ooOO-TheCrazyPixieGirl-OOoo - Oh, hai. I kinda forgot about this story :O
Heartlessbyforce - Well, that could be true~ Or he's just that swave~ And the Monk temple will come up eventually not in this one however.
White Cherry Rose - That's alright - but thank you for reviewing! And I'm glad you like it~!
gunbunniez - Oh, sorry about that. I just have a lot going on OTL
DarkJaksToy - Thanks, I wish I didn't either ahaha.
Darke Eco Freak - Sorry! I totally forgot!
spizzn - Actually Diana's older than Light...so I'm not too sure what you mean :s
ToonyTwilight - Thank you~
last-blue mage - Of course he is. And you know all nice people are secretly scheme...you know it :I
Death Before Darkness - LOL thanks~ I love my Light!
random hyper person - Oh, well Dark pops up just for you since he doesn't have a lot of parts in this story :O And that's okay~
QuitMessingAround - Sorry, I know it's been long and now it's been longer ahah.
Red-hEadNightlOver - Yep. And you shouldn't be surprised - it's Daxter. LOL
Disclaimer: I don't own Jak and Daxter or anything else but Diana, Alex, Zackary, Zidane, Kaiten and Link.
Summary: Sequel to TALDB. After Diana death, Jak seems worst then when he had left the prison and with the town turning on him, he's sent out to the desert and saved by a rival, he finds something he never thought he'd see again...JakXOCXDarkXLight
Chapter 9:
The Beginning of Thoughtfulness and Logic
Jak chose to take the Sand Shark. She was more the certain that the vehicle had belonged to the supposedly traitor of Spargus. It was obvious he wasn't stealing the vehicle since he had the keys, so he must have know the owner on a personal note - or did him a favour. She was surprised anyone could – after all he seemed like a hard ass who wouldn't want any friends to slow him down.
Hopping into the back seat, she pulled her goggles over her eyes just as the blonde pressed hard against the gas pedal, zooming past the still opening gates. He couldn't even wait for them to fully open. She wasn't that surprised. He didn't seem like a patient person. And the distress call he spoke of – he didn't seem to want to go but it was too late for that.
The dust of sand hit her fast, causing her to occasionally flinch. Overall, she was used to the small rock like pebbles from the driving she usually did. Lately, only other people have been driving her and she's been going out on her own in the wasteland less and less. She was pretty sure if she was to go out alone these days, it would feel a bit strange.
Her eyes turned to the driver, who was concentrated on driving through the intense waves of sand. His bandana covered his nose down, goggles blocking his eyes from any damage that could be caused. Vaguely, she could see his cerulean blue eyes through their plastic covers. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked like he was more troubled about something else other than the driving.
Then, maybe she thought it was the bullet that just flew past her head.
Her head whipped around, seeing a few other vehicles that were driving behind them. Bullets flew from each one – even at each other. She had an encounter with a few of them before, but not as many as there were right now. They seemed to really want to stop them this time.
The Sand Shark kept moved forward with the enemy vehicles right on their tails, shooting at the rear. Suddenly, there was a sharp turn, causing Diana to nearly fly out of her seat and to catch Daxter by his tail before he flew out. Despite his best friend's complaints about trying to kill them, Jak stomped on the gas pedal, going towards them. With a small button pushed, bullets started to bolt out the small torrent on top of the car.
One after another, the enemy started to explode. But that didn't stop them. More came from all over. Jak frowned, not wanting to deal with this and make another turn.
"Hang on!" He warned them as the Sand Shark's wheels started to move so fast it almost made smoke with the sand. Diana grabbed onto the back of his seat, leaning forward as the ottsel clung to her as if his life had depended on it – which it probably did.
Suddenly a car showed up in front of them, causing them to hit and both cars spun wildly. She could already feel the nausea creeping up on her. But Jak didn't even think about that, and instead, started to drive in the same direction.
By this time, the path was slowly going upwards and rocky. The enemies behind were driving close, shooting and attempting to hit them. The blond reached for a red button that was on the other side of the car, timing it right.
"WHOA!" Daxter said suddenly realizing what he was doing. "J-Jak! You don't have to do that! We're going to crash and burn if that happens – crash AND burn!"
Jak never moved his eyes from in front of him. A smirk played on his lips from under the scarf. "Just trust me!" He said, as he pressed the button.
That was when Diana realized it was the turbo button.
The sand from normal driving was nothing like this – now it felt like a thousand diamonds cutting her cheeks. Her skin on her face was being pushed as she held onto the sit so she wouldn't be thrown back. Not a few seconds later, she felt the car jump. She looked down, only to see they had just jumped over a valley - a deep, long ravine.
They landed on the other side, unharmed but as for the enemy the either didn't make it across or they stopped causing a collision. Jak took a brief moment to look at his 'work' before going towards the distress signal now that they were out of the way.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?" Daxter and Diana said in unison. The only difference was that Diana had been laughing as she said it, while the ottsel was freaked out.
Jak let out a low chuckle. "You could say that!" He said over the roar of the sandy winds.
As they got closer to the mark, the sand seemed to be slowly getting worse but it was still possible for them to see through it. The Sand Shark came to a halt, causing everyone to jerk forward. Jak was the first one out, placing his goggles on his head and pulling his scarf down to his neck.
Diana followed suite, standing up still inside of the car. There were a few palm trees around, along with small patches of water everywhere. She remember this as the Oasis – she only came here when she found some other Wastelanders out in the wasteland lost, and came here to give them some water. She moved to step out of the car but Jak held his hand up.
"You better stay here." He told her, a deep frown on his face. He didn't want to have to deal with Ashelin alone, but he didn't want her to know that Diana was still alive either - at least, not with her like this. He wasn't sure how's he'd explain it to Diana.
But of course, she didn't seem to want to pry that much. "But why? Didn't you just ask me to..?"
"It'll be safer here, just...don't follow me." He started to walk though the sand, the gun lightly hitting his back as he made his way down the hill to the largest body of water in the area.
A pout crossed her face. "Don't sweat it, sweetcheeks." Daxter glanced over at her, "Jak knows what he's doing." With that, he took off after his best friend, leaving a confused and a slightly disappointed blue haired woman behind.
Violet eyes watched as Jak and Daxter disappeared behind the busy winds, appearing only as a two silhouettes now. Soon, they were both gone from sight. She sank low into the seat, attempting to avoid the small pellets of sand. Pulling her goggles down on her eyes once more, she stared up at the sand covered sky.
She dared not to question why she had to be left here. It was obvious that the distress call was a personal one, though she was too curious for her own good. However, she never asked – she just let him go. There was a feeling – a strange knowledgeable feeling that told her not to ask. It was a familiar feeling whenever it came to Jak.
Jak was a confusing individual. He was quiet but when he needed to, he spoke his mind. Always, he was on his toes as if the whole world was out to get him and seemed to fight with anyone that was in his way. Challenges were his thing – at least what she got from the way he talked about Alex and how he handled his fights at the arena. Yet there was still something that seemed to be missing. He seemed to know her – she had practically almost completely understood him only after knowing him for a few days. It sounded cliché, and Diana hated that part the most;
When his eyes filled with sorrow, she felt the need to frown.
When his eyebrows were furrowed in frustration, she felt the need to comfort him.
When a smile danced on his face, she couldn't help but smile back.
The whole love at first sight – she didn't believe it one bit. There was no way that she could have. She felt the same when it came to Alex, but there was more of a bond with Jak than she had with him. Besides, how could she even like the prince? He didn't seem to like her.
But of course, she didn't like Jak like that either. He was just a friend; she just saw him as only a friend – just a friend who seemed to feel like she was very close to him though she wasn't sure why.
A frustrated sigh escaped her as she sat up straight in the car. It wasn't until sand started to hit her continuously in the face that she had realized a Sand Storm began. Frantically, she looked thought the wild winds trying to see if she could see bright blond hair and that furry orange ottsel – to no avail. She moved to the front of the car, fumbling as she tried to see if he left the keys.
No such luck.
Scowling at herself, she went down to near the bottom of the driver's seat. She tried her best to do what she could, connecting wires together and trying to get it started. After a while, the engine let out a loud roar when she got the right ones together. A grin spread on her face in victory as she got up to sit in the car seat. With her foot pressed against the gas pedal and her hands on the steering wheel, she dashed off into the sand looking for the lost two friends.
Of course, she had forgotten to put her seatbelt and with every rock she bumped caused her to nearly fly in the air. With one hand she strapped herself in, her eyes narrowed out into endless sea of sand looking for any signs of a figure. It was then she realized she could contact his beckon to pinpoint where he was. That made this search a lot easier.
With a press of her button and connecting the car to her own beckon, the small map on the car showed a small blinking red light to her left. She didn't hesitate to turn harshly, driving right towards the light but kept an eye on the road as to not hit them. The closer she started to get, she could see three dark shadows in front of her. She could tell Daxter was the shortest one, and she assumed it was Jak's shoulder he was standing on but who was the other one?
Whoever they were, they didn't stay long. They hopped into another vehicle – a hovering one which meant they were from Haven City. Diana drove past them, only to skid around so Jak and Daxter could hop in on the other side. The moment she spun, her eyes came in contact with the green of the strangers. To her confusion, they seemed to be shocked and more confused than her.
"You're..."
Diana turned her attention away from her, not wanting to speak to anyone from Haven City. "Jak, Daxter! Get it!" She called as they looked at each other before hopping in the back. Diana didn't even take a second look to the stranger as she sped out of that place, making her way through the sandy winds to home.
"How'd you start the car?" The blonde yelled over the engine and the sound of the harsh wind. "I had the keys with me."
She laughed but focused on driving. "Well, I do know how to hot wire cars." A surprised look crossed over Jak's face. He hadn't expected her to be able to do that – then again, she had always found a way to surprise him one way or the other.
It wasn't long before they made it back to the city just as the gates closed. She was worried they wouldn't make it in time, seeing how bad it was. She parked the car and disconnected the wires, promising Jak that she would fix it before Sig would ever find out about it. He didn't seem too worried.
"I didn't expect you to do that!" Daxter told her, hopping off of Jak's shoulder and walking over to Diana. "I thought we were going to look for you and the car and get lost in that!"
A smile played on her lips. "I was hoping you were done since I dazed off and didn't realize how long I took. It was getting pretty bad."
"Good to know that you're good with your hands." He waggled his eyebrows at her while she stared at him for a moment. With that, she burst into a fit of laughter. "Right Jak?" The ottsel's attention went over to his best friend who didn't seem to be paying attention.
The blond was too busy lost in his own thoughts about what Ashelin had told him. The seal of Mar in his hand, he stared at it with distant blue eyes. The memories popped up due to this item, in his mind repeatedly.
"Jak, your friends need you. I...need you"
"It's a monster!"
"Don't you remember who you are?"
"Kill it! Kill it!"
His hand gripped tightly onto it. He felt like crushing the stone in his hands, but he knew he shouldn't. If only he hadn't gone to see Ashelin. He knew it was a bad thing – and he couldn't believe her. After not even trying to help them, she wanted him back now just to save her city – the same one that threw him out. Hell, they even threw Diana out just to-
Suddenly he was kicked in his leg, causing him to snap from his thoughts to look down at an annoyed Daxter. "Right Jak?" The blonde stared at him before looking up at Diana who had covered her mouth, trying to muffle her laughter.
"Maybe the sand got to his head." She said, a small grin spreading on her lips while her hands rested on her hips. "Well, anyway. There isn't much to do till that storm calms down."
Daxter climbed onto the shoulder of his still confused best friend. "This place is pretty boring when you don't have anything to do, huh?" He scratched his head.
"Well," She briefly paused, looking up in thought. "There is something we could do but I just have to go ask a favour." With that, she turned her heal and started to walk into the town. "Meet me near the Palace! I hope you don't hate water!"
The two looked at each other, confused on what she meant by that.
Half of the room seemed to feel foreboding while the other was blessed with radiance. Dark mixed with light, the two had no choice – they clashed; but for now remained in the middle. The tension was thick, it was impossible to even breathe without feeling the hatred and contempt that floated around the place. A raspy dark, mocking laugh echoed from the dark side, panting followed soon after.
"How long are you going to keep this up?" Pure black eyes narrowed into the light, claws flexed as if he was ready to pounce.
A small smile spread on the other's lips. "Patience is key to this – but it is obvious that you have so very little of this virtue." He shook his head while the dark elf just huffed at him.
"Shut up!" He snapped at him, not wanting to tolerate his smug attitude. "I don't know what you're planning, but you better not-"
"They will be fine – I reassure you." He held up his hand as he walked over to the border of light and dark. "The only thing you need to do is to pay attention, or be quiet."
The moment the words were spoken, a clawed hand wrapped around his neck and gripped his throat tightly. "Are you fucking joking? You better learn your place – I am stronger than you'll ever be!" He growled before throwing him on the ground.
The light element coughed as he sat up, shaken from the aggressive side's actions. A frown spread on his lips before a sigh came out. "Very well, I suppose we will go on your command then?"
Dark only huffed at him, staring off into the distance – which was also known as seeing through Jak's eyes. He had come accustom to calling it a 'window'.
"Does this girl mean a lot to the both of you?" He questioned. Regardless of his light abilities, Jak didn't trust him and either did Dark. But what is he to expect when he suddenly appears in his body too? He only asked to gain knowledge of his tamer and the other who seemed to have a hold on his body.
Dark's head sharply turned to him, glaring. "What the fuck does that have to do with anything?"
"Well," Light started with a small quirking smile on his face. "Every time Jak is with her, you seem to be lost in your own world – looking through his eyes to her." He dodged one of his attacks, moving more to the light side.
The dark elf didn't like him knowing about Diana – or even going near her. They may be part of the same person but... "Don't you dare touch her you piece of shit." He growled darkly.
"Possessive." He concluded, his smile widening as he looked out through Jak's eyes to the retreating body. "I can tell she means a lot to you...and I have no doubts that Jak himself does as well."
"It ain't any of your fucking business!"
Light stepped back, seeing the purple electricity flash to his side briefly. "I was merely saying." He held up his hands in defeat. "I will not do anything to her, do not fret Dark."
Dark narrowed his eyes. "If you even lay a hand on her, I will kill you myself." The light elf backed off as he obviously saw he was treading on thin ice. Dark clenched his hands as he looked away from him frowning. He wasn't going to allow anything bad happen to her this time – not now, not ever again.
"There was dark eco at the base of your wounds, correct?" Dark's mind wandered back to the time he had formally met Diana, when she was still in the hospital for the wounds he had given her. She nodded her head to his question, her blue locks shaking with it. "That eco is from me; in way we are mated."
The shock on her face was amusing enough to him. "What?" She said in surprise, while he flinched. He probably should have explained it better.
"We aren't fully mated until I mark you and-" Dark stopped upon seeing the look on her face, obviously her not wanting to hear it. "Okay, okay." He sighed. "Now I know what you're thinking, kitten."
'Great. A nickname and a mind reader. Yay.' Her thoughts echoed from her as if she had spoken it out without moving her lips. A chuckle escaped his own.
"Now you can't lie to me." Dark moved forward, pressing his forehead against hers. His black eyes locked with her embarrassed violet ones. "So I know all about your desires, your secrets...everything." He made his voice go lower and lower with each syllable.
'Stupid seducing, hot, dark...' She paused in thought, staring at him while a smirk grew on his face. '...Oh, you're hearing all this aren't you?'
"Pretty much, yeah."
Dark snapped out of it at the last second, looking around only to see that Light had vanished. A frown grew on his gray face as he stared out the window. He would never admit it; not to Jak, not to Light, not to himself.
He missed her.
A lot more than he'd thought he would.
I don't even have words to say...just I hope you like this chapter after such a freaking long time.