Rise and Fall

Chapter 21: Life and Death

Torn woke me up the next morning. I groaned as he shook my shoulder before finally opening my eyes to glare at the brunette. I managed to realize that Jak and Dax were gone. I also realized I had slept rather late.

"What?" I grumbled as I sat up and stretched.

"Samos wants to see you" Torn informed returning to his reports and maps.

"Which one?" I asked with a laugh.

"The old…," thinking for a second Torn added "-er one."

I shook my head as I laughed quietly before pulling on my boots and effects and heading towards Samos' place. When I arrived, I knocked lightly on the door. Samos must have been waiting on me because the door quickly opened.

"Hello, Jennifer," he greeted before stepping aside. "Please come in."

I walked inside the familiar house and followed Samos into the living room. I sat down on the couch and the older sage sat across from me in an arm chair.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" I questioned, leaning back against the couch.

"There were a few things I thought you needed to know," Samos began, crossing his legs. "You remember our lesson on Life and Death, correct?"

I nodded, waiting for the man to continue.

"You know that there was a war between the two goddesses but I never got into how the war actually started," the green man stated. "You see both Life and Death have planets that solely belong to them. Now they both decided to create this planet and they both filled the planet with their own subjects. Life created the precursors and Death created the Hora Quan, or the metalheads."

"So the two species started fighting with each other, right?" I stated, leaning forward.

"That's correct. Now you see, Death was starting to lose the war and decided to make a deal with her sister. The deal was that together they create a race that would worship the precursors and fear the metalheads and then leave the planet to its own devices. Life agreed and they created us, the elves."

"So why did you need to tell me this?" I questioned.

"Because, both goddesses aren't supposed to interfere with this planet yet Life as sent her precursors to you in order for you to protect Jak," Samos gave a deep sigh and shook his head. "As much as I want you fighting beside Jak, Death does not like it. Have you noticed the increase in metalheads? The fact that they are growing stronger?"

I nodded my head solemnly, "I see what you mean."

"I tell you this because there may be a time in the future when there will be another war," Samos informed, looking grim. "It'll be up to you to decide whose side the elves fight on."

"Well that should be obvious shouldn't it?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "We should side with Life."

"That depends," Samos stated. "Do you want to stay a slave of the precursors forever?"

I opened my mouth to speak but quickly closed it. Samos had a point. The precursors were using me to keep their hero safe. I cared about Jak and I wanted to protect him now that I knew him and they were worried about him growing too attached to me in the event that I died. I was just a pawn to them.

"No" I growled.

Before Samos could speak, my comm. flew out of my pocket.

"Hey, Jenn, Dax and I are gonna grab some lunch at the Hip Hog," Jak stated. "You want to meet us there?"

"Sure, see you in a bit," I smiled at the screen.

Jak nodded and disconnected.

I turned back to Samos who was smiling gently, "Go on. We'll talk more later."

"Thank you, Samos" I smiled before quickly leaving.

It didn't take long to get to the Hip Hog. Jak and Daxter were waiting for me when I arrived and we all took a seat at the bar. Tess greeted us happily as she wiped down the bar top. The orange rodent proceeded to flirt with the blonde girl while Jak and I ate. I couldn't help but think how odd it was that Tess actually liked and flirted with Dax. But at the same time I was glad to see someone that saw Daxter as more than just and orange ottsel.

We sat in a comfortable silence for a little while as Tess scratched Daxter's back and Jak put his arm around my shoulders. I smiled, feeling completely at ease with these people. My peace was broken when Krew came into the room.

"Hey! Get back to work toots!" he shouted at Tess.

"She's working beach ball!" Dax snapped, still making googily eyes at the blonde bartender.

"Watch it! Or you'll be yet another trophy hung on these walls," he growled motioning towards all the stuffed metalheads around the room before turning to Jak. "Jak, I want you to throw the championship race. Just let Erol win…"

If he was going to say more he didn't get the chance because the blonde renegade snapped at him.

"You bet against us?" he growled.

"Jak… Jak… It's just business" Krew chuckled lightly. "You've become a symbol to these townies. They'll bet everything on a glimmer of hope. What better time to make money? Waddaya say, my boy?"

Jak gave a menacing smirk, "I'd say you're going to lose a lot of money. Because I'm going to race and I intend to win!"

Krew growled, "You little… You're becoming more trouble than you're worth! I wouldn't get too comfy, if I was you! Everyone's expendable!"

The fat man took off and I gave a sigh of relief. He really creped me out. I thought that I would be able to return to the enjoyable afternoon I'd been having until a voice spoke behind us making me tense.

"In a hurry to die, boy?" Erol hissed as Jak jumped up from his seat. "Well, we don't have to wait for the big race! We can do this right now. One on one, through the city, using accelerator rings. Hit every ring from start to finish. Miss even one ring and it's over! Kiera already thinks you're a loser, and I'll prove it now, once and for all."

"You're on," Jak hissed, slapping Erol's hand out of his face.

"No," I said, finally speaking up and both men turned towards me. "I'll race you. If I win, you keep your distance from Kiera and keep your guards off our back."

Erol narrowed his eyes, "And if I win, Jak throws the Championship race and you'll be escorted back to the fortress."

"Fine," I glared at the man as he turned to walk out the door.

"Jenny, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Jak hissed. "If you lose, he's going to put you back in prison."

"Jak do you know why Erol is the undisputed Grand Champion?" I questioned and the blonde shook his head. "Because no one on the track is brave enough to actually beat him because their afraid of what he might do to them or their families. Honestly, he's not as good as he's made out to be."

"But have you ever raced before?" Jak questioned, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Sure, I used to race with the Underground guys all the time when I was little," I stated.

"And how did Torn feel about the racing?" Tess questioned.

"What are you talking about?" I smirked. "Torn taught me everything I know about street racing."

Jak took a deep breath, "Ok, I feel a bit better but just don't expect Erol to play fair."

I raised my eyebrow at the blonde, "Do you think I'm stupid or something?"

Jak raised his hands in surrender, "Sorry! Just be careful, ok?"

"Always," I said with a smile before walking outside.

Erol had already gotten two zoomers set up at the starting line and Krimzon Guards were blocking traffic. In the distance I could see the multiply glowing blue rings that designated the race track. He'd even managed to come up with a starting light. Of course I was starting this off at a disadvantage. Erol knew which parts of the city the race would go through but I had no clue other than that we were starting heading towards the farming district.

I swung my leg over the seat of the zoomer next to Erol as the commander slammed his helmet over his face. I leaned down close to the zoomer, eyeing the starting light, waiting for it to turn green. The most important thing when racing one on one was to get ahead at the beginning and stay ahead.

The light came on showing one red light. Then another one appeared below in and I sucked in a breath. When the green light came on, I hit the accelerator as hard as I could and just a millisecond before Erol did. I shot in front of him, hitting the first ring and shooting over the bridge and into the farming district.

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(Jak)

The blonde man watched as the brunette lurked in front of the maniac commander, being the first to make the turn into the farming district. Jak watched until she was completely out of sight before climbing on his zoomer and taking off with Daxter clinging to his shoulder.

"Where are we going?" Dax asked, over the noise of the wind.

"The stadium section," Jak answered. "I'm betting that's where the race will end."

The orange rodent hung on tight as the renegade made a beeline for the stadium.

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(Jenny)

We were making our way into the small market area in the middle of the farming district. Erol was catching up and the sharp turns were kicking my butt. I had to slow down as I made the turn in order to figure out where the next ring was at. Erol of course knew which turns to take and when to slow down in a turn and when not. As we came out of the market place and into the palace area, Erol shot around me. I growled and hit the accelerator.

We made the block around where the now destroyed statue of Baron Praxis was and headed towards the stadium district. I managed to gain on the maniac as we headed down the narrow straightaway. As we made the sharp corner, Erol neglected to slow down enough and slammed into the opposite wall. I zoomed past him, jumping the railing and landing in the waterway below the street.

I didn't look back after that. I knew where this race was heading and I had no difficulty hitting the accelerator rings. I shot up the ramp and made the turn into the stadium area. I went through the last ring with my arms in the air. I noticed Jak and Dax as they neared me on their own zoomer as Erol came through the last, almost ramming into me. I couldn't help the smirk that appeared on my face.

"Don't get too cocky, outlaw! Next time we race for keeps!" he shouted, his face red with anger. "And your head will be my trophy!"

He took off leaving Jak and I laughing.

"Ahh, blow it out your ear," Daxter shouted after him. "You were bottle-fed, weren't you?"

"Great racing," Jak said with a smirk.

"So, what now?" I questioned, looking over at the blonde.

"Samos called and said we had to go to his hut and get something called the Life Seed for his younger self," Jak stated. "Torn left us the Titan Suit there in order to get through the rubble."

"Awesome," I smirked.

The Titan Suit was a large, heavily armored, and strong machine that Vin had invented for the Underground a year or so back. We didn't use it very often because it was hard to move around but it was unbelievably strong and came in handy from time to time. The only thing was that it could only hold one person.

"Well I guess you're on your own on that one," I said and Jak nodded. "I'm going to head back to the Underground. I'm kinda getting tired."

"See ya later," Jak smiled.

He leaned across to my zoomer and gave me a short kiss on the lips before taking off. I couldn't help the smile that came over my face as I headed towards the Hideout.

I yawned as I walked into the Underground. I had only been up for a few hours but I was exhausted, still weak from my time in prison. Torn was missing but I didn't worry too much about it, he was probably over at the Shadow's talking strategy. I took a quick shower before climbing into bed and quickly falling asleep.

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The room was very bright for a second before it faded and I recognized Alaster standing before me.

"What do you want?" I questioned a little anger in my voice.

"I came to warn you," the precursor stated. "The Elders are not happy about your relationship with Jak. Your job is to protect him. If he were to become too attached to you…"

"What are you saying?"

"Jennifer, I'm on your side in this," Alaster said with a sad sigh. "But the Elders think that if Jak were to fall in love with you that you would no longer be able to protect him that he would try to protect you. And if you were to die, it would devastate him. Nothing has been decided yet and I'm doing the best I can but I won't be able to protect you from them for much longer."

I took in a deep breath, "And what happens if the Elders get there way?"

"You will be terminated," Alaster stated solemnly. "And someone else will take your place."

All the light faded and I began to fall.

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I hit the ground hard, the breath leaving my lungs in a rush. The first thing I realized was that I was in Haven Forest. I jumped up and looked around quickly. The light was just fading over the edge of the tops of the trees. The shadows were growing longer and I became more panicked.

I turned around hearing a noise behind me and immediately froze in fear.

The dark creature was behind me, her claws out and her eyes glaring straight at me. She gave an evil smirk, her fangs sticking out. I did the only thing I could think of…

I ran.

I could hear her gaining on me and I pushed myself to run faster. It wasn't long before my sides were burning and I was gasping for air. I looked over my shoulder and didn't see her so I raced behind a tree. I tried to calm myself but I couldn't stop gasping for air. My sides ached and my lungs burned. I doubled over grabbing my ribs as I tried in vain to catch my breath.

I heard a twig snap.

I clammed my mouth shut, quieting my breathing even though all I wanted to was keep gulping in air. I pressed myself against the tree, trying desperately to just disappear.

A hand shot around the tree, grabbing my throat and pulling me around. I tried to scream but claws dung into my neck and all I could do was whimper. The dark creature smirked down at me as it raised its claw to strike.

A/N: I finally got this chapter written! I kept writing and rewriting and then it somehow got deleted and I had to rewrite it again and remember everything that I had planned out for it but know it's finally here! Anyways enjoy! And thanks to everyone for over 5,000 hits! Remember to R&R!