Handsome Jack: The Hero?

[Mad King Kevin]

Chapter 1: Welcome to Pandora

It was hard to breathe, I couldn't even open both my eyes. I tried to settle for one and blearily glanced down at myself to see my clothes covered in blood, most of it wasn't even mine. I felt a weight at my side and saw the body of a beautiful woman. She was caked in blood.

I don't- I don't remember what happened.

Did I do this?

Panic starts to set in, and if I wasn't struggling to breath, I'd probably be hyperventilating. Calm down. Calm down! I just gotta think, what happened?!

I look at my hands, and while they're bloody, they're unarmed. I couldn't have killed her. The thought almost brought me relief. Until it didn't.

Because if I didn't do this, who did?

The sobbing answered my question.

I looked up to see a young girl, she didn't even look ten years old. Angel, her name pops into my mind. How did I know that? How do I know her? I've never seen her before in my life. But she seems so familiar.

"Angel." I coughed out, trying to remember.

Her head shot up, and she gazed at me with frantic eyes. "Daddy?" She whispered. I tried to move, to tell her it was gonna be alright, but my body disagreed. I groaned in pain, and she jumped to her feet.

"Daddy!" She screamed, rushing towards me, and wrapping me tight in her arms, as far as they could reach anyway. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Daddy?

"It's okay." I soothe her, almost by reflex. "It's not your fault. It's gonna be okay."

She keeps apologizing desperately, crying into my blood-soaked shirt. "I was scared. I just wanted to go home!"

"We will." I told her breathlessly, fighting to remain conscious. "I promise. Everything's going to be alright." I smiled at her, trying to lift her spirits.

She still cries, but I think I could hear some choked sobs of relief now. I think. I guess it is kind of hard to tell the difference. Crying pretty much sounds the same however you do it. That and I'm definitely losing consciousness.

"Daddy?" Angel shakes me, looking worried.

I look up at her big, teary eyes, and before I pass out, I say the most important thing that I could have. "You're gonna have to call the hospital sweetie."

And then I fainted.

Heroically.

...​

'I gotta get away from there more often.' I thought to myself, coming home from another "Day in Paradise" from Hyperion.

I hate that place, but what am I gonna do? Quit? I got a family to look after. Plus, the pay is pretty great. Not that it's the main reason! Just a nice side benefit.

Besides, at least I get to come home from that Hellhole, to actual paradise.

"Captain Bear, who is a bear, he is a bear, Captain Bear." I heard Angel singing from behind the front door and smiled softly.

Who'd have thought? Me, of all people, a dad.

Good thing she took after her mother, she wouldn't be nearly as cute if she took after me.

"Hey Angel." I greeted her warmly, grinning down at her, and her toy bear. That's new. "And who is this guy?"

"Captain Bear!" She cheered, holding it tightly. "He eats crime." She added, like it was obvious.

I, of course, played along. "Well, he must eat a lot with that big belly, huh?" I asked her teasingly. A strange blue pattern on her left arm caught my eye, and my concern. "Angel, darling, what's uh, what's that on your arm?" I try to ask her nonchalantly. "Did you do that?"

"Blue!" She told me happily, while shrugging. "I don't know where it came from. Do you think it's pretty?" She asked me hopefully.

Oh no… "Yeah, sweetheart. It's… it's real pretty." I answer her cautiously. "Hey, uh honey?!" I call for my wife, as calmly but as urgently as I can. "Can you get in here for a minute?"

The memory's fading, but I can still feel the anxiety.

...​

"Stupid… goddamn… piece of crap asshole!" I screamed under my breath. Venting all of my frustration on the poor, broken, vending machine.

This wasn't good. Angel wasn't good!

Where did I go wrong?! How could this have happened? There are only six sirens alive at any moment in time. Why did one of them have to be my little girl? I fought back tears as the reality of the situation started to sink in.

"What's a "asshole"?"

Crap! I turned around abruptly, to see Angel waiting behind me. "Oh, Angel! Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I didn't see you standing there." I could see her face scrunch up in confusion, and I realized what she just asked. "Uh- don't say any of those words that daddy said, okay?"

"Okay." She answered unphased. "Is the machine broken?" She asked, turning her gaze to the current source of my ire.

"Yeah. Looks like no candy for us." I muttered angrily. "Hey- why don't you go back to the waiting room with mommy, darling? The doctor's gonna be here any minute, okay?" Not sure how much help he can actually be. But at this point, I'd try voodoo.

"I think I can fix it." She told me uncertainly, but happy to try.

Angel waved her left arm, and her tattoos glowed. Then everything in the vending machine dropped out. No. No! "What…!" I choked, overwhelmed by shock. "... the hell did you just do?" I finished in panic.

"What's wrong, daddy?" She asked me, in worry and fear, and just a hint of sadness.

It's hard to remember what I said, what I did, but I remember the look on her face. I remember the terror I felt at that moment. But I wasn't afraid of her. I was afraid for her.

I knew what was coming.

...​

"Mommy! Daddy! Help!" Angel screamed in terror, tears running down her face. Fighting desperately against the bandit who held her.

"Look, you filthy bandit!" I shouted in anger. Calm down Jack, you need to be calm, you need to be strong for them. "Just- give us back our daughter, okay?" I asked in barely concealed rage.

"Are you kidding?" The large, disgusting bandit scoffed obnoxiously. "She's a freaking Siren. I'm gonna be a trillionaire! You and your wife get out of here before I sick my turret on you. Forget the kid, go make another one!"

Forget Tassiter, forget Grandma, I have never wanted to kill someone before so much as I did right now.

"No!" Angel cried. "I wanna go home!"

The bandit didn't like that. "Shut up, kid or I'll...!" He paused as Angel began to subconsciously use her powers on his turret. "Hey, what the…?" He backed up in fear as Angel lost control.

"I! WANNA! GO! HOME!" She screamed in anger, fear, and desperation. The turret obliged her. The bandit was ripped apart by his own turret. But it didn't stop there.

"Honey! Get down!" I yelled in worry, trying to pull my wife out of the line of fire.

But…

It was too late.

I did everything I could to save her, I tried to shield her with my own body, but she was just... gone… Angel killed them.

And as I looked down at my battered body, I realized she might have killed me too. I couldn't breathe, couldn't move, I couldn't even open both of my eyes.

All I remember was hearing Angel painted breath, as she looked at what she had done. "...Mommy? Daddy?"

And then… Well…. I remember what happened after that.

But that name… Why did I call myself "Jack"?

...​

Breath, just breath. I opened my eyes, thank God I can see out of both of them now. And then I look around.

I'm in a hospital room, laying down in a bed I'm sure they designed to be uncomfortable. I can see Angel sleeping in a chair, all curled up. She's… my daughter.

I'm her father, Jack.

I'm Jack.

I know where I've seen this before! This is Borderlands! I'm in Borderlands! And I'm Handsome Jack… the bad guy.

Well that killed my good mood.

Too bad, I needed that, what with being in the hospital and all. Actually, speaking of, how bad was I hurt? My arms and legs feel fine, so I'm not crippled. Cool. My chest is still a bit sore, but I'm not bleeding out. That's a plus.

And my face… I hesitantly reach a hand to touch it, and yep… sure enough, that's not skin. I'm wearing the friggin mask, aren't I?

Honestly, that doesn't make any sense at all, Handsome Jack didn't wear the mask until Lilith "jacked" up his face. My face. Yup, that's uh- that's gonna take some getting used to. This has not been a good day.

I guess Angel probably heard me groaning because she's stirring awake. I see her eyes flutter open, before hazily looking at me. She saw me looking back, and instantly woke up. "Daddy?" She asked hopefully.

I smiled at her. "Hey kiddo." I said a bit raspy, guess my throat's a little dry.

Angel got teary eyes, full of joy, and rushed over to me. "You're okay!" She sounded so happy… if she knew who I really was… no. It doesn't matter, I'm Jack now.

"Yup, I'm just peachy." I tell her, trying to hide my sarcasm. I grabbed her shoulders and looked her over. "How about you, darling? Are you okay?"

She sniffed. "No." She rubbed her eyes and looked into mine. "Daddy, I'm so so-"

"Don't be." I told her, pulling her in for a hug. "It wasn't your fault, I know you'd never hurt us like that."

"But Mommy's-"

"Mommy's gone." I cut her off. "But she's in a better place, and I promise you, she doesn't blame you either."

Angel continued to cry into my arms a bit longer, before pulling back. She raised her hand and touched my mask. "I did this." She said, heartbroken.

"You couldn't control your powers." I consoled her. "You were afraid, and they acted out."

"But what if I-" She started meekly. "What if I lose control again?"

"You won't." I answer her gently. "We're gonna figure out how to use your powers, okay? Together."

"Okay." She lowers her hand.

I grab it firmly and give her the best smile I can. "Now give it to me straight Doc." I told her jokingly. "Am I still handsome?"

She giggled. "You never were."

"Oh, no!" I gasped in mock horror. "Can this day get any worse?!"

"Yes, sir." Angel answered solemnly, betrayed by her smile.

"What's that Doctor?"

"Well Mr. Dad." Angel replied in her best "Doctor" voice. Ha, she thinks my name is dad. "I'm afraid you're dying, and you don't have much time."

"How awful! How long do I have?"

"Ten." She answered, trying to hide her smile.

"Ten what? Months, weeks, days?" I asked her playfully.

"Ten... nine… eight... seven-" Angel counted down, only to be interrupted by me tickling her. "Daddy!" She exclaimed joyfully. "Stop!"

"If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!" I announced while laughing, as she tried to tickle me back. "Easy, kiddo, I'm the one in the hospital."

She didn't seem to mind, she was pretty relentless. "It stops when you give up!" She jokingly threatened.

I just chuckled and raised my hands. "Okay, okay. I surrender, sweetie." I smile down at her for a moment. "Hey, why don't you get the nurse so I can pay the bill and we can leave this joint."

"Okay, daddy." She was about to leave, but she stopped to give me a tight hug. "I love you."

"I love you too, Angel." I told her sincerely. "Don't worry, alright? Everything is gonna be fine."

...​

Everything is gonna be fine.

Her dad said so, so it's gotta be true. He wouldn't lie to her. Angel didn't have any doubts about that. But she was still pretty worried.

She was scared.

But not as much as she was when- when her mom died. She couldn't control her powers, she couldn't herself. And her mom died because of it, and her dad…

Angel loved him, and she was so glad he was still alive. But he seemed… different. A good difference. Not counting the mask… at least he didn't seem too worried about it.

Maybe she's overthinking it.

Her dad was okay, at least he was okay as he could be. And he didn't blame her for what happened. Not that it stopped her from blaming herself. Every time she looks at him from now on, at his face… at the mask of his face, she's going to remember what she'd done.

It was still so much better than it could have been. For a moment there, a very scary moment, she was worried that she killed them both. That the two people she loved most in the world were gone because of her.

Angel really missed her mom.

She couldn't believe that she was really gone. It all happened so fast.

At least she still had her dad. And he was right, they're going to figure out how to control her powers. They had too.

...​

Author's Note: Semi Important, read if you want.

I'm already about forty-nine chapters ahead on Fanfiction.Net and SpaceBattles with this fic, and another five on Patreon. I'm only going to be posting one chapter a day on this site, until it's caught up with the others, so, if you want to catch up, feel free to check it out over there. Oh! And if you wanted to support me on Patreon, please do! Here's the link:

My Patreon

 

[deadreeper]

Glad you posted here as it reminded me of this story I stopped reading a long time ago when I got to the last ch at that time and forgot about it after waiting for bunch of new ch.

 

[Despacitoleo]

yay borderlands fanfic

 

[Mad King Kevin]

Chapter 2 Get to Know Jack

Heterochromia.

It's the technical term for having two different eye colors. It had something to do with genetics, but I didn't pay that much attention in class. It's what Jack- what I have. Or had, I guess. Doc said the shrapnel took out my original eye, so they hooked me up with an Echo eye.

These Echo products, pretty nifty. They're virtually the high-tech Apple products of the galaxy, or android or whatever you crazy kids are using nowadays. Not Samsung though, never Samsung.

Anyways, the new eye is still pretty cool, they even made it the same color. They also issued me the mask of my own face. And let me tell you, it is as iconic as it is ridiculous.

I'm still not sure why the original Jack wore it, he could have easily gotten plastic surgery. Instead he had a mask that looked and acted just like his face, stapled to his face. Of course, now that I'm wearing it, I kind of get it.

It is super comfy.

'Didn't stop it from looking a little off though.' I reflected to myself, as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

Of course, the mask wasn't the only strange thing about today's attire. The black suit, the tie, the flowers. Well, that means I'm either going to a wedding or a funeral.

"Dad?" Angel called softly, down the hall.

I'll give you a hint, it's not a wedding.

I sighed to myself, as I straightened my tie, and picked up the flowers. "Yeah, sweetie?"

"When does the funeral start?" She asked, despondent.

"A couple of hours." I told her carefully, trying to see if I could make this… any of this easier for her. "We won't miss it." I said firmly.

"Okay." She seems to hesitate, before asking me carefully. "How long do I have to wear this?"

I know she didn't mean that little black dress, though I could tell she was practically squirming in it. She was looking at her left arm, her seemingly unmarked left arm.

"Angel," I start gently. "We talked about this…"

A couple of days after we left the hospital, I got the bright idea to cover up her tattoos. Of course, I first thought of doing it by making her wear a jacket, or long sleeve clothes everywhere, which wasn't my brightest idea.

Mainly because we live on Edan 5, which was primarily a garden world- err moon, whatever. Either way it's practically just a mildly warm and a little bit breezy kind of environment on an orb floating in space. It's also not really a place for coats.

Thankfully, I remembered a trick that an old friend showed me. He was going to an interview, and had to cover up his tats, they were not classy. So, he used this alcohol activated makeup, it's water resistant so you'd need a special product to get it off.

So, a bit of concealer here, some dabbing there, and presto! One completely normal looking little girl that is most definitely not a Siren.

It can't actually stop her powers, but at least now she won't be kidnapped on site.

Baby steps.

I just wish Angel agreed. "I like my tattoos." She complained. Looking a little pouty, in that adorable way all grumpy kids seemed to manage.

I just grinned and reached a hand down to mess up her hair. "C'mon kiddo, it's not so bad. When you're older, you'll want to use makeup all the time." I mocked, trying to switch topics subtly.

"Dad!" Angel screamed annoyed. But at least I got her to smile.

"I'm serious." I added, holding back a laugh. "Soon enough, you'll be spending your college tuition on designer clothes, and expensive lotions and shampoos you could've gotten at the Dollar Store."

"Stop." She demands, while giggling.

"Okay, darling." I "reluctantly" tell her. Crisis averted. "You ready? We should probably head out soon, don't want to miss our flight."

"Ready." Angel answered immediately.

Oh really?

"Are you sure?" I asked her half teasingly, half serious.

"Yes."

"Are you sure, you're sure?" I checked again.

"Yes." She answered a bit annoyed.

"Okaayy." I drawled. "Let's go-"

"Wait!" Angel interrupts, before rushing back to her room.

Kids.

She comes back about two minutes later, looking a little flustered, but satisfied. "Ready." She repeats, a bit more genuinely this time.

I bent down and gave a light, but enthusiastic punch to her shoulder. "That's my girl!" I cheered. Getting one last smile out of her. "Now come on, we really don't want to miss this."

Yeah… that flight I'm talking about, it's not a plane. It's a ship, a spaceship. I'm going to friggin space! For a funeral for my dead wife…

Man, it is just so easy to kill the mood, right?

Whatever, I'm still pretty excited! How many people can say they've been to space! Well, like besides from the people here. Nevermind, this is gonna be great. Really great, it's all just so great.

...​

'This isn't as great as I thought it'd be.' I thought to myself, moodily.

Did I say moodily? I meant something cool like, broodingly, and enraged, or… yeah, okay. I'm moody. You happy? Great, cause I'm not.

Forget what I said, it doesn't matter if your flight is on a plane, a spaceship, or the stairway to heaven. Having so many other people to deal with and talk to just really kills the amazement. This was supposed to be fun for me.

They murdered my fun.

It will be avenged… or not. I'm not actually Handsome Jack. There's a difference between justified and petty. Although, if I'm being honest…

I'm starting to remember more.

Hell, I'm feeling more, thinking more. Jack's thoughts, his memories, his brain,that stuff's catching up. Nothing uber important yet, just the basic stuff you know.

His birthday, Angel's birthday, how to code the crap out of Hyperion's network, my grandma drowning my kitten after I forgot to clean my bed... Those last two weren't very basic, huh. Whoops!

I might be catching his personality too… nah. I've always been a bit of an asshole, but at least I'm funny about it! Then again, so was Jack…

Well, at least I haven't killed a lot of people for no reason! Not being a mass murderer is one of my greatest qualities! My mom would be sooo proud.

Anyways, that's enough introspection crap, for now. Let's talk more about this flight, yeah?

We're going to Edan 6! One of the other floating orbs going around Edan, wish is technically a gas giant and not a planet. So, I'm not even sure if Edan 5 or Edan 6 are technically moons. Which by the way, what creative names, am I right people?

Man, the writers were lazy.

Unless this is a legitimate theme, though, that makes me wonder if this is like an actual rule. Because if it was, shouldn't Pandora's moon have been called Pandora 2 or something?

These are questions that will never be answered. But will continue to be asked.

Speaking of questions that haven't been answered, I should probably mention why we're going to Edan 6. As you know, it's for a funeral, specifically my wife's funeral.

Elizabeth Jakobs.

Exactly what it sounds like, and that kind of shocked me too. Also, for the record, she was the Jakobs. Not me. I'm still just Handsome Jack, let's try not to make it any crazier than that.

Anyways, she had a bit of a falling out with her family. But in the event that she died, which she did, she wanted to be buried on her home world. So, that is where Angel and I are headed.

Not really sure how I'm supposed to feel about any of this. A part of me is hurt, probably the part of me that's still Jack. But my only memory of Elizabeth, is trying to protect her from a hail of bullets with my face. And failing.

Maybe I could try to shed a couple of tears, for Angel's sake.

...​

I couldn't think.

I was one of the smartest people alive. I was the brightest mind in all of Hyperion. I was- I was the best dad ever, according to the mug, Angel made for me.

But for all of that, I couldn't think, I couldn't do anything.

I couldn't figure a way out of this. I couldn't take away her powers. I couldn't help my daughter.

I've never felt so useless in my entire life.

In the end all I could do was sit on my bed and try to fight back my tears. It was hopeless, there was nothing I could do. Nothing.

"Jack." My wife called to me softly, gently rubbing my shoulders from behind me. "It's okay."

"No, Liz." I try to pull away, but she holds me firmly. "None of this is okay."

"It will be." She soothes me. "I know how hard this is for you. You're a fixer, Jack. When you see something wrong you always try to make it right."

"How am I supposed to make this right?" I scoffed.

"You can start by checking on Angel." Elizabeth suggested smoothly.

I try to argue. "I told you! I don't know anything about Sirens-"

"She's more than just a Siren, Jack." Elizabeth interrupts me. "She's your daughter, and right now she needs you." I could feel her shifting off the bed, as she grabbed my chin, and turned me to face her.

She was as beautiful as the day I met her, those clear gray eyes, that pearl smile. Well, she's frowning right now, but I know it's there.

I sigh to myself, before looking back at her. "You're right."

"I'm always right." She corrected, with a small smile.

Turns out her smile was infectious. "I know." I got up and made for the door. "I'll go talk to her."

Before I made it too far, she grabbed my hand. "Jack, I mean it." She told me sincerely. "It's going to be okay, you'll figure something out. And tomorrow, we'll go out for a walk in the park. Just like always."

"With ice cream?" I ask cheekily.

Elizabeth chuckled. "With ice cream." She nodded in confirmation.

I bent down and kissed her. "Sound like a plan, hun."

"And Jack?"

"Yeah Liz?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

I remember how happy I was that night because she was there with me. Because she could find something completely hopeless and turn it around. She might've called me a fixer, but she was the real healer.

The next night we all went to the park. Me, her, and Angel, we had a great time, had some laughs, got some ice cream… and then she was killed. Because I couldn't save her.

Maybe she was wrong. I can't seem to fix anything.

Dad. "Dad. Dad!"

"Ah!" I startled awake, panting slightly. I could feel someone nudging me and turned to my left. "Angel, sorry about that, you uh, you okay?"

Angel looked a little guilty. "Yeah dad. We're almost there, thought you should know."

"Cool." I said after a moment. "That's great, let's get ready to bounce."

"Okay." Angel hesitated a bit. "Are you okay, dad?"

"Of course, darling." I rub my eyes a bit. "Just a little tired."

Angel doesn't seem to buy it, though she doesn't push it any further. Something I'm glad for. I apparently found another good use for this mask.

They're pretty good at hiding tears.

...​

"Jack." Montgomery Jakobs greeted me briefly, probably feeling as awkward as I did.

"Hey, Monty." I reply, as I mentioned, awkwardly.

I think I mentioned it before, but I'll say it again. Elizabeth and her family were a bit estranged. I don't really know how or why, I never- that's to say, Jack never asked. He didn't want to bring up any touchy subjects. Which, on that note. Guess who's memories finally cracked their way into my skull.

"You look… different." Montgomery noted, escorting me and Angel to the Wake.

"Yeah." I said deadpanned. "New hairstyle."

"I uh, meant-"

"I know what you meant." I cut him off, the mask was a little off putting, but not as bad as what's under it. But yeah, thanks Monty. I try to ease the tension and suddenly for the first time ever, jokes don't help.

The CEO of the Jakobs family, everyone. It's a bunch of low-tech weapon crap, but it'll kill things good and dead. In fact, I think that's their slogan. Not mine though.

Hyperion for life.

"So, this is Angel?" Christ, this guy would just not- wait. Perfect.

"Yeah!" I answer enthusiastically. "Hey Angel, this is your Grandpa, come say hi." I order her, as is my fatherly right.

She kind of peeps her head out from around my leg. "Hi." She greeted quietly. Angel, you are disappointing me. I need you as a buffer between me and awkward small talk!

"Well hello there, darling." Grandpa Jakobs, the futuristic Colonel of KFC, fortunately doesn't seem to mind. "You know, your momma told me all about you."

Doubt it.

But Angel seems to buy it, she tentatively goes around my leg, and strikes up a conversation with Colonel Buy More Guns. SCORE!

I knew having kids would pay off one day!

… I just didn't think it would be by distracting my father-in-law so I could avoid making awkward small talk at my wife's funeral. But you know what they say… life's full of surprises…

I need a drink.

...​

Montgomery Jakobs wasn't quite sure what to make of Jack.

He was every bit the ass he imagined him to be, but at least the man had a sense of humor. At first glance, Montgomery wasn't sure what his daughter could've seen in him. Of course, at first glance, all he really noticed was the mask.

The mask he apparently wore because his face was horrifically scared after he tried to save Elizabeth. So maybe he judged him too soon, and a little harshly.

Jack was good to that daughter of his too. Almost reminded Montgomery of himself and Elizabeth, in what feels like a lifetime ago now. Except, he always had Maggie's help, and he still messed it up.

Oh, Elizabeth.

He didn't know where he went wrong with her. Of all the regrets he had in his long life, never getting the chance to apologize, to tell her he loved her one last time. That was his biggest and deepest regret.

It wasn't too late to make things right though.

He had a granddaughter, Elizabeth's girl.

Angel and boy did she live up to her name.

He couldn't do anything for Elizabeth now, much as he wished he could. But he could be there for Angel now, and as long as he can.

That's what the Jakobs family is all about. That's what life's all about. Doing what you can for the people you love, in the time you have left.

...​

A/N: Semi-important to not at all, read at your own risk

Not going to lie, I'm pretty flattered by all the attention. Hope you all enjoyed today's chapter! If you want to read up to chapter thirty-six, please free to catch up on FFN, where I have the story posted with the same title and username. If you want to read up to five chapters after that, feel free to check out my Patreon, with the link below:

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P.S.

Sorry for the late update. My wi-fi was not my friend today.