Jak, Daxter, and Shining were all somewhat down as they returned to the city after protecting the 'sacred site'. Another thought had come to Jak which was very sobering. There was no guarantee that the Samos they knew from their own time made it to this one alive...or that he was still alive after having made it here.
Daxter tried to cheer them up, reminding them that they were going to meet the Shadow now...but the encouragement fell on unheeding ears. And thus, it was a grim faced group that returned to the Underground headquarters.
Torn was waiting for them at the door. "The Shadow's decided it's time to meet you," he stated bluntly.
"...why's that old place so important to him?" Jak asked curiously.
"There's a powerful energy force at the old house," Torn explained. "The Metalheads are drawn to it."
"No kidding," Jak mumbled. "We...used to know the guy who lived there..."
"So you're the new recruits getting into so much trouble," a familiar voice stated from behind Torn.
Daxter's jaw hung as he saw the figure there. "No way! You?!" he shouted out.
While Jak could see why Daxter would mistake this figure for the Samos they knew, Jak spotted several differences. Whereas the Samos they knew favored green garb, this figure was dressed in dark reds and russet browns. His white facial hair and sideburns were much shorter, and the log held above his head was covered with thick growth that was a mix of plant life and hair.
"Welcome to the Underground Movement," the Shadow greeted. "I am the Shadow, but you can call me-"
"Samos," Jak interrupted. Rushing forward, he surprised everyone by kneeling down and hugging the squat figure.
"Umm...what?" the Shadow asked, confused. "I don't think I like such close contact with strangers-"
"I just want to say sorry for all the trouble I'm going to give you raising me and Shining," Jak stated quickly before letting go of him.
The Shadow stared up at him. "Hmmph. So Ashelin wasn't kidding." He brushed himself off. "No more, young man. I can't stand Spoilers." He turned to step aside. "Right now, we've got a Baron to overthrow, a child heir to protect, an invasion of Metalheads to stop, and a city to save."
"I'm confused," Daxter began.
"This is Samos from this time," Shining explained quickly. "The one who's going to go back in time with our younger selves to raise us."
"Oooh!" Daxter allowed. "So...anything I do to him-"
"Is probably why Samos had such an issue with you growing up," Shining interrupted.
"Then what's the point of time travel, anyway?" Daxter demanded, throwing his paws in the air in frustration.
"What did I say about Spoilers?" the Shadow demanded angrily. "Right now, you three need to get to Haven forest and root out a few Metalhead scouts. That forest is my source of power, but I can't protect it much longer. Chase down and destroy all the Metalhead scouts you find there. G-"
Jak raised his hand. "Could you not wish us luck?" he asked. "It...would feel awkward."
"Could you make cynically snide commentary about our chances instead?" Shining added.
"...I really grow up to be a crotchety ass, don't I?" the Shadow murmured.
"You have no idea," Daxter agreed eagerly.
"Have fun getting yourselves killed, then," the Shadow allowed, obviously feeling awkward.
"Thanks," Jak replied warmly. "It feels like old times."
As the trio left, Shining spoke up. "So...we going to tell Keira about this?"
"Not unless we have to," Jak replied. "As worried as she's bound to be about her father, his younger self who doesn't know her...that would not be good for her."
"Thanks for the concern, but you know I can hear everything now that I've got your comm signal, right?" Keira asked from the comm device.
Jak and Shining both glanced at each other nervously. "Oops?" Daxter supplied.
"I've left the Jet Board at the city exit," Keira explained. "You're going to need it. And I've known about the Shadow for three years. ...that's when I met him."
"...Keira..."
"Don't, Jak," Keira responded quickly. "I know there's no guarantee Dad made it through the rift to this side. I've...come to terms with it. If he is dead, I'll just have to be strong enough to keep moving." She managed a chuckle. "And if not, I don't want to give him anything else to lecture me about when you find him."
Jak smiled softly. "And I thought we were the tough ones."
With Jet Board in hand, the trio made their way into the forest, taking a floating platform to a new segment they hadn't seen before. The Metalhead scouts turned out to be winged reptilians, able to both run and fly quite fast. Jak focused on chasing them around on the Jet Board, while Shining watched their course before carefully positioning himself. Either Jak would catch them as they ran, or they'd run into Shining's ambush, and meet their end at his Eco Blades.
Once the fifth scout was defeated, the Shadow contacted them remotely. "Not bad for beginners," he grunted, obviously trying to be cynically snide. "It certainly took you long enough. Get back to the hideout. I've got another job for you." Before the signal fully cut, a last grumble could be heard. "I'm never going to get used to being an asshole..."
"He will," Daxter joked with a chuckle.