Day Seven Hundred and Sixty Two
Jaylie's Point of View
I had been out on a mission and when I returned, I met Jak, Samos, Daxter and the Kid outside the Hideout.
''Oh, good. More help. I want you to escort the Kid over to Kor in the Power Station. He promised to look out for the boy and I'm just too busy to baby sit right now. Oh, and take the kid's Croca-dog with you…'' It was clear he didn't like the Croca-dog.
''So what's this kid's story?''
''I found him just wandering the streets, but that amulet around his neck means he may just be the lost heir to the city. You boys take the kid and the mutt over to Kor. Watch out for Guard patrols and defend the kid at all costs. Oh, and if you happen to lose the Croca-dog…'' He said hopefully while the kid sweetly reached for Jak's hand. He didn't know what to do, so he backed up.
We hopped into a three person zoomer and the Croca-dog got on the Kid's lap. I had to say, the Kid reminded me of Jak so much. We sped off towards the Power station, and the instant one of the guards saw us, we were in trouble. We just barely missed their gunfire, and we raced into the Industrial Zone, finally reaching the ramp to the upper level and getting out of the vehicle. We all ran for our lives as fast as we could down the walkway and guards surrounded us.
''He's just a kid!'' Jak yelled, going dark. He made a gesture and I knew what he was going to do. I took the kid in my arms and pushed past the guards that were too awe-struck to care. I heard screaming and looked back to see Jak performing his 'Dark Bomb' move. He came back to himself soon and caught up with us. I let the kid down and we dashed inside the Power station.
''Samos told us to bring the kid to you.'' Daxter groaned.
''Thank you. I'll be sure to keep him close.'' Kor smiled down at the kid. The Croca-dog growled at him.
''Oh, how sweet…'' He said with sarcasm. The Croca-dog calmed down, however, when Jak reached down to stroke his scaly skin.
''That's interesting. That insufferable mutt has never liked anyone but the boy before…''
''I guess I'm just good with animals.'' Jak looked at Daxter. I reached over and the Croca-dog let me pet him too.
''I hope we have enough eco to keep the metal heads at bay. During my travels, I saw some of the bigger ones. Awesome creatures.'' He said in wonder.
''We saw a big one coming out of a rift once. It was uuuuuggglly!'' Daxter told him.
''I have some valuable information for you. The Baron is conducting an excavation at the dig. He is still looking for that ridiculous tomb. Frankly, I don't believe it exists, but you might as well go out there and disrupt his operation just in case. Knock down all the scaffolding at the site. Here is an air train pass to get you out there.''
The kid held it up and for some reason, when Jak took it out of the his hand, I got chills.
''You can stay here. I'll be back soon, don't worry. I just think this is a one person job this time.'' Jak told me.
''Oh, alright.'' I folded my arms.
''I'll be back soon, I promise.'' He repeated before leaving me stranded in here with Kor and the Kid.
''So, you're the Baron's other daughter, hmm?''
''Not his real one. Ugh, I get tired of explaining this-somehow, I've got to be related to Jak. I look like him and I even act like him sometimes. Apart from that, I've felt pain when he feels it before. On my birth certificate, it doesn't show my mother or father, but it shows the Baron on Ashelin's. I can't be his daughter.''
''Well, I'm sure he can't be too happy you're gone… you probably know much about the inner workings of the palace.''
''No, actually. I didn't know any of these things about him and the Metal Head leader, or the fact that he wants to get rid of this kid because he's the rightful heir.''
''I wonder why he took you in if you weren't his child. There had to be something in it for him, I'd wager. He's not the type of man for charity.'' Kor said thoughtfully.
''I don't know, don't ask me. Even if Jak is my brother, it doesn't get me one step closer to finding my dad because he doesn't know his dad either.''
''I'm sure you'll find your rightful parents someday. They could be much closer then you think.''
We sat in silence for a while, then the Kid curled up on my lap and fell asleep. I couldn't believe anyone would want to hurt him. He was just a kid… and a pretty sweet kid, at that. We waited for what seemed like hours, and the kid was still sleeping on my lap when Jak walked in.
''It's all taken care of. His machine is destroyed. I got a message from Krew… he wants us to meet him at the Hip-Hog. Something about the sewers again. I think Raven and I are gonna go take care of this one.''
''What? I can take care of myself, Jak. I won't get hurt.''
''It's not because of that… it's just that you have a mission from Torn. Something about getting a seal piece at the water slums.''
''Oh.''
''Yeah. Be careful, okay? Me and Raven will meet you in the hideout later. Good luck.'' He said. I felt kind of confused. Torn was giving me a mission by myself? That's pretty weird of him… still, I gave the kid a hug and handed him over to Kor, then I stroked the Croca-dog once more and strolled out of the power station.
Now… on to the Water slums!
Raven's Point of View
''Ugh, I hate sewer missions.'' I complained loudly, plugging my nose.
''I know, but at least this time we don't have to worry about sentry guns.'' Jak shrugged, hopping off a nearby vent and into the gross sewer water below.
''Here goes everything…'' I whispered, taking a leap of faith and landing next to him.
''I see stairs over there.'' He said, wading out to three large steps leading onto a platform above.
''Oh crap.'' Daxter said.
''What?''
''We're gonna need our JET-boards for this…'' Jak grinned, unstopping his from his back and getting ready to fly down the complex system of pipes stretched out before us.
''Hell yeah.'' I nodded, getting mine out too. I was still a little sore with Jak over Ashelin and that mechanic girl, but I learned to not give him so much grief about it now. I kept silent for the most part, but I gave him the cold shoulder whenever those two were around.
We shredded down the piping, jumping over and ducking under the many obstacles in our way until finally, we reached another platform with steps going to the right the led down onto a bridge that was fairly rusted and falling apart. The worst part about it was that it had be to more then fifteen feet above a raging whirlpool… in the sewer?
''Wow! Who knew that was even possible? I mean, it's said these sewers go on almost endlessly, but… I never expected anything like this! I hope we're almost near that statue.'' I commented, seeing the looks on Daxter and Jak's faces. Without another word, Jak went down the bridge first. He got halfway across and I began to follow him. Of course, I had to be careful where I stepped-there were rusted out and gaping holes all over the bridge of all different sizes. Just as I was about to make it over, the part I stood on bent, and I fell through. I let out a scream for help, but I thought for sure I was gonna be lost to the jaws of the whirlpool…until a hand caught mine. My breath stuck in my throat as I looked down to see the water below me spitting and growling like an animal. I held tight to the hand and gazed up to see Jak reaching out for my other hand.
''You have to trust me! I'm not going to let go! Give me your other hand! Don't you DARE let go!'' He called out to me.
''Jak…'' I was almost paralyzed in fear.
''Raven! Do it now!'' He ordered. With every little fragment of courage left in my body, I reached for his hand. He caught mine and lifted me up onto the bridge. Without a backward glance or a thank you, both of us raced off the bridge and onto the platform on the other side.
''I thought you were going to let go.'' Jak whispered.
''I thought you were going to let me go… and that I was going to fall.''
''But I didn't, and here we both are. Come on, let's go get that statue.'' He took a moment to regain his composure and then we climbed down another set of platforms and found ourselves in the middle of another tunnel of pipes. We got some more practice in on the JET-board before reaching the bottom at last and seeing the statue of Mar in all its glory, holding up the ruby key.
''Don't worry, I've got this.'' Daxter climbed up the length of the statue and started pulling the artifact from the giant ruby. Soon, it gave a sudden snapping sound and the ruby key flew out of his hands and began hurtling towards the ground at a dangerous speed. Just before it hit the ground, Jak snatched it up.
''Where would you be without me, eh Dax?''
''Well, Jak, I probably wouldn't be two feet tall, fuzzy, and running around a sewer without a pair of pants. God, I miss pants.'' Daxter realized.
''Get down from there and let's get heading back. The class three race is supposed to start soon, and I want to talk to the mechanic before we do anything else.''
''Oh, really?'' I folded my arms.
''Yes, really, Raven. And I believe you owe me a 'thank you' for saving your ass out there.''
''Thanks, Jak. You're a real life saver. Just remember what I told you, okay?'' I sighed.
''I'll try.''
People were filing into the stadium as we were heading out to the race garage. The girl was still hidden behind the curtain, working frantically on something.
''We took care of those Metal Heads for the Underground.'' Jak announced.
''Great. I'll send you a medal. Now, if you don't mind, I'm on a deadline here, so scram-''
''Are you always this difficult?'' Jak snapped, putting a hand on his hip (like he usually does when he's angry or thoughtful).
''Let me handle this, guys. Listen, lady! We beat your stupid course, and we can outrace anybody in this city! Now, there's just two things you need to know. One-we don't WANT to join your stinkin' race team! And two, you just lost a date with Orange Lightning. Let's go.'' Daxter ranted.
The curtain moved and the girl stepped out from behind it. Her aqua and green hair was choppy and short. She wore gloves, goggles around her neck, a short pink shirt that showed quite a bit of skin, and these tight purple and maroon striped pants.
''Daxter, it IS you!'' She shrieked.
''KIERA?'' Daxter yelled.
''Oh, I've never been so glad to see your furry mug! And Jak, you look-different.''
''It's been a tough ride.'' He looked away from her.
''The Baron pumped our boy here full of Dark Eco. Now he's got super moves or something… and a few anger issues as well…''
''I've been looking for you guys forever and- who is this?'' She pointed at me. I felt myself tense up instantly.
''Kiera, this is Raven. She was captured, too. She's been through a lot and she's been a good friend of mine.'' He introduced us.
''Hi.'' I said shyly, not wanting to ruin their happy reunion.
''I think I've got a way to get us back home. Somehow that rift took us far into the future and-''
''We found your father-well, sort of.''
''Working with the Underground, fighting the Baron-only, he's Uhh….''
''What?''
''You-you just need to see him. And we need to get to the Baron.''
''You could try winning the racing championship. The winner of that big race always gets to meet the Baron in the palace. But… you have to qualify by winning the lower races. You guys can drive for my team at the class 3 race soon. But, Jak, we should think about getting out of here soon. I don't like this place, and some of the people are creepy…'' She stopped talking as soon as the tub of jelly Krew came flying in to pester us.
''Jak, my boy. I need that ruby key you found, eh? A special client has requested it.''
''Sorry about that Krew, I must've forgotten.'' He chuckled, nodding over at me. I pulled the key out of the pack I carried it in on my left hip and tossed it to Krew.
''Right..'' He frowned, taking the key and looking at it with greedy piggy eyes.
''Well, you should get heading out for the race.'' Kiera told us.