The city was a blur to me. I wasn't paying attention to who, or what, I was running into. I honestly didn't care. My only priority at the moment was getting to the entrance and getting into a car. If that 'dark cloud' was what I thought it was I wanted to get there as soon as possible.

The door to the entrance opened slower than usual, and I eventually got tired of it waiting. I slipped through the small crack and ran to the nearest car.

"Your majesty," yelled an officer.

Anger was beginning to pulse through me, "What?"

The officer backed away and started to fidget with his hands, "There's a, um, storm, um, we believe forming out there, Sir," he shook his head, "It's not safe."

"My family is out there, probably," I yelled at the top of my lunges - Daxter gripped my shoulder. The dark eco was getting stronger. The agony of it pulsing through my veins was so heavy that it made me press my palms to my forehead. I almost feel to the ground, but I put all my strength into not falling. I closed my eyes hoping the pain would go away.

"Jak, buddy, you need to calm down. We'll get to them, but you have to cool down. Understand," Daxter climbed on me so that I could see his face. I opened my eyes for a second and could laugh, because never in my life had I seen it that serious.

Everyone backed away, "Um, Sir," the officer whispered, "do you need to go back into the city?"

"What did I just tell you," I hissed. I slowly opened my eyes and all I could see was black and white. I looked down at my body but it was still human. I sighed in relief and put all effort into getting my sight back. It took several minutes till I was seeing in color again.

"Sir, would you like us to bring you the fastest vehicle?"

I nodded and leaned against the Hopper. They brought over the Heatseeker and got out trying not to get close to me. I got in and Daxter climbed into the passenger seat. We were both off in seconds; we were off to face Gol and Maia at last.

---------

As we got closer to the purple and black cloud the darker it became. Once in the eye of the cloud it was as dark as night. I had to get out and walk.

"Jak," Daxter whined, "I don't want to walk in this dark eco crap!"

I froze. Dark Eco. How could that be possible? They were in the middle of the desert, so how could they possibly be able to get dark eco. The only way they could have dark eco here was if Gol was able to make it. There was no way he could make dark eco, but could he?

"Dax, if you're not coming than wait in the car. I know Keira and Zena are out here and I'm not leaving till I have them with me," for once my eyes were beginning to sting, "They're my only family."

He sighed and hopped off, "I'm not going on another adventure with you again! I have put my tail once to mainly on the line for you, Jak!"

I laughed, "Thanks, Dax, you've always been there."

"Yeah, yeah, just don't get all teary eyed on me."

I took a large intake of breath and walk deeper into the cloud.

---------

We walked around for hours, and nothing had come up. There was something weird with this cloud. Besides there not being any sunlight, what so ever, there was no wind. Not a grain of sand moved, besides what I was moving with walking.

I scanned hoping to maybe see a figure pass through the cloud, but I could hardly see my hand.

"Jak, Jak, Jak," came a female's voice.

Daxter and I looked at each other started to scan, again.

Daxter stuck a finger into my check, "Um, Jak, look up."

I did as he said. Above us a hundred or so feet were two long figures. Beside them was a smaller figure laying as if asleep, and a longer figure was doing the same.

"GOL, MAIA, IS THAT YOU!"

They both laughed shrilly, "Oh, Jak, you know us so well," answered Maia. In seconds she was beside me running her fingers along my chest, "Haven't you grown up. You are such a handsome man. I'm terribly jealous of Keira," she pouted.

Daxter sqrunced his nose up, "WHAT is that terrible smell!?" He looked back and forth from Gol and Maia, "I know it's not Jak and me because we haven't screwed around in the sewer for months!"

There was a long and akward silence. After a few seconds the wheels in my head began to function again.

I pulled away from her in disgust, "What did you do to them," I pointed to the two figures.

"Nothing really," came two or three voices.

I rounded and found myself face to face with Gol, "Than, what did you do to them?"

Gol shrugged, "They are only in a deep sleep. They can wake when they want," he smiled an evil grin.

I high pitch scream came from above us. I looked up and saw the longer of the two thrashing in the air. "JAAAAAK," it yelled.

Gol's ears pulled back and he shook his head, "Blasted girl," he raised his hand and she came crashing down.

I shoved them both a side - Daxter fell off my shoulder - and went to were Keira was going to land. The closer she got to the ground the more hesitant I was about where she was going to land. I finally got the right place and she landed perfectly in my arms. Her eyes were as round as the Day Star, and her hair was wind blown.

She let out a breath of relief, "I thought you weren't going to catch me."

"He would never let you fall," Daxter yelled.

I looked over and they were still standing there. I placed her on her feet and walked over to them. I was allowing the dark eco flow freely and hoping my dark side was coming trough quickly.

"Now, Jak," Gol raised a hand, "we can kill them both even from this distance."

I pressed my lips tightly together, and glared at them, "What do you want?"

"Nothing to large, Deary," Maia answered.

"Than what. There's no cost."

Daxter came scurrying through their feet than climbed onto my shoulder, "Jak," he hissed in my ear, "do you know what you're saying!"

I nodded, "I would do anything to keep them alive."

"Than, this should be easy," there was a long pause before Gol began again, "You know where the Oasis is, of course. Meet us there in an hour. We'll give you Zena back as long as we have your word that you will be there."

I nodded, "My word."

"That's good, because you need to say your last good-byes."

I heard Keira take a sharp in take of breath.

They disappeared and Zena came to lay in front of us unharmed.

---------

The throne room never looked as gloomy since Damos' death. Even with all the torches lit it had a dark feel to it.

"Zena," Keira yelled, "baby, you have to wake up," her eyes were watering and tears were flowing over.

I got down on my knees, "Come on, Sweetheart, you have to wake up for us," I pleaded.

Her hand flinched. Slowly her eyes opened and fell again. It was several attempts before she opened her eyes completely. "Mommy," she looked at Keira, "Daddy?"

I was the first to wrap my arms around her. Minutes later Keira wrapped hers around both of us.

I let go and looked at Zena, "It's good to see your blue eyes again."

She smiled than yawned, "I'm sleepy," she rubbed her eyes.

Keira grabbed her hand, "I'll show you to the room."

Keira walked down the long hallway and would glance back every so often.

There was a sound next to me and I looked down and looked back up, "Yes, Samos."

He licked his lips, "Go, be with Keira. This could be your last time together."

I looked down at him and all I could see was sadness in his eyes.

"Really, Samos, this is it for me?"

He nodded.

I was speechless. I was going to die - the thought even sounded odd. Thousands of thought ran through my head. I would never see Zena grow up, never get to walk her down the aisle for her wedding. Never see how beautiful Keira would look on our wedding day, never hear her laugh again, watch her repair cars, or even see her smile. Those were the things that made me see love. Made me think someone loved, or cared, for me in my darkest times.

"Good-bye, Samos. I can't thank you enough for all that you had done for me," I paused looking for the right words, "Would you go find Daxter and tell him I'll see him before I leave. Don't tell him what you told me, I'll tell him."

Samos nodded and glided away.

I took a deep breath and went into the hall hoping to find Keira already coming out of Zena's room.

---------

"Don't go," she whispered - I wrapped my arms tighter around her - "don't go," she sobbed.

"I have to."

She shook her head, "No you don't. You don't have to do anything."

"I do," I said weakly. There was a long pause, "I need to get going."

With hesitation I unwrapped myself around her and looked for my clothes. I could feel her eyes watching me as I dressed. I couldn't look at her, it was unbearable.

"Keira," I looked out the broken window, "I love you. I've always loved, no one but you." If this was going to be the last time I was going to see her I wanted her to know that one small fact, because I really did love her with all my heart. No one but her.

I heard her get up from the bed - There was movement of sheets. Moments later her arms rapped her arms around my middle, "And, the same is for you," there was a pause and she laid her head against my back, "I want you to know that I only pretended to like Erol so I could get you out of prison. It failed, obviously, but I've wanted you to know that for a long time."

I turned around and looked into her face. Her face was a blood red from crying and tears stained her checks. My heart lunged with the thought I was leaving her, forever. I felt sick to my stomach. I laughed, "I'm glad to know," I leaned down and kissed her lightly of the forehead. My hands trembled as I let my hand slide down her face for the last time.

I was close to the door when Keira spoke up.

"You have to come back! I can't do this on my own, Jak, I can't," tears came flooding down her cheek, "Promise me you'll be back," she pleaded.

I looked back at her and strained a grin, "Of course I'll be back."

---------

Daxter was sitting on the Heatseeker waiting for me.

"Old log in the head green said you wanted to talk to be before you left, alone," he shook his head, "Haven't you gotten it through your thick head that I belong on your shoulder and no where else when it comes battles. I don't like the sidelines."

"You don't need to come."

"Why the HELL not!"

"This is it, Daxter, this is the end, for me. I need you stay here and watch over Keira and Zena."

His face dropped, "What do you mean?"

"I'm going to die."

His mouth dropped open and his eyes widened. He shook his head, "No, your not. You've been through worse. Anyway, your one light eco crystal can heal you, right?"

My heart raised, "Your right, Daxter."

He rolled his eyes, "I'm always right."

"We'll if you're coming, come on."

---------

I parked the car half a mile outside the Oaisis. Daxter hopped off and attempted to jump on my shoulder. I shook him off and shook my head, "I have a plan."

He creased his brows.

I took my Peace Maker off my back, "See that cliff," I pointed a head of us.

Daxter looked over there and nodded.

"I want you to climb up there and charge this. Try to aim it at both of them and shot it as soon as it's charged. Understand."

"Yeah, but," he rubbed the back of his head, "Jak, what if that doesn't work?"

"It will work."

---------

They were waiting by the water. When they saw me coming they smiled an evil grin.

"You came," Maia laughed, "No shocker there."

I glared at them both.

Something purple came zooming in my direction - I barely dogged it.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!"

"Revenge."

"A cheap revenge!"

He shot another one and it hit me in the arm. I ran around the outer edge holding onto my arm. It was throbbing with pain. Dark eco was over powering and my sight was changing.

I couldn't help but smile. They were in shook. I placed my hands in front of me and began to create a dark blob. When it was charged I threw it and it hit Maia in the chest. She went falling backwards.

Gol's eyes widened and he looked at me to her, "YOU LITTLE BASTARD!"

There was a loud bang. A white light was zooming in the direction of Maia. It re-hit her in the chest and she went flying in the air. She floated there for a few moments than fell to the ground. I could see something blue staining the sand.

"YOU KILLED HER! YOU KILLED MY SISTER," I could see the anger clearly in his face. He threw another purple lightening streak.

I dodged, "One down and another to go," I hissed through gritted teeth. I had never heard myself talk in my dark form before. I sound identical to Gol. As I watched him closely he had the same movements as me. A corner of my mouth was curling.

I focused and saw my lower body disappear. I backed up slowly and ran around the opposite direction. I glanced up at the cliff and saw Daxter re-charging the gun. All I had to do was create the dark eco ball and through the same time Daxter released the charge for the gun. It was to simple. I turned my back to Gol - he would see be creating it with me facing him.

There was a loud bang and a pain went siring through my back. I fell forward and the ball hit the ground leaving a crater. I heard footsteps getting close to me.

"Tsk, tsk, Jak, you never turn your back on your enemies, even in invisibility," his hand grabbed my upper arm - that he hit earlier - and his nails extended. They sank into my skin. He smirked, "Perfec-"

His mouth fell open and released me. He feel forward and landed face first into the sand.

Unfortunately, for me I wasn't that fortunate.

I feel back and my head hit a rock. I could feel something wet began to run down my neck. My sight was fading, my breath was becoming short, my heart beat was becoming slower, and my mind was racing. Why wasn't my eco crystal healing me? By now I would have been healed, but I wasn't, what was wrong?

I attempted to move my arms, but I was unable to. I wasn't able to move anything. My sight was becoming worse and worse by the second. In the background I could hear my name being called, but I couldn't tell who it was. I was becoming tired and my eyes were becoming heavy.

I couldn't resist the temptation of my eyes staying open. I closed them slowly and took in how blue the sky was, how white the clouds were, and how happy the birds chirped passing by.

My Comments:

Only two, or three more chapters!