I Need A Hero
A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero will save me
Just in time
"We're in the future, Dax…"
This…place is home? This hell hole?!
And here I was thinking there was someway back. That maybe we're in the wrong place. But never had it crossed my mind that we were…in the wrong time!
My brow furrowed the tinist bit. I spared a glance at Daxter who for once had nothing to say.
He met my gaze from the perch on my shoulder. My eyes said everything I couldn't put into words.
"This horrible place is…our world…" It came out as a whisper as I turned my head away. I couldn't look at his eyes, full of more emotion than he ever showed.
I thought I could get away someday. From all the nightmares. From this nightmare of a city!
Too many bad memories. All the good were being poisoned.
The Dark place in my head whispered to me.
You'll never escape me. This nightmare will never make way for a dream.
I could feel my fists tighten and my teeth clench.
This was when Dax seemed to snap out of it.
"So we gonna look inside or what?"
I said nothing and started climbing the steps. Once through the arch of the door Dax hopped off my shoulder.
"I spent many-a-day cleaning up this place for Old Green and look at it! All gone to waste." He swiped a paw across the dust covered floor.
I didn't respond. Instead I looked around, seeing the pots that used to thrive with plants now nothing but empty shells of what used to be alive.
A sudden thump had me turning around to see Daxter sprawled out on the floor.
"Ow!" He was glaring at a hole in the floor boards.
Something about that…
I knelt down next to it and yanked up the board. I looked inside, immediately recognizing the box. Placing it on the floor, Daxter bounced up.
"Hey this is that box we hid before we went through that damn portal!"
I lifted the lid, not saying a word. I felt as if I was too tainted to touch any of this. This was all…too innocent.
Attached to a long woven string was a shark tooth. Dax always used to tell stories about how he wrestled that shark with his bare hands to make me that. I never told him that I saw him looking along the shores of the beach for hours that day. He had gotten so sun burnt I laughed every time I looked at him for a week.
Dax picked something up, but his paws being so tiny, he expectantly dropped it. I heard the distinct noise of a release of pressure as whatever had rolled across the floor opened. I looked over to see a light shining and something being projected into the air like a screen.
"Whoa! I don't remember this!"
"Me neither…" I said quietly with what even to me sounded surprisingly like awe.
We both looked closer to see what seemed to be playing like a movie.
"Is that…?" Daxter's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "That's us!" I watched and listened, remembering this day. It was strange looking at myself at only the age of eight, the blonde in my hair barely visible. Same with Dax, his hair shockingly red.
"Sheesh! Those crabs have quite the claws! I swear one of 'em took a chunk outta my butt!" He was rubbing the aforementioned area as if that would relieve the pain.
I sat in the sand, eyes on the water.
"Hey, Jakkie-boy? Anyone in there?" He waved a hand in front of my face.
I looked to him.
I wondered now what I had been thinking about. And I suppose back then Dax wondered the same because he asked, in his slightly more high-pitched voice, what was on my mind.
I shrugged and Dax sat next to me. It was silent for a few moments, something rare with him.
"Do you ever think about your parents?" Even now it was a shocking question but back then I didn't even know how to respond.
Dax was staring at the water lapping against his bare feet but I felt he had been seeing something else entirely.
He looked to me after a moment, eyes locked on mine.
I shrugged but he could see from my eyes that I didn't even remember them. For all my life I was raised by my uncle and Samos. I had been told that my parents died out traveling one day. Stupid me thought maybe they were out there alive somewhere. Guess I would never find out.
"Well I remember mine. And sometimes I wish I didn't. Not that they weren't good parents, don't get me wrong. But remembering sometimes just isn't worth it. God I don't even know how I ended up here…" By the end he had sounded dejected and looked back to the ocean.
My hand went to his shoulder and he wiped at his freckled cheeks with a sleeve. I squeezed gently and he smiled, knowing I meant I'd always be there.
"Well boy that crab being a pain in the ass got me hungry. You up for some lunch?" He stood, back to his normal self, except for deep in his eyes where the pain hadn't fully receded.
I glanced over at him now, his body may have been different but those eyes were the same, except now the pain had resurfaced. His ears were drooping and his tail sat lifeless on the floor.
"Hey…" I began but didn't know where to go from there. Dax was right when he said I didn't have a way with words.
"Don't worry about me, big guy." He forced a smile and I shut the device, setting it aside.
I pet the fur between his ears and he couldn't help but perk up a bit.
"So what else is in here?"
I looked back over to the box I had forgotten about for a moment.
A few pictures, browned at the edges from time, sat on top of a pair of clothes.
"Oh yeah! These were in case I got changed back 'cuz the Green Fuzz threw out all my other clothes! You know 'cuz he's a tightwad like that." He was pulling them on, everything drooping around his small frame.
I laughed. "You look ridiculous."
He ignored me. "Mm…Precursors, how I wish I could be in that body again…"
The familiar whir and whoosh of the mechanism from before was heard and a white light shot out from its seems, blasting Daxter so hard he hit the wall. I shielded my eyes with my hand and took it down once it dulled.
I looked to Dax and started to move toward him. Then I froze.
I blinked hard and before I could say anything he spoke.
"Jak, quit lookin' at me like I have two heads will ya?!"
My eyes grew wider and my jaw dropped.
"Jak! What are you-" He froze when he saw his hands.
The biggest smile I had seen in a long time came across his face. He still had buck-teeth, but they fit a little better now. His freckled face, dimples, even his mess of fiery hair, held back by goggles; all there! Lanky build, feet a little too big for his body, along with his ears.
"Holy crap! I can't believe that actually worked! I should wish more often!" He jumped up and, not used to this body after over two years in the form of an ottsel, stumbled a little and steadying himself with the wall.
I was speechless.
"Dax…" I managed, disbelief coloring my tone.
"No need to say it! I'm gorgeous, I know!" He flashed me a cocky smile and I couldn't help but smile back.
"Let's grab this box o'stuff and high tail it outta here in case the Precursors decide to take back their gift."
I had barely managed to put all the items in my bag before I was dragged out.
Daxter's chatter flew over my head as we made our way out of Dead Town and back to the city.
He was back. Not that it wasn't great but…how would I protect him now? He'd need to learn to fend for himself in case something happened.
First thing tomorrow, gun course training.
Before I knew it we were in front of the Hip Hog and Daxter went waltzing in like he owned the place.
Tess looked up and caught my eye.
"Jak! But…where's my Daxie-poo?" She looked around for the ottsel.
"Right here, sweet cheeks!" He swept a hand through the air, presenting himself.
Tess's gaze drifted back to me and I responded with a nod and a sheepish grin.
She gasped, a hand going to her mouth.
"Didn't believe me, baby? I told you I used to be like everyone else!"
She squealed and hugged him tightly, and from the look on his face, he enjoyed the view more than ever.
I turned as I heard the door slide open.
"What's got her so excited?" Torn's rough voice sounded from the doorway.
"Daxter's got a new look." I turned back to them.
"Uh…have you been spending too much time in the sewers? Those fumes can mess with you, 'cuz that's not your 'buddy'." He came to a stop next to me and I met his gaze.
"That scrawny kid is the rat?" He didn't wait for a response. "Hm…makes sense I guess." He sat down at the bar.
I took a seat next to him and watched him pour some liquor from a bottle into a freshly wiped glass.
I spun the stool around until my back was against the counter and my elbows on the surface.
Torn sat hunched over his glass.
"You better not let this distract you 'cuz we need you to win this war,"
"No pressure," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"I'm serious." He took a swig of his drunk,
I looked to him. "Why would this distract me?" I cocked one eyebrow.
Torn grunted. "Never mind." He downed his shot and stood up. "Be sure to get back to the hideout asap. I've got a full day planned for tomorrow." And with that he left.
I looked back to Daxter and rose with a sigh. Time to break up the party.
"Time to go, Dax."
"Aww…okay. See you later, sweet cheeks."
The air outside the bar was thick with smog. The air felt heavy and I looked up to the sky to see rain clouds. It always rained in Haven, rarely did in Sandover. I suppose it has to match the mood of the place.
"You seem quieter than usual, big guy. You alright?"
I was so used to the sound coming from right by my ear that for a moment I didn't react. And by then he was standing in front of me, almost at eye level-that would take some getting used to.
I nearly collided with him before bringing myself to a halt.
I shook my head to clear it.
"Yeah, Dax. I'm fine."
His brow puckered the tiniest bit and I smiled to ease it. I put an arm around his shoulder, walking again.
"Seriously, don't worry about me." I gave a gentle squeeze and he smiled.
"Alright, buddy. Man! I can't wait to see the look on Old Green's face when we finally find him!" He spread his arms out wide, hitting me in the chest. A small smile still played on my lips as I watched him. Without thinking I reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Hey! I'm not an animal anymore!"
I chuckled.
"It'll be priceless, Jakkie-boy, priceless I tell ya." Daxter clasped his hands behind his head, returning to his earlier thoughts. "Damn," he yawned. "All this excitement has got me wiped. And sheesh! You gotta walk so much in this city!" he continued to complain as I walked over to a zoomer on the side of the road.
I hopped on and revved the engine which caused Dax to stop his rant and look over.
"Oh yeah! My feet thank you, Jak." He hopped on behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
I shivered and told myself it was the cold.
I felt the first drops of rain as I sped across the lake in front of the bar. And by the time we were back at the hideout we were soaked.
"Shit! We must look like drowned rats!" Daxter exclaimed, shaking himself off, highly resembling the way he would when he was still an ottsel. "Pun intended." He smirked.
We got to the bottom of the steps and once the door opened, Torn was immediately behind it.
"The Shadow has decided it's time to meet you."
"Why is that place in the old ruins so important to you?" I countered.
"There's a powerful energy force at the old house. The Metal Heads are drawn to it." Was his short reply.
I saw Daxter try and peek around Torn to get a look at this so-called Shadow.
"No kidding? We used to know the guy that lived there…" I trailed off as I saw Daxter's expression.
"So, you're the new recruits who keep getting into trouble," sounded an all too familiar voice.
"Oh no, not you!" Daxter exclaimed, throwing his hand up in the air.
But the man continued on, as if Daxter had never spoken. "Welcome to our humble Underground movement. I am known as the Shadow, but you may call me Samos. And you are?"
Dax turned to me. "Sheesh Jak, we went through all that to meet his holiness, ol' log on the head, grandpa green?!" His arms were thrust wildly in Samos' direction.
I chose to ignore Daxter too, and looked to the Shadow. "Don't you know who we are?"
He looked utterly confused. "Sorry kid... never seen you before... and I never forget a face... especially one that ugly." He pointed to Daxter.
"So it begins…" Dax sighed.
"How is this possible? We came through the rift with you... into the future...right?" I was looking to Samos desperately. He had to remember who we are.
"Yeah!" Daxter exclaimed. "You used to look older than dirt and uglier than a knotted stump. What gives? Did you get a little nip and tuck while we were gone?"
I put a hand to my forehead and I could see the rage growing in Torn's face.
Samos sighed. "Listen boys, I don't know what kind of twigs you've been chewing on, but I don't have time for this. We've got a Baron to overthrow, a child heir to protect, an invasion of Metal Heads to stop, and a city to save. I'd say the schedule's pretty full! Besides, I haven't gone through any rifts. I hate teleporting!"
"Sure sounds like the ol' Samos," Dax mumbled.
He continued without acknowledging him. "Tomorrow I'm going to need you to go to Haven Forest and root out a few Metal Heads. That forest is my source of power, but I can't protect it much longer. Chase down and destroy all the Metal Head scouts you find there. Good luck... and welcome to the fight!" He smiled.
Too many changes for one day.
"Yeah…" I sighed. "C'mon, Dax."
"What the hell is going on in this place!" he said as we made our way to the back rooms.
I shrugged and Torn glowered after us.
The room we generally slept in wasn't too much of a space, but considering Daxter generally either talked in his sleep or just plain talked too much, being out in the main room wasn't an option. But this way worked better anyway because sleep was not my best friend and I was visited by nightmares almost every night. Emotion wasn't something I wanted splayed out for all the members of the Underground to see. And those nightmares were definitely something that brought those out.
After those two years in prison…things changed. As if that weren't already obvious enough. I turned into a monster. And sometimes I still believe I am a monster.
Daxter wouldn't hear it though. He would curl up next to me, wrapping his tail around my neck, letting me know he was there and he wasn't afraid. That made everything bearable. It made everything kind of…okay.
"Oh boy! Guess who's getting the top bunk!"
I went over to the rickety old dresser, and conveniently all of my stuff fit into a single drawer. I pulled out an old shirt and threw it at Daxter and it landed over his face.
"Well thank you," he said sarcastically and pulled it off.
"Well you have to sleep in something. With that and your underwear you're all set," I told him, pulling off my own pants and tunic, hanging them over the edge of the dresser to dry.
"And you think I can't sleep in boxers like you, handsome?"
I laughed. "Did you want to?"
He was silent for a moment. "No."
"Didn't think so." I smirked and went to put on some dry boxers and I could have sworn I saw Daxter blush. But he turned away fast and started taking off his own wet clothes until he was left in a dripping pair of boxers.
"Really? You're gonna wear my underwear too? I didn't know this was what best friends did," I said, turning back to the drawer and pulling out a pair for him. I handed them over and grabbed his wet clothes, hanging them over the opposite side of the dresser.
I turned back to see him wearing what I had given him, his hair making little dark spots on the blue shirt from his wet hair. I grabbed a towel and placed it on his head so you could just barely see his eyes. But he didn't move, so I started rubbing at it to try and dry his hair.
That's when he seemed to snap out of it and pulled the towel off, shaking out his hair all over me.
"Thaaanks…" I smiled a little and took off my goggles, toweling off my own hair. "Very mature of you."
"I am the center of all maturity, Jak-meister, and the sooner you understand the obvious the better." He gave me that cocky smirk, his teeth poking out the tiniest bit. And then he climbed the creaky ladder up onto the top bunk.
"Ahhh….my own bed…" He stretched out. "Yet…sadly it's a little cramped up here… oh well." He shrugged, pulling the blanket up, yawning. "Night, Jak…"
"Night, buddy…" I switched off the light and laid down, staring at the splintering wood above me.
Darkness.
Something that was all too familiar.
Author's Note: The note worked better down here as to not mess up the whole header thing. I just wanted to say I do not own Jak and Daxter, that belongs to Naughty Dog.
