"So much focus on the egg- it is life, it is food, it is answers to a hunderd riddles- but look at the shell. The serects are writ on its dregs..."

Holly Black-Tithe
--------------------------------------

Millennium

Phase VII

"Out raced em!" Daxter laughed as Ella fell off the back of the zoomer, Jak laughed at her as he got off.

"Did I ever tell you I hated you, more then anything?"

"Yes," Daxter groaned glancing to Jak, and rolling his eyes. "and you hate dark eco, everthing esle in the world and life... right Michelle?"

"Call me Michelle one more time! I dare you!" Ella growled sitting up, Jak padded her head and walked away from her. Ella pushed herself up and followed Jak into the computer room buzzing with sounds of alarms and eco.

"Vin buddy, we need a favor." Jak said while smirking to Ella.

The smarty pants turned around while rumbing the back of his neck. "I-I can't help you with your eco bill."

"Oh don't worry, that's covered by my old job," Ella said glancing to Jak with a smirk, both the male's eyes narrowed on her. "they complain but... meh. What we really need is a way to get up the elevator."

"Sheesh!" Vin exclaimed, "That's part of the old B-Zone power grid. It hasn't worked for years!"

The males and the female glanced to each bofore smirking and moving around Vin. Ella pulled her up onto the control panel and smiled down at Vin.

"Haha! It's to hard for a nerd like you, maybe we'll go ask Kloud or how about-"

"Nerd? Kloud?!?! Hard?!?! Hmph!" Vin scoffed, rushing back over to his panel, "I could route the B-Zone conduit lines through the bypass grid, shunting past the eco rings to connect the inductor tubes in series, then back through the outer wall insulator helix and across the resonant flux routes into the number five capacitor array," Vin pushed a button and him and Ella went right up into the air and hoovered around with Ella screaming her head off. "Assuming the circuits in the GX75B can handle the surge, I could link the phase loop lines into the primary coils, and prestol" he landed in front of them with a BANG, Ella stood wobbling a bit. "you've got instant lift juice!"

"Vin," Jak grinned, "You're a genius!" Ella was about to say something but fell to the ground, dizy.

"Eh," Vin rubbed the back of his head again, "actually, Mar was the genius," he motioned around the room, "People say he made most of this stuff long ago- the shield wall system, the eco grid..." he trailed off, then snapped back to the present, waving his hands in front of him, Jak watched as Ella re stood fixing her hair and clothes.

"I slipped," She laughed nerouvsly.

"Anyway, to get that elevator moving, you gotta find and turn on all the old B-Zone power boxes located in the city. There are five of 'em!"

"That doesn't sound so tough!" Daxter grinned.

"No," Vin agreed, then began motioning wildly, "Except those power boxes are guarded by motion-sensing turbo cannons!"

"Lucky us..."

"But if you can destroy the cannons, and switch the boxes on, I can do the rest!" the three nodded to each other, heading for the doors, the technician shouting after them, "J-Just don't tell the baron I ever saw yah!"

Jak looked around before jumping on the zoomer, letting Ella get on frist. She sighed and laid on the front of the zoomer and gave a smile.

"I didn't expect this this place to be like Sandover Village, with lurkers running around and... the all-cute-as-a-snake-bite-and-loveable Samos the sage."

"But!" Daxter pipped as Jak jumped on the back of the zoomer behind Ella. "You bought him, with you." Ella glanced up as Deathen cried out and flew away from them.

"I told you, he will follow me until he dies..."

"Can I kill then?"

"Maybe, if you can catch him!"

XXXXXXX

"Stop and die!!!"

"I hate it when they say that..." Ella groaned jumping off the zoomer and rushing towards the last cannon. Ella jumped on top of it and Jak jumped on beside her, Jak took out the KG's that were coming towards her.

"Last and finally gun!" Daxter smirked as Ella slammed her foot down into the gun's firing piece. It broke and Jak put one arm around Ella before shooting down at the cannon with his blaster gun. Sparks flew from the thing as Daxter started chewing on his nails.

"I think it's time we jet!" Ella yelled as Jak jumped off the cannon pulling her off with him as the cannon truned into a ball of fire. Horrored cries of the Krizmon Grauds followed along with the fire.

G-good work!

Vin's voice came from Jaks comm. and floated around the two talking in the nervous voice that they were used to.

the B-Zone power is back online! G-Good luck with whatever it is you guys are planning!

"Thanks," Ella smirked nervously. "I think the Baron needs a wake up call."

"Nah, it's more like a swift kick in the-"

"Wow, wow!" Daxter laughed. "Keep it PG."

"Yeah, yeah whatever Dax..."

"Boyz..." Ella laughed running forward towards the palace elevator. Jak and Daxter followed her until they were infront of her, they turned slowly and saw Ella staring up at the palace.

"Michelle..." Jak whispered.

"I can't... too high..."

"It's not that high!" Daxter yelled jumping off of Jak's shoulder onto the ground. "Even though if you fall, you will die... and... I'm not sure I'm going up there..."

"Oh yes you are," Jak smirked opening the door and smiled at Ella. "both of you," Jak jumped forward grabbing Ella's arm, Ella grabbing Daxter. Jak pushed Ella in and jumped in and watched the doors close, Ella ran forward banging on the doors begging for them to open. She coughed a bit before slidding to the ground and looking to the ground. "Are you okay?"

"Dizy... think... I'm... gonna... chunder..."

"Chunder?"

"Vomit..." Ella and Daxer laughed together as she slowly stood. The elevator jerked to a stop and Ella jerked along with it. The doors opened and a gust of wind came in, blowing around the group.

"It's a sign!" Daxter yelled grabbing his heart.

"Shut up," Ella hissed inching forward as Jak stepped out easily, Ella fell to the ground and crawled across until she was at the egde of the platform. Jak glanced down at his female friend, he remembered how scared she was of heights and ecos but the thing that stayed in his mind the most and hoovered around everyday was...

"Can you see that Arua crap the Sages would never shut up about?" Ella glanced back up and smiled at him.

"Yup, well... er... um... sorta. Since we came here I've never seen any lately, but I've figured that maybe it's the shield Mar has up porecting the city as long as it's up... I won't freak out!" She stood and brushed herself off. "I just hope that everything is the same, like... Daxter is still Sunrise Orange, Keira Pond Green and me... still Greish Blue..."

"And me? You said something about me being blue or green..."

"Peacock Blue..." Ella smirked like she was remembering the old days, but then frowned. "But... if the sheild drops..." She looked back to Jak with sad eyes. "I don't wanna be around you any more." She pointed across the bridge of danger and smirked. "Time to go," Jak nodded before standing up, he thought of what she just said...

'I DON'T WANNA BE AROUND YOU ANY MORE...'

Jak jumped onto the platform before leaping over the blue coils that truned on every second, Ella was already on the other side waiting for him. He made his way across it without an trouble, Ella glanced down at the next the trouble. Two rows of red coils zoomed back and forth, Jak knew that he couldn't get across without getting hurt.

"Down there," Jak pointed jumping down with Ella right by his side, then yelped when the platform gave at the weight. Jak and Ella landed on the steady platform, they glanced back as it flipped back up. Jak went frist on poles that hung randomly on one side, Ella went next holding on tight and landly next to Jak a little wobbly. Pulling themsevles up and ducking back down again when a gun was truned on and started shooting at the trio. Ella's ears lowered and she smirked, when it suddenly began to rain. Jak pulled himself up and ran from one side to another shooting at the gun, Ella pulled herself up and ran over to him.

"You're bleeding..." Ella said in a low voice. Jak glanced to his arm and saw that apart of his should was truning red slowly.

"It's nothing big..." Jak said moving forward jumping over coils that had eco flowing through them. Ella landed hard on the ground and smirked.

"Ahh! Rain, kickin' the Baron's ass and..." She trailed off as she saw Jak crawl up to a window, Ella bent down too when she saw Errol and the Baron talking. A glowing head popped up and began to talk with annoyance in his voice.

"I've told you, I'll have more eco by week's end," the Baron growled, "We'll transport it directly to your nest, as promised."

"A deal is of no value if you can't deliver, my dear Baron," the Metal Head Leader's voice turned impatient and into the deadly tone Maia once used, "I grow impatient with your puny gestures. Give me the agreed upon eco soon, or the deal is off, and your precious city will pay the price!"

The creatures head disappeared, Errol growling and whirling on the Baron, "He's toying with us! Let me lead an assault on the Nest before it's too late! I can take him!"

"Patience, commander," the Baron stared out the window, raising a hand to the metal half of his head then became strong again. "No one has ever penetrated the Metal Head nest, you know that. I've seen what comes of such foolish plans," he paused, then turned back to Errol, "No! Strength is their weakness... we play helpless, train them to eat from our hands, and then..." his voice grew louder, "Move forward with the plan! Tell Ashelin and Anemone to up their patrols. I want that tomb found!"

"But your daughter has not been..." Errol paused looking for the right word. "Agreeable."

"Aggg, I'll see to that problem," the Baron muttered, "one way or another."

"Ashelin is the Baron's daughter?" Jak whispered in surprise, glancing to Ella, but she was watching Errol instead.

"And find that child! If you'd spend half as much time looking for that little brat as you spend flirting with that mechanic girl, we would have pinned his royal ass to a wall long ago!"

Daxter rubbed his nose, feeling it itch.

"As you wish," Errol began, Daxter beginning to take varied breaths, on the edge of sneezing. Jak moved to grab him, but pulled back when he seemed to be fine, "With enough persuasion, I'm sure our spy will-" the ottsel let out a loud sneeze, Jak grabbed Daxter, then Ella and rolled to one side.Daxter laid sandwhiched between Ella and Jak. "What was that?!"

When everything seemed to be fine, Jak looked down at the still staring Ella. She was watching the window like it was her life, Jak shot Daxter a look as he smiled moving away from the death glare he got from Jak. Ella moved back to the window a bit as Jak walked away as Daxter said sorry over a million times.

"What about Anemone?" The Baron asked glancing out the window. "Do you know where she is?"

"No, but... she couldn't be far."

"Right, send out a search for her! NOW! I want her found!" The Baron began to leave and walk up a pair of steps.

"Don't worry Baron," Errol said smirking and walking up to the window. "I'm looking for my Snow White Queen..." Ella touched her chest as she felt a cold wind brush over her very soul.

"So, we have a rat in the walls, do we?" Ella pushed off the window when she heard the sound of the Baron's voice and Errol glance up. "A rat and his keepers, it seems! Back for a few more Dark Eco treatments?! Well, allow me to put you all out of your misery!"

"Jak!" Ella screamed running up as a bulet was fired out at her.

"Michelle!" Jak yelled bolting forward but stopped when a fire of missiles where fired at him and Ella. "MICHELLE!" Jak and Daxter yelled together and watched a blue streak of light come out of the smoke and kick the Baron's mech. The Baron went back a bit glancing around at what hit him, Jak watched as the blue streak went ontop of the gate that blocked their way out.

"Michelle?" Jak asked walking forward a bit but stopped when the Baron came back.

"Do you ever learn?" He heard a voice that belonged to a male. The smoke began to clear as Jak looked up at the boy ontop of the gate, he had black boots that went up to the middle of his tigh. He also had a tunic on but it was black with red belts on the arms, his body was glowing with blue eco as he smiled down at Jak. "Dark Warrior project we finally met again, eh?"

"Who-"

"Jak! He's coming back!" Jak truned back to the Baron, the guy would have to wait. Jak pulled out his gun and started shooting at the Baron's mech, smoke began to rise from it as he dodge every one of the missles pointed at him and ingoring the random blue streaks that went by him. Finally the Baron's mech expolded, the Baron flew out smirking.

"The dark powers I have you can't protect you forever!" he shouted, flying off. "Since I made you, I can destroy you! We'll meet again soon!" he flew away down beside the palace, Jak moving to look over the edge.

"Yeah," Daxter said laughing. "Whatever!" The males started laughing but stopped when they rememebered something...

Michelle...

Jak bolted back through the gates to where the smoke was to see that the spot was bare, she wasn't there. Jak looked lefted and then right over the bridge to see if she was there, no luck.

"Michelle!?!?" Jak and Daxter called out fear hung in their voices.

"Young girl," Jak heard the voice again, he turned and saw the boy standing up on the gate again this time his hair was going back to it's color. "Don't cry..." the boy ran his finger along Ella's face as her body landed limp in his arms, blood ran down her arm and legs. "when you're world starts to fall..."

"Let her go!" Jak yelled the darkness in his body crawling up his troat. "NOW!!!"

"Hmp," the boy smirked. "not a chance in hell, I know you! You were the Dark Warrior Project, no way am I giving her back to you and your fuzy pet." The boy jumped off the gate and smiled. "but don't worry, I'll take care of her, she'll be fine..." a smirk grew across his face as Jak's and Daxter's eyes were set to death. "back in the hands of the KG,"

"I said-" Jak growled darkness coming out. " 'Let her go, now!!!' " The boy jumped back letting Ella slip out of his arms, and hitting the ground. The boy jumped back but was stopped by Jak, they both were tried from the battle but still attacked each other.

"What? You too weak to protect her?" The boy laughed as he jumped back to Ella. Jak jumped to her too as the boy tried to lift her up, the boy pulled his gun out and pointed it at Jak as he pulled Ella up. "Back up," he ordered, Jak backed up a bit as he shifted his weight on his feet. He smirked and began to laugh. "Ha! I win now that Baron will be proud of me!" He glanced down at Ella and smirked. "But my real prise would have to be... Anemone." Her head flew back as he shifted her body again, Jak looked at his leg and could see his weakness. Even though he was fast, the Baron still got him in his leg.

"Hmph," Jak chuckled glancing to Daxter, nodding. "We know, your weakness!" Jak smirked running forward and jumping away of the bulets that were fired at him. He grabbed Ella's wrist and pushed the boy away, Jak fell back on his but as Ella fell back on him. The boy fell back to like Jak was looking in a mirror.

"Bastard!" The boy yelled standing, his blondish blue hair falling infront of his face. "Give her back! Anemone can't go on with you, she'll die by the hands of the KG! They are out to get her, they know she's was a spy!"

"What?" Jak said as he felt Ella move.

"Kloud..." Ella's weak voice.

"Michelle!" Daxter yelled wrapping his arms around her neck. "YOU'RE ALIVE...!!!"

"Ella are you okay?" Jak asked.

"Why... did ... you... come and... find me...?"

"I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF! YOU WERE GONNA GET HURT, THE KG ARE PLANNING ON KILLING YOU SOON!"

"I can deal with it..." He moved forward a bit then stopped when Jak sent him a death glare.

"Um... Dark Eco Frea-"

"Jak." Ella, Jak and Daxter said at the same time. Kloud nodded and walked forward until he was infront of them, and bent down to them. He went into his pocket and pulled out a needle.

"When Anemone-"

"Michelle." Jak and Daxter said together.

"Ella." Ella grounded out shifting her weight trying to sit up.

"Right, Michelle... Jak... when Michelle gets sick, I mean fever and blood coming from her mouth give her this... it'll make her better!" Kloud put his head down, Jak looked closely and he could see new tears on the ground. "just take care of her, I'll be around if you need me... just... don't let her die!" Jak nodded smirking.

"I won't don't worry..." Jak pushed Ella up and Kloud grabbed her, Jak stood and Ella moved back to him. Jak looked down at Ella, she smiled at Kloud.

"Thank you, Kloud..."

"You are welcome..." He glanced to Jak and put out his hand. "I'm Kloud, I went to Eco Chaneling School with Michelle-"

"Ella."

"Ella, sorry, and we came top out of our class... I'm good at Blue Eco-"

"And I'm good at Red." Ella laughed standing up right. " Let's go find some health packs to take care our selfs..." Jak nodding looking back to Kloud.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the base, I'll tell them... um... er... I'll think of something on the way there." Kloud pushed a button as a hoover craft came up, Kloud jumped in and glanced to Jak again. "Maybe I'll tell them... the truth."

"Good luck with that," Ella snorted, going back to herself. Kloud nodded flying off, Jak looked back to Ella before Jak could say anything Daxter leaped to her shoulder.

"So was that the Kloud you were talking to before?"

"Yes."

"Is there anything you have to tell us?"

"No."

"Are we gonna see any lil Kloud/Michelle babies running around?"

"No frist- HEY! THAT'S SO GROSS! DAX YOU PIG!!!" Jak smirked walking ahead of them.

"Just like before..." Jak whispered to himself loading up his gun for when he needed them later.

TBC...


Paradise Eco

hey everyone! yes, yes, my A/N is at the bottom of the page today, no one freak out! hmm, i hope Holly Black's little saying made the phase more... cool... don't worry you'll get one of those little saying a couple more chapters in... anyways to my reviewer...

AlmostMedival- hides behind chair okay i'm sorry for not updating on cue but... hehe, i'll update on the weekend too! XD haha, is this dark enough for you? i had a good halloween how bout you??? oh yes my land mines are in the my computer too so try to get me!!! mwhuahahahahahaha!!!! lmfao XD thanx 4 the review!

u know u love me Paradise Eco.