enough." Tess admitted. Daxter wrapped an arm around her for a moment before he smiled widely.
"We'll be fine." Daxter assured her.
"How do you know?" Tess asked Daxter, who laughed a bit.
"Because no one has ever bet against Jak and won. He always finds a way to come out on top, no matter what. This isn't any different, especially now that he's got backup." Daxter explained.
"What about the Avenging Angels? Do you think that they can hold their own against the Hunters and the Metal Heads in the area?" Tess asked Daxter, who nodded.
"Yep. Because you'll be right there, helping them the entire way. You're staying here while I help Jak and the others finish the job." Daxter said to Tess, who frowned at that.
"No. I'm coming with you!" Tess demanded.
"No, you can't. Someone has to stay behind and help the Avenging Angels, and I have to finish this with Jak. We've always took on everything the world had in store for us as a team. We're ending this as a team too. Plus, I have to reopen the Gate and be there if something goes wrong with the Kedical," Daxter explained. Tess sighed, but nodded after a few moment's of thinking it over.
"I guess that makes sense. Its stupid, but I understand. Just…be careful, baby." Tess said quietly, causing Daxter to hug her, holding her in his arms for a few moments.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be right there to make sure Jak and the others make it out alright. There's no way that Metal Head freak can take me down." Daxter said confidently.
"And you know what that is?" Tess asked Daxter playfully, stroking his chin for a moment.
"Why is that?" Daxter asked casually.
"Because you're Orange Lightning…the greatest hero who ever lived. And you will always be that to me." Tess said quietly as a wide smile spread across his face. Tess and Daxter then vanished in a burst of golden light, leaving the room empty once more.
Chief Disten stood at the helm of the ship, starring down at the fortress in the distance. He had always wondered what kind of assault he would have to mount to have been able to attack the Hunters head on. Before now, this kind of attack was impossible, due to them not knowing the location of their stronghold and fear that there may be things they could acquire in there that could be of use, which was the case of the Blackwood Island mission.
This time he wasn't worried about possible hostages or sacred relics hidden within the base. This time…they were going to strike and attack and kill…He could finally hold nothing back and unleash the full might of the family he had formed over the past two decades…
And they would finally get retribution for those who had fallen.
Disten knew Gallus was waiting for him down below, smiling at the thought of doing battle with his godson again. It terrified Disten, because he was unsure of how much power his godfather hadn't shown when they had last met. If he were to come at him and the other Agents at full power, he wasn't sure if he could find a way to stop him.
Disten had led the Avenging Angels for over 23 years, leading and directing and fighting where he could. He had always felt as though he were simply a pretender, someone who had fumbled through the leadership thing. He assumed this was because of his own reluctance to acquire a sense of authority and power. But he had persevered and made the organization grow and prosper, even going so far as to emerge from their isolation and venture out into the world once more and take the front lines against the Metal Heads.
Many had told him that he had been an amazing leader for the Avenging Angels, someone who looked out and cared about the people that he led into battle and a wise and powerful leader at that. He had grown quite a bit over the years, that much was sure. However…it was only when he met Nightingale that he had entertained the thought of having a lineage to carry on his family's work of protecting others.
Nightingale had been the daughter Disten never had the chance to have. Twilight's death had robbed him of any chance to try his hand at romance again, and Nightingale was a chance to experience something he had been lacking in his life…little did he know that the scared, silent, and awkward teenage girl would open his heart and help heal the stains on his soul that the constant death and worry had burned into him.
"Seems like you're a bit troubled." A deep voice said to Disten, sounding amused. Disten smiled at the presence of Sig, who took a standing position next to him.
"I guess I'm just nervous." Disten admitted.
"We all are, Chief. We're about to, for better or worse, fight our final fight. We've got to make this last rush count…Otherwise…" Sig trailed off.
"Otherwise we can kiss all chances of mankind's…no…the universe's survival, goodbye. We have to believe the Champions can destroy her."
"They'll pull through." Sig assured Disten.
"I know they will…Havoc and Jak are two of the brightest and most skilled fighters I've ever seen, and Nightingale…Well, I've always known she was destined for great things. Ever since I first saw her, I knew she'd serve some higher purpose…" the Chief said quietly.
"Jak told me about that. So she's that adopted daughter you kept mentioning all these years?" Sig asked Disten, who nodded.
"Night became many things for me. A daughter, a student, a balm for my frustration and pain. I didn't want all of this, Sig...But now I lead a group of hardened soldiers against monsters in a fight for humanity's survival. We ride to our final fight, with Iris on the front lines." Disten muttered.
"She'll be fine." Sig said as he clapped a hand on Disten's shoulder.
"I know." Disten replied simply as he closed his eyes, his mind revisiting several memories of him and his Agents, as well as with Nightingale. He dwelled on those memories for a few moments before he opened his eyes, stopping and flow of thoughts.
"And now…We will prove ourselves worthy of the Precursors hopes. We'll ride into the storm and whether it, and come out of this as heroes. That…I swear." Disten said quietly, gripping the Ivaline tightly in his grasp.
"Well said, Chief. Well said." Sig said approvingly.
Havoc paced the hallway, feeling the blood and adrenaline rush through him. This was it. This was it. This was it…THIS…WAS…IT.
His chance. His chance to strike. To fight and tear and rip them apart. Those who had succumbed to the control and whispers of Arranst, unlike him who was forced to obey. But they were simply a means to an end…No the real prize lay at the summit of the base. The Gate…Yes…The Gate to Darkness.
That Gate could take him to Arranst.
"You thought that you could just throw me away like that…You made me nothing more than your puppet…I hurt so many because of you…And now you'll pay, you worthless parasite." Havoc hissed as Dark Eco pulsed around him before stopping abruptly.
"You made me strong…And now you'll pay for what you've done…Soon…" Havoc growled before Arch's voice rang out.
"Attention all Agents. Please report to the Briefing Room immediately. I repeat, all Agents report to the Briefing Room immediately."
Havoc smiled at the sound and took stock of the weapons he had on him. Two magnums and an SMG, his sword Umbra, and a few knives he had acquired. Havoc flung open his room door and strode out into the hallway, only to find himself face to face with Pecker.
"What do you want, birdbrain?" Havoc asked the translator.
"Haha, very original. I guess I won't give you a word of advice, if you're going to be rude!" Pecker snapped as he began to fly off. He had flapped his wings three times before he was grabbed in an iron grip and looked into the cold visor of the Champion of Darkness.
"You have the ear of the Soothsayer, moncaw. So you're owed some respect. That said, you're annoying as hell, and you better get on with what you need to tell me…Because I won't wait to have my revenge." Havoc growled at the moncaw, who's eyes dilated in fear.
"Fine, fine! I wanted to tell you that final part of the Prophecy seems to have multiple meanings, though we have deduced what it means!" Pecker said urgently.
"What does it mean?" Havoc asked, loosening his grip and letting the bird free, causing him to cough and sputter for a moment. After Pecker recovered, he shot Havoc a reproachful look.
"I will tell you…" Pecker began to say before launching into an explanation.
Nightingale got to her feet in the armory, in deep thought as she cleaned her guns methodically. She smiled to herself as she dwelled on her journey, starting from when she arrived in that hell-hole of a fortress until now, and upon reflection felt proud of what she had done, what she had accomplished in her life. She had survived the wrath of the Marauders, becoming hardened and deadly as a result of the abuse she suffered, at the cost of emotional instability and a myriad of psychological issues.
She had been trained by some of the best warriors of the decade, and had allowed her wounds, physically and psychologically, to heal somewhat. She began slowly trust the people around her, little by little, even as she grew up and joined the Avenging Angels. She had rose through the ranks and became a symbol of what the organization represented. Pushing through the pain ad using it to protect others and destroy the plague trying to destroy the world.
And then she had met Jak…And the rest was history.
She wasn't too worried about their chances against Lady Arranst. She was beyond powerful, but now they were ready. They had unity and trust on their side, while the Metal Head Queen had the monsters that were her children and the brain-washed Hunters who would be put down like all the others. At this point, it was a mercy-killing. They were so far gone that even if the Queen did win, their bodies would shut down within weeks. This was the better way…
Nightingale perked up at the sound of Arch telling everyone to go to the Briefing Room. She got to her feet and sheathed her knifes, clipping her two SMG's on her legs and her shotgun on her back. She double-checked her enhancements, making sure they were all running at 100%. After doing so, she took a deep breath and exhaled before she reached down to the ground, grabbing her helmet and putting it on her head, with it locking into place a moment later.
Nightingale began to make her way out of the on-board Armory, turning the lights off as she did so. She began walking down the hallway, where she found Havoc walking along already.
"You ready for this?" Night asked Havoc, who nodded.
"I need to talk to you and Jak about something Pecker just told me." Havoc said in a low voice. Nightingale listened intently, and after Havoc finished Nightingale smiled slightly.
"Interesting…So we're at least not going in blind." Night said quietly. This comforted her and eased her nerves. Havoc seemed eager to fight, while she was ready to finally end this battle once and for all.
But what of Jak?
Jak's head snapped up as Arch spoke to the crew onboard the ship, and smiled to himself. Finally, after all this time. They could deal with the monster responsible for every single one of their adventures, all of their hardships, and all of their pain.
Lady Arranst…The Queen of the Metal Heads.
Jak was ready. He wasn't eager to kill all of the Metal Heads and the Hunters. Sure, they were threats and needed to be dealt with, but they were simply fodder for the real monster. Lady Arranst needed to be taken out as quickly as possible, so that the Metal Heads and Hunters would fall. The Avenging Angels were quite capable, but the Hunters would be at their most dangerous now and the leader of the Hunters, the legendary warriors Gallus Jarkas, would be leading the fight against them.
Jak had heard about the strength of the Hunter leader, and while he was sure that he could defeat him without too much trouble, the plan hinged on him, Night, and Havoc going through the portal before the Hunters could interfere.
So the others would have to find their own way to defeat the General.
Jak got to his feet and quickly got his weapons. Two pistols, his Morph Gun, Nightingale's knife (which he had been given back), and his sword, Yvantael. Jak sighed for a moment before clenching his fists inhaling sharply.
He turned to his nightstand for a moment, having brought along some things from his room back at the Sanctuary, and found himself looking at the picture of him, Daxter, Samos, and Keira. He walked over to the picture and picked it up, looking at it for a moment.
"The road I walk now…Was built on your death." Jak muttered, looking at Keira. His best friend. One of the people who had always supported him and been there for him. The first person he had ever had feelings for in his life, and the woman who everyone expected him to be with forever. Someone he had expected to be with forever.
Fate didn't seem to agree.
They were ripped apart, separated by a twist of fate. Sure, they had mended their friendship again and that spark between them returned, but they were again ripped apart by the cruel hand of fate. He and Ashelin grew close (he assuaged his guilt by reminding himself that he and Keira were never officially dating), and while that relationship had ended as quickly as it started…He still intended to end up with Keira in the end.
Until that attack…The attack that took his precious friend away.
He had dealt with the grief and the pain her death had put him well enough, and assumed that that was probably it for him. That he'd never meet someone that captured his heart like Keira. That no one else would have that spark that she did.
And then he met Nightingale, who he fell in love with.
She had taught him just as many things as he taught her. That you could get over your past and past hurts to become stronger. She was many things that Keira was not. Nightingale had lacked in confidence in herself while Keira was strong and independent. Nightingale had to fight for survival while Keira was protected by her father and Jak for most of her life. Both, however, were two of the best people he ever knew. The two women who were passionate about helping others and showing their strength when it counted. That because of who they were, nothing could stop them.
Nightingale, when Jak first her in that Bathing Grotto (beforehand, she was a silent figure he didn't know), was a person who had been pushed past her breaking point years ago, and then was just pushed a little further. Jak had comforted her with his own experiences, and offered her a shoulder to cry on. He sensed that she was special…He was drawn to her, he guessed. She was beautiful and strong yet…she had her flaws that made her weak. He couldn't describe it.
Eventually, as the two of them spent more and more time together, she and him became closer and fell in love. They made each other so much stronger, so much more…complete. It was if she had always known him. Together they made the perfect team, and over the course of their adventure they had learned so much. Grown so powerful…Had their beliefs tested as they fought against and alongside people they had tried so hard to put down.
The lines between friend and foe seemed to be nonexistent, as now he was having to team up with people he had once thought of as enemies. Chase, Shadow, Tech, and Havoc…Yes, what had happened had made him rethink his stance on a lot of things that seemed so clear once before.
Now, after everything he had been through, it was time to settle things.
Jak grasped the hilt of Yvantael, the blade that allowed him to unleash his true potential, and smiled to himself. He'd use this blade to avenge every single being that died at the hands of the Metal Head Queen.
"Jak, are you in there?" Night asked from outside, knocking on the doo twice. Jak double-checked his weapons for a moment before opening the door. Havoc and Nightingale were waiting for him. Jak nodded to Havoc before Nightingale walked closer to him. He hooked his helmet to his waist and without a word the trio began to head to the Briefing Room.
Briefing Room:
Disten ran the plan over one final time. Team A: Consisting of himself, Sig, Crash, Shadow, and Chill would defend the Gate to Darkness while Daxter and Tess began opening it. Once the Gate to Darkness was opened, the three Champions would go through it.
They were to not fight while waiting for the Gate to open, as they would be taking on the Queen herself, and had to conserve their strength. Once the gate was opened, the Champions would head through the Gate and deal with the Queen.
Meanwhile, Team A would continue to defend the Gate from attack, with the aid of nearby Raven-Ships, adding air support. While Team A defend the Gate to Darkness, Team B would infiltrate the base from its lower entrance, attacking the Hunters within as they were recovering from the attack that the Watcher would unleash upon them. This would buy the Champions enough time to complete their mission and save not just the world, but the entire universe.
"I have faith in all of you. This is our final mission…For better or worse, after today…We will never have to fight again." Disten said to the Agents, who began to cheer.
"Agents, get to the Raven Ships and prepare for descent. Team A, prepare for the assault." Disten said simply as he looked to Tech, who'd be in the attack team. Tech stood next to Shadow, who was also waiting for the Chief's command to start the mission…with a direct assault from the Watcher.
"Fire." Disten said as he turned around, walking towards the window with a grim smile on his base. The Avenging Angels felt a collective shudder as the entire ship began to shake, with the cannons aboard the Watcher charging up for a deadly attack. After a few moments, Vin and Arch appeared in two flashes of light.
"Firing main cannons." Arch and Vin replied at the same time, the two of them vanishing for a moment.
The ship began to shake violently as massive lasers shot out of the cannons aboard the massive vessel, descending towards the black buildings below with a sense of terrible purpose. Beams of red and yellow and blue rained down on the massive fortress below, tearing through the fortifications with ease and creating smoke and fire within moments, ripping apart the thick metal and stone walls that protected the brainwashed and the evil within. As cannons continued to blast apart the fortress, even as streaks of purple energy streaked towards the Watcher. It seemed as though massive fortress wasn't equipped to handle a massive aerial assault.
"Keep going until the cannons have 25% left. Don't let up." Disten said to Arch and Vin as they appeared once again.
Disten turned to face the few Agents who were to remain onboard the ship, nodding to them before saying "You know what to do. When we approach, cease fire so the Champions can make their way into the Gate to Darkness. Don't fire unless its absolutely necessary."
"Yes Chief." The five Agents saluted. Disten turned to the Agents, still watching the ship assault the base.
"What are you waiting for?" Disten asked the Agents, who seemed to have collectively realized they hadn't moved from their spots and quickly began running to the Docking Bay. Havoc, Jak, and Night remained behind as Blade began to quickly talk with Blade.
"Be safe, Chief." Blade said as he put a hand on the Chief's shoulder. The older warrior nodded before he put on his own helmet and looked over to the Champions waiting for him. Disten walked out of the room, with the Champions following him out, leaving the group to themselves, watching the fortress below get blasted apart.
"Everyone…Nicole…Come back safe." Blade muttered as he closed his eyes for a moment before opening them.
"Alright people…Showtime." Blade said with a heavy sigh as he slipped on his headset and sat down in the Chief's chair, watching the destroyed fortress through the window of the Watcher.
Meanwhile:
"You three will wait here, in the Docking Bay of the Watcher, until Daxter has opened the Gate to Darkness once more. We can't risk you all getting worn out before you fight the Queen. This entire plan depends on you three." Disten explained as the trio walked behind him.
"I don't like it. Gallus and the other Hunters will be at their most dangerous, and if we aren't there then there's no telling how badly they could tear through our numbers." Night said to Disten, who laughed a little to their surprise.
"The Hunters aren't the only ones with tricks up their sleeves. I've had Tech and Shadow install a new upgrade into every available Agents armor last night."
"Really?"
"It was his idea. No one seemed to mind getting a new enhancement at the cost of ten minutes of sleep." Disten replied.
"Fair enough." Havoc replied.
"Anyway, don't worry about us. Our numbers are solid and we've got the element of surprise. Once Arranst is fighting you three, she won't be able to support the Hunters or the Metal Heads any longer, so they'll be easier to kill." Disten reasoned.
"OK…" Night said quietly. The group continued to walk in silence, with only the sounds of their boots hitting metal. The group arrived at their destination, eyeing the ships filled with Avenging Angels in their holds. Disten walked over to the led Raven-Ship, and was about to hop into the back of it when Nightingale suddenly ran over to him and hugged him tightly from behind.
"Please…be safe." Night whispered, giving her adoptive father a squeeze around the stomach. Disten smiled as Nightingale let go of him and pulled her into a hug for a moment.
"Never stop believing that we'll be OK. Believe in yourself, and in what we do, and all will be well. Fight hard and stay safe." Disten murmured before he let go of Nightingale. Disten walked into the transport, with it closing shut a few moments later.
"He'll be OK." Havoc said as he placed a hand on Night's shoulder.
Nightingale remained silent as the first of the ships slowly rose into the air, with the massive hanger door opening smoothly in front of it. The ship made its way out of the door before smoothly soaring down towards the Uvelt Firelands, a series of uninhabitable islands surrounded by rough waters and harsh environments.
Jak grabbed Nightingale's hand for a moment, earning a squeeze in return. Just two minutes later, the area was clear of active ships, leaving the trio alone save for Royal.
"Best of luck, you three." Royal said to the trio, who nodded towards the older Agent. As Jak turned around, Havoc tapped him on the shoulder and said "Just so you know, Pecker and Onin managed to get a glimpse of how this fight will play out."
"Really?" Jak asked, surprised.
"First, you will confront the Queen, where you must weather her strength no matter how terrible the outcome may seem. You must then take flight, and believe in the strength of the Precursors. Finally, you must journey to the core of all strife, where the battle, for ill or for better, can be settled once and for all." Havoc explained.
Jak frowned and said "That doesn't explain too much."
"Seems like something out of a badass video game, but hey, a hint is a hint." Havoc shrugged.
"Alright Champions. Its time to go." Blade said over the radio.
"That's our cue." Havoc said with a smirk. All three Champions activated their respective forms, showering the hanger with white, purple, and golden light. The three Champions looked at each other for a moment before running towards the end of the open hanger, soaring out of the Watcher with a flap of their wings.
"I guess we'll figure out what that little warning means when we step through that gate." Nightingale said to the two men flying with her. The three soared down to where Team A was flying around, a sheer massive black cliff that extended far out above the ocean. As several Avenging jumped out of the transports, Metal Heads began to swarm the clifftop, only to be gunned down by the Raven Ships. A group of Hunters, who had been guarded the gate, lie dead on the ground.
"Daxter, Tess. Set up the Gate to Darkness!" Disten ordered the two Precursors, who held out their hands and created a barrier to protect themselves while they lifted the Precursor Rod into the air. The rod began to glow a faint white color as the Gate resonated with the Rod, glowing white as well. The Gate began to turn, ever so slowly, as the Hunters began to make their way onto the roof of the complex. The fortress doors that led to the cliff, that had been caved in during the assault, were blasted off the hinges as Hunters burst out onto the cliff, opening fire on the Avenging Angels, who returned fire.
"STOP THEM! THEY'RE TRYING TO GET TO LADY ARRANST!" one Hunter screamed before being silenced by Shadow, who flew over to him and kicked him savagely in the "neck, snapping it.
"Thank god, he was annoying." Crash remarked as he continued to unload on the Metal Heads rushing them from all sides. Chief Disten landed lightly on the ground, observing the fight as the AA Agents subdued the Hunters, only for Metal Heads to stream out of the building as well as from the sides of the cliff.
"Everyone stay alert! Metal Heads incoming!" Blade barked into their radios.
"Payback time." Chill remarked cheerfully as she stomped her foot on the ground, causing a icicle to erupt out of the ground and impale and Slinger as it took aim at the Chief.
"I'll keep them off us." Crash said as he continued to fire at the Metal Heads swarming about, even as Shadow battled three Hunters at once. As she dodged two punches to the midsection, she twisted around in midair and slammed her feet into the heads of two of the Hunters before landing on the ground a short distance away and firing a beam of energy that ripped through the chest of the third Hunter, downing him.
"Come on cherries! Don't let me show you up!" Sig boomed as he disarmed a Hunter and swiftly bashed him in the back of the head with his Peace Maker, knocking the warrior unconscious. Sig swiftly whirled around and took aim at a Metal-Pede, this one about 30 feet long, that had erupted out of the room of the fortress and roared at the ground. Sig smirked as he pulled the trigger of his gun, charging up a ball of energy and firing it at the beast, killing it instantly and sending it falling to the ground with a snarl of defeat.
Jak, Havoc, and Nightingale floated nearby, watching the battle as more and more Metal Heads and Hunters joined the fight. The fight was quickly growing more and more deadly, as Shadow, Chill, Disten, and Crash fended off the Metal Heads and Hunters, aided by the Raven Ships that soared through the air and fired upon the enemy. The battle raged on, with every second seeming like a minute as the gunfire and Eco blasts were traded back and forth, neither side allowing anything save for death from stopping them.
Chill suddenly let out a yell before ice erupted out of the ground all around them, impaling the Metal Heads or making them fall off of the cliff that they were trying to scale.
"THAT WAS FOR RIPPING MY HUSBAND'S ARM OFF!" Chill yelled as she fired a series of icicles at a Juice Goon as it took aim, downing the Metal Head with ease. Chill pulled out a pistol and began firing repeatedly at the enemies all around them while he armor began to cool down.
"Everything seems a bit calm...I wonder why that is?" Blade asked over the radio, sounding uneasy.
"Hey, I'm fine with things being a bit low-key." Chill remarked as a Flying Spider suddenly crashed down in front of her, only to be blasted apart by a blue ball of crackling energy that sent it flying backwards as the ball exploded.
"WAM BAM, SUPER SLAM!" Sig cheered as he ducked under a overhead kick from a Hunter and grabbed the man by the leg, swinging him towards the ground. Sig drove the butt of his gun into the neck of the man, breaking his neck savagely.
"See, everything's fine." Chill chirped as she allowed a long icicle to appear on her hand before firing it into the air behind her, impaling a Wasp soaring overhead as she glanced back.
"Wam bam, thank you ma'am." Chill remarked before she looked back ahead of her and rejoined the chaotic fray in earnest.
"This portal opening thing is sure taking a lot of time." Havoc remarked as Daxter and Tess worked furiously to get it open.
"I wish we could get in that fight." Night said frustrated.
"They've got this under control. Save your strength." Jak said quietly, watching the fight with a growing sense of discomfort. Why did this seem…off?
"Halfway there. Looks like we have to break apart the seals the old ones left behind. We're making progress, but it's not going to be a quick job." Daxter remarked.
"We're trying though. Just hold on." Tess added after a moment.
Chief Disten blocked, slashed, and shot at everything that came into his path. Once again allowing that warrior within him take over, he acted and reacted as Hunter and Metal Head alike came towards him, trying to down the renowned warrior and leader of the Avenging Angels, who easily blocked a series of Dark Eco blasts from a cluster of Slingers before firing a grenade from a small pistol on his belt. The red grenade attached itself to a Slinger in the middle of the group, which growled and howl for a moment before the explosion that erupted from its head took out the entire group.
"Well, well, well…What have we here?" a cold and familiar voice asked the group before a crisscrossing wave of Dark Eco suddenly exploded into existence in front of them. The group opened fire at the figure out once, though it became apparent that their attacks were doing nothing and quickly stopped their attack.
Gallus took off his helmet, grinning sadistically at the group of Avenging Angels, Wastelanders, and Precursors before him. He glanced around him, regarding the Hunters by him for a moment before he returned his gaze to the group, centering it on Chief Disten.
"Welcome to Hellfire Rock, our central base of operations. Now that you've been so kind as to arrive here, and save me the trouble of tracking you down, would you be so kind as to let me kill you?" Gallus said as he raised a hand, charging it with a massive surge of Dark Eco within the span of a moment.
The opening phase of the infiltration mission had gone well, with the twins taking point and Chase and Tech backing them up, along with another team backing them up as they took another, and less direct, route to the Gate to Darkness. So far, the group of four had decimated whatever came their way, catching them by surprise. After about ten minutes or so, the group had chanced upon a massive hanger, where several airships were being filled with Hunters and outfitted with glowing machine parts.
"Tech, wanna do something about that?" Chase asked Tech, who glanced at him for a moment before cocking his fist and thrusting it out towards the airships, sending a series of glowing green missiles soaring towards the ships, causing all of them to explode violently.
"Those birds won't be flying anytime soon." Tech remarked as he reloaded the missiles
Rune and Phoenix vaulted over the railings, descending to the next floor and firing at the Metal Heads swarming about, mostly Grunts and Stingers, which fell to the deadly aim of the twin sisters. Tech joined the twins after a beat, scanning the room. Chase landed on the ground, casually killed a Grunt that had been hiding behind a wrecked airship.
"Clear." Rune said as she reloaded her pistols.
"Preparing to enter the next set of rooms." Tech said as he ran over to the nearby door, throwing a charge on it before tapping his wrist, blowing the door off of its hinges. Tech stepped out from the side and waved his hand, creating a wave of electricity that enveloped the Hunters and Metal Heads waiting behind the door. Chase, Phoenix, and Rune made quick work of the stunned enemies, allowing them to advance to the next room. Things repeated themselves in this fashion, until they came to a large chamber where the room was filled by a large generator kind of device that was lined with Metal Head gems, discharging an massive amount of electiricty.
"This must be the power room to this floor. We should do a bit of damage here and then see what else we can find." Rune said with a small smile on her face, activating Aptos's red Eco form as she walked into the room.
"Something seems off." Tech muttered before he put a hand to his temple.
"Team C, report." Phoenix said over her radio.
"All clear. We're about to head to the next floor. Where we're at, the shots from the Watcher ruined most of the base. What Hunters that weren't killed were weakened enough to where they couldn't use their Eco Powers." The agent replied.
"Got it. We're in the generator room. Advance to the next floor, we'll mop up here." Phoenix replied as she created a fireball in her hand. Rune then yelled out as a black blur suddenly dropped from the ceiling.
"Commander Yvlsa!" Chase yelled in surprise as the Metal Head commander chuckled darkly, Dark Eco thrumming along the length of its bladed arms.
"This is the power room to the entire facility. As you may or may not know, a great quantity of eggs lay underneath this fortress. With the Dark Eco Generator providing a steady source of nourishment, it is the perfect place for the next generation of Hora-Quan to flourish and grow. You shall not disturb their sleep by destroying this generator." Yvlsa growled.
"Really? Well, OK then-" Chase began to say before he flipped his gunstaff in hand and fired a shot at Yvlsa, who was suddenly in front of him. Yvlsa kicked Chase in the chest, sending him hurtling across the room and crashing into one of the flaming wreckages from the previous room.
"CHASE!" Rune screamed as she went invisible, throwing herself at Yvlsa and stabbing him with Aptos as it burned red with Eco. The Metal Head roared out in agony, throwing its neck back before he twisted around and knocked Rune to the ground, Aptos still lodged in its back. The Metal Head commander drew its arm back at Rune slapped her wrist, activating a mark on armor, and threw a punch at Yvlsa.
The fist connected with the Metal Head's face, hitting him in the left eye and sending a surge of purple energy coursing through Yvlsa's face and causing it to grit its teeth in pain. Yvlsa quickly became aware that its left eye suddenly went blind, and he realized what the young woman had done. Yvlsa thrust forward with his arm, jabbing his arm through Rune's stomach and out the other side, spraying the ground with blood.
"RUNE!" Phoenix screamed as the Metal Head plunged its arm through her stomach, violently kicking her to the ground. Yvlsa chuckled darkly as it stepped on Rune's chest, causing her to cry out in pain.
"We have wounded! Looks like its Arranst's second in command of the Metal Heads. Get over here now!" Tech barked into the radio.
"Ali, just hang on!" Phoenix yelled to her sister as she clutched the bleeding wound on her chest, trying to stem the flow of blood. Phoenix sent a series of fireballs at Yvlsa, who swiftly blocked them with his blades, which began to glow jet black as a horrible purple aura engulfed the Metal Head commander.
"Yes…My Queen lends her power to my own. Even for all of your strength, you will still be weak before me and my power." Yvlsa growled as he stepped towards Tech and Phoenix as they readied themselves to fight. The two remaining Avenging Angels lunged at the Metal Head commander, even as their reinforcements, Team C, rushed in from the other room.
Yvlsa smiled horribly, his fanged and sharp-toothed grin wide, before he slashed his arms horizontally, releasing a wicked wave of Dark Eco at tore the room apart, sending half of the Agents to the ground. Yvlsa then let out a barking kind of growl, and several Sypder Gunners dropped down behind them, aiming their guns directly at them.
"You have done well to come this far…But this is the end for you." Yvlsa said with a dark laugh as he gestured his claw downwards, signaling the Metal Heads to shoot.
"Sorry man, I've got a thing to do at half-past 11 and I don't plan on being late." Havoc replied dryly, earning a roll of the eyes from Gallus.
"You were always a smartass, Havoc. Always one with a quick quip or remark, even while the rest of us suffered for your sake. You had the ear of the strongest being in the universe, Jazon. And you threw it all away…You should have just let her kill you. Instead…You chose to rise against her and spit in our face. The faces of the Hunters who served you. Who would have died for you. Who believed in you…You left all of that behind for what? A group of nothings that can learn to let go of the past!?" Gallus said coldly to Havoc, who suddenly burst out laughing.
"Nothings or not, we're certainly a lot better than you! You're a joke! You couldn't accept defeat all those years ago and let Arranst turn you into the very thing you fought against!" Havoc cackled.
"I was weak then. I am strong now-" Gallus began to say before Havoc began laughing even louder.
"YOU'RE NOTHING!" Havoc howled with mirth, with everyone else watching the development occurring in front of them in horror. Havoc ripped off his helmet, an expression of pure glee on his face as he laughed "You're nothing but a puppet!"
"SILENCE!" Gallus bellowed, the ground underneath him cracking at the force of the word. Havoc slowly began to regain his composure, but the amused smile on his face remained.
"You're an idiot. You really think that you can usurp the power you desire so badly from Arranst? You think you're actually a threat to her? Because you're nothing but a joke. A tool and nothing more. A plaything and a pawn for her own amusement."
"I am her true Champion! I have led the-" Gallus began to say,
"You're nothing!" Havoc cut across Gallus once more, adding "If you truly were someone worth listening to, then why are you here and not by her side? She's know all along that you plan to usurp her power…Because she's already planned your downfall."
"LIES!" Gallus roared as he fired an arc of Dark Eco at Havoc, who's eyes widened as he raised his arms to block the blast, which sent him skidding back several feet.
"You alright?" Night asked Havoc, who nodded.
"You're being used, Gallus. Don't you see it?" Havoc asked the leader, who fired another blast of Dark Eco at him this time, only much bigger. Havoc dodged the blast this time, rolling into a crouch as the Avenging Angels opened fire on Gallus, who swung his fist around and slammed into the ground, creating a massive shockwave that sent everyone crashing to the ground.
"Dax! How much longer?!" Jak asked the Ottsel.
"Just another minute!" Daxter yelled in reply.
"Fools…Even if I am a puppet to the Queen, I will simply kill all of you and break free from her control. Havoc has done this…Who is to say that the same can't be said of me?" Gallus said to himself before extending a hand towards the Chief, who was still pointing his staff at Gallus.
"You really haven't learned anything, have you?" Gallus asked Disten, who shook his head.
"I've learned quite a bit. Despite me being in charge, I have again and again been taught new things by those I lead. However, the same cannot be said for you, Gallus. You have been driven mad by the very force that gives you your power, and yet you truly believe that you are sane. Worse still, that you can successfully overthrow the Dark Goddess herself?" Disten said to Gallus, who scowled at Disten.
"I am who I am, because of me. I led the Hunters to this point, where we await the Dark Goddess's judgement once more…" Gallus growled, his voice becoming distorted and horrible.
"THERE!" Daxter and Tess yelled, drawing the attention of everyone. The Gate to Darkness opened up once more, creating a jet black vortex of horror that shot out sparks of Dark Eco at random intervals.
"Night, Havoc, Jak! Go through!" Disten ordered the trio. After the briefest of moments, Tess kissed Daxter and pushed him into the Portal, tossing the Precursor Staff after him.
"He'll be helping with the final fight while I assist here." Tess explained to a stunned Jak, Havoc, and Nightingale.
"We'll handle things from here!" Sig yelled as the downed Hunters rose to their feet, engaging the Avenging Angels once more and trading shots and blows with them. Nightingale and Havoc leaped through the portal, but after a moment he hesitated and looked bac, watching the group fight in earnest.
Sig and Chief Disten were trading staff blows with Gallus, who was fending off the two warriors with some difficulty, even getting hit directly by a shot from the Peace Maker.
"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Gallus snarled as he raised a hand towards Sig and fired a pulse of Dark Eco that ripped through the Wastelander, who was protected by Disten as he rushed in front of him, holding up a shield of light that protected them from the attack. Gallus rushed forward, drawing his hand back and curling his fingers into a fist before throwing a punch at the barrier, shattering it and slamming a fist into Disten's helmet, sending him flying backwards.
"Chief!" Sig yelled as he took aim at Gallus, charging up and firing a shot directly into his chest. Gallus snarled in pain, but managed to let loose a blast of Dark Eco at the feet of Sig, catching him in a massive explosion that sent the big man flying into the air.
"Jak, get through the gate!" Crash barked as Gallus lowered his hand, the downed Hunters behind him ignored. Disten got to his feet in time to see Sig fly over the cliff, his body trailing smoke.
"SIG!" Jak screamed as Sig flew over the cliff with a yell.
"I have to get Sig!" Jak yelled back at the racer.
"He'll be fine! He's not going to let something like that kill him. NOW GO!" Disten yelled at Jak, who grit his teeth furiously before turning around and leaping through the portal, which slammed shut behind him.
"Damn it…No matter, no matter. The Queen is more than strong enough to deal with the fools herself." Gallus muttered, shaking his head.
"Agent Aurora. Send a dispatch team to recover King Sig. Now." Disten said in a low voice.
"Roger that, sir." A woman replied over the radio.
"Now…As for you…" Gallus growled.
Disten turned his attention back to his godfather, who was slowly walking to his left. The Chief began walking to his right, and the two men began walking in a circle around each other, keeping a distance of about twenty yards between them as Shadow and Crash watched on, ready to jump in at any time.
Gallus suddenly stopped moving, his face visible through his visor. His eyes gleamed with mania and greed- both of which were a result of Arranst's tampering with the Prophecy. She had twisted and warped him until he was nothing but a monster inside of his own skin. He barely knew who he really was anymore…
"You have no idea how much trouble you're in…" Gallus chuckled as he swung his hand downwards, sending an arc of Dark Eco surging towards the Chief, who cast a shield of Light Eco in front of him. The shield held firm as the blast smashed into it, and a moment later the Chief dispelled the shield and a took a step forward, his expression fierce.
"Gallus…Today we end this fight. Even if I have to strike you down." Disten said firmly to his godfather, who cackled gleefully.
"I'm going to enjoy this." Gallus said before he rushed forward, hands crackling with Dark Eco as his godson raised his staff to attack. Before either of the two warrior could do anything further, a horrible tremor shook the entire base.
"Hmm…Looks like she's sending him reinforcements." Gallus remarked as he vanished in a burst of Dark Eco, only to reappear a few yards away, standing on the edge of the cliff with a wide smile on his face. He held out his staff and pointed it high into the air, creating another shield around him as he did so.
"Those shield he keeps casting are going to drain him completely. What's he doing?" Shadow muttered as she eyed her former leader with anger.
"In the name of the Dark Goddess, and in the name of all those who serve her. I plead with you to aid us in this time, oh mighty Gilgamoth the Unfathomable!" Gallus yelled out to the heavens before swiftly turning around and firing a single bolt of Dark Eco into the water down below.
"What is he doing?" Crash muttered, reloading his Chaingun.
"Nothing good…" Shadow remarked, clutching her gun nervously.
"You can't think of what he might be trying to do?" Chill asked Shadow, who shook her head.
"I've never heard of anything like that. We've got a few fail-safe Meta heads kept hidden in case of an emergency, but nothing that fits the description of whatever is lurking down in the ocean." Shadow explained.
"Everyone, be careful." Blade warned the others.
"Be on your guard!" Disten suddenly yelled out as Gallus suddenly smiled, glancing in their direction .
A massive tremor rocked the area again, but this time it was much stronger, and was growing stronger with each passing second. Finally, a low and deep, but unmistakable growl ripped through the air before Gallus turned to face the Agents.
"And now…" Gallus began to say before he stepped backwards, falling off of the cliff face.
"Gallus!" Disten yelled as he ran forward.
"What's going on here…What's he playing at?" Shadow muttered.
A golden burst of light appeared on Shadow's shoulder, and as Tess materialized there, Shadow added "Don't suppose you have any ideas?"
"No, I don't. And that's what worries me. I have a feeling we're about to see what happens when you put the Hunter's back against the wall." Tess said darkly.
"Again. I have a bad feeling about this."
The water below exploded horrifically, showering the group above on the cliff with water despite how high above the rough waters they were. A massive serpent-like shadow loomed over the group as a powerful roar erupted from the maw of the black mass before them.
It was utterly massive, with scales as black as death and armor-like plating all along the length of its body, with emerald green flowing lines zigzagging down the length of the beast. It had several dorsal fins, each of which was easily thirty feet long and weathered, as though it had been alive for millennia. The beast had a long scaled snout, with fangs the length of a average Metal Head sticking out of the sides of its mouth. Its dark yellow eyes narrowed in fury before it let out another piercing roar, shaking the fortress itself with the sheer power behind it.
Gallus rode atop the beast, his staff glowing black as two black rings appeared on the eyes of the beast. The man let out a harsh bark-like laugh before he pointed at the group below him, his own eyes glowing dark red.
"Come, Avenging Angels. Let me show you the true meaning of darkness!" Gallus proclaimed from the head of the serpent, which bellowed loudly as the Agents got ready to stand their ground against the General and the great beast he had summoned by the will of the Metal Head Queen.
End of Chapter:
TWO MORE TO GO!
NEXT CHAPTER IS THE FINALE!
DON'T MISS IT!
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