This story takes place in between Jak2 and Jak3 so if some things don't seem right that's why.

Also! I am currently in the process of rewriting chapters. This will probably take some time and I wanted to give a warning as to why the writing style might seem different in later chapters.

Thank you for your time,

please enjoy!

Addiction

Chapter 1

I sat in place panting as I stared down at my hands. It had taken control again. There was no fighting it anymore. The dark eco… it was addicting. There would never be another who would understand this feeling; not even Daxter. That knowledge made me somewhat grateful that he hadn't been here. When the dark eco took over it was as if a surge of power was pulsing through the body. The possibilities were endless. I remember hating Baron Praxis for doing this to me. Now… the only thing about it that I hated was that I had to fight against myself.

The dark eco could do so many things to a person; killing them being of the highest probability. What it had done to me though, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the feeling of power – the superiority – and when the dark eco desired to take control I would let it.

"I really am a dark eco freak…" I said lowly, resting my face in my palms.

It had happened so suddenly. As I had left to go to the Pumping Station I had heard about some Metal Heads and thought it would be best to make sure everything had been alright. It hadn't been. Once I had arrived there had to be at least fifteen of them standing there waiting. It only took one of them to attack for the dark eco to start to transform me. I let it willingly. I had no reason to fight it if there was no one here that could be put into danger because of it.

As I fought I knew that using Dark Bomb would revert me back to my normal self so I fought with just my claws. I wanted to stay that way for as long as possible; almost wishing that the transformation could be permanent.

'I can't… It's not right…'

I knew that becoming this creature wasn't right. It wasn't right to enjoy the flow and the feeling of the dark eco; to crave it as I did. At the same time though, it wasn't fair that I had to fight against myself and my own desires.

As each of the Metal Heads fell, I absorbed their dark eco; went to it willingly. To feel it become absorbed within me was almost like a sense of relief. It was pleasurable. I hadn't wanted to change back to normal, but I had done it all the same. Lifting my head, I continued to stare down at my hands.

'In the beginning this had all seemed to simple,' I thought as my brows pushed together, 'When Daxter and I had found that dark eco in the ocean and Daxter became an ottsel we knew that it was bad. Dark eco was something evil.'

I sighed and tiredly looked up at the sky. Of course the dark eco was bad and that was why we had been told to never touch it.

"It's a part of me now," I murmured, closing my dark blue orbs.

I couldn't deny this part of me and I hated fighting against it.


Returning to the Naughty Ottsel, I walked in on Daxter sitting on the counter with a full glass. I inwardly laughed and shook my head. Of course he would be drinking. It reminded me of a time when Daxter had rummaged through all of Krew's alcohol and drank to the point of falling over.

"You look like a mess Jak," the ottsel stated, staring at me intently, "What the heck happened out there?"

"Just a bunch of Metal Heads," I said, shrugging, "Nothing I couldn't handle."

I had been constantly pushing my problem away; trying to make it seem like there was nothing wrong. I didn't need anyone to worry about what was happening, especially Daxter or Keira. They were happy as they were without the weight of my problems.

"Don't worry about it Dax," I assured him, giving a small smile.

"If you say so…"

'Daxter doesn't really notice, but I know that Keira is starting to.'

My eyes narrowed with that thought. She didn't need to know. I could do this on my own.

"So how many of them were there Jak? Did you kick tail?" Daxter asked with a wide grin.

"Just a few," I explained, pulling up a stool, "They were just destroying things as usual."

Turning away Daxter laughed, obviously thinking how he could change the story to his liking.

'Good ol' Dax.'

I never minded it when Daxter changed the reality of the things that happened. It took the glory off of me. I wasn't a hero, no matter how much everyone wanted me to be.

"Are you listening Jak?" Daxter's voice breaking me out of thought.

"Oh, sorry Dax," I apologized.

"Never mind, you've been thinking too much lately! Stop thinking about Keira and wake up!"

"What were you saying?"

"I was wondering what I should get Tess. It's our anniversary soon and I have no idea what to get her…" he explained, looking back at me sheepishly.

"I couldn't tell you. I've never really been one for romance…"

'Yeah, killing Metal Heads is more your style.'

"Crap," the ottsel muttered, starting to pace the counter.

I watched him for a few moments before shaking my head. Sometimes I didn't understand what the little guy was thinking.

"Oh I know!" he said triumphantly, "I can ask Keira!"

"I don't know Dax, Keira and Tess are a little different," I said, an unsure expression on my face.

It was true. Keira liked cars and building technology. I didn't know what Tess liked.

"Stop kidding around and let's go ask her!" Daxter said excitedly as he ran and jumped onto my shoulder.

'This should be interesting.'

Hopping on the jet board, we made our way toward the garage. Daxter was mostly quiet which was surprising. He usually had something to say or discuss or story to tell.

'He must be thinking really hard about what to get Tess. He's hardly ever this quiet.'

I glanced around the surroundings and smirked when I found something to jump off of. Bending my knees, I prepared to push off the ground to get more air.

"Woo hoo!" I laughed as we got air; causing Daxter to jump.

"What'd you do that for?" the ottsel asked me with agitation.

"Aw come on Dax, you like hitting jumps," I said as I looked back at him, "Besides, why don't you just get her flowers?"

"You don't know the woman mind Jak," he stated with doubt in his tone, "When they think anniversary, they think something special. Not flowers."

"Whatever you say," I mused.

The things that Daxter did amused me. They usually made me laugh, if only a little. I knew that there were times where I thought that he was a little weird – sometimes crazy – but that was what made Daxter who he was. He was a little crazy and in some way we all were. Keira was crazy about cars and racing. The old man was just crazy. I was addicted to dark eco. Daxter just had moments where he freaked out about the danger and Metal Heads. It was a relaxing thought that we were all the same in some way.

We had arrived at the garage sooner that I thought we would. There had been less people out on the streets this morning than there usually had been. I could hear the drill going and I had to assume that she was working on something worth looking at. It usually was.

"Hey Keira," I greeted, pushing the cloth out of the way as we walked in.

I was right. She was working on something worth looking at.

"Hey Jak," she greeted with a smile as she put down her drill, "Hey Daxter."

"Keira," Daxter cried as he jumped off my shoulder and onto her project, "You're a girl."

"Yeah, thanks for noticing Dax," she said sarcastically, "Took you long enough."

"Let me finish!" he protested, throwing his arms into the air, "It's mine and Tess' anniversary soon and I don't know what to get her… Can you help me?"

I laughed inwardly at his plea. It was amusing to see him beg. It almost made him look like a real animal other than in appearance.

My blue orbs caught Keira laugh and shake her head as well.

"Why don't you just get her some flowers instead of something complicated?" she asked with a raised brow.

Daxter's jaw dropped at her words. Was it really hard to believe that sometimes people could use some flowers; especially in a place such as Haven city?

"Why do you two think that she would only like some flowers?" the ottsel questioned with disbelief.

"Because it's just an anniversary," both Keira and I stated at the same time.

I watched as Daxter scowled and crossed his arms, apparently hitting a road block in his planning.

"Wooing a girl with flowers is a natural think Daxter," Keira assured him with a small smile, "Almost every guy does it."

'I guess even Keira enjoys the thought of flowers every once in a while,' I thought with amusement, 'If only things were truly that simple. If there was nothing but purity and flowers and no dark eco… then maybe things would be better for everyone.'

I walked forward and my eyes glanced over Keira's new project. Whatever she was building, it looked like it would ride and fast.

"So what have you guys been up to lately?" she questioned.

We hadn't been around often and I knew that I was trying to tell myself that I was protecting her this way; that the distance between the two of us would be safer.

"Nothing much, just kicking Metal Head butt!" Daxter said proudly as he punched and kicked the air.

Keira laughed at his response, "Is that all you two ever do?"

"Seems that way," I murmured lowly.

"You guys never seem to do anything for yourselves anymore," she continued, "Oh I know! Why don't we all go for a picnic at the forest in a few days?"

"...A picnic? What about joyriding or having a day at the beach?" Daxter asked with some excitement, his hands pretending to drive.

"For one we don't have a beach to swim at," Keira said plainly, "And you two always go joyriding throughout the city. Why not do something different for a change?"

My expression became solemn at the mention of a picnic. A picnic was a peaceful thing and it was the same as that forest. Peaceful didn't seem like something someone like me should have.

"A picnic is peaceful Dax," I stated, crossing my arms.

'I would like to go on a picnic… just for the chance to be fully at peace instead of having to fight against myself…' I wanted to flinch at the thought. I was tired of fighting against it. I desired to become it. It was wrong in many ways but I couldn't stop myself from wanting it. My gaze met with Keira's and she was still smiling pleasantly.

'I wonder if she's come to terms on how she feels about what I become...'

"What do you think Jak?" she asked; her eyes full of excitement.

"I think it would be a good idea," I nodded in agreement.

"Alright then it's settled," she agreed, "In a few days I'll meet you guys up by the old tree and I'll bring my father. We'll have fun like we used to."

I couldn't remember the last time that I had been on a picnic. It had either been a long time or it had never happened. Nothing seemed pure anymore. Even my memories felt tainted.

'Dark eco…' I thought as my gaze fell to the floor.

"Hey Keira, the Naughty Ottsel is closed for the day," Daxter stated, his fingers pushing together, "Would it be alright if I stayed and watched you work?"

"Yeah sure, go right ahead," she mused as she grabbed her wrench, "How would you like to help me out Daxter?"

"Would I!" the ottsel cried as he took the wrench from her.

A small smile made its way to my face as I watched the two of them work. I couldn't wait to see Daxter do something and hurt himself as he usually did.

'I think I'll take a nap,' I thought as I turned and jumped onto a stack of metal crates, 'It's nice to lie down once in a while.'

As I closed my eyes and started to become comfortable, I felt it. I could feel the pulsing of the dark eco within me.

'Damn it… not here…' I thought with furrowed brows.

It wanted to come again; to take control. Why was it happening so soon? I rolled onto my side and clutched at my chest. Keira and Daxter didn't need to see what might happen. I could feel myself slipping in and out of the change. I winced as my claws began to grow and my teeth were clenching tightly.

'No! Not here!' I told myself, gripping tighter onto my shirt.

"Hey Jak buddy, you okay?" Daxter wondered; his tone concerned.

Damn it, they were watching.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine Dax," I replied through gritted teeth.

"Are you sure?" Keira's voice cut in.

I inwardly cursed at myself. The last thing I needed was for her to see me change. I knew that she hated this part of me; that I was a monster made of dark eco.

'I need an excuse to leave. I can't let them see this happen.'

A noise came from my pocket and the floating speaker appeared before be.

"Jak this is no time for lying down," Torn's voice said through the speaker, "There's a bunch of Metal Heads trying to make their way into the city. The Underground isn't sure on what they're looking for, so you better get out there and get busy."

"I'm all over it," I grunted as I sat up unsteadily.

Wincing, I jumped down and made my way for the door.

"Where are you going Jak?" Daxter wondered with some panic.

'He's probably just worried that he'll have to come with me…'

"Don't worry about it Dax," I tried to assure him, "I'll be back later so stay here and help Keira with her racer."

I made my way out into the alleyway and into the streets of Haven city. I made my way through the crowds of people, pushing them to the side to get them to move. I was still fighting against myself; trying to stay in control. It needed to be kept away from the people.

'Please just wait until I get somewhere out of sight,' I nearly begged myself, 'I have no intention of hurting innocent people.'

"Hey, watch it!" one man hissed as I pushed him to the side.

"Keep it to your self," I said coldly, making my way through the crowd.

The speaker floated up beside me as I tried to run as quickly as I could in my state.

"Jak, the Metal Heads are in the forest. You have to stop them and quick!" Samos urged from the other side, "Please be careful Jak. Ever since the Baron and Kor were killed both you and the Metal Heads have been acting strangely. I think it's from all the dark eco lying around."

At the mention of dark eco there was another surge the pulsed through me and the inner struggle started anew. I knew that I would lose and soon. It was because I needed the change; I needed the dark eco.

"Dark eco freak," Erol's voice came to mind.

I winced and my brows furrowed at the memory of his voice. Even though he was dead there were still things about him that haunted my mind. I knew what I felt wasn't fear. It was the lingering sense of his torturing when I had been the Baron's prisoner that stung within me. Praxis was right. I should have been dead with all the dark eco that had been pumped into my veins.

"Damn it," I hissed, clutching at my head.

'Can't… do it anymore…'

My skin paled as black claws pushed through my fingers.

'I thought the Oracle was supposed to help me control it. I don't understand why I can't.'

My light hair turned wild as I gave into my addiction and let it fully take its control; blue orbs darkening into pools of darkness. I let myself go and lost myself within the dark.


I lay there with my eyes closed on the grass; panting tiredly. From the moment I had changed everything had become a blur. I remembered the people's screams and a brief moment of fighting against the Metal Heads… but how had I made it to the forest?

"I don't… understand…" I murmured, my brows pushing together.

Everything was a mess within my head. I knew that everything that had happened was there, but I couldn't keep track of it. It was getting worse. The longer that I stayed in that form, the more I didn't seem to be aware of.

'What did Samos mean when he said that both the Metal Heads and I had been acting strangely? I know that I've been keeping to myself lately… but is that the only thing that's changed?'

As I looked back, everything that had happened since I had defeated the Baron and Kor was all just a blur. The changes had started to happen more frequently and I wasn't afraid of losing myself to it. I wanted to be that dark creature. I enjoyed the feeling of it greatly. The power and the improbable capabilities were amazing to me… but were they the only things that the dark eco had been changing? Was there more?

A cool breeze washed over my face from the closed area of the forest. It was cool and gentle.

'I think it's night already,' I thought tiredly, not opening my eyes, 'What had I done besides destroy the Metal Heads?'

Lying as I was on the damp grass was peaceful. For the first time in a long time I almost felt normal.

"Normal doesn't exist here," I murmured to myself, slowly opening my eyes.

I could feel something landing on me from the sky; falling lightly and it was soft. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could see the small pieces falling from the trees and following the breeze over me. I pushed myself up with curiosity and I could feel them shaking from the strain of my own weight.

"I did something, didn't I?" I questioned, my brows furrowing.

I wasn't pleased with how blurred together the whole thing was. I hated how vivid my memories of my time spent in the Baron's prison were. The memories and feeling of being tortured were still as clear as though they had happened yesterday. Yet something that had just happened less than an hour ago I couldn't recall at all. This change… what was it doing to me?

As the sky started to brighten with the rising sun, I could see what was falling more clearly. Both of my arms gave out and I was forced to lie back down and stare up at the sky.

'Flowers,' I smiled at the irony, 'Daxter should give flowers to Tess… and I should be shut away from everyone else…'

I watched the flower petals fall and float through the breeze. They were a peaceful sight and were something that a dark creature like me shouldn't deserve to witness.

"...What should I do?"

End of Chapter