Is this any sooner updated? xD I try. Really, I do.

SO DID YOU GUYS HEAR that Nolan North, the guy who plays Nate in Uncharted, pretty much said there was going to be an Uncharted 3? I love Uncharted and all. But I was upset. Because Evan Wells promised me Jak PS3. Jerks. D:

Anyways, enjoy! This chapter, we go back in time!

The Wasteland was extremely windy, and as soon as he stepped out of the transport, Jak pulled his red scarf over his nose and mouth. He breathed normally through the billowing sand clouds, and he saw his friends a little outside Spargus's gates. He smiled to himself; almost home, almost there.

As he approached the Rift and its Rider, he saw the Rift was already up in the air and emitting a strange purple light. Keira turned to him, a green scarf covering her face, and Jak saw a smile reach her eyes. He knew she was thinking the same thing he was. He knew she was beyond excited to finally be seeing home again.

"Can you believe it?" she asked him eagerly. "We're almost home!"

Jak nodded, trying to smile back, but couldn't quite get it up over the sinking feeling he had. Suddenly, he was reminded of his original fear; the Metal Heads. He wasn't necessarily afraid of them, because he had fought so many before. But he was absolutely sure that the village folk wouldn't be able to handle such attacks. What would happen when they arrived? Would it be the same as when they left? "What did you plug in for the coordinates?"

"The exact second we left, right in the village," she said proudly, obviously admiring the fact that she was able to figure out how to program the Time Map. Jak was told that the Time Map was a gift from the Precursors. They hadn't directly given it to them, but Keira said she had woken up to work on the Rider and found it in place already. The only logical assumption Jak had was that the little ottsels had given it to her. "Hopefully we won't get caught up and separated like last time."

Daxter hopped up on Jak's shoulder, an incredulous look on his furry face. "Hopefully?! You mean there's a chance it will? I thought you mad it sturdier this time?"

She shrugged. "There's always a chance."

"Oh, great," Daxter groaned. "Well, let's not blow up and try to keep this thing in one piece."

Samos waddled over, struggling from the wind. "Let's get this over with. Maybe one day, teleporting will be out of style. Though I doubt it's likely."

"D'you know what'll happen this time, Greenbag?" Dax snapped. "Because I'd like to not be surprised."

"I don't know anything about this future, Daxter," Samos answered sternly. "And even if I did, you know I couldn't tell you. That would impact the future too much."

Daxter grumbled something that sounded like, "Shut up, you old loon."

Jak turned to Keira, who was shaking her head slowly. "So, we'll show up at the village? Exactly when we left?"

She nodded. "We should end up in the village."

"Well, let's get a move on!" Daxter shrieked. "All this sand is givin' me a rash."

Jak glanced around at the unforgiving Wasteland one more time. He wondered if he would honestly ever see it again, like he promised his father. He hoped his old home wouldn't be destroyed by Metal Heads, even though he knew it was a slim hope to hold on to.

He climbed onto the Rider apprehensively, letting his eyes drift up to the Ring. It was spinning profusely now as they started up the machine. Jak punched his hand on the Heart of Mar that Keira had also been bestowed with. The Time Map popped up and started reading coordinates at record speeds.

He felt the engine start up, and in a blink of an eye, he felt the Rider lurch forward. They were in the air and heading towards the swirling vortex. The last thing Jak saw before the bright light was the flaming torch above Spargus. It was the torch that allowed all Wastelanders to see through storms and find their way back to the city.

They shot through the wormhole, trying to hold on as a rush of déjà vu hit them. Mostly, all he saw was purple. Pale purple. He felt Keira clench his hand as they approached a bright end. Daxter was screaming, but as they went into the light, his voice seemed to be swept away.

Suddenly, Jak felt himself being propelled from the Rider, his hand wrenched from Keira's, and he started to fall at frightening speeds. He was temporarily blinded from the warp's light, and he felt the air whoosh around him. He felt like a comet, flying through space, giving off a blue light that shined through the darkness.

Then he felt something envelope him in silence, the world above him imploding on itself. He rocketed down into nothing, the shadows finally beginning to show in his vision. When he saw that his clothes were wet and everything around him was blue, he began swimming to the surface of the sea.

He gasped for air as he reached the top, breathing heavily. He felt like his head was spinning too much, and that any moment he would be sucked back into a vortex. As the effects of time travel faded, he looked at his surroundings.

It was dusk, the sun setting beyond the horizon, filling the sky with an orange glow. It smudged into sienna and then into Prussian blue. The stars were just beginning to show through the clouds, and the moon began to rise. All around him was water, but there were no waves. It was completely calm, a wonderful balmy night that felt so different from the discombobulating feeling of the Wasteland.

It was then he realized that he was finally home. He could see the scenery around him, smell the ocean air, and taste the saltwater in his mouth. He was home, at last, after four years of dreaming about it. In prison, it was the only thing he wanted. Now, his dream was realized, and he could finally live in a place that didn't have to be walled in or run by guns.

He scanned the water's surface with his eyes. Keira burst out of the water directly behind him and Daxter appeared sputtering next to her seconds later. Samos was floating above the water, obviously aware that they weren't going to hit land the second they came through the vortex.

Daxter's fur was already starting to poof up, and Keira laughed. Jak couldn't help but hold back a chuckle.

"Shut up!" he yelled. "I can't help it if water makes my fur get all poofy!"

Jak helped his best friend onto his shoulder guard. Keira and Samos were both snickering at his shivering. That was when they heard the scream, a scream that seemed to cut the night in half.

Jak's eyes widened as he looked towards the village, noticing the empty feel of it. He started swimming with all his speed towards the shore. He waved his hands at his friends as he set his sights on the Fisherman's boat lying on the sand. They followed without question, and the four began to search the village.

It felt abnormal for Jak to walk on the grass that used to feel so simple to him. He used to take this village for granted, when he was fifteen and dying to get out and see the world. He remembered when his punishments were not being allowed to go to the beach the next day. He also remembered when those were the most of his worries. How he missed the days of his childhood, where he could laugh and play in the waters of Sentinel Beach with Daxter, forgetting everything around him and just loving being a kid.

Every hut was empty. All around him, he felt as though the air was so thick he could swim in it. He finally came upon his Uncle's house, which had been empty since he gave his so-called relative ninety orbs. As he stepped through the threshold, expecting to see a ramshackle hut and dust everywhere, he noticed something he thought he would never see.

His uncle was lying on the floor.

"Uncle!" he said with worry filling his voice. He rushed up to the old man and turned him over. The blonde haired elder coughed at the change in position, waking from his sleep.

His green eyes floated up to his nephew, and he gazed into the blue orbs with shock. "Jak...? My boy, you look five years older than yesterday!"

Jak couldn't help but let a small smile take his lips. "Yeah, well, it has been around that long since I've been here."

His uncle grinned knowingly. "You've been through time already, I see?"

"You know about that? But how?"

Samos stumbled into the small hut, glancing around at the old scenery. "I told your uncle of your destiny when I asked he help take care of you. He knows all about time travel."

Jak looked at Uncle admiringly. "How do you know about time travel?"

His uncle shook his head vigorously. "No, that story is for another time. I suppose you are here to fight those evil creatures? The ones with the yellow gems? They seemed to have knocked me out as I was trying to fight them."

Jak groaned in his head and glanced back at Keira, who was covering her mouth. So, the Metal Heads were infecting their childhood home. Jak felt rage bubble up inside of him, ready to burst. He clenched his fists in an attempt to hide his anger.

"The Metal Heads? That's not why we're here, but where are they?"

"It's strange," his Uncle began. "You see, as soon as they came through that Ring, they flew through the village and attacked us. But they didn't stop. They flew straight on north, some of them flying to Misty Island. I assume they went to the Silos."

Keira slapped a hand on her forehead in realization. "Of course! Dark Eco! The Metal Heads would be drawn to it. They have to be at the Silos trying to get it out."

"Then we have places to be, Uncle," Jak said to his relative. His uncle nodded sagely, as if he knew this was all going to happen.

"Jak, be careful," he said. "I know you think you know the Metal Heads, but they're very intelligent and unpredictable. The Silos are a dangerous place to fool around in. If they're not there, get out."

Jak nodded. "I will. I promise."

As they left the hut, running to the Warp Gate in Samos's Hut, his Uncle knew Jak couldn't keep that promise.

Awkward ending, but roll with me here. xD

Hollly crap this was a long chapter. Well, sort of. Long for me. Anyways, I appreciate reviews! If you have any questions, just ask me.

I think you're awesome! Bye! :D

-Hero