A/N. Welcome to 'The Eco that binds us All', my first Jak fic. Rated PG-13 for mild language, violence, and crude humor (just to be on the safe side). Please review, was it good? Was it bad? How can I make it better? Tell me, so I can improve.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Jak series, if I did, Jak 4 would be in production and I probably wouldn't waste time on a fanfic.
"Ok everyone! The moment you've all been waiting for has arrived! My greatest triumph, finished! Come outside, and I'll show ya," a furry Ottsel, with pants, called from the bar table of The Naughty Ottsel. Everyone was hanging out together, even Torn who usually avoided the after parties. Sig was spinning a tale about being a wastelander to Samos and Pecker, Torn and Ashelin were talking about some business with the Crystal Guard, Jak and Keira were sitting at the bar table sipping on a few drinks, and Daxter sat with Tess on the bar table pouring a few glasses and flirting with each other, as usual.
"Oh come on Dax, not another one of your 'big surprises'. Last time you dragged us to your apartment to show us an artists painting of your ass, now what? Your spit ball collection?" Sig called from the entrance.
"We didn't need that comment Sig," Daxter shot back as he walked out the door.
The group slowly emerged from their spots and walked outside with Daxter. The crisp moonlight and the light breeze made the night a peaceful one, and the lack of metal heads and the KG made it even more peaceful.
The group came out onto the walkway and spun around to look at the area above the entrance of their favorite bar. Now instead of one, head blown off Ottsel, there were two Ottsels that looked almost exactly like Daxter and Tess. The two Ottsels were embraced and bright neon letters below it read, 'The Lovestruck Ottsel'. The group was flabbergasted.
"Uh, Dax?" Jak said quietly.
"Isn't it great?!? Made it myself. What do you think baby?" Daxter said proudly, with a wide smile, looking at his girlfriend.
"Oh Daxter, I love it!!! And I love you," Tess responded excitedly hugging Daxter.
"I knew you would, so what do you guys think of it?" Daxter called out while returning her hug.
"Well I think I speak for everyone when I say," Samos started.
"That this new display," Keira added.
"Is," Jak continued
"Kind of," Torn said.
"Stupid." Pecker responded coldly.
Daxter let go of Tess and stood there, his mouth in a gaping stance, looking at everyone coldly.
"You guys don't like it? How can you not like it? It's my finest work of art. That head needed fixing and I thought I'd make something new." Daxter sighed, "Well, ok, I'll take it down tomorrow, hey guys, I'm going home. Thanks for the party, but I need to be alone a little while," Daxter told them in a depressed kind of tone, he walked toward his 'specially made' zoomer and took a seat. In a second or two, he was gone.
"Well lets head inside, and get some more drinks going," Ashelin said walking toward, 'The Lovestruck Ottsel'. Everyone else agreed and headed back except for Jak and Tess.
"Is he ok Tess?" Jak told her in a concerned tone.
"I hope so Jak. I haven't seen him like this before, all depressed and all, maybe you should go talk to him." Tess said looking up at Jak.
"Me? Why me?"
"Because, A. You're his best friend. B. I don't know have his room card," Tess told him, "Well I better go back inside and serve drinks, good luck with him Jak."
Jak nodded and walked slowly to his zoomer. He took a seat and started the engines. He pushed down on the acceleration pedal and zoomed towards Daxter's and his apartment.
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Daxter sat on his small bed, head hung down and feet dangling in the air. His eyes shown signs of light tearing and his face ached from frowning so much. A knock at the door pounded through his ears.
"If your Joe, Jak takes care of the bills," Daxter called wearily. A light beep was heard and the door opened. Jak stepped on to the plush, black carpeting and sat on his own bed that was next to Daxter's.
"No Dax, it's me Jak," he responded.
"If you're here to cheer me up, its too late, I already had to send out the fans that somehow got to Haven City after reading the first part of some story written by some weird guy," Daxter told Jak, still sounding depressed.
"Just tell me what's wrong Dax, last time we dissed your project you didn't act like this," Jak said sounding concerned.
"You wanna know Jak? Well duh that's why you came but seriously. You know I've been with you for three huge adventures, and a bunch of tiny ones in-between and you know, I've never done anything right. Sure I've done things half way right, a quarter of the way right, an eighth of the way right, but never one whole thing," Daxter sighed. "All my accomplishments have been, Jak and Daxter, never just Daxter. I'm not a hero, you are. I'm just a sidekick."
"You're going to save us all one day Daxter, one day," Jak got up from his bed, "You did do one whole thing right Dax, you became my friend."
Tess reentered the bar and hopped on top of the bar table. Keira sat there in one of the chairs looking up at Tess.
"Hey Tess, where did Jak go?" Keira asked.
"He went to talk to Daxter, can I get you anything?" Tess asked holding up a few bottles of multicolored liquids. "I highly recommend the Blue Moon Ale, it's freshly imported from the country."
"Sure, pour me a glass of that," Keira answered. She watched as Tess took a clean glass and poured the ale into it. She slid it towards Keira with a smile.
"So how's Jak been doing? I haven't seen him since tonight," Tess said casually as Keira started sipping her drink.
"How should I know? Well from what I've seen of him he's been alright, a little tired out after the whole dark makers attack but other than that normal," Keira answered.
"From what I've seen of you, you've seen a lot of him; you're always looking his way whenever he comes by. You like him don't you?" Tess said grinning.
Keira sighed, "Is it really that obvious?"
Tess nodded, "I'm afraid so Keira, but hey it's ok to fall in love. Look at me and Daxter, its common knowledge and we're not sore about it."
Keira looked at Tess with a knowing look, "I know its just…"
"Hey Tess, can you get us some water over here?" Torn yelled from the other side of the bar.
"Oh sorry Keira, duty calls," Tess told her and got back to work.
Inside the catacombs
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"My master, the machine has been hooked up to all major cities and landforms on the planet, the eco drain will begin in approximately three hours," a metal head with a scratchy voice said.
"Good, tell the other borrowing metal heads to start building the containment void, we're this much closer to gaining a power beyond the precursers!"