Jak and Daxter: Scions

A post-Jak II fan fiction by Guardian of Tears

I originally started writing this on www.guardian-of-tears.deviantart.com, the website on which my artwork is stored. However, I decided to put it up here to see what all of you think of it. It's sort of J/OC (why sort of? You'll find out later), so if that's not your thing then I'm not making you read this. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Jak II, Haven City and all cannon characters are property of Naughty Dog, all original characters and locations are property of Guardian of Tears' twisted psyche, and thus belong to her, I'm not making any money from this.

Enjoy, and please comment if you can think of anyway I can improve this.

~Guardian of Tears and Brogan

Part One: Salt on Snow

Karka City

10 Years Ago

The snow fell from the sky, spinning, twisting, turning, tumbling through that sable night and onto the upturned faces of the people. It was the longest, darkest, coldest night of the year, the pinnacle upon which the wheel of the seasons turned towards warm spring and the promise of gentle summer.

The tiny white stars alighted on the faces of the people, and remained for a moment before the heat from their skin caused the delicate structure to melt away and lose its form. In the city state of Karka everybody was on the streets, from the oldest hag to the youngest babe, despite the winter chill.

It was a great annual celebration, saluting the dying year and welcoming the birth of the new, thanking the Lord of Winter for this time of regeneration and quiet beauty, praising his nobility in surrendering the world throne to the Summer King. It was a time of joy and the dark lanes and roads heaved with life. Music filled the air, emitting from the many countless instruments, their sound made all the more magical by the ringing out of laughter like the call of many silver bells. People dressed in all the colours of the rainbow danced and sang while weaving between the houses, clapping their hands, stamping their feet and tossing their heads. Everywhere was bathed in warm light from a thousand bonfires and torches. Doors opened out onto the parades, the warm smell of good hot home cooked food wafted through the air like the finest perfume. Over it all enough fireworks to destroy a small country burst and sparkled and exploded with showers of blue, green, red, gold, every colour you could think of.

Everywhere was full of warmth and light and joy and sound, but nowhere more so than in the Fountain Square, in the centre of which was the home of the ruling family, the Marble Tower. It was tradition that on high days the royal court dined on the great table of hewn alabaster set on the steps of the great tower, and this night was no exception. Lord Klan Saxon, Master of Karka City, sat at the head of the table, on either side of him sat his ten year old twin son and daughter. Another tradition was that all of the parades would pass this table, and receive the blessing from the Master and the promise of another year's protection. As the most recent parade left the presence of the Master he turned to his right.

'Daughter, You're countance is not as joyus as one would expect.' He said gently.

The girl sighed. 'Good Father, my Lord, ten winters have I seen this celebration, and after ten years it has grown tedious.'

Lord Klan sighed. He was a large man of proven valour; his size nineteen boot supported a frame of sturdy sinew and strong bone. Scars covered his body and his mane and bushy beard, both flame red, made him an imposing figure in his youth, yet now strands of silver were working their way through and he was tiring more easily. HIs daughter only made life harder; she did not fully understand how much the recent events had wounded his heart, as well as hers and her brother's.

'Sweet one, you were not so melancholy the winter last.'

'The winter last was but my ninth, not my tenth.'

'And we were a family then.' Klan said softly. The girl's head whipped round, dark chocolate eyes exactly like her father's narrowed.

'I will not have you speak of that woman to me.' She hissed. 'Alas that she is my mother, I would sooner a Metalworm to be my matron!'

'Father?' A young boy's voice questioned. Klan turned to his left, thank the gods for his son. The boy was the image of his father, his large dark eyes full of mischief. 'Our guest has left the table in a hurry; I fear he has sampled the Yakcow steak.'

Klan gave a short burst of laughter. 'I am sure he shall return lad, though it was uncurtious of him to leave so suddenly.' Klan gestured to the attendant. 'Bring some mulled wine to the table, the chill is-?'

A deep rumble from the earth was felt from beneath the feet of the city, barely audible in itself but not in the amount of sound it caused. Screams filled the air as people were knocked from their feet like skittles, drinks and food spilled from table tops and elderly masonry from the ancient architecture came crashing down around the partiers.

'My dress!' Klan's daughter shrieked. "Wine spilled on my new dress! Father it's ruined!'

'You!' Klan pointed towards a young guard with dark skin and a captain's insignia, ignoring his daughter. 'Go and establish if anyone was hurt.'

'Yes sire!' The captain turned to one of his men but before he could utter a single word the screaming hit a fever pitch. The son of Klan pointed to the sky.

'Father look!' A deeper shade in the night sky, heading steadily towards them, and enormous bloated shape flying on insect like wings, trailing after it like the tail of some unholy comet, thousands of darker, buzzing shapes.

'I know what that is.' Klan murmured in horror.

'Metalheads!?' The captain bellowed. 'How'd they get into the city!?'

'Captain, we've just received word that Ambassador Erol from Haven has sabotaged the Eco Grid!' One of the guards informed Klan.

'PARDON!?' The lord demanded.

'And Krimzon Guard transports have just landed outside the city, intelligence believes that they are working with the Metalworms.'

'It's just like Naur.' The captain said softly.

'Karka shall not fall like the city of your birth.' Klan told him. 'Captain Sig, please escort my children to a place of safety. Leave ten of you're best men with them and then return to me, we shall need every man of strong sinew in the approaching battle.'

'Yes sire.'

'Protect them with you're life.'

'Yes sire.'

Klan now turned to his children. 'You must go now with captain Sig and his men.' He told them. 'Stay close to them and do what he tells you.'

'Follow the orders of a lowly solider!? Never!' The girl snapped. 'I am a maid of high birth!'

'And maids of high birth are meek and dutiful and obey their father's commands.' Klan said testily. His daughter glared at him but said nothing.

'Father?' The little boy said fearfully. 'What shall you do?'

'Stay here and lead our defence.' Klan told him gently.

'But it will be dangerous-' Klan cut him off.

'I will come for you both once it is over.'

'But-'

'Have I ever broken a pledge to you or your sister? I will come for you. Now go with Sig and look after your sister, make sure nothing happens to her.'

The girl muttered something about not needing protecting.

'As you wish… my lord.'

'Good lad. Now all of you go!'

Klan watched his children leave, surrounded by guards, he knew he had to start organizing the defence of the city, yet he had the need to watch them until they had vanished from his sight. Lord Klan looked to the sky; he could see the wicked yellow light from the gems embedded in the heads of the foes.

'May the gods watch over you both, my children, be safe.'

~*~

Captain Sig blasted the last Metalhead into oblivion and gestured for the two royal children to follow him.

'You two okay?'

'Oh, I am perfectly fine, thank you so much for asking.' His female charge said sarcastically. Sig scowled, he had often privately thought that a good slap every now and then would have done the girl a world of good.

'Are there any more of those worms sir?' The boy asked.

'Don't look like it. Hurry up.' The small group now had to cross an open square, thought it looked empty Sig knew appearances could be deceptive, just to be on the safe side he pulled out a Dark Eco grenade and tossed it lightly into the centre of the square. It flashed on an off for about three seconds and then exploded in a burst of purple light.

'Okay kids, let's go!'

The group dashed out, Sig in the lead closely followed by his men, who had formed a tight circle around the children. They were about halfway through the square when disaster struck, a violet blast of light shot at them from above, striking the back of the group and killing all but Sig and the children. An enormous bulbous monster landed right in front of the trio and its evil yellow eyes locked onto the two small figures cowering just behind the captain.

'Now then, what are little children like yourselves doing out so late at night.' It inquired. 'Didn't your mummies and daddies tell you that it's… dangerous.'

The eyes of the two children were wide, their lips drawn back into grins of pure terror, their feet frozen to the floor. The boy reached out to take his twin's hand.

Sig swung his gun into position. 'No way in hell am I letting you anywhere near these kids!' He growled.

The creature laughed. 'Do you think that toy of yours can stop me, little boy?'

Sig's green eyes narrowed and fired a direct shot at the creatures face, hitting it right in the eye. It roared in pain.

'You'll pay for that boy!' It reared up onto its back legs and swiped the young guard to the side as easily as a kitten bats a ball of wool. Sig felt his body connect with the wall and heard something crack, the blinding pain he felt coursing through his body offered the distinct possibility that he had broken some bones. He tried to open his eyes but they were filled with blood. He heard the children screaming as he lost consciousness.

That sound haunted him for the rest of his long life.

'I only need one of you.' The creature said as he towered over the children. 'And the boy would be preferable.'

The children slowly began to back away, hand in head, their eyes never leaving the creature's face.

'Now, are you going to come quietly, like good children?'

'RUN!' The boy commanded. At the sound of her brother's voice the girl's feet, almost of their own accord, turned and fled.

'Looks like I'll have to separate you two.' The creature growled, aiming a beam of light at the children's heels. The blast caused the two small figures to fly through the air in opposite directions. The male landed at the entrance to an ally, the female was less fortunate, landing in the south-west corner of the square.

The monster lumbered over to her as she climbed slowly to her feet. 'The boy would have been preferable, but you'll do!' Fast as lightning one claw snapped out and grabbed the girl around the waist.

'KAI! HELP ME!' She screamed as the monster opened its wings and left the ground.

'FYRE!' Kai ran over to his sister but the Metal Head was already beyond his reach.

'KAI PLEASE!' His sister Fyre shrieked.

'NO! DON'T TAKE HER!'

Kai watched helplessly as the abomination flew into the night sky, carrying his only sibling screaming in terror to whatever dark fate he had install for her. The snow was falling faster than ever, covering the dead bodies around him in a sheet of pure white. The air stank of blood and sweat and in the darkness around him he could hear the screams of the doomed as the invaders feasted on their still living flesh. Behind him, from the darkness of the ally he could hear iron clad boots, the Krimzon Guard of Haven city, but none of this mattered any more, the boy sank to his knees and began to sob quietly to himself.

~*~

Haven City

Present Day

The city was in the midst's of a great celebration. Jak, hero of the people had returned from the Metal Head nest, dragging the severed head of the Metal Head leader as a grizzly trophy. The tyrannical Baron Praxis was dead and the people were calling for Jak, recently revealed to be the heir of Mar, to take his rightful place on the throne. They were all assembled outside the palace, chanting his name over and over again.

'It's you they want.' Ashelin told Jak with a smile.

Jak peered out at the assembled crowd. 'But what do they want me to do?' he protested. 'I don't know the first thing about running a city!'

'I don't think they really care.' Kiera said. 'You're the hero, they admire you.'

'Why don't ya let me talk to them?' Daxter asked helpfully. 'Explain to them that you'd be a worse ruler than Praxis.'

Jak glared at his friend but remained silent.

'What you'll need,' Samos said carefully, 'is an advisor, someone who knows about ruling already, has doubtlessly already been trained to rule. Someone, in fact, like Ashelin.' He slapped the former guard on the back.

'Who me?' Ashelin looked frankly terrified.

'Yeah!' Jak enthused. 'You'd be great at the job Ashelin.'

Ashelin stood blinking. 'But, I'm Praxis' daughter; I don't think the people will accept me.'

'They will if Jak tells them to, they're like sheep, blindly following orders.' Torn stated, smiling at Ashelin.

'Great, now, err, Governor Ashelin, your first task is to go out there with me and tell me what the hell I should say.' Jak said, grabbing her by the arm and leading her outside.

'Hey, wait! I didn't say-' But it was to late, the crowd erupted as Jak stepped out onto the balcony. He opened his mouth and began to speak as the crowd fell into a hush.

Atop a building towering over the crowd three figures stood watching, thought their appearances varied there was one similarity between them, their eyes were all covered.

'Who is he?' The only male in the group asked, he was tall and dark with a deep rumbling voice and his cropped hair was a shade of dark brown, like the trunk of an oak tree.

'Haven's new ruler apparently.' Drawled the woman who appeared to be the leader in a well bred voice, her waist length black to red hair was held back in a long plat.

'So he's the one we have to thank.' The man said nastily.

'Hush Heaven,' the woman said, 'we all know one of us would have slain Kor in the end, a shame I did not have the pleasure of watching his final moments myself.' She turned to the other female. 'What say you Ruby?'

'Ah say,' the once known as Ruby replied in a pleasantly accented voice, 'that if this here fella really is the heir of Mar like he's claimin' ta be, he might be useful ta us.' Ruby worn armour, well made but antique looking, at her waist were a pair of short swords and what hair escaped from the well fitted helmet was curled in thick ringlets and reddish brown in colour.

'Humph, not necessarily.' Heaven's lips curled back in disgust. 'Did you just hear? He's just named Praxis' daughter "Governor" of Haven.'

'Out with the old and in with the new eh?' The leader muttered ironically.

'So, whut is our plan then Rox?' Ruby asked.

'Our plan?' Ruby though for a moment. 'We have two main objectives. Now that Kor is no more we must find a cure, otherwise we shall suffer the same fate as Ivy.' They all bowed their heads in remembrance.

'And the second?' Heaven inquired.

'We are going to find my brother.'

'You're not still going on about that?' Heaven whined.

Before he had realised what was happening Heaven found himself lifted up by the collar of his shirt and dangled over the edge of the roof. Ruby gasped and covered her mouth but stood by helpless.

'It is a fifty foot drop.' Rox said pleasantly as his feet kicked out in protest. 'Do you still want to argue?'

'No! No Rox! Of-of course not!'

'Good.' Rox heaved Heaven back onto the surface of the roof and dropped him unceremoniously onto the stone.

'If anyone knows of a cure then the soothsayer Onin does.' Rox stated matter-of-factly. 'Kor often spoke of her. However, before we speak to her we shall go and have a look at the late Praxis' secret files for information.'

'How are we going to do that?' Heaven asked as Ruby helped him to his feet.

'Break into the palace, obviously.'

The crowd below them cheered as Jak (with some help from Ashelin) finished his first public address.

'Whut about them?' Ruby asked, gesturing to the platform where Jak and Ashelin were standing. 'She's hardly gonna to let us wander about the palace.'

'What about them?' Rox shrugged. 'If they stay out of our way we leave them alone.'

'And what if they don't?'

Rox spun round to face her two companions and pulled her goggles up onto her forehead. 'Then we deal with them.' She stated ominously as her yellow eyes burned like the gates of hell.