This chapter is kind of...transition-y, I guess? It has some important stuff in it, even if it won't become important for another 15 billion chapters.

As always, enjoy reading!


Mornings in Spargus were when Ionna got the most work done. With no warriors seeking her help with medicine or injuries, it was her time to take care of the housekeeping issues. Sweep the floor, clean the sheets, bottle eco and medication.

And sometimes, it was just her time to sit without anyone bothering her while she drank her coffee.

The bell tinkled above the door and Ionna sighed. She set her coffee down, ready to deal with whatever ridiculous ailment was affecting her visitor.

"I'm tellin' you, Jak, all we need to do is bottle it! Then we'll be filthy rich!"

"Dax, no one in Haven City is going to buy sand."

"We could call it 'Taste of Wasteland!'"

Ionna smiled as the two boys walked in. Her smile fell when she saw Jak's sling. "What happened?"

"Why would you call it taste? People don't eat sand." Jak rolled his eyes and turned to Ionna. "I got into a fight."

"And lost, evidently." Ionna patted the stool near her and stood up. "Who wrapped you up?"

"Damas." Ionna looked surprised as Jak sat down. "What?"

"Nothing. I would have assumed...well, never mind." She walked over and began to examine his shoulder. "So what happened, child? I had hoped it wasn't that bad in Haven City…"

"It's not," Jak began, but Daxter rolled over him.

"Well, it ain't a holiday!" Daxter gestured to his tail. "I'm lucky I've got all my parts! Metal heads, KG robots, Torn! I never thought I'd say this, but…thank the Precursors it's peaceful out here."

"Ha. I'd hardly call it peaceful," Ionna said with a grin, "But I suppose, compared to all-out war, it is pretty calm here. Now, tell me what happened."

She clasped her hands placidly and waited. Finally, Jak launched into the story of the War Factory. He kept out most of the details, but made sure to hit the main idea: Erol was working with the Dark Makers, and they were getting closer and closer.

"We need to get into the catacombs," Jak finished. "Which...is why I'm here."

He watched Ionna carefully. She seemed like she already had an idea of what he was about to ask.

"Do you or Seem or any of the other monks know if there are any artifacts from the Precursors around? Onin says there are other artifacts that we need. Stuff besides the eco crystals."

Ionna frowned thoughtfully. "Hmm...Seem and I have been researching the planetary weapon. Through our work in the Wasteland, we found two artifacts that can power the defense system. However…" Ionna sighed and reached across the counter. She showed him an ancient book, scrawled with complicated Precursor writing on it. "Do you see? The last artifact…"

"Um…" Jak shot Daxter a look. His friend shrugged in response. "What does it say?"

Ionna blinked, then chuckled. "Forgive me, child. I forgot you wouldn't know the ancient scripture." She pointed with her finger. "This book is a journal from one of Mar's most loyal advisors. They say that this was a monk who helped Mar to build Haven City." She ran her finger along a line. "Supposedly, Mar traveled to the planet's core and found the defense system. However, to keep such a weapon out of the wrong hands, he dismantled part of it."

"So that's the part we need?" Jak questioned. Ionna nodded.

"This advisor, the person who wrote the journal, claimed that Mar took something called an Eco Sphere. It's used to combine the powers of eco and synthesize it into energy." Ionna flipped a few pages. "Here, the advisor recounts how Mar hid powerful artifacts."

She cleared her throat and picked up the book. "'A final resting place, hidden amongst the Trials that his sons and daughters would take on, was where Mar stowed his first secret."

"Mar's tomb!" Jak straightened. "But the only thing in there is the Precursor Stone. I think."

"While it's possible that Mar decided to hide the Eco Sphere in his tomb," Ionna replied, "I think we should look at all other options first. There's another place he might have hidden it."

She continued in the journal. "'His second treasure was hidden deep amongst the desert sand, where molten metal burns with fire. There, where we trained in the ways of eco, Mar placed the artifact, deep within, protected from evil."'

"Somewhere in the Wasteland," Jak said immediately. "But...where?"

"Exactly the problem," she said. "The desert is vast, too vast for Mar to have hidden it just anywhere. We've searched Spargus, the caves and volcanos...everywhere we could."

"..." Jak tapped his chin. "The Monk Temple?" he suggested. "They talk about training with eco...maybe he trained the monks up there."

Ionna hummed thoughtfully. "Interesting...the monks have searched the Temple, but there are secrets still to be found, I'm sure. There have always been doors that lead even further into it."

"Do you want me to go up and look around?" Jak asked. "The sooner we find this artifact, the sooner we can get rid of the Dark Makers."

Ionna shook her head. "No, Seem and I will find it. There are certain places, deep within the temple, that can only be opened by the two of us together. They're sealed now, but we can open them."

"Really?" Jak shifted to let his arm rest a bit. "Daxter and I went all through the temple. We didn't see any doors we couldn't open."

"Oh, there are tons of hidden passages," she told him. "Seem and I spent the first few years during our time in the Wasteland traipsing through and opening up doors. Let me tell you, there are plenty of traps around there. Be glad you didn't stumble upon them." She closed the worn book and set it aside. "I distinctly recall there being a room that filled with dark eco when you stepped inside. That was...unpleasant."

Jak's eyes sparkled with childlike delight. "Wow...I can't believe there's still so much more to it."

Daxter groaned. "Oh, no, now he wants to go exploring! You had to get him started!"

Ionna gave a fond smile. "Ah, the joys of youth. Do you fancy yourself an explorer?"

"Yeah." Jak hesitated, then mumbled, "...The man who raised me was an explorer. I guess I always wanted to be like him."

Ionna blinked. "Your father was an explorer?"

"No. I never knew my father." Jak shrugged uncomfortably. "Forget I said anything. So you and Seem can get the last artifact?"

Ionna nodded. "We'll get into the Temple and see if the Eco Sphere is inside." She rubbed her face. "Unfortunately, I can't enter the Monk Temple without Seem escorting me, so we'll have to wait for her. In the meantime, how about we continue our light eco lessons? I think I have the perfect idea what to show you next."

"Really?" Jak perked up, then hesitated. "I guess I need to heal myself first, though."

"Oh, don't worry," Ionna said cheerfully. "That won't be a problem."


No one taught Ionna how to heal.

After all, she was the first light eco acolyte in generations; no one knew how many powers she would have. It wasn't until Seem, only a toddler, cut her hand while playing with an artifact, that anyone even knew Ionna could heal.

She'd picked Seem up to comfort her, cradling her and softly humming. Suddenly, with a soft white glow, Seem's skin began to knit itself together. Her sniffles died down as the wound disappeared. It had fascinated and excited Ionna at first; several hours later, it only seemed to frustrate her. She sat with Onin on the worn rug and sighed, clenching her hands.

"I've been studying light eco for my entire life." She sighed and put her head in her hands. "And I had no idea that I could heal things."

"Light eco is the manifestation of all eco," Onin encouraged. "It stands to reason that you would hold the powers of green eco."

"I just wish I could do it on command," Ionna said wistfully. "I tried to heal myself, but it just...won't come."

"Continue with your eco training," Onin replied. "Learn to control all eco, and your powers will flourish."

"..." Ionna nodded. "I just...I wish that there was someone to teach me. You're a wonderful mentor, and training with you has taught me so much. But…"

"But you wish to learn from a light eco sage." Onin sighed and clasped her hands together. "I understand your struggle, child. How I wish I could light your way."

Ionna gave her a small smile. "I guess I'll just have to light my own way."


"So," Ionna began, "let's hear it. What sort of light eco powers do you have?"

They had left the infirmary and started walking through Spargus. It was mid-morning now, so there were more people around. Young children running through the sand to school, merchants setting up their tents and stalls, Wastelanders getting ready to head out on their missions.

Jak used the fingers on his good hand to number each one. "Healing, flash freeze, and shield." Ionna blinked, confused. "What?"

"Flash freeze? What is that?"

"Huh? You should know." Jak glanced over at her. "You did it to me, the first day I met you. It's when you slow down time, you know?"

"Slow down...time?" Ionna's eyes widened in realization. "Interesting. I had never thought of it that way."

"That way? What'd you mean?" Daxter leaned forward from Jak's shoulder. "You did it!"

"Yes, but…" She chuckled fondly. "I suppose I took for granted my own studies in eco. The power we share isn't time slowing down. It's us speeding up."

"Speeding up?" Jak and Daxter shared a look. "Um...how is that…?"

"Light eco is the combination of all eco. It therefore holds the power of each and every other, save for dark eco," she explained. "Light eco can heal, just as green eco can. It can increase your speed and energy, to the point where everything around you appears slower. It makes you stronger and protects you. It can even improve your sight and accuracy."

"Really?" Jak looked at his hands, feeling the dull power of light inside of himself. "That does make sense, I guess."

He had never really thought about it before. The sages had flat out told him, what seemed like a lifetime ago. He had watched them make it, yet he never seemed to make the connection until just now.

"I had never considered it to be slowing down," she mused. "A different perspective, for certain."

"So, then when I heal, I'm using...green eco?"

"Exactly." Ionna smiled. "Now tell me how you use your healing power."

Jak described it: how he called on the light eco, channeled it, and let it flow through his body. Ionna listened intently and nodded.

"Then I think our next step," she said, "is to refine your healing powers. Tell me, have you ever tried healing another person?"

"Another person? No." Well, with one exception…

"You've healed me!" Daxter shouted indignantly. "Not like I needed it, though! See, there were fifteen, no, twenty nasty lookin' metal heads-!"

"Daxter, shut up." Jak flicked his friend's head. "I didn't do it intentionally. Like Daxter said, there was this one time... "

Jak paused. They'd reached the light eco vent in the middle of the city. He pulled some light eco into his body and let it settle in his chest. Ionna watched him for a moment, then folded her arms.

"Very well, then. While we head back...why don't you tell me about 'that one time'?"


"I'll put in a good word with Damas for you!" The Wastelander jumped out of the buggy and started for the metal bunker. He hesitated, then turned back around. "You better get in here, too, kid! I don't think you'll make it back to the city!"

"I'll be fine!" Jak shouted back. The Wastelander stared at him for a moment, then pointed to the mountains in the east.

"You see those? There's a bunch of old caves at the base there. If the storm gets bad enough you can't see Spargus' beacon, wait out the storm there. Might be a few nasties in there, but it's safer than this storm!"

Jak nodded. "Thanks for the tip, but I'll be okay!"

"Safe journey!" The man saluted them and then ran for the bunker. Jak spun the car around and started back towards the city.

The sand was swirling and whipping past them, to the point that Jak could feel it sting against the skin on his face. He felt the buggy veer with a gust of wind and turned the wheel hard to get back on track.

"Jaak!" Daxter shrunk back against the seat. "The storm's gettin' worse!"

"We'll be alright!" he replied stubbornly. They were the only vehicle left out here, Jak noticed. No Marauders, no Wastelanders. "We'll be fine…"

Daxter glared at his friend. "You moron, you're gonna get us killed!"

He hated to admit it, but Daxter was right. The orange light that signaled Spargus was dimming through the sand. Jak spun the car and started for the east.

"Fine, Dax, we'll head for the caves!"

With sand skidding up from the wheels, Jak spun the car into the caves. The weird transition from howling winds to compete silence was jarring. For a few minutes, Jak and Daxter just sat there, panting from the adrenaline. Then, from the darkness behind them, there was a loud growl.

"Shit." Jak grabbed his gun and began to shoot behind him. By the blasts of dark eco, he was hitting the metal heads, but he could hear more coming. He jumped out of the buggy and switched guns. As the blaster shots reflected off the walls, he could see bright eyes and skull gems.

Jak kept shooting, hoping that he hit all of them. No such luck; a large metal head dove for him and bowled him over. He shot it, but not until Daxter had been flung across the cave by the metal heads claws, letting out a loud shriek. He smacked against the wall and was abruptly silent.

Jak ran for Daxter, who was curled in on himself. As he picked the ottsel up, he felt the pull of light eco, without his input. He gasped as a light engulfed Daxter.

"Daxter!" Jak's eyes widened in panic. "Dax, are you okay?"

"No! I'm probably dying!" Daxter clutched his arm, which was bent at a strange angle. "Oh, Precursors, Jak, just shoot me! Put me outta my misery!"

"You're fine!" Jak shouted. "Dax, look!"

Indeed, Jak was right: as they watched, Daxter's arm was straightening and settling back into place. They watched in wonder before Daxter moved it and said "Huh. That's weird."

Jak stared at his hands as Daxter went back onto his shoulder. "Yeah. Weird."


As she opened the door to the infirmary, Ionna laughed hysterically. "Of all the things you could think of, you chose weird?"

Jak's face flushed. "Well, it was!"

She was still laughing as he entered. "It's just such a...teenage reaction." She shut the door and gestured to the bed. "Alright, then, sit here. I'm going to have you heal your injuries."

"I've done that before," Jak reminded her. "I thought you were teaching me how to improve."

"I said refine," she replied. "Which is exactly what we're going to do. But first, I have to see what I'm working with."

She rolled up her sleeves and removed her boots while Jak sat down on the edge of the bed. Daxter sat on the edge of the bedside table. "Take off your shirt and sling," she commanded. "I'm going to take a look. Damas may have patched you up, but he's a far cry from a seasoned medic."

Jak did as she told and then laid back on the pillows. It was oddly cool in the building; he wondered if that was intentional. Before he could voice the question, though, Ionna was cutting off the bandages that Damas had wrapped him in.

"Yikes," she said conversationally. "That must have been some fight."

She started poking at his bruise. He winced. "That hurts," he complained.

"Of course it does." Ionna pressed her palm, hard, against his ribs. "Hmm...you cracked three ribs. No internal lacerations, which is good. Plus the bruise, of course."

She wiped her hands on a rag. Jak glanced down at his own torso and frowned. "Okay, can I heal now?"

"Go on," she urged. "Heal yourself."

Jak did as he was told. He transitioned to Light Jak (everything seemed softer, less drastic when the light fell over him…) and pulled on his healing power. Like taking a drink, he felt the familiar eco flow through him, easing the pain in his wounds. He set out a sigh and let the light eco fade away.

"Very good," she said with a slight smile. "How are you feeling?"

Jak took a deep breath: no pain in his side. He moved his arm and felt a twinge in his shoulder, but nothing like before. "Better."

"Sit up." He did so, pulling his shirt back on. "Your healing powers work very similarly to mine, which makes our next steps easier. We're going to work on basic education."

Ionna rolled up her sleeves while Jak stood up. "What do you mean, education?" he asked.

"She means you're dumb," Daxter said helpfully.

"No, I mean you've never been formally trained in green eco." Ionna rubbed her forearm for Jak to see. "The easiest and quickest injuries to heal are superficial ones. Cuts, bruises, scratches and the like. They require little eco and even less thought to heal."

She slipped one of the knives from her belt and, before Jak or Daxter could speak, sliced it across her forearm. Blood oozed out of the wound as she held her arm out for him.

"Go on. Heal it."

"W-what?" Jak stared at her arm, slightly repulsed.

"You heard me. You've healed yourself, now apply the same principle to me." She nodded encouragingly. "You just have to guide the eco into my body instead of your own."

"Okay." Jak did as she asked, pulling the light eco forward. He quickly grasped her arm before it could rush over him, letting the eco heal her. Several seconds later, and he let the eco vanish. "Did it work?"

Ionna examined her arm. "Take a look."

She pointed to a faint scar on her skin. Jak smirked. "No blood. I guess that's good."

"Yeah, but you didn't finish the job," Daxter replied. "Now she's marked forever, Jak, you jerk."

"You stopped me from bleeding to death. A fair trade, I'd say." Ionna smiled. "Good job, but that was also the easiest injury we've got. Let's take a step up."'

She reached into a drawer under the counter and pulled out a small, dried bone. It looked to Jak like it belonged to an animal, like a kangarat. As he watched, Ionna held it up.

"Bones are the next hardest to heal. They take more time and are internal, so they can't be seen. But there is an entirely different problem that presents itself."

"Which is...?" Jak prompted.

With a sharp snap!, Ionna broke the bone in half. It was jagged and sharp, but the break was clean. "Clean breaks are easy, but compound fractures are more difficult." To accent this, she slammed one of the pieces of bone against the counter. It splintered into several parts, shattering onto the counter. "And you have no way of knowing, since it's not your body you're healing, which type you are dealing with."

She swept the pieces into her hand and threw them into the compost. "Now, then," she said briskly. "I need you to do something for me. You will probably find it...disagreeable, but it must be done. Do I have your word that you will do as I ask?"

"Sure." Jak agreed. "What'd you need me to do?"

Ionna slowly extended her hand, as if she were going to shake his hand. "I need you to break my fingers."