"You bastard!"

Pecker had to hold Daxter back when the Council's sentencing of Jak was over. Jak was to be held in the fortress for the next couple weeks until a suitable punishment could be decided. He had been officially found guilty of crimes against the people and the Council was too busy arguing over an appropriate punishment to sentence him at the moment. But that didn't make Veger any less smug.

Even though they were still in the court, and it was considered absolutely horrendous to swear in such a place, Daxter let a flurry of curse words fly at the Count, and if not for the monkaw restraining him, he probably would have tried to physically abuse him too.

"You're not making things better for Jak," Samos warned.

"Well it's not like I can make things worse!" Daxter spat. He was right. Although the Council had yet to decide on a punishment, none of the choices were desirable over another.

"Oh, you'd be surprised," Veger sneered as he passed.

"One day I'll get you for this, Count Vulgar!" Daxter put emphasis on the purposely mispronounced name.

"It's Veger!" the Count snarled. "And I'd watch what I say if I were you."

As the count turned away Daxter pulled himself free of Pecker's grip and was about to introduce Veger's face to his fist when he saw Jak being led away in handcuffs by two FL soldiers. All the rage and ferocity in the ottsel was gone, and in its place were sorrow and lament. He was going to lose his best friend, and this time there was nothing he could do.

Daxter's ears drooped as he watched Jak leave. I can't lose him again. I don't care if I have to follow him into certain doom. I won't let Jak face this on his own.


The weeks seemed to drag on as they waited for Jak's sentence. The waiting was agonizing, and they just wanted to know Jak's fate. But when it was announced, they realized that they preferred the waiting…

"Banished?! To the Wasteland?!" Daxter yelled. "That's a goddamn death sentence! There must be another way!"

"I know, Daxter," Ashelin sighed. "But there's nothing we can do."

Daxter stomped out of the Freedom League HQ and kicked one of the terminals on his way, cussing. Daxter walked through the streets and looked to the sunset stained sky. They were deporting Jak tonight. In roughly 12 hours, Jak would be left for dead in the harsh, unforgiving desert.

"Daxter."

Daxter stopped walking and looked behind him. Pecker stood a few feet away.

"Oh, it's you," Daxter said. "What do you want?"

"Let's go with him," Pecker said. "We'll help together!"


Hours later, a storm was raging outside. Daxter woke to the sound of an alarm clock going off. He slammed his fist on top of it and sat up, rubbing his eyes. He groggily looked at the clock.

Three in the damn morning… why'd I…? Suddenly Daxter remembered. That's right! I've gotta meet with Pecker and get to the air train…

Daxter grabbed his gloves and goggles, slipped them on and left the apartment. As he ran to Onin's tent, running through the wind and rain, he went over the plan in his head.

He and Pecker would stow away on the air train and go with them to the Wasteland. There, they'd… they didn't have the slightest clue what they'd do, but they had to try something.

Daxter soon arrived at Onin's tent. Daxter crept in, careful not to awaken Onin.

"Pecker?" Daxter whispered. Daxter heard soft snoring and looked up. Pecker was sound asleep, hanging from his perch.

Daxter jumped and grabbed the crest on Pecker's head, resulting in the two of them falling to the floor in a heap.

"Aarrk!" Pecker squawked.

Daxter clapped a hand over the monkaw's mouth and looked apprehensively at Onin. When she didn't stir, Daxter sighed and removed his hand.

"Couldn't you have woken me up a little… gentler?" Pecker asked quietly.

"No time," Daxter murmured. "Let's go. The air train's in the port, and we've gotta go through the KG city section to--"

"The KG city section?!" Pecker yelled. Daxter clapped a hand over Pecker's beak once more. Again, Onin did not wake up. Daxter removed his hand, then punched Pecker in the arm.

"Unless you feel like carrying me halfway across the city in this weather, then our only chance is to go through the KG section," Daxter said softly.

Pecker looked outside the tent at the pouring rain. He sighed. "Fine. But if things get sticky--"

"You're going to prove you have a spine and stick with me," Daxter finished darkly.

Pecker was slightly taken aback at the fierceness in Daxter's voice. Whatever the reason for it was, it scared him into nodding. "Okay, okay… I won't run."

Daxter suddenly stuck his right hand out. Pecker looked at it, then at Daxter. He smiled and took it in his. They shook hands and together, they headed out into the pounding rain.

Onin opened her blind eyes and smirked. Daxter… Pecker…you'll make a great team, if only you could put aside your differences more often…

When the duo made it to the KG city section, the KGs were nowhere to be seen. They slowed and stopped at the entrance. Pecker landed beside Daxter.

"If you're having second thoughts…" Daxter suddenly said. "…You can leave."

Pecker shook his head. "No. This was my idea. It's only fitting that I follow through."

Daxter looked at the bird and nodded. He started running and Pecker took off, following close behind him.

"I don't like this, Daxter," Pecker murmured. "It's much too quiet…"

As if that was what they were waiting for, a group of KGs suddenly dropped down and surrounded the two.

"Aw, crap," the two animals said in unison.

The KGs opened fire and Pecker flew towards the sky.

"Pecker! You're not a monkaw! You're a big fat chicken!" Daxter screamed as he dodged blast after blast. "And you owe me, pal!"

Pecker looked back at the ottsel, trembling from cold and fear. I… I don't want to die! I'll be killed if I go!

A KG hit Daxter and the ottsel slid across the ground.

"I want him dead!"

Suddenly Kaeden's voice echoed through Pecker's mind. I came up with this so I could get Daxter out of the city and away from Kaeden in order to save his life… Pecker flew full speed back towards the ground. If I abandon him now, it'll be like I'm doing Kaeden's work for him!

Daxter looked up as the robot loomed over him. Lightning streaked through the sky, giving it an even scarier appearance.

This is it…! Daxter braced for the imminent death blow. Suddenly he felt something grip his shoulders and yank him into the air. Daxter looked as the distance increased between him and the KGs.

"Thanks," Daxter said, looking up at Pecker. "I owe you."

Pecker shook his head. "No. We're even now."

The wind picked up and Pecker could barely fly straight. Luckily, he held out until they got to the port. Unfortunately, his landing was sloppy and the two landed in the water. Daxter swam to the surface with ease, but Pecker couldn't swim and his flailing didn't help. In fact, it made him sink faster.

Help! Daxter, please! Pecker choked on the rank water and a cluster of bubbles floated to the surface. Someone, please help me!

The bird's prayers were answered when Daxter dove back down and grabbed him by the wing. The ottsel dragged the bird up to the surface, coughing and gasping for air.

"You okay?" Daxter asked.

"Cough… f-fine… cough," Pecker replied.

Daxter swam to the ramp that entered the water and climbed out. Pecker crawled up the ramp, still coughing up water. Daxter helped the wobbly bird to stand and they hurried across the walkway to the platform. The wind had slowed and the rain turned into a mere drizzle by the time they got to the train.

"Well, now what?" Pecker said, trying to fix his windswept feathers.

"We've got to find someplace to hide," Daxter said. "Maybe the cargo hold?"

"I'm not going to spend two and a half hours crammed in a tiny space with you," Pecker said bluntly.

"You have any ideas?" Daxter asked.

Pecker looked up at the air train. There was an awful lot of stuff on the roof. They wouldn't be seen, and they could hang on.

"The roof?" Pecker suggested.

Suddenly Daxter saw something out of the corner of his eye. Veger, Ashelin and the two Freedom League soldiers escorting Jak were coming.

"It'll hafta do. We've got company," Daxter climbed up the side of the air train and Pecker flew up and landed just as the group got there.

"At least it stopped raining," Pecker whispered.

"Shh," Daxter shushed him.

The air train door opened and the group entered. Suddenly Veger looked up at the roof of the air train… right at the spot where they were hiding! Both animals held their breath and froze. Veger shook his head and entered the air train. Daxter and Pecker sighed in relief. The air train started vibrating and it ascended, going higher and higher.

Visions from Daxter's dream floated through his head, but he shook them away. He wasn't going to fall. He wasn't going to lose Jak forever.

When the air train reached the apex of its climb, it suddenly took off to the south. The jolt was unexpected and Daxter slipped to the edge of the train.

"Whoa!" Daxter barely managed to grab the edge. The water flew by underneath, and falling at such a height into the middle of the ocean would mean death, even more so as they got farther away from land.

Daxter hang onto the slick, wet metal with all his strength, but it was no use and he slipped.

No!

Suddenly Daxter felt something close around his wrist. He looked up to see Pecker holding onto his arm.

"We're even… again," Pecker said.

Pecker helped Daxter back onto the roof of the air train. The wind blow-dried their wet fur/feathers as the Wasteland grew closer and closer. As the time ticked by, Daxter fell asleep. A smack upside the head brought him back to the waking realm.

"Whut wuz that fer?" Daxter mumbled.

"We're landing," Pecker said.

Suddenly Daxter was wide awake. Daxter looked over the edge as Jak walked down the ramp and stumbled after being shoved by one of the soldiers.

"By order of the grand Council of Haven City," Veger said. Jak struggled with his cuffs as the count continued. "For heinous acts and crimes against the people, you are hereby banished to the Wasteland," Veger closed his book. "For life."

"This is a death sentence, Veger," Ashelin said. "There must be another way."

Daxter couldn't help but smirk. She used his exact words.

"Your protest was overruled," Veger snapped. "This Dark Eco freak is dangerous! Now drop the cargo."

Pecker decided this was a good time to reveal himself. "This is an outrage! I am outraged beyond words!" Pecker said as he landed. "… Although I do have something to say!"

Veger wasn't at all amused, but Ashelin smirked.

"Not everyone agrees with this ridiculous—ARRCK!" Pecker squawked as Daxter jumped down. "…Decree."

"Yeah, we want a recount!" Daxter said.

"Oh, I see you wish to join him," Veger stated.

"Actually, we are not that outraged," Pecker said nervously. Facing Kaeden was better than being baked to death in the desert.

Daxter looked shocked at first. What happened to "It's only fitting that I follow through"? Daxter then glared. Of course Pecker lied about that! He's a self-centered cowardly scumbag

"Farewell, Jak! Stay out of the sun! Drink lots of water… if you can find it." Pecker ducked behind the bench in the back.

Daxter looked at his friend. "Jak?"

"Go back to the city, Dax," Jak ordered lifelessly.

Daxter hung his head. He'd come all this way and he was still going to lose his best friend. Pecker peeked out at Daxter's sullen form and was suddenly overcome with a feeling of guilt. He'd promised that he'd follow through.

Okay, Daxter… I'll prove to you that I do have a spine…

Pecker saw Daxter slip out of the train and quickly followed. Under the train, Daxter was surprised to see Pecker.

"This was my idea. It's only fitting that I follow through."

Kat: Aaaaaand we're done. For a story I screwed up halfway through, I think I finished it off pretty well. Anyway, review!!