As Jak, Daxter, and Shining warped into the Dark Maker's ship, they were immediately under attack from more Dark Troopers, which they were quickly able to dispatch. "Alright, which way are we heading?" Jak demanded, looking around.
"I'd suggest following the only available path until we get to something we can blow up, then cutting and running," Daxter suggested, pointing to the door that opened as all the enemies fell.
"Works for me!" Shining agreed, racing ahead along the path through the dark ship.
The trio raced ahead, crossing a narrow rotating path over a deep pit into the rest of the ship, shooting down the flying Troopers that tried to attack them. A quick slide down a frozen hall led them to a wider area they had to make their way around the outside of, dealing with more foes as they went. Another door opened as they dispatched the last of them.
"So...why would anyone design security doors to only open after a large number of their troops dies?" Shining inquired as they raced through.
"We'll ask Elder about it when we get back," Jak suggested, racing ahead. "For now, we're on the clock, and we don't know how long we've got!"
Through the door, they found a Light Eco vent which allowed Jak to charge up to spread his energy wings to glide over a wide pit. "That's the real stumper, anyway," Daxter pointed out as Shining teleported them to Jak's side. "Light Eco, here?"
"Probably something to do with balancing the energies," Jak muttered.
Before long, the group found their way to an elevator that carried them deep into the spacecraft. At the other end, they found the cargo of the Dark Ship, a whole host of massive Dark Walkers that looked like supped up versions of the Dark Satellites, only even more heavily armed and armored, and each easily the size of a building.
"If these nasty things ever wake up, the planet's finished," Daxter murmured worriedly.
"Then let's give them an extra lullaby," Shining offered.
Waiting for them, however, was Errol, who seemed to have no intention of letting them succeed. "All of these Dark Makers at my command!" he proclaimed. "Just think what I could do!"
"I am thinking," Jak proclaimed. "That's why we're stopping you, here and now!"
"Oh?" Errol called out with a laugh. "And just how do you expect to do that?"
At that moment, a lance of energy cut through the Dark Ship, causing it to start to crumble.
"That ought to do it," Shining muttered, starting to lose his footing.
"Shining, can you teleport us back to the surface?" Jak demanded.
Shining stretched with his magic, then shook his head. "At most, I can get myself and Daxter. But I'm not-"
Grabbing Daxter, Jak shoved him onto Shining's back. "Go! I have a plan!"
Staring into his brother's eyes, Shining finally nodded and warped away.
Errol laughed as he merged with the one Dark Maker he'd managed to activate. "Oh? A plan to stop this power?"
"Yes," Jak agreed, his eyes going distant. "Tell me...do you have any idea how much Dark Eco there is in the very air of this ship?" He began to take a deep breath.
"What does that have to do with-"
Errol was cut off as Jak shifted into Dark Jak and leapt at the Dark Maker...expanding as he did so.
As Shining and Daxter arrived in Spargus, they stared upward at the exploding ship. "Do...do you think Jak's plan worked?" Daxter asked worriedly.
"We...we can only hope-" Shining cut himself off as he saw two burning streaks shooting down into the desert. "Look!"
Seeing the two streaks of fire impact way out in the desert with matching explosions of light, Daxter rushed to a nearby buggy. "Come on! One of those might have been Jak!"
"And the other might be Errol," Shining growled as he leapt in, using his magic to wield the controls. Much to the pair's surprise, they found the charge of their buggy was just the lead as the entire amassed force of Spargus' citizenry was driving out behind them, armed to the teeth and ready to battle.
However, none were ready for what they saw when they reached the crash site.
The Dark Maker stood taller than either Spargus or Haven, easily as tall as a mountain, and resembled a twisted camel made of black metal and sparking dark energy. Errol was linked into the cockpit, fusing himself with the behemoth as he faced down his foe.
Dark Jak slowly stood up from the desert, standing as tall as the Dark Maker as he stared Errol down. "Let's dance!" he growled out, his voice echoing over the desert like thunder.
"You think you have greater mastery of the darkness than I-"
Errol's voice was cut off as Dark Jak's clenched fist slammed into the cockpit of the Dark Maker with the force of a speeding train. "You talk too much!" he growled out, following the punch up with another that twisted the Maker's long neck back around, before delivering a firm kick straight to the central body, knocking the mechanical monstrosity backwards, crashing against a mountain. As it staggered upright, it launched numerous Dark Eco explosives...which Dark Jak caught in his massive hands and drained of their energy before dropping as empty husks of Precursor Metal.
"What...what are you?" Errol gasped out as the Dark Maker got upright again, firing off a barrage of lasers that cut into Dark Jak's flesh...only for the wounds to heal almost as soon as they took shape.
"I am a Son of Damas..." Dark Jak growled out. "The blood of Precursors burns in my veins...and by the will of the Ancients and the strength of my peoples...this world will live!" On the last word, he leapt into the air...coming down atop the Dark Maker in a gigantic Dark Strike, crushing the machine beneath him and reducing it to so much scrap.
At the last minute Errol broke free of the cockpit and shot out into the air, hovering on his jetpack. "I will make you pay for this-" His eyes popped open as his words cut off, staring at the silver arm through his chest...as for the first time, with the Dark Giant fading away, Shadow Jak was witnessed.
His entire body had turned silver, reshaping slightly to be somewhat streamlined. His outfit was replaced with a glowing silver bodysuit that fit his frame like a second skin, but bearing all the durability of Precursor Metal. His eyes blazed white...and a crimson scarf wrapped around his face just under his eyes, billowing out behind him in the dead still air like a banner.
Shadow Jak stared into Errol's eyes. "You turned your back on life to embrace the Darkness...and to Darkness you are condemned." Ripping his arm from Errol's chest, he spun, his arm held out like a blade.
Errol's lifeless body and head fell towards the ground separate from each other, spinning in the air.
Shadow Jak floated in his position for a time...and then the power left him, and he fell limp towards the ground. As he slipped into unconsciousness, a gentle telekinetic aura caught him, slowing his fall.
Holy shit
7364572
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Whoa, shorter then I was expecting, but far more impressive.
Huh, well that went better than my playthrough. Seriously, I kept running out of ammo in that final fight
That. Was. EPIC!!!! a billion times better than the shitty boss fight you get at the end of Jak 3 and the mini monologue you gave Jak just before he destroyed the dark maker errol was absolutely beautiful a very well done chapter truly makes me wish i could give this more likes
Went a lot quicker than my run through. Though the reflector ammo made everything a lot more easier when I finally figured out the stop using the guns that didn't do multiple hits in one bullet.
Wait... You mean the Dark Makers aren't corrupted Ottsels?
That should say "their troops die?"
BAD ASS! I can't believe you whipped up something even more awesome than that actual final fight!
Jak just took a level in Badass... Again! Seriously, what is it with you and moments of awesome?
On an unrelated note...
Shining - Magic
Daxter or Damas - Loyalty
Jak - Laughter
Praxis - Honesty
Kiera - Kindness
Huh, now that I think about it, Generosity doesn't seem to have a fitting bearer in this world. Though... I suppose Damas could fit it if you look at him right.
7365026 The Element of Laughter, in my eyes, isn't about making people laugh. It's about lifting spirits and, sometimes, giving hope to the hopeless. It's about spreading cheer and happiness, and being a bright light in the darkness. Telling jokes and being funny is just one of the methods of doing this.
That's why I picked Jak. He spreads hope wherever he goes. He may not be Pinkie Pie... but he strives to do what she does, even if the methods are different; put a smile on peoples' faces.
7365115 The Element of Magic, in the words of canon itself, isn't about magic itself, but rather the concept that generates the most magic; Friendship. And Friendship, like Laughter, has a deeper meaning to it. Friendship is about the bonds you forge with others. Jak could bear the Element of Magic, I will admit that, but Shining has a much deeper grasp on the concept of Friendship than Jak does.
If you'd like, I went on a bit of a rant in Tatsurou's Heart of the Dragon General comments section regarding the Elements of Harmony and their deeper meanings. It in the comments of the chapter called Determination. In fact, here's a link. Sorry, but I don't know how to link to specific comments yet.
7365127
To link to specific comments, click the comment number in the upper left of the comment block. It will change the URL to linking to the specific comment, and the white comment box will turn blue.
7365149 Like this?
7365181
Yup, like that.
7365335
Not sure. EoH aren't going to be playing a role in this story, so I can't really comment.
7365374
I know what you meant. I meant that since I don't intend to involve them, I haven't bothered drawing parallels.
But in terms of personalities...here's what I'd say.
Jak - Kindness (he has never failed to offer assistance to anyone who needed it, even going so far as to save the one who tortured him for months)
Shining - Honesty (never wavers from the truth or his stance with it, facing reality head on)
Daxter - either Loyalty (always stands by Jak) or Laughter (he's the comic relief in the original games)
Damas - Generosity (literally gave his all for his people and world)
Not sure who'd be the other of Loyalty or Laughter, but...
Keira - Magic (she's the tech whiz, and the one who helps keep everyone sane)
7364572 exclamation marks!!!!
7365688
Magic doesn't harmonize the others, it's the spark that brings out the magic in the others. In essence, the qualities that would derive the Element of Magic would be Charisma, Leadership, and an instinctive understanding of others.
So yes, Jak could be the Element of Magic, but the why has nothing to do with his abilities.
Well...
that certainly made up for the lack of violence, didn't it?
Well, never angry a Saiyan.
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
7367077 Not really.
7367464 The overall amount of "descriptive" bloodshed was rather low in this fic up to now.
I thought he tossed Errol's old arm at him... but no. The Dark Jak Giant had to become Pepsi Man Jak!
i.ytimg.com/vi/pixqh4L6oQ8/maxresdefault.jpg
7367407 Wrong fic, Pinks.
Giant Dark Jak vs Giant Dark ship thing
Daxter and Shining on mic: Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!!
I'd watch that.
Jak's Shadow form, off the top of my head, made me think of Final Form Sora, minus the keyblades.
Which is weird since it doesn't match the description.
Huh.
Loved how Jak killed Errol. Though blowing up the remains after decapitation would have been nice too.
That was suitably epic.
I have asked myself this same question for a few games
9310457
As a gameplay mechanic, I think it's always been the simplest- as well as overused -puzzle mechanic that devs use for certain kinds of games.
As part of a story, likely as a way to both conserve troops, and to divide enemy forces. Not that it ever works.