Title: Against time
Author: Quick-demon
Disclaimers: I don't own Jak, Krew, Kiera, Krimson Guards, Torn, Ashelin, The Shadow/Samos, Brutter, Sig, Daxter, Praxis, Erol, Kor, Kid, Crocadog, Samos, Onin and Pecker, Metal Heads, wildlife, citizens, Precursors and Tess. OR anything else for that matter, only this 'fic and all made up characters.
Rating: PG-13 (Some course language and Violence)
Genre: Action/adventure, Mystery, Humor, Drama and Suspense.
Game: Jak II. So after the prison rescue and after Daxter wins the Class 2 races. This means Jak and Kiera are fighting and Erol is still around. References to Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Summery: After a surprise attack from the Metal Heads Jak falls prey to a mysterious illness. Someone wants Jak dead and its a race against time to find out what's going on and how to save Jak from his slow and painful death. But can Jak be saved or does someone have other plans?
Author's Note: Most medicines and drugs in this 'fic are made up by me. I have no degree or diploma or anything in the medical field so I wouldn't know the different types of medication. I just have a general knowledge... so don't kill me if I get things wrong.
Enjoy the story.
Day 1
All was quiet in Dead Town. Its usually is since it is- well- a dead town. Jak had completed his latest mission, which was to get the Life Seed so younger Samos could become 'sagely'. Visiting that old hut brought a lot of old memories for Jak. Daxter was just pissed that all his hard work of cleaning went to waste and they were the ones to help Samos to become the Green Eco Sage. Daxter never got a thanks until he actually complained about it.
Jak exited the Titan Suit and jumped across the sand islands towards the Security Door. Daxter just grumbled quietly to himself. No doubt complaining about what just happened. As Jak entered the path way that lead to the Security Door out of the corner of his eye he saw something. He jerked his head to get a better look but got knocked over instead. His back hit the hard ground. In a second his mind registered he was being attacked and Jak forced his screwed eyes to open. He saw a large Metal Head.
Jak gave the creature a strong punch in the face and pushed the heavy creature off. He pulled out his gun and shot the monster before it had the chance to recover. More creatures came. Jak realized that there were some behind him. He turned and pointed his gun at two lunging Metal Heads. His blaster gun shot them in mid air and forced them back until they died.
More creatures were attacking him from all angles. Jak struggled to his feet as he shot the creatures in turn. All were hell-bent on killing the main threat. Jak gritted his teeth as he shot again and again. The Metal heads were getting closer and closer to him. The Blaster Gun was running out of bullets and now seemed inappropriate to keep up with the demand to how many it was killing. Jak paused to switch his Morph Gun to Scatter Gun mode. That pause cost him a precious second.
In that second a large Metal Head tackled him head on. The force knocked the wind from Jak and his gun out of reach. The Metal Head was nothing he had seen before. It was large and muscular. It's skin was dark smoky black colour while it's bone armored areas were a typical gray. It had a shiny Metal Skull embedded on it's head. It had two front hand claws, scorpion like legs with hard gray tips. It had a thin lizard like tail and red eyes. It's roar was like a the rumble of thunder and its wrath deadlier than a storm.
Jak struggled against the intimidating creature. It kept Jak down with ease, practically grinning at the human's feeble attempts. Jak barely noticed all the other Metal Heads stopped attacking. The creature's large jaw kept snapping close to Jak's face. He could feel its foul hot breath and he almost gagged at it as he sucked in precious air. His hands were on the hard grey exoskeleton chest trying to stop it from getting any closer Jak shifted his concentration to summoning his darker side. He knew his alter ego could take this thing on.
The creature roared and with more strength it was presently using it forced itself more closer to its victim. Jak's arms couldn't hold the extra force and his elbows gave way. Jak gasped and all concentration lost as he realized he failed to keep the monster at bay. The black Metal Head aimed right at Jak's neck. It's carnivorous teeth pierced through the material and into the soft flesh underneath. Jak screamed in pain as it exploded. He had to get it away! He had to get away from it before it tears his whole throat out!
Jak struggled to straighten his elbows but strength was leaving them. They were too weak and tired from battling the powerful creature. His gun was too far away. Daxter was probably injured or even dead.. Fear crept on him. He didn't want to die. He didn't want to leave everything unfinished. Oh Mar! He wanted to complete his revenge, kick Erol's ass...tell Kiera he loved her...
He felt dizzy and unconsciousness creeping from the corners of is eyes. He battled it fiercely but he was slowly succumbing to it.
Daxter felt pain exploding from his head. He heard screeches and gun fire. He forced himself to open his eyes and saw Jak was shooting Metal Heads. The Metal Heads manage to circle around Jak and attacking him from different angles. Daxter had to help but his head was spinning and nausea was coming on.
The suddenly a large black Metal head jumped right onto Jak. Jak gasped and his gun was knocked from his grasp. His mind registered his friend was in greater danger. Daxter forced himself to sitting position desperately fighting the dizziness and nausea that threatened to claim him. He saw Jak struggle against the large black scorpion, lizard hybrid but the creature had the upper hand. Daxter eyed Jak's gun. It was in Scatter mode. Daxter forced himself to crawl to the weapon.
Jak struggled against the monster but he was failing. Daxter noticed the other Metal Heads stopped attacking. Maybe this is what the objective was, getting the creature on Jak. Daxter's finger's curled around the handle of the gun. Daxter took a deep breath to fight back the strong nausea and struggled to his feet.
Suddenly screaming emitted from Jak. Daxter looked up and saw the creature had Jak by the neck! Oh shit! Jak's whole neck was in that creatures mouth! That gaping mouth could swallow his neck whole! What the hell was it doing! Daxter's instincts kicked in and he raised the Morph Gun and ran towards the creature, aiming as he went.
When he knew he was close enough Daxter pulled the trigged and a large blast exploded from the barrel. Daxter was unprepared for it and fell on his rump. The red force smacked the creature. The creature released Jak's neck and stumbled back a bit. Daze and surprise appeared on its alien features. Daxter hit it again and again with the Scutter gun. The creature was blasted back and off Jak.
All the other Metal Heads took offense of the interruption and moved towards Daxter. Daxter immediately switched to Vulcan Fury mode. The weight of the fairly heavy gun became down right heavy. Daxter gritted his teeth and arced his back as his skinny arms were taunt, battled to keep the weapon off the ground. Daxter didn't wait for the Metal Heads to attack him. He immediately fired.
The gun powered up and soon was spitting out blue bullets. Daxter was getting jerked and shaken by the sheer force the machine gun was giving. Daxter didn't care, he was too busy making more holes in these creatures than Swiss Cheese.
The creatures screeched and hissed at the pain the bullets were causing. Daxter swept across the crowd of Metal Heads making sure all the Metal Heads get their fair share of bullets. The creatures were declining as more fell dead. The dark Metal Head saw his companions were dying decide the wisest option would be to retreat.
Daxter stopped when the all the Metal Heads were laying dead on the ground. Daxter dropped the heavy machine gun and ran to Jak. Blood. Lots of blood was spilling from his neck. He laid quite still but his chest showed some movement.
"Jak! Jak!" Daxter cried desperately as fear washed over him
"Jak! Jak!" a voice cried
Jak opened his eyes. He saw the creature wasn't upon him anymore nor any Metal Heads. Instead his eyes were greeted by a familiar face.
"Daaax" he slurred
"Jak! Oh God! Jak!" Daxter's voice was in desperation and disbelief
Jak knew he was badly injured. He felt so tired and... sleepy. He felt the coldness creep up from his legs. He knew life was slipping away from him.
"Jak! Don't you dare bail on me!" Daxter's voice was in anger and determination
"I'm sorry Dax" Jak spoke, his voice so quiet and hoarse, "Tell Kiera... I love her..."
"Jak? Jak! Don't say stuff like that! Come on buddy! We survived this far! You can't just die!" Daxter shook his head
Jak's eyes were already closing.
"Hell Jak! Hang on will ya! How the hell we're going to beat the Baron and kick Erol's ass when your 6ft underground?" Daxter growled
Jak struggled to keep his eyes open and managed to smile. Daxter took Jak's communicator and contacted the Underground.
"Old greenie better help us out here. After all we practically risked our lives getting his stupid Life Seed!" Daxter complained
Daxter sat with his two old friends, Samos and Kiera. All of them were in the waiting room of the Haven City Hospital. Who knew this hole of a city had a hospital? The past few hours seemed a blur to Daxter. The Underground members came through the Security Door and helped Jak to the nearest Hospital.
Daxter never felt so scared in his entire life...well except when Jak stirred up that wumpbee nest while celebrating his ninth birthday. The whole village was in total chaos and Daxter was badly stung and probably he was the only major casualty from that disaster. Jak somehow got away with one bite and he got more attention then he did...
Finally a doctor appeared in front of them. He had scrub uniform on as well was a white coat on top. His face was grim. Daxter's heart leaped. It might not be good. Jak probably didn't make it in time! He wasn't fast enough in contacting the Underground. He wasn't fast enough killing the Metal heads. He wasn't fast enough to stop that black Metal Head...
"You got here just in time" the doctor told the three worried faces, "Despite the extent of the injury his artery was slightly nipped causing heavy blood loss. Luckily the whole artery wasn't punctured or his blood loss would have been significant and he would have died. He's in a serious but stable condition with a few stitches and is having a blood transfusion"
The three faces sighed in relief. Kiera hugged her father in relief. Daxter saw the Doctor's face was still in a grim expression.
"Is there something else?" Daxter asked
The doctor looked at the little Ottsel and nodded, "I'm afraid so. We found traces of an unknown venom running in his blood stream"
Thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire.
"What?" Kiera gasped her celebration was cut short
The doctor cleared his throat nervously. "It seems he has been poisoned by... a Metal Head" the doctor continued
"Is that... possible?" Samos asked his eye brows rising
"Well no" the doctor said at last, "Not nowadays anyway. When Mar ruled this City there was a certain type of Metal Head that were poisonous and deadly. Even back then they were considered a myth, even though there was evidence of people dieing from the poison"
"So your saying Jak got poisoned by a mythical Metal Head?" Daxter blinked
"It would seem that way" the doctor said grimly
"Are you sure?" Samos asked
"We have previous records on the behaviors and the composition of the venom. It seems this venom has the same characteristics" the doctor confirmed
"Is there a cure?" Kiera asked
"Not a known one. There are several treatments but we have no record of any available cure" the doctor said sadly
"So Jak is going to..." Kiera trailed afraid to say what everyone knew out loud
"I'm afraid so" the doctor nodded closing his eyes
Silence followed. Daxter sat down and sighed. After all he and Jak had been through together, he was going to die by the hands of a mythical Metal Head venom! They dodged bullets, they survived the most gruesome of situations! Hell they took on the Baron and won! Now it seemed Jak, the legendary Dark Eco monster that could kill a whole legion of Krimson Guard and still come clean on top, was dying.
"I'm sorry. You may go and see him if you like" the Doctor sighed and walked away
The trio stood in silence and watched the Doctor's retreating back.
"Well. We might as well go and see him" Samos put in some sense
They all walked in silence to the directed ward. Doctors and nurses rushed passed in the sanitized off white halls. Voices on the P.A system blared across the building as other treated patients and their families walked past without glancing at them. Finally they reached the room and in one of the occupied beds was their man.
Kiera immediately tore from her father to Jak's sleeping form. Daxter saw all the machines and tubes that were attached to him, including the bag that held blood. It shone a bright red when the sunlight filtered through it. Daxter climbed up and stood on the side of the bed. He saw Jak's face pale. He looked calm and peaceful. Daxter never thought he'll ever see Jak's face like that.
Kiera tenderly stroked Jak's forehead, whispering some comfort. Daxter saw the tears that were forming behind those green eyes. Samos stood contently at the foot of Jak's bed as if a father watched over his son. Suddenly the Shadow appeared at the entrance. He quietly walked in and stood beside his older self.
"I came as quickly as I could. How is he?"
"He's dying" Samos said grimly
"How?" younger Samos asked
"He got poisoned by a Metal Head"
"A Metal Head? But there hasn't been a poisonous Metal Head in years!"
"It seems they're still around"
"Do they have the cure?"
"No"
"Then we must act quickly. If this goes on Jak will suffer greatly" young Samon said sternly
"Excuse me?" Daxter frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that the Metal Head poison paralyzes the victim and then slowly eat away at the internal organs. The venom cannot be flushed out by the kidneys and its immune to antibiotics and other treatments they had for it" the Shadow explained
"No I mean by 'the cure'?" Daxter corrected after the wrong information was given
"Oh, well there is a cure for it" the Shadow replied, "But to retrieve the main ingredient will be difficult"
"The doctor said that there was no cure for this!" Daxter complained
"He did? Well that is strange. During the reign of Mar many were treated with this cure" younger Samos frowned
"Really? He told us that that there was some treatments but no cure" Samos informed
"Then we should confront this doctor. There is no way they can't have all this not on record" the Shadow snapped
"What about the cure?" Kiera asked, "Do you know how to get it?"
Younger Samos nodded, "A plan is needed here. I can assemble a team from the Underground to go north to the mountains to retrieve the Jolba plant and bring it back to Onin. She's made the cure before"
"I'll bet" Daxter agreed with a little sarcasm
"While we can investigate what's going on. It's strange that they don't have the cure on record" the Shadow continued
"Do you know how long Jak has?" Samos asked
"Ten days minimum. From then on its irreversible. The damage to his insides would be too extensive and the cure can't reverse the effects" the Shadow replied
"Funny. I should of remember all this" Samos sighed
"Memory loss comes with old age, grandpa green" Daxter quipped
Samos glared at Daxter. Daxter gave a cheeky grin.
Go to chapter 2
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